Year: 2024

Ruby Jones

Exclusive Single Premiere: Ruby Jones “Feeling of Falling” (2024)

Melbourne’s Ruby Jones is back with her new single, “Feeling of Falling”. This is the first single to feature on the successor to Ruby’s 2021 debut album, The Woman Who Loves You. We’re delighted to be premiering the track ahead of its release on Friday. The track was inspired by the difficult series of lockdowns…

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Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is still a fun send-off for the Arkhamverse

A lot has been said about game studio Rocksteady in the last few months leading up to the release of their new game, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. The studio famous for its single-player Batman games that had defined a generation of superhero gaming, has taken a different approach in joining the live service…

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Film Review: Force of Nature: The Dry 2; “Whodunnit” sequel is a dark, menacing trek

Whilst much can be said about how so much of The Dry‘s success was in large part to it opening at a time when cinemas were still battling the pandemic-stricken productions that were halted, it can’t be denied that Robert Connolly‘s tight thriller was a fine genre film in its own right.  The fact that…

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Interview: Force of Nature: The Dry 2 cast and guests take to Westpac’s OpenAir Cinema for the Sydney premiere

There couldn’t have been a more contrasting set of circumstances for the premiere of Force of Nature: The Dry 2 when compared to its predecessor.  The Dry, one of 2021’s most lucrative Australian box office successes, a desolate, drought-stricken set thriller previewed to a downpour of rain in late 2020 ahead of its release.  For…

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4 international acts you need to see over the next few weeks: February and March 2024

2024 is well and truly underway. The Laneway Festivals have kicked off, and there are a number of outstanding international visitors ready to hit our shores in February and March. We’ve picked a few of our favourites. Dinosaur Jr After last touring Australia in 2017 legendary US alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr return to Australia…

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State Theatre Company of SA present a delightfully thoughtful production of The Children

British playwright Lucy Kirkwood has crafted a delightful tale of social consciousness with a serious message. The Children tells the story of the aftermath of a nuclear power station meltdown, focussing on three former nuclear engineers. Set in a cottage in an unnamed coastal area of England, the play opens with Rose (played by veteran performer…

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Take That

Take That bring Sophie Ellis-Bextor back to Australia for a huge tour

For the first time since 2017 British pop royalty, Take That – with three of the original line-up – return to Australia for their This Life On Tour extravaganza. Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald will bring the act around the country in October and November 2024 playing a series of arenas and spectacular A…

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Live Review: St. Jerome’s Laneway sizzles at Sydney Showground (04.02.24)

The actual laneways may not exist anymore, but the hot weather remained for the 17th Sydney edition of the St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival. The Sydney Showgrounds were again the venue for the well-loved festival and despite some trepidation at the change last year, there were some nice additions that improved the experience this year. With…

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Tenacious D return to Australia for the first time in a decade

“Let’s f**king get it on!” The rock-pig duo of Jack Black and ‘KG’ Kyle Gass are finally returning to Australia for their first tour of the country since 2013. The ‘Spicy Meatball Tour’ will  arrive in five Australian cities in July, before stepping over to New Zealand. They would also be in the country around…

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Lima Delta

Exclusive Single Premiere: Lima Delta “Ghosts” (2024)

It’s always exciting when we get to debut the first release for an artist, and we are thrilled to have that honour today in premiering “Ghosts” from Lima Delta. When the pandemic hit, Lima found herself scrambling to find a job. One industry that kept running was mining, and Lima found herself driving sixty-tonne articulated…

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The Shark Cordless Detect Pro Vacuum is a lightweight wonder

When it comes to cordless stick vacuums, my needs are relatively basic. Good suction and decent battery life are usually enough to complete the job. While I mean no disrespect to my current stick vacuum, the Shark Cordless Detect Pro has blown my expectations out of the water. Complete with its auto-emptying station, lightweight design…

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February is free Margarita Month

Altos Tequila will be embarking on a month-long party by shouting 20,000 margaritas at selected venues down the east coast of Australia. The authentic Mexican brand will also giving away a free trip back to the motherland. Celebrated as the best tequila for the traditional margarita, Altos Tequila are hoping for a Mexican Wave of…

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Interview: Sisi Stringer on Force of Nature: The Dry 2; “I think it’s better than the first one, and not just because I’m in it.”

“I was ready!” Actress Sisi Stringer knew what she was getting herself into when taking on Force of Nature: The Dry 2.  So much so that she became an unofficial expert on filming in the harsh realty of the Australian rainforest. Whether or not that advice was taken on by her co-stars is another story…

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Interview: Jacqueline McKenzie and Robin McLeavy on their gripping new thriller Force of Nature: The Dry 2 and surviving the harsh realities of filming

As Force of Nature: The Dry 2 treks its way towards Australian theatres, The AU Review’s coverage of the anticipated thriller continues.  Following on from his interviews with both director Robert Connolly and star/producer Eric Bana, and producer Jodi Matterson and author Jane Harper, Peter Gray spoke with actresses (and Aussie screen royalty, at this…

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Bright Young Women

Book Review: Jessica Knoll’s Bright Young Women reverses the serial killer narrative

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll paints a vivid canvas of enthralling storytelling that navigates the complexities of female ambition, societal expectations, and the pursuit of success. Knoll, acclaimed for her previous works, including Luckiest Girl Alive, demonstrates her prowess once again in crafting a compelling narrative that delves into the lives of multifaceted characters….

