LIVE REVIEW: Friendly Fires (Prince of Wales, Melbourne 29/07/09)

Friendly Fires absolutely rocked the house down at Prince of Wales (Melbourne) last night. A packed house got to see the UK indie band perform for their first time in Australia.

Kicking things off with a blistering opener 'Lovesick', Friendly Fires got the crowd tapping their feet, swaying their arms and shaking their hips from the start. However, it was the brazilian-samba inspired tune 'Jump In the Pool' that really got the crowd's vocals warmed up. It also gave us an insight into how good the percussion/drum ensemble really are. Drummer Jack Savidge played one heck of a show thats for sure.

Next up was yet another stunning tune off their debut album, 'Skeleton Boy'. If you hadn't started to dance/move/sing/sweat by now, this song would've surely made you. It was at this point when lead singer Ed Macfarlane really let himself go with his seizure like dance moves. However, one thing I did notice was that there was a camera at the back of the stage filming the gig. Disappointingly, Ed decided to focus all of his attention towards the camera for most of the first half of the gig.

Just when you thought they might play one of their more sombre songs, Friendly Fires played yet another sublime track 'In The Hospital'. As the cowbell made yet another appearance and the doo-doo-doo-doo-doo's were coming out of every one of the sold out crowds' mouths, you could tell this was going to be one special night. Have we mentioned yet how much we adore the sounds of a cowbell. Well, to some, Friendly Fires may overuse the cowbell, but not to me. I think at one point I may have actually applauded the cowbell itself, it was that good throughout the set. Rounding out the first half of the high tempo gig was 'White Diamonds'.

After the blistering start, Friendly Fires decided to tone it down a notch and to be honest, i don't think it was the right move. If there was one pet hate about the gig besides the relationship Ed had with the camera in the first half, it was the order of the setlist. Nevertheless, the camera had switch off and Ed decided to interact a bit more with the crowd by now. Despite songs like 'Strobe' and 'Photobooth', calming the crowd down a bit, new song 'Kiss of Life' got the crowd's attention again and allowed us to see what's to come in the future. The track is certainly growing on me and feels a little bit more epic than anything they have done previously.

To lift the tempo back up to extreme again, Friendly Fires performed 'On Board' and got the crowd swinging their hips, opening their vocal chords and jumping up n down again. Mind you, lets be honest, I think it was probably because the cowbell had reemerged onto stage. Finishing their set was the mesmerising song 'Paris'. This drew the biggest cheer of the night. Thinking it was the final song of the night, the crowd really got behind this song and really made it probably the most special part of the night. The song sounds magical on the album and as good, if not better live.

The band re-appeared after a short break to finish the night with one of the less climactic tracks, 'Ex Lover'. Unfortunately, like I mentioned earlier, this was probably the wrong song to finish on ('Paris' would've been sweeter) because the crowd felt quite flat. However, it didn't really affect the overall performance of the night. Last night's gig was as entertaining, amazing and pleasurable as I've been too in a while. Definitely one of the highlight gigs of the year so far.

Gomez 'A New Tide' Australian tour

We have a sneaking suspicion that Gomez enjoy Australia. They've been in Australia seven times since their thirteen year existence. Only. Most recently here for the Falls Festival over the new year period.

So, this time they're coming to promote new album 'A New Tide', released back in March this year. It's the bands sixth album and their follow up to their fantastic 'How We Operate' album.

With seven albums under their belts, Gomez clearly have a back catalogue big enough to allow them to play a 24hr gig if they wanted too. One can only hope that they will play a lot of their well known smash hits.

Tickets go on sale Monday 3 August.

Thursday October 22 – METRO THEATRE, SYDNEY
Saturday October 24 – ANU BAR, ANU, CANBERRA
Sunday October 25 – HI FI BAR AND BALLROOM, BRISBANE
Wednesday October 28 – HI FI BAR AND BALLROOM, MELBOURNE
Friday October 30 – THE GOV, ADELAIDE
Saturday October 31 – FLY BY NIGHT, FREMANTLE
Sunday November 1 – FLY BY NIGHT, FREMANTLE

www.gomeztheband.com

Tame Impala 'Sundown Syndrome' tour

Hot, young, psychadelic, emerging act, Tame Impala, are set to hit the road yet again, this time promoting their new material from their forthcoming debut album.

It’s also the official launch of the single 'Sundown Syndrome' that's been playing on Triple J at least twice a day for a while now. The digital release comes with a Canyons remix and Tame Impala's reinterpretation of the 90's club hit 'Remember Me' by Blue Boy.

So, if you haven't seen these boys yet (and we don't know quite know how its possible), do yourselves a favour and get to one of their shows.

