After many years and many hours spent on the Skybus, it seems Melbourne's long-awaited airport rail link is closer than ever to being an actual reality. The Federal Government has today announced it will commit up to $5 billion to help build the project — which should help things along. Four months after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed that construction of the link would kick off shortly, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has promised the big bucks to get it done. "There have been countless reviews, reports and recommendations, but Melbourne is still waiting for a service almost all of the world's great cities take for granted," Mr Turnbull said. "This is the rail link that Melbourne, Victoria and the millions of people who use the airport every year demand and deserve." The proposed rail line is expected to help ease congestion, speed up travel times and create a stack of new jobs in the process. However, the promised $5 billion isn't quite enough to cover such a hefty project and the pressure's now on the Victorian Government to match that figure in funding of its own. The Federal and State governments have previously committed $30 million to conducting a planning study for the airport link, which is also likely to include extra train lines between Southern Cross Station and Melbourne's western suburbs. This would mean speedier commutes between the CBD and Geelong and improved accessibility across western and northern Victoria. About time, we say. Sydney and Brisbane already have airport rail links, and Perth is currently in the process of building its own. Maybe this will finally kill or clarify that myth around the airport's secret underground 'station' as well. Image: Global Panorama via Flickr.
Walking through stunning lights as far as the eye can see, moseying beneath a canopy of glowing multi-coloured trees, wandering between ribbons of flashing beams, taking the most luminous two-kilometre stroll through nature that you can imagine — you'll be able to do all of this when Lightscape heads to Brisbane for the first time in 2023. Already a hit in Melbourne and Sydney, the after-dark light festival will be taking over the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens from Thursday, August 31–Saturday, October 8, beaming away from 5.45pm each night as part of another dazzling Brisbane event: Brisbane Festival. While the leafy spot is already extremely scenic, and Brisbane's annual citywide cultural festival usually finds a way to make the most of it, saying that Lightscape will be brightening up both is quite the understatement. Prepare to see the garden illuminated by immersive and large-scale installations scattered along that two-kilometre route, including sparkling trees, luminous walkways and bursts of colour that look like fireworks. A big highlight: large-scale works like giant flowers and glowing tunnels, both of which will make you feel like you're being bathed in radiance — and ample neon. Lightscape first hit Australia in 2022 after first taking over gardens across the United Kingdom and the United States. Developed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the UK, it's understandably proven a huge success — and more than two-million people wandered along its glowing trails in a season overseas. Fingers crossed for pop-up food and drink stalls scattered throughout Lightscape in Brisbane — selling, we hope, mulled wine to keep hands warm as winter becomes early spring. Lightscape sits on a Brisbane Festival bill that also includes Kate Miller-Heidke's new musical Bananaland and fellow stage show Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas!, plus Riverfire to kick things off for the second year in a row, an attempt break the world record for a kazoo orchestra with mass-participation piece 10,000 Kazoos — and Paul Kelly, Gretta Ray, Groove Terminator with the Soweto Gospel Choir and a tribute to rock's Laurel Canyon era on its music lineup. And, there's more to come when the fest unveils its full lineup in early July. Lightscape will light up the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens from Thursday, August 31–Saturday, October 8. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Brisbane Festival website.
When Shabana Azeez says that "it's been wild", she's telling Concrete Playground about 2025 for her so far, and about being in the cast of The Pitt. Her words could equally apply to the 15-hour shift that the gripping medical drama's debut season follows, which happens to be the first day working in the emergency room for Azeez's character. In the exceptional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital-set series, the Australian actor plays Dr Victoria Javadi — a third-year medical student, and also a 20-year-old prodigy, who begins her ER rotation on what proves not only a chaotic and challenging but also a traumatic day. Between January and April, when the show was dropping its first season's episodes week to week, how that trial-by-fire initiation turned out for Javadi was appointment (and can't-look-away) viewing. "It's been really wild. I was actually travelling after we wrapped — which, I think when we were shooting, there were four episodes that came out, maybe more," Azeez continues. "And then I was in Berlin and I was in London and I was in Italy and in Texas for film festivals and stuff, and people were recognising me from The Pitt in a lot of places, which was strange. To have a show you made in one sound stage, in a little beautiful life, have an impact in multiple places — it's so, so surreal." The Pitt was always going to attract interest. With not one, not two, but three big names that helped make ER a hit involved, viewers were bound to tune in. The Pitt boasts actor, co-writer and executive producer Noah Wyle (Leverage: Redemption) leading the on-screen charge — and, behind the scenes, reuniting with director and executive producer John Wells (Shameless), plus this Max smash's creator, showrunner and writer R Scott Gemmill (NCIS: Los Angeles). Yes, it might take ER fans a second to get used to seeing Wyle in scrubs being called Dr Robby rather than Dr Carter, but it only takes a second. Yes, those in that camp will spot the symmetry of The Pitt kicking off on Javadi's first emergency-room day, and that of a few of her fellow medical students, as ER did with Wyle's beloved figure. Within mere moments of its premiere episode starting, The Pitt establishes its own intensity. The format — "15 episodes. 15 hours. 1 shift" is the tagline — helps set the tone, as does the dedication to realism that anyone who has spent time in a hospital will recognise. With attending physician Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch, senior residents Heather Collins (Tracey Ifeachor, Wonka) and Frank Langdon (Patrick Ball, Law & Order), charge nurse Dana Evans (Katherine LaNasa, Daredevil: Born Again), third-year resident Samira Mohan (Supriya Ganesh, Grown-ish) and second-year resident Cassie McKay (Fiona Dourif, Chucky), plus Javadi and other Pittsburgh Trauma newcomers Mel King (Taylor Dearden, The Last Thing He Told Me), Trinity Santos (Isa Briones, Goosebumps) and Dennis Whitaker (Gerran Howell, Ludwig), the series chronicles a gig that'd be tough and hectic on a standard day, let alone when a mass-casualty event occurs in the city courtesy of a shooter at a festival. Azeez's task, then, is to portray a character who is trying to impress on such an unforgettable first shift, and endeavouring to provide excellent medical care to the many, many patients that need it — and, as someone only just out of her teens, attempting to fit in, too. Javadi has the weight of parental expectation bearing down, because she's followed in her parents' footsteps. She also tries to ask a colleague out on a date. It's only when the shift wraps up that she has her first-ever beer. Taking on the role meant Azeez moving across the world, attending boot camp with her co-stars and, as an Australian thankfully unaccustomed to the active-shooter situation depicted, researching gun violence. It also meant unpacking what Javadi is going through given her age and intelligence, what she's missed out on by speeding through school and college, and the pressure of her whole existence. Azeez can't speak highly enough about being welcomed into The Pitt's cast and crew to play Javadi, and what being one of the show's stars means to her. "I think I'm learning a lot from Noah," she advises. That's after she's already had quite the massive past year or so before The Pitt even started airing, became such a smash, had viewers around the globe hooked and was renewed for a second season. If you watched Apple Cider Vinegar, you should've spotted Azeez in an episode. In 2024, she was on the big screen in Australian thriller Birdeater. When Aussie animation Lesbian Space Princess won the Teddy award in Berlin this year — ahead of making its Down Under debut at the 2025 Sydney Film Festival — it did so with Azeez voicing its eponymous figure. We also chatted to the Adelaide talent about that path to The Pitt, alongside what appealed to her about stepping into Dr Javadi's shoes. Working among such an excellent ensemble, the show's impressive pedigree, being protective of the character, her research process: our discussion covered them all as well, among other topics. On How Azeez Feels About Her Huge Past Couple of Years, Not Only with The Pitt But Also Birdeater and Lesbian Space Princess "Who even knows? I really feel so lucky. But also it feels like, I don't know, The Pitt was so — it was seven months we shot, which is, for an Australian, kind of wild, right? Because Australia shoots fast. And so my longest gig before that would've been like six weeks. And so to pick up my life in Melbourne and move to LA for seven months, now it feels like my perception of time is so strange. Apple Cider Vinegar, I was just there for one day. And Birdeater shot in little pockets over a few years. And it's just very strange when things come out, because it's the combination of so much work when you're a film actor. And then often people are like 'oh, my god, this thing's coming out' and you're sitting at home unemployed alone. So it's very feast and famine, and very strange, but I'm so lucky and I'm having a great time." On What Appealed to Azeez About The Pitt and Portraying Dr Javadi "The team, obviously. We got the brief and it was like 'the people that made ER and The West Wing are making a new show' — that's a once-in-a-lifetime casting brief. And we knew the TV that they make goes on for a long time — these are really cultural moments, John Wells' productions, shows — and obviously that was a massive, massive selling point. Not that I was in a position to be choosy. I was just wanting to audition and that was exciting to me. Also, the script was insane. I don't know if the scripts are public at all or if anybody can see them, but they're novels, they're dense and they're incredible. I remember having to go out to get more highlighters in different colours to be able to track which character was who — because it was all surnames and I couldn't figure out who anybody was, and there were so many characters in that first episode. And sitting in my apartment trying to audition, figuring out who I'm talking to in my audition scene, took ages. It was a really cool audition. It was out-of-body — thinking about it now, I'm like 'god, who was I back then coming to this audition?'. And then for Javadi, I was so excited by her as a character. I think being a young woman, there's a massive variation in the types of auditions you can get. But there's not a single female character on the show that's sexualised — or the idea of something. Everybody's fully fleshed out. In a way, that's just so incredible to see. And I know it should be the standard, but the writing is amazing, and the female characters are so complicated and beautiful and incredible. And smart — like really smart — and not really existing for anybody else's character growth. We're all there for each other as an ensemble, and it doesn't seem like there's a lot of imbalance there. So it was so exciting to get a script with a big ensemble of interesting characters and be like 'oh, this young one' — especially being the youngest one. I'm kind of scrappy and I think we have a lot in common, except that she's really smart and a brilliant doctor, and I'm an actor. But she was just very interesting — I've never seen a brief like her before." On Juggling Javadi's Intelligence, Age, Nerves, New Job, Love Life and Attempts to Give Excellent Medical Care, All on a Traumatic 15-Hour Day "I think that was really — I don't want to say 'easy', but it was really served by the way we worked, in that we shot chronologically. So usually when you're shooting, you're shooting out of order, and so you're doing so much work to be like 'my character's experienced this crazy thing and this crazy thing and this crazy thing', and I have to, in my head and in my body, know all of those things and then shoot scene 75 before I shoot scene two. In this situation, we were building on what we've done. Except for Pittsburgh — we shot the exteriors in Pittsburgh over one week, and so that final scene of the entire show we shot before we'd even read past script nine, I want to say. So I hadn't read the mass shooting. I hadn't read a lot of it. And there was just a lot of putting trust in the editors and the directors and the producers, and knowing that they would treat all our characters with care. I'm very protective of Javadi. She's just so little, and she's just trying her hardest, but I knew I could trust them with her. She's our little baby. I think it was really nice, because it was written so organically that that's just how complicated real people are. It was like that thing, right — none of these characters are the idea of a trope. They are fully fleshed-out human beings. And you can be — in fact, most really smart people are, really, there is a deficit that balances out somewhere else in the character, right? So I think that her being really, really smart, it makes sense that she would also then be socially quite complicated and struggling, because she's growing up so lonely and so isolated. I remember R Scott Gemmill, in one of our first character meetings, said to me 'you know, her parents kind of used her as a party trick' — and it's really interesting to think about what that would do to a small child, to be valued for being impressive. The type of bravery it takes to be publicly, confidently bad at something — to ask a boy out, even though you've maybe never done it before and you're going to have to stay on the shift and see him, even if it goes badly — the bravery and the courage that it takes when you have been disproportionately valued for being special your whole life is something that I think I really want to explore with her more and give her credit for. I think, often for me, her worst behaviours or her least-impressive behaviours — or her most-cringey or -embarrassing behaviours — are the things for me that I love most about her, and they speak the most to her positive and beautiful character traits. Because I think to put yourself out there in that way is really brave. I don't know that I could do that, and I grew up with a lot of friends and not socially isolated in the way that she has been. It's really exciting also to see people react to her awkward moments and like it, and think that she's funny — it's really rewarding." On Working with a Stellar Ensemble While Diving Into Such an Intense Scenario "It's really lovely and really nice — it's so much background work on the show, and it's really immersive being on the show, and so it's like, yes, the cast, but also all the background we have, and all the crew are wearing scrubs all the time. And the amount of immersion you can get from every bit, being around everybody all day, and everybody giving it their all in that way — it's so special because it's so immersive. Usually, you're on set, and maybe you're crying and you're looking at a tennis ball or a line somebody's drawn on the wall, and these people wearing Dickies are all around you, holding lights to your face. Whereas in this situation, you fully are like 'no, I'm in a trauma situation. I'm in a surgery room'. The lights that we use are real. The level of immersion is so special, and it makes shooting seamless and fast. It's amazing. And the people are so great, and I think it's lovely to work with people who are great at their job, obviously, which everybody can see — but I also think everybody in the audience can see how wonderful the people are that we're working with, even if they're playing assholes, maybe. It's really funny watching people be like 'that girl must be so mean to you in real life', but Isa is a lovely, beautiful friend. So that's really lucky that everybody's kind and easy to work with as well." On Being Part of a Series with an Impressive Pedigree, and That Sits Among Fellow Great Medical Dramas "Honestly, I don't think I had time to be nervous. I did one self-tape — I sent in a tape — and then I did one zoom, and then we got the call that I booked it. And I had a month to move to America and be on the ground at Warner Bros. So I don't think I had time to panic about anything. I was panicked about getting a Social Security number and all the logistics of moving your life. And accents and medical research and all that stuff. And so for me, I was just so, so grateful to be there. I think that they really did the work to not make it nerve-racking for us younger ones, too, in that our casting process was really chill and relaxed and warm and safe. And so that energy, I think it ended up funnelling into experience on the set. And also we did a boot camp before we started acting, so for two weeks we got to know each other and get comfy with each other — and not just with the other actors, but also with John Wells and R Scott Gemmill. Obviously there was pressure and excitement to be working on such an incredible show with such an incredible team, but every single person on a personal level worked their asses off to make sure that they weren't creating pressure, they were creating warmth and safety. To the point of: we all spend time together, even with John and Scott, before we started, giving you enough about the job to combat all the natural pressure and scary feelings — and I'm so grateful for that. That level of skill — I think you can see the skill on the show, there's so much skill, there's so much writing skill, so much directing skill, so much producing skill, you can see that on the show. But the soft skills that come with being a creative, they were 10 out of 10, 100 percent all the time with all of that as well, and that's not really visible to the audience — and it's really special to get it." On the Research That Goes Into Playing Dr Javadi as an Australian in an American Medical Series "I did a lot of research on gun violence. And I ended up getting specific things from the writers, too — like 'which one did you base this on?' and 'what resources would you recommend to me?'. Then I also did specific things on Javadi's experience of guns — so growing up in Pittsburgh, what suburbs she would've grown up in? Things like that, picking a house on Google Maps. But also, she would have gone to school in this time — how many school-shooter drills were happening at this time? And what kind of school-shooter drills were they? A lot of resources were coming up that school-shooter drills, often kids don't know they're a drill — or they do know they're a drill, but they're simulating all these really scary things, so they can be traumatising in way that a shooting can be. And so figuring out where she sat on certain spectrums, and how long she was at school for, because she's sort of a savant and she graduated school at high school at 13 and started college really young. Also doing a lot of research into what it's like to be a kid genius and how lonely that is, and the experiences of being isolated from your peers and being really young around a lot older people. What does that do to you? Does it stunt you or do you meet them somewhere? What's the experience of doing American college with no alcohol? That sounds so silly, almost. But even in Australia, alcohol is a massive part of our culture, and obviously she's too young — and we see her have her first beer in the last episode of The Pitt at 20. So how does that isolate you if everybody's going to the pub after an exam, or going to a bar to decompress after a week? How does not being able to participate in any social thing affect your self-worth or your ability to build rapport? And so I think we see her be quite awkward in the show, and I did a lot of research into why she would be like that and how awkward to be, so hopefully that comes through. And that's really exciting stuff to do, because it's just so different to my experience of the world." On Azeez's Journey From Adelaide and Short Films to a Series-Regular Role on a Hit US TV Show "It means so much to me. Obviously growing up in Adelaide, LA is worlds and worlds away, and it was this fantasy that I didn't — and also LA is a fantasy even in American media. LA is just this strange sort of utopia for filmmakers, right? And it felt for a long time like that was just never going to happen to me — because how? How do you get from Adelaide to LA? I still don't really understand it even though it's happened to me, I guess because it seems so unlikely. And there's no obvious pathways when you're an actor. You really do have to cede control, in a way. So the fact that this thing that I've been convincing myself was not possible for so long — it's like 'temper my expectations', all of that — but the fact that I didn't have to temper my expectations and it happened is so lucky. I don't even know if 'lucky' is the word. It feels blessed. It's so crazy to me, and I don't know that I'll ever understand it or feel like — like how do you earn something like that? How do you earn being on The Pitt? I don't know. I just feel very lucky, and I'm not questioning it, lest somebody else with power question it. But for my career, I think Australia — there's this saying in Adelaide where if you want to work in Adelaide as an actor, you have to move to Melbourne and then come back, and then people in Adelaide will be like 'oh my god, they worked in Melbourne, they must be great'. And I think that just happens at every stage, except with The Pitt, where they didn't. They thought I lived in Adelaide, Australia, when they cast me in The Pitt. The did not care about where I came from or what my context was, they just wanted me for this role. And that level of freedom, creatively, where they didn't want me to have any sort of audience, they didn't need me to be famous, they didn't need me to bring anything to this project except myself, was so special to me. I don't know that I've ever experienced the confidence that they had in me as a creative, to just give some kid from Adelaide this series-regular role in their massive TV show. That means a lot as an artist, obviously. But it also is the blueprint for me going forward of how I want to be as an artist. I think I'm learning a lot from Noah. And to get to learn from these people and then bring that knowledge back to Adelaide or Melbourne or wherever I end up is so, so meaningful. I'm very grateful." The Pitt streams via Max in Australia and Neon in New Zealand.
He first caught the film world's attention with zom-rom-com Shaun of the Dead, and also toyed with both horror and comedy in Hot Fuzz. But Scott Pilgrim vs the World, The World's End and Baby Driver filmmaker Edgar Wright hasn't ever dived headfirst into mind-bending psychological thriller territory — until his next flick hits cinemas later this year, that is. In Last Night in Soho, no one is set to kill the undead to Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now'. That said, Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen's Gambit) does play a singer in 60s-era London who appears to be a ghost. In the movie's just-dropped first trailer, her character Sandy pops up when aspiring fashion designer Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie, Jojo Rabbit) manages to venture back in time. Mysteriously travelling six decades into the past, Eloise looks in the mirror and sees Sandy's reflection, rather than her own. In a sneak peek filled with neon hues, things only get trippier from there — and, in a feature that takes plenty of cues from horror and thriller flicks from the time, more lurid as well. Impeccable period-appropriate set and costume design, vibrant pink lighting aplenty and an all-round dreamy feel are also part of the trailer, as Eloise finds herself coming face to face with her idol while plunged into a ghost story. Similarly playing a pivotal part: The Crown and Doctor Who's Matt Smith, who pops up alongside Taylor-Joy in the film's eerie 60s-set scenes. Whether following small-town cops in Hot Fuzz or jumping into the heist genre with Baby Driver — or directing late 90s/early 00s sitcom Spaced, too — Wright's work always stands out visually, and Last Night in Soho clearly promises to continue the trend. It's also the second of two Wright-helmed flicks headed to our screens this year, following documentary The Sparks Brothers, about the pop duo that also happens to be providing the tunes for this year's Adam Driver-starring musical Annette. Check out the trailer for Last Night in Soho below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ppe1YYATQY Last Night in Soho is set to release in Australian cinemas on October 21. Images: Parisa Taghizadeh / Focus Features.
