Jessica Mauboy and Justice Crew perform live concert in Sydney CBD; Chifley Plaza - Sydney, Australia; Ipoh Kicks Off Christmas with Jess Mauboy and Justice Crew...

The very popular Jessica Mauboy and Justice Crew performed a free concert at Chifley Plaza, Sydney tonight, to the delight of Christmas shoppers and lookers on.

Promo...

Ipoh Kicks Off Christmas with Jess Mauboy and Justice Crew...

Jessica Mauboy and Justice Crew will launch an exclusive Christmas shopping event across the Ipoh Group’s premium retail destinations - QVB, The Galeries, Strand Arcade, Chifley Plaza and No. 1 Martin Place – with public performances on Thursday 13 December. The live music kicks off Ipoh’s festive season campaign, counting down the 12 days ‘til Christmas via daily interactive events and prize giveaways.

Jessica Mauboy will take the stage at 6pm on the ground floor at QVB and performances are staggered throughout the night, as customers move from centre to centre to complete their Christmas shopping. Australia’s Got Talent winners Justice Crew perform at 6.30pm at The Galeries ground floor and catch Mauboy live again in Chifley Plaza at 7pm. Finish off the night at the Strand Arcade where trumpeter Paul Wheeler will be playing on level two.

WHAT: Ipoh VIP Shopping Event

WHERE: QVB, The Galeries, Strand Arcade, Chifley Plaza and No. 1 Martin Place

WHEN: Thursday, 13 December 2012, 6:00pm – 9:00pm

6.00pm: Jessica Mauboy, QVB, Ground Floor

6:30pm: Justice Crew, The Galeries, Ground Floor

7:00pm: Jessica Mauboy, Chifley Plaza, Lower Ground Floor

7.30pm: Trumpeter Paul Wheeler, Strand Arcade, Level 2

Customers can embrace the festive spirit with complimentary beverages while they shop as well as indulging in sweet treats courtesy of Haigh’s, Sublime Gelato, The Nut Shop, Sweet Infinity and Bon Bon chocolates.

The Strand Arcade will host a pop-up Galliano cocktail bar amongst dazzling decorations designed by Alex Perry, while The Galeries’ Summer Lounge complete with faux grass, palm trees and flamingos is the perfect hideaway for those wanting to escape the holiday rush. Chifley Plaza’s larger-than-life Citizens of Celebrationinstallation is a must-see with its imaginative characters and modern design.

Other highlights include a roaming quartet of carollers in QVB, alongside the building’s iconic Swarovski Christmas tree and Crystal Garden with Santa and his helpers. Plus gift wrapping on QVB’s level two for a gold coin donation to Barnados.

An abundance of exclusive offers will be available on the night from top retailers including Alannah Hill, Coach, Gorman, Incu, Ralph Lauren, Alex Perry, Farage, Kikki.K, MaxMara, Bristol & Brooks, Manning Cartell and more.

Continuing the spirit of giving, Ipoh is offering over $50,000 worth of extraordinary prizes throughout the 12 day countdown. Spend over $150 in any Ipoh centre to go into the daily draw. All prizes build up to the ultimate present, a $10,000 MasterCard voucher on Christmas Eve.

Customers can also get a helping hand by picking up a free copy of Ipoh’s gift guide magazine with insightful suggestions and personal anecdotes from leading Sydney-siders including Guy Sebastian, Julie Goodwin, Tom Waterhouse, Antonia Kidman, Terry Biviano and Tim Ross.

Reconnecting the city with an authentic Sydney Christmas, this shopping event speaks to the contemporary, stylish and time-poor values of the urban lifestyle. At a time when customers are looking for engagement, expertise and a bit of fun, Ipoh is leading the way in revitalising the retail experience with its captivating take on Christmas.

Thank you to everyone who helped make today possible.

Websites

Jessica Mauboy official website

www.jessicamauboy.com.au

Justice Crew official website

www.justicecrew.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Chanukah: The Festival Of Lights; Sydney, Australia

Hanukkah, Sydney, Australia...

Hanukkah was celebrated in Sydney, Australia, today, with festivities following into the evening.

Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights and is celebrated December 8-16, 2012. On the Hebrew calendar, the dates are 25 Kislev to 2 Tevet in the year 5773.

Hanukkah is an 8 day celebration commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the second century B.C.E. during the Maccabean revolt against Greek rulers.

Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting a nine-branch menorah. Technically, the it is called a hanukkiah to distinguish itself from the seven-branch menorah used in the Temple.

