After recent exploits in the US and Europe, PVT are becoming old hands at the whole ‘touring’ thing. They’ve supported high profile acts such as Bloc Party, Menomena and Gotye and, over the course of their career to date, have toured Australia several times in support of their creative efforts. The latest of these efforts is Homosapien, a thrilling example of PVT’s instrumental prowess and creative capabilities. This album is their fourth, and it brings together all of the great elements of their previous releases dating back to 2005 (released under the name Pivot). They have wasted no time in inserting themselves into the Australian music consciousness. Indeed, the trio have had taken the country by storm with their brand of electro-laden music that blends ethereal elements with grounded, contemporary hooks. Homosapien sees the band place more emphasis on vocals, adding an intimate element to their experimental soundscapes. Joining PVT on their tour is the up and coming electro-RNB duo, Collarbones, who have been making waves since releasing Die Young last year. They are being hailed as a great genre-bending talent, much like their tour buddies, PVT. Get in quick and secure a ticket. Trust me, you’ll be blown away.
Following their sellout 2011 season, A Festival Of Russian Ballet, the Imperial Russian Ballet Company are back in Australia with their performance of Charles Perrault and Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s beloved children’s tale, Sleeping Beauty. Sleeping Beauty follows the ill-fated story of Princess Aurora who, after being cursed to die from a needle-prick at age sixteen by the evil fairy Carabosse, falls into a deep sleep until, a hundred years later, a handsome prince stumbles upon her, and breaks the spell with a single kiss. Combining the unity and excellence of great Russian ballet schools the Imperial Russian Ballet Company will perform with grace and beauty.
This American Life no longer requires any introduction. You and your youngish, globalised, culture-hungry friends are probably all over this podcasted hour of digestible journalism and storytelling. What's slightly less well known is the producers' experiments in translating the show's trademark style to visual media, including through a Showtime TV show and stage show The Invisible Made Visible. They're playful, inventive forays for our cross-platform age. Now comes phase (approx.) four: the movie. Co-written and produced by Ira Glass, Sleepwalk with Me is the feature-length adaptation of Mike Birbiglia's very memorable extreme-sleepwalking/relationship-breakdown stand-up routine, which was included in the TAL episode 'Fear of Sleep'. He has to preface this story with an assurance that it's true, because as he goes from fighting an imaginary jackal to falling off a shelving unit he's climbed in the belief it's a winner's podium to waking up bloodied on a hotel lawn, it increasingly doesn't sound like the cute, ha-ha version of sleepwalking we know. As Mike (or 'Matt Pandamiglio' as he's known in the movie) tells it, his sleepwalking gets worse as his girlfriend of eight years, Abby (Lauren Ambrose), starts to hint at marriage, babies and other grown-up things he's not ready for. He starts using the relationship concerns he can't vocalise to her in his stand-up, getting laughs for the first time. If you've heard the comedy routine that underlies Sleepwalk with Me on TAL, you'll know its engrossing, winningly self-deprecating and very funny. But it's as if the creative team felt that to make it worthy of a feature film they had to emphasise the relationship element, and that's just not the story's strong point. The idea of the man-boy who can't commit is rather '90s, and neither the narrative nor style brings it forward two decades, to where it should be. Sleepwalk with Me is still funny, but nothing in its bones suggests the creativity, forward-thinking or immediacy that This American Life has cultivated as its brand. And that dulls the experience of watching it. Birbiglia certainly makes some adorable, true-ringing observations about life and love. Just be prepared that the laughter-to-irritation ratio may not be one you find favourable.
'Handjobs on Hudson' would be a better title for this film, and it turns out I'm not the first reviewer to say it. After the initial handjob scene between Franklin D. Roosevelt (Bill Murray) and his sheltered fifth cousin, the local naif Daisy (Laura Linney), I began seeing handjobs everywhere. Daisy seems to exist solely to simulate jerk offs, whether she's on her knees, vigorously rubbing her aged aunt's legs; shaking FDR's martini after he spills it on himself; or smearing mustard all over King George's hot dog. That's King George VI, the stuttering guy we all know and love thanks to The King's Speech. But where's Colin Firth? It would have been so winning to have he and Helena Bonham-Carter reprise their roles as King George and Queen Elizabeth, almost like a He-Man/She-Ra crossover episode. Instead we have the hilarious Samuel West and Olivia Colman, to whom I warmed, as caricaturish as their portrayals are. The plot centers on their 1939 visit to the Roosevelt household in upstate New York, a visit with diplomatic repurcussions at a critical moment when England sought America's help against Hitler. Framing this historical weekend is the story of Daisy's evolving relationship with the President, which comes across rather more degrading than comedic. Screenwriter Richard Nelson nonetheless tries to reimagine the gathering on the Hudson as a comedy of manners, as the King and Queen, FDR, his wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams), secretary Missy (Elizabeth Marvel), and mistress Daisy all navigate their own dramas. Cue the trope of uptight Britain being shown how to kick back and have a good time by its affluent colonial son, plied with late-night martinis, hot dogs, and not-so-subtle parallels made between the King's stutter and the President's polio. Visually, there's tons to enjoy, with all the trappings of the era captured impeccably by cinematographer Lol Crawley, who, mind you, seems to be having a private LOL at us some of the time (see: handjob scene). I didn't laugh at the jokes so much as listen out for Bill Murray's adorable mid-Atlantic accent. The film's failing, as many reviewers lament, is that its story is told through the inconsequential eyes of Daisy. Though the screenwriter met the real Daisy Suckley in the 1980s, he fails to connect to her; the climactic moment of betrayal comes across as unearned melodrama, offering very little emotional wisdom. I felt sorry for the character, because there's not enough appeal written into her for us to be truly on her side. At the end, composer Jeremy Sams' main theme repeats itself for the 50th time and we're offered a montage that glosses over too many questions. I genuinely hoped that as far as history and sexual politics went, it was inaccurate. https://youtube.com/watch?v=UQaScjiWDyY
