After the first edition of Rave in the Church sold out in under 48 hours, we decided to add a second date due to the very high demand.

50% of tickets for Chapter 2 were snapped up during presale alone.

We’re beyond grateful, and even more hyped to make this next edition unforgettable.

If you missed out last time, this is your chance.

But be quick, tickets are moving fast, and this one will sell out too.

We’ll be streaming the Grand Final live at the venue, so you can catch all the action during the event!

4 UNIQUE STAGES

 Main Stage
 The Dome
 Hidden Garden
 Open Air Courtyard

 The Chapel : Transformed into an art sanctuary, showcasing curated installations, make up artists, painters, and more!

SECURE YOUR SPOT BEFORE SOLD OUT!

GET TICKETS

WEBSITE, TICKES, INFO HERE

Photography: Josh Ma

Words: Ken Magno

The UK is notorious for bringing out some of the biggest names within the Drill, Grime and Trap scenes, but none have been pushing headlines like Central Cee. Bringing his debut album ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ to the Sydney’s own Qudos Bank Arena, the rapper delivered on his album’s namesake as he painted a story of his meteoric rise to fame through his lyricism, production and visuals.

Since his earlier days finding TikTok fame through his single ‘Day in the Life’ and his debut EP ‘Wild West’, Central Cee has found ways to stay in the spotlight with his own discography as well as collaborating with the like of Drake, FKA Twigs, PinkPantheress and UK’s own Dave (with whom he released the Collab EP ‘Split Decision’ in 2023.

Throughout the night, Cench made sure to show his range – switching between his hard-hitting bars on the 808 heavy tracks such as ‘6 For 6’ and ‘Loading’, while also softening his tone on more vulnerable tracks such as ‘Me & You’ and ‘Truth in the Lies’. His production even featured a facetime call with numerous members of the crowd during his hit single ‘Gen Z Luv’, breaking the barrier between artist and audience and letting the Sydney crowd feel like a part of the performance.

Despite being the star of the show, the night had hit a high point with Central Cee giving the crowd a grin before stating “I didn’t hop on a 24 hour flight for nothing” before Western Sydney’s very own OneFour exploded onto stage with their heavy hitting track ‘Family’. The crowd absolutely exploded with the surprise appearance, going bar for bar with the notorious group on ‘Spot the Difference’ and tearing the roof off with their huge presence and incredible energy.

The final half of the show saw the likes of his hit single ‘Doja’ (which further cemented his reputation of being untouchable within his craft) stir up a frenzy in the room, to then bringing about his viral Dave collabs ‘Sprinter’ and ‘UK Rap’ as well as their most recent collaboration ‘CRG’. Central Cee has some of the most recognisable flows in the rap game, even being able to hold his own in the final moments of his set against the likes of Lil Baby on their track ‘Band4Band’ and Sexyy Red on ‘GUILT TRIPPIN’.

There’s always an uneasy feeling of seeing rappers take on the Qudos Bank Arena, with the acoustics of the venue more fitting the likes of bands and artists that are backed by heavy instrumentation, but Central Cee finds a way to give the crowd exactly what they want without sacrificing anything from his vision. To be able to hold his own while keeping the crowd bouncing throughout the night is a huge feat, and Cench was definitely able to go band for band with some of the biggest artists to grace the stage before him.

Chicago’s BELLHEAD have just announced one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2025 as ‘Threats’ is now available on CD, Digital Download, and Streaming on all major platforms. The first single and title track “Threats”was previewed a few weeks ago on March 10th via Bandcamp pre-order and is already being critically praised. ‘Threats’ is the first EP of new material since BELLHEAD released ‘Good Intentions’ in 2023. 

Longtime fans will be rewarded for their patience and loyalty to the band, while people new to BELLHEAD will be immediately hooked by this release. 

Are there songs about Death? Check.

 Songs about Revenge? Yep. 

Drowning? You know it. 

Heartbreak? Got You Covered!

Femme Fatales, Murder, and Sorrow?

 Yes!!!

All the familiar elements that fans have come to expect from BELLHEAD are still there, and yet with this release, the duo has grown in their songwriting, implementing refreshing styles and approaches to their storytelling.

