Elvis Costello will be packing up his guitar, songs, stories and once again unleashing an Australian tour this October. Also tagging along is his new album Secret, Profane and Sugarcane. His Australian concerts will feature songs covering his entire career. Catch Elvis Costello on Wednesday October 14 at The Royal Theatre. Tickets trough Ticketek.
Indyfest is returning for its 20th show next year and is more proud than ever to support up and coming local acts. If your band are interested in performing this is the perfect opportunity, especially if you've played on the bill over the last 20 years and were keen on reforming for a one-off show. Indyfest is renowned for showcasing local and regional acts and will be part of the Canberra Festival during the Canberra Day long weekend on Monday March 6 2010. Visit www.indyfest.com for details, or phone Bruce on 0400 398 784.
Expose your inner rock star to the world by entering the Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition. It's open to all songwriters, from amateur hopefuls, published or un-published songwriters to professionals. The winners will score a return business class airfare to the US and UK plus five days accommodation, $20,000 cash, songwriter mentorship with iconic US songwriter Paul Williams and more. Entries close Wednesday September 30. For more information visit www.vandayoungsongcomp.com.
Purple Sneakers are at it again with a bigger lineup than ever, teaming up with Sydney's club Snatch and Grab to give you a gigantic indie party. Representing Snatch and Grab are Cunningpants, Ben Lucid and Mellow, and on the Purple team are M.I.T, Nick Findlay and special guest Mailer Daemon. Not to be forgotten are our Canberra superstars Talihina Shan and Will Eat Brains. So come along to the Transit Bar on Friday July 31 at 8pm. You know it's gonna be huge!
The next Woden Youthie fundraiser is a great opportunity to rock out to some great bands while at the same time raising money for the African orphanage Emmanuel Kedogo Rescue Centre. The night features Astrochem, Escape Syndrome, Fallsuit Theory, West of the Sun and Fight the Fall. EKRC is not funded by the government and needs your support to feed and shelter children exposed to abuse and criminal activity. So come along to the Woden Youthie on Friday July 31 and do your bit. Tickets are $7.
A sizeable swag of entertainment at The Front is coming your way this month. On Thursday July 23 Lakeside Circus will bring their musical expertise in forms such as blues, atonal serialism (?), rock and jazz, from 7.30-10pm. Tix are $5. On Saturday July 25 from 2pm The Kosmos Laboratory will bring us tweaky twisted tunes and progressive minimal house. This is the night The Front becomes a discotheque so bring your dancing shoes. Free! On Wednesday July 23 there'll be a delightful evening of wonderful men singing their hearts out including Ben Drysdale, Nigel McRae, Aaron Peacy, George and others. 6-11pm, donation appreciated.
If you're one of the lucky cats who's making the trip to Byron for Splendour, be sure to catch Spunk Records' fantastic threesome Holly Throsby, The Middle East and Leader Cheetah. Holly Throsby has just returned from the US and Canada and will be playing tracks from her newest album A Loud Call which Mojo Magazine said "should prove to be Throsby's breakthrough release". Leader Cheetah's debut was also praised by Courier Mail as "the best Australian debut since Augie March's Sunset Studies". Catch them at Byron Bay Community Centre the day before Splendour on Friday July 24. 6pm, all ages.
World's Funniest Island is an event like no other. Set on Sydney's Cockatoo Island over two amazingly hilarious days, this festival of funny stuff features talent from all over the world. "This short, sharp, sensory overload format is perfect for Sydney, the city with attention deficit disorder," says the festival director. It's all happening on Saturday October 17 and 18. For more info visit www.worldsfunniestisland.com.
