Jim Ward returns to Australia

Jim Ward - former member of At The Drive In and Sparta - will return to Australia in December for a round of solo shows in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Jim was here earlier this year for the Soundwave festival.

When Jim Ward was a member of At the Drive In, he helped create some of that era's most gripping, cutting-edge and important music. After ATDI unfortunately broke up, he led Sparta to make music that placed the band only a few steps behind rock's cutting edge, with sleek post-hardcore. Now, as a budding solo artist and with his new project Sleepercar, Ward seems to have found his inspiration.

His music it ain't quite ATDI or Sparta either. It's a lot more subdued and chilled. In typical relaxed style, Ward is only bringing along his guitar and harmonica. He has just finished up touring with Sleepercar and says he needs a little break.

"I need a change of pace and a stretch after a long year on the road with Sleepercar," Jim says in a statement, "so I decided to end my year the way I started; by getting on a plane with my guitar and heading down to Australia to play some songs."

The team here at Music Universe loved At The Drive In and still love Sparta, so there's no doubt they'll be attending this gig.

Dates:
Dec 4th - Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne VIC
Dec 5th - Karova Lounge, Ballarat VIC
Dec 6th - Royal Melbourne Hall, Melbourne VIC
Dec 9th - Annandale Hotel, Sydney NSW
Dec 11th - Brass Monkey, Sydney NSW
Dec 12th - The New Hunter Valley Brewery, Maitland NSW
Dec 13th - Rosies Tavern, Brisbane QLD

The Streets set to play Playground Weekender 2009

Phew......it took a game of 'mercy' to try and squeeze this one out of the promoters.

Music Universe is happy they won the game and can now reveal that The Streets is the first headliner locked in for the one-and-only Playground Weekender.

After producing 3 albums already, there was talk that Mike Skinner of The Streets might be retiring, however listening to his fourth album 'Everything Is Borrowed', it seems he aint going anywhere soon. He is a lyrical master and puts on one of the best live shows going around. The Streets live band is also well-attuned to the Australian festival circuit, they've toured a number of times, so expect an antz-in-my-pants kind of party at Playground.

So what should one expect from Playground Weekender? Well, it is held at the picturesque Del Rio Resort on the Hawkesbury River, a true festival location. This year’s event hosted the likes of Maximo Park, Ian Brown, The Wombats and Kruder & Dorfmeister, so you can expect an equally mouth watering line-up in 2009.

Stay tuned to Music Universe for the first official line up announcement on Thursday 6 November.

Playground Weekender
Del Rio Riverside Resort, Wiseman’s Ferry, New South Wales
Fri 6, Sat 7 and Sun 8 Feb 2009

www.the-streets.co.uk
www.playgroundweekender.com.au

The Who to perform at the 2009 Melbourne Grand Prix

The legendary rock n rollers The Who will visit Australia in March next year, though their only scheduled performance is at the Melbourne Grand Prix. Also announced is a concert on March 21 at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland.

The press release states that the band's appearance will be "their only Melbourne show", and while there is nothing in the press release to suggest shows will be scheduled in other capital cities, Music Universe will be the first to inform you if there's any more news.

The Who last toured Australia back in 2004. The Who are Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle and Keith Moon. They were big during the 60's and 70's and are recognised as one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time. Their hit singles include 'I Can't Explain', 'My Generation', 'Substitute', 'The Kids Are Alright', 'Behind Blue Eyes', 'Baba O'Riley' and so many more.

Current ticketholders to the Melbourne Grand Prix have already secured their chance to see The Who, though a limited number of premium tickets will be available for an additional cost. The Melbourne Grand Prix prices are ridiculous, but if they don't announce any other dates, then it might be worth forking out the cash.

http://www.thewho.com/

Leonard Cohen tours Australia

Are you ready? For the first time in twenty four years (yes twenty four years!!), the fabled songwriter, poet, novelist and living legend, Leonard Cohen, is coming to Australia.

Since releasing 'The Songs of Leonard Cohen' in 1967, he has produced another eleven albums, numerous books of poetry and been a part of various doco's/movies. Recently, Cohen was inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a speech by Lou Reed on March 10, 2008 for his status among the "highest and most influential echelon of songwriters". He has won a whole bunch of awards recognising his status in music history. Recurring themes in Cohen's work include love and sex, religion (Jewish), politics, psychological depression (he suffered from it and thought about suicide a lot) and obviously music itself. A new album is supposedly due out soon.

Oh yeah and Australia’s own master of story-telling, Paul Kelly, will be supporting.

You would be silly to miss these shows.

Saturday 24 January - Yarra Valley – Rochford Wines, a day on the green

Monday 26 January - Adelaide – Leconfield Wines, a day on the green

Wednesday 28 January - Sydney Entertainment Centre

Saturday 31 January - Hunter Valley – Bimbadgen Estate, a day on the green

Sunday 01 February - Bowral – Centennial Vineyards, a day on the green

Tuesday 03 February - Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Thursday 05 February - Melbourne – Rod Laver Arena

Saturday 07 February - Perth – Sandalford Wines, Swan Valley, an evening on the green

TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 9:00AM

www.leonardcohen.com