Big Day Out 2009 announced!

The Big Day Out is back once again. In 2009, the promoters of Big Day Out have somehow organised yet again another massive lineup. Are you ready for this?

Come January 16th 2009, the likes of Neil Young, Arctic Monkeys, The Living End, The Prodigy, Bullet for My Valentine, Simian Mobile Disco, Tv On The Radio and The Ting Tings will be performing across the country for you. Joining those outstanding acts are others such as My Morning Jacket, Sneaky Sound System, Pendulum, Cut Copy, Youth Group, The Grates and more.

You might remember the Big Day Out for being a red festival full of sweltering conditions, dry mouths and burnt skin, well this year, and unlike other years, the promoters have aimed to make the festival more green and add more shded areas. It's about time!!!!

A second announcement is due in November, but who needs a second one when you have this supercalafragilisticexpialidocious one!

This will sell out in minutes. So start finding some cash!!

BIG DAY OUT 2009: NEIL YOUNG, ARCTIC MONKEYS, THE LIVING END, THE PRODIGY, SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM, MY MORNING JACKET, PENDULUM, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, TV ON THE RADIO, SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO, THE TING TINGS, TIKI TAANE, CUT COPY, COG, YOUTH GROUP, THE GRATES, BIRDS OF TOKYO, TZU and EDDY CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING.

Dates are as follows:

Friday Jan 16th - MT Smart Stadiium, Auckland (NZ)

Sunday Jan 18th - Parklands, Gold Coast (QLD)

Friday Jan 23rd - Showgrounds, Sydney (NSW)

Monday Jan 26th - Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne (VIC)

Friday Jan 30th - Showgrounds, Adelaide (SA)

Sunday Feb 1st - Claremont Showground, Perth (WA)

TICKETS ON SALE:

SYDNEY: Wednesday8th Oct

GOLD COAST: Thursday 9th Oct

AUCKLAND, MELBOURNE, ADELAIDE & PERTH: Friday 10th Oct

http://www.bigdayout.com/

Pyramid Rock Festival adds more acts

The 5th annual Pyramid Rock Festival has expanded its line-up to include Ladyhawke, Stars, The Vines and Frightened Rabbit among many others.

The sold out festival takes place on Phillip Island in Victoria over the New Year period spanning the 29th of December through to New Years day.

Other acts added to the bill are Bob Evans, The Mess Hall, DJ Vadim & Yarah Bravo, Children Collide, Behind Crimson Eyes, Bang Gang DJs, Drapht, Theredsunband, The Paper Scissors, Yves Klein Blue, Resin Dogs, Carus And The True Believers, Downsyde, Sugar Army, The Scientists of Modern Music, Good Buddha, Bonjah, Hercules In New York, The Funkoars, Sunshine Brothers, Rogerthat, The Jezabels and Twelve Foot Ninja.

www.thepyramidrockfestival.com

Kanye West to tour Australia December 08'

Kanye West, one of the biggest names in music, is hitting Australia in December for his 'Glow In The Dark' tour!

After touring extensively for years, even appearing at Good Vibes fest earlier this year, Kanye appears to be bringing NAS for the ride for his first time in Australia along with Scribe as the touring support act.

Artists such as Lupe Fiasco, Rhianna, N.E.R.D. and Gnarls Barkley have been supporting him recently, but it seems Mr West is bringing out DJ Craze to our shores. It was actually DJ Craze who let this news outta his mouth a little early. He let it slip that he and Kanye would be touring Australia this December before the promoters had even mentioned anything!!

Kanye debuted a new song at the MTV Music Awards. "Love Lockdown", which features no rapping and only singing using an auto-tune device, will appear on Kanye's upcoming fourth studio album, '808s & Heartbreak'. The new album was expected to be released on December 16, but West announced on his blog on September 24, 2008, that he had finished the album and would be releasing it sometime in November, earlier than previously scheduled. Stay tuned for the announcement of the exact release date.

5th Dec - Rod Laver Arean (VIC)
6th Dec - Acer Arena (NSW)
7th Dec - Brisbane Entertainment Centre (QLD)

http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/

Byron Bay Arts & Music Festival cancelled and Sunset Sounds Festival announced!

The 2009 Byron Bay Arts & Music Festival has been cancelled. Instead, the Falls team have put together a new festival (with the same acts) called Sunset Sounds in Brisbane.

The Hives, The Kooks and The Cat Empire are among the artists set to appear at the inaugural Sunset Sounds festival in Brisbane this January.

The festival, which features artists scheduled to play the cancelled Byron Bay Arts & Music Festival, will take place on the 7th and 8th of January at the City Gardens.

First release tickets go on sale Friday 3rd of October.

In a statement by promoters the festival "hit regulatory hurdles".

