News

David Bowie's Lazarus Musical Melbourne 2019 0

The Production Company is thrilled to announce they are bringing the David Bowie and Enda Walsh musical Lazarus to Melbourne in May 2019.
Lazarus was David Bowie’s final project, first staged in New York in late 2015. This will be the Australian premiere of this ground-breaking musical. Lazarus features 18 David Bowie songs including Changes, Heroes and Absolute Beginners. Inspired by the novel The Man Who Fell to Earth by Walter Tevis – the movie also starred David Bowie – it focuses on Newton as he remains on earth, unable to die. We follow him during the course of a few days where the arrival of another lost soul might finally set him free.

Public are now invited to join the wait-list to be one of the first in line for ticket information at lazarusthemusical.com.au

Executive Producer Rachel D Taylor said “Lazarus was a dream come true for David Bowie, for decades he had spoken about writing a show, and when it was announced off-Broadway in 2015 the entire season sold out in a few hours. When I read the script I found it incredibly moving, especially knowing that it was one of his final projects. And seeing songs like Heroes and Changes come out of the story was just spine tingling. It’s rare to find a musical like Lazarus.” Chairman Jeanne Pratt said “I am so excited that The Production Company will bring this ground breaking show to Melbourne. I think it’s going to be a great event for Melbourne and a must see for lovers of David Bowie and musicals alike.”

Lazarus will be staged for a strictly limited season in the Playhouse at Arts Centre Melbourne in May / June 2019.
Lazarus is proudly presented by arrangement with Robert Fox and Jones / Tintoretto Entertainment.
The Production Company’s Season 2019 will be launched on February 19, 2019.

DIVINYLS Australian Tour Announced for Feb & March 2019 0

Lauren Ruth Ward photo by Nicol Biesek

DIVINYLS founding member, guitarist and co-songwriter Mark McEntee has announced an Australian tour which will begin in February next year. The band will feature charismatic female lead LA-based singer/songwriter, Lauren Ruth Ward, plus original Blondie guitarist and Divinyls (1987-88) alumni, Frank Infante.

Long is the time since billboards across the country have lit up with the name Divinyls. A brand synonymous with raw, exciting, and above all uncompromising rock ‘n’ roll. A band that won the heart of a nation and then eventually the world. That time has come again as founding member, guitarist and co-songwriter Mark McEntee returns in 2019 with a talented new line-up hitting the road in March to honour the legacy and celebrate the indelible music created with the late, great Chrissy Amphlett.

Led by the commanding vocal stylings of Amphlett and the whip smart guitar vocabulary of McEntee, the Divinyls were a massive international success in the ‘80s-‘90s.

Managed early on by Bon Scott’s friend and collaborator, Vince Lovegrove, the Divinyls signed to the biggest-ever publishing deal with EMI America as the duo co-wrote hits such as Boys In Town, Only Lonely, Sleeping Beauty and the international hit, I Touch Myself, which charted at #2 on the US charts in 1991.

By this time the Divinyls were sharing management with Madonna and Michael Jackson. It was a deal that had stemmed from early and hard-earned American success, opening 1983’s iconic US Festival to over 150,000 people, being the focus of a double-page spread in the New York Times and touring with the heady likes of Aerosmith, The Ramones and The Cult.

While I Touch Myself was banned in certain parts of the world (including radio stations at home in Australia) it caused a stir with audiences as bras were raised at shows in salute and a new openness evolved in pop culture. The empowerment inspired by Amphlett was unstoppable and though she tragically passed away in 2013, she remains a feminine icon for then and now.

Throughout the band’s history, Mark McEntee impressed as a world-class songwriter and guitarist, and a highly-acclaimed musical arranger in the studio. He co-wrote I Touch Myself with Billy Steinberg (Like A Virgin, True Colors, Eternal Flame), had his song, Science Fiction, included in APRA’s ‘75th Anniversary Best 30 Australian Songs Of All Time’ and penned The Pretenders 1999 hit, Human On The Inside, for Chrissie Hynde. The Divinyls are inductees in the ARIA and Victorian Music halls of fame as proof that the songs will live on forever.

