Year: 2018

Could Netflix’s The Witcher become the first successful live action video-game-to-TV adaptation?

When Netflix announced that they would be taking on The Witcher as a TV series, fan excitement was overwhelming. Since then, Henry Cavill has been confirmed as playing the big man Geralt himself, with a character reveal recently shown off on Twitter. Get your first look at Henry Cavill in The Witcher! pic.twitter.com/1O2eWS1MkP — Netflix (@netflix)…

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Track of the Day: YoWo Music “Built for Boys” (2018)

YoWo Music, a Melbourne based music program for girls and gender non-conforming young people, have announced their debut album Work Like That, which is set for release on November 23rd. With guidance and mentorship from professional musicians, the nine-track album is a heartfelt exploration through music by some of Melbourne’s brightest young female and GNC…

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Five Books You Need To Read This Month: November

Another month. Another five books. We might be getting closer to Christmas, but there’s nothing particularly “festive” about this month’s five titles. Though they’d all make wonderful gifts for the book lover in your life. It is a particularly fiction heavy list this month, with a debut short story collection, a highly anticipated second novel,…

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Track of the Day: LÛMIS “Drift” (2018)

Last Friday saw Melbourne trio LÛMIS release their debut single “Drift”, and features vocals from Imogen Brough.  The Melbourne based trio initially began collaborating on music back in 2014, and are heavily influenced by 1980’s synthesisers and cinematic film scores. Those influences certainly shine through on “Drift”, with those retro synths front and centre from…

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Jason Momoa to attend premieres in Sydney and Gold Coast to bring Aquaman back to Australia

In anticipation for his role as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ production of the DC film, Jason Momoa will be visiting the Gold Coast and Sydney for a celebratory greeting with fans! Warner Bros. Pictures and Roadshows Films have announced that the actor, as part of his cross-continent tour, will be greeting fans and walking the…

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Photo Gallery: Milk! Records Sydney Party – Leadbelly, Sydney (09.11.18)

Milk! Records hit the Leadbelly in Sydney with 4 of their artists to showcase some old and new tunes. Evelyn Ida Morris kicked off the evening with tales of identity and beautiful arrangements. Loose Tooth followed with a high energy set, with a sound and vocals seemingly much greater than the 3-piece. Not to be outdone…

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Exclusive Premiere: Royal And The Southern Echo – Correspondence (2018 EP)

Today we are excited to premiere the debut EP from Brisbane’s Royal and The Southern Echo, the brainchild of singer-songwriter Bryce Schneider, ahead of its official release tomorrow. Partly written whilst living in Berlin, Correspondence is Schneider’s attempt to bring some of the Queensland sunshine to Europe, and find a sense of home.  Listening to…

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Photo Gallery: Pierce Brothers + Garrett Kato – The Forum Theatre, Melbourne (09.11.18)

Friday night gave Melbourne a taste of their own son’s music as buskers turned indie-folk success duo, The Pierce Brothers, rocked the Forum Theatre showcasing their recently released album Atlas Shoulders. Joining the duo on tour was their backing band and opener, Garrett Kato, who put in a stellar performance to kick off the duo’s…

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Photo Gallery: Thundamentals + Ziggy Ramo + Billy Davis & the Good Lords + Jesswar – Forum Theatre, Melbourne (10.11.18)

Tuka, Jeswon and Morgs – aka Thundamentals – brought along Australian hip-hop legends of the future – Ziggy Ramo, Billy Davis & the Good Lords and Jesswar – to open the celebrations of their I Love Songs album tour at The Forum in Melbourne on Saturday night. Daniel Hanssen was there and brings us these photos…

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Live Review: Thundamentals + Ziggy Ramo + Billy Davis & The Good Lords + Jesswar – The Forum, Melbourne (10.11.18)