"Despite securing a fantastic line-up; overwhelming support amongst the Byron Bay community; and positive early indications from the local council, the organiser's self-imposed deadline for obtaining final approvals for the venue expired last week.

"Whilst it is common for major events in Byron Bay to proceed without final approvals until only weeks before the event, organisers were uncomfortable with the level of risk given the significance of the line-up and organisation going in to the event."

http://www.sunsetsounds.com.au/

Soundwave 2009 lineup announced

Some of the head bangers at Music Universe are licking their lips after getting this press release on their desks this morning.

The Soundwave festival for 2009 has been officially been announced and just look at this for a lineup.

Nine Inch Nails, The Bloodhound Gang, Scars on Broadway, The Subways, Alkaline Trio, Poison The Well, Less Than Jake and even Alice In Chains are amongst the bands making an appearance.

The full line-up is:

NINE INCH NAILS, ALICE IN CHAINS, BLOODHOUND GANG, SCARS ON BROADWAY, LAMB OF GOD, ALKALINE TRIO, BILLY TALENT, THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS, FACE TO FACE, IN FLAMES, RIVAL SCHOOLSANBERLIN, THE SUBWAYS, EVERY TIME I DIE, DEVILDRIVER, FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND, LESS THAN JAKE, POISON THE WELL, MADINA LAKE, NEW FOUND GLORY, FROM FIRST TO LAST, BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH, HELLOGOODBYE, FINCH, GOLDFINGER, SAY ANYTHING, CHIODOS, SILVERSTEIN, SAVES THE DAY, LACUNA COIL, 36 CRAZYFISTS, STRAYLIGHT RUN, EVERGREEN TERRACE, MINUS THE BEAR, MONEENACE ENDERS (THE EARLY NOVEMBER), I AM THE AVALANCHE, JAGUAR LOVE, UNEARTH, BAYSIDE, EMERY, HOUSTON CALLS, THE AUDITION, ATTACK IN BLACK, INNERPARTYSYSTEM, VALENCIA, IN THIS MOMENT, THE RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS, ALESANA, HORSE THE BAND, MAYLENE & THE SONS OF DISASTER

The festival kicks off in Brisbane on Saturday February the 21st and wraps up in Perth on Monday, March the 2nd. Stay tuned for ticket details and up to date information on proceedings.

Saturday February 21st – Brisbane

Sunday February 22nd – Sydney

Friday February 27th – Melbourne

Saturday February 28th – Adelaide

Monday March 2nd – Perth

http://www.soundwavefestival.com/

*NEWSFLASH* Musicians take drugs!

Not really a newsflash considering it's as obvious as the answer to the question 'is Elvis dead?'

YES HE IS MORONS!

Anyway, just thought I'd get your attention and share a couple of funny clips I found floating around the net.

These clips prove what every dog and his owner knows......reporters need to lighten up!

James Brown


The Klaxons

Gorillaz to release third album

Well, it's official, Gorillaz are set to return with a third studio album complete with newly designed cartoon characters, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett have confirmed.

The pair let slip in an interview with CBCnews that Damon has already started working on the long-player and Jamie is re-drawing the four characters.

Damon told the news agency: “We’re doing another Gorillaz record. We came back from summer holidays and realized we could do exactly what we wanted to do with Gorillaz. Essentially, Jamie just had to agree to draw the characters again. Because I just do what I do anyway.”

Jamie Hewlett added: “I’m so fucking bored of drawing those characters. But then we had a moment where we had a new angle on it... I’m gonna adapt them. "

The artist continued that Gorillaz' record label EMI were jubilant when the pair confirmed their future plans:
"You’re only the second person we’ve told that Gorillaz is making an album, actually. We were instructed to keep it a secret. When we told the record company, they went “Woohoo!” – you could hear them shouting in the background – and then said, “Don’t tell anybody!”, said Jamie.

Sorry boys.....

www.gorillaz.com

Blink 182's Travis Barker survives plane crash

In one of the luckiest, yet tragic stories to hit the music industry this year, doctors announced today thar Travis Barker and DJ AM are expected to make full recoveries from injuries sustained in a plane crash.

The former Blink 182 drummer and the DJ – real name Adam Goldstein – have been in a critical condition with second and third degree burns after their jet crashed on take off in Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday night (19.09.08), killing the four other passengers on board.

Medics believe the two musicians will eventually recover from their injuries. Dr. Fred Mullins of the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors' Hospital in Augusta said: 'Since both Barker and Goldstein are in overall good health and didn't suffer from any other crash-related complications, a full recovery is expected. 'Recovery could take up to a year, but I would expect it would be much sooner than that." The doctor said Travis suffered burns to his torso and lower body, while DJ AM was burned on his arms and head. Both are in the intensive-care unit of the hospital and are reported as being critical but stable.