Gone is their distinctive Black and White branding, having been replaced by vibrant yellow. The Anachronistic artwork of the previous releases, now issues a harsh warning along with a full color photo. Ivan Russia and Karen Righeimer-Schock let you finally see who exactly is making good on these “Threats” 

Engineered by Neil Strauch and mastered by Carl Saff, the EP which will be released via Oppressive Sky Records includes five new songs alongside two remixes. Darkwave’s rising stars Clubdrugs provide a hallucinogenic fueled trip through a Haunted Mansion on the remixed “Heart Shaped Hole”, while Stabbing Westward’s Chris Hall provides additional vocals on the remixed “Bad Taste” that gives it a club filling stomp one does not often associate with BELLHEAD, leaving you with your fists pumping and feet moving.

THREATS! tracklisting:

Threats

Heart Shaped Hole

Shutters + Stutters

No Dead Horses

Double Jeopardy

Bad Taste (Stabbing Westward Remix)

Heart Shaped Hole (Clubdrugs Remix)

Since the release of ‘Good Intentions’ back in 2023, BELLHEAD have grown in popularity thanks in part to their never ending tour schedule and fiery interactive live performances. They have performed over 50 shows from one end of the country to the other, sharing the stage with such legendary acts as Stabbing Westward, Julien-K, Gene Loves Jezebel, Clan Of Xymox, Night Club, and performing at some high profile fests. In support of ‘Threats’, BELLHEAD will be hitting the road once again with Summer tour dates and additional appearances on Festival Stages. 

BELLHEAD 2025 TOUR DATES

06/27/25 – Coles’s – Chicago, IL – BELLHEAD (w/ King Sans / Braince / Wet Chain)

07/26/25 – Crucible- Madison WI- Electronic Saviors Vol 7 Live showcase w/Bellhead,Null Device, Sensuous Enemy, Interface

08/08/25 – Lamplighter Lounge – Memphis, TN – BELLHEAD (w/ Ego Likeness)

08/09/25 – Healer – Indianapolis, IN – BELLHEAD (w/ Plague Garden / In A Darkened Room / Grave Love / Final Girl / Broken Nails / Waiting for Meteors / Twice Dark)

08/10/25 – Livewire – Chicago, IL – BELLHEAD (w/ In a Darkened Room)

09/11/25 – Burlington Bar – Chicago, IL – BELLHEAD (w/ Feyleux)

09/12/25 – Turnstiles – Grand Rapids, MI – BELLHEAD (w/ Feyleux)

09/13/25 – Historic Masonic Temple – Bay City, MI – BELLHEAD (w/ Feyleux)

More dates to be announced

’Threats’ can be ordered here : 

https://bellhead.bandcamp.com/album/threats

‘Threats’ can be found on Spotify here:

Threats – Album by Bellhead | Spotify

Band Links:

https://www.bellheadband.com

https://bellhead.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/bellheadband/

https://www.instagram.com/bellheadband/

Spotify: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2kG1HBhqba49nSNiN92pVg

Mailing list sign up: 

http://eepurl.com/hndoUr

*All photos by Fleurette Estes Photography

SINGLE TAKEN FROM FORTHCOMING NEW ALBUM THE BALLAD OF MONTE LOCO

DUE OUT FRIDAY JUNE 27 – PRESAVE NOW

 TOURING NATIONALLY AUGUST – OCTOBER FOR THE ‘THE BALLAD OF MONTE LOCO’ TOUR

An upbeat coalescence of dub, Spaghetti Western hues and revolution, today ARIA Award-winning ska collective Melbourne Ska Orchestra unveil a brand new track Bom Bom Bom; a charismatic sonic powder keg that also accompanies a music video and the announcement of a new forthcoming Melbourne Ska Orchestra album, with The Ballad Of Monte Loco set for release on Friday June 27. And with a huge global tour set to span Australia, Japan and Canada from July to October 2025, the arrival of The Ballad Of Monte Loco kicks open the doors to a thrilling new MSO musical saga ahead of a huge run of shows. 

