Melbourne News In Brief

BOWIE TRIBUTE
Local musicians will celebrate David Bowie by honouring the 40th and 41st anniversaries of albums Young Americans and Diamond Dogs on 21 Mar at Yarraville Club. Confirmed so far are Tim Rogers, Ron S Peno and Kat Spazzy.

TWISTED FIRESTARTERS
Rock‘n’roll duo Jackson Firebird return from their touring stint throughout Europe and Brazil to play a run of local shows in March and April as part of their Bang The Mohican tour. They’ll road test some new tracks on 14 Mar at The Workers Club.

A MOTLEY GROUP
Rock icons Mötley Crüe have confirmed dates for their highly anticipated Australian leg of their last ever tour with Alice Cooper. It visits Rod Laver Arena, 12 May, with tickets on sale at 11am on 4 Mar. The group’s newest single All Bad Things has also been released, available now.

CHANGE OF PLANS
While extreme weather conditions postponed Dan Sultan’s performance at The Zoo last week, the venue has managed to reschedule the show, which will now take place 5 Mar with Benny Walker playing support.

GET MOODY
Canadian singer-songwriter Ruth Moody returns to Australia with her new album These Wilder Things, and her full band in tow. Enjoy her beautifully crafted and performed folk music when she plays 4 Mar, Melbourne Folk Club, Bella Union; and 5 Mar, Caravan Music Club.

CH-CH-CHANGES
Due to logistical challenges, Michael Franti’s Soulshine concert and yoga jam will be held at Prince Bandroom on the same date as previously scheduled: 2 Apr. Tickets purchased for the show will still be valid at the new venue, while people still looking to snatch some up can do so from Moshtix. Trevor Hall will be performing with Michael Franti & Spearhead for an incredible night of live music and good vibes.

EXTRA EXTRA!
With shows at the Northcote Social Club and Yarra Hotel now sold out, new dates have been added to Americana troubadour Justin Townes Earle’s April tour with Sam Outlaw. An extra Northcote Social Club date has been added on 14 Apr, plus a special matinee show at Yarra Hotel on 12 Apr.

SUPER STATUS
Everybody’s favourite Super Best Friends are finally releasing their debut album Status Updates on 20 Mar, which of course they need to tour to launch and celebrate with y’all. The punk-rock trio’s national tour kicks off on 26 Mar at The Old Bar in Melbourne, and also plays 15 Apr, Ballarat’s Karova Lounge; 16 Apr, Black Swan Hotel, Bendigo; 18 Apr, Reverence Hotel; 23 Apr.

HEAD HUNTERS
With three EPs and a 4-way split 7” to their name, Perth denim lords Scalphunter are now working on taking their recordings to the next level, with two new singles recorded and their debut album slated for a release in the latter half of the year. To help release this double A-side in style, they’ve lined up a string of local launch shows in WA as well as a Melbourne tour, which will see them getting noticed on the east side. Double up on the denim and head to Brunswick Hotel, 27 Mar; Reverence Hotel, 28 Mar; and Cherry Bar, 29 Mar.

JENNY AND THE SIX
Microwave Jenny, the alter-ego of husband and wife musical force Tessa and Brendon Boney, are set to release a brand new EP, Microwave Jenny & The Six Song EP, early next month. To celebrate, the duo will be taking on the country with an extensive national tour, bringing their eclectic mix of electronic pop to Babushka Bar, Ballarat, 16 Apr; Shebeen Bandroom, 17 Apr; and Baby Black Cafe, Bacchus Marsh, 18 Apr.

SEASONS CHANGE
Intimate Melbourne based Packwood have been bubbling quietly beneath the surface for two years. They now announce Autumnul the first of their seasonal four part EP series Vertumnus. 15 Apr at Bella Union (Melbourne Folk Club)

HONOURING A LEGEND
To celebrate the life of a legend gone too soon, Lennon Through A Glass Onion will return to Australia, after a triumphant run in the US. This New York production pays homage to the beloved icon, John Lennon, with songs Imagine, Strawberry Fields Forever, All You Need Is Love and more. Created and performed by Australian actor/musician John Waters and singer/pianist Stewart D’Arrietta, this event celebrates the genius and the wonder that John Lennon brought to his audiences. Arts Centre, 13 – 16 May.

ADALITA RESIDENCY
Australian solo artists Adalita is here to stay for all of March with a residency at The Gasometer Hotel. The founding member of successful rock band Magic Dirt will be bring new solo material to the stage along with some other surprises. After two albums and over two decades, see her alongside Ghostly, 4 Mar; Ali E; 11 Mar, Warmth Crashes In, 18 Mar, Claws & Organs, 25 Mar.

GET PSYCHED
UK electro duo Audiojack will embark on a March national tour in celebration of the release of their new Psychonautics EP, released last week. The group are used to bringing the good times, and that’s what they’ll convey at Revolver Upstairs, 15 Mar.

GOING IN BLIND
German power metal group Blind Guardian is touring to celebrate their recent album release of Beyond The Red Mirror. Alongside these new tracks they’ll still be playing a selection of fan favourites. They’ve worked with three choirs to get their mystical, powerful, symphonic-metal sound for this album. In Melbourne they’ll be playing 19 Jun with guests, at The Hi-Fi.

FLY MY PRETTIES
Barnaby Weir from The Black Seeds and Mikee Tucker from Loop form the New Zealand group Fly My Pretties, who apparently only record live albums. The mostly folky, acoustic group can’t really be put into a genre, or have a set number of band members either. Before they hit Bluesfest, they play in Melbourne on 1 Apr, 170 Russell.

FINAL COUNTDOWN
After a rigorous climb to the top, the 2015 FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands grand finalists are ready to take the stage, going head to head as part of City of Melbourne’s Moomba Festival at Birrarung Marr Park. This year’s finalists will be bringing a range of styles to the festival’s The Push Stage, including rap, metal, rock folk and more, ensuring a home grown show that will cater to everyone’s tastes. A-Ron & J.Jay, The Bean Project, Ember Rain, The Evercold, The Flats, Horris Green, The Quick & The Dead, Requiem and Revolution will all go against each other for a grand prize of over $11,000 and the APRA AMCOS Songwriting Award prize pack of $150 worth of career-assisting books. Head on down to the free event from 1pm on 7 Mar.