Month: November 2019

The Outer Worlds Review: Tales from the Outer Rim

For some time now, there’s been a growing sense that Bethesda has lost the thread of what made The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series’ so great. If you’ve been feeling the same way, it’s likely that The Outer Worlds will be game you’ve been hoping they would make. Bethesda didn’t make it, but it sure feels…

Read More

L.A’s renowned Hyde Kitchen makes its debut in Perth

Perth’s newest hotspot brings the famous HYDE brand from buzzing locations in L.A and Miami down to the world’s most isolated city. A collaboration between Accor and sbe Entertainment Group, Hyde Perth Kitchen & Cocktails, located in the shiny new Art Series Hotel The Adnate, aligns with the brand’s playful, party-minded “casual by day, classy…

Read More

Track of the Day: Clipping Feat. Shabazz Palaces “Aquacode Databreaks” (2019)

Art rap has a new anthem as we move into 2020, but you already knew that by reading the headline. L.A’s Clipping have tapped Shabazz Palaces for a track that sounds exactly like what you’d expect (and want) from this reliable collaboration, violently clashing their respective styles to bring about a caustic rap anthem about…living…

Read More

Interview: Last Christmas director Paul Feig on creating his new festive classic and why he champions female-driven stories

As Last Christmas merrily makes its way to cinemas (read our review here), the film’s director, Paul Feig, brought his own cheer to Australia as he enthusiastically discussed making a new (hopeful) seasonal classic. The AU Review’s Peter Gray sat down with the filmmaker to learn about how Emma Thompson’s George Michael-inspired script came to…

Read More

Australian icon Deborah Conway to be inducted as a “Live Legend” at the 2019 National Live Music Awards

Following on from last year’s inaugural induction of Magic Dirt, the National Live Music Awards has named Deborah Conway as the 2019 Live Legend. This is the award’s “Hall of Fame” equivalent. In 2019, Deborah Conway is celebrating 40 years in the music industry – having started her career in Melbourne as a vocalist for the…

Read More

The best live music venues in Washington D.C.

They may have just been crowned champions of Major League Baseball, but the city of Washington D.C. has plenty to celebrate year round, given they’re one of America’s finest hubs for live music – boasting some of the country’s best live music venues, in a thriving scene. It may not at all be what you’d…

Read More

Chuuka, Pyrmont Review: The Star’s Japanese-Chinese experiment pays off

Replacing the spectacular Flying Fish at the apex of Jones Bay Wharf is an ambitious meeting of two accomplished culinary champions, ambitiously clashing Japanese and Chinese flavours at the behest of The Star Sydney, debuting their very first off-site restaurant. Chase Kojima (best known for Sokyo) and Victor Liong (best known for Lee Ho Fook)…

Read More

Film Review: Last Christmas wears its tinsel-laced heart on its sleeve with an unashamed abandon

As much as Last Christmas is selling itself on the notion that it’s “inspired” by the musical catalogue of the late, great George Michael – or more specifically the Wham! festive classic that this film’s title has lifted as its own – it’s ultimately not as formidable as it wishes to be. That’s certainly not…

Read More

Track of the Day: Hey Baby! “Love and Drugs” (2019)

When Brisbane band Hey Baby! describe themselves as surf rock they’re not kidding – they make waves both as musicians and as avid surfers! Currently teasing their forthcoming second EP, the gang have just dropped latest single “Love and Drugs“, and we’re stoked to be naming it today’s Track of the Day! Drawing comparisons to…

Read More

Download 2020 welcomes The Black Parade, with headliners My Chemical Romance

Emo legends My Chemical Romance damn near broke the internet with their recently announced reunion. And fans Down Under won’t have long to practice their eyeliner, with Download today announcing that the New Jersey band will headline its 2020 festivals, in their only Australian live shows. Alt-metal band Deftones and MCR’s fellow emo/alt icons Jimmy…

Read More

Supanova Adelaide 2019 Round Up: John Travolta, Deborah Ann Woll, Jason Isaacs and more brought the star power

Every year, in November, the Adelaide Showground springs to life with colourful characters when the Supanova Comic Con & Gaming Expo rolls in and offers a chance for Adelaide’s creative community to come together, show their art or cosplay and meet some of the biggest Film & TV stars out there. Sunday morning began with Julie Benz of Buffy the Vampire…

Read More

Track of the Day: imbi the girl feat. Genesis Owusu “peaches & scream” (2019)

Non-binary neo-soul artist imbi the girl is gearing up to release their new EP, back then, and we’ve got a little taste of what’s to come in today’s Track of the Day, “peaches & scream“. back then will see imbi delve into their past, exploring the childhood experiences that have brought the artist to where…

Read More

Tia Gostelow & Noah Dillon among acts announced for The New Colossus Festival in NYC 2020

Earlier this year we had the pleasure of attending the first ever New Colossus Festival in New York City, a boutique showcase festival sitting in the city’s Lower East side in the days before SXSW. It gives travelling bands from Australia, Canada and around the world the opportunity for an extra showcase on their trip…

Read More

Gin Palooza, the festival celebrating all things gin, returns to Sydney this November

For those of you who are passionate connoisseurs, growing gin-thusiasts or just looking to learn more about the botanical spirit, Gin Palooza is this month’s event worthy of your attendance. After a successful first event earlier this year, the Australian Gin Distillers Association is returning the celebration of gin to Paddington Town Hall from 23 to 24 November….