Opening with the whirring sound of a film projector and hypnotic hooks, Bom Bom Bom swings into a track punctuated by tremolo guitar picking, dub beats and smoky soundscapes, perfectly setting the scene both for a dusky desert caper as well as a call to action, with Bom Bom Bom’s lyrics soaked in powerful protest as Melbourne Ska Orchestra leader Nicky Bomba elaborates, “Bom Bom Bom is a rally cry wrapped in rhythm. It’s about waking up, standing up, and remembering that the power belongs to the people. There’s a fire underneath it all—a deep frustration with systems that divide and distract—but also a joy in coming together to shake the walls with music. It’s protest through party. It’s a revolution… with a horn section.”

“There’s definitely a nod to The Skatalites and Toots,” adds Bomba, “but also the storytelling vibe of Gil Scott-Heron, the space-dub of Lee Scratch Perry, and that Spaghetti Western cinematic scope—Morricone still guiding us like a desert prophet. We utilise a few different languages too, Sally Ford bringing the Texacali spirit to the MSO sound.”

Produced by Nicky Bomba and the MSO crew, Bom Bom Bom was recorded in-house with a tapestry of sound design courtesy of award-winning composer Wally Maloney. And with soundscapes spanning the full gamut of the cinematic West including church bells, whips, horses and whistles (also extending to the broader The Ballad Of Monte Loco album), it’s fitting that the accompanying music video for Bom Bom Bom embraces a spirit befitting the silver screen, with the clip once again bringing on board a long-time MSO collaborator to bring the Western vibes to visual fruition. “We wanted to capture some of the cinematic energy of Sergio Leone classics like The Fistful Trilogy and merge it with some of the wilder, more surreal visions of the West,” shares Bomba. “We love the craziness of films by Alejandro Jodorowsky, so we hoped to bottle a bit of that energy as well. We figured a good tribute to these cinematic ideas would be a trailer to our fictional Western film The Ballad Of Monte Loco. We worked with long-time collaborator and friend Clayton Jacobson—he’s got the eye for mixing real grit with cinematic magic. He’s done some of our most popular music videos and he just gets it.”

Along with Bom Bom Bom, Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s most recent singles Walls of Jericho and John Wayne have steadily painted a picture of what lies at the heart of the group’s upcoming new album, The Ballad Of Monte Loco; a tantalising combo of Western badlands smoulder fused with reggae, horns and beyond across its 13 tracks. Opening with a haunting church bell, galloping percussion and ghostly melodies, The Brave, The Mean and the Wild Ones perfectly sets the scene, detailing “how the West was won” merged with perky saxophone solos, genuine horse gallops, sweeping horns and honky tonk piano. From here, The Ballad Of Monte Loco continuously feels like a full body immersion into a celluloid fever dream, with hazy dub swoon (No Doubt About It and Read Between The Lines), prowling Western soundscapes, Latin piano lines and sprinkling percussion (Pay No Mind), mesmerising grooves set against sparkling horns and commanding urgency that transcends language and time (No Me Mientas), as well as a whispered and haunting interlude (Fortune Teller). The second half of The Ballad of Monte Loco then immediately journeys between upbeat cinematic storytelling (John Wayne), jubilant positivity (Spring In My Step), funked-up jaunt (When Bootsy Came To Town), and a powerful call to arms coated with modern panache and vintage saloon vibes (Realidad). And while the entirety of The Ballad Of Monte Loco is equally eclectic yet cohesive, closing track One Thing ends on a commanding note, deftly balancing its languid vocals, cloudy arrangements and bewitching harmonies with a sturdy closing message to persevere against the odds.

“This album was born in a time of uncertainty, but also one of reflection and fire,” says Bomba of the upcoming album. “The Ballad of Monte Loco is our imagined Western world, where rhythm is resistance, and people rise together through music. It touches on revolution, false prophets, joy as rebellion, and the power of truth when it’s sung loud. We wanted it to feel like both a warning and a celebration.”

