TheWeekend

It seemed just about everyone had something to announce this week, from festival line ups to ticket sales to new music.

Dominating the headlines was the Big Day Out, even after a slow year in 2012 it remains an event everyone is interested in and they showed that by staying up nice and late on Sunday night to see the line up announcement, which featured Red Hot Chili Peppers in the headlining slot with a whole swag of super cool bands on the undercard. The following day, a limited number of tickets went on sale and sold out mighty quickly. Then, Thursday night, the full complement of tickets were offered to the public.

The team at Brisbane's BIGSOUND finalised both their showcase and speaker line ups this week, adding an enormous number of incredible musical acts - both established and up and coming - and knowledgable industry folk to their 2012 bill.

The biggest announcement that was never really an announcement was that Madonna would be touring Australia next year. That is not going to happen, it was announced this week. The announce announcing that there was never an announce to announce, nor unannounce.

Recently reformed Canadian rockers The Tea Party opened up to us this week about what went on during the recording of their final album and gave a bit of an insight into why they felt they needed to take a little bit of time apart. Drugs and alcohol were part of the equation.

None other than Noel Fielding himself gave us a bit of an update on the potential future of The Mighty Boosh, telling us that he thinks they should make a movie.

They're in the country right now, which meant that people were extra excited to hear that The xx had just dropped a brand new and utterly gorgeous single. While he might not be as hip as that group, people still love Bob Dylan. His latest record should be a cracker if it's anything like his previous few.

Qantas announced that they had teamed up with none other than Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns for their new ad, with Peter Allen's I Still Call Australia Home cast aside for Johns' new Atlas.

Going to a gig this weekend? Need some assistance in choosing one to see? Well, we're no experts but... hang on, yes we are! Go to one of these.

Friday:

Frenzal Rhomb: Manning Bar, Sydney
Karnivool: The Tivoli, Brisbane
Of Monsters & Men: Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Brookes Brothers: Villa, Perth

Saturday:

Pluto Jonze: Goodgod Small Club, Sydney
Northeast Party House: Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
Victorian Roller Derby League: Melbourne Showgrounds
Rennie Pilgrem: Villa, Perth

Sunday:

Of Monsters & Men: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Clag: Brisbane Powerhouse
Beast Records Showcase, featuring The Horrortones: Yah Yahs, Melbourne
Tusk: Geisha, Perth