The story of Hanukkah is one of miracles and of revolution. Antiochus, the Greek ruler, forbade Jewish religious practice, so a small group of Jews, the Maccabees, revolted. These Jews, in course, prevailed and restored the Holy Temple, which had been desecrated. The menorah in the Temple needed to be re-lit because, according to tradition, it should burn continuously. The Temple liberators found one vial of olive oil, enough for one day of light. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days.

Jews now light menorahs on each night of Hanukkah. Traditionally, one candle or flame is lit for each night until the eighth night, when all eight lights shine together. The menorah has a ninth "helper" flame -- known as the shamash -- used to light the other candles. This is necessary because in Jewish law the Hanukkah lights' only purpose is to visually proclaim the miracle of the holiday. Jews place the lit menorah in a prominent window in order to fulfil this commandment.

A common practice on Hanukkah, is gift giving on each night, and it is therefore a wondrous time for Jewish children. Fried potato pancakes (latkes) and doughnuts (sufganiyot) are traditional fare, and a spinning top (dreidel) with four Hebrew letters -- nun, gimel, hei, shin -- form an acronym for the message of Hanukkah: A great miracle happened there.

Thank you to everyone who helped make today possible.

Websites

Chabad Youth NSW

www.cyn.org.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Johnny Ruffo launches JR Watches at Jay Jays, Sydney

Australian performing artist Johnny Ruffo launches JR Watches at Jay Jays, Sydney, Australia...

The ultra popular Johnny Ruffo launched his own watch line at Jay Jay's in the Pitt St, Sydney store earlier tonight.

Ruffo is best known for his appearances on television programs such as The X Factor, Dancing With The Stars and Home and Away.

Georgia Sinclair provided some in-store entertainment, to keep shoppers entertained at 'Glasshouse', while they waited to meet and take photos with Mr Ruffo.

Ruffo apparently has a good business head on his shoulders, and has taken the Hollywood path of getting businesses up and running which compliment his showbiz career. Not just a pretty face or body, by any estimation.

Thank you to everyone who helped make today possible.

Websites

Johnny Ruffo official website

www.johnnyruffo.com

Jay Jay's

www.jayjays.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Kane Hibberd To Release Book Of Soundwave Photography

Take an Access All Area’s trip though the archives of official Soundwave photographer Kane Hibberd’s debut photography book, ‘Kanye Lens Vs Soundwave Volume 1’

Since the festival went national in 2008, Kane (aka Kanye Lens) has been on hand to capture every banging head, sweaty riff and thrashing body, that has ensured that each festival has been bigger and better than the one before.

His first book, which Kane is self funding and independently publishing, is spread over 450 pages and contains more than 600 colour and black and white images of all the action both on and off stage.  Including personal commentary on his imagery from artists and crew, the book aims to give a holistic picture to a festival that is now firmly entrenched into the hearts and memories of music fans.

“From the moment I was asked to jump on board the Soundwave machine, my goal was to, one day, produce a coffee table style photography book.  I grew up watching Tony Mott create a legacy with the Big Day Out and now this is hopefully the start of my own legacy.  I’ve tried to create book full of imagery that can escape the shadow of its famous inhabitants and stand alone as beautiful pieces of artwork.  Hopefully the book will appeal to not only music fans, but also fans of photography.” – Kane Hibberd (Kanye Lens)

A must for collectors, the first 2000 copies of the book will be individually numbered by Kane and are  now available for pre-order from www.kanyelens.com, shipping February 2013.  Visit the webstore to see the range of pre order options, which include prints from selected artists.

Kanye Lens Vs Soundwave Volume 1 – out Feb 2013

Pre orders available now from www.kanyelens.com

Skyfall James Bond movie teams up with Heineken

Skyfall James Bond movie teams up with Heineken; Producers of the 23rd Bond movie have exploited every possible brand connection...

The world's most successful movie franchise - James Bond, has been continuing its winning ways in strategic and intelligent product placement, and popular beer Heineken, appears to be one of the real winners in the latest Bond flick - Skyfall.

Bond (and Heineken) lovers - check out this multimedia promo... 

Make no mistake - product placement helps funds great flicks and the switched on folks at James Bond HQ (and their advertising agency friends) are well aware of this... so are we.

Some news outlets have claimed that without the reported £45 million revenue Heineken poured into the film, Skyfall would not have gone ahead, but we don't have any way to get an accurate figure, so let's just continue shall we Bond fans.

We understand that with the the Dutch beer having forked out over £28m for the privilege of seeing Bond sip from a green bottle in an early scene helped cover almost a third of the film's estimated £93.7m ($150m) production budget in the process.

Bond (Daniel Craig) is a diplomatic spokesman and pitch-man of sorts on the issue of product placement, acknowledging that their reliance on brand associations is "unfortunate," before countering: "This movie costs a lot of money to make (and) nearly as much again to promote, so we go where we can."