Nicole Richie (previously engaged to DJ AM) is said to be 'in shock' following the crash, while her fiancé Joel Madden (Good Charlotte) is also distraught by the news. A source said: "She wishes only the best for Adam and hopes he recovers from this. She's horribly upset about the people who died. Joel knows Travis and also feels terrible and hopes they recover. This is terrible news for both of them."

Lindsay Lohan is among the stars who have spoken out about the tragedy. Posting on her MySpace blog, Lindsay wrote: 'Please send your prayers out to Adam Goldstien and Travis Barker - along with the others lost in the plane crash. It's so scary to think that life can end so fast. We must all treasure each and every moment, and be thankful for what we have.'

The crash occurred after the two men had played a free concert under the name of TRVSDJ-AM in Columbia. Pilot Sarah Lemmon, 31, co-pilot James Bland, 52, Travis’ assistant Chris Baker, 29, and his security guard Charles Sill, 25, all lost their lives. No one else was on board the jet.

www.cnn.com

The Kooks return to Australia

The Kooks were in Australia only a month ago but their shows sold out so fast that they had to announce a return to our shores as soon as possible. These Brighton boys were such a hit when they graced us for the first time ever, that it can only be assumed that these new shows announced will sell out in record time.

So, Britain’s Kookiest sons will be gracing our shores for the Falls and Southbound Festivals this New Years Eve and are to do two mega sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne whilst they’re here.

So, The Kooks are back and they're playing at some bigger venues this time.

MONDAY 5th JAN HORDERN PAVILION, SYDNEY
THURSDAY 8th JAN THE PALACE, MELBOURNE

Tickets on Sale 29th September

http://www.thekooks.co.uk/

The Hives announce mini Australian tour

.......tick, tick, tick, BOOM!

That's right. Those Swedes that call themselves the greatest band on earth have just announced that they’ll be playing two intimate sideshows whilst in Oz for the Falls Festival. Your new favourite band – The Hives - are coming to shake their Nordic arses Dowunder.

It feels like a lifetime since Howlin’ Pelle Almqvistand bought his men to our shores but our legs are quivering with joy at what our favourite Swedes of the black and white brigade have in store. You’d be a chump (A.K.A.I.D.I.O.T) to miss these shows.

Melbourne, The Forum – Monday December 29
Sydney, The Metro – Tuesday January 6

*They will also be appearing at The Falls Festival over NYE

Tickets on sale Friday October 3rd, so don't miss out!

http://www.thehives.nu/

Lily Allen to release sophmore on Feb 9th

For all those waiting in anticipation, we and Lily have an announcement to make.

Miss Allen’s new album will be released on February 9 2009.

Yep, Lily Allen has revealed on her blog that her LP (provisionally titled 'Stuck on the Naughty Step') will hit the shops next year, but assured fans she will be releasing new material before then. 'My new album will be released on the 9th of Feb 2009. I know it's a while away, but there will be bits and bobs flying around before then, I'm shooting a video (for viral release) in the next couple of weeks, to keep you entertained.'

She also wrote: 'I am so excited, we're getting all the artwork and stuff done and coming up with new and interesting ideas. I am trying really hard to do this album with integrity and I want you all to know that it has been thought about by me, not just some thrown together last minute industry bullshizz.'

Lily recently released a track titled 'Guess Who Batman?. This track is Lily Allen at her finest. You can't help but laugh when Lily uses the F-word, especially considering its in such a happy sounding song. Music Universe just loves you Lily Allen. Hopefully it will make the album.

http://www.lilyallenmusic.com/

The Killers get Jacques Lu Cont on board for 'Day & Age'

Well, it turns out dance music identity Stuart Price, aka Jacques Lu Cont/Les Rhythmes Digitales, has kept himself quite busy. This time around he’s lent his talents to chart-topping rock band The Killers, producing their forthcoming album 'Day & Age'.

It’s not the first time The Killers and Price have crossed paths. Price’s remix of 'Mr Brightside' under the Jacques Lu Cont scored a Grammy nomination in 2006. They also collaborated on the band’s rather bizarre Christmas single 'Don’t Shoot Me Santa' in 2007.

'Day & Age" is The Killers’ first album in two years and is set for release on November 22nd. The first single, 'Human', will be unleashed on September 22nd.

www.thekillers.com

The Ruby Suns Australian tour

The Ruby Suns return to Australia and now we can breath easy….touring time has come again!The band are set to hit our shores this December playing Meredith Music Festival along with Sydney and Melbourne side shows the weekend beforehand

Friday December 5- Spectrum (SYDNEY) w/ Pikelet plus special guests

Saturday December 6- Northcote Social Club (MELBOURNE) w/ Pikelet plus special guests

Tickets for both shows on sale now.

*Also appearing at the Meredith Music Festival along with MGMT, Holy Fuck, Architecture In Helsinki and countless others

http://www.therubysuns.com/

Stars return to tour Australia in January

The blissful Quebec outfit - Stars - will be touring Australia early in 2009.