"Sitting on a bench in Wicks Park in Marrickville, reading a field report by The Lifted Brow's Sam Cooney, I madly looked around for a caramel door described in the text. There it was! As if the writer had put the doorway there himself! Of course, I knew he hadn't, but it was perfect — the exact kind of dark magic that all good writers and artists and musicians perform when their work seems to lift up walls behind walls behind walls and reveal something new and unexpected with great clarity. This is what digital literature can do and be! It's a revelation — experiential and immersive and immediate." This eerie literary experience, as described by Concrete Playground writer Lauren Carroll Harris, was made possible through the award-winning digital project The Silent History. A science-fiction novel that takes the form of an app, The Silent History tells the tale of a dystopian future where a mysterious epidemic has robbed children of the ability to develop language. From 2011 to 2043, readers watch on as these mute children — dubbed 'silents' — tear families apart, unnerve entire government sectors and generally freak people out. Part sci-fi thriller, part-real-life scavenger hunt, the app has been called "entirely revolutionary" by Wired magazine, while the LA Times declared it "a landmark project that illuminates a possible future for e-book novels." We spoke to its creator, ex-McSweeney's managing editor and publisher Eli Horowitz, in Australia for the Sydney Writers' Festival, about what it means to read an app and what writers are doing differently to entertain a digital audience. The Writer as a Prime Mover "The first thing I wanted was it to be a story that you could explore," says Horowitz, "because I have this thing, which I bet that a lot of people have, when you read a book you love or see a movie you love or whatever, you almost then want to keep on existing in that world. You want to see what's just off the page or off the screen, and keep on exploring and living in it." The tablet platform, with its promise of interactivity and updatability, was a natural fit. An app like The Silent History combines the familiar pleasures of a page-turning narrative with the gaming world's mechanics of exploration and investigation. "Once I had that then the plot needed to be kind of global and sprawling, the kind of essential premise that could play itself out a lot of different ways, so that's why it became kind of like a medical story, an epidemic story almost, that lends itself well to that." But that's just the beginning. Around this main story arc float hundreds of 'field reports', site-specific side narratives that readers can only access when they travel to the physical location where the report is set. These reports can be written by anyone, anywhere — in fact, there are already a bunch tucked away around Australia. And if you're feeling inspired, you are free to pen your own and submit it for approval from The Silent History's US editing team. The Writer as a team player Horowitz, begotten of a librarian and originally a carpenter ("not a very good one"), claims that the whole process featured very little in the way of creative genius and a whole lot of good ol' problem solving. He admits that the communal approach of the project — which is what has brought The Silent History so much attention — wasn't even originally part of the blueprint. "The collaborative aspect was not so much any kind of ideological belief about crowd-sourcing or wikis or whatever but more that I wanted these things to be all over the place and I couldn't put them all over the place," he explains, "The more people we had [writing] the more of a geographic spread we could have." It sounds simple enough. But creative genius or problem solver, Horowitz has been hailed as a literary revolutionary. He and his team, Ying, Horowitz & Quinn LLC, are considered trailblazers in e-storytelling, crafting a digital experience unlike any other. While e-books have been popping up on the App Store since the release of the iPad in 2010, none has received this level of fanfare. The Writer as a Coder "A lot of times [with] these projects, the downfall is that they're essentially a technology project and they find some writing to cram into it or it's essentially a literary project and then at the end they add the technological aspect and it's still kind of unsatisfied or clunky or buggy," says Horowitz, "so having it all work together was really important." For all the praise coming his way, though, the San Franciscan remains humble. During his eight years at Californian publishing house McSweeney's, he operated under the mantra that anything he printed had to "earn the page it's on". He says that he brought this same approach over to the app world, trying to create something that "earns the screen it's on". "I approach this in very much the same way that I would approach a book with McSweeney's or whatever else," he says. "Just to think about how form and content both can affect each other, and to think about the total experience of the project. I don't see this as a move away from print or anything, I see this as just another tool in our toolbox." Eli Horowitz will be appearing at the The Sydney Writer's Festival from May 24 to 26 at the events Reading in the E-Future, Festival Club Friday, The Silent History and Tales From the Editorial Front Line. He'll also pop into the Sydney Apple Store on May 28 as part of Vivid Sydney.
Low-fi. Wild ferment. Skin contact. Sounds like different incarnations of your mate's high school band, but actually this is just the lingo of the world of minimal intervention winemaking. It's a movement that's been gaining popularity in Australia and New Zealand for a while now, and the wines produced as a result of it have been floating around restaurants and bars for the better part of a decade. For some, seeing 'skin contact' on a wine list is like a guiding light — but, often, it can be confusing as to what that actually means. So what is minimal intervention winemaking exactly? In its purest form, minimal intervention means winemaking that doesn't add or remove anything at the cellar — it's about turning grapes into wine with as little interference from the winemaker as possible. Unlike your typical drop made with more traditional methods, there are less sulfites and commercial yeast added throughout the process. Instead, yeast that was already on the grapes when they were picked is left to ferment and make it into wine. So, how can you tell when you're sipping one? What flavours should you expect in the glass? And how long can you keep a bottle in your fridge before it ends up down the sink? To help you wade through the winemaker speak, we've teamed up with Stoneleigh to deliver the ultimate untraditional wine cheat-sheet. With this, you won't have to fumble your way through weighty wine lists (and, after that, chicken out and order the house red anyway). We'll have you picking the most interesting wine on the menu in no time. HOW IT'S MADE Let's start at the vineyard. In the case of minimal intervention wine this is, arguably, the genesis of every great bottle. The process begins with fruit picked at optimum ripeness, which is then harvested and crushed. From here, juices are drained and pressed from the skins, then poured into a fermentation vessel and left at room temperature. This is where things really kick into gear. The fermentation of the natural yeast usually begins within a few days and continues for up to a month. It's similar to the style of fermentation that happens in kombucha, kimchi and sourdough. In the case of Stoneleigh's Wild Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 70 percent of the wine is aged in French barrels, while the other 30 percent goes into stainless steel tanks. Once fermentation is complete, the two are blended to produce a balanced and ripe wine that has more texture and depth. The key difference here from conventional winemaking is there's no chemicals, herbicides, and pesticides, added yeast, sugar or machinery in sight. The result? Keep reading to find out. [caption id="attachment_644048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption] HOW IT TASTES As minimal intervention winemaking adopts a hands-off approach, it's often said these wines are the ultimate representation of the land from which the grapes are sourced. Each vineyard will have its own unique environment that produces naturally occurring micro-flora (the stuff that makes wild fermentation happen) and, as such, its own distinct taste. Without the typical stabilisers and filtering process of conventional wines, the flavour profiles of this wine vary wildly from cellar to cellar. It's a spectrum that shifts from wild and crisp to cloudy and funky. Oh, and expect there to be plenty of sediment in the bottom of your glass. Unlike conventional wines, there are no agents (typically egg white or gelatin) added or filtering prior to bottling — so there will be floaties. But don't worry, these are completely harmless and 100 percent fine for ingestion. Think of it like the pulp in a freshly squeezed OJ. Grown in New Zealand's Rapaura valley, Stoneleigh's Wild Valley Sauvignon Blanc is a wine as very distinct. If you track down a glass, you'll smell stone fruit and lemon curd, and maybe even taste some paw paw. HOW TO STORE IT These wines, unlike their conventional counterparts, are best enjoyed young. Without stabilisers and additives, they prove more unstable and harder to age than a traditional drop. So Stoneleigh recommends consuming its Wild Valley Sauvignon Blanc within two years of purchasing to drink it at its peak. The same rules around typical wine storage still apply for low-intervention wines. Store horizontally away from sunlight in a cool, dry place and keep sealed and corked until you're ready to drink. Once open, the wine's flavour will be at its for the next two or three days — don't leave it any longer. [caption id="attachment_644050" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption] HOW TO PAIR IT Being region-specific wines, many wild fermented wines are a perfect match for vegetable dishes. Look for savoury low-fi drops that play on the earthiness of root vegetables like carrots, parsnips and beetroot. Next time you're hosting a barbecue, skip the six-pack and nab a chilled glass of natural vino instead. Grab bottles with light, bright acidity that work well alongside charred seafood dishes like prawns and scallops or grilled barramundi. Stoneleigh's Wild Valley Sauvignon Blanc is suited to a range of dishes. The winemakers recommend pairing it with an oily fish such as salmon, topped with parmesan herb crust drizzled with fresh lemon or perfect with a range of cow's and goat's milk cheeses. Start your journey through minimal intervention wine with Stoneleigh Wild Valley, whose 2017 sauvignon blanc recently won gold at the New York International Wine Competition 2019. Top image: Brook James.
Not long ago, a friend of mine described a serious medical treatment they were taking. They'd had to pick out the best drug for this, out of a bewildering range of medicines and wide ranges of side effects. To work out which would be most effective, they'd had their DNA sequenced. The normality of that seemingly sci-fi procedure briefly blew my mind. In fact, this is not only a relatively normal thing, but it won't be too long before it'll be routine for you to, say, grow thousands of tiny batches of your own body tissue in a lab and actually test those specific drugs on your specific biology. For now, the hard bit is convincing those tissue batches to grow. Enter the tissue engineer, who can corral cells in tissue into some kind of order. Someone like Nina Tandon. In her book Super Cells: Building with Biology, written with Mitchell Joachim, Tandon surveys what we can already build in the lab with cells: bricks, clothes, computer games, biodegradable coffins and Western Australian bioart. For her PhD, she grew heart cells. Then she took an electric current and ran it through them to make them beat. This is what we can do now, but Tandon sees growing your own tissue as something that will touch pretty much every part of ours lives before too long. And not just in medicine. Talking to her, it's hard to disagree. Growing Which Where With What Now? Despite the fact that this is stuff that's happening now, it seems like future tech. But it's really just building on some old ideas. Half her work is to "build the housing" that allows the cells to do their job. That "housing" for the cell that persuades it to do what you want is called a 'bioreactor'. Tandon works with cutting edge tech in her work, sure. But a bioreactor is actually old school. It can be as simple as an oven. "Baking is a bioreactor. You’ve got yeast. There are so many bioreactors. I mean, people eat yoghurt. That’s bioreactors too." Tandon, founder of startup Epibone, was in Sydney this week as a keynote speaker at Sydney's Vivid Ideas. And, as she put it in her keynote "there’s an element of market research in this: if I was a heart cell, what would I want out of life?" Much of the work in one of these bio reactors is in getting cells comfortable. She described it all as a bit like managing a fish tank, where, instead of worrying about fresh water for freshwater fish, you're wondering what sort of hospitality you’ll have to roll out to keep heart tissue happy or liver cells growing the way you want. This bioreactor hospitality already let us do all sorts of interesting things in the lab. Like cloning batches and batches of your breast cancer tumour to see what drugs kill your tumour best. Or growing relatively simple replacement tissues, like bone. We're getting there with bone. We're up to animal bones, like horses or pigs. What Can't We Make? It's hard to imagine what we'll soon be able to build this way. But not for Tandon. "I think it’s almost a better question to say what can’t we build?" What might seem normal in 15 or 20 years could be something like vegetarian* ham. "I bet we are going to see people’s croissants with ham and cheese where the ham is engineered. They’re going to be munching on ham that was never in a pig." Or more advanced organic lighting: "I can see a day where we have electric eels that are making light. Not as electric eels, but if we take the cells that make electricity from those eels and grow them in bioreactors…" While writing Super Cells, Tandon tried to imagine fields that aren't likely to be radically changed by biotech advances. She counted four: "aerospace and railway transportation and banking and accounting." And even those, on deeper thought, seemed to her to have tech or fuel backbones "very likely to be disrupted by biology". * Maybe. Closer to the Worm So, what do you become when you start being able to grow and implant your own spare parts? "If I can grow my own cells outside the body, and if there are more non-human cells than human cells in my body, what does it even mean to say the human body?" Tandon adds, though, that this is actually a quandary we've lived with all our lives. It's a bit like that question about some worms: "You can cut it in half and it’ll grow two new worms. But are those two different worms?" As human beings, she points out, we've already grown out of what were originally our parents' cells. "We were all one cell big at one point. We don’t know when we began to be an individual. And individuals are birthed from other individuals. In a way it’s a lot closer to that worm than not." This is a challenge though, not an enigma. After all, "we got through this with blood transfusions." Rather, in the absence of more scientifically informed politicians, the community at large just needs a little education in order to start puzzling out the ethics. "Everyone should be in that debate. And the only way that everyone can be in that debate is if everyone is familiar with the processes." You Can Start Young Early, hands-on education is what worked for Tandon. As a child she had a chemistry set and disassembled her vacuum tube TV ("those were the days"), though it also didn't hurt that she came from a science-friendly family. Her father was an engineer, while her mother, Judith, having had some time on Wall Street and with a masters in education, would teach both her siblings ("my first scientific collaborators") and Tandon "all this kind of fancy math and stuff". Judith would reward the question 'How tall is that building?' by making her kids calculate the answer themselves, using triangles and sight lines. Years later, educating the wider public and at university and a community biolab, is this the sort of experience Nina is trying to create for her own students? "Yeah, you know. I think I want to pass that on." Your Local Biology Gym A 'community biolab' is where a place like biolab Genspace comes in. Genspace is a biohacking space in Brooklyn, New York that Tandon helps out at. "Basically, like a gym membership applied to biology. So it’s like a hackerspace, but where people can use biological techniques without being bound by the scientific method." A board monitors ethics and safety, "but, really, there’s quite a lot of freedom". You don't have to be following a particular grant priority, you don't have to be a scientist. You don't even need to be a particular age. In fact, that's the point. "People can learn how to decode DNA if they’re 12 or if they’re 85." One of their go-to activities for newbies is extracting the DNA from strawberries. Once, a school student extracting DNA for the first time piped up, "Oh my gosh! DNA, it looks like boogers!". Says Tandon, "He was so happy. And I never forgot that he said that. And, you know what? It really did." For so much of this you don't even need a biolab. Tandon was first taught the procedure at a friend's place. By her toddler. You can follow the space's instructions if you want to extract your own strawberry DNA at home. Tandon would love it if an Australian wants to set up a local biolab. Prospective local biohackers are welcome to contact her for inspiration. She'll put you in touch with the right people at Genspace to get you started. In her keynote, Nina saw the need for similar spaces in biotech to the sort of spaces to where Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos started their companies. And that's what a Genspace is for, too. "It’s basically like the garage where information technology began, but for biology." Image of a moss photobioreactor by Eva Decker. Image of Earthworms (not actually the kind of worms that can grow back both halves) by Jack Hynes. Image of Genspace by .dh. Croissant by Stu Spivack. Pointing child at Sears Tower by Vincent Desjardins.
The Greater Brisbane area is going into lockdown again, with stay-at-home conditions coming into effect from 4pm today, Saturday, July 31, in the Brisbane City Council, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim Local Government Areas. This is all very familiar by now, given that Brisbane has previously been in lockdown in January, March and June this year alone; however, this time, there's a considerable change. Under the new rules, a travel limit will be implemented — so you'll only be permitted to go shopping or exercise within ten kilometres of your house. Residents in these 11 LGAs can only leave home for four reasons anyway: to get essential goods; for essential work if you can't work from home, and for school or childcare; for exercise, and only with one person who isn't in your household; and for healthcare, including to get a COVID-19 vaccination, or to provide help, care or support. But, when it comes to buying essentials or working out, that ten-kilometre radius will be in effect. Accordingly, if you're currently scrambling to find quick ways to map out your ten-kilometre zone, that's understandable. There are a few easy ways to check out your household's government-approved travel radius, but none have proved quite as popular as KM From Home. The website originally launched in Ireland back in March, when that country introduced its own travel restrictions — and was then jumped on by Melburnians back in August 2020, during its extended lockdown last year. The online map is free and easy to use — simply centre it to your address, select a ten-kilometre radius and you'll see a big red or blue bubble encompassing the zone you're free to travel in under the Queensland Government's new rules. You'll find other radius apps out there as well, including the likes of Map Developers. Alternatively, if you've got a Garmin watch, you can download a range warning and it'll alert you when you're closing in on a certain distance from your run's starting point. Want to check a specific shopping centre or park to see if it falls in your ten-kilometre zone? There's a function on the Google Maps app that allows you to measure a distance as the crow flies. On desktop, simply right click on a location on the map, select 'measure distance' and then click anywhere else on the map and it'll show you exactly how far the address is from your starting point. Under the new rules, you can only exercise with your household members or one other person who is not from your household. All exercising and shopping must be done within ten kilometres of your home, of course. Eleven LGAs in the Greater Brisbane area will go into lockdown from 4pm on Saturday, July 31 until at least 4pm on Tuesday, August 3. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. More details about the lockdown and associated restrictions can also be found on the Queensland Health website. Images: Km From Home
The Back to the Future franchise has pinned this decade all too well. In the next development of unbelievably futuristic sounding technology, Google-backed company Kitty Hawk released the first video footage of its flying car prototype yesterday, April 24. Yeah, Doc Brown's Delorean just got real. The company is financially backed by Google co-founder Larry Page and its chief executive Sebastian Thrun, is the founder of Google's 'semi-secret' X lab and a pioneer of the self-driving car. The 'Kitty Hawk Flyer' is described as an "all-electric aircraft" designed to operate over water. The open-seated, 220-pound single seater is powered by eight battery-powered propellers — it essentially resembles a mix between a jetski and a hoverboard, seemingly powered by what looks like a bunch of mini-drones. It will not require a pilot's license to fly, as it is considered an "ultralight aircraft" by FAA regulations, and Kitty Hawk claims drivers will be able to learn how to operate the vehicle "in minutes". Here's the just-dropped intro video, with requisite cheesy inspirational music and somewhat shitty acting: The company is trying to attract enthusiasts to test-drive the vehicle by offering a $100 three-year membership that includes waiting list priority, company-branded gear, flight simulator access and invites to company events and demonstrations. Members will also get a $2000 discount once the car does go to retail. Kitty Hawk is not the first company to attempt the flying car feat, with the Slovakian company AeroMobil making their flying vehicle available for pre-order by the end of 2017 and the aerospace firm Airbus releasing plans for its ground-air hybrid car at the Geneva International Motor Show last month. The government of Dubai, in partnership with a Chinese firm, EHang has also released plans to begin operating flying taxis by July 2017 and Uber is holding a conference in Texas on Tuesday to discuss details of their own "urban-air transportation" vehicle. Though the car is said to be in consumer production by the end of the year, no retail price has been given yet. As of now, the vehicle will only be shipped within the US, so Australians will have to wait a bit longer for a ride. Via The New York Times.
With less than a month of summer to go, we're pretty keen to make the most of the last of the warm weather. And what better way to do so than by hosting a summer soirée for you and your mates to sip on tasty tropical cocktails? You don't need to be an experienced bartender to impress your guests with delicious drinks. With a bottle of Malibu rum and a few other key ingredients you can serve up some seriously refreshing and summer-ready bevs. Whether you're hosting a boozy brunch with friends or a tropical-themed pool party, we've put together four foolproof cocktail recipes that'll keep you in that summer mindset til season's end. TO SIP ON POOLSIDE Nothing screams summer more than a refreshing piña colada. It's sweet, it's fruity and it has just a touch of creamy coconut goodness, making it the ideal poolside companion. Ingredients 50ml Malibu Original 75ml pineapple juice 25ml coconut cream Method Pour everything into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and pour into a tall glass before garnishing with a pineapple wedge. FOR A BOOZY BRUNCH You can kiss your mimosas goodbye in favour of this juicy cocktail — a Malibu Bay Breeze. It's a simple and surefire way to step up your brunch bev game, whether you're playing host or guest. Ingredients 50ml Malibu Original 50ml cranberry juice 50ml pineapple juice Method Load a tall glass with ice and top with Malibu Original, cranberry juice and pineapple juice. Finish with a wedge of lime for added refreshment. THE ULTIMATE PRE-PARTY DRINK If you are hosting pre-drinks, add this crowd-pleasing pour to your pre-party plans. It's light, refreshing and has a tropical twist on your classic spirit and soda combination. Ingredients 50ml Malibu Original 100ml soda water Wedge of lime Method Pour the liquids into a tall glass filled with ice. Squeeze in some lime juice and drop in the wedge. FOR YOUR NEXT GARDEN PARTY There is nothing fresher than sipping lemonade in the sun at a garden party. So, why not step it up a notch with a dash of Malibu? It's simple enough to make for multiple guests and delicious enough that it will leave everyone asking about the secret ingredient. Ingredients 50ml Malibu Original 15ml lemon juice 100ml soda water Methods Fill a tall glass with ice and top with Malibu, lemon juice and soda water. Add a wedge of pineapple or lemon to garnish and enjoy. Ready to serve tropical tipples at your next summer soirée? For more drink inspiration, head to the Malibu website.
Hey, remember Pokémon Go? That insanely popular augmented reality mobile game that seemingly everyone was playing until suddenly they weren't? Well, it turns out the developers behind said game are branching out into another beloved fictional universe: the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Niantic, which developed Pokémon Go as well as Ingress, will team up with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. According to a Niantic announcement, "players will learn spells, explore their real world neighbourhoods and cities to discover and fight legendary beasts and team up with others to take down powerful enemies." It also said the game "will leverage the full stack of the Niantic Platform while also providing an opportunity to pioneer all new technology and gameplay mechanics." That's about all we know for now – although it does sound as though players may encounter a few familiar faces, with the game's website promising appearances by "iconic characters". Please let it be Dobby (#neverforget). If you're interested, you can sign up for more information about the game via www.harrypotterwizardsunite.com.