'Sundown Syndrome' tour dates:

16/09- Caringbah Bizzos, Caringbah, NSW
17/09- Wollongong Waves, Wollongong, NSW
18/09- ANU, Canberra, ACT
19/09- Indie Music Fest, Albury, NSW
24/09- Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale, NSW
25/09- Manning Bar, Sydney University, NSW
26/09- The Cambridge, Newcastle, NSW
27/09- Coffs Harbour Hotel, Coffs Harbour, NSW
30/09- The Great Northern, Byron Bay, NSW
1/10- Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast, QLD
2/10- The Hifi, Brisbane, QLD
4/10- Sands Tavern, Sunshine Coast, QLD
8/10- Breakers, Geraldton, WA
9/10- Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle, WA
10/10- The Prince of Wales, Bunbury, WA
15/10- Republic Bar, Hobart, TAS
16/10- Hotel New York, Launceston, TAS
17/10- Adelaide Uni Bar, Adelaide, SA
18/10- Sandbar, Mildura, VIC
21/10- The Karova Lounge, Ballarat, VIC
22/10 - Eureka, Geelong, VIC
23/10 - The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC

Tickets are on sale now.

www.tameimpala.com

Homebake 2009 - 15th Anniversary

This year's Homebake festival is celebrating its 15th anniversary. To mark this amazingly achieved feat, the festival have announced Powderfinger as their biggest drawcard.

Brisbane boys Powderfinger have not played at Homebake since 1999 and haven't released an album since 'Dream Days at The Hotel Existence' (2007), but are apparently working on a new one as we write this. One can only expect a set jam packed with classic hits and a couple of newbies.

Joining The Finger are three other Aussie heavyweights, Jet (new album 'Shaka Rock' out soon), Hilltop Hoods and Eskimo Joe. There will be a special performance from Tim Finn as well as a couple of bands getting back together for a one-off performance including Tumbleweed and The Underground Lovers.

Daniel Merriweather will make the girls scream, Eddy Current Suppression Ring will make the boys mosh and the Midnight Juggernauts will hopefully get them dancing together.

HOMEBAKE 2009 – The Fifteenth Anniversary
Saturday December 5th, 2009
The Domain, Royal Botanic Gardens

Here’s how the line-up looks so far. Tickets on sale 9am Monday 17 August.

POWDERFINGER
JET
HILLTOP HOODS
ESKIMO JOE
SIA
DANIEL MERRIWEATHER
MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS
SARAH BLASKO
A special best of performance by TIM FINN
CLOSURE IN MOSCOW
TIKI TAANE (NZ)
SHORT STACK
UNDERGROUND LOVERS (original line-up)
PHRASE
DECODER RING
BUMBLEBEEZ
TUMBLEWEED (original line-up)
EDDY CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING
ROWLAND S HOWARD (together with Mick Harvey, JP Shiloh & Lindsay Gravina)
THE FUNKOARS
THE MIDDLE EAST
THE ASTON SHUFFLE
SUGAR ARMY
RECORD PRODUCER
SHOCKONE

www.homebake.com.au

Blur are no longer again

Blur are finished again. They will not perform together again and will not record any new music either.

According to frontman Damon Albarn speaking with Q magazine, "I think this is beautiful, what we've done, and I don't want to ruin it. With touring the repetition will come back. If we carried on the same problems would rear their head. I just can't do it any more. What I wanted to do was heal to the point where I know I can always ring Graham up in the future and it will be fine. That's all I wanted to do and we've done that, definitely."

Blur famously headlined the epic Glastonbury festival recently and Albarn believed that their set had been "truly ecstatic", and added: "When I die that will be the one moment that will flash before me."

So long, farewell and bring on a new Gorillaz album!

Delorean release new EP 'Ayrton Senna'

We can't believe we missed this. Our favourite electro-indie band hailing from the Basque area of Spain, Zarautz but now residing in Barthelona, Delorean, have released a new EP titled 'Ayrton Senna' after the legendary late racing car driver. This EP is their 4th release, but their first on Spainish label Mushroom Pillow.

We haven't had the chance to listen to it yet, but we can tell you that we no jokes can't wait. It's seriously about time that these guys made it onto the big stage already. Previous albums/eps include 'Delorean' (2005), 'Into The Plateau' (2006) and 'Transatlantic Kk' (2007). Hopefully, we can expect a new full-length album sometime soon.

