Month: March 2020

SXSW Episodic Pilot Program Review: Everyone Together (Episode 1) hones a snappy, dark-leaning sense of humour

*The AU Review will continue with its planned SXSW 2020 coverage.  We have been in contact with the respective representatives for available films in order to give them the coverage they intended. The description outlined for the comedy series Everyone Together sounds rather typical.  Dysfunctional families from two very different cultural backgrounds subsequently bond and…

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Jordan Merrick

Exclusive Single Premiere: Jordan Merrick “Millennial Blues” (2020)

Jordan Merrick, the Brisbane-based bush balladeer is about to release his latest offering, “Millenial Blues”. Jordan released “Low Country” in June 2019, and followed it up with “I Don’t Belong” and “Dangerously Sincere” prior to his debut album Night Music being released late last year. He hasn’t kept still though, releasing this new track, which…

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Track of the Day: Methyl Ethel “Majestic AF” (2020)

Methyl Ethel are about to release a new EP, Hurts to Laugh and “Majestic AF”, the first release off it, is our Track of the Day. The EP was recorded at the same time as the long-play Triage which was released in 2019. Front-man and the creative force behind Methyl Ethel, Jake Webb,  was clearly…

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SXSW Film Review: Shooting Heroin is a noble idea marred by melodramatics

*The AU Review will continue with its planned SXSW 2020 coverage.  We have been in contact with the respective representatives for available films in order to give them the coverage they intended. A noble idea marred by melodramatics that often take away the importance of the film’s message, Shooting Heroin can’t help but feel like…

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NOMAD up the Road

Gift Cards: how to support Aussie restaurants during the Coronavirus pandemic

Covid-19, a novel coronavirus, has spread around the world and continues to cause unprecedented health, social and economic crises. Experts are pleading with people to take this seriously, while many separate on the two (equally stupid) extremes of naivety/complacency, and panic/fear-mongering. Social distancing is absolutely crucial to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but as a…

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Hawaiian Airlines suspend flights

Hawaiian Airlines has suspended Australian and New Zealand flights

In response to the coronavirus and recent travel restrictions in Australia and New Zealand, Hawaiian Airlines has today announced that it will temporarily suspend nonstop services between Honolulu and its Australian and New Zealand gateways. The suspension will come into effect later this month, temporarily halting flights extending to numerous services. The five-times-weekly between SYD…

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Track of the Day: Pirra “The Peak” (2020)

Sydney-side indie-dance-pop quartet Pirra are back with a new release, “The Peak”. It has a fun feverish energy that is bound to put a smile on your face. It’s just what we need after a seemingly inexhaustible stream of bad news recently. “The Peak” is a great follow-up to their previous track, “Under the Skyline” Jess…

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Rouge

Adelaide Fringe Review: Rouge is a fun and sexy celebration

There was a good crowd in the Magic Mirror Spiegeltent for the final weekend performance of Rouge. Despite the increasing talk of COVID-19 in the press, audiences remained undaunted and expectant. The tent has a circular stage in the centre, with good views all round. The high fabric and glass covered walls gave the space…

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Vivid Sydney

Statement released regarding Vivid Sydney’s cancellation in response to coronavirus

As most people now know, Vivid Sydney will not be on for this year. The event, which in 2019 attracted 2.4 million visitors, has been cancelled in response to the growing thread of the novel coronavirus Covid-19. The NSW Government has made this decision following recommendations by the Federal Government and health authorities to limit…

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SXSW Film Review: Audiences with a penchant for the abstract are likely to enjoy The Carnivores

*The AU Review will continue with its planned SXSW 2020 coverage.  We have been in contact with the respective representatives for available films in order to give them the coverage they intended. You can love your dog, and then you can love your dog.  And whilst Caleb Michael Johnson‘s bizarre effort The Carnivores wouldn’t be…

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Qantas

Qantas and Jetstar introduce new measures in response to Coronavirus

As more airlines adapt to the current crisis surrounding coronavirus (covid-19), prospective passengers are being granted more flexibility. Today, Qantas Group – which is Qantas, QantasLink and their LCC Jetstar – have announced further measures to bring anyone with bookings peace of mind. The new measures follow increased travel restrictions being introduced by various government…

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Adelaide Fringe Review: Shark Heist is a wild and crazy trip – Rhino Room (10.03.20)

As the audience is shepherded into the tiny downstairs Hell Fire space in the Rhino Room venue, they are greeted by a bearded man wearing nothing but a pair of white briefs. Smiling and friendly, he welcomes everyone with open arms. This is going to be a very intimate performance. Cam Venn explains the show…

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Six Senses

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay introduces “The Water Retreat”

Acclaimed luxury brand Six Senses, with 18 hotels and resorts, and 30 spas in 21 countries, have recently revealed the newest addition to their renowned Six Senses Ninh Van Bay resort in Vietnam. Titled “The Water Retreat,” the new lodging seek to further immerse guests in the resort’s unforgettable location. The brand new property is…

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Album Review: Grouplove – Healer (2020 LP)

Returning to our ears after a few near traumatic years, Grouplove are back in 2020 with a revitalised sound and lust for music. Always capable of writing a bonafide pop song in the past, the Californian five-piece are back with Healer, an album as up and down as a pushup. Since forming in 2009, there’s…

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Boys Like Girls return to Australia for a throwback tour this April

If you haven’t heard yet, the fusion pop-punk-emo band from Boston, Boys Like Girls is returning to Australia, after almost a decade, to perform a national tour. After forming the band in 2005, the success of their self-titled album in 2006 spread across the world leading with their smash hit singles ‘The Great Escape’ and…