That line is about as close as we're going to get to learning the film's actual marketing budget, given Sony Pictures International's track record is being reluctant to divulge details on such matters.

Fun financial fact: In 2006 it was reported that product placement across all media was worth over £3.3 billion.

Beer not your thing? According to Brandchannel, the most important "Skyfall" product placement isn't the beer Bond drinks but the gun he shoots!

Movie Plot Outline: Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 in Skyfall, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

Promo...

Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

Director: Sam Mendes

Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan

Stars: Daniel Craig, Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Bérénice Marlohe, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Helen McCrory, Rory Kinear, with Albert Finney and Judi Dench as "M"

Produced By: Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli

*Sponsored by Heineken

News...

Craig is the best Bond: Moore...

Bond legend Roger Moore, enthralled with ‘Skyfall,’ now thinks Daniel Craig is the best actor to play the legendary spy...

Moore, who began his stint as the action hound in the ’70s, once gave that honor to Sean Connery. ‘They’ve guaranteed Bond another 50 years of life,’ he said of the new film.

Bond alum Roger Moore used to think Sean Connery was the best James Bond, but now thinks that designation belongs to Daniel Craig.

"I went to a screening of ‘Skyfall,’ and I’ve changed my opinion. I think that he (Daniel Craig) is the Bond. He’s quite brilliant," Moore told TIME magazine.

Moore has been a fan of Craig’s ever since the opening scene of 2006’s “Casino Royale,” Craig’s first time in the role.

James Bond's world of movie intrigue explored in 'The Untold Story Of 007'...

“I thought ‘Casino Royale’ was tremendous,” Moore said. “I thought his action was quite extraordinary — he did more action in the first 30 seconds of the film than I did in 14 years of playing Bond. To me, he looks like a killer. He looks as though he knows what he’s doing. I look as though I might cheat at backgammon.”

Craig put his own spin on the iconic spy, just as Moore did when he first took over the role of 007 with 1973’s “Live and Let Die.”

On playing a role already associated with Connery, he said, “You don’t really think about that. How many millions of actors during the last 400 years have played Hamlet? They don’t worry about how the other fella did it — they just get on with doing it their way.”

Moore’s own way endeared his Bond to the public for seven consecutive films by Eon Productions. His third Bond film, “The Spy Who Loved Me,” is often considered his best, just as Connery’s third, “Goldfinger,” is often considered his.

Now Moore thinks Craig’s third performance is the best of the franchise.

"I wrote to Barbara (Broccoli) and Michael (Wilson) and said…they’ve guaranteed Bond another 50 years of life," he said.

Take 40 Stars of Summer party with The Presets; Point Piper, Sydney

Take 40 Stars of Summer party with The Presets; Party at Point Piper, Sydney, Australia...

The biggest event of the summer is kicking and happening.

The Take 40 Stars Of Summer Party, presented by Playboy Fragrances, is alive and kicking.

The mansion is pumping, lights and speakers going off, drinks gushing and the swimming pool is alive with excitement.

The Presets headlined tonight, getting everyone into the groove of things to come.

Stay tuned to take40.com <http://take40.com/>  and Music News Australia for your entertainment and music news fix.

Take 40 Stars of Summer with The Presets

Take 40 Stars of Summer with The Presets; Party at Point Piper, Sydney, Australia...

The biggest event of the summer is almost here – the Take 40 Stars Of Summer Party, presented by Playboy Fragrances.

The mansion is ready and all the logistics have been put in place by the Take 40 team. There's even a glass stage over the swimming pool.

The Presets are headlining tonight and we will have another report for you when the sun goes down.

Stay tuned to take40.com and Music News Australia for more news, photos and more.

Guest List...

The Presets – Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes

Brian McFadden – singer/  presenter

Vogue Williams - DJ

Nacho Pop –dancer

Erika Heynetz – presenter

Tyler Atkins - model

Kit Willow – designer

Rhiannon Fish – actor Home and Away

Emma Louise Birdsall – singer, The Voice

Pip Edwards – fashion designer

Rhys Muldoon – actor

The McClymonts – singers

Dion Lee – designer

Kim Ellery – designer

Marc Freeman –  fashion designer

Reni Matua – footballer

Milly Gattegno (The Faders) – DJ

Tanja G - model

Damion Downey – ex Sneaky Sound System

Stacey Wren and Ava D – Big Brother

Ryan Buckingham and Angela Murray  - Big Brother

Carmelo Murray – X Factor

Corban Harris - Skater

Corey Oliver and Whippet – Bondi Rescue Lifeguards

About Take 40...

