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.
Australia’s oldest (and coolest) rugby league club, Newtown Jets have teamed up with long-time collaborators, The Music & Booze Co. to present their annual “Welcome Day”. With music from Heaps Gay DJ’s and Newtown’s iconic Welcome Choir, the day promises to be a fun-filled affair. The Petersham Rugby Clubs (womens and mens) have also been…
Read More
Adelaide songstress, My Cherie is known for her ambient multi-instrument style and pop tinged guitar loops. Her latest single, “Darkness and Gold” is a testament to her previous work. The song invites the listener on a journey of introspection and self-discovery. The track opens with a beat and a soundtrack reminiscent of early Billie Eilish….
Read More
Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes is an ambitious two-part play by American Playwright Tony Kushner. Written in 1991, the story explores personal motivations, hopes and desires of characters in New York during the 1980’s AIDS crisis. It has had previous success as a six-part television mini-series and a West End production….
Read More
We first came across Adelaide indie-folk band Sturt Avenue late last year when they released their album Bury Me in the Garden. On the back of that they’ve just released a new single “How Much it Costs”. This time they’ve collaborated with keyboardist Dave from local band Bromham, known for their sprawling folk infused music….
Read More
Adelaide’s loved festival, Spin Off, has just announced their 2024 line up and it’s a corker. In a world of festivals cutting back or taking a hiatus, this year the Spin Off crew have announced not one, but two stages of music. It all happens at the Adelaide Showgrounds on Friday 19th July. What do…
Read More
Australian singer/songwriter AYLA began releasing music at the tender age of 18 – before starting a University degree in audio production and music business. Fast forward almost a decade and she is releasing another single from her forthcoming debut album, Dopamine. A string of heavy-hitting singles such as “Like the Other Kids”, “Waiting”, “Shallow End”…
Read More
We discovered recently that renowned US-based healthy beverage brand, Liquid Death, is now available in Australia. Known for their engaging taglines such as “Murder Your Thirst” and “Death To Plastic, the brand has grabbed the attention of celebrities such as Tony Hawk and Travis Barker who both recently collaborated with them. Travis Barker released a…
Read More
Following on from the success of the previous few years, and in the wake of several other festivals scaling back, postponing or closing, it’s heartening to see the Beer and BBQ Festival back in full swing for 2024. Headlining the music will be Aussie music legends The Australian Rock Collective, Bad//Dreems & Friends and Peter…
Read More
This year, the South Australian leg of The Day on the Green tour was held at Peter Lehmann Winery in Tanunda in the Barossa Valley. The setting is a grassed clearing in a heavily wooded area, with good views of the stage from anywhere on the grass. Those seated close to the stage had an intimate…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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,…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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,…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More