Sydney has joined the Roman party along with Melbourne and Brisbane by nailing up the Sold Out sign.

Soundwave 2012 is going to be the biggest and best year yet.

To find out how your brand can get involved click here.

The Falls Music & Arts Festival in both Lorne and Marion Bay are completely SOLD-OUT and there will be no gate sales!

The Facts:

About: A world-class line-up of music, comedy and arts in a relaxed festival environment. The coastal locations are stunning and the camping is free.

Events: Lorne Dec 28 – Jan 1 / Marion Bay Dec 29 – Jan 1

Tickets: Completely Sold-Out

To find out how your brand can get involved in 2012 click here.

Kirin Big In Japan returned for a third season in 2011 and for the very first time it was open to a public audience.

mixitup produced the contemporary arts and cultural event, showcasing a collection of avant-garde and new media artists from Japan including: Fuyuki Yamakawa the Khoomei singer, Yuko Kaseki a Butoh dancer and OVe – NaXx an electronic sound producer.

Audiences at Sydney’s Paddington Town Hall and Melbourne’s Thousand Pound Bend were engaged with dance, musical performances, video art and installation pieces. With Kirin’s Big in Japan exhibition converting the spaces into immersive multidisciplinary performance arenas.

We are already excited for Kirin Big In Japan’s return in 2012, but for updates on what’s making underground waves in Japanese contemporary art, check out the year round blog here

Thursday 17th November, marked the start of a new and important chapter in the life of Sydney’s iconic Mardi Gras, with the launch of a new name, logo and community-wide proposition designed to capture the event’s embracing vision as a city-wide celebration of the power and the beauty of diversity.

This memorable day was also a celebration and an acknowledgment of over three decades of successful Mardi Gras events that have helped advance the law reform agenda, and at the same time, increased community respect and love for the LBGTQI community.

In a parallel move, the organisation has changed its name back to Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras after almost ten years as New Mardi Gras. The move to the old moniker is in recognition that the event and brand remains owned by the city’s gay & lesbian community, even as it embraces involvement from the wider community.

Along with the new name and new approach, a new logo has been introduced. The logo speaks to the events’ desire to inspire the world to love each other by celebrating the power and beauty of diversity.

In other Mardi Gras news, the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival is set to explode with a wealth of big-name talents, including RuPaul, Dame Edna Experience, Trevor Ashley and Sneaky Sound System gracing the annual smorgasbord of arts, parties and social events, from 12 February till 4 March 2012.

This year’s Mardi Gras Festival boasts over 60 special events – including iconic event favourites like the Parade, Fair Day and Harbour party – and features performances from big international acts as well as the cream of community and homegrown talent.

The team at mixitup are proud to be apart of the Mardi Gras extravaganza for the fifth consecutive year and in 2012 we welcome back returning major sponsors; ANZ, Google, Virgin Australia and Gaydar.

To find out how your brand can get involved in the 2012 festivities click here.

Sydney Festival today announced that premium German liqueur, Jägermeister, has come on board as Official Liqueur Sponsor of Sydney Festival 2012. As part of Jägermeister’s Special Distinguished Sponsorship of the Festival, the Jägermeister ‘Hunting Lodge’ will pop up in Honda Festival Garden in Hyde Park as a semi-permanent bar and performance space.

Nestled amongst the trees in Honda Festival Garden alongside The Famous Spiegeltent, the Jägermeister Hunting Lodge will offer an exciting and eclectic range of music and arts performances from 10-29 January 2012, many of which will open to the public for free.

Brand manager Shannan Quinn said, “We’re thrilled to be part of Sydney’s premier cultural festival in a move that signifies a new brand direction for Jägermeister. Sydney really comes to life over the summer, in particular during Sydney Festival with people seeking out new cultural experiences. Jägermeister is plugging into this electric atmosphere by offering Sydneysiders the opportunity to engage with a new drinking experience at the Hunting Lodge, whilst enjoying some incredible live music and arts performances.”

Sasha Degen, Sydney Festival’s Head of Corporate Partnerships said, “Sydney Festival is looking forward to working with Jägermeister for the 2012 Festival.  As one of Australia’s leading arts events we’re proud to be aligned with such an iconic and visionary brand.  We’re really excited to welcome Jägermeister on board for one of the most imaginative activation concepts to date.”

The Jägermeister Hunting Lodge is a nod to the brand’s German heritage (Jägermeister means ‘Hunting Master’), bringing to life the legacy of the brand, which has been around since 1935. The rustic and enchanting pop-up bar is made entirely of logs, complete with a wooden deck, timber floor, stone fireplace and 12 metre long bar.  Jägermeister fans will experience the mystique and legend of the brand while kicking back with an ice-cold long drink of Jägermeister, ginger beer and fresh lime.

Up to a million people enjoyed the 2011 Sydney Festival, which included 109 events with 338 performances and 17 free events throughout the city, and contributed $50.2m to the NSW economy. Sydney Festival 2012 will run from January 7–29.

The 2011 JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS have wrapped up their sixth year delivering a superbly entertaining evening and bestowing 12 Awards on some of Australia’s finest talent, with THE JEZABELS the only multiple award winners, taking out 2 major honours.

Rising stars THE JEZABELS well and truly made their mark on the evening picking up the awards for Best Independent Single /EP for their critically acclaimed debut EP “Dark Storm”  (the third and final installment of their EP Trilogy) and also the award for Best Independent Artist. Already enjoying a massive year both locally and internationally and now, winners in two categories at the JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS, its little wonder THE JEZABELS have been earmarked as a band to watch.

It was a night out for our female artists who not only blew everyone away with their live performances but also in the award stakes, with Rock icon ADALITA, taking out the gong in the hotly contested Best Independent Album category, earning well deserved and long awaited recognition for her first solo album, the self-titled “Adalita.  Newcomer EMMA LOUISE was acknowledged as the Breakthrough Independent Artist for the sublime sounds of her ep “Full Hearts and Empty Rooms” and its superb single “Jungle” which spent more than 20 weeks at the top of the Independent charts.

Perth based Hip Hop artist DRAPHT won his first JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARD for Best Independent Hip Hop Album for the epic release, “The Life Of Riley”.  Currently on a sold out 21 date National Australian tour, “The Life Of Riley” album debuted at Number 1 on the ARIA chart, and gave us the hits “Bali Party”, “Sing it” and “Rapunzel”, and is now officially certified Gold.   Best Independent Hard Rock or Punk Album went to Melbourne Trio MY DISCO for their third and highly acclaimed record 'Little Joy'.   An astounding collection of songs from the first single ‘Young’ - a near nine-minute-long epic, to the chilling and tightly-wound sounds of 'River”, MY DISCO have managed to cultivate enormous respect among independent music communities both locally and internationally, and now further acknowledgement comes in the form of this year’s Best Independent Hard Rock or Punk Album award.

This year also saw the Awards expanding into new territory, with the introduction of the Best Independent Dance / Electronica or Club Single category. The new category also produced another first, with the Award voting resulting in a tie taken out by TOMMY TRASH AND TOM PIPER for their single “All My Friends Featuring Mr. Wilson” and SEEKAE with their track “Blood Bank”. London based Australian duo PNAU took out the already established award for Best Independent Dance / Electronica album with “Soft Universe”, a 10 track opus that has been described as the finest example yet of their epic techno pop, and is their 4th studio album and most successful charting record to date.

The Award for the Best Independent Blues and Roots Album (for his double Deadly Award winning release “Rrakala”) was taken out by former winner GURRUMUL. His second full-length release, “Rrakala” follows in the footsteps of his multi award winning double platinum debut album and confirms GURRUMUL’S status as one of the definitive Australian folk artists of our times.  WAGONS took out their first JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARD for the Best Independent Country Album with their latest release “Rumble, Shake and Tumble”. From its stomping outlaw country tracks, to the irresistible crooning classic pop songs, charismatic front man Henry Wagons wields his mighty fist as a premiere story teller on this, the band’s stunning fifth studio album.

Internationally renowned saxophonist, composer and multi-award winner SANDY EVANS was awarded Best Independent Jazz album for her 60 minute extended jazz composition  “When The Sky Cries Rainbows”. These outstanding works, exquisitely played, created a landmark album, which has now been recognized as the JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARD’S finest Jazz album for 2011, adding to EVAN’S already remarkable repertoire.

And finally taking out the peoples choice award for Jagermeister’s Most Hunted was 360 who released his groundbreaking second album, “Falling & Flying” last week, to critical acclaim and booming sales. Debuting in the top 5 of the ARIA charts this week and remaining at the top of the iTunes Album charts, the sophomore release from this innovative indie rapper sounds like no hip-hop release to come before it, and the public agreed by voting 360 the inaugural Most Hunted artist at the 2011 JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS

The JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS once again proved to be one of the Industry’s most entertaining evenings, and a night peppered with stunning live performances from artists who crossed all musical genres including award winners ADALITA and EMMA LOUSE, alongside CALLING ALL CARS, ILLY (featuring OWL EYES) and THE HOLIDAYS.

2011 JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS:

Best Independent Artist - The Jezabels

Best Independent Album – Adalita - “Adalita” (Liberation Music)

Breakthrough Independent Artist - Emma Louise

Best Independent Single/EP - The Jezabels – “Dark Storm” (Independent/MGM)

Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album – Pnau – “Soft Universe” (Etc. Etc.)

Best Independent Dance/Electronica a Club Single -Seekae – “Blood Bank” (Rice Is Nice/Popfrenzy)

-Tommy Trash and Tom Piper – “All My Friends Featuring Mr. Wilson” (Ministry Of Sound)

*Joint winners (votes exactly the same)

Best Independent Hard Rock or Punk Album - My Disco – “Little Joy” (Shock Entertainment)

Best Independent Blues And Roots Album – Gurrumul – “Rrakala” (Skinnyfish/MGM)

Best Independent Jazz Album - Sandy Evans – “When The Sky Cries Rainbows” (Independent/ABC Music)

Best Independent Country Album – Wagons “Rumble Shake and Tumble” (Spunk Records)

Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Album – Drapht – “The Life Of Riley” (The Ayems Records)

Jagermeister Most Hunted Award (Peoples Choice) – 360

Jagermeister Independent Music Awards nominees to perform a series of free, intimate gigs at Hunting Lodge

To celebrate this year’s upcoming JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS (JIMA’s) being held in Melbourne on Wednesday 12 October, Jagermeister is giving music fans the chance to get up close and personal with some of the nominees with a series of FREE music events at the Jagermeister Hunting Lodge from October 7 - 11.

After the successful debut of the Lodge at this year’s Splendour in the Grass, it will be making its first appearance in Melbourne this October, functioning as a pop up bar in Melbourne Docklands and featuring DJ sets and intimate performances by some of the country's hottest emerging artists. 

Now in their sixth year, the JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS (JIMA’s) continue to grow and are now recognised as a barometer for future ‘big’ Australian acts.

