Author: Sarah Duggan

Good Things Festival kicks off in Melbourne, with a great day of heavy music despite lineup changes

Melbourne kicked off Australia’s annual Good Things Festival yesterday, drawing thousands of heavy music fans for a packed day of performances. With nu-metal legends Korn and pop-punk icons Sum 41 originally headlining, the event promised to deliver an unforgettable experience. However, a significant last-minute lineup change and looming storm clouds added unexpected challenges to the…

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Yellowcard announce 20th anniversay tour for Ocean Avenue Down Under with Motion City Soundtrack and Plain White T’s

For the first time since 2017, Yellowcard are returning to Australia. Celebrating the overdue twentieth anniversary of their groundbreaking and iconic album Ocean Avenue. As exciting as that is in itself, what makes it even better is the lineup they’re bringing with them- Motion City Soundtrack and Plain White T’s. If you’re unfamiliar with Yellowcard,…

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Album Review: Ocean Grove – ODDWORLD (2024 LP)

Beloved nu-metal Melbournians, Ocean Grove, dropped their fourth studio album, ODDWORLD, this past Friday, and it’s been well-received by fans and critics alike. After the departure of vocalist Luke Holmes in 2019 and his subsequent return for this record, the band has embraced a decidedly eclectic sound. This album, true to its name, feels like…

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State Champs’ self-titled album is everything you could want in a pop-punk record

New York pop-punkers State Champs have been making waves since 2010 and on Friday, they finally released their much-anticipated fifth studio album. For a group that’s been churning out anthemic, sing-along tracks since their debut The Finer Things, this self-titled record feels like a natural progression. It’s a blend of looking back to their roots…

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Interview: Phantogram talk Memory Of A Day influences and touring with Kings of Leon

Hot off the heels of their brand new album Memory of a Day (read my review HERE), we caught up with Sarah and Jon of New York’s Phantogram. We talked about the cinematic new record, the influences behind it – as well as their recent tour in North America with Kings of Leon. Firstly, congratulations…

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Phantogram’s Memory Of A Day is a dreamy blend of electronic-pop and cinematic soundscapes

Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter met way back in preschool with their paths crossing again in 2007, when the two joined forces and started making music under the name Charlie Everywhere. In 2009, they found their own unique sound- a mix of electronic rock and dream pop, blending gritty beats with atmospheric melodies, and changed…

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Claire Tonti

Claire Tonti is breaking down the barriers of motherhood through music

Naarm-based singer-songwriter, activist, and mother Claire Tonti is breaking down barriers, using her music to normalise the complexities of motherhood. Her debut album, Matrescence, released in 2023, is nothing short of powerful. Tonti dives deep, sharing her experiences of motherhood, loss, and yearning with raw emotion. It’s a beautiful body of work that captures immense…

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Album Review: Touché Amoré – Spiral In A Straight Line (2024 LP)

With Lament crowned Pitchfork’s Best New Album in 2020, Touché Amoré set the bar high for their upcoming release, Spiral in a Straight Line. Forming in 2007, the post-hardcore group has consistently made waves in the scene, earning critical acclaim for each of their four previous studio albums. While they re-recorded and re-released their debut…

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Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo dazzles Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on night one of four (09.10.24)

The atmosphere in Melbourne was electric last night as Olivia Rodrigo kicked off the first of her four highly anticipated shows at Rod Laver Arena. Since the tour was announced earlier this year, fans have eagerly waited for their chance to see the pop sensation, with tickets selling out in minutes. By showtime, eager crowds…

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CERES

Ceres are back after five years, with Magic Mountain (1996-2022) and it’s a work of art

After five years, Ceres have made a triumphant return with the release of their sixth studio album, Magic Mountain (1996-2022). Although it appeared the band had taken a hiatus, they were, in fact, working on this double album in various forms over the past five years. Spanning a massive twenty-five tracks, this record is a…

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Drug Church’s fifth studio album PRUDE is 28 minutes of post-hardcore bliss

Post-hardcore band Drug Church drop their fifth studio album today. PRUDE is an electrifying 28-minute record full of bangers, with a blend of punk rock, post-hardcore and alternative rock. It’s short and sweet, with each track packing a punch. Drug Church’s sound has evolved over the last thirteen years, and I’m confident that PRUDE is…

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Green Day and AFI are returning to Australia for the first time in 8 years – here’s what tickets are left

After almost eight long years, punk pioneers Green Day are finally coming back to Australia, and the excitement is real. 2020 saw the cancellation of their highly anticipated “Hella Mega Tour” due to COVID, leaving Aussie fans hanging. But now, with their “Saviors Tour” set to hit Australia early next year, Green Day are more than…

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Tom Lanyon of Ceres talks Magic Mountain and their unintentional hiatus

Australian rock band Ceres are back with their first new music in five years. Their fourth studio album, Magic Mountain (1996-2022) is out on October 4th and it’s some of their most formative work yet. Laying pretty low over the last five years, it was assumed that the group was on hiatus, and when they…

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Role Model announces much-anticipated Australian dates, bringing No Place Like Tour to our shores in 2025

2024 has seen some of the best pop music in recent years, and right up there is Role Model’s latest album Kansas Anymore. A beautiful blend of dreamy vocals and acoustics, with some of the catchiest melodies around, it’s a fantastic listen from start to finish, which is why we’re thrilled that he’s bringing his…

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Boston Manor

Boston Manor outdo themselves with their latest release Sundiver

Boston Manor‘s fifth studio album, Sundiver drops this Friday, September 6th and serves as the follow-up to their 2022 release, Datura. Sundiver, produced by Larry Hibbitt and engineer Alex O’Donovan, represents a clear departure from its predecessor, with a refreshing evolution in sound and style. “Datura (Dawn)” opens the album with a serene ambiance, featuring…