'Ayrton Senna' released on June 15th:
1. Deli
2. Moonsoon
3. Seasun
4. Seasun (John Talabot's Kids & Drums Remix)
5. Big Dipper (Bonus Track)

Flight of The Conchords 'I Told You I Was Freaky' out Oct 20th

Hilarious, wet your pants, New Zealand boys, The Flight of the Conchords, have had their Season 2 tv series airing on television sets across the States for a bit now, and now they are set to release their second album to coincide with it.

Out through Sub Pop on October 20th, 'I Told You I Was Freaky' will include mainly songs off the new season and a couple of bonuses unheard on tv before. After a hugely successful first album (making Music Universe's 'Best Albums of 2008' list), and a couple of listens to a few of the songs off the album already, we can only expect more pain from laughing and crying too much yet again. Season 2 is officially available on DVD come Aug 4th if you're interested too.

'I Told You I Was Freaky' tracklist:
01 Hurt Feelings
02 Sugalumps
03 We're Both in Love With a Sexy Lady
04 I Told You I Was Freaky
05 Demon Woman
06 Rambling Through the Avenues of Time
07 Fashion Is Danger
08 Petrov, Yelyena and Me
09 Too Many Dicks (On the Dance Floor)
10 You Don't Have to Be a Prostitute
11 Friends
12 Carol Brown
13 Angels

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

**Back on Monday (27/07)**

We're back kids!! Well not officially (back in office Monday), but we're back in the country and covering Splendour this weekend.

Jeez you guys missed out on some news whilst we were away. Here's a quick quick update on what's been happening in our music universe recently.

Australian:

** Jane's Addiction pulled out of Splendour and their Australian tour thanks to one of Jane's band members suffering from an elbow infection. Yuk. The Living End came in to save the day and will take over their duties at Splendour.

** Bloc Party played a secret gig in Byron last night, playing their 'Silent Alarm' album in full to a very intimate and lucky crowd.

** The Homebake Festival announced their first lineup. Powederfinger, Jet, Hilltop Hoods, Eskimo Joe, Daniel Merriweather, Midnight Juggernauts, Time Finn and more will be performing at the show.

** With a new single 'Sundown Syndrome' on its way, psychedelic adventurers Tame Impala head out on a headline tour in September.

** The Melbourne International Arts Festival was announced for Oct 9th-24th.

** Sadly, there will be no ATP (All Tomorrow's Parties) Festival in 2010. However, organisers have guaranteed a return in 2011. Also, in other Australian festival news, Modular's Nevereverland festival will return in 2009.

** Does it Offend You, Yeah? announce sideshows to coinside with their appearance at the Coaster festival in September.

International:

** Nominations are in for the 2009 Mercury Prize Award. They include: Florence and the Machine – 'Lungs', Kasabian – 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum', Bat for Lashes – 'Two Suns', La Roux – 'La Roux', Glasvegas – 'Glasvegas', Speech Debelle – 'Speech Therapy', Friendly Fires – 'Friendly Fires', The Horrors – 'Primary Colours', Lisa Hannigan – 'Sea Sew', The Invisible – 'The Invisible', Led Bib – 'Sensible Shoes', Sweet Billy Pilgrim – 'Twice Born Men'.

** The Beastie Boys have had to delay their work on their latest album due to Adam being diagnosed with 'treatable' cancer

** Gale force winds forced cancellations and evacuations from the mighty Benicàssim music festival

** Tegan and Sara are to release a new album 'Sainthood' on Oct 27th.

** The Rapture announced that bassist and co-vocalist, Mattie Safer, has split from the band. The news comes as a shock considering he was one of the driving forces behind The Rapture. The band have also stated that their tour of Australia will continue.

** The Strokes main man Julian Casablancas has a solo album on the way. The singer has been been hard at work on the eight-track LP, which is set to be called 'Phrazes for the Young'.

** After six long years, Massive Attack with their 5th album. Due for release in 2010, word is members from bands such as Blur, Doves, Mazzy Star, Tricky and TV On The Radio are contributing.

** The Michael Jackson death saga is still continuing and will never end. The far-fetched stories coming out of the States are that he was murdered (according to Le Toya), he named his daughter after Paris Hilton (according to Paris Hilton) and that he has another son (according to 'the other' son). One factual story is that he has sold 9 million albums since his death. Great career move as we mentioned earlier.

We will be back in the office officially on Monday and expect a report from Splendour in The Grasss fest soon.

Cheers.

Jase

**Sorry, we're out of the office**

Hey guys,

The team from Music Universe are taking a well deserved, long overdue, short break from the office. We've decided to take our holidays mid-year, whilst things are a tiny little bit quiet.

Have no fear, as we will be back very soon because there's a decent serving of music to talk about including the Splendour in The Grass festival, the Matisyahu, Phoenix, Jamie T and possibly Kasabian tours and so much more from around the globe.