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Nuria

Track of the Day: Nuria “Noise” (2020)

Tasmanian singer-songwriter Nuria is kickstarting her 2020 with her latest single, “Noise”. The punchy slice of electro pop is the fourth single from her forthcoming debut album.  The elegant track, which features production work from Alice Springs-based Dave Crowe (Resin Moon), explores relationship discord, and how these feelings can be channeled into sound. It’s basically…

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Honey Cutt

Album of the Week: Honey Cutt balances sunshine and realism on Coasting (2020 LP)

Honey Cutt is the project of Boston-via-Florida singer-songwriter Kaley Honeycutt. Whilst she cut her teeth playing in New England, she put out a couple of EPs under the moniker Baby!, including 2018’s Sunny F.L. Cut to 2020, and with a name change, it’s time for the project’s debut album: Coasting.  If you like your indie…

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Track of the Day: Husky “Cut Myself Loose” (2020)

Ahead of its release tomorrow, we’ve got a sneak peek at the new single “Cut Myself Loose” from Melbourne band Husky. It features Husky Gawenda‘s dreamy vocals floating above Gideon Preiss‘s keys. It has some sweet guitars in it as well. This is signature Husky, with their gentle indie-folk mastery of getting you to lean-forward into…

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Doom Eternal Preview: Not for the faint hearted

I never expected jumping back into the role of Doomslayer was going to be a walk in the park, but the level of non-stop carnage and breathless, rhythmic gameplay still caught me off guard. It’s been years since I rage-quit the acclaimed 2016 iteration of Doom (I’ll pick it up again, one day), but even…

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E3

E3 2020 has been officially cancelled

E3 2020 is officially cancelled. The Entertainment Software Association pulled the plug over concerns relating to the coronavirus outbreak. The ESA will explore other avenues for replacing the show, including the possibility of an “online experience.” The full statement from the ESA, available on the E3 website, reads: After careful consultation with our member companies…

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WOMADelaide

Festival Review: WOMADelaide – Botanic Park (06-09.03.20)

Every year, Adelaide is home to WOMADelaide, one of the world’s most eclectic, unique and diverse cultural festivals that combines music, dance, cooking demonstrations, workshops, talks and much more. The massive four-day event meanders throughout the trees and clearings of Adelaide’s beautiful Botanic Park, with seven stages and over sixty-five acts from across the globe. Proceedings kicked off with a…

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Nike

Nike ready the futuristic ISPA Air Max 720 for release this week

The smaller challenges in city life, like fighting for space on a crowded train or stretching out to keep a door from shutting, are the inspiration for the forthcoming Nike ISPA Air Max 720 release. Designed to be unique, pragmatic and futuristic, the eye-catching new drop comes from ISPA, a program spearheaded by Nike Sportswear’s…

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Q Dining

Circular Quay’s Q Dining nods to autumn flavours with new menu

Circular Quay favourite Q Dining prides itself on using Australian native ingredients and a bounty of fresh local produce. And with a new autumn-indebted menu, newly appointed Exec. Chef Steven Hartert is set to further that dedication to produce. Promising prime views of the harbour yet set back from the crowds in the heart of…

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BWS Arts n Crafts

BWS debut craft beer and painting class is hitting Sydney this week

The team at BWS are launching a debut ‘Art n Crafts’ event in Sydney this week, putting their own little spin on the “paint and sip” trend that has been sweeping the globe. Taking the traditional craft beer tasting and adding a whole lot of creativity, the class will welcome anyone over the age of…

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Interview: Adelaide via New York City artist Tom West joins our New Colossus showcase lineup

This Friday, we’re taking to New York City for our special showcase at The New Colossus Festival. In the wake of the SXSW cancellation, that’s sadly meant one of the acts due to perform at the festival – Singapore’s The Pinholes – have sadly had to pull out. Lucky for us though, Tom West and…

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Whitest Boy

Track of the Day: The Whitest Boy Alive “Serious” (2019)

It’s been over a decade since we’ve really heard from German-Norwegian pop outfit The Whitest Boy Alive. We’re glad that’s changed. Reforming, this side-project from Kings of Convenience’s Erlend Øye has once again emerged to give us a complicated dose of Scandi pop, restrained and euphoric in equal measures. Øye, Marcin Ōz, Sebastian Maschat and…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: The Sunday Estate “Give Me (Something)” (2020)

We have the Exclusive Single Premiere of “Give Me (Something)” from Sydney-side indie-outfit The Sunday Estate. This is a character study about teenage love, and how these relationships can be being fraught with difficulties. The song paints a vivid picture and you find yourself immersed in the narrative with ease. With a strong and engaging story…

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Xbox Series X + Project xCloud livestream to reveal new details

Microsoft have announced a series of live-streams on Xbox Series X that will replace its now-cancelled slate of GDC 2020 talks. The live-streams, called Game Stack Live, will broadcast a series of panels on Mixer over two days. One of these panels is titled “Xbox Series X + Project xCloud = New Chapter in Gaming.”…

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One-Punch Man

One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows Review: A Fair Fight

I remember the first time I saw the trailer for One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows. How is this ever going to work as a video game? I thought. Surely a game that features a hero able to defeat any enemy with a single punch would make for a pretty boring game. For the most…

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Live Review: Mavis Staples + Emma Donovan and The Putbacks – Zoo Twilights, Melbourne Zoo, (07.03.20)

Once in a generation there comes a remarkable talent that manages to take the breath from all who hear them. Mavis Staples is one such artist. She is Gospel royalty. It was fantastic to see her back in Melbourne and getting on board with the cause to benefit the Mountain Pygmy Possums. Staples was joined by…

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