Read More

Are Budget Flights in Europe Really That Bad? We fly easyJet from Amsterdam (AMS) to Berlin Schoenefeld (SXF)

Back in September, I flew with the Luton based budget airline easyJet from Amsterdam to Berlin’s budget terminal, Schoenefeld. It’s putting it mildly to say that budget airlines in Europe get a bad rap – but unlike a lot of other places on the planet – I’m looking at you North America – the price difference…

Read More

Aussies Abroad: Divide and Dissolve embark on massive North American tour as they drop “Prove It”

Aussie duo Divide and Dissolve (Takiaya Reed & Sylvie Nehill) have been making impressive moves overseas, and tomorrow they’re set to embark on an absolutely massive tour of North America – as well as throw in a couple of support slots with Unknown Mortal Orchestra. The shows come as the “Ambient drone duo” release the first single…

Read More

Photo Gallery: Land Of Plenty Festival – Shepparton, VIC (02.11.19)

In their debut year in Shepparton, the Land Of Plenty festival has managed to pull together an incredible line up of Australian acts, including Illy, Ocean Alley, Briggs among many others. Danny brings us these photos from the day.

Read More

Festival Review: Land of Plenty – Shepparton Showgrounds, VIC (02.11.19)

For a first time festival, Land Of Plenty, held in Shepparton, managed to get a lot of things right. Hopefully setting it off on a bright path for future years. The festival, which for its debut brought along a stellar line-up of local Australian artist, managed to keep the focus firmly on Shepparton’s local scene,…

Read More

Film Review: Carl Laemmle is an insightful look at Universal Pictures’ founding father & visionary uncle

They called him “Uncle Carl”. For some of the employees at Universal Pictures that’s because he was their actual family member. But for many others, this diminutive entrepreneur was a well-respected man and a boss with a gigantic heart. This documentary is an illuminating guide to this gentle and helpful soul, and a testament to…

Read More

Jewish International Film Festival Review: Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love is a flawed look at a bohemian love story

Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love is a documentary about music’s biggest bohemian and his muse. Poet and songwriter, Leonard Cohen and his lover, Marianne Ihlen had a rich and complex relationship, before they both passed away in 2016. This documentary is like a love letter to their passion; a flawed yet visceral look at…

Read More

Five things you need to watch on the new Apple TV+

Over 100 countries now have access to Apple’s substantial move on the increasingly competitive streaming service scene. Apple TV+, which officially launched on November 2nd, is seeking to expand the Apple ecosystem and focus on original stories across TV and film. In Australia, the price is being kept fairly low at $7.99 (inc GST) per…

Read More

Book Review: Brush up on your art history with Ruby Boukabou’s The Art Lover’s Guide to Paris

Recognised as one of the great art capitals of the world, Paris can be a little daunting for the casual art lover. The Louvre will likely be at the top of any visitor’s list, but once you’re done being captivated by the Mona Lisa’s elusive smile, where on earth do you head next? Do you…

Read More

Film Review: Follow a group of women determined to change the face of sailing, in outstanding doco Maiden

In the late 1980s, a young ship’s cook named Tracey Edwards had had enough. Sick of sailing’s impenetrable boys club, where women were barely tolerated on board – let alone in control on deck – she made an extraordinary decision. Edwards bought a boat, put together a team, and announced that she would be heading…

Read More

Photo Gallery: Supanova Comic Con & Gaming Expo – Adelaide Showgrounds (03.11.19)

Another awesome weekend of pop culture, comic, gaming and cosplay rolled through Adelaide on the weekend at the 2019 Supanova Comic Con & Gaming Expo, with Supa-Star guests like John Travolta, Deborah Ann Woll, Jason Isaacs and Mark Sheppard. Take a look at some of the fun! Shot by Kerrie Geier.

Read More

Live Review: The Teskey Brothers + Harmony Byrne – Metro Theatre, Sydney (03.11.19)

There’s a strange level of community in country and blues music. It’s not the genre of music I’d listen to the most. But, every time I head along to a gig by a band playing this type of music, I’m bound to walk away after ninety minutes with a big dumb smile on my face…

Read More

Film Review: Arctic Justice is an adequate family movie with some take home messaging

It’s the wrong time of year for us to be having an animated kids movie set in the arctic coming to our screens. However there is slim pickings for families in the lead up to Christmas, so for those wanting to keep their little ones entertained comes Arctic Justice. The film has been marketed overseas…

Read More

Book Review: Meg Mundell’s The Trespassers shows a dystopian future with links to Australia’s past and present

You might be forgiven for thinking that there are echoes of the past in Meg Mundell’s newest novel, The Trespassers, as a boatload of British folk board a boat bound for Australia to escape overcrowing, unemployment and disease at home. Instead, it’s the not-too-distant future. Among the passengers are our three protagonists: Cleary, nine years old and…

Read More

Exclusive Single Premiere: Caiti Baker “Gasoline” (2019)

Northern Territorian Caiti Baker is about to release her new EP, Dust (Part I), but before that drops we have the Exclusive Single Premiere, and accompanying video of her new single, “Gasoline”. This song neatly dovetails into the first single off the EP, “Gone”, which dealt with captivity and surrender, of healing and forgiving. This new…

Read More

Track of the Day: Frank Ocean “In My Room” (2019)

Frank Ocean seems to be feeling quite generous. The usually elusive artist only gifted the world the potent, Texas-sounding single in “DHL” a few weeks ago, now he has given us another exciting cut. “In My Room” has Ocean cruising over a highly ornate, melodic production and flipping through a number of flows, tackling violence,…

Read More

Track of the Day: Bellevue Days “S.A.D.” (2019)

Croyden (UK)-based pop/alt-rock 4-piece Bellevue Days have just released a new track “S.A.D.” from their upcoming debut album, It Can’t Possibly Go Wrong Ever, which will be released on 22nd November, 2019. The band have released two earlier EP’s – 2016’s Sad Boy and 2017’s Rosehill.  Lead singer Alan Smith says of the track: “I wrote…

Read More