Feeling an organic need as a musician to perform the songs he co-wrote once again, McEntee will lead a major Divinyls tour in 2019. Joining him will be firebrand Baltimore-bred, LA-based singer/songwriter, Lauren Ruth Ward, original Blondie guitarist and Divinyls (1987-88) alumni, Frank Infante, and a cracking new Australian rhythm section featuring J Cortez and Malcolm Clarke to bring those hit tunes – from the heart and source – back to stages all over the world.

It’s time. And it’s also, as McEntee says, a Divinyls Mission.

Principal Entertainment and Wheels & Dollbaby Present
Divinyls
*Tickets on sale December 6th, 2018

WEDNESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY- WINTERSUN HOTEL- GERALDTON
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FRIDAY- 1ST MARCH – GATE ONE THEATRE – PERTH
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SATURDAY 2ND MARCH- DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN- DUNSBOROUGH
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SUNDAY 3RD MARCH- GATE ONE THEATRE – PERTH
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WEDNESDAY 6TH MARCH- THE GOV – ADELAIDE
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THURSDAY 7TH MARCH- FORUM- MELBOURNE
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FRIDAY 8TH MARCH- UNI BAR- HOBART
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SATURDAY 9TH MARCH- SALOON BAR- LAUNCESTON
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SUNDAY 10TH MARCH- LORNE HOTEL-LORNE
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WEDNESDAY 13TH MARCH- ANU- CANBERRA
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THURSDAY 14TH MARCH- WAVES- WOLLONGONG
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FRIDAY 15TH MARCH- ENMORE THEATRE – SYDNEY
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SATURDAY 16TH – MARCH- LIVE AT THE FORESHORE-NEWCASTLE
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WEDNESDAY 20TH MARCH- COOLANGATTA HOTEL- COOLANGATTA
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THURSDAY 21ST MARCH – EATONS HILL HOTEL – BRISBANE
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FRIDAY – 22ND MARCH -WHARF TAVERN- MOOLOOLABA
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SATURDAY 23RD MARCH- RACEHORSE HOTEL- IPSWICH
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MONDAY 25TH -MARCH DISCOVERY – DARWIN
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Five More Bluesfest Side Shows Announced 0

David Gray, Flogging Molly, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Meshell Ndegeocello, Shakey Graves added to Bluesfest road show!

After scaling enormous heights with album sales over 12 million (including the highest selling album ever to-date in Ireland with ‘White Ladder’), BAFTA, Brit and Grammy nominations, a Q Award, two Ivor Novellos and much more, David Gray returns revitalised with a new perspective, energy and new sound to take to his adoring Australian fanbase. With a loyal fanbase and a plethora of albums to enjoy, there’s no doubt tickets to see David Gray live in Australia this April will be in high demand.

Quintessential Irish-American Celtic folk/punk band Flogging Molly is leaving California this April to once again dazzle Australia with their wild live performance tactics. Known for their distinctive fusion of traditional Irish music and often abrasive hard-hitting punk rock, their impassioned live show has won the hearts of many Aussies over the past two decades. They will continue in that vein, playing an assortment of shows in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne.

Lukas Nelson, the son of Willie Nelson and friend of Bluesfest is returning to tour Australia with his band Promise Of The Real on the heels of tremendous accolades for his work on Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s ‘A Star Is Born’ soundtrack. With a bounty of invaluable experience under their belt, expect Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real to deliver an indelible blast of cosmic country-soul, the sound of American music will be reborn in Melbourne and Sydney this April.

American singer-songwriter, rapper, multi-instrumentalist and bassist, Meshell Ndegeocello is coming to Sydney to perform a headline show this April. Over the past 25 years Meshell has received significant critical acclaim including 10 Grammy Award nominations and credit for helping spark the Neo-Soul movement.

Shakey Graves a.k.a Alejandro Rose-Garcia was born in Austin Texas to a musical family and is best-known for playing a smoky, spectral fusion of blues, folk and rock in a stripped down one-man-band style established in 2007. His live performances can be deceiving. Up to now, he’s been categorized as an Americana singer-songwriter, thanks to his traditionally rooted songs, fluent acoustic-guitar picking, Texas roots and from wearing his cowboy hat, looking like a one-man country band. But, the tag will undoubtedly be dismissed as restrictive and irrelevant once discerning listeners hear his radical new album performed live in Melbourne and Sydney this April.