The Take 40 Countdown is Australia's biggest and longest running chart show! Check us out at www.take40.com - it's the only website where you can listen to the show in full, watch stacks of new and classic clips, listen to music, check out massive video interviews, the latest music news and heaps more...

Thank you to everyone who helped make today possible.

Websites

Take 40 official website

www.take40.com

The Presets official website

www.thepresets.com

HUMAN NATURE CONFIRM A HEADLINE RESIDENCY DEAL AT THE PRESTIGIOUS VENETIAN LAS VEGAS®

Australia’s most successful male vocal group, Human Nature are thrilled to announce that they will be the headlining act for a two-year residency at one of the world’s most luxurious resorts, The Venetian in Las Vegas. The new show, titled Smokey Robinson presents Human Nature: The Motown Show will begin on Saturday, January 19, 2013.

“We are incredibly proud to be bringing our show to one of the most iconic casinos anywhere," said Human Nature's Andrew Tierney. "The support we have had in this city has been extraordinary and we can't wait to get more and more people dancing and singing every night with our versions of the most amazing music ever produced - Motown!”

“Once we heard those smooth harmonies of Human Nature, we knew they were a perfect fit for The Venetian,” said John Caparella, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Venetian and The Palazzo. “This is a show you want to tweet about the minute you step out of the theatre.”

“We are thrilled to be moving our new production of this show into The Venetian Las Vegas,” said Producer Adam Steck, Founder and CEO of SPI Entertainment, Inc. “Human Nature have achieved incredible success in Las Vegas over the past three years. Headlining at The Venetian is a perfect match for the guys and their show and it is really a dream come true. The guys are incredibly talented and a genuine Las Vegas success story who continue to attract and thrill audiences from all over the world. I can’t wait to get started in our new home."

Human Nature will now call The Sands Showroom (formerly the Venetian Showroom) at The Venetian, a 742-seat venue, home for a two-year residency. In true Las Vegas fashion, their first show at The Venetian will be their 777^th show on the famed Las Vegas strip.

It’s 23 years since the group was formed by Andrew and Michael Tierney, Toby Allen and Phil Burton – four high school friends who have gone on to conquer the world.  Human Nature are one of Australia’s great musical success stories. Since signing with Sony Australia in 1995, they have released nine albums - five of which went to number one in Australia – achieving 23 platinum awards, 17 top 40 hits and five top 10 hits worldwide. They have sold more than two million albums in Australia alone. Their album The Motown Record has also reached number one on the US Billboard Heat Seekers chart.

In 2005, Human Nature released the five-time platinum album Reach Out – The Motown Record. A collection of Motown hits (and ARIA’s highest selling Australian album of 2006), this was followed up in 2006 with Dancing In The Streets – The Songs of Motown Two then in 2007 the group returned with Get Ready featuring Motown superstars like Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves, The Temptations and Smokey Robinson.

It was this association with Smokey Robinson that saw Human Nature head to America in mid 2009 to become the first Australian group to start a Las Vegas residency in the famed live performance mecca and remain there today, four years later. Earlier this year, the group scored a coveted performance opportunity on the US Dancing With The Stars performing to an audience of over 16 million viewers for a Motown themed show.

The talented quartet are enroute to Australia preparing for their next live theatre shows, “Christmas, Motown and More”. Human Nature will perform with their band and symphony orchestras kicking off next week on the Gold Coast (with Philharmonia Australia), in Adelaide (with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra), in Sydney (with Philharmonia Australia) and in Melbourne (with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) - see details below.

About The Venetian Las Vegas®

The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, the largest property in America to receive AAA’s Five Diamond and the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Four Star awards, is one of the world’s most luxurious resort and convention destinations. Recreating Venice’s legendary landmarks, the LEED® EB Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified resort offers unmatched service and quality for leisure and corporate guests. Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The Venetian features The Grand Canal Shoppes®, an indoor streetscape complete with gondolas and singing gondoliers, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, world-class gaming, exquisite restaurants, a wide variety of entertainment such as “Soul2Soul with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill,” the party musical “ROCK OF AGES,” showroom headliners including David Spade, Rita Rudner, Tim Allen and Joan Rivers and extensive convention and corporate services.

About SPI Entertainment

SPI Entertainment, Inc. is a leading Production Company & Talent Agency with six successful resident award-winning shows in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, and more than 10 shows touring internationally. With a successful track record of building entertainment brands and partnering with world class entertainers, SPI has become the preeminent Theatrical Producer & Talent Agency in Las Vegas and beyond. Current Productions include Smokey Robinson Presents: Human Nature - The Motown Show, Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth, Australia's Thunder From Down Under, Divas - Starring Frank Marino, The Australian Bee Gees Show, and American Storm.

