Free Events at Sydney Fest

Perfectly aligned with summer comes the Sydney Festival, an extravaganza of dance, music, arts and theatre that will be creeping into every crevasse of the Harbour City during January. The best part is that a huge portion of the program is completely free, often utilising Sydney’s renowned parks, gardens and public spaces.

We take a look at some of the not to be missed events in the Sydney Festival Free Program.

Edge of Elsewhere

Having wriggled its way from Campbelltown through Haymarket and beyond, Edge of Elsewhere is a three year project that has engaged and highlighted the diverse cultural mix found in suburban Sydney.

Now drawing to a close in its final year, Edge of Elsewhere presents some of the most arousing contemporary arts practitioners from around Australia, Asia and the Pacific in works commissioned specifically to involve Sydney communities in the development.

Showcased across two venues, this immense, large-scale exhibition situates Sydney communities within a broader Asia-Pacific regional context. Edge of Elsewhere is a potent pledge to creative collaboration, community cooperation and the investigation and illumination of contemporary ideas.

Artists involved with the project include, Brook Andrew, Arahmaiani, Richard Bell, Dacchi Dang, Newell Harry, FX Harsono, Shigeyuki Kihara, Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba, Lisa Reihana, Khaled Sabsabi, Phaptawan Suwannakudt, Michel Tuffery and YOUNG-HAE CHANG HEAVY INDUSTRIES.

4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Haymarket
January 13-March 3, 11am-6pm
Presented by Campbelltown Arts Centre, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art and Sydney Festival

Travelling Colony

Sydney Festival presents a major new work by interdisciplinary artist Brook Andrew, whose arts practice travels to all corners of the globe. In the last two decades, Andrews has been crafting breath-taking interventions into history through portals of installation and interactive monuments, beckoning audiences into fresh points of view on important issues such as race, consumerism and history.

Now his new work, Travelling Colony makes the journey to Sydney. Inspired by his Wiradjuri heritage, circus and pop culture, Andrew handpainted caravans in a dazzling display to be exhibited in the immense industrial foyer of Carriageworks. Each of the caravans in Travelling Colony can be entered by the audiences, immersing participants in the stories of Sydney suburb Redfern. By passing through the caravans, the histories of Redfern will be reflected in archival footage, reminiscences and porjectors, presenting the area’s personalities, struggles and community.

Brook Andrew also appears as part of the Sydney Festival’s gram Microscope: Festival Artists in conversation with Caroline Baum.

Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St Eveleigh
January 8-March 4
10am-6pm daily and open late on performance nights
Presented by Sydney Festival and Carriageworks

Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane

As part of the ever-popular Summer Sounds in the Domain series, the Sydney Festival presents Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane. The perfect setting on balmy nights, this music event in the Domain has become one of the Festival’s most anticipated events, and is the perfect place to pitch a picnic rug.

In this very special concert, the summer heat will be joined by one of rock music’s most explosive artists – the admired and distinctive Mike Patton of Faith No More. Performing in the incarnation of an Italian pop crooner, the alluring Patton will be giving dramatic new life to pop and folk tunes from the 1950s and 60s. Hear the singer of hit song, “Epic” turn out hits made famous by Connie Francis and Sinatra – all back by an orchestra, choir and band.

The Domain, Royal Botanic Gardens
January 14 at 8pm
Supported byANZ and China Southern Airlines

Symphony in the Domain

The Domain takes centre stage yet again at another free night of spectacular music, this time filled with the sounds of the Sydney Symphony. Lead by conductors Brett Weymark and Nathan Aspinall, a new generation of soloists including Emily Sun (violin) and Nicholas Russoniello (saxophone), along with the Sydney Symphony.

Russoniello, who won the 2011 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Award, will play a soulful rendition of Yoshimatsu's beautiful concerto Cyber-bird.

Outstanding young violinist Emily Sun, a veteran of performing with Australian and Asian orchestras (she’s been at it since the age of ten), will play Bruch's famous Violin Concerto in G minor.

Another rising star in the orchestral world, Queensland conductor Nathan Aspinall will pick up the baton to guide the symphony through Strauss' Blue Danube.

To finish things of with a bang, the traditional concert climax, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture will be performed.

The Domain, Royal Botanic Gardens
January 21 at 8pm
Supported byANZ and China Southern Airlines
For a full list of Free Events at Sydney Festival head to http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2012/Free/

Free Events at Sydney Fest

Incubus Tickets and Concert Dates - Australian Tour 2012

Incubus rose to become one of the most popular alt-metal bands of the new millennium, setting themselves apart from a crowded field with a somewhat less-negative outlook and tireless touring.