How often of late have we seen trailers for 'comedies' without a single funny clip in them? Their only virtue is in ensuring you never actually go see the final product when it comes out. But then there are those deceptive (and infuriating) films where the trailer does elicit laughter, only for you to go along to the full feature and discover you’ve already seen all the best stuff. Our first glimpse of Ted, by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, arrived back in April and felt distinctly like that latter variety. The trailer (banned in the US) was equal parts crass and dumb, but also featured one of the funniest bits of dialogue we’d seen all year (the ‘white trash names’ exchange). Pursuant to the 'formula', then, Ted seemed set to be the unfunniest disaster of 2012. Thankfully, though, the formula isn't foolproof. Ted is not just a funny film; it's side-splittingly so and manages to maintain that level throughout. Beyond the writing (which is excellent), so much of its success owes to the remarkable CGI of its lead character 'Ted' — a stuffed teddy bear miraculously brought to life by a young boy’s Christmas wish. Had audiences not been able to completely accept Ted's existence alongside his human co-stars then this movie would've crashed from the opening scene; however, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of his animators, the foul-mouthed bear (voiced by MacFarlane) is as believable as he is hilarious and steals almost every scenes he's in. Mark Wahlberg plays Ted's owner-come-best friend John, and again proves an appealing (if also surprising) comedic actor. His familiar 'just woke up and still haven't quite figured out where I am or what's going on' expression works perfectly as the immature stoner in his 30s forced to choose between his fluffy hedonistic teddy and the love of his life, Lori (Mila Kunis). Joel McHale plays a great supporting role as Kunis's sleazy boss, while Giovanni Ribisi cameos beautifully as the 'villain' hoping to buy Ted for his own son. The main 'threat', however, is simply John's reluctance to part with all 'childish things' and finally embrace adulthood. Fans of Family Guy will recognise other familiar faces and voices in supporting roles, along with MacFarlane's signature political incorrectness and constant pop-culture references (including a recurring jab at the 1980 shocker Flash Gordon). The writing occasionally dips a little too far towards the purely offensive; however, it's easily outweighed by the constant laughter and, surprisingly, several moments of genuine tenderness.
Those of you who are in the mood for something completely off the wall need look no further than Circadelia. If you are a fan of psychedelic music, circus performers, visual art or all of the above then you have probably found your dream event. Featuring performances from some of Brisbane’s best psychedelic bands and the finest circus performers Brisbane has to offer, Circadelia is one for the history books. Dreamtime, Moses Gunn Collective (pictured) and The Scrapes will be performing their brands of psychedelic rock and drone compositions with visual projections by Amy Longworth providing the atmosphere. Hosted at The Ice Cream Factory (no joke, it actually used to be the Peters Ice Cream Factory) in the heart of West End, punters will be able to immerse themselves in the surreal, mind-bending world of music, art and circus. Entry is $15 and doors open at 7pm. Prepare for a mystical night of magical entertainment!
Snow White and the Huntsman (or as it might alternatively be known: "The Girl Who Forgot How To Smile"), is the second version of the famous Brothers Grimm fairytale to hit screens this year, and it's certainly the better of the two. Pursued by an evil witch and loved by two men sworn to protect her, Kristen Stewart plays the eponymous 'Bella', a withdrawn teenager whose...I'm sorry, I meant 'Snow White' - a withdrawn teenager whose unmatched beauty represents the witch's best chance at everlasting life - or as she tautologically describes it: "immortality forever". Charlize Theron plays the villainous queen Ravenna: murderer of Snow White's father and narcissist extreme. Her magical beauty (which rather awkwardly trumps Stewart's to all but the most subjective observer) is maintained by the dastardly act of sucking the youth directly out of the mouths of all the kingdom's attractive girls. Snow White manages to escape Ravenna's clutches before her own beauty can be tapped, setting up the dogged pursuit with which the bulk of the film is concerned. All the familiar elements are there in the story, like the poisoned apples and the seven dwarves (played both remarkably and controversially by some of England's leading regular-sized men, including: Bob Hoskins, Ian McShane, Ray Winstone and Nick Frost), along with some new elements like Chris Hemsworth's character Eric the Huntsman. It's darker than one might expect for a film clearly hoping to cash in on the Twilight/Tween market, though just the right amount of dark for a standard Grimm tale. Stewart brings a certain Joan of Arc quality to her version of the heroine, donning chain-mail and leading the charge during the film's climax, however even in its dialled-down capacity her trademark 'dour intensity' seems at odds with the 'fairest in the land' label. It's all a little 'Snow Grey' for what's meant to represent the diametric counterpoint to Ravenna's dark heart and sonorous demeanour, and it's actually Theron's scenes that ultimately shine brightest. Snow White and the Huntsman marks the directorial debut for Rupert Sanders, whose previous work was predominantly in commercials. It's a visually rich production and Sanders should be praised for his determination to favour real locations over green screens and CGI. However, he sometimes feels a little too preoccupied with appearance while too light on substance; something one might easily say of Stewart's performance, too. Snow White and the Huntsman is a good film with some great scenes, but too many characters and an unconvincing lead keep it from achieving any real distinction.
The masculine associations with one-man party machine, Muscles is skyrocketing with the launch of his second album, 'Manhood'. Described as a prelude to his debut album ‘Guns Babes Lemonade’, which comprised of tracks such as 'Ice Cream', 'One Inch Badge Pin' and 'Sweaty' (don't pretend you didnt dance to them), Manhood is set to flex more Muscles than you can handle. As well as new tracks, the album also features reworks of party favourites from his EP ‘Young and Immature’ and an album version of ‘Girl Crazy Go’. Yep, the man who once toured the nation in a revamped ice-cream truck is back in Brisbane and everyone is getting excited. Tickets are still available for his Friday show at Oh Hello, but are selling fast! In celebration of Muscles arising 'Manhood' we've got two double passes to give away! Email sarah@concreteplayground.com.au with 'lemonade in hammocks' as the subject line for your chance to win. Let the brut force of Muscles invade your ear drums and spend your friday night dancing until you're tired and sweaty.