Whether you're hopping over the ditch for a winter or summer escape, Queenstown has no shortage of sights and activities to create a jam-packed itinerary. It might be called New Zealand's adventure capital, but that doesn't mean your next holiday needs to be based around high-flying thrills and snow sports — the region is also known for its postcard scenery, backcountry cycle trails, bustling weekend markets and delicious wine. We've done a good ol' search in the area and found the following six activities that are sure to jam-pack your holiday full of fun, flavour and adventure. SHOP LOCAL AT THE REMARKABLES MARKET An unmissable Queenstown weekend destination is the Remarkables Market. Just ten minutes from the city in Frankton, the market is where you'll find locals stopping in for a caffeine hit and lounging about on the grass. Shopping-wise, you can pick up everything from chopping boards crafted out of French wine barrels to the famous Gibbston cheese and handcrafted jewellery. Zamora is one of the most popular stallholders at the market with its infamous pork belly sandwich. We suggest grabbing a spot at one of the communal tables and finishing off your experience with one of Plantera's vegan sweets. FLOAT TO 6000 FEET ON A HOT AIR BALLOON TOUR Sunrise Balloons is a family-owned operation that has been flying in the Queenstown region since 1998. The company's hot air balloon tours rise to altitudes as high as 6000 feet, drifting over the rugged terrain that makes up the incredible region around Queenstown. Expect to see filming locations from The Hobbit and majestic landmarks like the Southern Alps, Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. You'll get to help inflate the balloon and then pack it way, before finishing with a celebratory muffin and champagne in the landing field. Flights depart at dawn and last three to four hours. [caption id="attachment_687194" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julian Apse.[/caption] EXPLORE MORE THAN 75 WINERIES IN GIBBSTON VALLEY A short drive from Queenstown is Gibbston Valley, a region which is home to more than 75 wineries and cellar doors. For great wine in a picturesque setting we recommend dropping by Chard Farm. A visit to the family-owned winery in the Kawarau Gorge will lead you up a windy dirt road that was once part of the main coach link between Queenstown and Cromwell. The vineyard sits at the top and specialises in complimentary pinot noir tastings. Across the road is Penegrine, which feels more like steeping into a futuristic wine lab. Here, tastings are also complimentary and come with the option of choosing particular vintages or leaving your destiny in the hands or the host. If you'd rather leave the car at home, Alpine Wine Tours specialises in personalised excursions. Tours include a three-hour hop between cellar doors and a full-day trip through local vineyards and the Cardrona Distillery. Water, cheese tastings and transport to and from your accommodation are all included. COSY UP WITH A DRINK BY AN OUTDOOR FIREPIT Holiday Inn Express & Suites arrived in Queenstown earlier this year, bringing 227 spacious rooms to the heart of the picturesque resort town. The property's prime central location means that you're never short of breathtaking views and within easy reach of iconic attractions, from popular ski destinations and the Central Otago wine region to extreme outdoor adventures like mountain biking and bungee jumping. The hotel's outdoor firepit lounge is the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring — just sit back with a glass of Central Otago pinot in the modern and comfortable lounge and soak in the views of Queenstown's surrounding mountain range. The unlimited, uncapped free wi-fi will also come in handy when planning your next big adventure. [caption id="attachment_688737" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Miles Holden.[/caption] HIT A BACKCOUNTRY CYCLE TRAIL FROM ARROWTOWN TO QUEENSTOWN To really get your legs working, Around the Basin is a company offering both self-guided and supported cycle tours through the Gibbston wine region and backcountry. The Arrowtown to Queenstown tour is a 35-kilometre ride from the historic gold mining village back to the city. After shuttling from Queenstown you'll be left to make your way along the Arrow River Trail along the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers to the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The trail is recommend as a full-day ride, which allows plenty of time for exploring, photo opportunities and refreshment stops. On the trail you'll cover everything from isolated country roads and dirt tracks to swing bridges and pine forests. EXPERIENCE A MODERN INTERPRETATION OF NZ CUISINE AT AMISFIELD Amisfield executive chef Vaughan Mabee enlists expert foragers and charcutiers to ensure he's only using the freshest seasonal produce in his three-hatted restaurant. That dedication to championing the Central Otago region has seen the restaurant use backyard endemic ingredients and produce found no further than 250 kilometres from its dramatic stonework bistro. Previous hyperlocal creations have included everything from paua salami to kawakawa parfait and manuka-smoked blue cod pie. Diners are invited to build their own degustation from a selection of dishes. For lunch, that might mean a starter of eel on toast, smoked raw wild deer with local chocolate or a wild apple and kawakawa tart.
Near, far, no matter how much of a Titanic and/or Celine Dion fan you are, there's no denying how apt the lyrics to 'My Heart Will Go On' have proven. The film's fame went on, and continues to do so nearing three decades since the movie became the king of the boat-set blockbuster world. Dion's Oscar-winning theme tune goes on, including as an earworm that's hard to get out of your head. Ways to nod to both the picture and its central track keep going on as well — and Titanique, the stage production that riffs on Titanic and adores Dion, is doing exactly that in Sydney by extending its Australian-exclusive (and -debut) season. What if you were at a Titanic museum and Dion was there? What if she was not only your narrator, but her songs accompanied the tale that she was telling? What if Titanic got an off-Broadway musical-comedy parody that went heavy on Dion, then? That's Titanique, as Aussie audiences have been enjoying in the Harbour City since September 2024, and now can continue to see until the beginning of winter 2025. The production's Australian run will now play until Sunday, June 1, adding an extra nine weeks to a season that's already been lengthy. Yes, you could call the show's Aussie stay at The Grand Electric in Surry Hills titanic if you want to. The amusing ode to James Cameron's (Avatar: The Way of Water) movie dives back into the story of Jack and Rose, with Drew Weston and Georgina Hopson stepping into Leonardo DiCaprio (Killers of the Flower Moon) and Kate Winslet's (The Regime) shoes as Jack and Rose — and Marney McQueen playing Dion. It was back in 2017 that the show premiered in Los Angeles, and in 2022 that it set a course for off-Broadway. It has also sailed into both Canada and the UK — but Australia was its first international stop. So far, the production has three Lucille Lortel Awards to its name, plus two Dorian Awards and the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical, among other gongs. And as for the songs, co-writers Blue, Marla Mindelle (Sister Act) and Constantine Rousouli (Cruel Intentions) — with the latter two originally starring as Céline and Jack — have worked in everything from Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On', of course, to 'Where Does My Heart Beat Now' and 'A New Day Has Come'. If you haven't caught Titanique in Australia yet and you're keen to step onboard (well, into the theatre) with the gang, it's also doing party packages. Titanique plays The Grand Electric, 199 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills, Sydney until Sunday, June 1, 2025, with the next batch of tickets available from 10am on Thursday, February 13, 2025 — head to the show's website for purchases and further information. Images: Daniel Boud.
It's taken a little longer than expected, but René Redzepi's world-renowned Noma finally has a return date and is about to start taking bookings. After shutting the doors of its two-Michelin star Copenhagen restaurant early this year, the acclaimed chef was due to reopen it next month in new digs, until construction hit a wall — literally, an ancient stone wall found buried below the building site. Now with things back on track — and fresh from auctioning off their old furniture and fixtures — lunch and dinner reservations to Noma 2.0 will open from 4pm November 16. That's at 2am next Friday, November 17 if you're on Australian east coast daylight saving time, with bookings taken for visits between February 15 and April 29 next year. This will mark the first of the 40-seater's three annual menus, as the restaurant moves to strengthen its focus on seasonality. These first, cooler winter months will feature a celebration of Scandinavian seafood across each meticulous dish, followed by a vegetable season starring produce from the on-site urban garden, and a game and forest season which runs from early fall through to January 2019. Of course, it doesn't come cheap — the degustation menu clocks in at DKK 2,250 per head (currently about AUD $460) and you'll need to prepay when you book. Noma's highlighted this 12 percent price hike as a way of giving their staff a better quality of life. That said, the restaurant's also reserving 10 percent of its seats each night for students with a valid student ID, who can jump on a waiting list to enjoy the menu for just DKK 1,000 (AUD $205). Noma's booking link is set to go live at 2am next Friday, November 17 AEDT. In the meantime, check out the reservation guidelines here.
Winter is coming, and so is the comfiest, cosiest season. Even if you hate frosty weather — or, in southeast Queensland, weather that's only really slightly frostier than usual — everyone loves rugging up and hanging out indoors, especially in a rustic cabin, cottage and chalet. And, just a short drive from the big smoke, Brisbanites will find plenty fitting spots to hole up in. You'll find quite a few less than a 250-kilometre trip from the city, in fact, which suits Queensland's next stage of eased COVID-19 restrictions nicely. The state's residents aren't expected to be able to venture that far away from home, or stay overnight anywhere, until June 12; however we've jumped the gun and put together a list of eight spots that fit the bill. If you want to start booking now — and dreaming of a relaxing getaway filled with wood fires, warm beverages and scenic surroundings — we completely understand. [caption id="attachment_771754" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Witches Falls Cottages[/caption] WITCHES FALLS COTTAGES, TAMBOURINE MOUNTAIN Tambourine Mountain's Witches Falls Cottages have long been a favourite destination for Brisbanites, or anyone else looking for a place to stay in the Gold Coast hinterland. The name, the location, the national park directly opposite — that's a winning combination. Also getting folks excited is the fireplace, spa and private courtyard garden that's part of each cottage, all must-haves at any great mountain getaway. And, you can wander to the Irish pub nearby or stay in and give the DVD player a whirl, should you feel like doing something other than relaxing in nature. [caption id="attachment_771750" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Granite Belt Retreat and Brewery[/caption] GRANITE BELT RETREAT AND BREWERY, STANTHORPE Located on 30 acres of bushland, Stanthorpe's Granite Belt Retreat boasts 20 cedar cabins, making it a must-stay site if you're heading west rather than north or south from Brisbane. It also features another huge drawcard: a brewery. Yes, that means you can sit by your own log fire and sip brews and ciders made onsite, including seasonal tipples such as Granite Belt's summer ginger, merlot sour and chocolate plum porter. In another huge bonus, you can opt for a pet-friendly cabin, too, because your doggo also needs to get out of the house for a holiday. Who wants to leave their cute pooch at home? [caption id="attachment_771748" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cave Rock Cottages[/caption] CAVE ROCK COTTAGES, LAMINGTON First, the bad news: Cave Rock Cottages only features three self-contained cabins. Now, the excellent news: it's located right next to the Lamington and Border Ranges national parks — with a kilometre of the 100-acre property running along Christmas Creek — and it's as serene and gorgeous as it sounds. If you're looking to switch off, the fact that there's no mobile reception and no TVs in the cottages is another plus. If you still need to stay somewhat connected, there is free wifi on offer, though. But who needs that when you can swim, picnic, birdwatch, bushwalk and stargaze? [caption id="attachment_771753" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Mouses House[/caption] THE MOUSES HOUSE, SPRINGBROOK Social distancing and staying at The Mouses House go hand-in-hand, with each onsite chalet located at least 20 metres away from the next. Instead of people, you'll have trees, bushland and other greenery aplenty for neighbours, all within Springbrook's rainforest. Named after fairytale characters, no one chalet is the same as the next, so you're guaranteed a different type of experience from everyone else. Hardwood furniture and fixtures feature heavily, but some have spas, others are near mountain streams and some include sky lofts. Pick whichever suits you best, then soak in the secluded splendour. [caption id="attachment_717415" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Airbnb[/caption] THE BOWER, SUNSHINE COAST HINTERLAND It might not get all that cold in Queensland, but this little wood-panelled cabin in the Sunshine Coast hinterland — and the just as cosy pavilions that have popped up around it — will have you hoping for chilly days and nights. That's because The Bower, which is located near Maleny, has lots of wintry amenities that you'll most definitely want to make the most of. Like the antique claw food bath, the fireplace, and the fairy light-lit deck that's prime for stargazing with a glass of wine and a blanket. It's secluded and surrounded by trees — in other words, it's the perfect Queensland winter escape. [caption id="attachment_771749" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Glass on Glasshouse[/caption] GLASS ON GLASSHOUSE, GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS It's easy to take the Glass House Mountains for granted. So close to Brisbane, they're the kind of place that you always think you'll visit one day. We recommend making the trip sooner than later, because this 13-hill cluster is quite a sight to behold, whether you want to bushwalk below them, try to climb them or simply stand at the bottom of one — Mount Beerwah, Mount Ngungun or Mount Tibrogargan, for example — and look straight up. You can also book in a cottage stay at Glass on Glasshouse, and enjoy one helluva view from there. Also on offer: wildlife galore, your own deck and a barbecue. [caption id="attachment_771747" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Barney Creek Vineyard Cottages[/caption] BARNEY CREEK VINEYARD COTTAGES, SCENIC RIM What's better than holing up in a Scenic Rim cottage? Doing just that while staying on a vineyard. You won't need to go far to find something to do at Barney Creek Vineyard Cottages, with picnicking among the grapes, spotting platypus in the creek and fishing all on your doorstep — and watching the sun set over Mount Barney, too. As for the accommodation, the Lakeside Bungalow is designed for two (sunken spa and all), while the similarly romantic Florries Cottage boasts a hefty verandah. And, you can get home-cooked meals brought to your cottage, which already comes stocked with wine. [caption id="attachment_771751" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Kondalilla Eco Resort[/caption] KONDALILLA ECO RESORT, MONTVILLE Formerly known as Treehouses of Montville, Kondalilla Eco Resort sprawls across 20 acres, with 21 different places to sleep spread across its leafy Sunshine Coast hinterland expanse. Fancy sitting in your own hot tub and stoking the fire in a treehouse (which is surrounded by trees, rather than perched high in them)? Prefer a two-storey chalet, an open-plan villa or a quaint little log cabin? They're all available here. There's also a restaurant and a spa onsite, but the biggest attraction is the site's natural surroundings. Sit on the deck and you'll completely forget there's anyone else around. Top image: Kondalilla Eco Resort.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you to Epvalis Hotel in Greece, a picturesque, openair delight overlooking the water on the sunny island of Santorini. If you're dreaming of a sun-soaked Mediterranean adventure this summer, think about spending a few nights here. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? Epvalis is a four-star hotel that overlooks the village of Kamari on the famous Greek island of Santorini. The area is known for its volcanic black beaches — and you'll feel be able to finally find that sense of inner calm while gazing out at the azure waters of the Aegean sea. THE ROOMS The 45 rooms available at Epvalis are designed in the Cycladian style that Santorini is famous for. Think neutral whitewashed walls, rounded external corners, flat roofs and stone-paved floors. Each room has all the amenities you'll need, as well as private balconies overlooking either the gorgeous Santorini architecture or the sapphire bay below. Sound like a bit of you? Not only are the rooms gorgeous, but we've got an epic deal to make your Santorini snoozing even sweeter. Book the Epvalis through CP Trips and you'll knock a huge chunk off the price for a five-night stay — and nab perks like free cancellation and parking. [caption id="attachment_888518" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Karl Solano - Pexels[/caption] FOOD AND DRINK If you're headed for Santorini, you're probably prepared for a hearty Greek feed or three. You could choose to stay in and dine at the deli, or order a meal to your room to enjoy with sunset views. Every guest also will get to enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast, which is open for three hours daily. In terms of onsite drinks, there are two bars: one an indoor lounge and the other a poolside bar. Epvalis is tucked away in the far south corner of Kamari, which keeps you away from the noise, but it does mean a night out is a roughly 15-minute beach walk away. Hey, all the more reason to stop and take in the waves. THE LOCAL AREA Kamari is a bustling seaside village on the southeast coast of Santorini, which is famous for its volcanic black sand beach. Along said beach are all the bars and cafes you could ever need to fuel your Mediterranean getaway, as well as thousands of beach chairs and umbrellas for hire. Looking for an activity? No worries — you can choose from watersports, art studios and even an openair cinema. [caption id="attachment_888517" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Dimitris Mourousiadis - Pexels[/caption] THE EXTRAS One of the most popular destinations in Kamari is Mesa Vouno, the second-largest mountain on Santorini. Epvalis lies on the foothills of the peak, which puts you within driving or walking distance of the ruins of Ancient Thera, a large Greek city that dates back as far as the 8th century. The ruins stretch across the top of the mountain and as far down to the beach, where a small shrine to Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, keeps watch over swimmers. On the summit, you'll find ancient excavated theatres, markets, temples, bathhouses and more. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
If you're in Brisbane and you spend the first day of 2026 catching Dom Dolla, Kid Kudi and Addison Rae — plus Chris Stussy, KETTAMA, Luude, 070 Shake, Balu Brigada, Cassian and more — you'll be starting the year in quite the memorable fashion. Your destination: Wildlands. Some music festivals spark a fear of missing out, usually thanks to a stacked roster of acts in one set location. Others help solve that feeling. For those in the River City, Wildlands falls into the second category if you've been watching announcements roll in for Beyond The Valley and Lost Paradise. Plenty of the folks on both of those event's bills are now also heading to Queensland. Wildlands' Sunshine State stop has moved a day from its usual timing — swapping ending one year with starting the next one. Brisbanites can put Thursday, January 1 in their diaries, then, with Brisbane Showgrounds playing host to the fest. The change of date was made to ensure that all headliners could hit the stage in peak slots. Channel Tres, Fcukers, Miss Kaninna, NOTION and sim0ne are just some of the other names on the lineup, with everyone on the bill set to benefit from new stage designs. One example: a new 360-degree in-the-round stage with raised dance floors. Wildlands 2026 Lineup Dom Dolla Addison Rae Kid Cudi Chris Stussy KETTAMA Luude 070 Shake NOTION SOTA Cassian Channel Tres Balu Brigada Fcukers Jazzy ZULAN sim0ne TEED RONA. Miss Kaninna WAX OFF Willo Mincy Mowgli May Wildlands images: Matija Smojver, Brendan Cecich and zanetaprell.
If you can't remember a time before IKEA, that's understandable. In 2023, the Swedish giant celebrates 80 years of operation. The chain started by Ingvar Kamprad, aka the IK in IKEA's moniker, began in 1943 and moved into furniture in 1948. It then opened its first store in Sweden a decade later — and came to Australia in the 70s. Now, a task: imagine all of the different items that the brand has made and sold over the years. Also, think of the huge array of pieces that it has had customers make at home themselves. The list is lengthy, as anyone that's ever walked several kilometres through IKEA's warehouse-style shops knows — but some pieces stand out. To celebrate both the 80-year milestone and the retailer's top products over that period, IKEA is launching a new range that riffs on its past highlights. Available both in store and online from Thursday, June 29, the Nytillverkad collection showers love on everything from 50s side tables to 60s plant stands, and 70s stools and 80s quilt covers, too. Retro alert, clearly. "We know Australians love to mix vintage pieces in their homes, so it is exciting to be able to offer this retro take on Scandinavian modern, defined by bold and playful graphic expressions that celebrate some of our most famous designs from the past 80 years," said Christine Gough, Interior Design Expert at IKEA Australia, announcing the new pieces. "In new bright colours, timeless design and trademark simplicity, the Nytillverkad range is an array of carefully selected, reimagined IKEA classics ready to take on a new life in homes." IKEA is dropping its Nytillverkad pieces in stages, starting with the LÖVBACKEN side table that was first known as LOVET back in 1956, the KULTURSKOG plant stand that initially launched as BALJA in 1962, and the BONDSKÄRET hat and coat stand that was called SMED in the 1978 — and more. Items in the first release range start at $2, which covers two 30-piece paper napkin sets (HAVSKATT, using the ILEX print from 1983; and ROSTVINGE, from 1980's BLADHULT print). Also on offer: candle holders, cushion covers, trays and rugs. IKEA's Nytillverkad collection goes on sale across Australia, in store and online, from Thursday, June 29 — until stocks last. Head to the IKEA website from 9am on launch day for further details.
As craft and boutique beer become more and more common, the pastime of sinking a few brews become increasingly complicated. Like snooty wine connoisseurs, beer drinkers are now expected to pick up on subtle flavours and new styles. Coffee IPA is a thing that exists, for instance. And, if you're not well trained in the dark (ale) arts, the act of ordering a beer can be a bit daunting. Rookies can now breathe a sigh of relief. Spanish creative agency Txaber have devised a beautiful, simple system to categorise and label beer using every design nerd's favourite, Pantone. Under their labelling, beer names would no longer sound like children's books — looking at you White Rabbit and Little Creatures. Instead, they would simply be categorised by the exact Pantone colour of the liquid. Classed into nine varieties of beer, the system makes clear the important differences between pale ale, lager and pilsner or dark ale, porter and stout. Of course, it makes no mention of the taste, but it's an easy shortcut for those who are more visually minded. Instead of telling the bartender you don't want anything too dark, you can now give them a specific colour level you'd be content with. In fact, in case you can't even deal with the different names, you could just point to an item of clothing the same colour as your desired beer. Pantone really is the great equaliser. Unfortunately there aren't any plans to implement the designs as yet, although the creators are keen for breweries to give them an offer. Personally, we think it's only a matter of time. Who needs a finely crafted, floral-scented summer magic ale when you can have a wheat beer 7412C? A return to basics has never looked so good. Via Mashable. All images via Txaber.