Formed in 1991 in the San Fernando Valley suburb of Calabasas, CA, group members Brandon Boyd (vocals, percussion), Mike Einziger (guitar), Alex Katunich (aka Dirk Lance; bass), and José Pasillas (drums) were all tenth grade classmates when they got together.

Their early funk-metal sound was heavily influenced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but broadened over the next few years to incorporate thrash, rap-metal, post-grunge rock, and grinding alt-metal à la Korn or the Deftones.

By the time the group graduated from high school, they had already been playing all-ages shows around southern California on a regular basis. In 1995, Incubus added hip-hop turntablist DJ Lyfe (aka Gavin Koppel) to their lineup and recorded the independently released album Fungus Amongus. That, coupled with their strong local following, helped the band get a deal with Epic subsidiary Immortal.

Incubus' first major-label release was the six-song EP Enjoy Incubus, which was released in early 1997 and consisted of previous demos that were revamped in the studio. Later in the year, their first full-length album, S.C.I.E.N.C.E., was released. Incubus hit the road with a vengeance, opening for bands like Korn, Primus, 311, Sublime, and Unwritten Law.

By the summer of 1998, the band had amassed enough of a following to land a slot on that year's Ozzfest tour. They also wound up the year as part of Korn's inaugural Family Values tour, by which time DJ Lyfe had departed and been replaced by DJ Kilmore (first name Chris). With their momentum and exposure slowly building, Incubus returned to the studio and delivered their follow-up album, Make Yourself, in late 1999.

The group went right back out on the road, and their stint on the 2000 Ozzfest helped crystallize the new audience that the single "Pardon Me" was pulling in. Although Make Yourself barely broke the Top 50 on the album charts, it was a steady seller that eventually pushed past the double-platinum mark. The second single, "Stellar," was a smaller-sized hit on rock radio, but the album's biggest song didn't hit the airwaves until 2001; "Drive" was a left-field success that became their first Top Ten hit on the pop charts.

Incubus expanded their audience by playing Moby's Area: One package tour that summer, and with "Drive" still fresh in the public's mind, released their next album, Morning View, in the fall of 2001. It entered the charts at number two, confirming that Incubus had diligently worked themselves into stardom. "Wish You Were Here," "Nice to Know You," and "Warning" were all popular on rock radio, and the band naturally toured heavily in support -- this time as a headliner.

In early 2003, Incubus became embroiled in a contract dispute with Sony and filed a lawsuit to have their deal terminated under California labor laws. In April, the band announced the departure of bassist Dirk Lance. Within days, fellow Incubus guitarist Mike Eiziger called upon his Time Lapse Consortium mate Ben Kenney to be Lance's permanent replacement. The group remained a part of the Sony empire, however, and released A Crow Left of the Murder on Epic/Immortal in early 2004, which hit number two on the Billboard Top 200.

Some touring followed before Incubus headed home in November to take a well-deserved break. The guys spent the next two years individually exploring things outside of the band -- music, art, film, and literature endeavors all included -- though they also remembered to work on and finish their sixth album, recorded over a year's time in both L.A. and Atlanta. The resulting record, Light Grenades, appeared in late November 2006

Australia - Melbourne

Feb 7 Tue	Festival Hall Melbourne West Melbourne, VIC 07:45 PM	Incubus	Find Tickets »
Feb 8 Wed	Festival Hall Melbourne West Melbourne, VIC 07:45 PM	Incubus	Find Tickets »

Incubus Tickets and Concert Dates - Australian Tour 2012

DURAN DURAN TO TOUR AUSTRALIA IN MARCH 2012!

Dainty Group is thrilled to announce that after a long absence, one of the world’s most iconic bands, DURAN DURAN, will return to Australian shores in March 2012 for a series of concerts, in support of their latest album ‘All You Need Is Now’. This highly anticipated tour will see the band perform across the country, with shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and the Hunter Valley. Last in Australia in 2008, DURAN DURAN will showcase songs from their critically acclaimed new album on the March dates, alongside all of the unforgettable hits from across their thirty-year career.

TICKETS ON SALE THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER

Go to www.duranduranmusic.com for exclusive pre-sale of tickets and VIP packages for Duran Duran VIP members DURAN DURAN’s stunning new album: ‘All You Need Is Now’, has already been proclaimed a triumph by fans and critics alike, and hit the #1 spot on download charts in the top 15 markets around the world when it was released earlier this year (on Shock Records in Australia). Produced by Grammy Award-winner Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Adele, Kaiser Chiefs, Lily Allen) and mixed by Spike Stent (Madonna, Björk, No Doubt), it features guest vocals/rap from long-time Duran Duran pal/collaborator Ana Matronic of
the Scissor Sisters, and R&B/neo-soul superstar Kelis; while Owen Pallett of Arcade Fire contributes the album’s string arrangements. ‘All You Need Is Now’ is a return-to-roots homage to DURAN DURAN’s most celebrated musical panache, and has already been dubbed the “imaginary follow up to Rio that never was.”