The Jagermeister Hunting Lodge will be located in the Waterfront Piazza 429 – 437 Docklands Drive, Docklands from October 7-11

Hunting Lodge Melbourne Talent Line-up:

Friday night, 6.00-10.00pm: “Opening Night of the Hunting Lodge

Metals

Diafrix

DCUP

’96 Bulls

Vedran & Dom Dolla

Saturday Night, 6.00-10.00pm: “Cherry Bar Presents”

DJ Max

Dub Captains

Bittersweet Kicks

July Days

Matt Sonic & The High Times

Sunday afternoon, 2.00-8.00pm: “Country Music Sunday at the Hunting Lodge”

Davidson Brothers

Wagons

Support DJ to be announced

Monday Night, 7.30-10.00pm: “Soulmate Showcase”

360

Prime

Bright Young Things

Tuesday Night, open to general public from 7.30 – 10.00pm: “Pre-party for Jägermeister Independent Music Awards”

Tame Impala DJ set

Support DJ to be announced

For more information check out the Jagermeister Australia Facebook page here

The Jagermeister Most Hunted Award is a new award that will feature for the first time at the Sixth Annual 2011 Jagermeister Independent Music Awards.

The Jagermeister Independent Music Awards are being held on 12^th October at one of Melbourne’s newest performing Art Spaces, Revolt in Kensington.

Presented and produced by The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR), this year’s Jagermeister Independent Music Awards will once again reward the country’s highest achieving independent artists across all genres.

The Jagermeister Most Hunted Award is the only publicly voted award and will be voted by Jagermeister fans using the Jagermeister Australia Facebook fan page.

Nominees for the award have been selected by the Australian Independent Record Label Association and cover a cross section of Australian Independent Music.

The nominee list for the very first Jagermeister Most Hunted Award includes; the Jezabels, Art V.s Science, Pnau, Drapht, Bliss N Eso, Illy, Little Red, The Potbelleez, Dream on Dreamer and 360.

Fans can vote for their favourite artist on the Jagermeister Facebook page, and go into the draw to win exclusive tickets to the awards. The prize includes airfares, transfers, accommodation and the opportunity to co-present the Jagermeister Most Hunted Award to the winning artist on the night.

The winner will also be given the chance to meet and greet the artists performing at the awards.

For more information check out the Jagermeister Australia Facebook page here

LET THE HUNT BEGIN

To celebrate this year’s upcoming JÄGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS (JIMA’s) being held in Melbourne on Wednesday 12 October, Jägermeister is giving music fans the chance to get up close and personal with some of the nominees with a series of free music events at the Jägermeister Hunting Lodge from October 7 - 11.

After the successful debut of the Lodge at this year’s Splendour in the Grass, it will be making its first appearance in Melbourne this October, functioning as a pop up bar in Melbourne Docklands and featuring DJ sets and intimate performances by the shortlisted nominees and potential winners of the upcoming JIMA’s.

Now in their sixth year, the JÄGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS (JIMA’s) continue to grow and are now recognised as a barometer for future ‘big’ Australian acts. Previous winners include Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, The Hilltop Hoods, The Herd, Sneaky Sounds System and John Butler, many of whom have subsequently gone on to major critical and commercial success.

The Jägermeister Hunting Lodge is a nod to its heritage (Jägermeister means ‘Master of the Hunt’) and is the first step in a new direction for the iconic brand acknowledging that it has been ‘Hunting Since 1935’. Devotees are invited to be part of the Jägermeister story and rediscover the drink by seeking out a new Jägermeister experience. Made entirely of logs and complete with a wooden deck, timber floor, stone fireplace and 12 metre long bar, the Hunting Lodge will give music fans a unique opportunity to kick back in the cosy lounge, enjoy a few drinks and catch some first-class live music, all while experiencing where the Jägermeister legend was first born.

The Jägermeister Hunting Lodge will be located in the Waterfront Piazza 429 – 437 Docklands Drive, Docklands with performances running from 5.00 – 10.00pm each night and Sunday night from 2.00-8.00pm.

Details of the events as well as the soon-to-be announced line up can be found at:www.facebook.com/jagermeisterAustralia

Let the Hunt Begin!

For the second consecutive year mixitup are proud to produce The JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS.

The awards will be held on Wednesday October 12th at one of Melbourne’s newest performing Art Spaces, Revolt in Kensington.

Presented and produced by The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR), this year’s JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS will once again reward the country’s highest achieving independent artists across all genres.

Now in their sixth year, The JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS is an opportunity for Australian Musicians and the Industry at large to celebrate their successes and enjoy performances by some of the country’s most sought after artists.

This year’s quality line-up is no exception. The evening will feature performances by modern Australian Rock Icon and Magic Dirt front woman, Adalita who delivered us her critically acclaimed debut self- titled solo album earlier this year; dynamic 3 piece Seekae who have honed a truly original brand of organic electronica fusing the sounds of hip-hop, indie pop, and ambient post-rock into their own: Premiere Hip-hop artist - Melbourne’s Emcee Illy - whose live performance of the hit single “It Cant Wait” will feature a special guest appearance by Owl Eyes; the sublime sounds of singer songwriter, Emma Louise, whose debut ep “Full Hearts and Empty Rooms” took the Jagermeister Independent Music Charts by storm upon release this past April, and just two weeks ago took home three Queensland Music Awards; and last but not least, currently tearing up stages all over the country supporting their sophomore release “Dancing With A Dead Man” Calling All Cars will unleash their tightly coiled rhythm section and vocal brut force to what’s sure to be a captive audience.

After two years in the beautiful surrounds of The Forum, AIR has decided to make the 2011 event more intimate, and will be staging the Awards in the unique 500 capacity room at the performing Art Space, Revolt in Kensington. AIR will be taking advantage of the venue to create an event that pays homage to the incredible musicians releasing independent music in Australia. Using the twin-spaces of the Art gallery and venue, guests will be treated to an exhibition of Australian independent artists curated by renowned music industry photographer Kane Hibberd, before the presentation of awards and performances in the band room.

With a diverse pool of representatives voting this year, from online media, music press, broadcasters, independent music industry representatives and artists themselves, the results will truly reflect the opinions of the collective Independent Music scene.

Still recognised as a barometer for future ‘big’ acts, with previous winners The Hilltop Hoods, Gotye, and John Butler enjoying critical and commercial success, while last years winners Cloud Control went on to claim the AMP prize, and Dan Sultan took home his first ARIA’s for Best Blues and Roots Album and Best Male Artist. The outstanding calibre of the current crop of independent releases eligible for nomination in 2011 is no exception, and look set to continue that tradition.

Awards to be presented during the evening include Best Independent Dance / Electronic Release, Best Independent Artist, Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Release and Best Independent Hard Rock/Punk Release among others, with a number of high profile special guest presenters on hand to help with proceedings. The JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS have also been working closely with the independent dance sector to instigate a new category for Best Independent Club Release.

For more info on the Awards, Charts and Independent music head the the Ausindies website here

The 6th Annual JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS Wednesday October 12th Revolt, 12 Elizabeth Street, Kensington.

True to form, Falls Festival in Lorne sold-out when tickets went on sale yesterday, and thousands of interstaters who missed out are now making plans to soak up The Falls’ fine tunes in Marion Bay, Tasmania.

The Falls organisers said they received "the largest demand we've ever seen."

The incredible line up includes:

Aloe Blacc, Alpine, Arctic Monkeys, Arj Barker, Beirut, CANT, Crystal Castles, Dan Deacon, Easy Star All Stars (performing Dub Side of the Moon in full), emma louise, Fleet Foxes, J Mascis, Josh Pyke, Josh Thomas, Lanie Lane, Metronomy, Missy Higgins, Papa Vs Pretty, Pnau, Regurgitator performing 'Unit', The Grates, The Jezabels, The Jim Jones Revue, The Kooks, The Wonderful World of DJ Yoda, Tim Finn, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Young MC. With more bands to come!

Stay tuned for more lineup announcements!

You can still get Marion Bay tickets here

Everything you need to know is on the Travel to Falls page here

For more info on how your brand can get involved click here

Melissa Davey from The Sydney Morning Herald writes about Harvest Festival:

Music fans and festival-goers are excited by a new event called Harvest: A Civilised Gathering, a one-day line-up of bands coming to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in November.

Harvest is appealing because well-tended parklands will provide the venue and the marketing seems aimed towards an adult crowd. Confirmed bands include the Flaming Lips, Portishead (who haven't come to Australia for 14 years), Bright Eyes and the National. Janelle Monae, Aphex Twin and Mogwai are rumoured.

The online enthusiasm for Harvest before it was even confirmed shows people are prepared to pay when a balance between value for money, a great line-up and a good atmosphere can be struck.

Harvest organisers seem to be aware of this, promoting an overall experience and popular yet not overplayed bands.

It may just deliver the event Australian music lovers have long been waiting for.

For more details click here

For more info on how your brand can get involved click here

HARVEST DATES

Saturday November 12 - Harvest Presents “The Gathering”, Melbourne, Werribee Park

Sunday November 13 - Harvest, Sydney, Parramatta Park

Saturday November 19 - Harvest, Brisbane, Botanical Garde

Kirin, Ksubi and mixitup are proud to announce that Kirin Big In Japan will be returning in 2011.

Sydney and Melbourne will each play host to a series of unique Kirin Big In Japan events, which brings guests a collection of Japan’s most dazzling and unique artists and performers.

Stay tuned for more event information!

Check out the Kirin Big In Japan blog here

Harvest follows a simple design:

Take the line-up of your typical European multi day event, cut out the filler and the acts that everyone has seen once too many times and pack all the greatness into one incredible day for discerning music lovers.

An amazing start would be to convince Portishead to return to Australia after a 14 year absence. Then augment that coup by gathering a collection of the planet’s most outstanding and unique artists and performers in The National, The Flaming Lips, Bright Eyes, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Holy Fuck, The Family Stone, Mercury Rev, Death In Vegas, The Walkmen, Dappled Cities, PVT, This Town Needs Guns, The Holidays, Phosphorescent, Foxy Shazam, Kormac’s Big Band (with more to be added)

Next you limit the capacity and exclude rugrats to ensure comfort while substantially increasing the quality and quantity of amenities, services, food outlets and the variety of food & beverage options provided.

Last but definitely not least, create a mesmerising atmosphere by setting the events in magnificent, natural, green environments; show off all that natural beauty with ambient lighting and visual effects; and place within it art installations, holistic markets, cocktail bars and a plethora of performers -- from visual and live arts mavericks to neo-cabaret stars.

For more info on how your brand can get involved in this exciting new festival click here

HARVEST DATES

Saturday November 12 - Harvest Presents “The Gathering”, Melbourne, Werribee Park

Sunday November 13 - Harvest, Sydney, Parramatta Park

Saturday November 19 - Harvest, Brisbane, Botanical Gardens

Sydney, June 23rd, 2011: Independent brand entertainment agency mixitup has been appointed lead agency for liqueur brand Jagermeister after a highly competitive pitch process involving some of Australias leading agencies.

A departure from many marketers’ traditional agency line-ups, the appointment sees mixitup (www.mixitup.com.au) taking the lead strategic role for Jagermeister, working with incumbent media agency Z Media, social media agency Pages Digital and newly appointed PR agency, Stellar.

“mixitup have demonstrated great abilities to think strategically and execute effectively in re-positioning Jagermeister,” said Group Brand Manager Jonathan Howells. “Appointing mixitup to the lead agency role, supported by the key roles in PR, social media as well as media planning and buying, gives us the right mix to develop and to roll out our new strategy and campaigns.”

Jagermeister has worked with mixitup for the past five years, on branded entertainment events including music festivals and on Jagermeister’s collaboration with the independent music industry through its naming rights partnership of the Independent Music Awards and Charts.

Greg Segal, Managing Director of mixitup, said the agency would be building on the successful communication platforms the agency had created for Jagermeister over the past five years.