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Boston Manor’s Henry Cox on Sundiver, touring with Trophy Eyes and creative processes

English rock band Boston Manor have been making quite an impact within the scene since the release of their debut album in 2016. Now, over eight years later, the group are getting ready to release their fifth studio album, Sundiver, which is serves as a contrasting second part to their 2022 album Datura. Recently supporting…

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Trophy Eyes, Boston Manor and Towns close out their tour with a bang

Saturday August 31st saw the last gig of Trophy Eyes’ headline tour, with support from Towns and Boston Manor. Melbourne’s Forum was packed for the sold-out show, with fans lining up hours in advance. It was great to see hundreds there early to show their support for Adelaide duo Towns, who in the past have…

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OASIS

“The stars have aligned. The great wait is over.” Oasis reunion confirmed with a 2025 UK and Ireland tour

In 2009, the iconic UK rock band Oasis famously imploded after a heated fallout between the Gallagher brothers, Noel and Liam. With their intense sibling rivalry spilling out in public through interviews and social media spats, a reunion seemed highly unlikely. That is, until today. It all started with cryptic hints from both Noel and…

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Good Things Festival drops a stacked lineup for 2024

The Good Things 2024 lineup is finally here, and it is stacked! Headlining the event is the iconic Californian nu-metal band Korn, marking the thirtieth anniversary of their ground-breaking debut album. Joining them are Sum 41, who will deliver their final-ever Australian shows as they bid farewell to fans early next year. Playing tracks from…

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The Offspring to play a one off intimate show in Melbourne this November

Always Live is perhaps one of the greatest things to happen to Melbourne’s current live music scene. This epic 17-day statewide celebration of music is responsible for bringing some of the greatest international acts to Victoria for exclusive appearances. This year, they’ve unveiled yet another incredible lineup of events, and among the highlights is a…

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Theatre Review: The must-see musical SIX opens in Melbourne

Melbourne’s East End Theatre District glowed purple on Wednesday, August 7th, to celebrate the premiere of the smash-hit musical SIX. Since its debut in 2017, SIX has taken the musical theatre world by storm, and this run marks the show’s highly-anticipated second time in Australia (or the third run if you consider the COVID interruption!)….

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Sweet’s Andy Scott reflects on a fifty-plus year career ahead of Aussie farewell tour

You’ve definitely heard Sweet, even if the name doesn’t ring a bell. With iconic hits like “Ballroom Blitz” and “Fox On The Run” and a mammoth career spanning over fifty years, Sweet has navigated a tumultuous history. Yet throughout all the spinoff groups, the revolving door of band members, and the multiple hiatuses, one constant…

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Interview: Lost Souls are making waves with their latest single “The Return”

Aussie animated metalcore band, Lost Souls, burst onto the scene earlier this year with their debut single “Childhood Died.” The track, which blends heavy riffs with a passionate critique of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, quickly gained traction online. Listeners were drawn not only to the band’s unique sound but also to their bold and…

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Aussie icon Pete Murray reflects on his early work, and discusses his upcoming gig at Night At The Barracks

Aussie singer-songwriter Pete Murray is a beloved household name, with massive hits like 2003’s “So Beautiful” or 2005’s “Better Days”. As he celebrates the 20th anniversary of his breakthrough album Feeler and anticipates the milestone for See The Sun, Murray reflects on his illustrious career, his evolving relationship with his early work and his upcoming…

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Album Review: In Hearts Wake’s INCARNATION is expertly crafted (2024 LP)

In Hearts Wake‘s latest album, INCARNATION, marks a triumphant return for the Byron Bay natives, who first burst onto the scene with their debut album, DIVINATION, in 2012. This sixth studio album, released on July 12th, arrives in the wake of the announcement of the upcoming departure of long-time vocalist and bassist Kyle Erich. Vocalist…

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Jon and Jero’s The Forgotten Tales review

Melbourne comedy duo Jon and Jero are back with their latest kids’ show The Forgotten Tales. At the start of this year, the pair performed their previous show, STUFF! at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, getting a five star review from yours truly (read it HERE). The Forgotten Tales was highly anticipated by my kids, with the…

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Dan and Phil are going to heal your inner child with their Terrible Influence tour, headed to Aus this December!

Ah, 2012. The Year of the YouTuber. If you’re in your mid-late twenties and anything like me, this was your prime. Not much compares to the feeling of getting home from school, raiding the pantry for snacks, and catching up on the latest vlogs and videos from Zoella, Tyler Oakley, and of course, Dan and…

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Country sensation Dylan Gossett is heading Down Under this December

  With the release of his single “Coal” in 2023, 25-year-old Texas native Dylan Gossett propelled his career forward, quickly becoming a beloved figure in the country music scene. Now, a little under a year later, things are definitely not slowing down. Releasing his second EP, Songs In The Gravel, in March this year, Gossett…

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Melbourne comedy duo Jon & Jero are back with their latest kids’ show The Forgotten Tales!

Melbourne comedy duo Jon Walpole and Jeromaia Detto, better known as Jon & Jero, are back with a brand-new kid-friendly show, set to kick off on July 4th. Specializing in physical comedy, Jon & Jero’s performances are family friendly – with anyone aged 5 and up encouraged to attend. If you caught them at the…

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Album Review: The Story So Far – I Want To Disappear (2024)

The Story So Far is set to grace your ears today with their highly anticipated fifth album, I Want To Disappear, and what an exceptional treat it is. Formed in 2007, the band has built a reputation for infrequent but highly impactful releases, making this new album particularly special. Following the immense success of their…

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