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.
It was probably unfortunate timing to start an Australian tour in Adelaide on the Gather Round weekend, as it seems everyone’s attention was on the football. However, times like this weeds out the true fans, who gathered at the Hindley Street Music Hall to hear Holy Holy play their latest album Cellophane. Gumbaynggirr rapper Tasman…
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You’ve probably heard of Impressed Recordings as a boutique online record label. In recent news, they’ve announced they will have a physical presence in Sydney in Woolloomooloo. The creative hub will focus on the resurgence of vinyl records. Just in time for Record Store Day on April 20th, they will have a number of exclusive…
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DEM MOB discuss the importance of taking control of one’s life and making choices that align with one’s goals and aspirations. Their advice to young musicians, emphasizes the importance of perseverance and not giving up on one’s dreams. They’ve recently released a single, “DIP” that exposes some of the injustices and difficulties that Indigenous people…
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British playwright Henry Naylor presented his personal journey, a one-man monologue entitled, “Afghanistan is Not Funny” at Holden Street Theatre for the Adelaide Fringe. The original show was directed by Holden Street’s Artistic Director Martha Lott, and then was further developed by New York’s Soho Playhouse’s Artistic Director, Darren Lee Cole. The title is the…
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Elf Lyons bounces on stage. The audience is crammed into the basement-like Gallery Theatre, the front row with a plastic sheet “for protection.” In fact the entire set is covered in plastic, looking like Patrick Bateman’s room from one of the murder scenes from American Psycho. We’ve already been warmed up with a soundtrack including…
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Lydia Lunch and Joseph Keckler are both one-of-a-kind New York performers. The Garage International theatre is a converted church behind the Adelaide Town Hall and is an appropriate venue for the evening’s spoken word entertainment. Chandeliers incongruously light up the seating area in what was the hall, while ushers frantically add chairs to accommodate the…
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Adelaide endured one of its famous 40C heatwaves over the Adelaide Cup long weekend. In this climate, events can be cancelled, postponed or modified. To their credit, the WOMADelaide organisers made the World’s festival as comfortable as could be. The bats that have recently taken up residence in the Frome Road copse of trees were…
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In this fast changing environment, many people are looking towards expanding their entrepreneurial skills. Often though, the question is about how to start your journey. This April, Chivas Regal are hosting two valuable workshops featuring some of the nation’s most successful and creative entrepreneurs Geedup Co. and Serwah Attafuah. These free workshops are taking place on Saturday, April 13 with Geedup…
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It was a hot summer evening in Adelaide for a night of psychedelia, with four bands on the bill at the Cranker (Crown and Anchor Hotel). Local outfits Nite Rites, Thunder Speaks and Sons of Zöku supported the highly anticipated Japanese Krautrock band MINAMI DEUTSCH, making their debut in Adelaide. Outside, the closed off Rundle Street…
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The Infamous circus tent is a beacon in Ellis Park, on Adelaide’s West Terrace, right next door to Adelaide High. The massive purpose built Spiegel big-top houses the Ashton Family touring circus. The circus was acquired by James Henry Ashton in 1850, and today is run by 6th generation Ashtons and is now known as…
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Slowmango are a six piece band from SA that are having their debut Womadelaide appearance this weekend. We sat down to learn a little more about the band. How would you describe your music? Is it something that can be categorised? Slowmango’s music is a melting pot of global influences, incorporating rhythms and melodies from…
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Mona Foma finished off their month-long Tasmanian summer festival with a free evening concert in the beautiful Cataract Gorge in Launceston. The natural rock pool, enhanced with a shallow man-made wading pool made for a natural amphitheatre for the music event. It’s a popular destination, with a walking trail along the Tamar River, a swimming…
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A sparse looking bedroom; a bed, wardrobe and a mirrorless mirror stand are the only props on stage. A nun drags the bed by a rope slung over her shoulder. Gazing out to sea, she casts a rod, landing herself a wayward traveller, apparently lost at sea. He lands on the bed, dazed and confused,…
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The Mona Sessions were held on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings on the lawns of the Mona Museum. Each night showcased a diverse range of artists, both local and international. The highlight of the Friday night was Scottish post-rock kings, Mogwai. Their set is larger than life with a sound that envelops everything, and…