Thundamentals were here to not just bring the music over the weekend, but support it to, as the hip-hop trio hailing from the Blue Mountains – Tuka, Jeswon and Morgs – brought along Australian hip-hop legends of the future to open the celebrations of their I Love Songs album at The Forum in Melbourne. The…

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Live Review: The Pierce Brothers and Garrett Kato deliver a stellar night of music at The Forum

Friday night gave Melbourne a taste of their own son’s music as buskers-turned-indie-folk success duo the Pierce Brothers rocked the Forum Theatre, showcasing their recently released album Atlas Shoulders. Joining the duo on tour was their backing band and opener Garrett Kato, who put in a stellar performance to kick off the duo’s home show. Opening with…

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Live Review: New Worlds is like a fun Bill Murray variety hour at the Sydney Opera House

Bill Murray and Jan Vogler could be the odd couple except that that name was already taken. Okay, “odd” is probably too strong a word. An unlikely pairing seems more appropriate because Murray is a Hollywood actor, comedian and occasional bartender, and Vogler a world-renown cellist. New Worlds saw both men making their Sydney Opera…

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Interview: Jan Vogler chats about meeting Bill Murray & their New Worlds show

Bill Murray and Jan Vogler walk into an airport. The comedian and cellist bond over music and decide to tour together. The result is New Worlds, where these two men are joined by some other friends. The AU Review’s Natalie Salvo caught up with Vogler to learn more about the show, swimming, West Side Story…

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Live Review: Dionne Warwick teaches us all about love at her greatest hits concert in Sydney

Dionne Warwick knows the way to your heart. This glorious singer has been the voice and occasionally the muse for some of the world’s greatest songs. Whether it’s falling in and out of love, the fact is that in her concerts and albums, Dionne shows us that this emotion is all that you need. This…

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Interview: Doz from Cosmic Kahuna (Melbourne) talks about playing Cal Jam with Jack Black, Billy Idol and Nirvana

While I was walking out of the 2018 Cal Jam Festival in California – the one that was curated by the Foo Fighters and saw Nirvana reform – I bumped into the Melbourne band Cosmic Kahuna, who had played the opening night of the event alongside the one and only Billy Idol. When we both…

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Theatre Review: Vena Cava’s Baal is ambitious student theatre at its strongest

It’s been a century since Bertolt Brecht first wrote Baal, but there remains an undeniable timeliness to this tale of artistry, alcohol, and just how much of each excuses the fact that you’re an outrageous asshole. As a character, Baal embodies the romantic, tortured artist, trying vainly to remain frustratingly aloof from the consequences of…

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Live Review: Didirri + Emerson Snowe + Merpire – Mojos, Fremantle (08.11.18)

Thursday night saw Didirri’s Measurements Tour hit Fremantle, for the first of two shows across in the West. Joining the Melbourne singer-songwriter were fellow Victorian Merpire and Brisbane’s Emerson Snowe.  Merpire, tasked with kicking off proceedings, did a good job of warming up an already substantial crowd. It was a wholly stripped back affair with…

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Album Review: Muse’s Simulation Theory (2018 LP) is a masterful sensory sledgehammer

There’s an indescribable level of anxiety that comes with being a Muse fan any time a new album is announced. It’s the heady mixture of excitement, overwhelmingly peppered with fear of the unknown. It’s been a divided fandom for as far back as I can recall, with old-school versus the progressives, and there’s no shortage…

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Interview: Bill Murray and Jan Vogler talk about New Worlds on the steps of the Sydney Opera House

Earlier today, I stood on the steps of the Sydney Opera House with one of the most iconic names in entertainment, Bill Murray, and acclaimed classical cellist Jan Vogler. The pair are performing tonight and tomorrow night with “Friends”, including cellist Mira Wang, and violinist Vanessa Perez. This marks the first time Vogler has made it to…

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Photo Gallery: Bootleg Rascal + The Moving Stills + Zac Slater – Howler, Melbourne (05.11.18)