One of Australia’s most commanding collectives, Melbourne Ska Orchestra amalgamate some of the country’s finest musicians and performers, helmed with formidable dexterity by Nicky Bomba (John Butler Trio, Bomba, Bustamento). Forming in the early 2000s, MSO are an energy-infested orchestra with a difference, with the group comprising up to 26 members spanning vocals, horns, keys, percussion, woodwind and more. Releasing their self-titled debut album in 2013, MSO would earn the first of many ARIA Award nominations, ultimately going on to take out Best World Music Album in 2016 for their second full-length, Sierra Kilo Alpha, as well as Best World Music Album in 2019 for their multi album box set One Year of Ska. And proving their relentless work-ethic alongside their world-class skillset, One Year of Ska also found Melbourne Ska Orchestra releasing a song every week for an entire year. 

Over the years Melbourne Ska Orchestra have ticked off multiple sold out shows on home soil, dozens of major festival appearances, twelve international tours, and a sea of awards and nominations. But it’s not just the group’s prolific output that has found them so hotly in demand worldwide, with MSO’s explosive live performance and genre-defying genius generating acclaim and huge nods of approval from reggae and ska legends including Stranger Cole, Owen Grab, Carlos Malcolm, Ranking Roger and Neville Staples. 

In 2025, Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s world domination continues, both via the upcoming release of The Ballad Of Monte Loco as well as an upcoming huge global tour that will see them travel through Australia, Japan and Canada throughout July, August, September and October 2025. And whetting the appetite with today’s new single, dropping Bom Bom Bom ahead of the release of The Ballad Of Monte Loco later this month, there are truly some unforgettable moments still to come, as Nicky Bomba concludes, “We’re buzzin’! There’s nothing like the full MSO experience live—up to 20 of us on stage, blasting brass, thundering percussion, and skankin’ til the roof lifts. It’s not just a gig—it’s a full-blown brass opera with boots, sweat, and soul. We’re bringing the world of Monte Loco to life in every town we hit.

“This isn’t background music. This is a dancefloor sermon. A brass-laced vision quest. A reminder that when we gather in rhythm, walls fall and hearts rise. Bom Bom Bom is just the beginning. Monte Loco awaits…”

Bom Bom Bom is out now

The Ballad Of Monte Loco is due out Friday June 27.

Tickets for Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s ‘The Ballad Of Monte Loco’ Tour are on sale now from www.melbourneskaorchestra.com/. 

Stream: BOM BOM BOM

MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA – THE BALLAD OF MONTE LOCO AUSTRALIAN SHOWS 

Tickets available from http://www.melbourneskaorchestra.com/ 

FRI 01 AUG | LIBERTY HALL, SYDNEY
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets

SAT 02 AUG | UC HUB, CANBERRA
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets

SAT 09 AUG | TANKS ARTS CENTRE, CAIRNS
Tickets available from Ticketlink.com

FRI 29 AUG | THE WOOL EXCHANGE, GEELONG
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets

SAT 30 AUG | THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets

FRI 05 SEP | ALTAR BAR, HOBART
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets

FRI 12 SEP | THE GOV, ADELAIDE
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets

SAT 13 SEP | PORT BEACH BREWERY, FREMANTLE
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets

FRI 19 SEP | THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets

SAT 20 SEP | MIAMI MARKETTA, GOLD COAST
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets

FRI 03 OCT | 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets

Photography: Cyril Asuncion

Timescape is a bold new UK woodland weekender that will run from July 18th to 20th at Abbots Ripton Estate, Cambridgeshire. Centered around Trance, House, and affordability, this new addition to the UK’s summer festival circuit takes over the former Secret Garden Party site. It offers a diverse electronic lineup that blends iconic names with rising talent, creating a fresh, accessible experience for clubbers.

Founded by a collective of seasoned industry professionals and presented in collaboration with leading international brand Unkonscious and Peach Club, Timescape promises a high-quality festival experience rooted in connection, nature, and community. The event highlights that great and impactful production and lineups shouldn’t come at a premium price. The team behind Timescape is primed to deliver a fresh offering to the UK festival landscape. Attendees can expect an intimate and affordable Trance and House gathering that’s dedicated to music lovers and community. Capped at 2,000 people, Timescape will offer a boutique-style alternative to the larger-scale festivals currently dominating the market.