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Theatre Review: Belvoir’s Tiny Beautiful Things reminds us of the power of human connection

To know Tiny Beautiful Things, at Sydney’s Belvoir, is to know the heart and mind of Cheryl Strayed, the woman upon whose New York Times bestselling book the play is based. For two years Strayed wrote an anonymous advice column for the website The Rumpus under the name ‘Sugar’. It is the letters received during…

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Win a double in-season to see Dakota Johnson as Marvel’s Madame Web

Her web connects them all. Thanks to Sony Pictures Australia we have 5 double in-season passes (Admit 2) to see Dakota Johnson as Marvel’s latest superheroine Madame Web, exclusively set for release in cinemas from Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2024. In a switch from the typical genre, Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of…

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Interview: Force of Nature: The Dry 2 producer Jodi Matterson and author Jane Harper on the dense reality of their sequel; “We went into the heart of darkness.”

Following on from his interview with Eric Bana and director Robert Connolly Peter Gray spoke with Force of Nature: The Dry 2 producer Jodi Matterson and author Jane Harper about the dense reality of filming and what they thought of Bana’s embodiment of his character. The film, set for a national release on February 8th,…

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Interview: Eric Bana and Force of Nature: The Dry 2 director Robert Connolly on saving cinema and the pressures of a sequel

In Force of Nature: The Dry 2, when five women take part in a corporate hiking retreat and only four come out on the other side, Federal Agents Aaron Falk (Eric Bana) and Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie) head deep into the Victorian mountain ranges to investigate in the hopes of finding their whistle-blowing informant, Alice…

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Etihad

Etihad Guest announces a 2024 status match for Australian passengers

Every now and again, a major airline loyalty programs will announce a status match. This basically means that frequent flyers with elite status on any rival programs are able to gain complimentary (and instant) elite status with the airline offering the status match. Basically, it’s a play for loyalty. And it seems Etihad Airways have…

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Interview: Petey talks coming to Australia for the first time and leaning into life

California-based artist Petey has been turning heads in the music scene since his debut album hit the airwaves in 2020. Fresh off the heels of his third studio album’s triumph in 2023, Petey is now making his long-awaited debut down under in Australia with a series of nearly sold-out shows. If you’ve been living under…

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Texas and Sharleen Spiteri – The friends you’ve always needed, rock Sydney’s Enmore Theatre

You may not realise it, but Texas have always been there. Maybe popping up in your brain on an idle Tuesday or keeping you awake at night with the refrain of “I don’t want a lover; I just need a friend.” The Scottish group have never disbanded, and despite some hiatus time (where solo projects…

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Here’s every announcement from PlayStation’s February State of Play

Playstation have started the year swinging with a stacked State of Play offering looks at previously announced games and a few surprises. The first being that this is just 1 of 2 State of Plays coming this month, with the next set later in the month. Helldivers II looks to be a massive upgrade Stellar…

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3 events you don’t want to miss at Sydney Opera House’s All About Women

All About Women Festival line-up is out and talking about equality never gets old. Returning to the Sydney Opera House on March 10 with an incredible line up of talks and workshops in honour of International Women’s Day (March 8th), All About Women showcases both established and up-and-coming voices in the equality space. With topics…

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Paramore, Miley Cyrus, Lorde and more come together to celebrate Talking Heads with Everyone’s Getting Involved

A24 Music has announced “EVERYONE’S GETTING INVOLVED: A TRIBUTE TO TALKING HEADS’ STOP MAKING SENSE,” showcasing an impressive lineup of eclectic artists to commemorate the recent re-release of Jonathan Demme’s concert film of the same name and the 40th anniversary of its soundtrack. In a triumphant return to theatres in 4K, A24’s acquisition of Stop…

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Emily Wurramara

New Music Discoveries 2nd February: Emily Wurramara, Kitty Coen, Charm of Finches, and more

We’ve finally made it to February, and we’ve got ten new tracks to add to our Discovery playlist on Spotify and Apple Music. This week our Track of the Week is “Magic Woman Dancing” from award-winning Warnindhilyagwa singer-songwriter Emily Wurramara.  “Magic Woman Dancing” is a vast and magical sonic journey, showcasing her warm vocals, innate…

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Product of Neglect share explosive debut album Synthetic Freedom

Product of Neglect may not be a name you are familiar with, but the Brisbane deathcore act have today unleashed their brutal debut album, Synthetic Freedom, which will surely put them on the map. Featuring the singles “Perpetual Night” and “Cerberus”, the nine-track project was a long time coming and went through numerous iterations to…

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In Utero cover

Book Review: Monsters, motherhood, and abandoned malls abound in Chris Gooch’s In Utero

Lonely kid Hailey is dropped off at a holiday camp at – of all places – an abandoned shopping mall. But today, there’s a new girl. Her name is Jen, and together she and Hailey break away from the group and start exploring the mall. Meanwhile, two boys from the camp are also making their…

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Photo Gallery: Texas + Sarah Levins – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (01.02.24)

Glaswegian rock band Texas played a special 35th anniversary show at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre supported beautifully by local Australian artist Sarah Levins. The very chatty and animated vocalist Sharleen Spiteri from the get go had everyone out of their seats and dancing to the classic Texas songs from the 1990s including the smash hit “I…

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Burn cover

Book Review: Melanie Saward’s Burn is a reflection on why good kids do bad things

Burn by Melanie Saward is an emotional read that reflects upon why good kids do bad things through the lens of generational and collective trauma, depictions of decolonised justice systems, the ongoing effects of colonisation, and the harm that can stem from disconnection to Country and culture. Burn is Saward’s debut novel and is developed…

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