John is all about celebrating the best of music, arts, and culture in Australia. He's a prolific reviewer and interviewer who's always on the pulse of what's new and exciting. His reviews are in-depth and thoughtful, giving readers a sense of what to expect from live performances, albums, and festivals. John's vibe on The AU Review is one of infectious enthusiasm, passion, and dedication to showcasing the vibrant cultural landscape of Australia.
Based on the iconic 1992 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act, The Musical launched in Adelaide to an enthusiastic reception. Everything about this production is big, bold, brash and beautiful. The story is as fresh as when the movie was released. Casey Donovan stars as Deloris Van Cartier, a singer in a club managed by…
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“Baddest. Cowboy. Texas.” These are a few words that describe the baddest cowboy in Texas. With the help of director Cecily Nash, Minnesota clown Lil Wenker has created a laugh a minute comedy journey, in which a Cowboy meets his Nemesis. Bangtail is basically an unbridled hour of controlled clown chaos. Performed in the intimate Gallery…
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Charlie Chaplin has long been recognised as a worldwide silent movie icon and is considered one of the film industry’s most important figures. In the theatre comedy show “Smile”, talented artist Marcel Cole brings to life the story of the Little Tramp and the man who created him. The Courtyard of Curiosities is a small…
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To sum up Spyhard, suave English agent Antonio Tranderas (Anthony Tran) and the captivating Russian operative Faytasha Romanov (Fay MacFarlane) are caught up in a world of acrobatics and high-flying stunts. As a tribute to the action spy movies from the 80s and 90s, Spyhard ticks all the boxes. The duo, known as Circus Sorbet,…
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The Australian Platypus is an unusual animal, seemingly made from disjointed parts that somehow come together to make a creature that is both unique and adorable. The Platypus is a play that uses that creature as its motif and is also an unusual creature that is loveable. Playwright and director Francis Greenslade has compiled a witty…
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Can you believe that the legendary Adelaide Beer and BBQ Fest is already 10 years old? To celebrate, we have the inside scoop telling us this year’s event is going to be bigger than ever, with Tim Finn, Wolfmother and The Chats headlining the musical entertainment. The venue has remained the same since 2015, undercover…
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The WOMADelaide music and dance festival kept the energy flowing on a hot Sunday evening in the Adelaide parklands. As the day drew to an end, there was simultaneously the driving London dance beats of DJ Paulette and the soothing and mesmerising synthesiser sounds from Nils Frahm at opposite sides of the park. Earlier in…
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The warm weather hung around for the second day of WOMADelaide, nestled within the Adelaide Parklands. As the bats had their own dance party over stage 7, on the main stages the music was primed to make you move. Goran Bregović & His Wedding & Funeral Band bought Balkan joy to the stage. Dressed in…
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Set in Adelaide’s leafy botanic gardens, WOMADelaide has a legacy stretching back over 30 years. Bringing the best of world music, arts and dance over the Adelaide Cup long weekend, it is a destination for the faithful. From local bands such as Dojo Rise and Meena De Silva to the incredible voice and stage presence…
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Arthur Art Bar is a gritty Fringe venue in the west end of Adelaide that has evolved over the last few years. Formerly a furniture store, it is known for its presentation of alternative and queer performances. This year for the Fringe, the upstairs rooms, each barely larger than a bedroom have been converted for…
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As the audience files into The Flamingo Tent at Gluttony, a Deadpool like voice is making wisecracking commentary. We soon discover that there is indeed a Deadpool character seated amongst the unwitting patrons, and he is just as irreverent as the Marvel movie character. What ensues is essentially Deadpool reading us a naughty bedtime story,…
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Beliying her youthful 19 years, singer Emerauld has released a powerful single “In the First Place”. With soaring vocals and a driving backing track, this could be a summer anthem. The Adelaide singer has been releasing music since the age of 14, capturing a spot in Unearthed High Yearbook in 2022 with her track “In…
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A voice cries out in the darkness. “You do a lot of crazy things when you’re eighteen. I killed Sharon Tate.” The spotlight shines on the grinning face of Susan Atkins (Helen O’Connor), one of the central protagonists in the infamous Manson murders. “How did we get here?”, she muses and launches immediately into a…
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Tom Weil is a magician and mind reader with 20 years of experience. This makes for a satisfying series of gasps and applause from the Adelaide Fringe audience packed into the Kingfisher tent in Gluttony. His particular speciality of mentalism leaves many wondering if, indeed, he can read minds. How did he predict where people…
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Prinnie Stevens has been part of the Adelaide Fringe for several years, with her successful Lady Sings the Blues tribute to women in music and as one of the 2024 Fringe Ambassadors. For the 2025 season, in her latest cabaret show, Stevens has bought the music of Tina Turner to life. The Woodville Town Hall is…