Sadly, the band will only be making stops in Brisbane and Sydney.

Stars will be in town promoting their latest EP, a digital-only release entitled 'Sad Robots', which is only available from http://www.sadrobots.ca/. The EP features an all-new live version of 'Going, Going, Gone' which originally featured on the band's debut album, 'Nightsongs'. Stars members Torquil Campbell, Amy Millan and Evan Cranley make guest appearances in Broken Social Scene. Bands like Stars, BSS and Arcace Fire have propagated the rise of indie pop and the quintessential "Canadian" sound. Stars' dates down under are:

Saturday January 3 The Factory Theatre, Sydney

Sunday January 4The Zoo, Brisbane

Tickets go on sale Friday September 19.

Field Day 2009 festival announces acts

The line up for Field Day 2009 has been announced.

The outdoor festival happens every New Year's Day in Sydney.

Here's who you can catch sets from:
ROGER SANCHEZ
SANTOGOLD LIVE
DIGITALISM LIVE
JAMIE LIDELL LIVE
BOYS NOIZE
A-TRAK
SWITCH
TRENTEMØLLER
LATE OF THE PIER LIVE
ADAM FREELAND
BUSY P
DJ MEHDI
YO MAJESTY LIVE
FORT KNOX 5
CICADA LIVE
+ MANY MORE

Tickets went on sale today for Fuzzy members only, and the general public can have a grab at the remaining stock on Tuesday September 23. Entry to the Festival will set you back $120 plus the usual booking fee. Get all the details at fuzzy.com.au

'Days Like This' festival announced

Yet another summer festival has been announced for Sydney.

'Days Like This' will be held on Sunday January 4th at the Moore Park Entertainment Quarter.

It'll include lots of the acts already announced for other festivals. But they've also announced they've got Public Enemy on the bill!

Here's the line-up:

Fat Freddys Drop, Public Enemy, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Morcheeba, Atmosphere feat. Brother Ali, The Dodos, Gilles Peterson feat. MC Earl Zinger, Carl Craig, Platinum Pied Pipers, Eli “Paperboy” Reed & The True Loves, Yo Majesty, South Rakkas Crew, Katalyst, Flying Lotus, Recloose, Ladi 6, Waajeed, Mark Pritchard & Steve Spacek, DJ Vadim feat. Yarah Bravo, Watussi, Spikey Tee & Ritual Budspells & more to come

Head to dayslikethis.com.au for all the details.

Pink Floyd founder Rick Wright, dies

Pink Floyd keyboard player and founder member Richard Wright has died aged 65 from cancer.

Wright appeared on the group's first album, 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn', in 1967 alongside lead guitarist Syd Barrett, Roger Waters and Nick Mason. Dave Gilmour joined the band at the start of 1968 while Barrett left the group shortly afterwards. In 1978, he released his first solo album, 'Wet Dream' and in 1996 he released his second solo album 'Broken China'.

Gilmour said: "He was such a lovely, gentle, genuine man and will be missed terribly by so many who loved him."

Wright's spokesman said in a statement: "The family of Richard Wright, founder member of Pink Floyd, announce with great sadness that Richard died today after a short struggle with cancer. "The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time." He did not say what form of cancer the self-taught keyboard player and pianist had.

Pink Floyd achieved legendary status with albums including 1973's The Dark Side Of The Moon, which stayed in the US album chart for more tan a decade.

Mystery Jets to play Australian sideshows

UK popsters Mystery Jets will play their first-ever Australian shows at the Falls and Southbound Festivals this summer, and they’ll be making fans happy with two special sideshows too.

The four-piece released its sophomore album 'Twenty One' earlier this year with rave reviews.

With a reputation for slick live shows, Mystery Jets should have no trouble winning Australia over in January. Tickets on sale Monday 22 September.

Thursday 1 Jan – The Hi Fi, Melbourne

Sunday 4 Jan – The Metro Theatre, Sydney

http://www.mysteryjets.com/

Bloc Party to release 'Talons' single

Bloc Party just like to do things a little weird these days. I think they are straining their brains trying to think outside the square. Anyway, so following the digital release of their latest album 'Intimacy', Bloc Party have announced details of their brand new single 'Talons' to be released through Wichita Recordings on 20th October’08.

However, 'Talons', produced by 'Silent Alarm' producer Paul Epworth, is not featured on the band's latest album which was given a surprise digital release via the band’s website last month. The single will be included, along with other new songs, on the physical version of the album released come October 28th. For all of those who have already bought or pre-ordered the album the single will be available to download for free.