To everyone who'd read The Dry, or even simply heard about its following and success from a devotee who had, turning Jane Harper's debut novel into a movie seemed like one of the easiest decisions that Australia's film industry could make. More than that, it appeared certain to create that holy grail of Aussie pictures: a guaranteed and widespread homegrown hit. The response to the feature, which reached cinemas Down Under to start off 2021, proved that belief true. Robert Connolly helmed it into the top 15 Australian movies at the Australian box office of all time, on the back of over $20 million in receipts. But ask the Balibo, The Bank and Paper Planes filmmaker if he also thought that it'd have everyone across the country flocking to the silver screen, then ensure that Harper's second Aaron Falk story Force of Nature could get the film treatment, and he's not as definitive as you might expect he should be. The reason: timing. Releasing on January 1, 2021 meant that The Dry released as the COVID-19 pandemic entered its second year, after cinemas had spent a large portion of the past 12 months out of action and when capacity restrictions were a reality. "We actually weren't sure what was going to practically happen, because it came out as the pandemic was easing off and cinemas had been closed for months," Connolly tells Concrete Playground. "I remember some of the early screenings of The Dry, the cinemas were only allowed to be half capacity," he continues. "Fifty percent, yeah," Eric Bana, aka Connolly's Aaron Falk, also recalls. "My friends in exhibition, some of them were saying 'we're going to go under, we won't be here in a year'. And so we had a great hope for cinema, and a passion about cinema and exhibition, but not really any idea that it would open up so well," Connolly explains. "We were very proud of the film at that point and had really enjoyed making it, and had finished the film. And we were excited to show audiences. But I think that we'd have to be absolutely delighted that cinema has not only survived but is starting to thrive again. It's amazing talking to exhibitors at the moment, they're all saying that whereas last year there was one big blockbuster, this year there's about ten different films that are playing, and they're enjoying the fact that audiences are coming in to see different films. They might not be packed like a blockbuster, but there's a habit that's reemerging of people going to the movies, which is great for us all." Force of Nature: The Dry 2 — as The Dry's cinematic followup has been rebadged to ensure that audiences make the connection — hits the big screen with two in-built audiences, then. Folks who obsessed over Harper's Falk tales on the page and those who've only known the federal agent via film, with The Castle, Chopper, Munich, The Time Traveller's Wife and Hanna's Bana in the part, have already been packing theatres before the movie's official release on Thursday, February 8 thanks to weekends of advanced screenings. The first camp share something in common with Connolly and Bana: loving The Dry as a book first. Indeed, it was the strength of the material that got them both interested, and saw a new Aussie franchise come to life in cinemas. This saga has more than a few drawcards, too, from the page-to-screen narratives, its filmmaker and star to the strength of its supporting casts, the fact that it's an Australian whodunnit series and its broader look at the nation's landscape beyond the outback's red earth. Where The Dry was set in the Victorian wheatbelt, trading ochre for yellow as far as the eye can see, Force of Nature stays in the same state but treks through lush, sprawling, inhospitably dense, vibrantly green mountainous forests. Falk isn't visiting his home town this time. He's firmly in professional mode, on a case that's sparked another. With fellow federal police officer Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie, Ruby's Choice), he's been working to turn Alice Russell (Anna Torv, The Last of Us) into a whistleblower against her employer, only for her to disappear on a corporate hiking retreat. Falk is desperate to find her alive — but getting to the bottom of what happened, both from her bosses Jill (Deborra-Lee Furness, Blessed) and Daniel Bailey (Richard Roxburgh, Prosper), and from her colleagues (Homeland's Robin McLeavy, Mortal Kombat's Sisi Stringer and Strife's Lucy Ansell), is hardly straightforward. That the spot where Alice has gone missing is also personal for Falk further complicates matters. Harper hasn't only written two novels about the determined detective. A third also sits on bookshelves around the country — and whether Exiles might also flicker across the screen was part of our chat with Connolly and Bana. We also asked the long-term friends, who worked together on Blueback in-between The Dry and Force of Nature, about their introduction to Aaron Falk, how Bana steps into his shoes, why the character and the tales he's in resonate so strongly, the stunning surroundings each film has taken them to, and the who's who of Aussie talent among the rest of the casts. [caption id="attachment_796115" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dry[/caption] On First Discovering Jane Harper's Books, and Aaron Falk — and Wanting to Bring Them to the Cinema Robert: "It's interesting. Bruna Papandrea [The Dry and Force of Nature: The Dry 2's producer], who's a very long-term friend of ours, sent me the book and said 'oh, do you think there's a film in this? Would you be interested? It's incredible'. We work together, share an office, and I literally read it that night. Came in the next day, had a chat with Bruna and said 'I think it's amazing'. Then I sat down with Eric for our morning coffee and said 'god, I read this book The Dry'. And he's like 'I read it too, do you want to do it?'. It was so easy. It was one of those effortless gatherings of friends to make a film. And we never imagined that we'd be making a followup film and taking the story of Aaron Falk further. Embarking on The Dry at that point was just incredible adventure, really." Eric: "Yeah, both just fans of the book originally, and then it all just went from there." On What Appealed to Bana About Stepping Into Aaron Falk's Shoes Eric: "I love great dialogue, and when I read The Dry, I wasn't thinking about myself at all. I was also just so taken in by Jane's depiction of the landscape. And as an Australian who who loves travelling through small country towns, I just felt like finally someone gets it — finally someone's nailed it. This is Australia. And then the way the characters were introduced and evolved, and some of the scenes between Aaron and Gretchen [played by Andor and Ahsoka's Genevieve O'Reilly in the film] — I remember reading and thinking 'if they turn this into a film, these scenes would be just incredible. These things would just be incredible to play'. And that voice started in my head of like 'great, that would be a great character. This would make a great film'. And then you just sort of park it. It was given to me by my wife, who reads every adaptation I've ever been in. And then it came up between Rob and I. So I just thought it was beautifully written. I was drawn to the dialogue. I thought it had a wonderful sense of place and had great potential." On Why the World of The Dry, Force of Nature and Aaron Falk Resonates So Strongly with Audiences Eric: "We don't have a lot of whodunnits in Australia. The Brits do it really, really well. I think they engage an audience in a different way to a traditional drama. Australians love heavy, dark drama, clearly. Character-driven stuff. So in some ways, it feeds that beast. But at the same time, I think it appeals to the ego of the audience who want to figure out something. You want to feel smart. And Jane lays these little, little traps, and Rob lays these little misdirections, and you have to be engaged. There's no leaving the cinema for five minutes when you're watching one of these kinds of films. So, I think that's part of the appeal. I really do. And they're extremely visual. The location is such a major character, it inhabits the drama and infects the drama in both stories. I think that makes them unique." [caption id="attachment_796110" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dry[/caption] Robert: "Landscape is a potent thing in cinema. The success of streaming has thrown down the gauntlet to filmmakers now that we have to make films that are bigger and more epic, and that demand to be seen in the cinema. And so my last three films — The Dry, Blueback, Force of Nature — have all shot on large-format cameras, and we've got big music and big sound design. I'm trying to lift the experience of the cinema so that it can be all-consuming. Because I definitely feel in the books. I love the way that they place character in landscape. The landscape in Force of Nature is very different to The Dry, but they're both films that are all-consuming about place, a sense of place." On Expanding the Cinematic Depiction of Australia's Landscape Beyond the Outback's Red Earth Robert: "I am fascinated by the different parts of this country, and by landscape. And so I think the films I'm making are a bit of a jigsaw puzzle of portraits of different parts of Australia. I love going somewhere and then investigating it with the film. So in Force of Nature, I loved going into this subtropical ancient forest that people have never filmed in, with the camera and with the actors, and with this incredible story that Jane Harper had created, and investigating it with the camera — and then taking that to the audience. I think having grown up in the Blue Mountains and grown up in the bush, I do completely agree with you about showing things differently. Like for me, I had never seen a film about the Australian bush that really transported me into the bush I knew, that I'd been out in as a kid and got lost in and had adventures in. So I brought very much my own ambition to kind of make a love letter to the Australian bush in some ways as well, and to show it in a way that maybe no one had really done before in an equivalent way." On How Bana Prepared to Bring Aaron Falk to the Screen for the Second Time Eric: "It felt like a cheat. I mean, I've never been able to reprise a role before. I had this huge leg up and like 'I've been this guy already'. There's a little less work required. Then it was a case of, well, 'where's he at now and how much time has passed?'. This is more about policing. So The Dry was like he was in his own personal time, not as a police officer, and gets lured into elements of this potential crime that had occurred — and then is suddenly being taken down the path of investigator. Here, it's pure policing, 100-percent policing, him in his natural element. And that leads him into a personal investigation of himself and where he's at in his life, and what does policing mean. What does it mean to ask things of informants? And what are the moral ethics of that? And how does that clash with where he's at? Much to my shock, he's actually quite an experienced older officer in his early-to-mid 50s. There's a nice pension waiting for Aaron. So it's quite a different approach, because he is the vet in his professional environment, which was much different to The Dry." On Balancing the Professional and Personal Parts of Aaron Falk's Story, Helped by the Collaborative Approach to Making the Films Eric: "I think it comes down to what the material is asking of me and of the audience. And conversations that Rob and I will have about what this scene is potentially going say about Aaron, and how can we expand on that when Richard Roxburgh's character and Aaron come together, and what changes we can make to to enhance that. A lot of it is evolving when you're in the film as well, and that's why it's great having that collaborative approach, and that things aren't just locked in that — we can move, and we have the luxury because we've worked together and we're friends, we can navigate that stuff really easily." Robert: "It's a really interesting evolution, probably, in my approach to directing. There's one approach where you turn up on the day and you know what you want, and you've got a plan and a structure to get it. And there's another one, which is to turn up and work and collaborate with people that you have a great creative dynamic with, and use the day to explore the material and discover things in it. It took me a while. My earlier films, I was more anxious, probably, and they were a bit tighter because I was. But as I've got deeper into my career, I've wanted to almost call action and not quite know what's going to happen, be surprised by it. And create a situation, particularly with those five women lost in the bush, take them into a remote place, make it an incredibly tough location — they're out there — and then create situations where the camera is capturing a very real, visceral dynamic between them. So that's probably a great passion of mine — and Eric's right, we've been on the set exploring the scene. It's an evolution that happens on the page. I remember someone said that a script is written three times: on the page, during the shoot and in the edit. So when you have best screenplay awards, what are you judging? Are you judging the script on the page at the beginning, or the script you had at the end of the shoot, or the one at the end of the edit?" On Building Such Spectacular Australian Casts Around Bana as Aaron Falk Robert: "I think I've been very lucky across my career. My wife Jane Norris, one of Australia's leading casting directors, she has helped Eric and I on both these films with the casting. And she very much has an aesthetic, a casting aesthetic, which is that a film can be bedded down with a big actor like Eric playing a big character like Aaron Falk, but that Australian audiences also like seeing some of our great actors we haven't seen for a while — like Deborra-Lee Furness, Jacqueline McKenzie. In The Dry, someone like John Polson [who hadn't acted since 2000's Mission: Impossible II]. But she's always really big on new talent. She said Australians love it. She said 'let's go back to Muriel's Wedding and how we all felt seeing Toni Colette and Rachel Griffiths for the first time, who went on to become massive actors'. She's big on making sure you are championing new talent in the in the aesthetic of the ensemble, which is where The Dry had those great young actors who've gone on to have massive careers. And in this, Sissy Stringer and Lucy Ansell, playing Bree and Beth, have brought this absolute energy. So I think that that combination of experience and new talent, it's just so dynamic. It feels dynamic on set, doesn't it?" Eric: "Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, it definitely does. It was amazing. I mean, we were always really excited by the premise. It was one of the reasons we wanted to make this film. We kept talking about how amazing it would be to have five incredible actors in those roles, and that was going to really carry the the the story. Then Jane's first suggestion was was Deborra-Lee Furness, who's a very old friend of both of ours that we've known for a long time. And we just saw 'oh my god, if we can get her to say yes, we're on our way'. And she did, thankfully. And so it was amazing. They were incredible to work with, all of them. And just sitting in the edit and watching all those scenes — because as the actor, you're not always there on the day — just watching what the women were doing because they were so well-written, but then they were elevating everything and it was just so exciting." Robert: Anna Torv, I mean, we both loved her from Mindhunter. And it's similar, it's like 'do you think she'll do it?'. The excitement of casting is palpable, like when Eric and I — because Eric is producing partner on this as well and across everything creatively — and so as a team, we're all deciding on someone, and then arguing the case to them of why they must do our film." On Potentially Following Up The Dry and Force of Nature with Exiles Eric: "I really can't answer it. We never spoke about Force of Nature whilst we were making The Dry. It was never a conversation, and same with this one. We just wanted to make the best film we could, and for Australian public who gave us that opportunity by championing The Dry to the extent they did. So yeah, there is a third book there. It's Thursday, we're going to try and get through Friday, then Saturday, and then next week — and we just hope this film does well. And then we'll sit down and work out what to do next." Force of Nature: The Dry 2 releases in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Read our review of The Dry and Force of Nature: The Dry 2. Images: Narelle Portanier.
One of the world's most acclaimed galleries is coming to Australia, and it's bringing more than 70 works that chronicle the past 200 years in art history with it. For a five-month season from mid-June, the UK's Tate will take over Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image with a hefty exhibition that'll span everything from painting, photography and sculpture through to drawing, kinetic art and installations — and, of course, the moving image. Given the time period covered by Light: Works from Tate's Collection, the list of artists that'll be on display is a varied one — as drawn from pieces in the Tate's four separate sites in Britain. Art lovers will be able to see works by famed English romantic painter and watercolourist Joseph Mallord William Turner alongside the light- and space-focused efforts of American artist James Turrell, plus pieces by impressionist Claude Monet and Japanese favourite Yayoi Kusama. Running from Thursday, June 16–Sunday, November 13, the unifying theme is light, as the exhibition's name makes plain — and if you're wondering how this connects to ACMI's remit as a museum for the moving image, light is obviously crucial to all recorded vision. While Light: Works from Tate's Collection will step through art history, ACMI will further put its pieces into broader artistic context by presenting it alongside its permanent The Story of the Moving Image exhibition, which examines the origins and genesis of film and television. [caption id="attachment_842689" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raemar, Blue, 1969, James Turrell. Tate: Presented by the Tate Americas Foundation, partial purchase and partial gift of Doris J. Lockhart 2013. © James Turrell. Photo: Tate.[/caption] From the impressive roster of art and artists, Turner's 1805 painting The Deluge will make its Australian debut, while Kusama's characteristically kaleidoscopic 2005 sculpture The Passing Winter gets viewers peering into a mirrored cube. Turrell's Raemar, Blue, from 1969, is an immersive spatial environment that surrounds visitors in infinite and immersive light. And among the other highlights sits paintings by John Constable, Wassily Kandinsky, Bridget Riley and Joseph Albers; more impressionist pieces from Camille Pissarro and Alfred Sisley; and rotating crystalline sculpture Stardust Particle by Olafur Eliasson. Announcing Light: Works from Tate's Collection, which falls under the Victorian Government's Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, ACMI Director and CEO Katrina Sedgwick said that "this is a rare opportunity to experience the expansive collection of one of Britain's most famous cultural institutions right here in Melbourne." "ACMI is proud to present a treasure trove of artworks inspired by a phenomenon so fundamental to moving image creation. Through its exploration of light as both a subject and a medium this extraordinary exhibition enables our visitors to explore surprising and enlightening interconnections across time and artform," Sedgwick continued. [caption id="attachment_842682" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stardust particle, 2014, Olafur Eliasson, Tate: Presented by the artist in honour of Sir Nicholas Serota 2018. © Olafur Eliasson. Photo: Tate[/caption] Light: Works from Tate's Collection was initially curated for the Museum of Art, Pudong in Shanghai, and heads to ACMI after displaying at Buk-Seoul Museum of Art, Korea. In Melbourne, the ticketed exhibition will be accompanied by talks, performances, workshops and late-night events, as well as film screenings. Although the events lineup hasn't yet been revealed, masterclasses with cinematographers, artist discussions, and magic lantern and 16mm presentations will all be on the bill, as will two free exhibits — from Australian artist Mikala Dwyer in ACMI's lightwell and by Lis Rhodes in Gallery 3, with the latter's Light Music also coming from the Tate Collection. Light: Works from Tate's Collection will display at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne, from Thursday, June 16–Sunday, November 13, 2022. Top image: The Passing Winter, 2005, Yayoi Kusama. Tate: Purchased with funds provided by the Asia-Pacific Acquisitions Committee 2008. ©Yayoi Kusama. Tate.
During camping trips, there comes a time when (after getting out all your ‘Kumbuyas’ and soaking up the intimate campfire glow) you face that cold, lonely retreat to your sleeping bag and zip yourself in — realising that after all the team bonding, it really is just you and the stars. It can be a solitary life as a snoozing camper. But Seattle-based designer Andy Storms has realised that humans aren't the only great outdoors enthusiasts and has come up with a remedy — in the form of the BarkerBag. It’s a sleeping bag made for your favourite camping canine friend. Developed after his dog Barker kept hogging his own sleeping bag, Storms decided to make a teardrop-shaped bunk for his (and your) four-legged friend. And as if that isn’t cute enough in itself, it’s fitted with zips enabling attachment to yours. Snuggles ahoy. Not only can you look forward to some loyal company through the long dark night, you also take advantage of your furry friend’s warm-blooded body heat. There’s also the option of slipping him/her between you and your nearest sleeping-bagged human buddy, in a three-bag option. The obvious question is, how do you stop your dog from slipping out and snuffling into the communal food supplies/going chasing wild pigs/leaving you abandoned, cold and sad? Ol' Stormy’s given it some thought and added an entrapment mechanism by way of a reinforced cinchable collar. Storms turned the concept into a reality via a successful Kickstarter campaign. "I was tired of crowding my sleeping bag and actually making my feet colder since over-stuffing the bag compresses the insulation," he explains in the promo video. The BarkerBag is available in three sizes (small, medium and large, catering to pretty much every breed from poodles to border collies and malamutes. There's even a double version, for campers with two outdoorsy dogs in their care. Prices range from US$69 to $89 and the first production run is now underway, with shipping scheduled for July. Via Gizmag.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Wotif.com. Going to the Whitsundays and staying in a hotel without an ocean view is a bit like going to Rome without seeing the Colosseum. It’s kind of the whole point. The good news is that, whether you’re begging and borrowing to make your trip possible or spending all of your life savings in one extravagant indulgence, there are options. Here’s a list of the Whitsundays’ most beautiful, stylish, secluded and romantic hotels. CORAL SEA RESORT, AIRLIE BEACH The 4.5 star Coral Sea Resort is so close to the ocean you can pretty much reach out of your hotel window and test out the water. On top of that, a teeny-tiny stroll along a waterside boardwalk carries you to the uber-hip, laidback village of Airlie Beach. Getting to the islands is merely a matter of walking in the other direction, to Abell Point Marina, where you can jump on a ferry. Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and Whitehaven Beach are all doable on a half-day or full-day jaunt. HAMILTON ISLAND REEF VIEW If your ideal tropical holiday involves snorkelling above coral beds, windsurfing from dawn to dusk or testing out your paddle skiing prowess, the 4 star Hamilton Island Reef View Hotel is the go. That’s because the hotel offers complimentary access to a bunch of non-motorised water equipment. So you can pretty much wake up, munch down on breakfast and be out on the water within a matter of minutes. If you’re not a fan of self-propulsion, there’s the option of hiring a golf buggy and cruising the island on wheels. Either way, the hotel pool, complete with waterside cocktail bar, is the place to kick back after a day spent adventuring. DAYDREAM ISLAND RESORT AND SPA For a holiday that’s all about relaxing and pampering, Daydream Island Resort and Spa has the goods. That’s mainly because it’s home to the Rejuvenation Spa, where signature treatments are on the menu — from 1.5-hour Caviar Facials to four-hour Mermaid’s Dream indulgences. You can spend your entire holiday lying around, but, if you decide to move, mini golf, volleyball and badminton are all on offer. Plus, the resort is right on the edge of one of the world’s biggest manmade coral reef lagoons. BREAKFREE LONG ISLAND RESORT To make the most of a stay at the 3.5 star Breakfree Long Island Resort, you’ll need to be very, very skilled at the art of doing absolutely nothing. That’s because as soon as you see their hammocks, you’ll want to lie in them all day long. That said, the island’s national park is home to more than 20 kilometres of walking trails, so you can roam if you want to. And there’s also volleyball and paddle boarding opportunities aplenty. For beverages, there’s a poolside cocktail bar and, for food, the onsite Palm’s Restaurant. PINNACLES RESORT AND SPA The 5 star Pinnacles is the full monty. If there’s someone in your life who you really, really want to impress or thank or hold captive forever and ever and ever (yourself, perhaps?), it’s the one. For a start, the rooms are 20 metres from the water, with panoramic views across Airlie Beach and the ocean. Second up, there’s an Endota Spa with a private verandah. If you want go the whole hog, opt for a two- or three-bedroom apartment with its own terrace Jacuzzi. BOATHOUSE APARTMENTS BY OUTRIGGER Wanna take a bunch of buddies or a whole football team or your mum, dad, sis and bro on holiday with you? And your cousins? Outrigger’s Boathouse Apartments, situated on the water at the shiny new port of Airlie Marina, have loads of space. If there are eight of you, check out the four-bedroom Penthouse apartments, featuring balconies and a rooftop spa. Host your own mini-Wimbledon at the resort’s private tennis court or chill out poolside. Book your Whitsundays escape now via Wotif.com.
