Posted by Danni Le Toullec on October 24, 2011
The inaugural música /TUMBALONG festival took a line-up gamble which paid off in Sydney last weekend, with a fresh crop of international and local electronic and indie acts.
With the one stage, limited capacity and most people keeping their clothes on, this boutique festival was a welcome change from what has become a stock standard festival package. A day spent running from stage to stage, crying over timetable clashes and losing your friends left, right and centre.
Bon Chat, Bon Rat, a Sydney-based trio, played tracks from their self-produced (and mixed) debut EP to a crowd that lazed on the grass in the hot afternoon sun. The trio’s hypnotic electronica complimented the atmosphere of the festival, with the lofty melody of tracks like ‘Blackbird’ carrying through the air.
Emerging artists Mitzi, a four piece hailing from Brisbane, Australia, brought their disco inspired beats and addictive grooves to the stage with stand-out tracks, “All I Heard” and “India”. More...
musica/tumbalong, sbtrkt, ghostpoet, mitzi, bon chat, bon rat, electric wire hustle, lunice, tiger and woods, sydney music festival, electronica
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on September 9, 2011
Smirnoff hosted an intimate event for Sydney's media and bloggers in a secret location in Darlinghurst tonight. The evening was to announce Australia's swap country for the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project 2011.
Following last years' eve of Brazilian themed festivities, this year Australia will be treated to a taste of Italy for one night of cultural swapsies. Junior Jack & Kid Créme and Alex Gaudino will be flown in to headline the event, while Nervo and Bang Gang Deejay’s will fly over to Italy to rep the Australian music scene.
The event is part of Smirnoff's ongoing global social experiment, which provides people all around the world with an opportunity to see how their foreign counterparts get down and dirty. Fourteen countries across the globe - including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Lebanon, Poland, South Africa, Thailand and Venezuela - exchange their local nightlife for one evening of debauchery on 12 November 2011. More...
smirnoff, eau de vie, behind bars, max greco, smirnoff nightlife exchange project
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on August 2, 2011
For the second year running, Splendour in The Grass took over the humble town of Woodford, Queensland for a weekend of sun-soaked, dust-ingrained shenanigans against a stellar soundtrack of live music.
Whether your outfit of choice was a full blown cow, penguin, panda or dog outfit or just a furry animal beanie, you would have fitted right in with this years' peculiar theme of animal dress.
If you wanted to be a bit more stylish, there were some awesome pop up stores dotted around including Aje, Maurie and Eve, General Pants Co. as well as the Mo'rockin Wine Bar, Strongbow booze boat and some delicious food from Grill'd, Govindas, Hungarian Langos, dumplings, German Bratwurst, obligatory festival Gozleme, corn and about twenty million more.
But we're not here to talk about food, are we? We are here for the tunes, so here goes...
Day One
After lining up for twenty minutes to get into the main gates from the campsite (daily festival-fail), we took in the massive festival site as we bee-lined to the Amphitheatre for Jinja Safari. The Sydney band’s playful folk pop was the perfect accompaniment for the sunny Friday afternoon. Marcus Azon closed the set by crowd surfing to the back, jumping to the ground and leading the audience in a run around the valley. More...
illy, jinja safari, splendour in the grass, woodford, kanye west, james blake, the hives, pnau, thievery corporation, gomez, foster the people, friendly fires, pulp, coldplay, cloud control
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on July 20, 2011
A breath of fresh air is coming to the Sydney Spring festival scene in the form of the inaugural música /TUMBALONG festival.
The boutique event will be held in Sydney’s Tumbalong Park on Saturday 22nd October and will feature a carefully selected line up of nine artists, most of which will be performing in Australia for the first time.
Masked UK export SBTRKT has been tearing up the London dubstep scene for the last couple of years. Following the release of his addictive debut XL, which featured vocals from Sampha, Jessie Ware and Yukimi from Little Dragon, he is fast becoming one of the most watched artists of 2011.
Fellow Brit Ghostpoet has also exploded out of the UK underground scene with his unique beats and sleepy smooth lyrical style.
música /TUMBALONG festival will also host local talent with Mitzi, Simon Caldwell and Bon Chat, Bon Rat. The line up also includes Baths (US), Electric Wire Hustle (NZ), Lunice (CAN), and Tiger & Woods (ITA).
As we've come to expect from música, the focus will be on quality over quantity. The event will be hosted on one main stage for a smaller audience than Sydneysiders have come to expect from festivals.
Tickets are on sale on July 26th.
música, Baths, Bon Chat, Bon Rat, Electric Wire Hustle, Ghostpoet, LUNICE, Mitzi, SBTRKT, Simon Caldwell, Tiger & Woods, tumbalong park
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on June 20, 2011
After eight years of being one of Sydney’s favourite indie exports, Red Riders announced to the world that they would be disbanding.