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If you’re having a stressful or gloomy morning, then listening to the latest single from Morning Blue, an Illawarra quartet, will have you back in your groove. The song “BLUE” combines soul, jazz and prog influences to create a sonic landscape that is refreshing and uplifting. The quartet started out as a demo on the…
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Soul artist Erin Buku releases her new single and video “Ley Lines”, a mesmerising lo-fi soul and trip-hop track, emanating emotional eloquence and atmospheric depth. Let’s jump straight in and talk about your new song, “Ley Lines.” How did it come about, and what was the inspiration behind writing it? I’ve always been really into…
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The Moonah Arts Centre is in the northern part of Hobart, with Moonah building a reputation as the fastest growing multicultural region. It is only fitting that this collaboration of Indian and Australian musicians has been held here. Musicians from the Hindustani traditions mix with Rajasthani folk musicians and Australian players in open sessions of…
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Dancenorth is a collective based in Townsville (Gurambilbarra) and is described as a centre for dance making, collaboration and artistic exchange, based on the lands of the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun, and the Bindal of Thul Garrie Waja. Led by Artistic Director, Kyle Page, Executive Director Hillary Coyne and Associate Artistic Director Amber Haines,…
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Gravity and Other Myths is the company presenting the show Ten Thousand Hours. The title of the show pays respect to those performers who spend upwards of 10,000 hours honing their craft. It’s generally considered how much time is required to become competent at a craft. In a way there is a nod to both…
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The Masonic Hall on North terrace in Adelaide is an imposing building, that has a sense of curiosity to most people. For the 2024 season of the Adelaide Fringe, the Electric Dreams collective have bought together a selection of visual treats. Entrance to the shows are via the front entrance into the basement, where a…
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The Adelaide Fringe is spread over several hubs around Adelaide, and indeed around the state. Fools Paradise in Victoria Square, in the city centre is one of those. A couple of large circus tents, a trapeze school, food and drink outlets and some fun installations are dotted around. While it may not have the glamour…
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Recreating the feeling of the famous magic bars dotted throughout Tokyo, The Maho Magic Bar has set up shop in Adelaide Fringe‘s Garden of Unearthly Delights. The Garden itself is probably the best known hub of the Fringe, in the parklands east of Rundle Street in Adelaide. While the clientele relaxes in the outside bar waiting…
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In a world filled with influencers and high-flyers, it can be overwhelming to constantly keep up appearances. In her latest single “Don’t Compare Yourself”, singer My Chérie has addressed this issue with warmth and understanding. My Chérie has exploded onto the scene with her pop tinged songs and captivating live shows. Her music has been…
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After the success of Lady Sings the Blues at the Adelaide Fringe in 2022, Prinnie Stevens is back this year with the second instalment of her show. With such an incredible array of blues artists that have shaped today’s musical world, it’s only fitting that the music deserves a second chance. This year the show…
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One thing that the Adelaide fringe is known for, is bringing strange and unusual events to the city. One of those is The Inflatable Church, which has come all the way from the European Fringe circuit. It’s like a giant inflatable jumping castle, but all the fun happens on the inside. It’s unholy matrimony, where…
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Despite many recent festivals being scaled back or cancelled altogether, Laneway Festival bounced back into Adelaide on Friday, 9th Feb, as big and bold as ever. Having outgrown the city laneways several years ago, then Hart’s Mill in Port Adelaide, the venue is now Bonython Park in the western city parklands. A glorious sunny day…
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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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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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More than two dozen South Australian acts will play at multiple venues across Port Adelaide on the evening of Saturday, 17th of February. With free entry at nine venues, New Found Sound promises to be an exciting night of adventure and discovery. Some of the acts playing on the night include DJ Troy Been, Alana…
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Last year’s Heaps Good Festival was such an incredibly great show that it’s hard to understand why this year’s wasn’t bigger and better. Moving the stages from the main oval at the Adelaide Showgrounds into the pavilion area seemed to dampen the festival vibe. Fortunately, the food court was outside, which gave something of a…
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