Rick Ford, Festival Organiser comments

“Timescape is about connection through music, nature, and community. We wanted to bring something truly special to the UK, an intimate, outdoor gathering where everyone feels part of the story. It’s all about the people, the music, and the environment, with affordability at its core.

Set amongst the scenic forests and lakes of Huntingdon, one of the UK’s most idyllic regions, the multi-day experience will be shaped by connection, nature, and a diverse soundtrack spanning the spectrum of dance music. Across three days, over 60 DJs and live acts will perform, navigating across Trance, House, and Techno and set to create a unique and immersive experience.

Headliners include iconic Trance names like Lange, Slipmatt, Indecent Noise, Dave Pearce, and Sneijder, alongside UK-exclusive performances from Rinaly Presents Rina Mirai, David Forbes pres, Seebrof, with a back-to-back special featuring Lange & The Space Brothers. Carly Wilford also joins the lineup following from her Tomorrowland debut set.

Weekend camping tickets start at £137.50 including booking fee’s with day tickets from £25 + booking fee, with a limited number of early bird offers available. Timescape is actively aiming to reset the UK festival landscape, becoming one of the most affordable and accessible festivals this summer.

Options for camping, glamping tents and motorhome/caravan pitches provide a range of accommodation choices for festivalgoers. Whether attendees bring their own tent, campervan, or opt for a furnished glamping setup, Timescape offers options to suit all budgets and preferences

Limited Early Bird Tickets

https://timescapefestival.com/#section-tickets

Find Out More & Follow

Timescape Festival Website | Instagram

Photography: Josh Ma – Words: Ken Magno

Ezra Collective light up the Sydney Opera House in a vivid display of pure magical-musical energy, captivating audiences from all walks of life and uniting the mass together through the only language that is understood by all; pure, joyful, upbeat music.

Sydney Opera house is usually home to some of the most extravagant displays of art to grace Sydney, be it contemporary dance or ballet, theatrical displays or musicians looking to utilise the acoustics of the performance space inside the venue. Ezra Collective sought to do something a bit different; the London based afrobeats / jazz quintet came only to tear the roof down, spread their message of joy through music and to stir up the biggest party that Sydney has ever seen.

From the start of their set, the audience knew they were in for one hell of a night. The lights lifted, and the sound of horns could be heard blowing despite the empty stage. As the lights shifted everyone’s focus toward’s the back of the room, saxophonist James Mollison and trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi could be seen leading the set as the rhythm section of the band walked in; bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones and the larger-than-life drummer-slash-bandleader Femi Koleoso. As the group united, every member of the audience began to rise and move, as if being led in a hypnotic trance by the pied piper’s of the jazz scene themselves.

The setup of the stage was minimal, having only the instruments, amplifiers and some flashy lights to control the atmosphere of the concert hall, though this was all they needed. Ezra Collective is the type of band that knew how to capture the attention of those around them, whether they’re playing in underground jazz bars or on the streets, the collective is one of those rare generational talents that people are naturally drawn to, no matter what background.

Throughout the night (and much to my own amazement, constantly commenting “Can’t believe I’m seeing this happen inside the Opera House”), the band members would make their way into the audience, causing mass hysteria from the audience to start up dance circles and start jumping around as if no unspoken ‘no moshing inside the opera house’ rule didn’t exist. The night was carried by nothing but the music, not a single word was spoken outside of the usual “How we feeling Sydney” that was belted out by the band members throughout the night and by the rhythmic screams from the audience. Their title from their hit 2024 release “God Gave Me Feet for Dancing” plastered on the backs of many audience goers was a slogan that came to life, as even the most resilient of members were soon tapping their feet.

Ezra Collective at the Sydney Opera House was one of those nights that you walk away from thinking “what did I just witness” – the infectious energy carrying out as the crowd spilled into the street with a more syncopated rhythm in their step, while some (such as myself) spent the few moments after the show catching their breath in the freezing Sydney winter. The only way to summarise the feeling of the night is to go back to their best hits album title – “EZ to the World”.