“We have demonstrated our ability to impact perceptions and deliver genuine partnerships for Jagermeister and our lead agency role gives us a broader remit with the brand. We are looking forward to working in collaboration with the Jagermeister team and the other agencies to roll out the new national strategy and campaigns”.

Segal said mixitup was founded in 2006 initially as a music and event sponsorship business that has naturally evolved into a brand entertainment agency. He said the agency had developed specific skills in brand strategy, account service, major event management and production, as well as research and insights.

To find out more click here!

Teen Band from Melbourne on their way to London after winning round one of Red Bull Bedroom Jam

Welcome Wednesday from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs have rocked their way to victory at the Red Bull Backyard Jam event, held in Alice Springs on Saturday 7^th May. The winners of the first round of the 2011 Red Bull Bedroom Jam competition will be heading to London in June to record in Red Bull’s state of the art studios, before performing the gig of a lifetime at legendary rock festival Download.

The four piece rock band conquered the Backyard Jam on Saturday after defeating over 350 other hopeful bands on the Buzz Chart and three other finalists on the day at a live gig in the Red Centre, alongside award winning Aussie garage rockers British India.

Welcome Wednesday’s lead vocalist and guitarist Max Roberts, 17, said ‘‘we can’t believe we’re going to London to record and play at Download! This is by far the biggest thing that’s happened for us as a band. We never thought we’d get this far so soon.”

British India took time out from their national tour to play their only date in the Northern Territory and help judge the Red Bull Bedroom Jam finalists. They sat alongside David Vodicka, Chairman of AIR and CEO of Rubber Records, Sarah Smith, Editor of Faster Louder and MTV host Daisy McHarg-McKenzie, on the industry judging panel.

The four finalists - songwriter Scott Boyd, garage band Jagged Lies and Welcome Wednesday, all from Melbourne, and electro thrash metal group The Sky’s The Limit from Alice Springs - battled it out to impress the judges before headliners British India took to the stage.

“It’s pretty awesome to be a part of something like Red Bull Bedroom Jam that is helping to nurture Aussie talent like Welcome Wednesday and give bands the confidence to tackle the industry,” said British India’s Declan Melia.

For bands itching to follow in Welcome Wednesday’s footsteps and get involved, there’s still time to be part of Red Bull Bedroom Jam.  The second round of the competition that will send one band to LA this September is now live! 

Bands simply need to upload a video of an original track to www.redbullbedroomjam.com.au and spread the word to encourage their friends and fans to hop online and generate some noise.

The first webcast winner of the next phase will be announced on 2^nd June.

To find out more about the Red Bull Bedroom Jam click here

The nation’s biggest metal festival has proudly completed yet another successful year. Whilst many other musical endeavors come and go, Soundwave has grown into its own and the celebration of pure metal goodness lives on.

Almost 200,000 guests nationally rolled through the gates, each on a mission with site maps and timetables in hand. The fans are not like the usual festival goer, they are in it for the pure love of music.

And by no means were the fans let down this year, the music and skills on show throughout the tour were all top-notch and the energy level of the bands were exceptional. With notable performances from festival headliners Iron Maiden, Queens Of The Stone Age, Primus, Slash, 30 Seconds To Mars and epic metallers The Sword.

The team from Monster Energy treated artists backstage to a good time with their Monster Bar. Drinks were flowing and spirits were high as bands were able to sit back, relax and take in the Soundwave atmosphere.

Official spirit Jim Beam ensured guests were enjoying their surrounds. The passionate and fun loving Jim Beam Party Crew ensured guests were watered and entertained in every city.

So Soundwave is over for another year and as the team at mixitup makes our way into the recovery zone, we are both satisfied and sad that this great festival is done for another year.

For more information on how your brand can get involved click here

Since Soundwave festival announced back in September last year that they would be moving from the Steel Blue Oval in Bassendean to avoid a clash with the Western Australian Football League preseason training, there has been much speculation, and concern, about the location of the Perth leg of the festival.

Well, we can finally confirm that the festival will be held at the Claremont Showgrounds.

ROCK ON PERTH!

Having already spent substantial time, effort and treasure to make improvements to the venue – adding major shade structures, plumbing to enable the addition of hundreds of free water taps and coming up with foolproof traffic management regime, Soundwave Festival and the venue operators have jointly decided that we would rather unveil the new Eastern Creek when even more additional improvements and renovations have been completed.

We believe that the most important person in our business is not the artist, the venue or the promoter, but the concert‐goer who makes everything possible and we would rather not take the chance that we may not offer the perfect conditions.

As such this year’s event has been moved to the Sydney Showground, located at Sydney Olympic Park. All tickets are valid for the new location. Soundwave gratefully thanks the operators of the Sydney Showground who have gone above and beyond to make this move happen on short notice.

SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL VENUES AND DATES

SATURDAY 26 FEBRUARY BRISBANE, RNA SHOWGROUNDS – SOLD OUT!

SUNDAY 27 FEBRUARY SYDNEY, SYDNEY SHOWGROUND – Sydney Olympic Park

FRIDAY 4 MARCH MELBOURNE, SHOWGROUNDS – SOLD OUT!

SATURDAY 5 MARCH ADELAIDE, BONYTHON PARK

MONDAY 7 MARCH PERTH, VENUE TBC

Australia’s biggest 2011 festival lineup is just around the corner.

Brisbane and Melbourne crowds prove to be the most dedicated when it comes to their heavy rock, and with both cities selling out, the domino effect is set to kick in- with Adelaide, Perth and Sydney set to follow.

The festival kicks off in Brisbane on Saturday 26^th February and is bringing one hell of a lineup with it. The bill includes rock legends and festivals headliners Iron Maiden, Queens Of The Stone Age, Slayer, Primus, Slash and many more.

Soundwave 2011 dates & venues:

Saturday 28^th February- RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane- SOLD OUT

Sunday 27^th February- Eastern Creek Raceway, Sydney

Friday 4^th March- Showgrounds, Melbourne- SOLD OUT

Saturday 5^th March- Monython Park, Adelaide

Monday 7^th March- TBC, Perth

To find out more about how your brand can get involved click here

To check out the Soundwave website click here

FALLS FESTIVAL IS A SUMMER SELL OUT

The Falls Music and Arts Festival sold out yet again in 2010, proving that great bands, beautiful scenery and a chilled atmosphere never go out of fashion!

The Lorne and Marion Bay sites were each home to around 15,000 guests per day, who came from across the country for the annual New Years event.

The lineup included The National, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Children Collide, Angus and Julia Stone and Australian music icon Paul Kelly.

The welcome wagon was busy with Lion Nathan, as they joined us as the new official beer for Lorne. The team helped guests quench their thirst, and we look forward to drinking with them again!

A big shout out to our official airline partner Virgin Blue, who flew the artists and guests alike to our two festival locations, ensuring everyone arrived safely and in style. 

Take a squiz at the Falls website here 

Following the success of the inaugural 2009 Kirin Big In Japan program, the project returned in 2010 with an even greater collective of Japanese leaders in multiple discipline artistic talent.  

And for the first time, we took it to Melbourne.  

Hit up www.biginjapan.com.au for more images from the events and loads of other crazy japanese goodness...

Playground Weekender is back this summer for its 5th edition to offer you a truly unique festival.

2011 is going to be another cracking year for Playground Weekender, and we’re excited to give you a taste of our 2011 line up!

The big announcement including our headline artists still to come, but the artists should be enough to get you excited for now….

Playground Weekender fifth edition - Class of 2011:

DOVES / KOOL & THE GANG / DE LA SOUL KATE NASH / CARIBOU / FOUR TET
ROY AYERS / TUNNG / HUNGRY KIDS OF HUNGARY / TORO Y MOI / NORMAN JAY MBE / DAMIAN LAZARUS/TOM MIDDLETON / BELLERUCHE / LTJ BUKEM / DJ HEIDI/ CANYONS / DANIMALS / KING TIDE / ROSKA / CLIVE HENRY/ STRANGE TALK / MEEM

Headline artists & many more acts for the 2011 festival are yet to be announced!

Tickets On Sale Monday 18th October

Tickets will be available from the PGWE website:

WWW.PLAYGROUNDWEEKENDER.COM.AU

TICKETING INFO:

1st release 3 day tickets - $199 + b fee
1st release 4 day tickets - $219 + b fee
Final release 3 day tickets - $229 + b fee
Final release 4 day tickets - $249 + b fee

The 2010 JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS have rolled up the red carpet for another year, wrapping up a fun filled evening which delivered 11 Awards to some of Australia's hottest young talent, with first-time winners CLOUD CONTROL and DAN SULTAN taking out the major honours with two awards apiece.

Now in their fifth year, The JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS continue to grow and are now recognised as a barometer for future 'big' acts, with this years list of winners no exception. 

Blue Mountains four piece CLOUD CONTROL well and truly made their mark on the evening with the first-timers picking up 2 awards, taking out Best Independent Album for their critically acclaimed Ivy League debut "Bliss Release" and the award for Breakthrough Independent Artist. With stunning sun-drenched pop songs like 'There's Nothing in The Water We Can't Fight' and Gold Canary The band have seen their fan base sky-rocket both locally and internationally over the past 2 years, so its little wonder they've been earmarked as a band to watch.

Awards for the Best Independent Artist and Best Independent Blues and Roots Album (for his debut album Get Out While You Can) were taken out by DAN SULTAN  His second full-length release, the album was an electrifying romp through rockabilly, blues, soul, country and swing, and saw Dan's star continue to shine when it reached Number 1 on the Independent Music Charts back in 2009 on release.

Best Independent Single or EP went to Melbourne 5-piece LITTLE RED for their single 'Rock It'. With a sound steeped in classic R&B, garage and rock'n'roll, yet possessing a thoroughly modern spark, LITTLE RED won with this tasty morsel from their recently released album Midnight Remember.

Best Independent Hard Rock or Punk Album went to arguably the most formidable force on the Australian hardcore scene, Byron Bay's PARKWAY DRIVE.  Winning for their third studio album Deep Blue which incorporated everything from anthemic punk to bloodcurdling death metal, the album also achieved Number 1 status on the Independent Charts on release.

Best Independent Country Album went to an Australian Country family dynasty - KASEY CHAMBERS, POPPA BILL AND THE LITTLE HILLBILLIES - for their Lost Music Blues album.  A unique collaboration of 3 generations - the 16 original songs were crafted together by KASEY, Father BILL, Brother NASH and their collective brood of Little Hillbillies.

With 2 prior nominations, 2010 proved to be the lucky year for URTHBOY, who took out his first Independent Music award for Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Album for Spitshine. His third solo album, the critically acclaimed, and now award winning album "Spitshine" has proved to be his most successful to date.

The Gathering - the latest suite from pianist/composer and producer STU HUNTER - was awarded Best Independent Jazz album. His second release, the album received extraordinary accolades, and has been described as representing a milestone in contemporary Australian jazz, proving to be a more than worthy winner.

MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS' second album The Crystal Axis won Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album in a hotly contested category. Hailed as de facto pioneers of a new frontier of "indie-dance", the band pushed the boundaries even further on album number 2, and were rewarded for their efforts as they also brought home their second award in this category, after winning back in 2007.

And finally, the inaugural award for Most Popular Independent Artist (as voted by Nova listeners) went to JOHN BUTLER TRIO. Undeniably one of the most successful independent artists in Australia and no strangers to picking up Awards, this is the second Independent Music Award the band have collected, after Best Independent Artist in 2007, in a career spanning more than a decade.