HUMAN NATURE AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES

FRIDAY DECEMBER 14             JUPITERS THEATRE – JUPITERS HOTEL & CASINO            (with Philharmonia Australia)

                                                     www.ticketmaster.com.au OR 1300 139 588

SATURDAY DECEMBER 1                     JUPITERS THEATRE – JUPITERS HOTEL & CASINO            (with Philharmonia Australia)

                                                     www.ticketmaster.com.au OR 1300 139 588

MONDAY DECEMBER 17                       ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE (with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra)

                                                     www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 19                SYDNEY STATE THEATRE                    (with Philharmonia Australia)

                                                     www.ticketmaster.com.au OR 1300 139 588

SATURDAY DECEMBER 22                   HAMER HALL, ARTS CENTRE               (with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)

                                                     www.ticketmaster.com.au OR 1300 139 588

SUNDAY DECEMBER 23                        HAMER HALL, ARTS CENTRE               (with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)                                                        www.ticketmaster.com.au OR 1300 139 588

 www.humannaturelive.com

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS

In Summer 2013, pioneering director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes Star Trek Into Darkness.

When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis.

With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.

As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

Visit the official Facebook page facebook.com/StarTrekAU

First Wave of Stellar Music and Arts Acts Announced for 2013 St Kilda Festival ST KILDA FESTIVAL 2013

The St Kilda Festival, Australia’s largest free music festival, today announced the first wave of headliners, including the internationally acclaimed Midnight Juggernauts DJs, iconic rock band Bluejuice and spiritual songstress Thelma Plum alongside the new Soundkraft Records electronic music stage on Festival Sunday, culminating the nine-day celebration of music and culture.

Showcasing St Kilda at its best, the festival is now in its 33^rd year and will take place from Saturday, 2 to Sunday, 10 February 2013.

Festival Producer Adele Denison is proud to announce the 2013 St Kilda Festival program will include more than 150 artists across seven stages and more than 40 St Kilda venues.

“The St Kilda Festival celebrates Australian music and culture and we’re thrilled to offer a nine-day program of entertainment, during which St Kilda will entertain more than 400,000 families and music lovers,” said Ms Denison.

Outdoor indigenous festival, Yalukit Wilum Ngargee: People Place Gathering kicks things off on Saturday, 2 February, featuring soulful blues artist, Kutcha Edwards and Koori songstress, Illana Atkinson and the Deans.

Home grown talent is celebrated at Live N Local throughout the week, and  includes Bon Jovi support act The Scarlets and unique songbird Suzie Stapleton, with Melbourne indie pop sensations Better than the Wizards bringing the beats on Festival Sunday’s Live N Local Stage.

The highlight of Melbourne’s event calendar, Festival Sunday will see sultry chanteause Kylie Auldist liven up O’Donnell Gardens, alongside headliners Midnight Juggernauts DJs, Bluejuice, Thelma Plum and Client Liason on the New Music Stage.

Aside from a vast array of music, the impressive program also sees Humphrey B Bear returning to the Festival Sunday Kidzone and guided tours of the historic Esplanade Vaults, a rare opportunity to visit the vaults and open them to the public.

All nine days of the St Kilda Festival offer a different experience, bringing together arts and music and celebrating Australian culture.

The Festival is produced and presented by the City of Port Phillip and supported by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria. For further information please visit www.stkildafestival.com.au

The full 2013 St Kilda Festival line-up will be announced on Monday, 7th January.

Street Machines Rev Their Engines Outside Parliament House

At 12:45pm on Tuesday the 4th of December 2012, some of Canberra’s finest and fiercest street machines will make a stand on the grassed area on Federation Mall in front of Parliament House; the central hub of our national democracy, to launch the annual Street Machine Summernats 26 Car Festival.

With Summernats 26 set to feature over 200 of Australia’s best street machines roaring down Northborne Avenue, ARIA award winning Hilltop Hoods and classic Aussie rockers Rose Tattoo, the world’s largest burnout competition, Miss Summernats, the awarding of the Grand Champion, and over 300,000 horsepower on display, January in Canberra will be huge!

Please join Andy Lopez, co-owner of the Summernats, Minister for Tourism Andrew Barr, and some of Canberra’s best street machines, for the official media launch of the Street Machine Summernats 26; celebrating 26 years of this iconic Australian car festival.

Event co-owner Andy Lopez will be making several announcements on the day, including details on a Guinness World Record attempt at Summernats 26.