There are some movies that can provide a suitable description of a movies premise before you have even bought a ticket. With some movies, you know what you are in for. Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter is one such movie. Let’s cut to the chase, this movie is not for you Twilight or True Blood fans. There are vampires-a-plenty, sure, but this movie is about those who choose to hunt these vampires. One of these hunters just so happens to be former President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. This intriguingly entitled film seems like it provides a unique take on the burgeoning ‘alternate history meets fantasy’ literary genre (Curious? See also: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies). While it may not be on many shortlists come awards season, Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter may just provide enough action-packed entertainment to satisfy any bloodthirsty movie-goers.
Launching the Open Frame Festival for 2012, Syncretism is a tempting double-bill that’ll tease and titillate the ears, heart and body. Peter Swanson, ex-member of Yellow Swans, is best known for his massive sound. His latest solo album is a rippling journey through a world of ridiculously accomplished musicianship, a world rich in densely-packed layers of rhythmic fury. Described by Pitchfork as being “like a caffeine-infused heartbeat, pumping blood into a mix of bussing tones, rising waves, and cutting noise” the LP is truly intense, a mind-rendering bag of sonic, pounding rhythm and cacophonic intensity. Joining Swanson on the Syncretism line-up, and making their Australian debut as a duo, Tujiko Noriko and her beat-master partner Tyme recently released their LP, Gyu, an inventive explosion of all things J-pop that goes well beyond the confines of the genre, and mixes things up in a blender of provocation and rhythmic ridiculousness.
Recently reformed to celebrate the release of their landmark 1998 album No Touch Red, Bodyjar bring their similarly titled tour to The Hi-Fi, with special guests One Dollar Short and By Amusement Only. A tour that almost didn’t happen, one of the band members got his arm broken after intervening when he saw a woman being hassled by a gang of guys, it’s already been met with rave reviews, from critics and fans alike. With their first album You Can’t Hold Me Down released in 1993 under the name Helium, Bodyjar have since put out six studio albums along with two live albums and four EPS. Counting members of Millencolin, Bad Religion, The Foo Fighters and NOFX among their fans the band are true aussie punk legends.
Akmal is known for pushing a few buttons in his stand-up comedy routine. Outrageous, scandalous and hilarious are all words people are using to describe Akmal’s style of comedic performance. His brand new routine touches on Akmal’s upbringing as an Arabic immigrant, his experiences in Australia and his thoughts on religion, modern society and life itself. For nine nights over two weeks at the Brisbane Powerhouse, Akmal will make you laugh yourself silly with his award winning comedy. Since his humble career beginnings in 1990, Akmal has emerged as one of Australians best loved comedians - head to the Powerhouse to see why.
Fresh from sell-out shows at Adelaide’s Fringe Festival and a manic Asian tour, The Idea Of North return, for one night only, to The Brisbane Powerhouse. Described by the Sydney Morning Herald as “one of Australia’s brightest cultural treasures” The Idea Of North have been mesmerising audiences for nearly twenty years, with sophisticated interpretations of classics and distinctive arrangements of contemporary and traditional tunes alongside extraordinary original material. Made up of four remarkable singers, The Idea Of North are charming and charismatic, with quick wit and stylish banter.
Already, a seafood festival is sounding pretty spectacular. But add wine to it, and you’ve got a recipe for success! Oh, and did we mention the live music? This coming Sunday, Paddington’s Caxton Street will be transformed into what has been pegged as Queensland’s biggest street party in celebration of the Caxton Seafood and Wine Festival’s coming of age. A wide range of seafood choices will be on offer such as Moreton Bay bugs, lobsters, oysters, prawns and crabs, just to give you a teaser. Caxton Street’s restaurants will be offering up their finest fare. The selection of wines has been chosen to perfectly match the food on offer. This festival really represents top of the ladder quality for seafood and wine. This year’s live music lineup is the best the festival has seen. Local favorites The Jungle Giants and The Cairo’s are set to share the stage with international DJ DCup (of We No Speak Americano fame), a combination that will have your feet tapping while you gorge on perfectly cooked calamari. You can purchase tickets in advance, but there will also be sales on the day. One last bit of good news: part of the pre-sale ticket proceeds will be donated to The Wesley Hospital Kim Walters Choices Program. So you can indulge in delicious food and booze guilt free knowing your dollars are attributing to a much deserved charity.
>Much of your response to Therese Desqueyroux will depend on whether the words 'slow-burn, Audrey Tautou period piece' ring your alarm bells. In 1920s provincial France, unconventional Therese (Tautou as an anti-Amelie) weds a wealthy business owner pragmatically rather than for love. She realises the marriage is a trap lying in wait, a fact counterpointed by her stubborn sister-in-law's rash, passionate love affair with a poor, Jewish neighbour. Weighted with an unwanted pregnancy, Therese longs for an out, and when she discovers too much of her husband's medicine makes him ill, she makes an irreversible mistake. There are two portraits painted here: one of a woman's slow dawning that she has no control over her life, and one of the society that corners women and strips them of their choices. The challenge for the highly respected director Claude Miller is to bring freshness to a theme so thoroughly mined by other adapted novels like Anna Karenina and Portrait of a Lady. Perhaps something has been lost in the translation from novel to film. Perhaps Miller should have kept the book's original structure. Commencing with Therese's crime then stepping back to reveal the lead-up would have introduced some much-needed momentum and suspense. Whatever the misstep, the character of Therese, not unlike the film itself, remains a little out of reach. Where Miller aims for 'restraint', he more often hits 'dour' and the outcome is an austere, sombre character study. The film momentarily lifts off in a handful of beautifully shot dream sequences where Therese privately acts her inner violence, but these respites are not quite enough to shake the fog.