The 2010 Jagermeister Independent Music Awards winners:

Most Popular Independent Artist (as voted by Nova Listeners)

John Butler Trio

Best Independent Artist

Dan Sultan (Independent/MGM)

Breakthrough Independent Artist

Cloud Control (Ivy League)

Best Independent Album

Cloud Control – Bliss Release (Ivy League)

Best Independent Single/EP

Little Red – ‘Rock It’ (Liberation)

Best Independent Blues And Roots Album

Dan Sultan – Get Out While You Can (Independent/MGM)

Best Independent Hard Rock Or Punk Album

Parkway Drive – Deep Blue (Resist/Shock)

Best Independent Country Album

Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill And The Little Hillbillies – Lost Music Blues (Liberation)

Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Album

Urthboy – Spitshine (Elefant Traks/Inertia)

Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album

Midnight Juggernauts - The Crystal Axis (Siberia/Inertia)

Best Independent Jazz Album

Stu Hunter - The Gathering (Vitamin)

For more info on the Awards, Charts and Independent music, check out http://www.ausindies.com.au/

Red Bull Bedroom Jam’s first ever Australian finalist has been decided. 

‘Bring The Rain’, a fresh pop- rock band from Coffs Harbour, NSW, have topped the ‘Buzz Chart’ to beat 70 other bands.

They will be rocking out in their bedroom in the first live webcast ever produced in Australia for this all-new online music competition.

Bring The Rain topped the Red Bull Bedroom Jam site’s embedded ‘Buzz Chart’, a piece of custom built technology that ranks the top ten bands in real time, based on their online chatter across the Red Bull Bedroom Jam site, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites.

On Friday, 24^th September at 5pm, Bring The Rain will perform their top three tracks via a live webcast on www.redbullbedroomjam.com.au.

Bring The Rain are now also in the running to host a gig in their very own backyard, alongside a headline Aussie band. They could also win a recording session in Red Bull’s recording studio in Los Angeles, a prize worth over $80,000. 

Tune in to www.redbullbedroomjam.com.au at 5pm this Friday!

Blink and you might have missed them!

Tickets to the Falls Music and Arts Festival in Lorne VIC went on sale at 9am this morning, and sold out in under 30 minutes!

BUT, official Falls Festival airline Virgin Blue have packaged up the FINAL 50 TICKETS TO FALLS LORNE, and put together return flights to Melbourne, Lorne Falls Festival ticket, car hire and accommodation (okay, it’s a tent!) for you at some seriously rockin’ prices…..

Ex LST from $611pp twin share
Ex HBA from $623pp twin share
Ex ADL from $621pp twin share
Ex OOL from $701pp twin share
Ex CBR from $671pp twin share
Ex SYD from $633pp twin share
Ex BNE from $721pp twin share

To book, you better call Blue Holidays on 13 15 16 quicksmart to book, as packages are extremely limited (first 50 callers only!). They won’t last long!

More information: http://www.virginblue.com.au/Holidays/Specialsoffers/FallsFestivalLorne

Nominations for the fifth Annual JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS (formally known as the Jagermeister AIR Awards) have officially been announced, and they include a stellar array of the country's brightest emerging artists, while acknowledging an extraordinary year for Independent music.

Leading the pack with 3 Nominations a piece, Sia, Dan Sultan and Cloud Control will all vie for BEST INDEPENDENT ARTIST and BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM - with Sia also nominated for BEST INDEPENDENT SINGLE OR EP, Dan Sultan for BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM, and Cloud Control for BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST.

Also receiving a nomination for the coveted BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM award is Australian music Legend Rowland S Howard, who passed away last year and is recognized posthumously for his final recording “Pop Crimes” which was released only months before he died.

After a busy year on the charts and on the road, former Winners British India and Eddie Current Suppression Ring both received well earned nominations in the BEST INDEPENDENT ARTIST category, alongside first timers Bridezilla for their BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST nomination, and BEST INDEPENDENT SINGLE OR EP nods to Little Red for “Rock It” and The Temper Trap for “Love Lost”.

We are also pleased to announce the Host for the 2010 JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS will be NOVA 969 Breakfast Announcer Scott Dooley, who will MC the evening alongside a number of high profile special guest presenters including Channel [V] presenter Billy Russell.

Proudly sponsored by The City Of Melbourne, the 2010 JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS is the Marquis event in Melbourne Music, a new 12-day programme designed to celebrate the city’s diverse and lively music scene.

Channel [V] will be on hand once again to film the event, producing a JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS special to air in October, which will feature live performances, artist interviews and exclusive back stage footage of the event. Shaun James, General Manager for the XYZ Music Channels said “We are proud to be partnering with AIR for another year to deliver the Jagermeister Independent Music Charts, and the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards to our audience.”

Also In support of the JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS, an exciting new addition to the Award Categories has been added this year, with NOVA looking for the ‘most popular independent artist of 2010 as voted by Nova listeners!’.  Wade Kingsley, Nova Group Integration Manager said, “Part of Nova’s DNA is to support Independent music, so we’re thrilled to be partnering with the Australian Independent Record Association.”

You can jump on line to vote at www.novafm.com.au

MOST POPULAR INDEPENDENT ARTIST (as voted by Nova listeners):

Basement Birds

Birds Of Tokyo

Bliss N Eso

John Butler Trio

Little Red

Midnight Juggernauts

Philadelphia Grand Jury

Sia

The Cat Empire

The Temper Trap

JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS 2010 NOMINEES:

BEST INDEPENDENT ARTIST

British India (Independent/Shock)

Cloud Control (Ivy League)

Dan Kelly (Independent/Shock)

Dan Sultan (Independent/MGM)

Eddy Current Suppression Ring (Aaarght!)

Sia (Independent)

BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST

Bridezilla (Inertia Recordings)

Cloud Control  (Ivy League)

Otouto (Two Bright Lakes/Inertia)

Philadelphia Grand Jury (Boomtown Records/Shock)

Richard In Your Mind (Rice Is Nice/Other Tongues)

The Jezebels (Independent/MGM)

BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM

Cloud Control – Bliss Release (Ivy League)

Dan Kelly – Dan Kelly’s Dream (Independent/Shock)

Dan Sultan – Get Out While You Can (Independent/MGM)

Eddy Current Suppression Ring – Rush To Relax (Aaarght! /Shock)

Rowland S Howard – Pop Crimes (Liberation)

Sia – We Are Born (Independent/Inertia)

BEST INDEPENDENT SINGLE OR EP

Bliss N Eso – Down By The River  (Illusive)

Little Red - Rock It (Liberation)

Philadelphia Grand Jury – The Good News (Boomtown/Shock)

Sia – Clap Your Hands (Independent/Inertia)

The Jezabels – She’s So Hard (Independent/MGM)

The Temper Trap – Love Lost (Liberation)

BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM

Ash Grunwald – Hot Mama Vibes (Delta Groove/Shock)

Dan Sultan – Get Out While You Can  (Independent/MGM)

Jeff Lang  - Chimeradour (ABC Records)

Mama Kin -Beat and Holler (Independent/MGM)

The Beautiful Girls – Spooks (Independent/MGM)

The Red Eyes – Red Army (Independent/MGM)

BEST INDEPENDENT HARD ROCK OR PUNK ALBUM

50 Lions – Where Life Expires (Resist/Shock)

Calling All Cars – Hold, Hold, Fire (Independent/Shock)

House Vs. Hurricane – Perspectives (Independent/Shock)

Parkway Drive  - Deep Blue (Resist/Shock)

The Amity Affliction – Youngbloods (Boomtown/Shock)

BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM

Amber Lawrence – When It All Comes Down (Compass Brothers)

Deborah Conway – Half Man, Half Woman (Independent/MGM)

Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill and The Little Hillbillies – Lost Music Blues (Liberation)

The Dingoes – Tracks (Liberation)

The Sunny Cowgirls – Summer (Compass Brothers/Shock)

BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP/URBAN ALBUM

Horrorshow – Inside Story (Elefant Traks/Inertia)

Lowrider – Round The World (Illusive)

M-Phazes – Good Gracious (Obese Records)

Ozi Batla – Wild Colonial (Elefant Traks/Inertia)

Urthboy – Spitshine (Elefant Traks/Inertia)

BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE / ELECTRONICA ALBUM

Faux Pas - Noiseworks (Sensory Projects/Inertia)

Jamie Lloyd - Beware Of The Light (Future Classic)

Midnight Juggernauts - The Crystal Axis (Siberia/Inertia)

Nick Thayer - Just Let It Go (Independent)

Opiuo - Slurp And Giggle (Addictech)

Space Invades - Soul:Fi (Invada Records)

BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM

Alister Spence Trio - Fit (Rufus Records)

Allan Browne Quintet - Une Saison En Enfer (Jazzhead)

Ben Winkelman Trio - Odysseys (Jazzhead)

Bernie McGann - Double Dutch (Independent)

Jamie Oehlers and Paul Graboswky - On A clear Day (Jazzhead)

Joe Chindamo - Another Place Another Time (Jazzhead)

Jonathan Zwartz - The Sea (Independent)

Mike Nock Trio - An Accumulation Of Subtleties (FWM Records)

Stu Hunter - The Gathering (Vitamin)

Way Out West - The Effects Of The Weather (Jazzhead)

** Please note – nominees in this category will be reduced to 5 pre-event

For more info on the Awards, Charts and Independent music check out http://www.ausindies.com/ 

The 5^th Annual

JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS

The Forum Theatre, Melbourne - Friday October 1^st, 2010

Doors open at 8:00pm

Tickets - $29 +BF and are available now @ http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/

Proudly presented by Channel [V], NOVA, and MySpace, the fifth Annual JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS (formally known as the Jagermeister AIR Awards) will be held on Friday October 1st at The Forum Theatre in Melbourne.

The event is a rare opportunity to join great Australian Musicians and the Industry at large, as they celebrate success with the Award winners, and enjoy performances by some of the country’s most sought after artists.

The JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS are Australia’s only official independent music awards, rewarding the country’s highest achieving independent artists across all genres, in any given year.

The evening will feature performances from those purveyors of punk, hardcore rockers AMITY AFFLICTION; new indie darlings and vintage-alt-pop stars CLOUD CONTROL; virtuosic jazz pianist JOE CHINDAMO; indie wunderkids and brit-rock exponents BRITISH INDIA; the intoxicating world-renowned singer-songwriter SALLY SELTMANN; and a hip-hop extravaganza from M-PHAZES WITH ILLY, MUPH & CANDICE MONIQUE, SOLO AND MANTRA which promises some electric on-stage collaborations.

Awards to be presented during the evening include Best Independent Dance / Electronic Release, Best Independent Artist, Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Release and Best Independent Hard Rock/Punk Release among others, with a number of high profile special guest presenters on hand to help with proceedings.

Now in their fifth year, The JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS continue to grow and are now recognised as a barometer for future ‘big’ acts. Previous winners include Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, The Hilltop Hoods, The Herd, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Gotye, British India, Sneaky Sound System and John Butler, many of whom have gone on to major commercial and critical success subsequently.

Given the depth of such Label and Artist success, Independent Music can no longer be viewed as just small or emerging. Independent labels are currently estimated to have 80% of titles on shelves and online, and continue to have the biggest winning scorecard every year from the ARIA awards to triple j’s Hottest 100, while also providing the bulk of talent to the Australian festival circuit each year.