It's always been an excellent concept for a TV series: what happens when 456 people have a chance to make their dreams come true via a huge cash prize simply by playing childhood games? Whether or not there was a murderous edge to this contest — which, of course, there is — this situation was destined to bring out the worst in many of its players. It was also forever bound to stress a point that Squid Game's latest season three trailer utters: "no matter how you look at it, life is just unfair". Those words are directed at Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae, The Acolyte), who went through this ordeal once in the award-winning Netflix hit's debut season and made it out the other side — only to head back in season two with stopping the game forever his motivation. How he'll fare next is set to play out in Squid Game's third and final season from Friday, June 27, 2025. The mood is unsurprisingly ominous, however, in the newest sneak peek. By now, everyone knows the Squid Game concept: here, trying to win 45.6 billion won means battling 455 other players to the death. Fans will also know that when Player 456 went back into the game with new fellow competitors for company in season two, he found himself closer to the person pulling the strings than he knew. The most-recent batch of episodes dropped at the end of 2024, ended with quite the cliffhanger and seem to have only made the show's protagonist even more determined on his quest — which will again bring him into contact with the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun, The Magnificent Seven). Whatever eventuates, Squid Game's last run will feature a finale written and directed by series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk as it brings its fatal matches to a conclusion. In multiple trailers so far, audiences have been given a glimpse of pleas, big reveals and truths, mazes, jumping rope, a huge gumball machine with red and blue balls, tears, words of advice and more. In Squid Game's second season, Gong Yoo (Train to Busan) also returned as the man in the suit, aka the person who got Gi-hun into the game in the first place — and so did Wi Ha-joon (Little Women) as detective Hwang Jun-ho. That said, a series about a deadly contest comes with a hefty bodycount, so new faces were always going to be essential. That's where Yim Si-wan (Emergency Declaration), Kang Ha-neul (Insider), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory) and Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations) all came in. If you've somehow missed all things Squid Game until now, even after it became bigger than everything from Stranger Things to Bridgerton, the Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning series serves up a puzzle-like storyline and unflinching savagery, which makes quite the combination. It also steps into societal divides within South Korea, a topic that wasn't invented by Parasite, Bong Joon-ho's excellent Oscar-winning 2019 thriller, but has been given a boost after that stellar flick's success. As a result, it's easy to see thematic and narrative parallels between Parasite and Squid Game, although Netflix's highly addictive series goes with a Battle Royale and Hunger Games-style setup. Netflix turned the show's whole premise into an IRL competition series as well, which debuted in 2023 — without any murders, of course. Squid Game: The Challenge has already been picked up for a second season. Watch the latest trailer for Squid Game season three below: Squid Game season three streams via Netflix from Friday, June 27, 2025. Season one and two are available to stream now. Images: Netflix.
The eye and the brain are incredibly powerful organs through which humans receive and process a large proportion of their sensory information. What we see every second of everyday helps shapes our understanding of almost every aspect of our lives. And our brains develop certain expectations about objects based on a long history of experience. However, sometimes optical illusions can challenge our pre-conceived ideas of structures and confound both our eyes and brains. Through clever deceptive techniques, artists and architects can create buildings that elude our basic understanding of how constructions are made and what they include. Here are nine bewildering optical illusions sure to confuse and amaze and challenge your conceptions of architecture. Warped Building This apartment building is your average apartment block...with a twist. A fairly large, warped twist. The unique structure is situated in the Czech Republic's capital city, Prague, and has picturesque views overlooking the River Vitara. El Grifo Magico Appearing to defy gravity and perform some magical feat, this 'floating tap' seems to be pouring an endless supply of water from its vantage point of mid-air suspension. Even though a magician should never reveal their secrets (and stop reading now if you would like the magic to remain), it has been revealed that a pipe hidden by the water actually holds the structure up. Upside Down House Spider-man? Gravity-defying shoes? Talented acrobats? No, it's another awe-inspiring architectural design that tricks and boggles the mind. This unorthodox house has everything upside down and back to front - literally. Trompe-l'eoil Ever after looking at this image several times, it is still impossible to fathom the appearance of this melting building, closer resembling a time warp than an apartment block. In actual fact, this image actually depicts a painting, but even then it succeeds in confounding the brain.The image uses the french art technique of tromp-l'eoil, which attempts to make 2D images appear like 3D optical illusions that really exist. One-walled House History has taught us to understand a house as a building comprising of at least four walls, a roof and a door. However, in Odessa, Ukraine, they have challenges this perception by creating a disconcerting house, which from the front appears orthodox, but when viewed from the side reveals only a single walled-building. Cafe Wall Illusion In 1979 a cafe was erected in Bristol, England, with a perplexing exterior that confused and bemused, and which continues to do so into the present day. A variant of the Münsterberg shifted chessboard illusion, this tessellating pattern uses light and alternating bricks of black and white to make the parallel and even lines appear to be sloped. All the line are actually horizontal and all the levels of the building perfectly equal in size. Bâtiment Another building which seems to flout all logical laws of gravity is the artist Leandro Ehrlich's mirrored art installation for the 'In Perceptions' exhibition in Paris. Whilst people appear to be casually hanging from 3-storey balconies or chilling whilst suspended horizontally to the wall, this trickery is actually a result of a mirrored painting of a building on the ground. 3D Lichtenstein House The top image gives the impression of a quaint and colourful little house that would be fitting within the setting of a fairytale story. The second picture, however, reveals its highly deceptive nature. Cleverly using only two walls placed at specific angles, when viewed at from a particular viewpoint, this house appears to be a complete 4-walled building. Sinking House Another sneaky illusion using angles, the top picture of this house depicts a building seemingly falling into the depths of the Earth. Yet when righted, the correct angle of the house demonstrates a perfectly average home located on the slope of a hill.
Whether 2023 has been your best year ever, something far more average, completely life-changing or just cruisy business as usual, it has definitely been missing one thing: Spicks and Specks. Thankfully, 2024 won't have that problem. Announcing its lineup for next year, the ABC has confirmed that the beloved music game show will be back — and with Adam Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough, of course. Among everything that the ABC has broadcast — news, entertainment, after-school kids shows, oh-so-much Doctor Who and late-night music videos to keep you occupied after a few drinks all included — Spicks and Specks is up there among the favourites. Exactly how many more instalments are on the way in 2024 hasn't been revealed, but watching a heap of top Australian talent sit around and talk about music will be back on the agenda. So will watching them do all of the above while answering questions, competing for points and just generally being funny, too. That's the concept behind the series, which takes more than a few cues from the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, pits Aussie musos and comedians against each other, and has proven a hit several times over. It was a weekly favourite when it first aired between 2005–2011 — and, as it keeps being resurrected. As fans will already know, Spicks and Specks has enjoyed more comebacks than John Farnham, although that has meant different things over the years. When the program was first revived back in 2014, it did so with a new host and team captains, for instance. And when it started to make a return with its original lineup of Hills, Warhurst and Brough, it first did so via a one-off reunion special. That 2018 comeback proved more than a little popular. It became the ABC's most-watched show of that year, in fact. So, the broadcaster then decided to drop four new Spicks and Specks specials across 2019–20 and, for 2021, to bring back Spicks and Specks in its regular format. In 2022, ten new episodes hit. Exactly when Spicks and Specks will start airing in 2024, and who'll be hitting buzzers among the program's guests, hasn't yet been announced. Still, you can add playing along with the show from your couch — yet again — to your plans before 2024 is out. Spicks and Specks will return to ABC TV sometime in 2024. You'll also be able to stream the series via ABC iView. We'll update you when an exact release date is announced.
Something delightful is happening in cinemas across the country. After months spent empty, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, Australian picture palaces are starting to reopen — spanning both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney and Brisbane (and, until the newly reinstated stay-at-home orders, Melbourne as well). During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made over the past three months, including new releases, comedies, music documentaries, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlBWyDf0r2M THE BROKEN HEARTS GALLERY Romantic comedies routinely trade in cliches, and The Broken Hearts Gallery is no different. Here, aspiring gallery curator Lucy (Geraldine Viswanathan, Miracle Workers) endures a traumatic breakup, indulges in a niche hobby that might just change her life, and oozes chemistry with the handsome and brooding Nick (Dacre Montgomery, Stranger Things) after the obligatory meet-cute. Her obsession: turning her hoarded mementos from past relationships, and similar junk collected by other lovelorn New Yorkers, into a cathartic, heartwarming exhibition. Long taunted by her best pals and roommates (Hamilton's Phillipa Soo and Good Boys' Molly Gordon) about her need to hold onto trinkets for sentimental purposes, she's actually motivated to make something of her bric-a-brac after drunkenly mistaking Nick's car for an Uber, unburdening her woes to him as he kindly drives her home, and later visiting the rundown old hotel that he's pouring his heart, soul and cash into as a passion project. From the above description, it should be apparent exactly where this film goes — but, in another rom-com trope, The Broken Hearts Gallery's likeable leads make a big imprint. Seen at home in Emo the Musical and Janet King, as well as Better Watch Out and A Few Less Men, Australian duo Viswanathan and Montgomery have already made a splash via high-profile US-made TV shows in the past few years — and, in Viswanathan's case, in the film Blockers as well. They're both destined for bigger things, especially the grounded, relatable and very funny Viswanathan, but they make the most of their roles here. Well, they do as much as they can given they're in an immensely standard movie otherwise. Indeed, while there are few weak links among The Broken Hearts Gallery's cast (which also includes Brittany Runs a Marathon's Utkarsh Ambudkar and Mozart in the Jungle's Bernadette Peters), the film's central duo easily make viewers wish that everything around them had more spark, served up more surprises and took more chances. Even when it's upbeat, spirited and delivered with charming talent, a happily by-the-numbers affair is still going to feel formulaic, after all, a sensation that this feature debut from writer/director (and ex-Gossip Girl scribe and story editor) Natalie Krinsky never quite shakes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC2dsAGvGy0 AN AMERICAN PICKLE If an early 20th-century Jewish immigrant found himself walking around in 2019, what would he think of the world? That question comes with a flipside, of course, because it's equally valid to wonder how today's folks would react in response. With Seth Rogen starring as a ditch-digging, rat-catching new arrival from Eastern Europe to Brooklyn, these are a couple of the queries pondered by An American Pickle. It's the latest in a long line of comedies that trifle with time while doubling as time capsules, and it falls firmly from a familiar mould. Indeed, seeing, examining and giggling at the contrast between century-old ways and contemporary ideas is a considerable part of the film. Not only that, but this Simon Rich-penned adaptation of his own short story Sell Out does all of the above broadly and blatantly — pointing out that big, bushy beards have become hipster beacons, for example, and that much has progressed since the 1900s. Consequently, there's no avoiding just how slight An American Pickle is. Its protagonist might fall into a vat of brine, get sealed in, then emerge in a new millennium, but this movie isn't diving deep. Thankfully, mixed up with all the obvious jokes are two thoughtful performances, both by Rogen, that help the film interrogate the push and pull between the past and the present in a moving fashion. He plays Herschel Greenbaum, a new arrival to US with his wife Sarah (Succession's Sarah Snook), after the pair leave their home of Schlupsk to escape Russian Cossacks and chase a better life — and he also steps into the shoes of app developer Ben Greenbaum, Herschel's great-grandson and only living descendant when he awakens in his preserved (and presumably extra salty) state. The two men are the same age, and look alike, but they sport differences beyond Herschel's facial hair and Ben's technological know-how. It's the usual generational divide, as instantly recognisable to everyone watching. But when An American Pickle lets its star shine, rather than gets weighed down with over-the-top clashes in the service of clearcut gags and satirical observations, this affable but also mostly forgettable film boasts heart and sweetness. It's oh-so predictable, but it also shows an understanding of how the past always leaves an imprint, the future needn't fastidiously be chained to tradition, and that everything old and all things new have a symbiotic relationship. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THXebxAFCzY THE TRANSLATORS Like Agatha Christie and Knives Out before them, the makers of The Translators know that a good whodunnit serves up two major joys. That'd be the puzzle and the journey — because whichever intriguing narrative is being thrust their way, audiences want to sleuth along with the characters, piecing clues together in their heads; and, they want to enjoy each and every one of the story's many ins, outs, twists and turns as all the details unravel, too. In fact, this French film embraces those truths heartily. Writer/director Régis Roinsard (Populaire) and his co-scribes Romain Compingt and Daniel Presley even go a little heavy on convoluted minutiae and attempts to keep everyone guessing. Still, they mostly deliver an entertaining thriller — and, as always proves the case in this genre, if you enjoy the game and the ride enough once, it doesn't really matter if you won't be clamouring for a second helping The Translators' premise is killer — in a film that doesn't shy away from a body count, but is actually more concerned with stolen pages from the yet-to-be-released last book in the bestselling The Man Who Did Not Want to Die series. The latest novel has only been seen by its secretive author, arrogant French publisher Eric Angstrom (Lambert Wilson, The Odyssey) and the nine translators the latter has assembled to prepare the text in multiple languages for a simultaneous worldwide debut. The enlisted team of experts are working in a bunker under stringent conditions, however, so when Angstrom receives an email threatening to leak the new book unless a huge ransom is paid, he's both perplexed and angry. Also starring Olga Kurylenko (The Man Who Killed Don Quixote) as a Russian translator who purposely dresses to resemble the fated heroine in the novel the group is working on, as well as Alex Lawther (The End of the F***ing World) as a noticeably young Brit, The Translators isn't big on depth but still keeps viewers engaged. Hurtling forward like someone furiously thumbing through an airport novel, and offering a slick, swift-moving affair that ticks all the whodunnit basics (even as it gets a little too carried away with the exaggerated drip-fed clues, surprise reveals and reversals) will do that. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jv6f59Z4Y8 THE SECRETS WE KEEP First bursting onto cinema screens as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo's Lisbeth Salander — before Rooney Mara and Claire Foy both played the role in US versions — Noomi Rapace instantly became a star. Since her great performance in that thriller series and the underrated Prometheus, however, she's struggled to secure meaty roles that do her talents justice. And, unfortunately, The Secrets We Keep doesn't redress that situation. In a film that takes a premise already explored in 1990 play and 1994 film Death and the Maiden, but shifts the details to post-Second World War America, she's saddled with a stock-standard revenge narrative that couldn't feel more routine. In fact, Rapace's casting is actually one of the movie's overtly obvious elements. She's famed for her work a woman determined to right past wrongs and unafraid to take drastic actions to do so, and that's what she's asked to do here. Her last big part, as a mother who might be getting gaslit in Angel of Mine, also proves relevant as well. Rapace plays Romani immigrant Maja, who has set up a life with her physician husband Lewis (Chris Messina, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)) and their young son (Jackson Dean Vincent) in a small American town. Then, in passing, she spies newcomer Thomas (Joel Kinnaman, Suicide Squad). Still haunted by horrors from the war 15 years prior, she's certain that he once brutally attacked her — then changed his identity and moved to her neighbourhood. So, Maja takes matters into her own hands. Quickly, even though he has plenty of doubts, Lewis is enlisted to help. Writer/director Yuval Adler's last film, The Operative, also attempted to wade through a murky plot and similarly had little success. Rapace hits the familiar notes she's asked to with visible gusto, Kinnaman endeavours to play more than just a cookie-cutter possible Nazi, and She Dies Tomorrow filmmaker Amy Seimetz turns in a nuanced supporting performance, but The Secrets We Keep constantly mistakes its solemn tone for substance. A thoughtful, captivating or even just intriguing reckoning with vengeance, trauma and trying to reconcile past struggles, this sadly isn't. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy32-KCnexo THE SECRET GARDEN When The Secret Garden first reached the page as a serialised story in 1910, author Frances Hodgson Burnett couldn't have known how relevant her tale would feel 110 years later. Obviously she'll never know, as she passed away in 1924 — but if there was ever a time for a new big-screen version of this beloved children's favourite about escaping life's woes by banding together, making the most of things and enjoying the pockets of nature at hand, it's 2020. Indeed, while this new cinematic iteration was actually due to hit screens earlier this year, which means that it was made pre-pandemic, it firmly strikes a chord in these strange times. Whether you loved the book when you were much smaller, you can barely remember it, or you're more familiar with the narrative from the 1993 movie, a lavishly shot fantasy about a unhappy girl plagued by tragedy yet finding solace in the titular space couldn't be more fitting right now. The narrative, for those who need a refresher, focuses on the pre-teen Mary (Dixie Egerickx, The Little Stranger) — who swiftly segues from from living in India under British rule to being sent to the Yorkshire moors to stay with her reclusive uncle (Colin Firth) when her parents are killed. She's bratty, spoiled and far from content about the new arrangement, but wandering the estate's sizeable grounds soon brings her to a hidden patch of greenery. Under the direction of TV veteran Marc Munden (Black Sails, National Treasure), this version of the tale takes place after the Second World War, but that's not the only change. It relays the same overall details, but it also leans into the darkness and gothic drama of the material in a firm and noticeable way. Perhaps that's another reason why it also feels apt for viewers young and young-at-heart — because overcoming loss, misery and struggle always comes with a sense of weight and, amidst its expected leafy sights and general childhood wonder, this take on The Secret Garden never forgets that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvXgXQ6iro4 TROLLS WORLD TOUR Fuzzy-haired playthings turned into animated heroes, glitter fart clouds and cupcakes poop, and a lengthy list of earworm-style songs: that's what 2016's Trolls served up. It was loud, shiny and sickly sweet, but it also featured lively voicework from Anna Kendrick and standout handmade-looking visuals, which made the film's CGI look as if it had been made from felt and other crafting products. Naturally, the all-ages movie was a hit, like most flicks based on toys and simultaneously designed to sell more toys. So, it's to the surprise of absolutely no one that sequel Trolls World Tour now exists, and that it's once again using bright and bouncy visuals and a jukebox-musical style format to appeal to viewers young and old, and to spread a positive message — again, as efforts like this are known to. With Kendrick back as the perky Queen Poppy and Justin Timberlake once again voicing her best friend Branch, this follow-up returns to the first film's trolls as they learn that other creatures like them exist. They're not exactly the same, though, with different troll groups favouring varying styles of music — making Poppy's community the 'pop trolls'. Clearly, as the villainous Queen Barb (Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) of the hard rock trolls tries to make the separate tribes assimilate under her preferred style of music, there's an overt message about acceptance on offer. It isn't subtle, and it's actually undercut by the fact that the different troll crews (including techno trolls, funk trolls, classical trolls and country trolls) are all given such blatantly stereotypical traits. But, once more, the film is lifted by its cast (complete with Sam Rockwell and Ozzy Osbourne), it's textile appearance and the fact that it actually works its ongoing medley of well-known songs into the story, rather than merely uses them as an easy distraction technique as many fellow Hollywood-made animated movies do. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas, check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, August 6, August 13, August 20, August 27, September 3 and September 10 — and our full reviews of The Personal History of David Copperfield, Waves, The King of Staten Island, Babyteeth, Deerskin, Peninsula, Tenet, Les Misérables and The New Mutants.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Wotif.com. At the risk of sounding like your mum, going to the Whitsundays at some point during the next few bitter, blustery months would be for your own good. After all, you need your Vitamin D. The cocktails with sunset views, impossibly white sand, high-speed catamarans, winter spa specials, underwater adventures and breaching whales are simply added bonuses. Here's five reasons to make like a migratory creature and head for the heat. SOAK UP SOME VITAMIN D As difficult as it might be to believe, one-third of we Aussies are Vitamin D deficient. What's more, to inject minimum requirements of the stuff into your diet, you need to drink at least ten tall glasses of fortified milk every day. That's a fair bit of pressure on both you and your pet cow, right? Fortunately, there's a much more palatable alternative: jump on a plane and spend some time baring all under the Whitsundays sun, where, right now, the average temperature is 22°C. In fact, 34.8 percent of holidaymakers say that hitting the beach is their hottest winter activity, 29.2 percent seek out new cultures, 24.7 percent just want to laze by the pool and 9.3 percent are after cool cocktails. Speed up your Vit D intake with a GoDo Whitehaven Beach sailing adventure, which involves some super-fast sailing on the luxury catamaran Camira. SWAP HOT CHOCOLATES FOR TROPICAL COCKTAILS Many of us try to make the frosty, shivery months more digestible by wrapping our mittens around a hot chocolate, snuggling up in a corner somewhere and telling ourselves it'll be over soon. But, thanks to the fact that the Whitsundays are just a hop, skip and a jump away (in plane terms), you could be swapping your cocoa for a cocktail, within hours from now. For poolside beverages, there's The Hamilton Island Reef View Hotel, and for a strawberry and orange Summer Love cocktail, complete with sunset views, you can head to One Tree Hill, Hamilton's stunning hilltop lookout. INDULGE AND GET PAMPERED Is winter doing for your skin what Budget 2014 is doing for the arts? Leaving it drier and more forlorn than a lone penguin in Antarctica? You could stay where you are, pinning cucumbers to your eyes and moisturising like there's no tomorrow, or you could head to Airlie Beach. Endota at Pinnacles Resort and Spa currently has a weekday spa special going on and one of the best things about it is that once you've renewed and rejuvenated, you can get dreamy on their private verandah staring out at the Coral Sea and the Whitsunday Islands for as long as you like. SEE THE UNDERWATER WORLD The teenage temperatures that Australia's southern waters reach in July and August are only fit for hardcore surfers, Bondi Icebergers and masochists. The rest of us have to give up, accept the limitations of a terrestrial existence and wait. But on the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, the water temperature hardly ever drops below 23 degrees. Yes, 23! So you can go underwater with Nemo and his friends in comfort all year round, whether you want to snorkel or scuba dive. SPOT A WHALE Whales have been around long enough to have figured out a thing or two. That's why they don't waste time hanging around in freezing cold water getting grumpy; they head for where the central heating's on full. Between July and October every year, you'll see them breaching around the Whitsundays, making occasional visits to the Great Barrier Reef and generally having a fine old time mucking about with their babies. Book your Whitsundays getaway now with Wotif.com.