Talking about 'Talons' singer Kele said, 'we wanted to keep things fresh and we thought the fans would be more excited to get a new song rather than something off the album. Talons is one of the last songs we recorded during the Intimacy sessions and I always had it in mind to be one of the extra tracks we promised for the CD if it turned out well. It turned out great so we decided to make it the next single. I’m enjoying this way of working, not over-thinking things, just make a decision and get on with it! It’s quite liberating in a way, I’m sure it’s going to be the way things happen more and more in the future'.

As for their next release, who knows what Bloc Party plan on conjuring up.

Bloc Party are touring Australia this November.

www.blocparty.com

AC/DC announce US tour for November

With 'Black Ice' released in Australia on 18 October, AC/DC has locked in its first run of shows. Sadly, they’re all shows for those living in the USA (and Canada). AC/DC will play across the States during November and December.

Why does Australia always get sharted on? It's just not fair!

Among the dates are back-to-back nights at the iconic Madison Square Gardens in New York on 12 and 13 November.

Rolling Stone reports that the band will then “invade South America, Asia and Europe before returning to the U.S. for a run through stadiums in summer of 2009.”

What about Australia you ask? Life just aint fair!!!! We impatiently await further news…

www.acdc.com

Oasis cancel gig, busk in NY, release doco and many editions of 'Dig Out Your Soul'

Oasis have been forced to cancel their performance at Terminal 5 in NYC, owing to injuries incurred by Noel Gallagher during Sunday's Toronto assault incident.

Noel wrote this on his blog today - "Nowt down today, droogs. Spent all day in bed suffering from my severe tickling at the hands of that drunken Canadian who, it transpires, is a grown man of 47 years!! (And I thought I was the oldest person at our gigs!) In his defence though, he's probably having one of those mid-life crises things. Apparently it's on YouTube. Imagine doing an assault on world television!? Did get to watch 4 "Seinfeld"s though. And some American football, so not too dissimilar to a normal day back home. Have to get another check up tomorrow. I'm gonna ask for new bionic ribs. Apologies for blowing out the show in London (that's London in Canada). You can thank your comrade from Toronto for that. We will return though. Probably in December. Anyway, gotta go. These painkillers are kicking in again".

Now, Oasis apparently will be meeting up with a bunch of NYC buskers for a little rehearsal session tomorrow. Several of the city's finest subway and street corner performers will be taught three songs from the forthcoming Oasis record, 'Dig Out Your Soul', and will perform them at various spots around town tomorrow. It's also rumored that members of Oasis may be among the buskers, so, uh, good luck getting to all those spots.

Furthermore, a documentary is forthcoming, and sheet music from 'Dig Out Your Soul' will be available for purposes of self-edification.

Phew.

Now for that new album. It's picked up a few deluxe editions since our last article. These get increasingly more complicated, so, deep breath:

1. the standard CD edition;

2. the digital edition;

3. the double-vinyl edition;

4. the deluxe CD digipack with bonus DVD containing a making-of documentary (Gold & Silver & Sunshine) and "The Shock of the Lightning" music video;

5. the crazy-super-deluxe box set with standard CD, nine-track bonus disc that includes a Chemical Brothers remix and a production by Death in Vegas' Richard Fearless, four(!)-LP edition of the album, the aforementioned DVD, a digital download code (if you buy via Oasis' site), and a big ol' book.

As if that weren't nutty enough, 20 random copies of this crazy-deluxe limited edition box will be signed by the band.

'Dig Out Your Soul', once again, arrives on the shelves October 6. A UK single for "The Shock of the Lightning", meanwhile, lands September 29.

K. Im done. I think I just developed RSI.

www.oasisinet.com

....Trail of Dead gives us a hint of their future with new EP 'Festival Thyme'

And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead are giving us a sneak peak into their future in the form of 'Festival Thyme', a new EP. The band will release it in the U.S. via their own Richter Scale imprint of Justice Records on October 21 on vinyl and digitally, while Superball Music will handle the album's CD and digital release in the UK and Europe.

'Festival Thyme' contains all new songs, including a peek at an alternate mix of a tune called "Bells of Creation" that will appear on the band's 'So Divided' follow-up, due in January. In addition to the EP's CD and digital releases, there will be a U.S.-only 10" vinyl picture disc that replaces the track "Inland Sea" with a cover of the Replacements' "Within Your Reach". The 10" is limited to an edition of 3000.

10":

A1 Bells of Creation (Machete Mix)

A2 Within Your Reach (Replacements cover)

B1 Festival Thyme

B2 The Betrayal of Roger Casement & the Irish Brigade

CD/digital:

01 Bells of Creation (Machete Mix)

02 Inland Sea (EP Edit)

03 Festival Thyme

04 The Betrayal of Roger Casement & the Irish Brigade

http://www.trailofdead.com/

Razorlight release 'Slipway Fires' Nov 3rd.

Razorlight have announced details of their new album.