Curated and created by the Australian Independent Record Label Association (AIR), this year’s JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS will be the jewel in the crown of ‘Melbourne Music’, a 10- day music festival programme presented by The City of Melbourne.

AIR is a (non-profit, non-government) national trade association promoting and representing the interests and development of Australian independent artists, labels and music companies in Australia and throughout the world.

For more info on the Awards, Charts and Independent music check out www.ausindies.com

The 5th Annual JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS

The Forum Theatre, Melbourne - Friday October 1st, 2010

Doors open at 8:00pm

Tickets - $29 +BF and are available now www.ticketmaster.com.au

The Falls Music and Arts Festival jukebox is bursting with goodness, spinning inside, raring to be unleashed. Lean over and flick through because this sound machine is filled to the brim with talent from near and far that will make your skin tingle and your mind blow. Celebrating a magnificent 18 years in Lorne and 8 years in Marion Bay, here’s who’ll be lighting up The Falls stage in 2010:

The darkly atmospheric indie rock of INTERPOL (USA); undeniably iconic, unrelentingly cool, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS (USA) bringing us raw rock ‘n’ roll passion; raw and reflective, with deep musical and lyrical wonders, THE NATIONAL (USA); quite simply, one of Australia's greatest living rock bands, THE LIVING END; legends of rhyme, PUBLIC ENEMY (USA) performing in full their masterpiece ‘Fear of a Black Planet’ on the 20 year anniversary of its release; London based whiz- kids, KLAXONS (UK) playing their epic new album; the nation’s loved purveyors of harmonic rural pop, ANGUS AND JULIA STONE; the psychedelic circus of TAME IMPALA; New York band, THE RAPTURE (USA), bring their pioneering influential brand of post punk; superwoman of pop, LADYHAWKE (NZ); the piano based indie blues, manic vocals and irresistible lyrical crescendos of COLD WAR KIDS (USA); duo SLEIGH BELLS (USA) with their jagged, dance punk take on bubblegum pop; PEACHES (USA), bringing her one woman travelling show down under once again for a special DJ/Karaoke/Performance Art set (!); indie-pop, fabulous foursome, HOT HOT HEAT (CAN); modern icon of Australian music, PAUL KELLY; legend of the Australian roots scene, ASH GRUNWALD; jagged grunge punk rockers, CHILDREN COLLIDE; the melodic summer sounds of THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS; with their stripped back garage rock THE SOFT PACK (USA); local singer/songwriter DAN SULTAN having done us proud making it big on the national stage; for the first time in Australia behold the shimmering brightness of Californian four-piece, THE MORNING BENDERS (USA); THE COOL KIDS (USA) bring their brand of classic hip hop; JUNIP (SWE) featuring Jose Gonzalez (vocals and guitar), Tobias Winterkorn (keyboards) and Elias Araya (drums); KITTY, DAISY AND LEWIS’ (UK) quirky blend of vintage inspired rockabilly, swing and country; with an amazing vocal range, quirky persona and edgy lyrics MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS* (UK) for the first time in Australia; the stunning harmonies of Townsville’s THE MIDDLE EAST; indie melodies of CLOUD CONTROL; sailing right into the heart of The Falls Festival, YACHT CLUB DJs* bring their churning, energetic set; revel in the heavenly sounds of Australia’s pop darling, WASHINGTON; the dense harmonies and brooding arrangements of BOY AND BEAR; formerly New Buffalo and co-writer of Feist hit ‘1234’, SALLY SELTMANN*; downright funk and soul from THE BAMBOOS; flamenco and live Latin Cuban percussion from TIJUANA CARTEL; one of the coolest men on the planet right now, master turntablist A-TRAK (CAN); witness the wizardry of EDAN THE DEE-JAY (USA) and his magnificent array of musical talents; an eclectic, infamous DJ set from Vampire Weekend’s CHRIS BAIO (USA); champion beatboxer, BEARDYMAN (UK) uses no pre-recorded material to create amazing tracks

Supported by:before your very eyes; THE CUBAN BROTHERS (UK) presenting one of the most hilarious and bizarre live dance and comedy shows you're ever likely to witness; energetic, four-piece Melbourne dance band, WORLD’S END PRESS*; Norwegian masters of danceable electronic, CASIOKIDS* (NOR); with a reputation as one of the nation’s finest and most eccentric songwriters, DAN KELLY*; Senegalese rappers DAARA J FAMILY (AFR) with their afro-beats and reggae inspired sounds; be whisked to a world of French rhythms and sublime pop with JAMAICA* (FRA); the furious guitar picking and gravel soaked vocals of blues singer CHARLIE PARR; the crashing percussion, joyous vocals and swooning keys of JONATHAN BOULET*; sophisticated indie pop of, THE JEZABELS; fuzz-driven, brooding rock to melancholic piano from BIG SCARY; effortlessly catchy pop-rock of LAST DINOSAURS*; spreading satisfyingly good beats with a spectacular live audio visual DJ performance, SAMPOLOGY*; like a cross between The Rolling Stones circa 1971 and some kind of lost Beck b-side – it's EAGLE AND THE WORM*; JINJA SAFARI* bring together Afropop rhythms and tumbling island- guitar sounds; electro-pop, synth heavy sounds of duo, TIM AND JEAN*; delivering mammoth Afro beats to the dance-floor, THE PUBLIC OPINION AFRO ORCHESTRA*.

Get in early and start your Festival experience in Lorne on the 28th of December and Marion Bay on the 29th by getting your groove on at the FUNK N SOUL RETRO REVUE with the likes of: (Lorne) KITTY, DAISY AND LEWIS (UK); THE MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA; ANNA’S GO-GO ACADEMY; MISS GOLDIE; THE PUTBACKS ; THE MEGAHORNS; DJ RUSS DEWBURY; DJ MANCHILD and DJ MOHAIR SLIM and

(Marion Bay) ANNA’S GO-GO ACADEMY; PIERRE BARONI; DJ EMMA PEEL, DJ KANO and DJ CHRIS GILL.

Stay tuned – more to be announced on what’s coming to The Falls Music and Arts Festival in 2010!

Now in its 8th year in Tasmania and 18th year in Victoria, The Falls Music and Arts Festival is one of Australia’s longest running music and arts festivals.

In two stunning coastal locations, The Falls Music and Arts Festivals is held over: 3 days from December 29, 2010 in Marion Bay Tasmania (all ages), and 4 days from December 28, 2010 in Lorne, Victoria (18+ event).

Featuring around 60 performers, comedians, The Falls Arts Village, films, spectacular natural amphitheatres and FREE CAMPING.

Website: www.fallsfestival.com.au

SOUNDWAVE RETURNS, BIGGER, BETTER & GOING WHERE NO FESTIVAL HAS GONE BEFORE...

There used to be a saying at Soundwave that no one band is bigger than the festival.

That saying will be tested in 2011 as they proudly announce a rare chance to see rock legends IRON MAIDEN as the headline artist for next year’s festival. Maiden are one of the few artists that inspire loyalty and worship by a constantly growing army that spans several generations of not only fans, but other rock musicians ranging from today’s biggest metal bands to pop icons.

What makes Iron Maiden unique amongst their peers is that the band has never lost their creative touch and their ability to deliver album after album of greatness.

Just when you would think there cannot be another hitherto undiscovered original yet amazing guitar riff; Maiden turn up with another album full of new classics to add to metal and rock’s greatest back catalogue.

Only a fool would bet against the band’s upcoming album, ‘The Final Frontier’, being anything less than a masterpiece. Only a fool would bet against Iron Maiden, period.

Maiden will be bringing with them the full stage production that featured in their hugely successful recent tour of North America, where they played to almost 400,000 fans over the 25 shows. And of course that includes Eddie’s latest incarnation..!!

Joining these gargantuan headliners is a cast of rock, punk and metal luminaries, headed by the regal guitar rock of QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, metal gods SLAYER, indie pioneers PRIMUS, the incomparable SLASH and fifty or so other international artists who form the who is who of cutting edge music for the coming decade.

And that is just the 1^st announcement...

SOUNDWAVE 2011 TOUR DATES:

SATURDAY 26^TH FEBRUARY: BRISBANE, RNA SHOWGROUNDS

SUNDAY 27^TH FEBRUARY: SYDNEY, EASTERN CREEK RACEWAY

FRIDAY 4^TH MARCH: MELBOURNE, SHOWGROUNDS

SATURDAY 5^TH MARCH: ADELAIDE, BONYTHON PARK

MONDAY 7^TH MARCH: PERTH, STEEL BLUE OVAL

Fore more info, see www.soundwavefestival.com

BEACH ROAD HOTEL // 71 BEACH ROAD BONDI

SATURDAY 1ST MAY 

7:30PM - 12:00AM 

PLUS DANGEROUS DAN

Artist, Coder, Hacker, Sound Designer, DJ, VJ - Daito Manabe redefines existent media and technologies from unique angles by producing the output of sounds, images and light from various sensors and input devices.

Having collaborated with engineers, dancers, academics and visual artists and more, he more recently tours internationally as a turn table artist exploring surround/ oscillation/ super low frequency technology and pursuing sensual peculiarity, commonality and interaction.

Daito will be playing an exclusive one-off show upstairs at the Beach Road and thanks to the kind folks at Kirin beer, entry is $10 bucks AND you get a FREE Kirin. Joining Daito will be Bondi local and Rex Room favourite Dangerous Dan.

This is only Daito's second visit to Australia, he was here back in December for the sensory-overload-event-extravaganza Big in Japan, which was presented by Kirin and created by ksubi. If you missed Daito then, or haven't checked him out online already, take five minutes out of your life to familiarise yourself:

FACE HACKING - 1.5 million hits on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxdlYFCp5Ic

NEW NIKE PROJECT - 400,000 + hits on YouTube in one week!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS1exujG3cY&feature=player_embedded

BIG IN JAPAN

http://www.biginjapan.com.au 

There was nothing Diva about Kelly Rowland when she spread the love amongst a very lucky few at a warm up Mardi Gras event last night in Kings Cross!

Kelly joined the notorious transsexual star Amanda Lapore and fellow singer Adam Lambert at King’s Cross’ Kit & Kaboodle last night for an intimate gathering of VIPs.

Where there is smoke, there certainly is fire – this VIP party was the smoke, the Mardi Gras Party will be the fire!

Get your tickets to Mardi Gras Party at the Hordern Pavilion and Royal Hall of Industry this Saturday to see who brings the heat!

Is George Michael partying too hard in Australia to Go-Go!?

Click here to buy tix!

Harbour Party ’10 on Sunday 28th of February certainly was wet and wild and we’re not just talking about the weather! 

Not even a short sun shower could keep revelers away from the picturesque surrounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens with 5000 people turning up to showcase their hot bodies and cheerful dispositions!

mixitup’s production genius shone through the overcast skies, with no effort too great for our extended Mardi Gras family!

Disco was the underlying theme all over the venue, especially the main stage, which was draped in sparkly silver! Party-goers orbited around a gigantic disco ball the size of a small planet, and danced the night away amongst Sydney’s most spectacular Harbour views.

Harbour Party was a wonderful way to rejoice and come together in what was the final event of a memorable Mardi Gras Parade weekend!  

Beginning as a civil rights protest in 1978, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, now in it’s 32nd year, not only remains a display of solidarity and a demand for equality by the GLBTIQ community, but has evolved into a two-week festival including two of the most famous parties in the world and of course the jewel in the crown - the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.