Renowned chef David Chang is branching out into the world of home cooking. The founder of the Momofuku restaurant group has just announced that the company will be bottling and selling a spicy Korean chilli sauce, one that he claims goes with everything from pizza to pork buns to kale. Ssam Sauce is red in colour, and is presumably similar to traditional Korean gochujang, made from chilli, rice, fermented soybeans and salt. Momofuku is yet to announce exactly when the product goes on sale — or if it will be available in Australia — but Chang himself has taken to Instagram with the bold claim that the sauce "improves pizza, French fries, rice, ramen, juicy rucy's, chicken & dumplings, spicy fried chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, chicken nuggets, chicken rings, hamburgers, kale, quinoa, beet salads and pork buns." The chef went so far as to say that Ssam sauce "even makes sriracha better." Huy Fong Foods, producers of America's leading sriracha sauce, have yet to respond to the jibe — although we're still holding out hope for a social media flame war the likes of which the condiment world has never seen before. This of course marks the second major sauce-based news story of recent weeks, following McDonald's announcement that they will be selling bottles of their Big Mac Special Sauce for the first time ever, exclusively here in Australia. One 'limited edition' bottle just sold on eBay from $20,600 — hopefully Momofuku's product will be a little bit more reasonably priced. Chang opened his first restaurant, Momofuku Noodle Bar, in New York City back in 2004. Since then it's inspired more than a dozen off-shoots, including the dual Michelin star recipient Momofuku Ko, as well as Momofuku Seiobo in Sydney. Via Grub Street.
Thanks to Thor: Love and Thunder, Christian Bale is currently creeping out cinemas as Gorr the God Butcher. As the internet won't stop noticing, Margot Robbie is filming Barbie right now — fluoro-hued outfits and oh-so-much pink all included, naturally — ahead of the Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, Little Women)-directed movie hitting cinemas in 2023. But come November, they'll both be on the silver screen together, and involved in what looks like quite the crime caper. As the first trailer for Amsterdam shows, Bale plays one of two soldiers, alongside the always-welcome John David Washington (Malcolm & Marie). Meanwhile, Australia's own Robbie plays a nurse. The trio form a pact to protect each other no matter what, and soon find themselves wrongly accused of killing someone. Given that the feature hails from writer/director David O Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, Joy) — and based on the sneak peek so far, too — expect hijinks to ensue. Expect pretty much every famous face you can think of to show up as well, actually. The Amsterdam cast also includes Alessandro Nivola (The Many Saints of Newark), Andrea Riseborough (Possessor), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Northman), Chris Rock (Spiral: From the Book of Saw), Matthias Schoenaerts (The Old Guard), Michael Shannon (Nine Perfect Strangers), Mike Myers (The Pentaverate), Taylor Swift (Cats), Zoe Saldaña (The Adam Project), Rami Malek (No Time to Die) and Robert De Niro (The War with Grandpa), after all. If you've seen Russell's American Hustle, expect that film's loose vibe to echo through, too — in the trailer, it's the first thing that springs to mind, and not just because the filmmaker's regular actors Bale and De Niro feature prominently. As for the exact story that'll be spun once Amsterdam hits cinemas on November 3, the trailer is taking a shaggy approach to the specifics — as the film looks like it will as well, which Russell does tend to love. In the sneak peek so far, it all starts with a dead body, and with Rock anxious about said corpse. From there, expect a blend of fact and fiction set early in the 20th century, and also a whodunnit angle — to go with that who's who-style cast, clearly. Check out the Amsterdam trailer below: Amsterdam releases in cinemas Down Under on November 3.
Love indulging in a few-too-many gins on a summer evening, but don't love the dull, dehydrated, hungover face you wake to the next day? We've now got the perfect solution, thanks to an exciting new collaboration between two beloved Aussie brands: Four Pillars Gin and Go-To Skincare. Together they've launched My New Go-To Gin, a new "wildly limited edition" spirit set to be your tipple of summer. The perfect Christmas present for both that skincare fanatic and gin connoisseur in your life, this new addition to your liquor cabinet has all of the peachy goodness you'd expect from Zoe Foster Blake's beloved beauty brand. Not only is it made with quandong, a native Aussie peach and some tart ruby grapefruit, the familiar Go-To label aesthetic means you could probably add it to your bathroom counter's line-up, and nobody would notice anything out of the ordinary. And if you sip a few too many the night before another event (hello, festive season) you're in luck: Every bottle comes with a Go-To 'Transformazing' sheet mask to soak your skin in much-needed moisture. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Go-To (@gotoskincare) Go-To Skincare has become well-known for its cult following of skincare fanatics across the world. The beauty venture from Foster-Blake has been so wildly successful since its 2014 launch, she just sold her majority stake in the company for a cool AU$89 million. Meanwhile, Aussie spirits producer Four Pillars has also become well-known known for innovation. Its inventive collaborations and tasty creations like the rare dry and bloody shiraz gin ranges have earned it the title of World's Best Gin for two years running now. With two very intense fanbases onboard, we imagine this one is going to sell out from shelves quick smart, so do yourself a favour and grab it while you can. Currently, it's just available for sale on the Four Pillars website, with orders limited to maximum of one per order — it's up to you if you gift it to a friend, or keep it for yourself. They've also included a specialty cocktail recipe, perfect for the festive season. Find more information about My New Go-To Gin on the Four Pillars website.
Local breweries have again proved their might in craft beer's night of nights, as the Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) named their 2022 victors. Overnight at the beer competition's annual awards ceremony, 35 trophies were handed out, after judges sipped and assessed a record 2,630 entries from across the country and the world. As with last year's competition, Victoria stole a good chunk of the fizzy, amber-hued spotlight, with the state's breweries taking out 13 of those major trophies. Reservoir's Hawkers Beer claimed the honoured title of Champion Large Australian Brewery, in addition to representing its home state as Champion Victorian Brewery. [caption id="attachment_744422" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hawkers Beer[/caption] Meanwhile, fellow Melbourne-born brand Stomping Ground snapped up the trophy for Champion Medium Australian Brewery, also scoring top awards with both its Raspberry Smash and Bunker Porter. Take note if you're on the hunt for a new winter drop. Other southerners to emerge victorious included Footscray's Hop Nation, whose Get The Gist was awarded best modern IPA; Collingwood brewery Molly Rose nabbing the title of best Belgian/French ale with its Nectarined; and Co-Conspirators with a win for its Hop Peddler hazy pale. Of course, the awards proved there's also plenty of fine beer drinking to be done in other parts of the country. Those repping the craft brew scene for Queensland included Moffat Beach Brewing Co, named Champion Small Australian Brewery while also getting a gong for its Triology Best Coast IPA and Shadow Of The Moon Eclipse releases. [caption id="attachment_811810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wayward Brewing[/caption] Inner-west Sydney mainstay Wayward Brewing nabbed the title of best wood and barrel-aged beer, and in an era where low-alc and booze-free sips are having a moment, Stone & Wood's 2.7% East Point won best reduced/low alc beer. Western Australian beer fans have cause to raise a few pints, too, after Beerland's lolly-inspired Blueberry Clouds sour took out the top slot of Champion Australian Beer. The AIBA also awarded some international breweries worth adding to your beer hit-list, including California's Belching Beaver, Weihenstephan out of Germany, Korea's Artmonster and Auckland's Deep Creek Brewing Co — the latter of which claimed the title of Champion Medium International Brewery. The AIBA is the largest annual beer competition of its kind in the world, each year recognising excellence in brewing, beer packaging design and beer media. For the full lineup of this year's AIBA awardees, jump over to the website.
Enter one of Yayoi Kusama's infinity rooms, including the Japanese icon's brand-new Infinity Mirrored Room–My Heart is Filled to the Brim with Sparkling Light at the National Gallery of Victoria, and it appears as if the artist's work goes on forever. A great exhibition dedicated to Kusama evokes the same sensation. Accordingly, when you're not staring at a seemingly endless celestial universe while enjoying a world-premiere piece from the talent that's been unveiled for the first time ever in Melbourne, you'll still feel as if Kusama's touches are everywhere around you. Simply titled Yayoi Kusama, NGV International's big summer 2024–25 showcase features 200 works, so there really is enough Kusama art to envelop attendees in dots, mirrors, balls, tentacles, pumpkins, flowers, rainbow hues and her other beloved flourishes. With ten immersive installations, the exhibition breaks the world record for the number of such pieces by the artist assembled in one spot. The showcase is also the largest-ever Kusama retrospective that Australia has ever seen. Open since Sunday, December 15, 2024 and running until Monday, April 21, 2025, Yayoi Kusama has taken over the St Kilda Road gallery's entire ground floor with a childhood-to-now survey of its subject's creative output. With the artist reaching 95 years of age in March 2024, there's eight decades of art on display. Some pieces have never been seen Down Under until now. Some are sourced from private collections, and others from Kusama's own personal stash. In advance of the exhibition's launch, Melbourne welcomed Kusama's five-metre-tall dot-covered Dancing Pumpkin sculpture in NGV International's Federation Court. Outside the gallery, Kusama's Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees wrapped the trunks of more than 60 trees in pink-and-white polka-dotted material before Yayoi Kusama opened its doors, too. Now comes the chance to explore the complete showcase, which is also one of the most-comprehensive retrospectives devoted to the artist to be staged globally. Forget booking in a trip to Kusama's Tokyo museum for the next few months, then — all that Melburnians need to do is stay local, and Australians elsewhere just need to head to the Victorian capital. Other highlights include NGV International's glass waterwall going pink, but with black rather than white dots; Kusama's new version of Narcissus Garden, which dates back to 1966 and features 1400 30-centimetre-diameter silver balls this time around, sitting in front of the waterwall and in parts of Federation Court; and the yellow-and-black spheres of Dots Obsession hanging over the Great Hall. Then there's the artist's sticker-fuelled, all-ages-friendly The Obliteration Room, where audiences young and old pop coloured dots everywhere — 'obliterating', as Kusama calls it — to cover an apartment interior that's completely white otherwise. Flower Obsession is another participatory piece, returning from the 2017 NGV Triennial. Again, you're asked to add to the work. Here, red flowers are applied to a domestic space — and again, obliterating it is the mission. If you adore the artist's way with mirrors, you'll want to see 2016's Chandelier of Grief, which features baroque-style chandelier spinning within a hexagon of mirrors; 2013's Love Is Calling, where tentacles in different colours spring from both the floor and the ceiling; and 2017's The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens, which gets viewers peering at glowing pumpkins as far as the eye can see through a small peephole. In Invisible Life, convex mirrors line a twisting and multi-hued corridor. With its six-metre-tall tendrils — which are covered in polka dots, naturally — the yellow-and-black The Hope of the Polka Dots Buried in Infinity Will Eternally Cover the Universe from 2019 is striking without using a looking glass (or several), and makes its Australian premiere. Prefer flowers instead? Set within a dotted space, All My Love for the Tulips, I Pray Forever from 2013 sees a trio of giant tulips loom over audiences. Overall, Yayoi Kusama steps through the artist's 80-plus years of making art via a thematic chronology. While a number of pieces hail from her childhood, others are far more recent. Her output in her hometown of Matsumoto from the late 30s–50s; the results of relocating to America in 1957; archival materials covering her performances and activities in her studios, especially with a political charge, in the 60s and 70s; plenty from the past four decades: they all appear. Any chance to see Yayoi Kusama's work in Australia is huge news, and reason to make a date — including travel plans, if needed. Here's another drawcard: the NGV has also added Friday-night parties to the mix, kicking off on Friday, December 20, 2024 for some pre-Christmas fun, then running for 18 weeks until Friday, April 18, 2025. Yayoi Kusama displays at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne until Monday, April 21, 2025 — and NGV Friday Nights: Yayoi Kusama runs each Friday night from 6–10pm between Friday, December 20, 2024–Friday, April 18, 2025. Head to the NGV website for more details and tickets. Images: Visitors and artworks in the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at NGV International, Melbourne until 21 April 2025. © YAYOI KUSAMA. Photos: Danielle Castano, Sean Fennessy, Tobias Titz and Kate Shannassy.
To celebrate its 21st year, Splendour in the Grass has already announced a packed music roster, starting with Lizzo, and also featuring Flume, Mumford & Sons, Lewis Capaldi, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Noah Cyrus, Hilltop Hoods, Sam Fender, J Balvin, Little Simz, Idles, Tove Lo and more. But a month out from the fest, the Byron Bay event isn't done inviting special guests. This party will also now include Pussy Riot, complete with a live interview with Nadya Tolokonnikova — and the collective performing. Also joining the lineup from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23: everyone's favourite ex-AFL player-turned-sports newsreader Tony Armstrong, The Betoota Advocate, Dr Karl, Brooke Boney, and comedians such as Deadloch star Nina Oyama and Michael Hing. While Pussy Riot will indeed take to the GW McLennan stage in what'll be their only live Australian performance, Splendour's program boost is otherwise all about who'll be gracing the Forum, Science Tent and Comedy Club, plus the new Forum Live Podcasts initiative. [caption id="attachment_906507" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yulia Shur[/caption] In another Aussie exclusive, Tolokonnikova will chat with The Project host Hamish Macdonald about being a globally renowned artist and being included on Russia's most-wanted list. That's part of the Forum's lineup, which also spans Boney, Armstrong, Rachael Cavanagh, Dean Parkin and Carla McGrath chatting about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament; a special directors-cut screening of Australian hip hop documentary Burn Gently; and the first-ever Splendour Town Hall, which'll feature Federal Youth Minister Dr Anne Aly. Dr Karl will do what he does best — break down all things science — in Great Moments in Science; online sex work will be in focus at Social Media x Sex Commerce: The Oldest Profession Meets the Newest Technology; and other sessions will examine new cannabis laws, what it's really like to work in the music industry, pill testing, and why generations Y and Z are doing it tough compared to their parents. Thanks to Forum Live Podcasts, The Betoota Advocate Podcast will record live, as will What the Flux, Where's Your Head At?, Sometimes Funny Always Awkward, Kinky History and Science Vs. The Science Tent will feature everything from body farms and forensics to conservation and the science of wellness, while the Splendour Comedy Club will welcome in Oyama, Hing, Nat Damena, Blake Freeman, Alexandra Hudson, Sashi Perera, Rosie Delaney, Hot Department and more. [caption id="attachment_906505" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Lowe[/caption] SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2023 MUSIC LINEUP: Lizzo Flume (Australian exclusive: ten years of Flume) Mumford & Sons (Australian exclusive) Lewis Capaldi Yeah Yeah Yeahs Hilltop Hoods J Balvin Sam Fender Idles Little Simz Tove Lo 100 Gecs (Australian exclusive) Arlo Parks Ball Park Music Iann Dior King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard 070 Shake Pnau Ruel Loyle Carner Benee Marlon Williams Hooligan Hefs Peach PRC Palace Dune Rats Tkay Maidza Noah Cyrus Skegss Sudan Archives Cub Sport Meg Mac X Club. Claire Rosinkranz Jack River The Smith Street Band Lastlings Jeremy Zucker Young Franco Sly Withers MAY-A The Vanns Telenova Vallis Alps Jamesjamesjames Kaycyy RVG Teenage Dads Balming Tiger Automatic Harvey Sutherland Gali Del Water Gap Royel Otis Shag Rock Big Wett Mia Wray Memphis LK Gold Fang Milku Sumner Forest Claudette Full Flower Moon Band William Crighton Hellcat Speedracer Triple J Unearthed Winners Mix Up DJs: Tseba Crybaby Latifa Tee Foura Caucasianopportunities Luen Mowgli DJ Macaroni Crescendoll Splendour in the Grass will take over North Byron Bay Parklands from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23, 2023 — head to the festival website for further details and tickets. Top image: Dave Kan.
Art/Work is a new Concrete Playground series where we take some time to chat with our local creatives in an attempt to unravel the daily grind behind being an artist. First cab off the rank is Mitch Cairns, a Sydney-based artist represented by BREENSPACE. He is also one quarter of the now defunct collaborative group, Cosmic Battle for Your Heart. He can also play the drums. Most days you'll find me in a bit of a jam, I'd very much like to be in the studio, but being an adult is difficult and most days lately I'm either at accruing pennies or… When I am not there I am working on the next batch of paintings. Painting, for me, is a tricky problem and generally involves 'filling in' the frame with an image of some sort. In order to keep painting, I set up a few hooks to work out from. Currently I've been looking a lot at cartooning, straight up and down visual gags that generally involve the tragedy of going bald. After combing over this material I then go through a process which includes a night of heavy carbs, waking, stretching, keeping up fluids and eventually setting off on a light jog. My day job is at Oxford Arts Supplies, I work with good people, I get to peruse the store, at times, like a guest.... It's great, I could be digging holes right now. Like all job you've got to turn up to be paid.... this isn't a problem for me really, but I am seeking a double, anybody that fits the type of 'chubby greyhound' should apply here. Working in an art supply house is fine, the discounts aren't wild but they're helpful. In fact I work with some really awesome artists.... so yes it is quite a stimulating place to work. If money wasn't an issue I'd have a beer in the fridge. Being an artist/musician in Sydney is very tight right now. But I would never leave for any great deal of time. I have entertained moving to New Zealand, I mean our house is being bent over soon, we gotta live somewhere. My neighbourhood is currently in Rozelle, I am peninsulated. There is in fact a whole bunch of really excellent artists that live on the peninsular, its a very nice neighbourhood. Best kept Sydney secret Balmain Star. It's a pho joint in the Balmain Plaza, very simple, cheap, delicious food. I'm not sure why you'd ask me about hip Sydney secrets thou? Isn't that your job to tell us? I'm a mild mannered and sometimes awkward guy, I got no secrets..... good afternoon.
UPDATE: Thursday May 6, 2021 — New COVID-19 restrictions have been announced. We'll keep you updated on this event as the situation changes. For the latest information, visit NSW Health. What time is it? Showtime! After taking the world by storm when it hit Broadway in 2015, Lin-Manuel Miranda's critically acclaimed musical Hamilton is finally coming to the "greatest city in the world": Sydney. If, like us, you've been watching the filmed version of Hamilton with the original Broadway cast on repeat since it was fast-tracked to Disney+ in July, then we bet you could not be more satisfied with the news you'll finally be able to see it live on stage. The record-breaking production, which nabbed 11 Tony Awards (including Best Musical), six Laurence Olivier Awards, a Grammy Award and a Pulitzer Prize, was inspired by Ron Chernow's 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton. It tells the story of Caribbean-born immigrant Alexander Hamilton, who rose to become America's ten-dollar Founding Father ("without a father"). Directed by Thomas Kail, the musical tracks Hamilton's arrival in New York in the early 1770s, fighting in the Revolutionary War, and working alongside the likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and his rival Aaron Burr to form the United States of America. On paper, the subject matter may sound a little dry. But Miranda's energetic lyrics and music, which spans hip hop, R&B, soul and traditional show tunes, as well as Andy Blankenbuehler's choreography ensure it's anything but. You'll be captivated by cabinet rap battles, hip hop-heavy duels and heart-wrenching ballads about Hamilton's complicated love life. The Aussie production has also continued the Broadway musical's colour-blind approach to casting, by enlisting BIPOC actors to play historical white figures. The cast includes Jason Arrow (Disney's Aladdin, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) as Alexander Hamilton, Lyndon Watts (Disney's Aladdin, West Side Story) as Aaron Burr, and Chloé Zuel as Eliza Hamilton. A common feature of Hamilton is actors playing two different roles throughout the show — Marty Alix, who played Sonny in Sydney Opera House's season of Miranda's other Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights, has signed on for the dual roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton. If you want to be in the room where it happens, Hamilton is opening at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, booking through to September. Tickets will set you back $70–250 a pop. There are flexible ticket options available, now including gift vouchers, which might suit those planning to travel to Sydney especially for the show. They'll also make excellent Christmas presents. The Sydney Lyric Theatre also has a COVID-19 safety plan in place, in accordance with NSW Health. Top images: Images 1–5, US National Tour, Joan Marcus; Images 6–7, Broadway. Courtesy of Destination NSW.
UPDATE, APRIL 19, 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Queensland government has extended the public consultation period for the proposed single-use plastics ban — from Wednesday, April 15 to Thursday, April 30. The below article has been updated to reflect this change. Over the past few years, Queensland has introduced a container refund scheme and scrapped disposable plastic bags, and the Sunshine State ramping up its war on waste once again. In 2019, it released its Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan, with the government proposing a ban on single-use plastics — and now it's asking for community feedback in advance of potentially introducing legislation this year, then kicking off the ban in mid-2021. In the immediate crosshairs are plastic straws, cutlery, plates and stirrers, which could be banned from July 1, 2021 if plans proceed as currently outlined. Crucial to the proposed idea is the existence of already-available alternatives — whether they're reusable, in the case of cutlery and plates, or 100-percent compostable, as seen with paper straws and stirrers. For people with disability, some alternative products to plastic — such as bamboo, paper and metal straws — aren't always a viable option. It's worth noting that straws or cutlery that form part of another product — so if they're attached to poppers or included with tuna — won't be subject to the regime. In a second phase, which doesn't yet have a timeline, the Qld Government also committing to investigate banning coffee cups, plastic cups, heavy-weight plastic shopping bags and polystyrene containers as well. If you're eager to provide your thoughts about the plan to ban single-use plastics, you can do so online by Thursday, April 30. From this year, the Qld Government will also start banning the products from their own events; however an exact timeline from there hasn't been revealed. Also on the state's agenda: developing facilities to process and repurpose plastic, mandating the use of recycled plastics, and expanding the Plastic Free Places program, which works with retailers, events and markets at the community level to wipe out single-use water bottles, straws, coffee cups and lids, takeaway containers, food ware (such as cutlery, plates and cups) and bags. In Noosa, more than 200 businesses have signed up to the scheme. While Qld's powers-that-be are calling their proposal an Australian first, they're not the only authority figures looking to tackle the growing waste problem. Similar laws are being drafted in South Australia, Hobart is progressing down the same track and, as a nation, Australia is working towards banning all non-recyclable packaging by 2025. That's on top of plenty of smaller-scale initiatives, not only including bag bans and container schemes, but the phasing out of single-use plastics in various guises at the company level, with McDonald's, IKEA, Coca-Cola Amatil and Qantas among those making steps in the plastic-free direction. You can read more about the Queensland Government's Plastic Reduction Plan over here — and provide your feedback online by Thursday, April 30.