They've racked up the miles throughout the USA and Australia alongside Franz Ferdinand, Jet, The Shins, Faker, Snow Patrol and The Living End. Their sold out final gig at Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory on Saturday night attracted a huge crowd, showing the support that they have amasssed from their hard yards on the road.
In 2008, Red Riders went through some changes when Adrian Deutsch left the band and was shortly replaced by Brad Heald (guitar) of The Vines. As a proper salute to their time together, Adrian came onstage to rejoin his original bandmates Alex Grigg (vocals & guitar), Tom Wallace (drums) and Mathew Chapman (bass) for some of their earlier tunes off their debut Replica Replica (2006) including the stand out tracks “My Love Is Stronger Than Your Love” and “Slide In Next To Me”. More...
red riders, oxford art factory, alex grigg, adrian deutsch, brad heald, tom wallace, mathew chapman, drown in colour, replica replica
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on June 2, 2011
Walking into one of Odd Future’s three sold out gigs at Sydney Opera House’s Studio, I spotted a few elderly patrons and I couldn’t help but cringe for what they were about to witness.
Offensive, degrading, sexist, violent. These are a few words that have been used to describe a group that came out of relative obscurity in early 2010. In their first Australian appearance as part of the Modular programmed Vivid LIVE line-up, the massively hyped group are indeed pushing many buttons.
Following months of free releases, mixtapes, videos and Tyler’s self-released Bastard in 2010, the group is almost making Eminem look like Sesame Street. But the funny thing is as much as people complain about the shocking content of their lyrics, it is clear that the profanities have little to no meaning. After all the spitting, swearing, the umpteenth chant of “Suck My Dick” and the countless middle fingers thrown up to the crowd, it barely warrants a mention. All of this slamming against a relentless bassline that was so loud it could have (and very well may have) ruptured a few eardrums.
The hyped up swarm in the moshpit absolutely loved it. From the second Tyler the Creator exploded onto stage in his green goblin mask, the crowd was his. Chants of “Wolf Gang” and “Free Earl” pulsed repetitively as hands were raised in salute. More...
odd future, tyler the creator, ofwgkta, vivid live, vivid sydney, sydney opera house, halfway crookes
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on May 31, 2011
It was somewhat surprising to find that WU LYF (World Unite/Lucifer Youth Foundation), a band that has firmly (if unintentionally) shrouded itself in mystery, play a very organised and structured set. Exactly on time, with no supporting act and one neat encore. As a band that recorded their debut in an abandoned church, this rigidness was most likely due to the structured timings of the organisers, Vivid Sydney, than the English lads themselves.
With LYF stitched into his denim jacket and a rough Mohawk shaved into his hair, Ellery Roberts' intense vocals were erratic and passionate; each note ripped out of his lungs in short bursts and scattered against a backdrop of Tom McClung’s effortless bass riffs. Although the lyrics were hard to understand, each band member obviously believes in every single word. Eyes squeezed shut, guitarist Evans Kati mouthed the words and drummer Joseph Manning was so into it, he lost his shirt only two songs in.
There may not have been tears, but blood and sweat definitely went into this performance. Halfway through their set, Roberts pointed out to McClung that he was bleeding above his temple. Looking bewildered, McClung said, “You made me bleed Sydney... but I like it!” More...
wu lyf, vivid live, vivid sydney, sydney opera house
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on May 30, 2011
The smell of hot buttered popcorn filled the air of Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory for Sosueme’s 4th Birthday on Saturday eve. Party hats adorned most heads and the fairy floss lady spun her delicious orbs of sugar all night long.
Proudly 99% genre free, Sosueme is the cultural conglomerate that regularly provides Sydney with artistic and musical stimulation. The self-proclaimed “tear in the space/time fabric of PARTY” combines behind-the-scenes action - the producers, designers and promoters - with the spotlight queens, a.k.a the bands, DJ’s and fashion superstars.
In celebration of Sosueme’s day of conception, a bunch of up and coming bands dropped by to say Happy Birthday. Melbournites Stonefield and Redcoats joined Parades, Guineafowl, Pluto Jonze, Alison Wonderland, Joyride & the Accidents, Mrs Bishop, Bon Chat Bon Rat and Furnace & the Fundamentals in the Live Art Space and the Gallery Bar. More...
sosueme, oxford art factory, parades, pluto jonze, guineafowl, stonefield, splendour in the grass, alison wonderland, pedestrian DJs, falcona
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on May 27, 2011
As light projections sprawl over the normally grey buildings that surround Circular Quay tonight, do not be alarmed. This isn’t a guerilla colour-obsessed artist working by night, it is in fact part of the exciting third annual Vivid Sydney 2011 festival which will be splashing light, music and colour all over the streets of Sydney from 27 May – 13 June 2011.
