Festivals & Venues Update: July 20
MAJOR ACTS FOR DARWIN FESTIVAL
Major acts from around Australia have been booked by Darwin Festival (August 10—27). All details at www.darwinfestival.org.au.
The opening night concert on the Little Mindil Lawns is headed by You Am I with Tiwi Islands R&B group B2M.
Among those storming the Lighthouse stage are A. B. Original, Clairy Browne, Dappled Cities, Cat Empire’s Felix Riebl and NT’s Yirrmal and The Miliyawutj.
The Darwin Railway Club hosts intimate sets by Ali Barter, Cambodian Space Project and electronic beat makers Tijuana Cartel.
Happy Yass has late night Club Awi with Femme FUNKALE (NT) and DJ Total Eclipse (NYC).
The 2017 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) will beheld on Saturday August 12 at the Amphitheatre with Paul Kelly, Apakatjah and Emily Wurramara.
SECOND ROUND FOR DASHVILLE SKYLINE
Hunter Valley’s alt-country festival Dashville Skyline (Sept 29—Oct 1) has added another 14 acts. Topping them were fast-emerging Tennessee-hailed Valerie June (whose band includes members of Old Crow Medicine Show), Melbourne band Oh Mercy previewing songs from their next album and Irish singer-songwriter Declan O’Rourke, who happened to spendeight years in his younger days in Victoria.
The 30 live performances make up part of the mix; there are also American-inspired food and bevvies, boutique market stalls and an animal petting zoo.
MELBOURNE’S XE54 ANNOUNCES LAUNCH DETAILS
New Melbourne dance music venue XE54 goes live on August 12 at 334 City Rd, Southbank in the basement.
It is the brainchild of Roar Projects, aka hospitality veterans Simon Digby, Tony Perna and Nick Vas.
They have partnered with the booking/promotional team behind Beyond The Valley and Pitch Music & Arts who will head up the club’s flagship Saturday night offering, as well as collaborating with renowned interior designers International Worldwide.
Head booker and promoter Mike Christidis says, “We aim to create something that regardless of the time of year, or which specific week you attend there will be a Saturday nightspot for electronic music lovers with the right attitude to come together and enjoy good music.”
AUSSIES INVITED TO IHEARTRADIO
Aussies can win tickets to attend iHeartRadio Music Festival (Sept 22—23)in Las Vegas to see Coldplay, The Weeknd, DJ Khaled, Chris Stapleton, Lorde, Kings of Leon, Big Sean, P!nk, Miley Cyrus, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Niall Horan, David Guetta, Thomas Rhett, Harry Styles and Kesha.
Aussies will be able to stream the action at iheartradio.com.au while those wanting to be there in person will have contest details revealed soon at the website.
POP UP PERTH VENUE
The team behind Fringe World venue Noodle Palace have set up a pop-up music venue for five weeks in the former Myer Megamart building in Northbridge. Calling it Noodle Palace: Warehouse Edition, the 1500-capacity room kicks off on July 28 with bands and DJs, some from intestate.
DOLPHIN TURNS 1
Sydney’s The Dolphin celebrates its first birthday on Thursday August 3 with a bill featuring a rare live set fromThe Models and a dozen DJs. Proceeds go to Crown St Public School.
MULLUM MUSIC REACHES BACK TO PAST
For its 10th anniversary, Mullum Music (Nov 16—19, the NSW town of Mullumbimby) is also including a Homecoming section on the bill, featuringthe acts who were on the first instalment – Marlon Williams, current patron Suzannah Espie, previous patrons Mama Kin and Harry James Angus, as well as Tinpan Orange, Jojo Smith, Liz Stringer, Hussy Hicks and OKA.
SHIFTING SOUNDS
SHIFT is a new Sydney club night launched tonight (Thursday July 20) by Bassia Dinnen at Goodbar.
THE DESERT BLOOMS AFTER A YEAR OFF
After a year off, Alice Springs Desert Festival returns with 30 acts (Aug 18 – Sept 7) including The Alice Springs Pop Choir, Resin Moon, Jeanette Wormald, Colin Lillie, Karnage n Darknis, Katie Harder and The Artful Dodgers and The Tjupi Band.
Artistic Director Ben Foxsays that the various events are set up as entry points for different age demographics.
HORIZON UNDERGROUND SPOTLIGHTS NAMBOUR
There has been a push in recent years to highlight the music and arts of Nambour on the Sunshine Coast. Horizon Underground is the latest initiative, beginning on August 26 for ten days, and concentrating on upcoming talents.
The program includes live music, exhibitions, theatre performances, a burlesque show, and a series of workshops.
It is presented by the Sunshine Coast Council and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland.To see the the full program or book tickets, visit horizonfestival.com.au.
HOWARD GETS NEW FESTIVAL
The rural town of Howard on the Fraser Coast gets a new festival, Howard Music, with a 25-act blues, country and rock bill headlined by James Blundell, September 15—17.
A joint venture between the Burrum District Community Centre and the Rotary Club of Hervey Bay City, between 1000 and 2000 are expected for the inaugural event, which is expected to be an annual celebration.
VANFESTANNOUNCES FIRST ACTS
NSW Central West Vanfest (Dec 1—2) announced Dune Rats, Tash Sultana, Thundamentals, San Cisco and Amy Shark among its first round of acts for Forbes Showground.
The rest of the experience includes pop up beach bars, interactive installations and carnival rides.
PAUL KELLY SELLS OUT
Before heading to Splendour In The Grass, Paul Kelly threw in an intimate club show in Melbourne tonight (Thursday July 20) at St Kilda’s MEMO Music Hall. The venue says tix went on sale yesterday and sold out within 30 minutes.
Yesterday’s Open Day by the venue drew 300 people to check out the art deco building and listen to emerging St. Kilda acts.
SUCKING ON THE VINE
Country Victoria’s second Rock in the Vines returns to Sutton Grange Winery (20 minutes out of Bendigo) on November 4 with Jimmy Barnes, Jon Stevens, Richard Clapton and Taxiride performing on a natural amphitheatre surrounded by bushland and overlooking an expansive lake.
SOUNDS FROM GROUNDS BACK FOR THIRD YEAR
After the sell-out July edition, Sounds from The Grounds (as in The Grounds of Alexandria in Sydney) returns on Thursday Sept 14 with live music including singer-songwriter Emma Joy launching her album.
There’ll also bewood-fired food from The Pizza Silo and drinks from The Soda Barn.
GRAIN AND BEAR IT
Brisbane arts and music website Grain is bringing backAgainst The Grain for its second year with 30 acts over three days.
Friday August 25 is at Reverends and Barbara bars with Top Dollar, Chakra Efendi, Keeskea and Dream City.
On August 26 and 27, the action moves to two outdoor stages in Bakery Lane and The Brightside Carpark
Saturday’s lineup includes MOSSY, Twin Haus, Good Morning, Yuuca, Sleep Decade and VACATIONS.
Sunday is covered by Gold Class, The Courtneys, The Ocean Party, Mere Women, Horror My Friend and nine others.