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Charlee Watt is barely in her early twenties, yet she has taken a curated selection of Beatles tunes and made them her own. This year, the Adelaide Fringe has increased the number of performance hubs and Plant 4 at Bowden is one of those hubs. Charlee is playing at various venues, but this sunny Saturday…
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Strut and Fret company have two shows in the Spiegeltent in Garden of Unearthly Delights this year, Limbo the Return and La Ronde. Both are extravagant ventures into circus, trapeze and aerial performances. Under director Scott Maidment’s keen eye for detail, La Ronde is a spectacular and captivating performance that keeps the energy levels high…
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This is the third year for the successful MAHO Magic Bar in the Garden of Unearthly Delights. The room is set up like the magic bars in alleyways in Tokyo. Many of the show’s performers work or even own one of these magic bars, which is what makes the experience so authentic. While waiting for…
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Limbo has been a favourite at the Adelaide Fringe Festival over the years. Director Scott Maidment has presented an acclaimed collection of shows such as Le Gateau Chocolat, The Purple Rabbit, The Party, Blanc de Blanc and of course the original Limbo. Having made its debut at the Adelaide Fringe in 2013, the show has…
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Born in Saint Elizabeth, to singers Lorna Bennett (Breakfast in Bed) and calypso singer Mike Ollivierre, Protoje blends hip hop, soul and jazz into the sounds of his native reggae and dancehall. Over the past twenty years he has released mixtapes, seven studio albums and a host of collaborations with artists such as Jorja Smith,…
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Ahead of his visit to Australia for a series of shows including WOMADelaide, we chatted to Goran Bregović about his joyful approach to music making. Starting life as a rock star in the Balkans, before becoming involved in music scores, he has recently assembled a band called Goran Bregović and His Wedding and Funeral Band. I…
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It’s been over twenty years since The Flaming Lips released their epic album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, and it’s an album that still holds up. The band are currently touring Australia and Adelaide was the first stop of the leg. Frontman Wayne Coyne, dressed in a vintage black suit with a leather harness and…
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On the cusp of their upcoming Australian tour, I caught up with Wayne Coyne, the frontman of The Flaming Lips. We discussed the enduring popularity of their album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, which has been celebrated for over 20 years. Coyne reflects on the song “Do You Realize?” and its transformation into a symbol…
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With tracks ranging from electronic, afro-punk, edgy-pop, kwaito, and hip-hop, UK dance music artist Moonchild Sanelly has released an incredible third album entitled Full Moon. It’s an upbeat beacon of life and hope that’s perfect for lifting your spirit. Moonchild sums up the feeling of the album best in her own words; “My last album Phases showed…
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Singer/songwriter Meena De Silva has been selected for this year’s Northern Sound System Academy program. Her debut album “Paid My Dues,” released in 2021, and her recent single “Love You Right with You,” are influenced by artists such as Rihanna and Beyonce. She shares her plans for future projects, including an EP and a piano…
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There are very good reasons why the Meredith Music Festival is celebrating the 32nd edition of the event. It’s a combination of the vision of the Nolan Family, who own the farm that the event is hosted on and the support of the community who come together to make it happen. There are a few…
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Meredith Music Festival had the 32nd iteration this year, with acts such as Genesis Owusu, Jamie XX and Angie McMahon. However, the entertainment is not all just on stage. People go to incredible lengths to create a group theme for their crew. Whether it’s rats and cats, or super-sleuths, we sussed out the fashions on…
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We sat down with Adelaide singer / songwriter Naomi Keyte to discuss her sophomore album Milk Paper Gold, out now.She highlighted her collaborative process with songwriting mentor Ben Talbot-Dunn and co-producer Nick Huggins. She also emphasizes themes of connection, live performances, and overcoming challenges posed by climate change and COVID-19. Milk Paper Gold is an…
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In between supporting Death From Above 1979, DZ Deathrays are launching their own mammoth regional festival tour, in early 2025. They’ve got a slew of bands supporting them, from Last Quokka to Pretty Uglys, Drunk Mums, Mannequin Death Squad and much more. Needing no introduction to our readers, DZ Deathrays have won accolades such as…
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WOMADelaide is the World’s Festival and 25 new artists from around the world have been added to the list of 48 acts already announced for 2025. From the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir to the Saigon Soul Revival from Vietnam, the team have scoured the globe to bring a diverse array of artists for the…
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