The world’s most famous transsexual, Amanda Lepore was thrilled and excited in her role as Chief of Parade, fulfilling her promise to be as naked as possible - bar a few strategically placed rhinestones!

But it was the ANZ bank’s float that unquestionably eclipsed even Amanda Lepore’s glitter and glam, as over 100 ANZ employees shone brighter than a full moon in silver lycra and shiny disco ball helmets!

The ANZ float (a rockin’ blue hummer decked with a boisterous sound system and even a bunch of glitter canons) is a symbol of ANZ’s culturally diverse workforce, and encourages other organisations to follow their lead as Australia’s workforce becomes increasingly colourful.

While Europe and America hibernate and shiver their way through the chills of winter, things are only starting to heat up down under. It’s summer time in Sydney and nothing makes the city shine more than the infamous Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras!!

This year’s festival will paint the town pink whilst showcasing Sydney’s natural beauty to the world!

To get a flavour of the 2010 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, click here!

We’d like to welcome back our sponsors:
ANZ
Virgin Blue
V Australia
Cockfighter’s Ghost
Events NSW
City of Sydney
Budweiser
GayDar
Mount Franklin and
Atlantis
and thank them for their continued support of the biggest and best-loved Gay & Lesbian community event in the world!

Get nude alongside thousands of others as world famous artist Spencer Tunick creates a ground-breaking artwork on the steps of the Sydney Opera House on March 1st! Sign up to participate here.

Feel the love and feel the spirit, with the most diverse celebration of Gay & Lesbian culture, the 2010 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Happy Mardi Gras! 

There’ll be no shortage of feather boas, sequins and mile-high hair dos when Virgin Blue Mardi Gras-themed flight DJ 857 takes to the skies at 3.45pm on Thursday 25 February.

In celebration of The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, one of the biggest events on the Sydney calendar, the airline has dedicated an entire commercial flight from Melbourne to Sydney to the glitz and glamour of this annual event.

Tickets for the ‘Up, Up and a Gay’ flight are available for purchase for $199 one-way which includes selected refreshments, goodie bags and very special ‘in-flight’ entertainment by the crew from Leave it to Diva.

Seats are going fast and bookings can be made by calling 13 15 16.

As a special addition, a number of fabulous famous faces are set to join the flight along with one of Virgin Blue’s own ‘drag queen’ cabin crew team member, Ms Marion De-Pilot.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said Mardi Gras always attracts a huge amount of travellers from across Australia and around the world.

“People come in droves to Sydney to take part in the celebrations, especially from Melbourne, so we thought it was a great opportunity to quiff our beehives, break out the sequins and kick off the party early by getting into the spirit of Mardi Gras ‘Priscilla’ style on the journey there.”

As the official airline for New Mardi Gras, Virgin Blue and will also feature its very own float in the main parade event on Saturday 27 February.

Brett Godfrey continued, “This is the biggest party in Australia and since Virgin Blue has been in existence we’ve had some kind of affiliation with Mardi Gras.”

Seats on the ‘Up, Up and a Gay’ flight are on SALE NOW for $199!!! Call 13 15 16

After leaving Aussies awestruck in 2003, Bristolian trip-hoppers, Massive Attack bring their hypnotic fusion of hazy beats, dub, soulful melodies and choice samples to Australian shores in March 2010!!!

Yes, Ladies & Gents, you heard right!

As always, mixitup is here to squash the rumours and chitchat, by revealing that founding members Robert Del Naja (3D) and Grant Marshall (Daddy G) will join vocalists Horace Andy, Deborah Miller, Martina Topley-Bird and band members Damon Reece (drums), Angelo Bruschini (guitar), John Baggott (keyboards), Winston Blissett (bass) and Julien Brown (drums) will tour in what is to be Massive’s Attack first stand alone Australian rendezvous in seven years!

To find out more about how your brand can be involved click here.

Coinciding with the highly anticipated ticket release of Massive Attack’s Australian tour on February 5th, the UK trip hop pioneers will also release their 5th studio album Heligoland (EMI).

But check this – everyone who purchases a ticket will receive a free copy of their new Tour Edition album! Sweet!!!

Be the first in the world with a copy of Heligoland by purchasing tickets during the two-week pre-sale commencing January 22nd.

Click here for exclusive ticket and album package pre-sales!

Tour Dates:

Perth, Kings Park, Friday March 12
Sydney, Opera House Forecourt, Monday March 15
Canberra, Royal Theatre, Friday March 19
Melbourne,  Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Saturday March 20
Adelaide, Entertainment Centre, Sunday March 21
Brisbane, Riverstage, Tuesday March 23 

It’s not everyday that Sydney-siders get the opportunity to experience a multitude of epic international talent on the same day or at the same venue.

Days like Sunday January 10th don’t come around that often!

The Days Like This Festival, held at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter, is a unique little gem, which really caters to dedicated hip-hop, soul, reggae and techno lovers.

With a Coopers in one hand and a piece of Gozleme in the other, we made our way through the five stages of exhilarating entertainment!

Theo Parrish produced some wicked beats on the Forum Stage, the Cat Empire were a crowd favourite, lighting up the Main Stage in the late evening and Roots Manuva hyped up the crowd with their electronica.

But it was hip-hop legends Method Man & Redman who the crowd had really come for! Blowing up the stage like the bomb squad they are, the duo made the crowd go wild!

The 2011 bill has some massive shoes to fill next year, but we’re sure festival organisers will go the distance!

Watch this space for updates.

Hot off the heels of a stellar four-night NYE run at The Falls Music & Arts Festival, we traded our tents and veggie burgers for two days of afternoon beers and socially-conscious water at Sunset Sounds 2010.

Now kids, it may have only been Sunset Sound’s second year on the scene, but this little beauty always had a sell out on the cards! Even the light rain didn’t do much to dampen 15,000 guests’ thirst for world-class international and national musical luminaries!

We were all spoilt with incredible performances from Australian act The Temper Trap (incredible!), Xavier Rudd (unbelievable!), Midnight Juggernaughts (mesmerizing!), Lisa Mitchell (Captivating!), Sarah Blasko (Blissful!), Grizzly Bear (Stunning!), the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s (Karen O’s voice enchanting!) and the world renowned Moby!

One thing is for sure, this young summer fiesta has come up with the goods two years in a row, and we look forward to watching it mature in years to come! 

To re-live your favourite Sunset Sounds moments and maybe even spot yourself in the crowd, click here!

Some described it as “extravagant”, others described it as “bizarre”.  But according to the majority… and we all know a majority rules… the Kirin Big In Japan event was… (drum roll please)…. Party of the Year![nbsp] (pedestrian.tv)

Yes, that’s right ladies and gentleman, mixitup produced an epic event where Japanese contemporary art was appreciated like never seen before!
 
We had Daito Manabe face hacking to the sound of bleeps and white noise, Trippple Nippples carving up the stage with their Lady-Gaga-looks-conservative costumes, Mademoiselle Yulia pumping up the crowd with her exquisite beats and Kathy captivating the crowd in a trance with their truly unique performance art…
 
Sydney’s CarriageWorks provided the perfect canvas to an event of such diversity and difference.  We’ll reveal what the future holds in the weird and wonderful world that is the Ksubi Kirin Big In Japan partnership, so stay tuned boys and girls

To check out the Party of the Year click here

As New Mardi Gras' exclusive sponsorship agency we are excited to release some hearty information this week on key dates, venues and talent.  This mob never cease to amaze us and we’ve gotta’ feeling that this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is going to be magical!

NMG launched its official Season Guide with the front cover based on art commissioned by NMG from local gay artist Scott Elk to bring this year’s Mardi Gras ‘History of the World’ theme to life. 

International and interstate visitors will have the opportunity to experience a variety of queer events in 2010 with gigs in Sydney’s parks, on the harbour, at the zoo, at Bondi, at Manly, at Tamarama, at Luna Park and at the Opera House.

Sydney is the place to be over February/March with no other event providing this kind of diversity of experience and with such a high-octane schedule, you’ll see what Sydney really can do!

Key events include:

Sunday 21^st February

Fair Day

Saturday 27^th February

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade

Saturday 27^th February

Parade Carnival, Entertainment Quarter

Sunday 28^th February

Harbour ’10 – the perfect recovery to the night before

Monday 1^st March

Spencer Tunick installation

Tuesday 2^nd March

Fag Tag, Manly

Wednesday 3^rd March

Dinner at the Zoo

Thursday 4^th March

Burt Bacharach

Friday 5^th March

Drag Races, Bondi Beach

Saturday 6^th March

Mardi Gras Party

Sunday 7^th March

Official After Part, Toybox at Luna Park

and loads, loads more!!!

To get more information on event schedules visit http://www.mardigras.org.au/

The culmination of a massive year on the Australian independent music scene erupted at the Jagermeister AIR Awards at Melbourne’s The Forum Theatre on the 22^nd of November absolutely bringing down the house!

And we expected nothing less, with performances by Dappled Cities, Philadelphia Grand Jury, CW Stoneking and Bertie Blackman, (Those last two even went on to win an ARIA awards the following week!!!).

We would like to thank our official sponsors Jagermeister and Coopers 62 Pilsner for their consistent support of independent Australian music and for their efforts in collaborating successfully with mixitup to create such a memorable evening.

Congratulations to all the successful artists:

JAGERMEISTER BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD

THE DRONES – HAVILAH (Independent / MGM)

INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR

THE DRONES (Independent / MGM)

BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR, PRESENTED BY COOPERS 62 PILSNER

BERTIE BLACKMAN (Forum 5 / MGM)

BEST INDEPENDENT SINGLE OR EP

PHILADELPHIA GRAND JURY - GOING TO THE CASINO (Boomtown Records / Shock)

BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM

ADAM BRAND - HELL OF A RIDE (Compass Brothers  / Shock)

BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM

C.W. STONEKING - JUNGLE BLUES (King Hokum Records / Shock)

BEST INDEPENDENT HARD ROCK OR PUNK ALBUM

THE NATION BLUE - RISING WATERS (Casadeldisco Records / Shock)

BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP/URBAN ALBUM

PEZ - A MIND OF MY OWN (Soulmate Records / Inertia)

BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE ALBUM

ART VS. SCIENCE - ART VS SCIENCE (Independent / Green)

BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JAMES – LINGUA FRANCA (Independent / Lamplight)

New Mardi Gras today announced the signing of a new sponsorship agreement with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Blue Airlines group - comprising brand new long haul international airline V Australia, long time supporter Virgin Blue and sister airline Pacific Blue Airlines which flies to New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands.

The new four year agreement, designed to target growth in visitor numbers to the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras will see the airlines assist in promoting the event across a growing network now spanning 28 Australian cities and towns and 13 international destinations including the USA, South Pacific and Southeast Asian countries.

“Mardi Gras is an amazing, spectacular, international celebration and right across our network our team understand the significance and importance of it,” said Heather Jeffery, General Manager of Media and Communications for the Virgin Blue airlines.

“Many of our Virgin Blue team members have had enormous fun supporting Mardi Gras for the past three years and now with an expanding airline network, we look forward to helping bring even more international and local visitors to experience the colour, creativity and community which underpins yet another iconic Sydney event,” she said.

“I am so proud that Virgin Blue is back for another term and tremendously excited that V Australia has come on board,” said New Mardi Gras CEO Anna McInerney.