Do you like Tetris? Silly question. Do you want to celebrate Tetris? Well now you can. The folks at Southside Tea Room love Tetris, and are inviting you to join them for their 4 player Tetris party. From 8pm the tessellating fun begins, where players go head to head on the big screen. May your 80's child be unleashed among the seriously impressive range of beverages and snacks and tackle the inner block demon in a way your young self never could. There is no word on what spoils will award the victor, but you just know you’re going to want to find out. To get yourself mentally prepared for the challenge, please watch this video from the masters. While they claim that nothing ever just falls into place, this might just prove your ultimate opportunity.
If you ever wanted to run away and join the circus and/or had an identity crisis when you were younger, you were everyone. If you actually had any conviction, and decided to express yourself through performance, you were Flipside Circus. And on the 15th year of this innovative circus's well-accomplished life, it too faces the all-too-common, pubescent identity crisis that comes hand-in-hand with this turbulent age. Their newest show, Identité, presents a contemporary circus piece that explores identity, innocence and youth through tumbles, tricks and trapeze. In a show suitable for all ages, this group of 9- to 18-year-olds perform and present an awe-inspiring masterpiece on self-discovery and what it is to grow up. This cast of only 14 presents an unmissable experience, tying the challenges of ageing with those of intricate performance and showpiece. Identité is more than just a circus; it's a contemporary piece of art, riddled with emotion. https://youtube.com/watch?v=U27JaIr7Q2Q
Last year saw Primal Scream performing their classic album Screamadelica in full. This was a rare treat for those who go to see it (me included), as the show was aurally and visually stunning. Primal Scream are back in Australia and will be performing at the Tivolo. The psychedelic influenced Brit-rockers have been at it for 30 years and show no signs of slowing down. Debbie Googe of My Bloody Valentine has joined the band on bass this time around and has reinvigorated the band for this tour. If you are looking for an otherworldly experience on a Monday night, check out Primal Scream. You won’t regret it.
Justine Clarke is Australia’s answer to children’s entertainment, and is preparing to “pop up” for a pre-Christmas show at QPAC. Justine will be bringing her pop up book theme to life on the stage, where she’ll share the stories we tell through music and song. Among these will be a musical reading of Justine’s first book The Gobbledygook Is Reading A Book which was released in October. Combining the stories and songs with live music, and the interactive large screen backdrop, Justine will have audiences engaged throughout the 55-minute musical of fun. There are group discounts available for groups of 6 or more people, and children under the age of one year are free on the knee. This is a one-day-only show with two sittings, so don’t miss out.
Although the majority of Brisbane is back up and running after the January floods, those who live in and around the Lockyer Valley, a region that got hit pretty badly, are still in need of a little help. In order to throw some much needed financial support their way The Fox Hotel and Bundaberg Rum are joining forces to throw a good old fashioned street party. The WATERMARK Flood Relief Street Party is bringing out all the stops with some amazing music acts. Australian DJ Muscles will be making the trek back to Brisbane to perform at the party, while local heroes The Cairos will add some indie cred to the event. Filling up the impressive bill will be Vasy Mollo, Avaberee, Moonfleet, Misere and Too Shoes. In between all this musical goodness you can enjoy some yummy barbecued products, served to you by Brisvegas celebrities, as well as a Grand Auction that will raise money for Baked Relief. So what's it going to cost you to enjoy all this frivolous fun? Depends on how big your heart is. The lovely people at the door will be accepting gold coin donations as an entry fee, but we here at Concrete Playground are encouraging you to dig a little deeper. Considering the calibre of acts performing, and the fact that donations will be going towards flood affected families, giving as many gold coins as possible is an easy way to help those less fortunate.
Kathy McCabe from The Daily Tele described British India as being ‘hotter than Vindaloo’. Lame punny comments aside, she’s right. The four-piece who formed in Melbourne during their high school days, are constantly on the up and up, playing sets at festivals like Big Day Out, Pyramid and Splendour, having a cameo appearance on Neighbours (yes, really), and releasing three critically acclaimed albums in the past four years. In 2011 they’re gearing up for their fourth studio release by launching their first single off the new album, ‘March Into The Ocean’ and going on an appropriate three-month long, Australia-wide tour for it. If, by some miracle, you haven’t heard of British India yet, no need to go back on your DVR’d Neighbours archive to catch a glimpse, because they’re coming to The Zoo, where you’ll be able to see them sans Ramsay Street, plus a couple of comrades in the form of Adelaide’s City Riots and fellow Melbournians Boy In A Box. If we’re going by what Kelly McCabe tells us, they’ll be the Khakra to your Bhakhri.
Unpredictable American comedian Reggie Watts is returning to Australia with his Why Sh*t So Crazy? show. Blending hip-hop, 80's alternative pop, nu-metal and classical opera, Reggie does whatever the hell he wants on stage, showing off his crazy vocal range and making the audience laugh along the way. If you have already been lucky enough to bare witness to a Reggie Watts performance, then you probably won't need any explanation or reasons why you should go see him again. When he came to Brisbane two years ago, a friend of mine decided that we were going to go see him because 'he makes funny noises' and I went into his show with somewhat confused expectations. I can't even begin to describe what went on during those few hours. Reggie Watts seems to have more split personalities than Robin Williams and he can do a sarcastic American teen voice better than any character on Daria. His unique form of comedy is free of fart jokes and awkward moments and full of amazing voices, energetic beat boxing and erratic changes in persona. In short, if you ever get a chance to see him perform, its best to go in blind and come out crying with laughter.
The face of gaming has changed drastically since The Fresh Prince of Bel Air enjoyed pressing buttons on his Sega (Or is it a Nintendo?) From joy sticks to hand held devices, black and white to hyper colour, pixels to three dimensions, the world of gaming is forever evolving and leading the way with the latest in technologies and lifestyle trends. As part of Game On, a series of QUT talks focussed on the world of gaming and game design, In Your Face, Interface will discuss the face and user interface of today's games. Current trends have seen games such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Kinect and Sony's Move utilise new and exciting forms of control systems, while other games are swapping controllers and User Interface for AR technology. Are you confused or enthused with all this cyber chat? In Your Face, Interface will feature a panel of experts that will explain things far better than this tech novice. The talk will also give gaming and design enthusiasts the opportunity to express their own views about the changing face of interface. Are the latest game control systems gimmicks or the way of the future? Let the debate begin.