The follow-up to the band’s 2006 self-titled album has been christened 'Slipway Fires' and was recorded over a period of two months in north London.

the album's first single 'Wire To Wire’ will be released on 26 September.

Razorlight, their second studio album, crashed into the UK album chart at No.1 two years ago on the back of 'In The Morning’ and the No.1 single 'America’.

'Slipway Fires' is due for release on 3 November.

www.razorlight.co.uk

MGMT to do double album for 2nd album?

MGMT have they’ve got plans in place for the second album and they're going all weird on us.

“We thought we’d go for the cliched, overly ambitious sophomore album,” Andrew Van Wyngarden revealed. "'Oracular Spectacular' has both pop songs and psychedelic songs, so we thought we’d make a double album next – with one disc for pop and the other for psychedelia.”

It’s also been revealed that pioneering electronica duo The Chemical Brothers recently reached out to MGMT with the offer of a collaboration after hearing their breakthrough debut album 'Oracular Spectacular'.

“We’ll experiment with them to create a different sound. It won’t be dance music,” MGMT’s Ben Goldwasser stated. “They’ve collaborated with people like Noel Gallagher before and they have this psychedelic side to them, so we’ll find a common ground.”

Things could get interesting.............

http://www.whoismgmt.com/

Elbow win Mercury Prize Award for 2008

From a heavyweight nominations list that included Radiohead, Burial and The Last Shadow Puppets, Manchester outfit Elbow has claimed the Mercury Prize for fourth album 'The Seldom Seen Kid'.

It’s the award artists actually care about winning, so it’s no surprise Elbow frontman Guy Garvey gave a very chuffed acceptance at the London ceremony. “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to us,” he said. “We’d like to dedicate this award to [deceased former band member] Brian Clancy, one of the greatest men who ever lived. Thank you very much and have a top evening!”

Nice one Elbow. Sadly for Radiohead, this is the fourth time they’ve been nominated and haven’t won.

Unlucky!!!!!!

http://www.elbow.co.uk/

ARIA Award nominees for 2008 are.....

It’s time to announce the honour roll for the 2008 ARIA Awards.

Homebake’s leading lady Gabriella Cilmi has muscled into the competition with a whopping six nominations, including Best Female Artist and Single Of The Year for 'Sweet About Me'. Significantly less radio-play has come the way of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, but he’s also up for a hefty four gongs on the back of debut album 'Gurrumul'.

Then there’s Aussie ex-pat Sam Sparro, whose newfound pop star status has earned him five nominations. Also doing well in the nominations stakes are rave overlords The Presets and, err, The Veronicas, who have picked up four nominations each. Some debut nominees we’d like to say “onya” to include Eddy Current Suppression Ring, The Panics, Midnight Juggernauts and British India.

Here are a few of the major categories for your perusal.

The 2008 ARIA Awards go down Sunday 19 October at Acer Arena, Sydney.

Best Rock Album

Eddy Current Suppression Ring – Primary Colours (Aarght/Shock Entertainment)

Faker – Be The Twilight (Capitol/EMI)

Gyroscope – Breed Obsession (Mushroom Records/Warner Music Australia)

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! (Virgin/EMI)

The Living End – White Noise (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia)

Album of the Year

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul (Skinnyfish Music/MGM)

Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson – Rattlin’ Bones (Liberation Music)

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! (Virgin/EMI)

The Living End – White Noise (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia)

The Presets – Apocalypso (Modular/Universal Music Australia)

Best Male Artist

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul (Skinnyfish Music/MGM)

Nick Cave – Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! (Virgin/EMI)

Paul Kelly – To Her Door (Live) (Capitol/EMI)

Pete Murray – Summer At Eureka (Columbia/Sony BMG)

Sam Sparro – Sam Sparro (Universal Music Australia)

Best Female Artist

Clare Bowditch – The Moon Looked On (Capitol/EMI)

Gabriella Cilmi – Lessons To Be Learned (Mushroom Records/Warner Music Australia)

Holly Throsby – A Loud Call (Spunk/Virgin)

Kylie Minogue – X (Mushroom Records/Warner Music Australia)

Missy Higgins – Peachy (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)

Bloc Party get intimate on tour in Australia

Are you ready indie rockers! UK indie-rock bastions Bloc Party are back on our shores in November for five headline shows this November.

The band recently caused a stir by only giving three day’s notice before releasing third album 'Intimacy'. If the playing field is changing, these guys know how to keep up. 'Intimacy' is replete with all the rousing Bloc Party trademarks – punchy instrumentation, sweeping electronics, the urgent vocals of frontman Kele Okereke – that make their live shows so thrilling.

Tickets on sale 9am, Thursday 25 September.

