Month: July 2018

Did Festival of the Sun just drop its best lineup ever?

The 15th Festival of the Sun in Port Macquarie, NSW, just set the bar massively high for the Summer season as they dropped a huge lineup for their circus themed “Roll Up Edition”.  For 2018, festivities begin December 13th and the event will run through to December 15th with performances from headliners Vera Blue and…

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PNAU, Baker Boy, Alex Lahey among winners at the 2018 AIR Awards

The 2018 AIR Awards took place in Adelaide overnight, with Australian industry gathering at the historic Queen’s Theatre in the city to celebrate independent music, labels and creatives who have accomplished massive things over the last year. Performances stunned, with the likes of Caiti Baker, Bad//Dreems, Stella Donnelly, Baker Boy and Alex The Astronaut doling out impressive numbers on stage, while Dylan…

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Splendour Interview: Soccer Mommy (USA) on her Australian live debut and not writing with others

Soccer Mommy, the project of Sophie Allison, has had one hell of a year. From being relatively unknown as the calendar year kicked off, to releasing her debut LP Clean to critical acclaim and being one of the most talked about new artists in the world, it’s far to say the future is looking bright…

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Joel Edgerton directed film Boy Erased gets Iits first official trailer; boasts massive Aussie cast

Famous Australian actor Joel Edgerton (Warrior), takes his talents to the directing chair, as the first trailer for his film Boy Erased is released. Edgerton will also write, produce and co-star. The film will focus on the trails and tribulations of homosexuality, as Jared, the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, comes…

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Screen Australia to invest $17 Million in 23 projects including an adaption of The Dry

Screen Australia have announced they will be investing a whopping $17 million across 23 projects comprised of six films, ten television series and seven online productions. Highlights include a movie adaptation of Jane Harper’s international hit novel The Dry, to be directed by veteran filmmaker Robert Connolly. Graeme Mason, CEO of Screen Australia commented on the…

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Tech Review: Logitech G903 Wireless Gaming Mouse: Strike true

What do you need in a good gaming mouse? Like, really need? You need it to be comfortable. You need its action to be smooth and precise. You need it to have the requisite buttons for basic play, and maybe one or two extra for customisation and macros. When it comes to designing gaming mice,…

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Shortlist for the 2018 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize announced

This week the shortlist for the 2018 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize was unveiled to the public, with Claire Aman (NSW), Sharmini Aphrodite (Singapore) & Madelaine Lucas (NSW/USA) each getting the nod. This year the prize attracted  almost 1,200 entries from writers from across the globe. The winning author will receive $7,000, whilst the shortlisted…

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The Krack Heads Return as the Kameras Are Set to Roll on Get Krack!n Season 2

ABC, Screen Australia and Film Victoria have announced that filming has begun on the second season of the comedy series Get Krack!n, created, written, produced by and starring Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. As the follow-up to ‘The Kates’ classic first series hailed by critics as “the finest satire ever put to air on Australian…

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The AU’s 10th Birthday Party & Cats Scouted Afterparty in Adelaide reveals lineup

This Friday, the AU review is kicking off its 10th Birthday Celebrations in Adelaide by taking over the Rocket Bar & Rooftop; first with a run of performances as part of SCOUTED, and then with a night of DJ Sets from a bunch of special guests. From 5:30pm, the AU review’s stage at SCOUTED will…

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BIGSOUND adds Didirri, HANDSOME, No Mono, Hollow Coves and 60 other new acts; unveils official venues & parties for 2018 event

75 acts were already announced to play the mammoth new music event BIGSOUND in Brisbane this September – and today we have another 64 to add to the bill; plus the festival is giving us its first glimpse into what we can expect from the events, parties and venues that will run across the event’s…

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Splendour Interview: Lewis Capaldi (Scotland) on developing as a songwriter, and the master of hilarious banter amidst sad songs, Scott Hutchinson

While backstage at Splendour over the weekend, we sat down with Scottish singer/songwriter Lewis Capaldi, who describes himself as “a chubby guy who sings sad songs” (in fact it’s how he introduced himself to us when we sat down), as he made his Australian debut. We talk about developing as a songwriter, The Beatles, Frightened…

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Splendour Interview: James Bay (UK) on Buddy Guy, Abbey Road and finding the space to write

It’s been a while between visits for acclaimed British singer/songwriter James Bay, but this week he’s been touring the country off the back of his second full length Electric Light. One of these performances was at Splendour in the Grass, and just before he hit the stage, I sat down with the enigmatic artist to…

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13 of the Coolest Film, TV & Gaming Trailers You May Have Missed at SDCC 2018

With San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) wrapped up for this year, there’s no doubt each year’s conference rules the entertainment universe with its mind blowing announcements from films, TV shows and the latest and upcoming games. So without further ado, let’s recap some of the biggest announcements you may have missed this year. FILMS First off,…

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Film Review: Funny Cow (UK, 2018) sees Maxine Peake delivers heart and humour

I’m going to throw out a hot take – It’s tough to be a woman in comedy these days. Late night talk shows and weekly round ups are still dominated by male comics, you try to put out a new-take on an old concept with an all-female cast and unearth the wrath of legions of…

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Tech Review: Sony WF-SP700N – great sound, perfect noise cancelling, terrible battery life

Ever since Apple released the Airpods in December of 2016, there’s been a steady increase in number of big-ticket, fully wireless ear buds coming to market. With the Internet of Things steadily spreading toward more casual adopters of technology, and Bluetooth technology improving year on year, it’s become necessary for these devices to enter the…

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Games Review: Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (Switch, 2018)