There are countless activities, performances and interactive light sculptures to fill your nights as well as a range of public talks and debates from leading creative thinkers around the world. Acclaimed French design collective SUPERBIEN have designed beautiful light projections which will be illuminating the Sydney Opera House.
As part of Vivid Sydney, Vivid LIVE invites a different curator to organize a program of events in the iconic Sydney Opera House each year.
This year, Stephen Pavlovic, founder of Modular Records, has gotten his hands on the line-up and done sweet sweet things to it. We have him to thank for bringing the likes of The Cure, Chris Cunningham, OFWGTA, Tame Impala, Bat For Lashes, The Avalanches, WU LYF, and Spiritualized to our shores. Following in the footsteps of Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and Brian Eno, it is the first time ever than an Australian has curated the event.
There is also the The Sony Lounge, Vivid Sydney's own pop- up bar, which is set up along the Western foyers of Sydney Opera House. A rotating lineup of DJs will play each night until June 5. After sipping some mulled wine, you can wander around and check out more than 40 light installations or drop in to see the Fire Dance.
So, as the mercury goes down in Sydney, you have no excuse to be a couch potato! Get out there and nourish your cultural soul.
vivid sydney, vivid live, sydney opera house, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Brian Eno, The Cure, Chris Cunningham, OFWGTA, Tame Impala, Bat For Lashes, The Avalanches, WU LYF, Spiritualized
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on April 13, 2011
After an excruciatingly slow announcement on Triple J this morning, the 2011 Splendour in the Grass line up has finally been released and we can now reveal the artists in all their glory.
Now settled into their new home of Woodfordia (South East Queensland), the annual splendiferous event is back with a mouth watering line up of diverse music talent that will be spread across three stages, The Amphitheatre, Mix Up Stage and GW McLennan Tent over three days in July (Friday 29th - Sunday 31st).
The Global Village is also back with a great program of performances, workshops, stalls and delicious food for you festivalites to nosh on. For those that want to treat themselves, check out the Splendour Day Spa and get yourself lookin’ fresh.
Tickets go on sale at 9am AEST on Thursday 5 May. They will cost $390 (inc gst) Event + $120 (inc gst) Camping + booking fees, which gains entry to the festival for 3 days, from Friday 29 July to Sunday 31 July .
Enough chit chat, down to the music!
Splendour In The Grass 2011 lineup:
Coldplay (Only Australian Show)
Kanye West (Only Australian Show)
Jane’s Addiction
The Hives
Pulp
The Living End
The Mars Volta
Regina Spektor (Only Show For 2011)
Bliss N Eso
Pnau
Mogwai (Only Australian Show)
Dj Shadow
Glasvegas
The Grates
Devendra Banhart
Modest Mouse
The Middle East
Kaiser Chiefs
James Blake
Kele More...
splendour in the grass 2011, woodfordia, coldplay, kanye west, jane's addiction, the hives, pulp, the living end, mars volta, james blake, kato, modest mouse, the middle east, kaiser chiefs, mogwai, regina spektor, glasvegas, the grates, cut copy, eskimo joe, noah and the whale, architecture in helsinki, foster the people, bluejuice, the kills
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on April 10, 2011
Fresh from their March tour of the US and appearance at SXSW, The Jezabels played to yet another packed crowd at Sydney's Metro Theatre on Friday night.
The band has been pumping the touring circuit of late and fans are lapping it up. Following a busy Summer festival season that saw them tear up the stages at Falls Festival and Peats Ridge Festival and sell out eleven shows on their national Dark Storm tour, lead singer Hayley Mary, Sam Lockwood (guitar), Nik Kaloper (drums) and Heather Shannon (keys) are noticeably more in tune with each other and their sound than ever before.
Not too long ago, I saw them perform in a paddock under a canopy of stars in the Glenworth Valley. This time around Hayley's lofty voice nestled into the more intimate setting and the emotion in "Hurt me" and "Easy to Love" was more tangible, although those high-reaching notes were not easily mimicked by punters attempting to sing along. Sheathed in black, Hayley stalked the stage, her lithe body and liquid movements creating a distinct feline quality. More...
the jezabels, ernest ellis, metro theatre, groovin the moo
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on February 16, 2011
Off the back of their debut self-funded album, Gorilla Manor, Local Natives pulled a surprisingly large crowd at Sydney’s Metro Theatre last Thursday night. But the five-piece, who hail from Los Angeles, did not disappoint. Well known for their soaring harmonies, Local Natives have been (favourably) compared to bands like Fleet Foxes, a likeness that was particularly clear with the band's performance of 'Shapeshifter'.
In between strumming their beautiful Les Paul guitars, Ryan Hahn, Kelcey Ayer and Taylor Rice swapped instruments and took turns in leading the vocals. As a band that collaborates on everything (even their artwork), the changes served to enrich their performance even further rather than confusing their sound.More...
local natives, metro theatre, leader cheetah, laneway festival