Bakers Eddy have released their eagerly anticipated new EP I’m Doing Better, out now via ADA.

Featuring triple j backed singles ‘Manners Street’ and ‘Dust On My Brain’, tongue-in-cheek extraterrestrial fan track ‘UFO’, and three brand new songs ‘Caroline’, ‘How Do I Know’ and new focus track ‘Hopeless Dreams’, I’m Doing Better is Bakers Eddy at their most exciting, and their most honest.

Alongside the EP release, the band are excited to announce a national run in August and September, with metropolitan and regional dates throughout QLD, NSW, SA, and VIC.

Talking about the record, frontman Ciarann Babbington shares:

“It’s a step in a new direction for us, and I think it will feel like a breath of fresh air for anyone who has been a fan for the last few years. We’re wearing our early emo/pop punk influences on our sleeve more than we’ve ever done, and we’re speaking about things that really matter to us. We’re letting people in on our experiences growing up together, and at times we’re being more vulnerable than we’ve ever been before. But it’s high energy at all times, which has become a staple of this band and something I don’t think will ever go away.”

The EP’s focus track ‘Hopeless Dreams’ is one such example of this vulnerability, touching on

“that feeling of fear that you might succumb to life when things get difficult, and wind up giving up on your dreams when things feel too hard,” Ciarann reveals. “This is something I was going through before writing this song. I was doing a lot of thinking and noticing patterns of getting in my own way sometimes. Putting this down on paper helped make me more aware of these things which I think is a good thing, to be honest and vulnerable and try to not make the same mistakes.”

Self-produced alongside Vincent McIntyre (Fan Girl / Mr Industry / Elizabeth M. Drummond),
Mixed by Justin Gerrish (Vampire Weekend / The Strokes / Weezer),
Mastered by Emily Lazar (Foo Fighters / Coldplay / Sia),
I’m Doing Better combines elements of alt rock, pop, and 2000s garage, glued together by energetic pop punk-influenced melodies.

The EP is the Naarm-based, Aotearoa-raised band’s first record since their acclaimed 2022 debut album Love Boredom Bicycles (Ivy League), with lead single ‘Manners Street’ reigniting their momentum in March this year. ‘Manners Street’, a love letter to the band’s beloved Aotearoa hometown of Wellington, saw the band back in fine form, with an add to full rotation on triple j after a first play on the station’s Home & Hosed program.

Second single ‘Dust On My Brain’ debuted on triple j’s Drive program and swiftly found itself to be a fan-favourite, with the crowd singing every word back to them at their launch show just days after release. Both tracks landed coverage from Rolling Stone AU/NZ, Music Feeds, The Music, Happy Mag, Tone Deaf and more – plus playlisting support from Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon.

Earlier this year, Bakers Eddy embarked on a successful month-long stint overseas, writing and performing in the USA including appearances at SXSW in Austin, and New York’s New Colossus Festival.

Led by charismatic Ngāti Porou / Ngāti Tuwharetoa frontman Ciarann Babbington, and rounded out by childhood friends Jamie Gordon (drums) and twin brothers Ian (bass) and Alex Spagnolo (guitar), Bakers Eddy have spent the last couple of years moving between extensive touring schedules, identity-shaping writing sessions, and meaningful conversations. The band have supported the likes of Maggie Lindemann, Stand Atlantic, Beddy Rays, WAAX, and Grandson, and their compelling and undeniably electric live shows have seen them win over audiences wherever they go.

BAKERS EDDY

I’M DOING BETTER EP TOUR

Friday 8th August – The Austral – Adelaide, SA
Friday 15th August – Buddys Bar – Sydney, NSW
Saturday 16th August – 7th Day Brewery – Brookvale, NSW
Thursday 21st August – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse – Gold Coast, QLD
Friday 22nd August – Black Bear Lodge – Brisbane, QLD
Friday 12th September – Shotkickers – Melbourne, VIC

🎟️ For tickets and more information visit www.bakerseddy.com

CONNECT WITH BAKERS EDDY

Linktree | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

Globally renowned Australian rockers Ocean Alley are thrilled to announce their fifth studio album, Love Balloon, set for release on September 19 via Community Music. Alongside the news, the six-piece have dropped the record’s infectious title track.