Whilst we're away could you......

- Listen to our new mix tape for July, filled with some of the newest tracks from the hottest acts in the world right now. Have a listen, or ten, so you can keep in the know about what you should be listening too right this moment, or whilst we're away.

- Vote on the this month's poll 'What's your favourite Jacko look?'

- Add yourself to the mailing list and become a facebook/twitter fan if you haven't already.

- Tell every single human being you come in to contact with about Music Universe and tell them to sign up too. Let's turn this Universe, into the best and biggest god dam universe out there!

- Wanna contribute? Feel like sharing your thoughts on an artist/band? Seen a gig or listened to an album and want to write about? Put something together, send it to us by email and we'll get in touch asap.

When we get back, we will be looking into redeveloping the site to make it look as sexy as ever. We would really like for you to give us some feedback on the current site and what you might want from the new one. Send us your thoughts by email and we will take them on board whilst we're brainstorming.

I guess that's it. So do us a favour and go buy yourself an album, or go see a live concert or just go down to your local bar with a mate and talk about music, for in this universe, only music matters.

Jase

'Fight the war, f**k the norm!' - Rage Against The Machine

PS. If anyone's desperate to contact us, send an email to media@musicuniverse.com.au

Wolfmother announce Australian tour

The newly formed Wolfmother is set to hit the Australian highway again. Not since ripping up the stage at Sond Relief, have we seen the new lineup perform live together.

The ‘New Moon Rising Tour’, which we believe is the new single off the new album 'Cosmic Egg', is the band’s first Australian headline tour since 2006 can you believe. They played a couple of one-off gigs and a couple of appearances at festivals, but no round-the-country tour in 3 years! Joining Wolfmother are Yves Klein Blue and Jack Ladder.

The new album from the Wolfmother, 'Cosmic Egg', is due out October 13th through Modular. No official tracklisting has been announced yet, but expect them to play a number of newbies and some old hits at their shows.

Wolfmother will play these shows in September. Tickets go on sale Friday July 17.

Thu Sep 17 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
Sat Sep 19 – The Enmore, Sydney
Wed Sep 23 – The Capitol, Perth
Thu Sep 24 – HQ Live, Adelaide
Fri Sep 25 – The Palace, Melbourne
Sat Sep 26 – Pier Hotel, Frankston

www.wolfmother.com

Foals talk about working on new album

We've been wondering what the boys from Foals had been up to because we hadn't heard much outta their camp recently and according to NME, Foals are supporting Blur at the moment on a couple of their comeback shows. Nice. Very nice. They're also spending time in their Oxford studio laying down some material for their next album due out in 2010 sometime.

When asked what the boys hade been doing, Foals' Yannis Philippakis revealed that the band are shunning traditional rock music on their new album, instead focusing on funk, dub and classic soul. "Basically, everything that we didn't like before, we've got into now," he said, adding, "we don’t really listen to that much rock music at the moment."

"We're listening to a lot of hip-hop, stuff like Donald Byrd and some long disco edits, Donna Summer, James Brown, stuff that before we would have always felt was too part of the canon."

Waiting till 2010 to hear new material from Foals is like waiting for paint to dry, a killer. Let's hope some of this new material surfaces soon because we'd rather be teased than get absolutely nothing.

www.wearefoals.com

Grohl, Homme and Jones to form supergroup

In the late 80s there was The Highwaymen and The Travelling Wilburys, the 90s brought us A Perfect Circle and Broken Social Scene, the turn of the century brought us Audioslave and Velvet Revolver and now as we enter the next decade another lot of Supergroups are hitting the scene including Chickenfoot and now one headed by Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones (yet-to-be-named).

The Foo Fighters frontman, the Queens of the Stone Age frontman and the Led Zeppelin bassist are reportedly already recording in the studio.

There have been rumours of the trio working together since 2005. Back then Grohl was quoted as saying that “the next project that I’m trying to initiate involves me on drums, Josh Homme on guitar, and John Paul Jones playing bass. That’s the next album. That wouldn’t suck.”

Well, according to website antiquiet.com, they have finally started recording together in Los Angeles.

The group are keeping mum about their plans, but when Homme's wife, Spinnerette's Brody Dalle, was hard pressed, she said that she had heard some of the trio's efforts. "I'm not at liberty to talk about it, but I think [the project] is pretty fucking amazing. Just beats and sounds like you've never heard before."

Imagine 'The Colour and The Shape' meets 'Songs For the Deaf' meets 'Zeppelin IV'!!!

In the past we've dry reached hearing some of the other supergroups music, however, we certainly look forward to the finished product of this band.