Wolfenstein II‘s latest Nazi-stomping iteration was one of the biggest and best FPS releases of last year, praised for its original script, compelling characters and bucketloads of aggressive, absorbing gameplay; the title — officially Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus — once again reinvented a classic franchise and continued the quality from The New Order and…

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SXSW opens up applications for its 2019 Film Festival

Attention filmmakers! Film submissions for the 2019 SXSW (South by Southwest) Film Festival are now open, providing both established and aspiring filmmakers alike to jump on board! Once again held in Austin, Texas, the 2019 Festival is set to take place from 8-17 March. The SXSW offers filmmakers a life changing opportunity, ranging from feature…

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Blu-Ray Review: Stronger (USA, 2018) is a hero’s story that tugs at your heartstrings

Stronger is the second film to be released about the Boston Marathon bombing. While Patriot’s Day focused on the manhunt for the terrorists, Stronger is about the victims of the tragedy and one man’s story in particular. This film is ultimately an inspirational look at a man who was left a double amputee and how…

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Aussies in Edinburgh: Cabaret performer Michael Griffiths on his Fringe show Songs By Kylie

Michael Griffiths is an Australian cabaret performer from Australia coming back to Edinburgh for his 6th Fringe in a row, this time armed with his hit show Songs By Kylie. As the title suggests, the production is an hour of all things Kylie Minogue. We caught up with Michael to find out more about it and being…

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Review: Delays and Lost Baggage, flying British Airways from Scotland to Barcelona proves a trying experience

At the end of May, en route to Primavera Sound, I flew with British Airways for the first time. With direct flights from Edinburgh, Scotland to Barcelona seemingly only available via budget airlines, I ended up on a connection service with British Airways via Heathrow. Like many national carriers around the world, I’d rarely heard…

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Splendour Interview: G-Flip (Australia) reflects on working with Sounds Australia to debut her live show & “the best months of my entire life”

Few artists, be they Australian or otherwise, have ever had quite a whirlwind and eventful five months as Melbourne’s G-Flip, who burst onto the scene with “About You”, just a few weeks before making her international live debut at the Twitter / Sounds Australia Party at SXSW. And now this weekend she played to her…

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Live Review: CHVRCHES + Mansionair – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne (23.07.18)

“Our gear didn’t get here until 8:30 tonight,” Lauren Mayberry – member of Scottish synth-pop band Chvrches – said during their Splendour sideshow in Melbourne this Monday night. “I’m just going to talk less and we’ll cram in as much as we can before the curfew.” Mayberry stalked, ran, skipped and twirled from one side…

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Splendour Interview: YUNGBLUD (UK) almost missed his festival set & already has another album up his sleeve

One of the most exciting international talents making their Australian festival debut at Splendour in the Grass over the weekend was UK rising star YUNGBLUD. His unique blend of punk, hip-hop, rock and whatever else he fancies, has made his album 21st Century Liability one of the most talked about releases of the year. And…

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KOFFIA: The 9th Korean Film Festival in Australia announces 2018 program

The Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA) will be returning to Australia for its 2018 program with a whopping 22 Korean films across all genres. The Festival will take place in Sydney (9-18 August), Brisbane (15-16 August), Melbourne (6-13 September) and Canberra (21-23 September). Presented by the Korean Cultural Centre Australia, KOFFIA aims to showcase…

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Screen Australia announces $2.9 Million in funding for 10 Documentaries

Screen Australia has announced it will be funding a total $2.9 million towards 10 Documentary Producer and Documentary Commissioned Programs. This announcement includes funding for a Black Saturday ABC feature, alongside a feature behind now retired AFL legend Adam Goodes. Liz Stevens, Senior Manager of Documentary at Screen Australia commented on the news, stating, “Documentary is…

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Film Review: Whitney (UK/USA, 2018) is a bittersweet love letter celebrating the enigmatic star’s rise & tragic downfall

Whitney may not be the most necessary film but it’s certainly an entertaining one. This documentary comes hot on the heels of Whitney: Can I Be Me, but where this latest offering differs is in its unprecedented access to Whitney Houston’s family and friends. The result is an intimate and bittersweet portrait of her meteoric…

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Five things you need to know about NZ’s first original Netflix series Dark Tourist

A lot of travel programs follow a tried and tested formula. There’s a charismatic host. Pleasant and idyllic locations. There are the ingredients you’d typically associate with a fun holiday. But the opposite is true for the new, eight-part Netflix series Dark Tourist – New Zealand’s first original series for the streaming platform. This program prides…

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Hannah and Eliza Reilly new web series Sheilas set to premiere next month

The newest web series created by sisters Hannah and Eliza Reilly (Growing Up Graceful) will be known as Sheilas, and is set to premiere later next month and the 21st of August. The four-part series has been funded under Screen Australia’s Gender Matters, a celebration of brilliant and innovative storytelling celebrating the growth of female…

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Win a double in-season pass to see Funny Cow, starring Maxine Peake, in cinemas

Starring the brilliant Maxine Peake, Funny Cow charts the rise to stardom of a female comedienne through the 1970’s and 1980’s and is set against the backdrop of working men’s clubs and the stand-up comedy circuit in the North of England. From her troubled childhood to her turbulent adult relationships, Funny Cow uses the raw material…

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Australian cinemas introduce six new popcorn flavours, including Spicy Nacho and Salted Caramel

Not long after limited edition vegemite & cheese popcorn hit Village and Event cinemas across the country, there’s been a deluge of new twists on the timeless movie snack with Parlour Lane Popcorn Company hooking up with Event and BCC Cinemas to exclusively offer several flavours including Spicy Nacho, Salted Caramel, and Salt & Vinegar…

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