If travelling is synonymous with getting into a good book or, whenever you walk into a bookshop, you get this strange feeling to curl up on the shelves and go to sleep, you need to book a flight to Tokyo and reserve yourself sleeping shelf at Book and Bed hostel. The hostel describes themselves as an "accommodation bookshop", which is exactly what it sounds like. It's no five-star deal here; at Book and Bed, the commodity is words, rather than luxury. It is budget accommodation after all, and for around $50 AUD a night, they're offering you the chance to sleep surrounded by stories, the smell of printed pages and the sound of other hostellers greedily flipping through their own books in their bed each night. Sounds much more chill than your usual hostel, where most people are doing anything but book-reading. The hostel is designed has been designed as a lounge-like bookshop, so you can pick out a book and read it in the lobby, or take it back to bed with you for some horizontal action. And if you're thinking that the beds are just out the back somewhere, you're wrong — the beds are actually built into the bookshelves. Yep, you'll be sleeping where the books sleep. Needless to say, this makes for a bit of a pod-like situation, so don't come expecting room to move. It's all about reading. And nodding off to sleep mid-chapter every night. Book and Bed Tokyo is located in the Toshima-ku ward, and is close to Ikebukuro Station. For more information, visit their website. Via PSFK.
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to watching anything, we're here to help. From the latest and greatest to old favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from June's haul of newbies. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL RIGHT NOW BO BURNHAM: INSIDE Watching Bo Burnham: Inside, a stunning fact becomes evident. A life-changing realisation, really. During a period when most people tried to make sourdough, pieced together jigsaws and spent too much time on Zoom, Bo Burnham created a comedy masterpiece. How does he ever top a special this raw, insightful, funny, clever and of the moment? How did he make it to begin with? How does anyone ever manage to capture every emotion that we've all felt about lockdowns — and about the world's general chaos, spending too much time on the internet, capitalism's exploitation and just the general hellscape that is our modern lives, too — in one 90-minute musical-comedy whirlwind? Filmed in one room of his house over several months (and with his hair and beard growth helping mark the time), Inside unfurls via songs about being stuck indoors, video chats, today's performative society, sexting, ageing and mental health. Burnham sings and acts, and also wrote, directed, shot, edited and produced the whole thing, and there's not a moment, image or line that goes to waste. Being trapped in that room with the Promising Young Woman star and Eighth Grade filmmaker, and therefore being stuck inside the closest thing he can find to manifesting his mind outside his skull, becomes the best kind of rollercoaster ride. Just try getting Burnham's tunes out of your head afterwards, too, because this is an oh-so-relatable and insightful special that lingers. It's also the best thing that's been made about this pandemic yet, hands down. Bo Burnham: Inside is available to stream via Netflix. THIS WAY UP At the beginning of This Way Up, Áine (Aisling Bea, Living With Yourself) is being checked out of a London mental health facility by her older sister Shona (Sharon Horgan, Catastrophe). Her complaints about the lack of a spa are just jokes, but they're also one of her coping mechanisms. She wears that sense of humour like a shield as she steps back into her usual routine — teaching English to folks learning it as a second language, trying to avoid spending too much time at home and attempting not to think about her ex (Chris Geere, You're the Worst). There's shades of Catastrophe in This Way Up, unsurprisingly, and also echoes of Fleabag, Back to Life and Breeders, too. In other words, it has been a great few years for acerbic UK shows about people struggling with all the baggage, expectations and responsibilities that come with being adults — and this addition to the fold, which the always-charming Bea also wrote, continues the trend. Also evident in This Way Up's fellow comedies, as well as here, is a strong focus on women who don't have it all together, or even pretend otherwise. Áine's exploits involve everything from trying to hook up with a fellow rehab patient and getting a crush on Richard (Tobias Menzies, The Crown), the father of a French boy she tutors, to constantly being the third wheel in Shona's relationship with her boyfriend Vish (Aasif Mandvi, Evil), and she stumbles and puns her way through all of it. A second season of her antics is on the way, too, which this first batch of episodes will leave you hanging out for. The first season of This Way Up is available to stream via Stan. STARSTRUCK When Rose Matafeo last graced our screens, she took on pregnancy-centric rom-coms in 2020's Baby Done. Now, in Starstruck, she's still pairing the romantic and the comedic. In another thoughtful, plucky and relatable performance, she plays Jessie, a 28-year-old New Zealander in London who splits her time between working in a cinema and nannying, and isn't expecting much when her best friend and roommate Kate (Emma Sidi, Pls Like) drags her out to a bar on New Year's Eve. For most of the evening, her lack of enthusiasm proves astute. Then she meets Tom (Nikesh Patel, Four Weddings and a Funeral). He overhears her rambling drunkenly to herself in the men's bathroom, they chat at the bar and, when sparks fly, she ends up back at his sprawling flat. It isn't until the next morning, however — when she sees a poster adorned with his face leaning against his living room wall — that she realises that he's actually one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Yes, Starstruck takes Notting Hill's premise and gives it a 22-years-later update, and delivers a smart, sidesplittingly funny and all-round charming rom-com sitcom in the process. When a film or TV show is crafted with a deep-seated love for its chosen genre, it shows. When it wants to do more than just nod and wink at greats gone by like a big on-screen super fan — when its creators passionately hope that it might become a classic in its own right, rather than a mere imitation of better titles — that comes through, too. And that's definitely the case with this ridiculously easy-to-binge charmer. The first season of Starstruck is available to stream via ABC iView. Read our full review. LUCA Unlike Studio Ghibli, Pixar can make bad movies. The main culprit: the Cars franchise. They're a rarity among the Disney-owned animation studio's output, thankfully — because even when it makes a minor delight, like Luca, its usually swims well beyond most of the other family-friendly fare that gets pumped in front of young eyes. Set in Italy over a resplendent summer, this coming-of-age tale might be the closest that Pixar ever gets to making a Frankenstein movie. Forget the whole coming back from the dead part; instead, teenage sea monsters Luca (Jacob Tremblay, Doctor Sleep) and Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer, We Are Who We Are) just want to belong. But, even though they can't help the fact that they're sea monsters, they'd be shunned by the village they decide to call home if anyone ever worked out that they aren't human. The pair cross paths in the water, but when Luca follows his new pal to the surface, he disobeys his parents' strict warnings. They bond over a Vespa, which they both want. Next, they befriend an ordinary girl, Giulia (first-timer Emma Berman), in a quest to win a race to nab their very own moped. The story is straightforward, but the themes still float along meaningfully in this feature debut from director Enrico Casarosa (Pixar short La Luna) — and the sun-dappled seaside animation is a dazzling treat. Luca is available to stream via Disney+. THE AMUSEMENT PARK In 1968, George A Romero changed cinema forever. Night of the Living Dead, his first film, was famously made on a tiny budget — but it swiftly became the zombie movie that's influenced every single other zombie movie that's ever followed. His resume from there is filled with other highlights, including further Dead films and the astonishing Martin, but one of his intriguing features didn't actually see the light of day until recently. It was also commissioned by the Lutheran Service Society of Western Pennsylvania to preach the evils of elder abuse, which isn't the type of thing that can be said about any other flick. The Amusement Park is incredibly effective in getting that message across, actually. As star Lincoln Maazel explains in the introduction, it aims to make its statement by putting the audience in its ageing characters' shoes, conveying their ill-treatment just for their advancing years and showing the chaos they feel as a result. That's the exact outcome as Maazel plays an older man who spends a day wandering around the titular setting, only to be constantly disregarded, denigrated, laughed at and pushed aside as hellishness greets him at every turn. Romero's film is grim, obvious and absurd all at once, and it's a powerful and winning combination in his hands. The Amusement Park is available to stream via Shudder. NEW AND RETURNING SHOWS TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK PHYSICAL On a typical early-80s day, San Diego housewife Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne, Irresistible) will make breakfast for her professor husband Danny (Rory Scovel, I Feel Pretty), take their daughter to school, then run errands. She'll also buy three fast food meals, book into a motel, eat them all naked, then purge. Physical can be bleak — about the pain festering inside its bitterly unhappy protagonist, her constantly fraying mental health, the smile she's forced to plaster across her face as she soldiers on, and her excoriating options of herself — but it also finds a rich vein of dark comedy in Sheila's efforts to change her life through aerobics. Add the series to the list of 80s-set shows about women getting sick of being cast aside, breaking free of their societally enforced roles and jumping into something active. GLOW did it. On Becoming a God in Central Florida did, too. And now those two excellent series have a kindred spirit in this sharp, compelling and often brutally candid show. Byrne is a force to be reckoned with here, in one of her best performances in some time (and a reminder that in everything from Heartbreak High to Damages and Mrs America, she's always done well on TV). Also entrancing, engaging and difficult to forget: Physical's desperate-but-determined tone, and the way it seethes with tension beneath the spandex, sequins and sunny beach shots. The first three episodes of Physical are available to stream via Apple TV+, with new episodes dropping weekly. LOKI With WandaVision, Marvel gave the world a nodding, winking sitcom that morphed into an engaging but still quite standard entry in its ever-sprawling on-screen realm. With The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it opted for an odd couple action-thriller that hit every mark it needed to, but rarely more. Loki, the third Disney+ Marvel series to hit streaming this year — and the third to focus on characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe — stands out from the crowd instantly. Having Tom Hiddleston (Avengers: Endgame) step back into the God of Mischief's shoes will do that. Loki's charms don't solely radiate from its leading man, though. He's as charismatically wily as ever (as he's always been in his scene-stealing big-screen appearances in the Thor and Avengers films), but this series is helped immensely by its willingness to have fun with its premise, and also by the great cast surrounding its star. Teaming up duos is obviously currently Marvel's thing, but Loki pairs its eponymous trickster with a time cop played by Owen Wilson (Bliss), gets them palling around in buddy cop-meets-science fiction territory, and also throws in Sophia Di Martino (Yesterday) as a character that best discovered by watching. Here, come for the usual Hiddleston mischievousness, stay for everything this quickly involving series builds around him as Loki is forced to face the consequences of his past actions. The first four episodes of Loki are available to stream via Disney+, with new episodes dropping weekly. RICK AND MORTY Five seasons in, Rick and Morty has long passed the point where its premise is its main drawcard. That setup is stellar, of course, and always will be — as you'd expect of a series that takes it cues from Back to the Future, but swaps in a dimension-hopping, drunken, cantankerous grandfather and his nervous teenage grandson. What keeps viewers coming back, and also eagerly awaiting each new batch of episodes, is the show's constant ability to twist and morph in different directions in each and every new instalment. That, and its cynical-meets-absurdist sense of humour, its ability to weave in more pop culture references than should be possible while never feeling like the mere sum of its influences, and its deeply melancholic musings on life, happiness and connection. All these traits are on display in Rick and Morty season five so far, even just two episodes in. Co-creator Justin Roiland might now have another animated sitcom about an unconventional family demanding his attention — the also excellent Solar Opposites — but his first stab at the genre shows no signs of waning. Rare is the show that proclaims that existence is meaningless with such gusto, while also celebrating life's small wins and moments. Wubba lubba dub dub indeed. The first two episodes of Rick and Morty's fifth season are available to stream via Netflix, with new episodes dropping weekly. LISEY'S STORY The list of Stephen King books that've made the leap to screens big or small is hefty. The number of those on-screen projects that the author has had a hand in himself is far smaller. That alone gives Lisey's Story an air of intrigue, with every episode of this eight-part adaptation of King's 2006 novel penned by him. As the series follows Lisey Landon, the widow of a famous author, King isn't actually the MVP, though. His presence is felt — which, depending on how much of a fan you are, isn't always a good thing — but this show has plenty of other talent to assist. Firstly, the always-great Julianne Moore (The Woman in the Window) plays the titular character. Secondly, exceptional Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín (Ema) directs the whole show. When Moore dives deep into a role, as she's clearly given the room to here in one of her rare TV parts, she makes the figures she's playing feel as if they could walk right off the screen and into reality. When Larraín lets audiences see the world through his eyes, every frame he creates is utterly magnetic, and yet also probes and ponders everything it is peering at at the same time. It's these two traits that make Lisey's Story a must-see, although a cast that also includes Clive Owen (back on TV screens after the astounding The Knick), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Possessor), Dane DeHaan (Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets), Joan Allen (Room), Michael Pitt (The Last Days of American Crime) and Sung Kang (Fast and Furious 9) more than helps. The first five episodes of Lisey's Story are available to stream via Apple TV+, with new episodes dropping weekly. CLASSICS TO WATCH AND REWATCH PLANET TERROR + DEATH PROOF The year is 2007. Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez team up on two films that pay tribute to 70s exploitation flicks — and they make their movies, dubbed Grindhouse, as two parts of a double feature. That's not always how audiences have been able to watch Planet Terror and Death Proof, either then or since, but this pair of memorable flicks is well worth viewing back to back exactly as the directors intended. In the first instalment, Rodriguez serves up an OTT zombie film that revolves around a go-go dancer named Cherry Darling (Rose McGowan, The Sound). In the second chapter, QT gives the world one of his best movies ever, all thanks to the psychopathic Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell, Fast and Furious 9) and the group of women (Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)'s Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Zombieland: Double Tap's Rosario Dawson and seasoned stunt performer Zoë Bell) he tries to stalk with his supposedly indestructible car. Both directors play with familiar stories, and with narrative conventions, but that's a big part of the point. Watching them each deliver the most lurid features of their careers (which, in From Dusk Till Dawn director Rodriguez's case, is saying something) is a delight. And from its perfect casting to its nervy mood and tense car scenes, Death Proof is a flat-out wonder. Planet Terror and Death Proof are available to stream via Stan.
There are a lot of weird food museums around the world, dedicated to everything from potatoes to Jell-O to kimchi. Some of them are a little questionable — others totally genius, like Japan's ramen museum — but there's certainly no question that an ice cream museum would be an important, delicious, 100 percent necessary educational facility. So it comes as no surprise that the announcement that a Museum of Ice Cream is opening in New York City this month has gone down very well with the public — especially as one of its draw cards will be a life-sized pool of sprinkles. Yes, you read that right — a pool of sprinkles. That you can swim in. Well, I don't know if you can technically swim through sprinkles, but you'll be able to fully immerse yourself in them either way. They won't be actual sprinkles, but according to Eater, they'll be made to look and feel just like those colourful little edible dots that make ice cream 10000x more delicious. The Museum of Ice Cream is being brought to life by two ice cream-loving New Yorkers, Maryellis Bunn and Manish Vora, who noticed a severe lack of ice cream-dedicated spaces and sprinkle swimming pools in the world. A pop-up museum, it will open in New York's Meatpacking District on July 19 and run until August 31. Aside from the sprinkle pool, the ice cream playground will also feature edible balloons, an "immersive" chocolate room (!!), an ice cream sandwich swing and a giant sundae. Randomly, there'll also be a room sponsored by Tinder. And because it wouldn't be a true food museum without some eating action, admission will also include tastings of special scoops created by some of the city's best ice cream artisans, including Black Tap and OddFellows. What a day out. Pool of sprinkles https://t.co/rBOQsoYgFK pic.twitter.com/4pbrSt3ray— Serena Dai (@ssdai) July 8, 2016 Via Eater.
Australia's most popular short film festival wants to test your filmmaking abilities in an even tighter time frame for a new competition. #Tropvine asks you to use the Vine app and create a film that's six seconds long, the maximum running time for a Vine video. #Tropvine invites entrants all over the world to submit a Vine that includes this year’s Tropfest signature item: 'mirror'. Like Tropfest, anyone can enter, no experience necessary — you just need to be creative with a smartphone. It's as close to an even playing field as you'll find, since the likelihood of anyone getting major grant funding for their Vine seems slim. That said, a contingent of very clever filmmakers have already built impressive oeuvres on the platform, so expect a fierce competition. To enter, just tweet your Vine using the competition hashtags #tropvine and #mirror and tag @Tropfest. You’ll also need to follow Tropfest on Twitter so they can contact you if your film is shortlisted. Once it’s live, it’s up to you to share it with the world, bug your friends and get as much support as possible. The 20 most popular Vines, as voted by the public, will be judged by the Tropfest Jury of industry leading lights, who'll choose the overall winner. So what’s in it for you, other than being a master short storyteller? All eligible entries will go in the running to win a VIP trip to Tropfest Australia 2014. This includes Qantas flights for you and a friend to Sydney, luxury accommodation at QT Sydney, VIP tickets to Tropfest Australia, Nikon camera gear and lunch with Twitter Australia.
This autumn, parts of Alice Springs and its surrounds will shine brighter than ever before, when the region's fourth annual Parrtjima - A Festival In Light delivers its most expansive program yet. Previously held in September, the festival will this year run from Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 14. The free ten-day public celebration of Indigenous arts, culture and storytelling is perhaps best known for its dazzling light installations. And, this year, Parrtjima — the nation's first indigenous festival of its kind — will feature six of these luminous displays, gracing both Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct and Alice Springs Todd Mall. As 2019 is the UN's Year of Indigenous Languages, the festival will also have a linguistic edge. With a theme of 'Language Expressions', the program's lineup will feature many artworks, talks and workshops focused on Central Australia's many Indigenous languages. [caption id="attachment_706524" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Horan[/caption] While Alice Spring's CBD will light up with new installations and events, just out of town, tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park will also come alive, awash with light from 6.30–10.30pm each night of the festival. Once again, a huge artwork will transform a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic MacDonnell Ranges. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in art and storytelling as part of Grounded, where installations are projected onto the earth accompanied by a striking soundscape. The light installations are backed by a jam-packed program of dance, music, workshops and talks, sharing stories and celebrating First Nations' culture. It's a nice supplement to the area's Field of Light installation, which has been extended until 2020. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs from April 5–14, 2019 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: James Horan.