BLUE MOUNTAINS MUSIC FESTIVAL ADDS KATE MILLER-HEIDKE, MAMA KIN, BABY ET LULU, THE POPES AND MORE TO STELLAR 2013 LINEUP

The BLUE MOUNTAINS MUSIC FESTIVAL, FOLK, ROOTS AND BLUES is delighted to announce the addition of yet more superb artists to the diverse lineup of their eighteenth festival.

Double-platinum selling, multi award-winning singer/songwriter KATE MILLER-HEIDKE returns to the festival in 2013.  The classically trained crowd favourite has played all over the world including Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Germany, Nepal and will take the stage again in Katoomba in March to perform songs from her critically acclaimed new album Nightflight.

Also coming back to Katoomba are Keiran Kane, his son Lucas Kane and David Francey, performing in the trio GO JANE GO.  Kieran Kane (USA) and David Francey (Canada) have been friends for many years and began writing songs together at Kieran's lakeside cabin in upstate New York some time ago. Kieran and David toured together for the first time in Australia with Kieran’s son, Lucas in early 2011. So successful was that tour that GO JANE GO was formed. While in Australia last year, they recorded songs for a new album, which will be released on this upcoming tour.

Sydney’s Francophile chanteuses BABY ET LULU join the festival fun.  This duo is the charismatic musical partnership between Abby Dobson, songstress extraordinaire and former frontwoman for the platinum selling Leonardo’s Bride, and Lara Goodridge, violinist/singer with the celebrated string quartet FourPlay. Along with an all star swinging band of Sydney’s finest, BABY ET LULU promise us a sassy, romantic romp through Paris, full of swinging joie de vivre!

Coming to work us over for the first time are the Irish folk-rock libertines THE POPES.  Their mission is to get you off your seat and onto your feet.  Originally formed by Paul ‘Mad Dog’ McGuinness and Shane MacGowan. THE POPES of today are a new and dangerous animal; the sound is melodic, Celtic and original. THE POPES are a rock’n’roll band with the soul of a fiddler at the crossroads. Fresh from their acclaimed Australian debut at the 2012 National Celtic Festival, THE POPES, with McGuinness' high kicks and infectious personality, are the complete stage show.

As mischievous as she is charming, Fremantle’s MAMA KIN is part raconteur and all-out entertainer. With a widespread reputation for her unique blend of foot-stomping soul, heart-wrenching ballads and stirring live shows, MAMA KIN is back with a swag of new songs, a shift in sonic direction and a new band member. Cinematic at times, with lush arrangements and bold production, her new album The Magician’s Daughter (due for release in February 2013) pushes MAMA KIN‘s own boundaries: a powerful spectacle to look forward to at BMMF in 2013.

25 year old, Sydney based singer/songwriter, JORDAN MILLAR will hit the stage this March with his mix of pop/folk/blues acoustic riffs and intimate lyrics that has seen him gain loyal fans from all corners of the country. His cheeky stage presence and engaging live show has seen him supporting artists such as The Fray, Xavier Rudd, Colin Hay, Tim Freedman plus many more. Millar toured nationally in late 2012 to launch his new single 'Walking On Me', bringing a brand new bunch of songs, stories and good times with him. Be sure to check out one of the most interesting indie musicians in Australia today.

Buckle up kids, THE BARONS OF TANG are coming to BMMF!  Hot on the heels of their 2012 International Post World Music Tour, THE BARONS OF TANG return to slam the dance floors with their molotov gypsy mayhem and launch their debut album at the 2013 Blue Mountains Music Festival!   With accordion, double bass, saxophone, guitar, bass clarinet, banjo, conga’s and drums, and shaking up Klezmer and Balkan feels with punk, metal, bent folk music and whatever’s lying around, these kids are making folk-out-lore!  Prepare to dance.

Earlybird tickets are on sale now until the end of December.  To grab yours visit www.bmff.org.au/tickets.cfm. 

For frequent updates, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlueMountainsMusicFestival

COMPLETE 2013 LINEUP:
GURRUMUL
ARLO GUTHRIE  (USA)
CHRIS SMITHER  (USA)
LUKA BLOOM  (IRE)
KATE MILLER-HEIDKE
ZOE KEATING  (CAN)
MAMA KIN
JOSEPH TAWADROS TRIO
KIM CHURCHILL
RED MOLLY  (USA)
SPOOKY MENS CHORALE
NGAIIRE
THE APRIL MAZE
LONDON KLEZMER QUARTET  (UK)
SETH LAKEMAN  (UK)
ALASDAIR FRASER & NATALIE HAAS  (UK)
THE BARONS OF TANG
BABY ET LULU
JORDAN MILLAR
SARAH LEE GUTHRIE AND JOHNNY IRION (USA)
GO JANE GO - KIERAN KANE, DAVID FRANCEY & LUCAS KANE  (US/CAN)
SEAN TAYLOR  (UK)
THE POPES  (IRE)
THE VOLATINSKY TRIO
LIZ STRINGER
SUE RAY
FIONA BOYES
MIKE McCLELLAN
PERCH CREEK FAMILY JUG BAND
JACK CARTY
NICK AND LIESL
A.J. LEONARD’S TROPICAL LOUNGE
BELLYACHE BEN AND THE STEAMGRASS BOYS
THE FIELD
GABE ANDREWS
IMOGEN CLARK
LAURA ZARB
THE THREE SISTERS
LIME AND STEEL
PRESTON’S HISTORIC PUNCH & JUDY SHOW
GREG BORSCHMANN’S CONVERSATIONS
THE POET’S BREAKFAST