The announcement of the band’s 2012 Australian dates comes hot on the heels of their brilliantly reviewed North American tour, a sold out 11 show arena run in the UK, and a whirlwind year that has seen them, amongst other things, make a spectacular live film with director David Lynch, and most recently release a uniquely DURAN DURAN video for the song ‘Girl Panic !’. Directed by Grammy-award winner Jonas Åkerlund (who has shot videos for Madonna, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, including the notorious “Telephone”), this dazzling short film reunites top supermodels Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen, Eva Herzigova and Yasmin Le Bon, and was shot over the course of two days this past June at the Savoy Hotel in London. As the models take on rock star roles playing Simon, John, Nick, and Roger, the nine minute video unfolds into a stunning, fast-paced, high fashion affair, that has fast become the most talked about collaboration of its kind this year. Australian fans can view the video here.

The original Duran line-up of Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, and Nick Rhodes continues to reign supreme as one of the biggest British bands of all time - reimagining pop music, creating ground-breaking music videos and winning over millions of new fans worldwide with their unique fusion of music, art, technology and fashion. From the very beginning, when DURAN DURAN first took the visual imperatives of the New Romantic movement of the 1980s to a whole other level, defining the MTV generation, they have built a loyal army of fans who have stayed with them to this day.

As this new chapter begins, they have nothing left to prove, but everything to play for. So for them and their loyal army of fans… All You Need Is Now!

TOUR DATES

SAT 17 MARCH BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

MON 19 MARCH MELBOURNE ROD LAVER ARENA

TUE 20 MARCH ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

SAT 24 MARCH PERTH SANDALFORD ESTATE, SWAN VALLEY

TUE 27 MARCH SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

SAT 31 MARCH HUNTER VALLEY TEMPUS TWO WINERY

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WWE 2012 RAW WORLD TOUR PRE SALE OPPURTUNITY

The WWE Raw World Tour is heading back to our shores in 2012!

We're giving you the opportunity to purchase tix
before the general public in our Dainty pre sale!

Pre sale runs
Mon 5 Dec (today!), noon > Wed 7 Dec, noon
Click here

Tix for the general public go on sale Thursday 8 December

WHAT:The WWE RAW World Tour returns to Australia on Thursday August
30th in Brisbane, Friday August 31st in Sydney and Saturday
September 1st in Melbourne.


WHO: WWE's unique brand of action packed entertainment is returning to
Australia with WWE RAW. Fans will be able to see all their
favourite WWE Superstars including John Cena®, Alberto Del
Rio®, CM Punk®, The Miz® and many more*.

WHEN: In Brisbane from 19.30, Thursday, August 30th
In Sydney from 19.30, Friday, August 31st
In Melbourne from 19.30, Saturday September 1st

WHERE: Live from the Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Live from the Sydney AllPhones Arena
Live from the Melbourne Rod Laver Arena

*Card subject to change

See you there!

Bruce Springsteen To Tour Australia in 2012?

Everybody loves a rumour and a leak. It’s human nature to want to know everybody’s secrets first. If you’re are that way inclined then music is a good place to be because leaks and rumours are common day occurrences within the industry.

With that in mind we bring you the latest leak/rumour, that of a Bruce Springsteen tour in 2012. According to Liveguide, a popular Springsteen fansite published a list of upcoming tour dates and hidden amongst the long list was a group of dates set aside for down under.

Springsteen and his E Street Band, who suffered a tragedy earlier in the year when longtime sax player Clarence Clemons suffered a stroke and died, have already confirmed a number of dates throughout Europe between May and July, and have confirmed there are plans for a tour of North American as well as the rest of the world planned for sometime after.

The rumoured Australian dates fit nicely into those plans, so while you should take them with a grain of salt don’t be too surprised if you hear an official announcement in the not too distant future.

That’s if Springsteen doesn’t hang up the boots and decide to run for Governor of New Jersey first. A poll conducted earlier in the year showed that if the famous musician decided to run for politics in his home state he’d romp home in the polls.

You can see the dates below:

27 August Brisbane, Australia – Entertainment Centre
28 August Brisbane, Australia – Entertainment Centre
31 August Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena
01 September Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena
05 September Sydney, Australia- Allphones Arena
06 September Sydney, Australia- Allphones Arena

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Fans Demand Refund After Sound Issues At Eminem Concerts

The short but sweet Eminem tour was one of the most anticipated concert events this year, but sound issues at both Sydney shows have left a sour taste in many mouths and some ticket holders are even demanding refunds.