Joyful and uplifting, “Love Balloon” offers a blissful glimpse into the band’s creative direction on their upcoming album – confident, exploratory and full of character. Anchored by an irresistible groove and a shimmering Nile Rodgers-inspired guitar riff, the track threads an unexpected touch of disco flair along its pulsating bassline, marking playful new territory for the band. It feels effortlessly spontaneous, echoing the carefree energy of previous singles “Tangerine” and “Left Of The Dealer”. It’s charming, lighthearted, and above all, fun.

Working with legendary producer Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen, Powderfinger, Rage Against The Machine) for the first time, the band embraced a stripped-back, more emotionally resonant approach to Love Balloon. Across 10 tracks, they take listeners on a journey through life and love in all its complexity, underscored by moments of light, vulnerability and connection. There are moments that feel expansive and hopeful, and others that are more introspective and raw. It’s not ignorant of our inner worlds or the world outside – it offers an escape from it.

On the record, keyboardist and vocalist Lach Galbraith explained, “The album explores the many layered dimensions of love – not just the cinematic kind where you’re falling head over heels, but the full spectrum: joy, hurt, discomfort and disappointment. Let’s call it the river of love – whether it’s with a partner, a friend, or family, you never know when it’ll get deep, go shallow, or suddenly change course. It’s such a force that you have to just surrender to its current.”

With a reputation for their magnetic live performances, and a catalogue that’s now surpassed 1 billion streams, Ocean Alley have a huge run of international dates to come throughout 2025. They are making appearances at iconic festivals including Lollapalooza, Sziget and Austin City Limits, alongside shows at LA’s Hollywood Palladium and Brooklyn Paramount in New York. The group will make their first trip to Latin America with shows in Mexico, Brasil and Chile, before taking on their largest headline show to date, anywhere in the world – at London’s iconic 10,000 capacity Alexandra Palace in September.

MELT 2025

IS COMING IN
FIRST PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT REVEALED!
22 OCT – 9 NOV
ON SALE FROM 10AM TODAY!

Following a record-breaking, traffic-stopping, absolutely joyous festival in 2024, Melt Festival returns in 2025 to crank the fabulous factor up to eleven.

From Swarovski-studded cabaret icons to river flotillas, sweaty dance floors and hilariously gay PowerPoint nights, Brisbane’s annual festival of Queer arts and culture promises to be a city-wide celebration of internationally acclaimed artists, homegrown icons, sexy premieres and boundary-pushing brilliance. Here’s just a taste of what’s in store for Melt’s 2025 edition!

Get ready for the cultural climax of the year as fearless, sharp-witted and fabulous cabaret superstar, Reuben Kaye, unleashes the Queensland premiere of enGORGEd for Melt Festival 2025 at QPAC. Featuring Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and musical direction by Shanon D Whitelock, this is Kaye’s most lavish, loud and liberated show yet.

Making its Melt debut, Ben Graetz’s (aka Miss Ellaneous) Miss First Nation drag pageant will catwalk into Brisbane, celebrating Blak excellence, creativity and culture with the most glamourous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander queens in the country. After state heats around the country, the grand finale will take centre stage at Melt, where the nation’s fiercest will battle it out for the crown. Expect jaw-dropping performances, powerful storytelling and cultural pride.

What does it mean to be “Australian” in 2025? New musical The Lucky Country tackles that question with wit, warmth and a touch of musical rebellion. Directed by Sonya Suares with music and lyrics by Vidya Makan, this genre-defying work confronts Australia’s cultural contradictions with honesty, heart and a rocking score. Get ready for a sharply observed, joyously unapologetic production that leaves no myth unexamined.

River Pride Parade returns, bringing a flotilla of fabulousness down the Brisbane River/Maiwar, from West End to Brisbane Powerhouse. Got a boat? Register your interest to join the fleet HERE. No boat? Get ready to SPLASH OUT as Harry K launches a fabulously Queer boat party on Brisbane’s newest entertainment venue OASIS.