For further information please see bluesfesttouring.com.au

On-sale dates for ALL artists
Pre-sale 10 am Local Time Wednesday 14th November
On-sale 10 am Local Time Friday 16th November
Venues, dates and ticketing links

David Gray
Sun 14th April 2019, Riverside Theatre Perth
Tue 16th April 2019, Enmore Theatre Sydney
Sat 20th April 2019, Palais Theatre Melbourne

Flogging Molly
Fri 12th April 2019, Powerstation Auckland
Sun 14th April 2019, HQ Adelaide
Wed 17th April 2019, 170 Russell, Melbourne
Thu 18th April 2019, The Metro Sydney

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Wed 17th April 2019 The Corner, Melbourne
Thu 18th April 2019, Factory Theatre, Sydney

Meshell Ndegeocello
Sat 20th April, The Factory Theatre Sydney

Shakey Graves
Mon 22nd April 2019 The Factory Theatre Sydney
Tue 23rd April 2019, The Corner Melbourne-
Wed 24th April, The Powerstation Auckland NZ

bluesfesttouring.com.au

M.E. Baird Spotlight 0

M.E. Baird is a Singer-Songwriter and Artist. For M.E. Baird music and art is much more than just pursuits. They are his life force and foundation. M.E. Baird yields from the songbook of Folk, Rock and Blues with his own original interpretations that are enigmatic, deeply emotive, and visually rich.  His live performances are nothing short of compelling with his lamenting vocal style and singular stage presence.  Since beginning his career in 1992, M.E. Baird has toured nationally, and internationally, has written, and recorded four albums and several Up’s.  He has also contributed songs to compilations and soundtracks including original compositions for film and television internationally. Yet, he is practically unknown in his own country.

In 2014, M.E. Baird recorded FALL in Melbourne. His first truly solo album in twenty years. Due to personal circumstances and relocation north to New South Wales the album wasn’t officially released until May 2016.  FALL was an album burdened with personal tragedy, loss and grief resulting in an unavoidable sorrowful feel to the material.  The Album received critical acclaim and was hailed for its emotive intensity.

M.E. Baird’s follow up solo album and 5th long player, TIME is a tad more upbeat. At its core the album is a lyrical and sonic journey through age, experience and a testament to the passing of ‘time’. The tracks on TIME individually explore varied sub texts ranging from belonging, coming of age, corruption, migration, fortune, misfortune, contempt, loneliness and the joy of being alone.

All tracks for the album were written in the winter of 2016 and recording of the album began in the following winter. The album was recorded at Wild Mountain Sound Studio, Brisbane located amongst the sublime beauty of Mt Nebo’s Eucalyptus forests. The album was produced by producer/musician, Jamie Trevaskis.  Jamie and M.E. Baird had mused for some time about recording a new album together, with Jamie playing a leading and creative role in the co- production of the album.  When recording began it became instantly clear that Jamie, as a collaborator was be able to transport the songs sonically into a universe far beyond the ordinary.

It was important for the songs narrative to tell Jamie Trevaskis where the song/story needed to go sonically. Where a song needed to be tough, it had to be threatening, where it needed to be honest, it needed to be candid, where there was tenderness, it must be achingly forgiving and where there’s was anger, it’s uncompromised.  It was creatively vital that the album not pander to any genre, audience or expectations, of course, there is some hat tipping and influences evident; it would be arrogant to pretend otherwise. Both Jamie and M.E. Baird wanted to show that it is an album born of maturity, rigour, determination, and patience.

With this album there was a return to how M.E. Baird made records in the past. All tracks were recorded to analogue tape, predominantly live and with very little overdubs. This was done not for nostalgic reasons but for a more ‘authentic’ audio representation. It also places more emphasis on musicianship rather than software know-how and digital trickery.