Thu 20 Nov – Festival Hall, Melbourne

Sun 23 Nov – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide

Tues 25 Nov – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney

Fri 28 Nov – Riverstage, Brisbane

Sun 30 Nov – Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth

www.blocparty.com

Santogold and more added to Falls Festival

The Falls Music and Arts and Southbound Festivals have pulled another stack of golden musical rabbits out their hats for the third official line-up announcement.

Brooklyn’s sassiest lady of bling Santogold will be joining fellow lady-of–the-sass, Sharon Jones and her Dap Kings, to make sure you’re shaking your thang right into the New Year. Keeping up with the ladies (at his own pace) will be bluegrass legend CW Stoneking & The Primitive Horn Orchestra, whilst local beat breakers Blue King Brown will be bringing their infectious mash of world music to the stage.

FALLS FESTVAL – Lorne (Sold Out)

Santogold
Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings
Blue King Brown
Cut Off Your Hands
Lykke Li
CW Stoneking & the Primitive Horn Orchestra
South Rakkas Crew
Grafton Primary
MURS
Violent Soho
Laura Jean & the Eden Land Band
Mamadou Diabate
Kat Frankie

The Barons of Tang
Dash & Will
Skipping Girl Vinegar

Its more or less the same lineup for Marion Bay, Southbound and The Byron Arts festivals (minus Sanotgold).

Tegan and Sara announce January shows

In Australia this New Years Eve period to play the Southbound/Falls/Byron Bay Festivals, Canadian twins Tegan and Sara will also slot in select sideshows.

The beguiling pair was last here in 2007, flaunting fifth album 'The Con'. All shows predictably sold out well in advance.

Expect that same dedication from their 2009 return.

Tega and Sara play three sideshows in January, ably supported by The Jezabels and An Horse.

Tickets go on sale September 11.

Thursday Jan 8 – The Metro, Sydney (All Ages)
Friday Jan 9 – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne
Sunday Jan 11 – HQ, Adelaide (All Ages)

http://www.teganandsara.com/

Good Vibrations 2009 announced

Returning to the beautiful grounds of Centennial Park in Sydney and Heirisson Island in Perth, Good Vibrations also announce two brand spanking new venues for 2009. In Queensland the Good Vibes crew are moving back to the Gold Coast Parklands, while Melbourne gets a bigger and better location (with no sound restrictions!), but you’ll have you wait a little bit longer to find out where.

The 2009 line-up is still a few weeks away, but to get you talking the Good Vibes crew passed on details of one of their headline acts. Sam Sparro, who made a flying visit to Sydney and Melbourne in July, will return for the full national tour early next year. Having sold out shows in a flash on his last visit, Sparro has well and truly broken through in 2008.

In 2008 Good Vibrations Festival played host to 90,000 people, making it one of the festival season’s most anticipated events. A limited number of presale tickets will be available for Jam Music Members from 9am Friday 12 September.

Good Vibrations Festival 2009:

Sat Feb 14 – Sydney, Centennial Park
Sun Feb 15 – Melbourne, Venue TBC
Sat Feb 21 – Gold Coast, Parklands
Sun Feb 22 – Perth, Heirisson Island

www.goodvibrationsfestival.com.au

The Dears to release 3rd album 'Missiles'

The Dears are back with a new album titled 'Missiles'

With three full LPs and a couple of EPs under their belts, this collection from the orchestral dark-pop outfit is sure to excite existing Dears believers while adding many new ones to the stable.

Album Track-listing:

1) Disclaimer

2) Dream Job

3) Money Babies

4) Berlin Heart

5) Lights Off

6) Crisis 1 & 2

7) Demons

8) Missiles

9) Meltdown

10) Saviour

'Missiles' will be released on 27th October on Dangerbird Records. The first single, 'Money Babies', will be released on 13th October.

www.thedears.org

Flight of The Conchords make final season

Perhaps taking in some inspiration from Ricky Gervais, Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie have told British music magazine Q that there will only be one more series of their self-titled television show.

The show which just finished it’s first season run on Network Ten will have a second ten episode season before rapping up for good. The reason – the boys are struggling to come up with quality material. “We’ve got a lot of half-songs,” said Clement. “We’ve got an album’s worth of beginnings of songs.”

Unlike the show’s first series, which borrowed songs from the band’s previous live performances and BBC radio series, season two will feature 100% new material. The show is a cult hit in both the United Kingdom and the United States, with Jermain and Bret playing headlines shows at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.

The added publicity of the show has seen the boys expand their reach. McKenzie has recently auditioned for a part in the forthcoming Justice League of America movie, while Clement will feature in Jared Hess’ (creator of Napoleon Dynamite ) new film Gentlemen Broncos.

Season two of Flight Of The Conchords is due to air in mid-2009.

Hopefully post production, Flight of The Conchords can make an appearance over here in Australia!!!