ADRIAN BOHM & PHIL MCINTYRE PROUDLY PRESENT Russell Brand 'I Am A Walrus',

Russell Brand tour - Sydney

Returning to Australia for his first full national tour, 'I Am A Walrus', Russell Brand has been hailed as 'the most exciting comedian of his generation' by Time Out Magazine, and will perform in Sydney tonight.

Venue:
Sydney Entertainment Centre, 35 Harbour Street, Darling Harbour
Date: Saturday, December 08, 2012
Website: www.russellbrand.tv/
Beginning his career as a stand-up comedian, Russell Brand shot to fame in the UK as the host of Big Brother's Big Mouth, a Big Brother spin off. In 2007, he had his first major film role in St Trinnian's. He became known in the US in 2008 after his major role in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Brand has since starred in the lead role of Get Him to the Greek in 2010. He also worked as a voice actor for animated films Despicable Me in 2010 and Hop in 2011. Brand's drug use, alcoholism and promiscuity have influenced his comedic material and public image.

Also an acclaimed author, Brand has written two books called My Booky Work: A Memoir of Sex, Drugs and Stand-Up, which was on The New York Times best-seller list for five weeks in a row, and the follow up, Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal.

Brand will perform for fans at Adelaide Entertainment Centre in Adelaide on Friday, November 30; Perth Arena in Perth on Sunday, December 2; Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in Brisbane on Tuesday, December 4; Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Friday, December 7; Sydney Entertainment Centre in Sydney on Saturday, December 8; and Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in Brisbane on Monday, December 10

PERTH, MELBOURNE, SYDNEY & ADELAIDE SOLD OUT! ADDITIONAL GUY SEBASTIAN SHOWS ANNOUNCED TO MEET DEMAND

Due to an unprecedented demand by fans for tickets to see Guy Sebastian on his ‘Get Along’ Tour, Six Degrees Management is thrilled to announce that Australia’s most successful male artist Guy Sebastian will perform extra shows in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. Tickets for these additional shows are on sale now.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Guy Sebastian is heading back on the road next March and April for his ‘Get Along’ tour due to popular demand. Guy will play one night only in Brisbane and perform two shows in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and his hometown, Adelaide.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

After nine successful years, Guy has earned a place in Australian music history as the Australian male artist with the most number one singles. His recent single Battle Scars (featuring US rapper Lupe Fiasco) debuted at number one on the ARIA singles chart, where it remained for an amazing six consecutive weeks. Battle Scars gave Guy his first American hit, peaking at number one on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Chart. Guy performed it on Late Night with David Letterman with Lupe Fiasco.

                                                                                                                                      

Guy is looking forward to playing songs off his latest album Armageddon, which was released in October, debuting at number two on the ARIA album chart and reaching number one this week. “I can’t wait to get back on the road again and play songs from my new album,” Guy says. “Of course I’ll play all the old favourites too!”

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Guy is one of Australia’s greatest singer-songwriters and has proved his place as an Australian idol. Since then his success has carried over into seven multi-platinum albums and countless sell-out tours. Add to this his string of awards and the fact he is the only Australian male artist in Australian music history to achieve six chart-topping singles – Battle Scars, Angels Brought Me Here, All I Need Is You, Out With My Baby, Like It Like That and Who’s That Girl? – and you can see why Guy truly is a world-class talent.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Tickets to Guy’s additional shows in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide are on sale now.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Guy’s new album Armageddon is out now through Sony Music.

www.guysebastian.com

AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES: GUY SEBASTIAN

Thursday 28 March        Perth, Crown Theatre                                                     ticketek.com.au 132 849

Saturday 30 March        Perth, Crown Theatre (new show)                                   ticketek.com.au 132 849

Friday 5 April                            Melbourne, Palais Theatre                                             ticketmaster.com.au 136 100

Saturday 6 April                                    Melbourne, Palais Theatre (new show)                           ticketmaster.com.au 136 100