In regards to band members, most notable in the line up is Welsh/Australian songstress Sali Bracewell with her piano/keyboard skills and extraordinary vocal talents.  Sali’s vocal dexterity is featured on many of the songs but most clearly on the title track, Time and My Girl. Also key to the process was long time collaborator, Hannah Jane who provided her distinctive and haunting string arrangements, violin playing and virtuous vocals.  Seconded from Brisbane, bands Sacred Shrines and Hillsborough for the rhythm section were new friends, Phil Usher on drums and Robbie Zawada on bass, truly two of Brisbane’s finest musicians.  Lastly, but certainly not least, was notable Brisbane singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Skye Staniford who provided percussion. The album was Mastered by Andy ‘The Master’ Stewart at The Mill Mixing and Mastering, studio, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.”

http://www.mebairdmusic.com
https://soundcloud.com/mebaird
http://www.facebook.com/mebairdpage

Melbourne Synth Festival 0

MELBOURNE SYNTH FESTIVAL
NOVEMBER 23-25
Meat Market, North Melbourne

There are a number of ways you can experience the Melbourne Synth Festival and get great value.

A Festival ticket will get you a wristband to the Friday Night launch event featuring Luke Million, Emah Fox, Beatrice and Honeysmack. Plus entry to the exhibition and seminars program over the weekend.

There are Weekend and Day tickets which include the exhibition and a great chance to see try and buy the latest gear, plus the seminar and workshops program plus 10 great acts live.

Mumford & Sons + Michael Kiwanuka Australian Tour 0

Making stops in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, the comprehensive run will see the wildly popular Mumford & Sons reconnect with a fanbase hungry for new material nearly four years after the release of their previous ARIA #1 album Wilder Mind. With new single ‘Guiding Light’ released last month, Mumford & Sons have once again proven, they are in the form of their lives.

Speaking about the new album, lead singer Marcus Mumford has said that Delta represents a place where “order meets chaos and shelter meets wilderness”. In this observation, he could easily be referring to the bands’ infamous knack for sweeping, organised musical tumult.

Recorded over the past two years with Paul Epworth (Adele, U2, London Grammar) at his Church Studios in North London, the release aims to capture Mumford & Sons at their impassioned and muscular best. It transfixes on the transitional elements that give meaning to life itself.

Transition has been a theme for Mumford & Sons since they first burst into our lives almost nine years ago with their iconic debut single ‘Little Lion Man’. With that Hottest 100 topping release they ushered in a new era of melodically stunning heart-on-sleeve folk that was recognized the world over.

Masters of the call-to-arms, the band then went on a wildly successful run as their albums Sigh No More, Babel and Wilder Mind sold into the millions. They were awarded the Album of the Year Grammy in 2013 (for Babel) and their songs ‘I Will Wait’, ‘The Cave’ and ‘Roll Away Your Stone’ have entered the public lexicon as rousing anthems to be sung in full-throated unison.

Always a huge hit on this side of the planet, Mumford & Sons were last in the country in 2015, where they closed out their wildly successful Wilder Mind Tour in Sydney with their special Gentlemen of the Road one-day festival.

In a coup for Antipodean fans, the upcoming tour will see the band return to our shores in one of their first major international runs after Delta’s release on November 16 this year.

Michael Kiwanuka signaled his arrival as one of the UK’s most distinctive new voices in 2012 with his vintage soul imbued debut album, Home Again.  It was a voice that sounded both rich and timeless, and the young Londoner received widespread critical acclaim. 2016’s Love & Hate LP was a different beast entirely, produced by Danger Mouse it was one of the year’s great peerless records and picked up support across the globe, earning Michael his first number 1 album in the UK, and his first Brit Award nominations too.  Having toured the globe alongside a very special collection of musicians, Michael Kiwanuka is a true artist of distinction, and with the best almost certainly yet to come.

Secret Sounds Present
MUMFORD & SONS 
DELTA AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2019
WITH SPECIAL GUEST MICHAEL KIWANUKA 

PRE-SALE: 2PM WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER UNTIL 8AM FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER LOCAL TIME
GENERAL SALES (EXCLUDING PERTH): 9AM FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER LOCAL TIME
PERTH GENERAL SALES: 8AM FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER LOCAL TIME
SECRETSOUNDS.COM

TUE 15 JAN          ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE                      BRISBANE                     QLD

FRI 18 JAN           QUDOS BANK ARENA                                SYDNEY                         NSW

TUE 22 JAN          SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL                    MELBOURNE                 VIC

THU 24 JAN         ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE                        ADELAIDE                      SA

SUN 27 JAN         RAC ARENA                                                 PERTH                            WA