• Welcome to your midweek edition of The Purge. We’re kicking it off this Wednesday morning with news that Shannon Noll will release a new single entitled ‘Lean On Me’. The Aussie favourite originally wrote the song back in 2012, but has re-recorded it, with 100% of the money raised from its sale going towards Drought Angels to help those in the country, who are doing it tough due to the drought. “This is essentially my shout out song for all city folk, especially, to lend a hand to their country cousins,” Shannon explains. “People on the land are quite proud. We need them to know we are here for them and that they are not alone, it could provide them with some hope when many are, sadly, feeling hopeless due to this natural disaster.” The single will be released digitally this Friday.
• Also raising much needed funds for drought relief at The Hay Balers. The band features country stars Matt Scullion (who came up with the concept), Tania Kernaghan, Drew McAlister, Simply Bushed and James Blundell. Their single ‘Shout The Land A Drink’ was produced by Shane Nicholson. “We’re passionate about this song and what it represents,” Matt explains. “Hopefully ‘Shout The Land A Drink’ can raise not only more awareness and desperately needed funds, but also the spirits of the folks doing it tough out there in one of the worst droughts in recent memory.” The song will be available digitally this Monday, with all proceeds going to drought affected farmers.
• Great news for Australia’s own Morgan Evans this week, with his debut US single ‘Kiss Somebody’ hitting No.1 on the US country aircheck/mediabase radio airplay chart. “I played my very first show on the other side of the world and the idea of traveling to America, let alone having the No.1 song in country music, was the dream. And, this week it has come true,” he enthused. Morgan’s back in Australia early next month for shows at the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney (Sep 05), the Corner Hotel in Melbourne (Sep 06) and The Tivoli in Brisbane (Sep 09).
• Kygo’s upcoming Sydney show – at Hordern Pavilion on Friday October 19 – has officially sold out. As the final tickets were trickling from sale, Kygo’s also confirmed that Australia’s own Conrad Sewell will be performing at both his Sydney and Melbourne dates, as will Canadian producer Frank Walker (no relation to Mr National Tiles). Final tickets are now on sale for Kygo’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl date in Melbourne on October 20.
• John Farnham’s another artist enjoying the benefits of popularity this week, with the announcement that his show at Bimbadgen in the NSW Hunter Valley is also sold out. The exhaustion of tickets for the Hunter Valley event comes off the back of the sell out of his original date at Rochford Wines in the Yarra Valley in Victoria. His Mount Cotton date (at Sirromet wines on December 02) is also close to sold out, while only limited tickets remain for the second Yarra Valley show and that at Leconfield Wines in McLaren Vale.
• The team from Wollongong’s Yours & Owls Festival has confirmed the addition of an all-ages sideshow. Performing at Waves on September 29 will be The Jungle Giants, Mallrat, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Maddy Jane, Moaning Lisa, TOTTY, Fritz, Cry Club, Spit Chewy and the winner of Triple J Unearthed. Tickets are on sale now.
• Dutch duo Showtek will be in Australia later this year for a very special one-off show in Melbourne. The boys will play their ‘Past To Present’ show for audiences at the city’s Festival Hall on Friday November 02. “We are so excited for this show,” the boys said in a statement. “We love our Australian Fans, who have been supporting us from the beginning. So, to all the Showtek fans around Australia, come check us out and experience a night for the books. We will be playing the full spectrum of the Showtek sound, from FTS to BOOYAH, to our newest upcoming singles. We can’t wait.” Pre-sales kick off on Tuesday August 28 at 10am AEST. General tickets are on sale 24 hours later.
• Fat Freddy’s Drop have also confirmed a visit to our shores for live appearances. The New Zealand natives will be in the country in March next year, playing shows in Melbourne (Forum Theatre on March 15 and 16), Hobart (Odeon Theatre on March 20), Sydney (Hordern Pavilion on March 22), Brisbane (Eatons Hill Hotel on March 23) and Fremantle (Arts Centre on April 06). Niche and venue pre-sales kick off at 9am today. General sales begin from 9am on Friday, August 24.
• Brisbane’s Against The Grain festival will be back on Saturday November 03; a raft of awesome talent taking over the stages of three of the city’s most iconic venues… The Foundry, The Brightside and The Valley Drive-In. Performing for punters this year will be the likes of City Calm Down, Tiny Little Houses, Maddy Jane, Totally Mild and more. Tickets are on sale now.
• Something For Kate frontman Paul Dempsey has announced a one-off solo acoustic show at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Wednesday November 14. He’s set to perform tracks from the Something For Kate back catalogue, some treats from his solo career and even some new Something For Kate material. “Hometown shows are always special and I’m particularly excited about this one,” Paul reveals. “It’s about bloody time I gave my audience an opportunity to enjoy the music in a stunning acoustic environment whilst (hopefully) wearing something nice and reclining in a well-designed chair at a perfectly reasonable hour on a school night.” Tickets are on sale now.
• Also announcing a one-off Melbourne show is James Reyne. He’ll return to the stage of the Corner Hotel for a fourth annual Melbourne Cup Eve performance. Tickets for the November 05 gig are on sale now.
• And Colin Hay has recently been confirmed to perform at the 30th birthday of Bluesfest in Byron Bay in April, but will take the opportunity to play for audiences in centres around the country. He’s playing Anita’s Theatre in Wollongong on April 18, The Tivoli in Brisbane on April 21, Hamer Hall in Melbourne on April 23, Thebarton Theatre in Adelaide on April 24, Canberra Theatre Playhouse on April 26 and Sydney’s State Theatre on April 27. Tickets for all are on sale at 10am local time this Friday, August 24.
TICKETS PLEASE
THURSDAY AUGUST 23 : Paul Kelly (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)
THURSDAY AUGUST 23 : Dean Lewis (Nationally)
FRIDAY AUGUST 24 : The Aints (Nationally)
FRIDAY AUGUST 24 : Fat Freddy’s Drop (Nationally)
FRIDAY AUGUST 24 : Colin Hay (Nationally)
MONDAY AUGUST 27 : Teenage Fanclub (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 29 : Showtek (Melbourne)
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