More than a tenth of the best steak joints around the planet are located in Australia. That's one of the big pieces of news from 2024's iteration of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants. Aussie eateries might be well-represented in general, but the annual ranking's sights are firmly set on just two Down Under cities: Sydney and Melbourne. If you live elsewhere in the country, you might disagree, but the New South Wales and Victorian capitals are now officially the Australian spots to hit for a top-notch slice of beef. Sydney took care of six places on the list, while Melbourne notched up five. Only Sydney's eateries made the top ten, however — including Neil Perry's Margaret topping the local entries by coming in third in the world. Buenos Aires' Parrilla Don Julio seared itself into the number-one position, while Bodega El Capricho in Jiménez de Jamuz in Spain came in second. Following Margaret, Cote in New York placed fourth and Carcasse in Koksijde sits in fifth. The other Sydney venue in the ten best of the best? Rockpool Bar and Grill, which was ranked eighth globally. On either side, it's joined by I due Cippi in Saturnia in Italy in sixth, Laia Erretegia in Hondarribia in Spain in seventh, then AG in Stockholm in ninth and Cut at 45 Park Lane in London in tenth position. Melbourne's first recognition came via Victor Churchill, which is knocking on the door of the top ten by sitting in 11th place. It also took out a second position in the top 20 with Steer Dining Room in 17th spot. From there, Sydney also notched up 24th place via The Gidley, 45th thanks to Bistecca, 71st with Porteño and 89th via Kingsleys. Melbourne's other showings span Entrecote at 86th, Gimlet at Cavendish House at 94th and Grill Americano at 98th. If you've checked out our picks for the best steak restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne, plenty of the above should sound familiar — Porteño, Bistecca, Rockpool Bar and Grill, Kingsleys and The Gidley all made the Concrete Playground cut, too, as did Steer Dining Room, Entrecote, Gimlet at Cavendish House, Grill Americano and Victor Churchill. [caption id="attachment_956587" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_675814" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_674682" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leticia Almeida[/caption] [caption id="attachment_837205" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lillie Thompson[/caption] [caption id="attachment_860199" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Earl Carter[/caption] For the full rundown of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants for 2024, head to the list's website. Top image: Nikki To
New year, new adventures. It's time to start planning trips to hidden beaches while summer's still kicking, city breaks during quieter months of the year, and regional desert getaways when the temperature drops down south. And we get the "I'll put off travelling around Australia till I'm older" mentality. But enough of that. There's so much greatness in our own backyard that we shouldn't keep pushing local trips further down the line of must-visit places. So, read on to find a few Aussie destinations that should be added to your 2023 travel bucket list. Then go ahead and book a few trips before the opportunity passes. TASMANIA [caption id="attachment_883574" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zachary Ferguson (Unsplash)[/caption] BRUNY ISLAND Tassie's Bruny Island feels totally remote but it's a short ferry ride from the coast and, including driving time, is just 50-minutes from Hobart. The beauty of this proximity to the city is that, despite all the rugged wilderness, you can still find luxury accommodation, amazing food and all kinds of local produce (think fine cheese and whisky). But consider Bruny Island a destination for when nature is calling. You'll find white wallabies at Inala Nature Reserve, windswept headlands at Cape Bruny Lighthouse and head-clearing watery views at Cloudy Bay. A trip to Bruny Island should be an essential addition to any Tasmanian vacation along the state's south-eastern coast. If you're a serious gourmand, you can experience all the island's finest delights in style with a gourmet tasting and sightseeing day trip from Hobart which includes award-winning cheeses, premium wines and beer, freshly shucked oysters, handcrafted fudge and mead, local honey and a lunch at Pennicott's beachside restaurant with sweeping views of Adventure Bay. Book it now at Concrete Playground Trips. [caption id="attachment_728931" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lisa Kuilenburg, Tourism Tasmania[/caption] BAY OF FIRES This region is ripe for exploring and one of the most photogenic regions in Tassie. There are hiking trails through bushland full of native Australian wildlife as well as pristine white sand beaches with orange-hued granite boulders that the Bay of Fires is renowned for. Come any time of year to enjoy the area, staying for a few days at one of our favourite glamping sites in Australia or simply pass through while road tripping around Tasmania's North East region. [caption id="attachment_718786" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia and Graham Freeman[/caption] HOBART Hobart is booming. Increasingly, Australian travellers and international folk are taking the trip down south to Tasmania's seaside city. The city's brilliant food scene (which has totally transformed in the past ten years) draws visitors, as well as the city's singular cultural institution MONA. This museum is home to world-class art and installations from owner/mastermind David Walsh's private collection of works that are anything but stuffy. The art is served alongside a fabulous selection of locally-focused food and wine. And then there is the Mona Foma music and arts festival. The dates of this year's festival are Friday, February 17–Sunday, February 19, 2023 in Launceston, then the weekend of Friday, February 24–Sunday, February 26, 2023 in Hobart, and both weekends boast cracking lineups. If you haven't secured your tickets, you can still book one of our exclusive Mona Foma travel packages which includes Posh Pit ferry pass to the museum, tickets to see Peaches return to the Mona stage on Friday, 24 February, plus two nights in a luxe hotel. VICTORIA [caption id="attachment_883577" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Weyne Yew (Unsplash)[/caption] THE WYE RIVER Victoria's Great Ocean Road is always worth travelling down — but finding places to stop for a few nights can be a much harder task. The classics of Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay are always great options, but we prefer the sleepier town of Wye River. The small regional town has its own beachside caravan park, an absolute stunner of a general store as well as plenty of beaches for surfing and swimming. Get away from the crowds down here. If you're keen to explore this area in style, book our Great Ocean Road road-tripping holiday here (which includes car rental and accommodation so all you need to do is get behind the wheel and enjoy the iconic views). [caption id="attachment_755967" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Watson and Visit Victoria[/caption] WILSON'S PROMONTORY No matter how popular Wilson's Prom gets, you can always find your own private cove or headland. Either stay at a nearby town and then drive to a beach or hiking trail or get even further off the beaten path by camping, taking your time to go on long treks that'll distance you from the hustle of metropolitan civilisation. It's hard to find more stunning surrounds in Victoria, let alone Australia. You have tree-covered mountains that roll down to small coastal inlets where you can truly escape the outside world. [caption id="attachment_831273" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria[/caption] BALLARAT This regional Victorian city was booming back in the Gold Rush era and has recently had another renaissance of sorts — brilliant restaurants, bars, galleries and hotels are the new gold. These treasures, paired with its proximity to Melbourne (it's about an hour and a half drive or train ride away), help make Ballarat an even greater travel destination for 2023. QUEENSLAND [caption id="attachment_874908" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Guillaume Marques (Unsplash)[/caption] THE WHITSUNDAYS This may just be Australia's most up-market national park in the country. Luxury adult's only resorts and eco retreats are scattered all over the Whitsunday islands. This tropical paradise is where the rich and famous go to treat themselves to exclusive trips around the Great Barrier Reef and beyond. But you don't have to break the bank to enjoy these waters and beaches — so much of the area is considered a national park so you can go camping right up on many of the shorelines. Whitsunday Island, Hook Island and Henning Island all have campsites for those who want to properly get in touch with nature. Just make sure you book your campsite ahead of time because numbers are capped. If you are into a more luxurious stay, you can currently get 20% off the ultimate Whitsundays experience (think sunset sailing, scenic flights and a luxury resort stay) on this exclusive trip which you can book now. [caption id="attachment_876264" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Maisch (Unsplash)[/caption] MUNGA THIRRI NATIONAL PARK Now off to somewhere entirely more remote. Munga Thirri is country that belongs to the Wangkangurru and Yarluyandi people, formerly known as the Simpson Desert National Park. It is the largest national park in Queensland and is also one of the toughest to explore. This is proper Australian outback territory. You'll see sand dunes stretching for kilometres (rising as high as 90 metres) and experience some of the best stargazing in your life. But, if you're not an experienced outback traveller without a decent haul of gear it can be a challenging area for camping. So, in light of that, if you lack the more hardcore camping chops it's best to book stay somewhere like The Birdsville Hotel which will organise tours into the desert. They'll take you on scenic flights, show you epic 4WD tracks and help you organise other local adventures. Just be aware that Munga Thirri is closed for a decent chunk of time in summer due to extreme heat — so be sure to check out the park's opening times on the Queensland national parks website. NEW SOUTH WALES [caption id="attachment_771536" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] NEWCASTLE Newcastle has undergone a huge cultural transformation in the past 15 years. Sydney's sister city hasn't always been a getaway destination, but we have been won over by its newfound charm. It has terrific beaches, an impressive street art scene that rivals Melbourne (well, don't say this around Melburnians), microbreweries, galleries, small bars, cafes aplenty and several good boutique hotels including a flashy new QT that opened in mid-2022. It really deserves to be added to your 2023 Australia travel bucket list. [caption id="attachment_773788" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Archer, Destination NSW[/caption] LORD HOWE ISLAND Just 11 kilometres long and two kilometres wide, Lord Howe, is fully explorable within a few days. And thanks to visitor limits (only 400 people are permitted at any one time), it's one of Australia's best islands to visit when you want to get off the mainland. Prepare to have these long beaches, idyllic diving sites and rugged terrain all to yourselves. It's also just a short two-hour flight east of Sydney or, if you have the means, you can access the island by your personal yacht. [caption id="attachment_882177" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Novotel Wollongong Northbeach[/caption] WOLLONGONG You'll find some of the most stunning beaches along this part of the south coast including Bulli and Austinmer. But this isn't your average sleepy beach town. The city of Wollongong has undergone its own transformation over the past few years, becoming a hub for great food and drink and cultural activities. After a day of swimming or hiking, either hit up the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre or the Wollongong Art Gallery before dining at some of the excellent restaurants in the area. This little city has a lot going for it. This year, Wollongong will also host the For The Love music festival on Sunday, February 24 with headliners Charli XCX and Duke Dumont. Concrete Playground has teamed up For The Love on curated one-of-a-kind VIP packages for those wanting the ultimate experience. Book your package here — it includes two VIP festival tickets, two nights stay at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, a Grey Goose gift pack in your hotel room and late check-out so you can sleep in after the party. [caption id="attachment_883578" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jake Charles (Unsplash)[/caption] BYRON BAY Byron Bay is a classic Australian travel destination, much loved for its bohemian beach culture and world class yoga and wellness retreats scattered about the region. Nature lovers can also go sea kayaking around some of the most breathtaking beaches or hike within the national parks. And the foodies must experience Byron Bay's diverse grassroots drinking and dining scene that is growing impressively every year. And who knows, you might just run into one of the Hemsworth brothers while you're there. Book a four-day wellness holiday for under $400 through Concrete Playground Trips here (including accommodation, yoga classes and two seperate sea kayaking and snorkelling tours). WESTERN AUSTRALIA [caption id="attachment_683983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] ROTTNEST ISLAND If you want to take a selfie with a quokka then Rottnest Island is the only place to do it. These amusing little mounds of joy wander all over the island, ready for locals to respectfully stop for a snap. But that's not the only reason to visit this Australian island, located just a short 90-minute ferry ride from Perth. Come to these parts for pristinely kept beaches, shallow shores that are perfect for snorkelling in and plenty of great places to stay for a range of budgets (from high-end hotels to well-appointed campsites). A trip to Rottnest Island is a must for anyone making their way to Perth for a few days. If you're wanting to get the most out of your next jaunt to Perth, book our five-day Perth holiday here (including your accommodation, a day trip to Rottnest Island and visit to the Pinnacles). [caption id="attachment_883580" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Isabelle Truong (Unsplash)[/caption] THE KIMBERLEY This remote region in Western Australia is one of Australia's most impressive natural landscapes. It's known for its abundance of local wildlife that roams the rugged mountain ranges, dramatic gorges with hidden swimming holes and the semi-arid desert planes. It's a Tourism Australia ad everywhere you go. It's also one of the best places to visit when you want to keep the summer dream alive — boasting wonderfully warm weather throughout the colder months of the year. [caption id="attachment_807814" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sal Salis, Tourism Western Australia[/caption] NINGALOO REEF Fun fact: Ningaloo Reef is the only large reef in the world that you can access right off the shore. Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, you don't need to book a spot on a large boat that takes you out to the reef with a bunch of other tourists. Here, you simply park by the beach and get straight to snorkelling around vibrant coral gardens, dolphins, turtles and manta rays. You'll find the UNESCO heritage-listed wonder 1,200 kilometres north of Perth, from where it runs north along the coast for 260 kilometres, between North West Cape and Red Bluff. Pick a point to explore on your own or hit up local guides who will show you the best parts. SOUTH AUSTRALIA [caption id="attachment_664008" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Kruger[/caption] ADELAIDE HILLS South Australia is famous for its many wine regions that pump out case after case of spectacular vino. You've got McLaren Vale, the Barossa and Clare Valley, but we are all about the Adelaide Hills in 2023. First off, this is one of the easiest wine regions to reach — located just a 30-minute drive away from the centre of Adelaide. It's also home to some of our favourite cellar doors. We suggest you start in Woodside, where you'll find stunning cellar doors from Bird in Hand, Petaluma, Barristers Block and Golding Wines. And while you're there, don't miss Lost in a Forest which serves up woodfired pizzas and natural wine from local label Ochota Barrels in a 130-year-old church. Get the most out of your trip to this region by booking our Adelaide Hills escape here including two nights' accommodation, transport around local wineries, daily yoga classes and most of your meals. [caption id="attachment_883581" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michael Skopal (Unsplash)[/caption] WILPENA POUND Wilpena Pound is the holy grail of the Flinders Ranges National Park, characterised by its dramatic rocky mountains. The entire region is vast and truly remote, located about a five-hour drive from Adelaide. But don't let the distance scare you off. There's much to see and do here. Go on 4WD treks through the bush, take scenic flights over the mountain ranges and go on guided hikes to see some of the best-preserved Aboriginal rock art while learning of the local Adnyamathanha people's rich history. [caption id="attachment_883583" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luisa Denu (Unsplash)[/caption] EYRE PENINSULA This coastal region in South Australia is foolishly overlooked by both Aussies and international travellers. It is the state's own version of Victoria's Great Ocean Road, and it might just give that famous stretch of coast a run for its money. Head to Eyre Peninsula to swim with dolphins and sea lions or simply relax on long sand beaches backed by rugged cliffs as you look out for passing whales. Dreamy stuff. Then you can hit up any of the local townships to try Eyre Peninsula's legendary oysters and freshly caught seafood or head inland to do some winery hopping. You'll quickly discover why it's one of our favourite stretches of coast in Australia. NORTHERN TERRITORY [caption id="attachment_826027" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism NT[/caption] KAKADU NATIONAL PARK Kakadu is an unmissable Australian travel destination, but its perceived remoteness seems to put a lot of travellers off. Don't let it. Kakadu is only a three-hour drive from Darwin and it's well and truly worth the journey. Once you're there, you have an enormous natural playground to explore and some genuinely life-changing scenery and experiences ahead of you. We recommend hiring a 4WD with a pop-top tent or camper for the week and see where the road takes you. Organise an itinerary to hidden swimming holes and incredible rainwater waterfalls, epic mountain ranges or local wildlife sanctuaries and cultural experiences with the local Indigenous people to learn the ancient history and dreaming stories of the area. [caption id="attachment_883588" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Banubanu, Tourism Australia[/caption] BREMER ISLAND Run away to the Northern Territory's fairly unknown Bremer Island for a super chill tropical island holiday. It's well and truly off the beaten path, so you'll be away from the crowds, surrounded only by well-preserved wilderness. There aren't many places to stay on the island, but we are big fans of Banubanu Beach Retreat — a glamping site located right on the water. Spend your days kayaking along the coast or snorkelling in the warm waters before eating some fresh-caught seafood. It's a really laid-back place to visit, away from the crowds and influencers. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Top images: Sal Salis on Ningaloo Reef
One of the most lauded films of last year’s festival circuit and the winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes, Mommy is a masterpiece of melodrama from 26-year-old Quebecois wunderkind Xavier Dolan. This is a movie you can’t afford to miss. An emotional roller coaster presented in 1:1 aspect ratio, the story follows a brassy single mother whose teenage son suffers from violent mood swings as well as ADHD. Anne Dorval and Antoine Olivier Pilon are both stunningly good, their performances positively glowing with uninhibited feeling. This is a funny, earnest, devastating film, one that's vitalised, rather than limited, by its intriguing technical conceit. Seriously, if this film doesn’t make you cry buckets, you flat out haven’t got a heart. Mommy is in select cinemas on April 9, and thanks to Sharmill Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
Imagine hopping on the train each morning, fitting your workout in while you travel, and then watching the latest news on a big-screen TV. Then, imagine jumping in the carriage on the way home, grabbing a beer on board and blissing out in a noise-cancelling armchair. They're some of the ideas included in Germany's new 'train of the future', a concept that's being explored by state-owned railway company Deutsche Bahn. Their Ideas Train also features a dedicated gaming zone filled with consoles, documentary and live sports screenings, a vending machine dispensing baked goods, brews on tap, a coffee cube serving up speciality sips, and digital fitness coaches to keep your exercise as on track as the train. Dedicated spaces for families and groups travelling together, dine-and-work benches with integrated tablet shelves, laptop pods and a kids' play area ensure every type of commuter is catered for. It's all part of DB Regio's attempt to adapt to the new transport landscape, given that autonomous cars are zooming towards becoming a reality. Indeed, from Elon Musk's rockets, moving hotels and hyperloop system, to self-driving buses, flying cars and solar-powered trains, getting from A to B is set to look quite different in the coming years. Here's hoping that getting to work like this is included. Images: Deutsche Bahn.
Throw those GoPros, bubble bottles and novelty gumboots in your rucksack, Splendour in the Grass is returning to North Byron Parklands for another year of festival merriment. As usual, speculation has run wild in anticipation of the lineup announce — will Childish Gambino be on the lineup (and actually show)? Will there by more than three females? — but the details for Splendour 2019 are finally here. And we're happy to report that some of the rumours were true. Childish Gambino — AKA Donald Glover — himself, will be Splendouring. Well, we hope. Childish Gambino recently cancelled his Spilt Milk appearance and Australian tour due to an ongoing injury, but the lineup also doesn't state that Splendour is his only show — so stay tuned for news of a replacement national tour (hopefully). The other huge names are Chance the Rapper and Tame Impala, the former who is American rap royalty, the latter homegrown Aussie talent who were recently been announced as one of the headline acts for this year's Coachella. There's also a big female contingent — that is kick-ass but still nowhere near as big as the pool of male performers — which includes SZA, Santigold, Courtney Barnett, Thandi Phoenix, Hatchie, Meg Mac and all-female indie rock band Warpaint. Also doing their only Australian shows at Splendour will be Santigold and Slaves. The lineup seems to go on forever, including Foals, The Streets, The Lumineers, James Blake, Friendly Fires, the list goes on. Anyway, we know what you're here for. We'll cut to the chase. SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2019 LINEUP Chance the Rapper Tame Impala Childish Gambino SZA Foals Catfish and the Bottlemen James Blake Santigold The Lumineers The Streets Russ What So Not Courtney Barnett Warpaint Mystery Oz Act Matt Corby Wolf Alice Friendly Fires Broods Dean Lewis Fidlar Cosmo's Midnight Meg Mac Ziggy Alberts Hayden James Dave Dope Lemon Dermot Kennedy Allday & Friends Little Simz The Rubens Maribou State Winston Surfshit Tycho Pond The Teskey Brothers Jacob Banks Wolfmother Tropical F*ck Storm Kyle Hall Local Natives Mansionair Odette Ruby Fields Mike Servito Last Dinosaurs Thelma Plum Trophy Eyes Harvey Sutherland (DJ set) K.Flay Sam Fender Slaves Pub Choir Seb Wildblood The Beths Set Mo Hatchie Honne Kwame The Nude Party Nathan Micay Slowly Slowly Pychedelic Porn Crumpets Kian Kenji Takimi Dear Seattle Charly Bliss Kaiit Phony Ppl A. Swayze and the Ghosts The Midnight Channel Tres Pist Idiots Mormor Suzanne Kraft Erthlings Telephones Moaning Lisa Thandi Phoenix DJ Jnett Wax'o Paradiso Andy Garvey Tyne-James Organ Lastlings Merve Jennifer Loveless Noise in my Head Skin on Skin Rebel Yell Nina Jirachi Body Promise Donald's House Casual Connection DJ Klasik Close Counters Merph Dameeeela Lex Duluxe Splendour will return to North Byron Parklands on Friday 19, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July. Onsite camping will once again be available from Wednesday, July 17. Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 11 at 9am sharp AEST through Moshtix. For more info, head to the official Splendour In The Grass site. Image: Bianca Holderness.
For the second year in a row, Splendour in the Grass will be without one of its big-name acts, with Lewis Capaldi cancelling his plans to head Down Under in July. The Scottish singer-songwriter announced in a statement that he's taking a break from touring following his Glastonbury set, which means sitting out Byron Bay's annual excuse to wear gumboots, as well as his other planned gigs in Australia and New Zealand. "The fact that this probably won't come as a surprise doesn't make it any easier to write, but I'm very sorry to let you know I'm going to be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future," said Capaldi via social media. "I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I'd hoped three weeks away would sort me out. But the truth is I'm still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette's, and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come," he continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lewis Capaldi (@lewiscapaldi) "I know I'm incredibly fortunate to be able to take some time out when others can't, and I'd like to thank my amazing family, friends, team, medical professionals and all of you who've been so supportive every step of the way through the good times and even more so during this past year when I've needed it more than ever." "I'm so incredibly sorry to everyone who had planned to come to a show before the end of the year but I need to feel well to perform at the standard you all deserve. Playing for you every night is all I've ever dreamed of so this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I'll be back as soon as I possibly can." Capaldi was set to lead the 2023 Splendour in the Grass lineup from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23 alongside Lizzo, Flume, Mumford & Sons and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs — the latter of which were slated to headline 2022's Splendour in the Grass lineup, but cancelled in the lead up. With his solo shows, the 'Someone You Loved', 'Before You Go' and 'Wish You the Best' talent was due to play two shows in Sydney and Melbourne, and one each in Perth, Adelaide, Auckland and Wellington, all in July. Before Glastonbury, he had also taken a break from touring. [caption id="attachment_907307" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alexandra Gavillet[/caption] Splendour now has three gaps in its lineup, with Slowthai and Rainbow Kitten Surprise also no longer appearing at the festival. Organisers have advised that replacements for all three will be announced this week. The festival will contact Friday-only ticketholders via Moshtix about the process for refunds, while folks with tickets to Capaldi's headline shows will automatically receive their money back in full via whichever method they paid with. [caption id="attachment_891054" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2023 MUSIC LINEUP: Lizzo Flume (Australian exclusive: ten years of Flume) Mumford & Sons (Australian exclusive) Yeah Yeah Yeahs Hilltop Hoods J Balvin Sam Fender Idles Little Simz Tove Lo 100 Gecs (Australian exclusive) Arlo Parks Ball Park Music Iann Dior King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard 070 Shake Pnau Ruel Loyle Carner Benee Marlon Williams Hooligan Hefs Peach PRC Palace Dune Rats Tkay Maidza Noah Cyrus Skegss Sudan Archives Cub Sport Meg Mac X Club. Claire Rosinkranz Jack River The Smith Street Band Lastlings Jeremy Zucker Young Franco Sly Withers MAY-A The Vanns Telenova Vallis Alps Jamesjamesjames Kaycyy RVG Teenage Dads Balming Tiger Automatic Harvey Sutherland Gali Del Water Gap Royel Otis Shag Rock Big Wett Mia Wray Memphis LK Gold Fang Milku Sumner Forest Claudette Full Flower Moon Band William Crighton Hellcat Speedracer Triple J Unearthed Winners Mix Up DJs: Tseba Crybaby Latifa Tee Foura Caucasianopportunities Luen Mowgli DJ Macaroni Crescendoll Splendour in the Grass will take over North Byron Bay Parklands from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23, 2023 — head to the festival website for further details and tickets. Top image: Harald Krichel via Wikimedia Commons.