The issue was first raised at Eminem’s first Sydney show where the sound level was so low those fans left in the outer seating area were struggling to hear the rapper or his backing track. However it appears no changes to the sound setup were made and fans were faced with similar issues at Eminem’s second Sydney show. His show in Melbourne appears to have had no sound issues.

Given that his shows were stadium shows one can expect a fair amount of sound problems, but the issues were so severe that at one point a large percentage of the crowd even started chanting ‘turn in up’. According to those in attendance the chant was so loud that even Eminem could hear it but mistook the audience for saying ‘take it off’ to which he lifted up his shirt.

Promoter Paul Dainty has thus far not made an official comment on issue but that hasn’t stopped hundreds of disappointed fans from flocking to his Facebook page to express their outrage.

“The sound quality was shocking at the SFS Eminem concert 2/12. Industry WORST practice. Tickets should be refunded as it is unethical to charge for a concert that people are unable to hear.” said one disgruntled fan. “Seriously, the whole sound thing was so bad I nearly walked out. But how bad was Stan. The whole stadium went silent trying to hear, but nothing. NOTHING. Are you joking?” said another.

Some ticket holders are even threatening to contact Consumer Affairs over the issue if Dainty fails to address the problem adequately.

“sound at eminem was crap. couldnt hear anything. WTF paid good money for tickets. REFUND please. I will be contacting the ombudsman.” said another punter on the Facebook wall. “When eminem tried to communicate with his fans we were left with mouths agape attempting to read his lips… ridiculous! Compensation should be issued to all who attended on 02.12.11 so this never happens again.” wrote another.

Some have even accused Dainty Group of delibrately ripping them off. “Let me know when our refunds will be issued for those who couldn’t hear a thing on friday night. $600 to hear muffled shit just wasn’t good enough……” said one. “Dainty group you are a bunch of rip offs . You should be ashamed of yourselves” said another.

But not everyone left the concert disappointed. One man wrote “I was at the Sydney eminem show on Friday and i could hear perfectly. Best night ever.”

You can see some fan shot footage of the concert below, if you skip to 1.50 you can hear the crowd chanting ‘turn it up’.

Fans Demand Refund After Sound Issues At Eminem Concerts

REVIEW: Eminem Concert In Melbourne -- The Real Slim Shady Really Impressed!

It's been over 10 years since Eminem last performed in Melbourne. To celebrate his amazing return - he sold out a stadium in thirty minutes, and brought hip hop heavy weights Hilltop Hoods and Lil Wayne to support him.

I wasn't really sure where Etihad stadium was before the gig, but managed to navigate there by following the steady stream of wife beaters, tribal tattoos and do-rags. Yes. These punters meant business. We saw two fights even before Eminem took the stage, and not surprisingly the police were out in full force amongst the crowd to keep an eye on things.

The support acts were really top-class --Lil' Wayne appeared with a skateboard half pipe on stage, and took time in between songs to turn some tricks -- but there was no doubt that the crowd was there to witness the magic of Marshall Mathers.

Eminem launched straight into some tracks from his latest album 'Recovery' (which is also the name of this tour) and the crowd made their enthusiasm felt by screaming the house down. One fan in particular was so excited they poured their Bourbon and coke down on me from the upper balcony, which just added to the palpable atmosphere!

We all know that superstars like Eminem will find it hard to fit every hit they've ever created into one concert, but from my perspective that's pretty much what he did with the help of our very good friend -- the medley.

He kicked off with 'Lighters' which originally featured Bruno Mars. After the smokers of the stadium lit up the venue with a 'sky full of lighters' Eminem launched into every song we wanted to hear, including 'Stan' 'My Name Is' and 'The Real Slim Shady.'

To the delight of the ladies he even dedicated a song to the females in the venue yelling 'scream if you've ever had a dysfunctional relationship!' before kicking into 'Love The Way You Lie,' a song about domestic violence. Not really sure if the girls should have felt chuffed about that one...

Eminem ended the night with an encore of 'Lose Yourself' which riled the 20,000 person crowd into an absolute frenzy.

Marshall Mathers was amazing to watch -- the ultimate professional and someone who really interacted with the crowd. After being in the business for so many years he isn't slowing down at all, and despite having given up his partying ways hasn't lost his edge or become bland- which unfortunately sometimes happens to newly sober superstars!

If this was anything to go by, the rest of Eminem's Recovery tour is going to rehabilitate hip-hop and rap fans around the country.

Partial Setlist
Kill You
Cleaning Out My Closet
The Way I Am
Lighters
Airplanes
Stan
Sing For The Moment
Like Toy Soldiers
Space Bound
Love The Way You Lie
I Need A Doctor
My Name Is
The Real Slim Shady
Guess Who's Back
Not Afraid

Encore
Lose Yourself

REVIEW: Eminem Concert In Melbourne -- The Real Slim Shady Really Impressed!