Bootleg Rascal came out firing on Monday night at the Howler, showcasing their newest album Anònimo. Along for the ride were blossoming RnB artist Zac Slater and Alternative pop rock band, The Moving Stills. Daniel Hanssen was there and brings us these photos from the night:

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Games Review: Lego Harry Potter Collection (Switch, 2018) brings the magic back to the Lego franchise

The Lego Harry Potter game franchise first launched in 2010, and has since been adapted and remastered for nearly every device imaginable. This includes, but is not limited to, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, iOS, OS X and Android. To be made available on literally everything is the mark of a true great, and with the release…

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The stars of Whose Line Is It Anyway? are coming to Australia: Our 5 favourite side-stitching moments

Three of America’s best improv actors are heading down under for one of the best comedy events of the year and if you’re like me and religiously watch Whose Line Is it Anyway? reruns, you had better get excited. Colin Mochrie, Brad Sherwood and Greg Proops are about to join on stage in Australia for the…

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What we’re most excited to see in Warcraft III Reforged

Warcraft III: Reforged is coming, and it’s easily one of the most exciting announcements BlizzCon has had in years. Fans have been waiting years for this particular reveal, to the extent that some began creating mods for Starcraft II that would allow them to play out their Warcraft III fantasies to their hearts content. However,…

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Track of the Day: Washington “Claws” (2018)

ARIA award winning Megan Washington, better nown as Washington, continues to move away from her jazzy rock roots, and into the indie-pop sphere with new single “Claws.” This is the first taste of new music we have had since 2016, and “Claws” is perfectly dainty, while triumphant, sitting comfortably in year of captivating indie-pop Australian music….

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9 events you don’t want to miss at the 2019 Perth Festival

With summer just down the track, why not prepare yourself for one of the best Arts festivals to hit WA shores. Running from the February 8th to March 3rd, Perth Festival has cultivated the growth and exploration of some of the greatest Australian and International acts and is one of Australia’s premier Arts events. Here…

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Live Review: Bootleg Rascal + The Moving Stills + Zac Slater – Howler, Melbourne (05.11.18)

Bootleg Rascal came out firing on Monday night at the Howler, showcasing their newest album Anònimo. Along for the ride were blossoming RnB artist Zac Slater and Alternative pop rock band, The Moving Stills. Beginning with some emotion and passion, Zac Slater opened the evening. The man and his guitar were impassioned and his short…

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Film Review: The Girl in the Spider’s Web (USA, 2018) lacks adherence but compensates with thrills, fun and a great performance by Claire Foy

Lisbeth Salander is back! In another reiteration! Over the years, we have had four films revolving around the characters created by acclaimed Swedish author Stieg Larsson, and each have been hits in their home territory, as well as receiving rave reviews from many critics. Many people have complimented the Scandinavian cinematic thriller tropes (i.e. winter settings,…

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Book Review: Jameson Ketchum’s Echo Boom reveals a story behind the story

Inaugural novella, Echo Boom, by Jameson Ketchum has landed, with music journalist, publicist and Hopecore Magazine columnist Ketchum taking us on a diarised journey through the words and mind of fictional “writer” Edward Caspian. An over thinker to the end, Caspian, guides the reader through his twenty-nine year friendship with his friend, Giles Green, who has…

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Telltale, The Beginner’s Guide and the inherent artistic value of narrative-based video games

As the medium has grown in complexity and ambition, the debate over whether or not video games can be considered art has continued unabated. The mixture of media elements that influence game development, from gameplay to graphics, art, sound design and narrative all lend themselves to the idea that games can be considered art, but…

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Track of the Day: Foxwarren “Everything Apart” (2018)

Formed more than a decade ago amidst the Canadian prairies, Foxwarren are set to release their debut self-titled record via ANTI- Records at the end of the month. In anticipation of it’s release the band have dropped the infectious lead single – “Everything Apart”. Foxwarren is comprised of siblings and childhood friends, all of whom…

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