Please..

http://www.conchords.co.nz/

Coldplay can't stop making music

In a bid to make trade even fairer, French romantic military men Coldplay will package up all the off-cuts from their 'Viva La Vida' sessions on a new EP.

Speaking on BBC 6 Music, frontman Chris Martin confirmed the band wrote more songs with Brian Eno than could be accommodated on one album. The EP, due out in true blockbuster style on 26 December, is likely to called either 'Prospects March' or 'Prospects Songs'. It may even include 'Luna', that intriguing collaboration with Kylie Minogue.

And just because they’re on a roll, Coldplay is “gonna have another record ready by November 2009 to end the decade.”

Sounds ominous and just fantastic.

www.coldplay.com

Martha Wainwright to tour Australia

As mentioned in an earlier article, this November, Martha Wainwright arrives in Australia with full live band in tow for a string of theatre shows.

Coming from fine musical lineage, Martha Wainwright has reasserted her singular talent with second album 'I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too'. Alongside father Loudon and brother Rufus, Martha has ensured the Wainwright name is a distinguished one. Her bold and steely songwriting is at its best on 'I Know You’re Married…', and she’s renowned as a captivating live presence. She's just a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice. This will be a special tour.

Tickets on sale Wednesday 10 September.

Wed 12 Nov – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Thu 13 Nov – The Forum, Melbourne
Sat 15 Nov – Meeniyan Hall, Meeniyan
Tue 18 Nov – The Tivoli, Brisbane
Wed 19 Nov – Wrest Point, Hobart
Fri 21 Nov – The Gov, Adelaide
Sat 22 Nov – Fly By Night, Fremantle

http://www.marthawainwright.com/

'All Tomorrow's Parties' comes to Australia

There have been murmurs of legendary festival kingpin All Tomorrow’s Parties expanding its reach to Australia, and it’s actually happening in January 2009.

Victorian alpine resort Mt Buller will host the three-day festival from 9 to 11 January, with a truly special headliner in Nick Cave. The celebrated troubadour will be backed up by a host of international and local acts. With three days to play with, we’re expecting big things.

All Tomorrow’s Parties is responsible for the iconic 'Don’t Look Back' concert series, which debuted in Australia earlier this year to great acclaim.

Expect some more big named acts to follow in the coming weeks.

Mt Buller

9-11 January 2009

http://www.nick-cave.com/

Pete Doherty dies after suspected drug overdose

But don't worry kids..........he's still alive!!!

In typical Pete fashion, Mr Doherty 'died' and had to be revived after a suspected drugs overdose. The Babyshambles frontman was treated by medics after his heart stopped beating following an alleged drugs binge.

Despite his near death experience, Pete did perform at porn cinema NonStop in Graz, Austria, four hours late last Thursday (28.08.08). Playing down the event, Pete, 29, said: "There was some minor problem but it's a secret. Nothing bad though - I'm still alive."

Paramedics were called to the farmhouse of Pete's promoter Bettina Aichbauer where the troubled singer was staying, after he passed out and failed to regain consciousness. The rocker reportedly refused to be taken to hospital for more treatment, and went on to play a 45-minute set.

The concert was held to launch an autobiographical film the singer shot over the last eight months. The movie is said to include revelations about Pete's two-year relationship with British supermodel Kate Moss, but once the singer took to the stage he refused to show the footage saying his laptop had broken.

Just another day in Pete's smashed up life.

Metallica for Big Day Out 2009??

While we’re all busy speculating on the Big Day Out 2009 line-up, another massive tour looks to be brewing. Various reports suggest stadium rock gods Metallica will visit Australia late this year, or early next. The Sydney Morning Herald is touting Acer Arena as their Sydney venue, but no dates have yet been released.

Metallica proved a unanimous show-stopper at the recent Reading and Leeds Festivals, with their ninth studio album 'Death Magnetic' due for an early September release. We last saw the powerhouse band down under for Big Day Out 2004, and their reputation for ball-tearing live shows is still intact. We wait in hope.

www.metallica.com

Neil Young and My Morning Jacket make there way for Big Day Out 2009

After months of speculation, Neil Young is now Big Day Out’s first confirmed headliner. He’ll also play three special sideshows in January alongside My Morning Jacket!

The 62-year-old veteran draws from a distinguished line of albums in his still-passionate live performances. A Neil Young show spans everything from his landmark songs of the 1970s right through to his more recent work on albums like Living With War and Chrome Dreams II. A true leading light, the man will touch down on our shores for the first time in five years with his all-star band in tow. It’s a bold booking for the Big Day Out, and a wish fulfilled for fans.

And what better support for Neil Young than psych-rock originals My Morning Jacket? You can be pretty sure those Louisville lads will be boarding the Big Day Out bus too…

Wednesday 21 January – Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Saturday 24 January – Sydney Entertainment Centre

Wednesday 28 January – Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne

www.neilyoung.com