“We will be encouraging people to fly with New Mardi Gras friendly airlines and Virgin Blue and V Australia’s booking facilities will be easily accessible via the New Mardi Gras website so that patrons can easily access flight prices and times for their trip to Sydney.

In August, Events NSW research showing that Mardi Gras brought over 21,000 visitors into New South Wales in 2009, generating almost $30 million in new money for the State. Of these visitors New Mardi Gras estimates that just under half are international travelers with the US and UK each accounting for just under a third of the total.

The team at Niche Productions and Waterfall Entertainment have outdone themselves this time. Days Like This! 2010, Sydney’s boutique one-day music event at the Moore Park Entertainment Quarter on Sunday 10th January, is excited to announce a jaw-dropping addition to their lovingly handpicked line up.

Check out the freshest of the fresh METHOD MAN & REDMAN! Yes, that’s right. We’re talking the Grammy Award-winning founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, Method Man, and the one and only Redman of Def Squad fame. Signed to the infamous Def Jam label, the almighty hip hop duo dropped their second album Blackout! 2 this year exactly one decade after their 1999 debut Blackout! The legendary Method Man & Redman will rock Days Like This! 2010 like it’s never been rocked before.

If you want to be the first to know about anything and everything about Days Like This!, be sure to check out www.dayslikethis.com.au and join the mailing list to receive all Days Like This! news and updates.

Don’t spend Christmas Day moping around the hostel – head to Bondi Beach and have Christmas lunch with four thousand mates!

At SUNBURNT CHRISTMAS on Christmas day 12 noon – 10pm, back packers will be partying with “The fastest rising stars of the dance scene” — THE POTBELLEEZ.   And they’ll be joined by UK sensations MICKY SLIM and HELENA!

Spanning three stages, SUNBURNT CHRISTMAS boasts homegrown talent like GROOVE TERMINATOR, TIMMY TRUMPET and JOHN GLOVER and loads more – not to mention the Miss Bikini Christmas Competition and a Wet T-Shirt Comp!

Grab a $69* pre-paid ticket and you’ll get CHRISTMAS LUNCH from 12 – 3pm and $4.00 basc drinks between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.  Fill up early – be ready to celebrate!

$59* entry only pre-paid; $69* includes entry plus lunch 12 – 3pm and $4.00 drinks 1 – 3pm; $79 on the door (unless sold out). 

***TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM MOSH TIX & TICKETEK***

The Australian Independent Record Labels Association is proud to announce the nominees for the 2009 JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS. These artists are the top of the pile. The hottest Australian independent musicians. The acts who will soon be the biggest names in the Australian music business.

Nominees for Best Independent Artist include joyous SA pop princess SIA, Australian bluesman CW STONEKING, global sensation DAPPLED CITIES, beguiling synth-pop breakthrough BERTIE BLACKMAN and critical darlings THE DRONES.

Shortlisted for the coveted Jagermeister Best Australian Independent Album of the Year Award are BERTIE BLACKMAN’s Secrets and Lies, CW STONEKING’s Jungle Blues, DAPPLED CITIES’ Zounds, They Blind The Stars, And The Wild Team by DECODER RING and Havilah by THE DRONES.

BERTIE BLACKMAN and SIA are also among the nominees for Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year, presented by Coopers 62 Pilsner and Best Independent Single or EP.

The JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS are presented by the AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT RECORD LABELS ASSOCIATION and honour the quality and diversity of music made by Australian artists, released by Australian owned independent record companies and distributed through Australian owned distribution companies. The AIR Awards are 100% Australian and recognize the incredible depth of talent in our music industry across all genres.

The 4th Annual JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS will be presented at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Sunday 22 November 2009 and hosted by The Chaser’s Julian Morrow.

AIR would like to welcome Coopers 62 Pilsner as the official beer of the Jagermeister AIR Awards 2009.

The 2009 JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARD NOMINEES

JAGERMEISTER BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD
Bertie Blackman - Secrets And Lies
C.W. Stoneking - Jungle Blues
Dappled Cities - Zounds
Decoder Ring - They Blind The Stars, And The Wild Team
The Drones - Havilah

INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bertie Blackman
C.W. Stoneking
Dappled Cities
Sia
The Drones

 
BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR, PRESENTED BY COOPERS 62 PILSNER
Art Vs. Science
Bertie Blackman
John Steel Singers
Oh Mercy
Sia

BEST INDEPENDENT SINGLE OR EP
Architecture In Helsinki - That Beep
Art Vs. Science - Art Vs. Science (EP)
Bertie Blackman - Heart
Philadelphia Grand Jury - Going To The Casino
SIA - Buttons

BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM
Adam Brand - Hell of A Ride
Amber Lawrence - The Mile
James Blundell - Portrait Of A Man
Kirsty Lee Akers - Better Days
Tania Kernaghan - Livin' The Dream

BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM
C.W. Stoneking - Jungle Blues
Ash Grunwald - Fish Out Of Water
The Waifs - Live From The Union Of Soul
Bonjah - Until Dawn
Carus Thompson - Creature Of Habit

BEST INDEPENDENT HARD ROCK OR PUNK ALBUM
Closure In Moscow - First Temple
I Killed The Prom Queen - Sleepless Nights & City Lights
Mammal - The Majority
The Amity Affliction - Severed Ties
The Nation Blue - Rising Waters

BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP/URBAN ALBUM
Astronomy Class - Pursuit Of Happiness
Funkoars - The Hangover
Gully Platoon - The Great Divide
Hermitude - Threads
Pez - A Mind Of My Own

Voting for the BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE ALBUM and the BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM is not yet complete.

Nominees in these categories will be announced on Friday 23rd October.

Tickets are on sale from 23 October 2009.

It’s final. Hip hop heavyweights, Downsyde are the winners of the Red Bull Soundclash for 2009, beating indie rock sensation Little Red in a closely contested battle of the bands.  From one challenging round to the next, blow by blow, note by note, the unstoppable Downsyde finally defeated Little Red to claim the coveted trophy.

The energy at the UNSW Roundhouse was at its peak as fans streamed from the beer garden and into the Roundhouse for the second Soundclash event to hit Oz.  Channel V presenters Renee and Kyle proved to be a dynamic duo in hosting the innovative musical event, and with DJ Leeroy Brown of Katalyst on the decks, the excitement was undeniable.

When the bands finally took to their respective stages, the Roundhouse was filled to the brink and the 700-strong crowd brought the commotion.  The audience were transported from rock to reggae, house to hip-hop and ultimately decided who the winner was based on applause. The “decibel-meter” measured the sonic energy of the crowd by microphone, which was meticulously positioned from the ceiling. The results were then displayed on massive screens for all to see.

After a tight four-round contest it was hip-hop that reigned supreme with Downsyde taking out the trophy and with it, a place in Red Bull Soundclash history.

The competitive energy on stage was really more of a friendly rivalry, and the bands played this competition to perfection. The music was never-heard-before, jaw-dropping brilliance and the crowd appreciated every minute.

As the giant Red Bull Soundclash trophy was handed over to Downsyde, the two bands united on stage for a final performance of Bob Marley’s ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ to end the night. The fans suddenly found themselves cheering for both bands and there was no longer any sign of competition. Both bands certainly flexed their musical muscles and made sure nobody would forget this one-of-a-kind music event!

If you weren’t there to witness the action in person or just want to re-live the experience Channel [V] will be screening the 2009 Red Bull Soundclash on Sunday November 1st at 11.00am.

The 4th Annual JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS will be presented at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Sunday 22 November 2009 and hosted by The Chaser’s Julian Morrow.

The JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS are presented by the AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT RECORD LABELS ASSOCIATION and honour the quality and diversity of music made by Australian artists, released by Australian owned independent record companies and distributed through Australian owned distribution
companies. The JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS are 100% Australian and recognize the incredible depth of talent in our music industry across all genres.

Now in their forth year, The JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS continue to grow and become recognised as a barometer for next year’s ‘big’ acts.

Previous winners include Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, The Hilltop Hoods, The Herd, Eddy Current
Suppression Ring, Gotye, British India, Sneaky Sound System and John Butler, many of whom have gone on
to major commercial and critical success subsequently.

Join great Australian musicians and industry members at the 2009 JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS and enjoy
performances by some of the country’s most sought after artists plus celebrate the successes of the Award
winners.

JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS are presented in the following categories:

Best Australian Independent Album
Best Australian Independent Single/EP
Best New Australian Independent Artist
Best Australian Independent Artist
Best Australian Independent Hard Rock/Punk Album
Best Australian Independent Urban/Hip Hop Album
Best Australian Independent Country Album
Best Australian Independent Dance/Electronica Album
Best Australian Independent Blues and Roots Album
Best Australian Independent Jazz Album

Voting opened on 25 September and closes on 12 October 2009.

Tickets are on sale from 23 October 2009.

The Falls Music & Arts Festival is proud to announce Virgin Blue Australia as the official festival airline for the 2009 event. Boasting a bigger line up of acts than ever before The Falls Festival interstate visitor numbers are expected to be strong again in 2009, generating valuable tourism dollars for the state.

In 2008 the popular music event attracted 16,000 visitors in total with 28% of those travelling from interstate. Through this exciting new partnership, patrons will be able to access a range of great flight options through Virgin Blue. 

Virgin Blue’s booking facility is now available on The Falls Music & Arts Festival website so that patrons can easily access flight prices and times for their trip to Hobart.  Virgin Blue is committed to Tasmania as a destination for domestic and international markets.

“Virgin Blue has a long term love affair with Tasmania and Hobart and that is reflected in the eight flights daily we operate to the city.  We are pleased to be partnering with Tourism Tasmania to support the Falls Festival and look forward to bringing visitors to Hobart to experience the sights and delights of both Hobart and the Festival.”

To celebrate this exciting new partnership, The Falls Festival has set aside the final 50 tickets to what is set to be a sold-out event to be released for Virgin Blue Guests to travel to Tasmania for the festival. 

Tourism Tasmania’s support of The Falls Music & Arts Festival represents an integral part of the organisation’s Events Marketing Strategy. Endorsing the new partnership, Tourism Tasmania, Chief Executive Officer, Felicia Mariani commented that, “The Falls Festival has been a very successful event in Tasmania for the past seven years and is working with Tourism Tasmania to drive tourism potential around the event. Tourism Tasmania are thrilled that the Falls have partnered with Virgin Blue who are a strategic partner of Tourism Tasmania”

A recent Economic Benefit Assessment conducted by Essential Economics Pty Ltd reported that the 2008 festival injected $22.5million into the economy via direct and indirect expenditure, providing a massive boost to the Tasmanian economy each year.

Andy Griffiths received a rock star welcome yesterday with more than 1000 students and fans lining the streets of Mildura for an autograph signing of his new book Robot Riot!

Touring regional Australia with his face plastered on the side of his tour bus, signing hundreds of books, Andy is more of a star than he could have imagined 20 years ago as a punk rock singer who had just moved to Mildura.

Andy says it’s wonderful to hear his books are turning a new generation of children on to reading.  “They’re still enjoying the same stories, I don’t think kids change a lot in what they find funny”.

Griffiths has won more than 40 Australian Children’s Choice Awards for his books, which have sold more than four million copies worldwide and have been featured on the New York Times bestsellers lists.

Hey if your planning on spending New Years Eve in Brissy and don’t want to travel down south for Falls Fest, never fear!

Sunset Sounds is here! 

If you love ‘music from lands abroad and towns near, tropical summer lovin’ weather and rolling green grass to frolic on’ , you better get your tickets to the Sunset Sounds Festival quick, coz’ last year’s sold out event was one hell of a way to bring in the New Year! 

Brisbane’s Botanical and City Gardens will host the summer soiree over two heavenly evenings as Sunset Sounds crafts its own stunning and spacious home by combining the Garden Stage in the Botanic Gardens and the Riverstage in the City Gardens.

Both Falls and Sunset Sounds share some amazing artists, so make sure to hit up the Sunset Sounds website for more info before tickets go on sale on 24 September 2009!

Whether you are enjoying a summer break or an après work beverage with a sound track to shake to, kick start your 2010 on January 6th & 7th in super fine style.

Bands appearing at Sunset Sounds:

Editors
Yveskleinblue
Moby
King Khan & The Shrines
Seasick Steve
The Middle East
Kakiking
Grizzly Bear
Sarah Blasko
Xavier Rudd
The Temper Trap
Hilltop Hoods
Rodrigo & Gabriela
Andrew Bird
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Lisa Mitchell
Emiliana Torrini
The John Steel Singers
Art vs. Science

The Line-Up for the 2009 Falls Festival has been announced this week, and we’ve got all the juicy details!
Australia’s longest running boutique music festival takes place over three days, and two stunning destinations: lovely Lorne in Victoria and Tasmania’s Marion Bay on 29 December til 1 January.

Yet the lush surroundings are just the beginning of this three day soiree, with some of the world’s leading international artists choosing to make their debut in Oz at the event.  Oh and by the way, The Falls Arts Village is making a come back by popular demand!  The vast array of up and coming musical talent, comedians and Saturday Night Fever Films will have laughing and dancing your summer days away! 

The first instalment of the 2009 Falls Festival is as follows:

The kaleidoscopic vocals of Karen O guiding the formidable YEAH YEAH YEAH'S (USA); equipped with his full band comes iconic songwriter and producer, MOBY (USA); rewriting the hip hop rulebook comes HILLTOP HOODS; nerve-shatteringly beautiful and likely contender for Album Of The Year, GRIZZLY BEAR (USA – First Ever Australian Shows);  the unbridled dynamic energy of incendiary guitar virtuosos RODRIGO Y GABRIELA (Mexico); harmony-laden whole hearted dynamism of THE TEMPER TRAP; in his first Oz performance with new international  band comes XAVIER RUDD; captivating soaring vocals and sonic alchemy of EMILIANA TORRINI (Iceland); the driving energy and soulful melodies of LITTLE BIRDY; local electro-dance heroes MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS;  sophisticated, entertaining and spirited storytelling of YVES KLEIN BLUE; Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist and lyricist, the eclectic ANDREW BIRD (USA); the undeniable funk and hip hop party starter grooves of LYRICS BORN (USA); Brooklyn based experimental pop magicians CHAIRLIFT (USA – First Ever Australian Shows); the 11-peice psychedelic-soul big band explosion from dynamite act KING KHAN AND THE SHRINES (Germany – First Ever Australian Shows); iconic modern rockers EDITORS (UK); garage pop brilliance laced with punk from the infectious PHILADELPHIA GRAND JURY;  the dazzling guitar work and shimmering tapestry of future folk from  KAKI KING (USA); the ethereal, organic and immaculate performance of SARAH BLASKO; three sets of funky hands from the feel-good brand of obscure pulsating electro/pop from ART VS. SCIENCE; one of Britain’s most admired club DJs and audio visual manipulator DJ YODA ; awe inspiring, live phenomenon that is LIAM FINN (NZ) ; sweet pop-folk sensibilities of LISA MITCHELL ; the spawn of Diplo and Switch’s futuristic dance-floor-insurgent-sonics of MAJOR LAZER (Soundsystem) (USA); the dream-like tapestries that weave an aural delight from PATRICK WATSON (Canada - First Ever Australian Shows); a hootenanny hoedown from bluesman SEASICK STEVE (USA); rock’n’roll renditions from great Scott’s THE VIEW (Scotland); Aussie hip hop stalwart URTHBOY; dark pop meanderings from  WHITE RABBITS (USA - First Ever Australian Shows); a simmering intensity from pocket full o’ punch noise lovers  FUTURE OF THE LEFT (Wales); some high energy tunes from high priestesses the KILLAQUEENZ*; and the rare multi-instrumentalism and indie-rock melting-pot of THE JOHN STEEL SINGERS.

For fantastic footage of Falls, check out mixituptv here.

After a period of writing hibernation, international best-selling author Andy Griffiths is feeling fresh, invigorated and ready to hit the road.  Kicking off on the 3rd of July, Andy will begin his four-week national book tour to promote his latest children’s novel Just Macbeth.  Adding to Andy’s entourage, mixitup created a moving promotional billboard that will follow Andy on his journey across the countryside. 

Just Macbeth is the script of the successful play following Andy, Danny and Lisa in their first ever full length adventure.  Performed in 2008 by the Bell Shakespeare Company, Just Macbeth is one of the most hilarious, dramatic, moving stories of love, Wizz Fizz, witches, murder and madness!

Andy will give a series of sixty-minute presentations in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Newcastle, Maitland and the Central Coast. He is expected to be mobbed by kids, thanked by parents, perhaps chastised by teachers and librarians, but above all welcomed with fanfare into local bookshops. 

Make sure you’re there when Andy comes to your town!

V Festival was bigger and better than ever this year, leaving punters revelling in true Branson bliss!  The success of V Festival can be attributed to the smorgasbord of music genres combined with stunning locations and staggering atmosphere generated by the punters. 

As promised, V Festival delivered the Australian gig goer a truly unique experience, showcasing some of the hottest international and local acts for the third year running.

As we made our way from ‘This Stage’ to ‘That Stage’ and onto ‘The Other Stage’, and the ‘Virgin Music Stage’, it was obvious why  90,000 Aussies in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and the Gold Coast made V Festival a matter of national importance!

Headlining act The Killers enthralled their fanatic following while Ireland’s Snow Patrol returned once again to enchant the masses.  Musical sensation The D0 had fans of all genres grooving along to their contagious songs and Duffy’s soulful tunes were a stark contrast to the indie rock echo of Louis XIV.  Other acts included Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, The Kills, M83, The Human League, Elbow, Jenny Lexis, The Howling Bells and Jackson Jackson.  But the icing on the V Festival cake was certainly American rapper Vanilla Ice giving us his 90’s classic Ice Ice Baby.

V Festival certainly pushes the boundaries within the live music circuit, providing everyone with a little something and has firmly established itself within the music festival arena.  V Festival will be back by popular demand in March 2010 so stay tuned for some exciting details to come in the near future! 

Click here to catch a glimpse of some live footage of the event! Suits us to a V!

Here at mixitup, we’ve always envied cities like New York, London, Barcelona and Edinburgh who have had the pleasure of hosting the All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival. 

So you can imagine our excitement when originator Barry Hogan decided to pack his British festival swag and bring us his boutique festival, highly praised for treating people with respect, pricing drinks reasonably and presenting decent bands who play a lot of sets!

Sydney, Mt Buller and Brisbane were the three Aussie locations chosen to host this music event, in unique and intimate settings in each state . 

As per tradition, the curation of the event was handed over to an influential and revered force in music. In 09, the honour was bestowed on Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, who genuinely made the festival their own. They called on international artists Spiritualized and James Blood Ulmer, not to mention Aussie mates The Saints, Laughing Clowns and The Necks to help stir up the crowd.  It was a diverse, eclectic line-up never to be seen again!

On Sydney’s Cockatoo Island, performances took place across four outdoor stages and guests could be seen chilling at a number of indoor and outdoor bars.  The impressive turnout was made up of real music lovers who sought to both reconnect with their fave acts from years gone by, and uncover fresh talent. 

We’ll keep you up to date with all future ATP-related news, so hit up our news section regularly. Believe us, if you missed the first Aussie ATP, don’t miss your chance this time. You won't forget this festival in a hurry.

Nevereverland first hit Australian shores in 2007 with music duo Daft Punk generating an atmosphere of pure electronic ecstasy.  With the inaugural event resulting in such a colossal sensation, Nevereverland became the most enthusiastically anticipated music event of the 2008 Australian calendar! 

In an attempt to feed their music addiction, young Australians flocked to venues in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth not only to get their groove on, but to commemorate the 10th birthday of Australia’s most influential independent record label, Modular. 

And commemorate they did. 

Modular turned double digits in style with the likes of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes of Australia’s very own premier electronic act The Presets putting on a show to help celebrate a decade of rollin’ out the hits.  The audacious indie-dance duo launched the crowd into musical mayhem, belting out hit tunes from their six-time Aria award-winning album Apocalypto. 

But that wasn’t all Modular had install for the Nevereverland clique.  The line-up was nothing short of mind-blowing with acts like the Klaxons, Ladyhawke, Cut Copy, Hercules & Love Affair, Whitest boy Alive, to name a few, performing hit after hit, each tune accumulating the ecstatic energy of the last to generate what was an absolutely astonishing atmosphere for all. 

Click here to catch a glimpse of some live footage of the event!

The crowd’s deafening applause was a testament to the complete success of Nevereverland, the pinnacle of the 2008 Australian music calendar and left party-goers pondering why such an event can’t be foreverever!

Happy 10TH Birthday Modular !!

Stay tuned for the anticipated announcement of the 2009 Nevereverland line-up to be released in the near future!!

Over 700 music industry personalities and independent Australian artists packed Melbourne’s legendary Corner Hotel to the rafters on Monday to witness Channel V’s Jane Gazzo and Bluejuice front man Jake Stone present the 2008 Jagermeister AIR Awards.    

The Australian Independent Record Labels Association handed out their awards at the magical ceremony to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of Australian independent artists, exclusively spotlighting those artists released through independent record labels. 

Artists weren’t the only ones awarded on the night.  The audience received an astonishing line-up exhibiting some of Australia’s thriving talent including The Getaway Plan who kicked off the ceremony, Grafton Primary, The Drones, ending the evening with Eddy Current Suppression Ring who took out Best Independent Hard Rock/ Punk Album. 

Indigenous singer-songwriter Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu demonstrated his solo stardom, stockpiling three highly sought after awards for Best New Independent Artist, Best Blues and Roots Album and Best Independent Album for his debut solo album Gurrumul.

The Herd delayed ceremonial proceedings when crowds went wild after their inspiring performance, only to walk away with Best Independent Artist and Best Independent Hip Hop/ Urban Album Awards. 

To view footage of the 2008 AIR Awards click here.

Congratulations to all AIR Award winners!!!

Best Independent Artist
The Herd (Elefant Traks/Inertia)

Best Independent Album
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul (Skinnyfish Music/MGM)

Best Independent Single/EP
The Getaway Plan - Where the City Meets The Sea (Boomtown Records/Shock)

Best New Independent Artist
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (Skinnyfish Music/MGM)

Best Independent Hard Rock/Punk Album
Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Primary Colours (Aarght Records/Shock)

Best Independent Urban/Hip Hop Album
The Herd – Summerland (Elefant Traks/Inertia)

Best Independent Country Album
Bec Willis - Bec Willis (Independent/Shock)

Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album
Peret Mako - The Devil is in the Detail (Future Classic/Inertia)

Best Australian Independent Blues/Roots Album
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul (Skinnyfish Music/MGM)

Best Australian Independent Jazz Album
Tina Harrod - Worksongs (Independent/Vitamin)