Brighton-based experimental sextet The Go! Team are touching down in Australia this month for their Groovin’ The Moo appearances, and they’re also bringing the party to our capital cities to promote their most recent long-player, Rolling Blackouts. If you didn’t know it yet, The Go! Team are good at making people dance. Their live performances deliver that unshakeable feeling of needing to tear up the dance floor with the Team’s eclectic genre cocktail (“indie rock and garage rock with a mixture of blaxploitation and Bollywood soundtracks, double dutch chants, old school hip hop and distorted guitars” – thanks Wikipedia, you took the words right out of my mouth) and energy-driven instrumental arrangements,. This musical explosion of sound goes down best with a side of Purple Sneakers DJs, who will be joining the group on tour – so if you know what’s best for you, you’ll be heading down to The Zoo this Tuesday night to get your fix. Ready, steady, Go!
If there is one band I would willingly get bloody knees for out of excitement it’s these two lads. Hailing from the Gold Coast originally, The Bleeding Knees Club’s super fun and highly catchy dance-punk tunes led them straight into frequent airtime on triple j and to support gigs with various high profile bands throughout last year. As part of their initial headlining Australian tour The Bleeding Knees Club will be in Brisbane and partying up a storm at The Zoo. Supporting them with raucous behaviour will be Gung Ho, The Keep On Dancin’s and the Otchkies. Showcasing their EP Virginity, their first hit 'Bad Guys' is sure to go off like a firecracker when played. Considering they’ve been handpicked by Wavves, Lightspeed Champion, Gold Fields and Yacht Club DJs to accompany them, as well as given the opportunity to play Big Day Out, this is a great opportunity to see them before they head off into bigger and crazier pastures.
The Urban Country Music Festival has received one hell of a makeover for 2011. Spanning three nights and numerous venues, the town of Caboolture is set to be inundated by music fans of both the country and urban kind. Fans will be there to take in the laidback performances by country music legends as well as notable urban acts such as Amy Meredith, Evermore and Thirsty Merc. On the Friday night the festival will celebrate Urban Blaze, an event which that combines the sounds of the burbs and the music of bush. In typical laid back Aussie style the night's fee is a gold coin donation and you can bring your own booze to drink in 'the paddock' while enjoying the night's big bonfire and fire works. Saturday night is the festival's main night and will feature a range of different sections and stages including the Bush Poets Breakfast, Songwriters Cafe, Dance Workshop and the Next Generation Station. Closing the festival will be an exciting line up of more main stream artists which will end with The Potbelleez on the Sunday night.
Since coming into existence five years ago, the dudes at Stature::Statue have played over fifty shows, shredding and melting faces with the likes of The Mint Chicks (NZ), Die! Die! Die! (NZ), The Mess Hall, Yeasayer (NY) and more. Unfortunately, in the same vein as Yves Klein Blue and The Rocketsmiths, they’ve decided to call it quits and put Stature::Statue to bed once and for all. Stature::Statue may be calling it a day, but they’re not going without one last party. It’s also the launch of their debut album (oh the irony) – a series of recordings of tracks past and present. Come and join them at The Zoo for their final hurrah, they’ll be joined by Velociraptor, Dune Rats, Horsefight and Tape/Off. It’s gonna be the biggest ruckus you’ll find this side of Australia. Oh, and did I mention it’s only ten dollars to get in? Five bands for just ten bones? Cheaper than a pack of cigarettes, and a hell of a lot more hardcore. Remember, this ain’t no farewell tour! Come Friday morning, Stature::Statue will be gone for good.
Mr Laneous gives new meaning to the term 'energetic.' When the West End native and his Family Yah crew come together, musical havoc ensues. Placing the group's punchy melodic chants, reggie rythms, sneaky electro sounds and free form jazz into one category is not an easy fete. Pseudo-indie-hip-hop is one popular interpretation. Music-that-makes-you-skip-and-giggle-with-glee is another. Despite tripping the light fantastic at Big Day Out, Woodford and Sunset Sounds over the summer festival season, the band shows no signs of slowing down. In order to celebrate the release of their new EP Scissors the Family Yah will be packing up their genre-bending groove train and touring the east coast. No rest for the wicked indeed. The 10 piece band will cap off the tour in their hometown of Brisbane, where patrons will bare witness to a chaotic show of new danceable tracks along with old crowd (and triple j) favorites including 'It Only Takes,' 'Bubblegum' and 'Searing Life.' There to add to the ruckus will be MC Tuka, one forth of the Sydney DJ crew Thundamentals and the man behind the 2010 Reggae album 'Will Rap For Tuka.'
There is something about Troy Emery’s works that place them distinctly in the ‘specimen’ basket rather than the ‘sculpture’ one. Perhaps it is the bizarrely life-like quality they adopt, as these animals, within their tasseled, decorative outerwear, are frozen in time – mid-step, poised, vulnerable - as if in their natural surroundings. Emery is a Sydney-based artist who works with taxidermy and brightly coloured textiles to create experimental sculptural pieces, usually in the form of fictional, alien-like animal species. The sculptures are generally created through the use of hobby taxidermy materials and easily sourced craft textiles such as tassels and pom-poms. On one level, the works are sensational, tactile, visually appealing; these invented creatures are viewed in the same way that exotic animals in a natural history museum would be – with eagerness and wonderment. Yet on another level the works themselves, and indeed the response they elicit in their viewers, present a reflection on our cultural and historical understanding of animals, as we position them as objects in our homes, museums, and fashions.
Vintage Fashion is a trend standing strong against the test of time. From the roaring twenties to the austere forties, to the brash eighties and hipster new millenium, vintage attire offers a unique nostalgic addition to fashion you just can’t find in modern clothing stores. The crafty collectors from The Way We Wear have banned together once again to produce a vintage fashion fair that will have you believing your browsing a boutique with Bettie Page. Audry Hepburn once said, “my look is attainable - women can look like me by flipping out their hair, buying large sunglasses and the little sleeveless dresses.” Although I believe no women could ever truly match such a beauty, we sure as hell can try! With racks, shelves, cabinets and tables filled to the brim with beautifully preserved garments, it really is going to be difficult to stop the spending. A little bird did tell me a secret though. She said if you find an item at the fair with a 1960’s price tag you have to buy it for that price, (tip: look for British Pound pricing). So start saving your pennies and keep those purses plump so you can have a wardrobe that will be glamorous for years to come.
Brisbane’s favourite local duo are back with a new album and a new enhancement to their name, i.e. an imaginary deadly power beam. Yes, it’s DZ Deathrays. Same band, same sound, but with some additional letters of the alphabet. Extending the equations of their explosive punk rock sound, following on from their previous release DZ Ruined My Life, the DZ Deathrays newest EP edition Brutal Tapes is electric, aggressive and promises more strobes than ever. In celebration of their EP launch set for April 1, the DZ boys will begin their national tour locally at Woodland Brisbane. No, this is not a DZ comical April fools joke - I hope. Be sure to make some time amongst your pranking to catch DZ before they escape overseas for their international tour. You might have heard their new track ‘Rad Solar’ broadcasted over the radio waves but this is your chance to see and hear the electric new EP before any other. And, if you weren’t already aware, it is vital to observe DZ performing live to really capture the essence of their harsh punky, electric sound. Prepare you ears for an angry outburst of sound. Bring a bucket, it’s going to be sick.
Karl Shoobridge’s Cut Copy Culture exhibition is not without thought provoking undertones. In his latest exhibition, Shoobridge explores the success of artworks that have been produced en masse in artist factories, and then testing these reproduced images for substantive meaning when placed in a new context. The prime interest of Shoobridge’s exhibition is the search for cultural significance and new value systems. The artwork we are seeing reproduced is today taking a turn towards the digital. Shoobridge is exploring this, taking the time to meticulously hand paint images that would have otherwise been churned out by assistants. Shoobridge has taken the core of these digitally reproduced artworks, cropping and dragging the timeframe and hierarchies of the initial painting to expel any original meaning. What we are left with, and subsequently what we will see in his exhibition, are works of art with new signifiers and value systems. The idea of the exhibition is, through long-term experience and intimate understanding, to get us thinking about the construction of an image. Overall, Shoobridge is using his works to suggest the finished form of an image is only part of the artwork, and we need to also look at the processes and techniques employed in its creation.
Daniel McKwewn's got a lot goin' on. He's a founding member and co-director of Boxcopy, a Brisbane-based, artist-run-initiative that is working to provide exhibition opportunities and support for emerging artists, writers and curators and he is also a local video artist featuring in many solo and group exhibitions across town. His latest production is a fashion, pop culture video installation exploring the intersection of roles between the Hollywood Entertainment Industry and the impulses of its fans as they engage with and consume popular culture. Yep, he's dropped all his eggs in the right basket with this one. The installation titled Distance, presents the tension between fan behaviour and critical artistic practice by processing celebrity images from high-end fashion magazines to create a painterly shifting landscape. By questioning societies obsessions with beauty, Daniel McKewen draws upon many queries relating to our vein, personal attributes. They say beauty is only skin deep, right? Maybe she's born with it? Maybe it's the obsessions created by fashion magazines? How has really Hollywood impacted on us as a generation? What ever the question, Daniel McKewen's got the answer in his funky, modern video installation, Distance.
Crossbows is a jam-packed four day festival that is sure to provide many musical treats for your ears. The Queensland Conservatorium, Queensland Symphony Orchestra and ABC present this special event featuring 70 talented acts in order to showcase Queensland's best small ensembles Crossbows caters for all music tastes making it an event for everyone. Whether classical music and jazz tickle your fancy, or electronic and world music are more up your alley, you're sure to find something that strikes a chord. Workshops and discussion forums are also on the schedule so head along to meet some like minded people. Crossbows prides itself on the diverse bunch of musicians that will be performing. Highlights include the immensely talented Katie Noonan, comedic trio Tripod, eclectic songstress Emma Dean, the New Zealand Quartet and the gypsy band Greshka. The festival is located in the beautiful South Bank Parklands. Why not make a day of it and bring along a picnic basket and rug to enjoy the performances. Tickets are available on QTIX with special school group bookings on offer. Day passes are $30 and a $100 ticket will get you a whole festival pass.
After emerging in 2007 with a musical blend of sing-along verses and great pop hooks, Newton Faulkner became a summertime favourite with his sunny songs that were instant hits. A few years on and Newton has just released his third studio album, Write It On Your Skin, which saw the British-born troubadour recording songs in LA to bring about a stripped back DIY feel. To celebrate the album’s release, Newton is hitting the road and touring Australia, taking in all capital cities. The first single off the new album, Clouds, is out now and is a great example of Newton Faulkner’s brand of folk-rock and pop.
Desperate to get away from the ceaseless monotony of their suburban lives, four regular Joe's come together and form a neighbourhood watch group, but unwittingly unearth evidence of an alien invasion that sees their quiet town overrun by aliens masquerading as citizens. With all weary hopes of male bonding over gambling, women and binge drinking shattered they must save the town, and the world, before it’s too late. Featuring a stellar class including established funny-men, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill and Richard Ayoade, The Watch has all the right elements to be a great comedy - add in some great special effects and some hilarious lines and we may have a Spring comedy hit on our hands.
No Art, the hypnotic and experimental group from Sydney, will be celebrating their atmospheric strand of music at Black Bear Lodge on September 14. Their debut EP “Exotica”, produced by Patrick Santamaria (Lost Valentinos), is an exploration of the ritual, the symbolic and unexplored territories. They’re known for interweaving familiar melodies with stark minimalism and emotive harmonies, the result being ambient sound and unbridled energy. They will be supported by Nite fields, the local electronica, post-punk and overall experimental rock group that has garnered attention through their live shows, as well as their self-recorded and released single. Also on the bill are Kids Cryptic, the duo who are often described as “slope rock” with their fast build-ups, abrupt descents and Nordic influences. They’ll be stopping by Black Bear Lodge before taking their live show on the road.
A-CH architects are credited with designing some of Brisbane's funkiest and fascinating stores, notably Scumptious Reads on James Street. In partnership withThe Wandering Room, with the intent of showing how architecture and art can combine, the idea of Caravan was born. Stationed in the Labyrinth section of the Brisbane Powerhouse, this interactive art exhibition aims to showcase a number of contemporary works, as well as providing artist led workshops and talks.The concept alone is not the most intriguing part of this new initiative. The structural set up of the event is one which is completely new to the Powerhouse; that of being built in and around a shipping container and crates. Focusing on the use of recycled materials, under-used public space, and provided interaction for unknowing passers-by, Caravan is expected to grow and evolve throughout the Brisbane festival, crafted by the people who pass through it's space.
If you fancy yourself as a bit of a wordsmith or just love to read, make sure you catch the Brisbane Writers Festival. It is a wonderful showcase of Queensland writers as they share their ideas, inspirations and insight regarding the world of words. Held once a year, the festival caters for writers, readers, students and children. Brush up on your writing skills and participate in one of the many interactive workshops held in locations such as the State Library, Brisbane Powerhouse and The Gallery of Modern Art. Hosts include successful writers such as Benjamin Law, Andy Griffiths and Belinda Jeffrey. The Brisbane Writers Festival celebrates the written word. From hard hitting journalism to storytelling, there are interactive workshops for every avenue of writing. Get your creative juices flowing and visit the Brisbane Writers Festival website for information regarding tickets.
On the eve of his fifth album and double-album release “Sundark and Riverlight” which is set to be released later this month, Patrick Wolf will be bringing infectious energy and charismatic live show to The Tivoli when his intimate Australian kicks off in Brisbane this Friday. Only one other musician will join the British singer and multi-instrumentalist on the stage as he strips back his usually grand and flamboyant performances for a more retrospective and cosy affair. After an exciting and diverging decade in the music industry, he will be performing songs from all of his five albums, creating a new set list for each of his Australian shows. Surprises aplenty, but a guaranteed joyous evening. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8:00pm.
Calling all artists, art-lovers, philanthropists and inspiration-seekers! This Brisbane Festival, Art from the Margins (AFTM) will launch its fifth consecutive exhibition in the river city, in a mega showcase spanning two weeks. AFTM is an artistic initiative created by the Wesley Mission designed to showcase artwork in a safe space for artists who are disadvantaged by homelessness, disability or other obstacles. Successful entrants in AFTM have their work presented to the public and are able to retain one hundred per cent of the money from any of their artwork that is sold. There’s been a record interest in AFTM this year, and 2012 promises to showcase first time entrants as well as old favourites. Held at Albert Street Uniting Church, AFTM will once again put up powerful, honest, evocative and completely original work by Brisbane’s unsung artists. The exhibition is free, purchasing artwork is optional, and supporting local talent is just a happy plus.
The 2013 season for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) will be launched in style in the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Concert Hall on September 10. Hosted by Chief Conductor Johannes Fritzsch, it is set to be a night of unveilings, as the repertoire, soloists and conductors for the coming year are revealed. Among the developments will be updates on the Orchestra’s move to the new ABC headquarters in the Cultural Precinct of Southbank, just next to QPAC. To celebrate, the QSO Brass Ensemble will perform a number of pieces, including Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition “Great Gate of Kiev”, as well as excerpts from Mozart’s Haffner Symphony No. 35, Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. The Orchestra will also perform Rachmaninov’s Vocalise, accompanied by local soprano Milica Ilic. All tickets to this free event have been snavelled up, however, for the first time, the Orchestra will be streaming the Launch live online. It can even be viewed via Smart Phone, Tablet or computer here, so don't miss out.
Following the success of their debut at the prestigious Woodford Festival, Nicholas Ng, Julian Wong and Anna Yen present a fusion of traditional and contemporary Chinese music and movement. Nicholas, a composer, performer, researcher and artistic advisor to the BrisAsia Festival has performed alongside ensembles such as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and in venues such as the Merkin Concert Hall in New York. Julian is a Perth-based physical performer and musician, and was part of the band Sirocco, while currently participates in the duo Rahu and is a member of Shaun Parker & Company. They join Anna, a performer, movement teacher and theatre maker and director. Her acclaimed one-woman show “Chinese Take Away” has toured to festivals in Asia, Europe, Australia and the US and has since been adapted to screen. Together, they present an evening of traditional and contemporary movement and music. Tickets are available on the door for this one-time-only performance.
Networking can often be painful and/or anxiety inducing – it’s a strange and un-natural mating ritual, complete with uncomfortable silences over swilling drinks, maybe with some ambient music filling the gaps if you’re lucky. But if you know your way around a pen and paper added with the comfort of Kerbside, you might be saved. Dr. INK & Draw is a networking event - with a difference!: armed with a sketchpad in one hand and a beer/cocktail in the other (if you so desire), participants test out or develop their skills in drawing in a supportive and collaborative environment. Digital artist? Bring your tablet down. Don’t have anything to draw with? No problemo, there are sketchpads supplied or you can join in the communal drawing table. Whether you can draw intricate landscapes or are just finally getting the hang of the stick man, Dr. INK & Draw is a supportive and inclusive environment of all skill levels, while providing a hub for people to meet friends (old and new) and let their creativity flow naturally. Who knows who you’ll meet while polishing off the finer details of your lastest masterpiece? Image Credit: Stacey Lia Photography
Hip-hop doesn’t have to be straight outta’ Compton. Brisbane is representing its hood, bringing together the best of the local hip-hop scene with the freshest festival out, Sprung. Clockwork Entertainment, in association with Triple J and Scene Magazine have brewed up the largest, all Aussie hip-hop lineup to ever hit Brisbane. One ticket gets you entry into the all day festival featuring the cream of the Aussie hip hop crop. Headlining the bill are Drapht, The Funkoars, Illy, Pez & 360, Phrase and M-Phases, as well as Resin Dogs, Joelistics, Lowrider, Mantra, Diafrix, Lazy Grey and Pure Product. As well as the big names, Sprung Fest features heaps of local acts selected from the national Real Talk Battle League hosted by Brisbane’s home of hip-hop, the Step Inn. Straight outta’ the burbs of Brisbane, Sprung is running as an all ages event. Tickets are set at a low sixty-six bucks, boldly bringing the price back to what people would have been paying for a ticket to a music festival in the 90s. None of this expensive shiznit. Strung Fest is in da house. R.E.S.T.E.C.P! Do ya even know wha it spellz?