Friday 12 April               Brisbane, Brisbane Convention Centre                           ticketek.com.au 132 849

Friday 19 April               Sydney, Hordern Pavilion                                              ticketek.com.au 132 849

Saturday 20 April           Sydney, Hordern Pavilion (new show)                             ticketek.com.au 132 849

Friday 26 April               Adelaide, Thebarton Theatre                                          venuetix.com.au 08 8225 8888

Saturday 27 April           Adelaide, Thebarton Theatre (new show)             venuetix.com.au 08 8225 8888

John C. Reilly and Friends tour - Sydney

John C. Reilly, a familiar face on the silver screen and boards of Broadway and an Oscar, Golden Globe and Tony Award nominee - will perform two gigs while he's in Australia this week promoting his new film Wreck It Ralph.

The Factory Theatre Pty Ltd, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville
Date: Monday, December 03, 2012
Website: www.livenation.com.au
An accomplished musician, John C. Reilly is better known for his roles in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Boogie Nights, The Thin Red Line, Gangs of New York, Days of Thunder, Casualties of War, The Perfect Storm, The Hours and co-starring with Will Farrell in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Step Brothers.

Reilly received Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor in Chicago. He has released works through Jack White's Third Man Records, receiving the 'seal of cool' with several releases such as Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar and I'll Be There If You Ever Want, produced by White himself.

The musically inclined actor John C. Reilly and his friends Tom Brosseau and Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark will play Sydney's The Factory on December 3 and Melbourne's Northcote Social Club on December 6.

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THE HEAVENLY SOUNDS OF JULIA STONE

We are delighted to announce that JULIA STONE will be the first artist to perform under the HEAVENLY SOUNDS banner in 2013, bringing her haunting vocals and mesmerising performances to churches and cathedrals around the country next February.

Julia’s new solo album ‘By The Horns’ has been receiving rave reviews worldwide, her recent tours saw her captivating audiences in Europe, the UK and her sold out national tour here in Australia. Described by Triple J Magazine as “emotionally fraught, stunningly beautiful, chilling and evocative,” this collection of new songs is bound to give you goose bumps in the extraordinary live setting of historic churches and cathedrals.

Julia is looking forward to bringing her music to Heavenly Sounds unique venues next year “Always on tours when booked to play in an old church, which happens fairly frequently through Europe where many old churches now are converted into venues, we all get excited about the night. The room has a way of taking music and transforming it into something else - the walls carry the voices and the sounds - it’s as though the building itself were a part of the sound... adding its own voice to the songs.”

For these concerts, Julia will be touring with Ross Irwin (Cat Empire, The Bamboos), Ben Edgar and Ed Fairly (Gotye), who will all be playing a variety of instruments.

Julia explains, “The most exciting for me is that between the four of us, 3 of us play the trumpet - so it will make for some very sweet horn arrangements. From years of playing big band music through school I am so thrilled that I will be able to harmonise with other brass. All the boys sing beautifully so there will be lovely vocal arrangements that take the songs to more dreamy places.” 

Melbourne indie pop outfit Vance Joy will open proceedings on this HEAVENLY SOUNDS tour. Vance Joy has an original voice which at first he kept to himself.  Feeding on a diet of The Pogues, Paul Kelly, and whatever else was playing, he cut his teeth performing at open mike nights in Melbourne. It is folk music with pop influences. Songs that grab you by the scruff of the neck and hold on for a moment.

Tickets for these very special shows will go on sale on Wednesday 5^th December through www.ticketek.com.au Members of the Heavenly Sounds mailing list can access a pre-sale from Monday 3^rd December – sign up via www.heavenlysounds.com.au

Tickets cost $62.50 plus booking fees and all shows are open to all ages.

Heavenly Sounds presents JULIA STONE

with special guests Vance Joy

THURSDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2013 - SYDNEY / St Stephen's Uniting Church, NSW
197 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW

FRIDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2013  - BRISBANE / St John's Cathedral, QLD
373 Ann Street, Brisbane QLD

TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2013 - HOBART / St David's Cathedral, TAS
125 Macquarie Street, Hobart TAS

WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2013 - MELBOURNE / St Michael's Church, VIC
120 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC

THURSDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2013 - ADELAIDE / Flinders Street Baptist Church, SA
65 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA

FRIDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2013 - PERTH / St Joseph's Church, WA
3 Salvado Road, Subiaco WA

‘By The Horns’ New Album by Julia Stone – Out Now

To watch the new music video for ‘Justine’ visit www.juliastonemusic.com        

Also touring for Heavenly Sounds in March 2013 is Michael Kiwanuka, supported by Benjamin Francis Leftwich (UK).

www.heavenlysounds.com.au