This was a hard episode of Australian Idol for me. It’s always hard to lose a favourite, and even harder when you feel they didn’t deserve to go. This week we lost Nathan, a fact made doubly hard because this was our power songs night. I would have loved to see Nathan perform for at least one more week. As it stood though, James’ fans came out in force, scared into voting after his near miss last week. So he stayed, Nathan went, and the competition is poorer for it. Having said that, I think... Read Full Story

Ahead of an official announcement, Carole King told members of her mailing list that she’ll team up with long-time friend James Taylor for a world tour next year. The good news for Australian fans is that the music icons plan to start the tour Down Under. The pair has been considering the double act since playing together at the Troubadour reunion shows in 2007. Their historic Troubadour Reunion tour will kick off in Australia next March before reaching the United States in May. Dates are yet... Read Full Story

Last year’s uncharTED winners Here Come the Birds are back with their brand new single, “Cigarettes.” The track, which was recorded under the guidance of hot new producer Adrian Karvinen, features an infectious bass line, catchy guitar licks, and a groove which makes you want to move! The track is the first taste of the band’s sophomore release, which is due for an early 2010 release. To celebrate the release, the lads will play The Cambridge Hotel in their hometown of Newcastl... Read Full Story

Queensland will host a brand new music festival featuring some killer local and international acts next March. The impressive bill for The Lost Weekend already includes Dinosaur Jr, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Little Birdy, Tumbleweed, Whitley, and The Drones, and we can expect more announcements to come! You’ll find the festival less than an hour out of Brisbane in stunning natural forests and parklands. The natural beauty of the area promises to be the perfect backdrop for this brilliant ... Read Full Story

In 2001 a fresh-faced guitar prodigy stepped onto the global stage and wowed us all. Eight years later it seems most people are more concerned with who John Mayer’s dating, and how he’s treating them than the music he makes. But not the crowd at The Metro on Friday night. The packed house was made up of fan club members, their friends, some lucky Rove watchers, and the inevitable press. In short, these were people who didn’t care whether John Mayer was a love rat or not; they just loved him.... Read Full Story

Retro indie rockers Pavement and Dinosaur Jr will headline next year’s fourth annual Golden Plains festival. Australia will be one of the first places in the world treated to a performance from the newly reformed Pavement, who called it quits in 1999. Expect a similarly enthusiastic response to the return of Dinosaur Jr, who haven’t visited our shores since 2007, two years after their own reformation. The iconic bands will join a host of top local and international acts including Midnight Ju... Read Full Story

It’s been a little quiet on the Old Man River front, but that’s all about to change with the bluesy singer-songwriter announcing a brand new tour and album. His sophomore effort Trust showcases the artist’s natural evolution, with a bigger earthy sound incorporating sitars, electric guitars and tablas. The east meets west themes that Good Morning explored have been fully realised here. Adding to the global flavor, the album was recorded earlier this year in Sydney, Tel Aviv, and Mumbai. The... Read Full Story

Melbourne rockers Mammal have called it quits after four years together. The band split due to “long standing personal, political, musical and business differences” according to an official statement. I’ve got to wonder how long standing those issues could have been, given that the band hardly have the longevity of The Rolling Stones, but I guess any period fighting feels like a whole lot longer than it actually is! “We wish to thank the fans for their unbelievably loyal and heartfelt suppor... Read Full Story

The buzz is definitely building for local lads Amy Meredith. The band will support Good Charlotte at their special acoustic gig tonight, before touring Oz with Cobra Starship in 2010. The timing couldn’t be more perfect for the Sydney quintet who just about to release their debut single “Pornstar.” The track, which has been recorded with Grammy Award-winning British engineer Brian Paturalski [Outkast, Backstreet Boys, Wes Carr], will hit radio on November 9. The Good Charlotte gig is all sold... Read Full Story

Kelly Clarkson’s winging her way to Oz for another tour next year. The original American Idol is visiting on the back of her fourth studio album, All I Ever Wanted. It’s already spawned the hits “My Life Would Suck Without You,” “I Do Not Hook Up,” and “Already Gone.” Expect to hear those and all the old favourites at the Aussie shows next April. Eric Hutchinson and Cassie Davis will also be along for the ride. Tickets for the following shows go on sale on Thursday November 12 through Ticke... Read Full Story