I haven’t been in Brisbane for quite a while and upon my ungracious return to my hometown I performed the standard catch-up-with-your-friends-and-have-too-many-Jagers thing. After feeling that last sweet aniseed sear down my esophagus, my rowdy delinquent associates and myself made our way down town to the cliché yet satisfying bearing of the Valley. A short train ride and brisk walk sobered me up enough to stop worrying about standing and enquire as to where the hell we were going. “Oh Hello,” I was told. “It’s a new club, where Mono used to be.” “Right,” I responded. “Don’t I need fluro shorts and a lousy singlet to get in there?” To my pleasant surprise, I didn’t and my first Oh Hello experience was great. The place is better, the people are better, the music is better and god damn the bar tenders are SMOKIN’! Which brings me to this coming Friday night. I don’t know about you, but when I was 14 I was pretty excited that I saved up enough money to purchase Burnout 4. I tell you what, that game had a sick sound track. One incredibly memorable song was a track by Bloc Party and since that era I’ve always admired that band. So when I found out there’s a Bloc Party DJ set this weekend at Oh Hello, BAM! I sold Burnout 4 to sponsor myself getting boozy and wild. See you there!
Oh Ball Park Music, when I think of you a smile spreads across my face. You are a happy bunch of little hipsters that make beautiful music together! It’s infinitely exciting when a Brisbane band makes good, and these kids have. They are totally The Next Big Thing (a la Custard, Regurgitator and Powderfinger) and oh, it is so wonderful to watch this happen. So, a quick run down on the back story: in early 2009 BPM released their first EP and received airplay on Triple J, and lots of positive attention. In late 2009 they released their second EP and the love continued, they got even more airplay and began touring around Queensland and then interstate with lots of great Aussie bands. They did this throughout 2010 and into 2011 and now those clever chickens have released their first album ‘Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs’, yay! This is happy, lovely, laugh inducing music, and you should all listen to it! Now, BPM are headlining their own tours on the back of their first album, and are playing at the Zoo this week. Sometimes, to be nice, I’ll say that ‘you really must see this band before they hit it big, like, Bon Iver big’ but this time it’s true. You must go and see BPM now or you’ll be kicking yourself when all their shows sell out in half an hour and even Yeezy’s gotta wait to sample them on his next record.
Let's face it: DJs sometimes aren't very attractive – they have faces suited for radio. This is not the case for NERVO. They are both stunningly beautiful DJ sisters and they have been making waves the world over. The mesmerising duo are songwriters, producers and artists, and you might have heard their skillz in David Guetta and Kelly Rowland's hit song 'When Love Takes Over', as well as their mixes in the club scene, if you're into that sorta thing. Their resident sound is electro-house and they have wowed audiences with their tag-team style disk jockey art. The list of people the blondes have collaborated with is staggering: everyone from Steve Aoki to Armen Van Buuren, at clubs and festivals across the globe, including Lollapalooza. They've also penned songs for Ke$ha, The Pussycat Dolls and our very own Kylie Minogue, and aren't showing any signs of slowing down. Sound like your cup of tea? This very exclusive party will showcase the skills of the hottest people you've ever seen spin a track and it's set to be a night of sweaty, jolly fun.
For those still looking to capture the magic of Christmas just before the big day arrives, you’re in luck as you don’t have to seek further than Woodland on Friday night. Hidden around a quiet corner and up secret stairs like Brisbane’s very own Santa’s workshop, Woodland will be bursting with elves full of Christmas cheer and ready to pass it on. The venue is practically made for an enchanting evening full of mystical music and good times so it is fitting that it will be playing host to Magic Spells with support by Dario West. Magic Spells are a Brisbane-based quintet renowned for their love of folklore, mystic activity and ghost hunting, as well as putting on a great show. Celebrating their last performance before February 2012, the band will be out in force reminiscing on the year, as well as encouraging the use of magic potions. As their influences are Black Angels, Simon and Garfunkel, and Fleetwood Mac, this won’t be your usual Christmas event, but really, who wants that anyway? Boring carols and family time? No thank you, I’ll take a night with Magic Spells.
Don't you hate being the third wheel to a wall? This must be a never-ending predicament for boy girl wall, seeing as they had a sell-out season in April and are back for another spin this month for an eleven show encore. boy girl wall is just that: a boy, a girl and a wall. Well, minus an actual girl, and an actual wall. Everything in this play is executed by the incredibly talented and flexible actor Lucas Stibbard who plays all roles: from the next-door neighbours Thom and Alethea, to magpies and days of the week. What seems incomprehensible and frankly just a little bit too far-fetched, is actually a winner on stage, and has delighted audiences with its simplicity, but also its depth. boy girl wall is the story of two neighbours living in West End, who are essentially convinced into falling in love by the wall that separates their apartments. Mix razor sharp wit and a matchmaking room divider and you have a recipe for a unique performance straight from the minds of The Escapists – a team of creatives who have taken theatre to the next level. The only problem with boy girl wall is that it doesn't go for long enough! You become so entranced by the whimsical stage production that it almost seems like anything but a piece of chalk and an overhead projector are overdoing it. Make sure you destruct any other plans you have and see boy girl wall before the wall comes down on you.