Queer PowerPoint is back and it’s gayer, geekier and more gloriously unhinged than ever. Watch a rotating cast of Queer creatives turn boring boardroom tools into high-concept hilarity and unexpectedly wild theories. The only rule…they must use the most mundane medium, Microsoft PPT. Topic? Niche. Delivery? Unfiltered. Results? Hysterical. Think you’ve got something to share? Apply to present HERE.

Iconic star of stage and screen Bernadette Peters returns for her first Australian performance in over a decade and a major cultural moment for theatre and music lovers alike! An Evening with Bernadette Peters will hit the Brisbane Convention Centre on Friday 24 October. Expect a glorious night of songs and stories from Peters’ incredible career, accompanied by Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. Get your tickets HERE.

Last year Melt called on Australia’s LGBTQIA+ community and allies to get nude and 5500 people answered that call for Spencer Tunick’s monumental installation on the Story Bridge. This year Melt is asking you to get vocal! Round out your Melt experience with 1000 Voices, a major choral event uniting queer and ally choirs and solo singers in one monumental moment of song, spirit and solidarity – a love letter to community, courage and collective harmony. Goosebumps guaranteed.

Melt 2025 continues to push the envelope, bringing together explosive nightlife, emotionally resonant theatre and thought-provoking visual art. Hole-Mania 2.0 promises an unhinged, high-energy Queer wrestle-party at The Tivoli, hosted by Queer dance party icon Shandy and drag menace Gogo Bumhole. Meanwhile, horror meets high drag in Scream Queen at the Princess Theatre, a blood-curdling drag spectacular starring a killer lineup of global drag royalty including Naomi Smalls, Yvie Oddly, and Drag Race UK winner Kyran Thrax.

In theatre, the program cuts deep with works that reckon with identity, belonging and colonisation. Jordan Shea’s award-winning Malacañang Made Us at Queensland Theatre explores the Filipino-Australian diaspora with epic scale and emotional grit. Whitefella Yella Tree at La Boite Theatre is a luminous love story between two Aboriginal boys on the brink of invasion, a poetic and heartbreaking reflection on land and first love, while Gerwyn Davies new work Shimmer brings stunning, identity-focused photographic portraits to the Museum of Brisbane, made in collaboration with trans and gender-diverse young people at Open Doors Youth Service.

Other program highlights include the return of Micah Rustichelli’s Demon Rhythm, which challenges the value of image consumption through a massive work of painting and repurposed Instagram imagery from the app’s explore page, SEXY GAY ART at VENTspace, a saucy, subversive showcase of Queer desire in all its forms and Femme Follies Burlesque, a sapphic spin on classic cabaret that brings fierce femme energy and glamorous grit to The Wickham. Rounding out Melt’s first program announcement for 2025 is Still Lives: Brisbane by Luke George and Daniel Kok, a roped-up homage to the city’s punk past, suspending instruments (and performers) in a haunting reanimation of Brisbane’s radical roots.

Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell said: “After a phenomenal debut, Melt returns in 2025 as one of Queensland’s most dynamic and inclusive celebrations of arts and culture. Now in its second year, the festival continues to spotlight the creativity, pride, and diversity of our LGBTQIA+ communities, while drawing visitors from across Australia and beyond.

“The Queensland Government is proud to support Melt through Tourism and Events Queensland, recognising its growing impact as a cultural and tourism highlight on our calendar”.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane is ready to welcome visitors from all over Australia to this unique and beloved celebration.

“Melt is an amazing celebration of our LGBTQIA-plus community, creating so much to do in our vibrant arts and cultural scene,” Cr Schrinner said.

“There’s no better place to have such an iconic festival, with our river, cultural precinct and Brisbane Powerhouse set to stage a program full of world-renowned acts, international artists and local talent.

“Melt is set to attract thousands of residents and visitors, and it offers a fantastic boost to our economy as everyone enjoy our bars, restaurants and hotels”.

And honey, this is just the beginning! Full program coming soon…

MELT 2025
Brisbane/Magandjin: 22 October – 9 November

TICKETS ON SALE FROM 10AM TODAY!

For more information, please visit:
melt.org.au

The program’s first announced events include: