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:

An Immersive Winter Experience Set to Open in Melbourne  

Tickets on sale now through Megatix 

Melbourne’s iconic Riviera Beach Club in partnership with Happen Group has today unveiled plans for a  brand-new immersive Winter Wonderland experience launching in time for the school holidays. 

The Riviera Winter Wonderland will see the Elwood venue transform into the ultimate winter experience  every day from 01June 2025 through to 03 August 2025.

The family-friendly experience will offer a variety of daytime entertainment including the custom-made  ice-skating rink complete with real ice, snow blizzards and skate aids! Private Igloos including catering  packages that are ideal for children’s birthday parties, a market area offering festival snacks, popcorn, fairy  floss, snow cones, face painting and more! 

By night, the space will transform into an ‘after-dark’ offering for adults including DJ’s and disco skating,  the private igloos will offer premium alcohol packages and catering for 2-6 guests while the market area  will serve the winter classics including mulled wine and a selection of cocktails. 

Overlooking the breathtaking views of Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne’s iconic waterfront restaurant, The  Pavilion Restaurant and Bar will offer a front row seat to all the winter wonderland action with their  exceptional food and dining experience available to guests. 

“We are excited to transform this iconic venue into a winter wonderland experience! We have ensured that  we have catered to both families with young children and the adults so that everyone can enjoy this event  by the bay in Melbourne.” Daniel McFadyen – Happen Group 

Ticket prices start at $18 with family packages available from $62 at www.megatix.com.au RIVIERA WINTER WONDERLAND 

Address – 42B Marine Parade, Elwood VIC 3184 

Open from 01 June 2025 – 03 August 2025 

4pm-10pm weekdays  

10am-10pm weekends  

Extended trading hours for school holidays will apply 

UK rap phenomenon Central Cee is hitting the road for his first-ever global tour following the highly anticipated release of his debut album. The CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS WORLD TOUR 2025 will bring his electrifying live show to fans across the world.

The Australian leg includes major stops at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, and wraps up at RAC Arena in Perth.

Need accessible seating?
Accessible tickets must be booked through the official ticketing agent’s dedicated hotline or online form.

TICKETS

Photography: Charlyn Cameron

After three years of grit, growth, and deep soul-searching, Katie Brooke unveils her second studio album Relentless – a project that captures her most defining years as a songwriter, a mother, and a woman walking unapologetically in her own boots.

Written entirely by Katie and produced with long-time collaborator Rusty Crook in Tamworth, Relentless blends classic country roots with raw, reflective storytelling. It’s a natural progression from her 2022 debut Sticks, Stones and Stories, but this time, the stories hit even harder.

“I started writing this album three years ago, around the same time I became a mother and my life shifted to a whole new realm,” Katie shares. “In that time, I became the artist I’ve always hoped to be. My songwriting got more honest, more traditional, more me. It’s the most true I’ve ever felt.”

That truth echoes through every track. There’s a maturity to this record – not just in vocal delivery or production, but in the songwriting itself. Each track feels like a journal entry cracked open for the listener.

At the heart of the album lies its bold title track, ‘Relentless’ – written in a storm of frustration and self-reflection. It’s a sonic statement of defiance, channelling burnout into clarity. That same undercurrent of resilience threads its way through ‘Too Far Down’ – a previous single that cracked the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay chart in 2023 – and ‘Ain’t No 9 to 5’, a foot-stomping salute to the work ethic and passion Katie inherited from her family – celebrating sweat, legacy, and the kind of drive that doesn’t clock off when the day ends.

The album also leans into vulnerability with unflinching honesty. ‘A Little Dirt’, which hit #2 on both the Play MPE Country Most Downloaded and Most Streamed charts, is Katie at her most confessional – a bright, melodic reflection on regret and growth. ‘Someone’s Enemy’, explores the slow unravel of friendship, while ‘Higher Ground’ serves as a moving tribute to her hometown and the 2022 Northern Rivers floods that reshaped it forever.

There’s also room for heart in its most nurturing form. ‘You Can Always Come Home’ was written for Katie’s daughter Faith – a love letter to unconditional love and belonging. On the flip side of tenderness is ‘Can’t Fake That’, a whip-smart, playful tribute to country women living the life for real – not for image. With a wink to cowgirl culture and an undeniable swagger, it’s a refreshing burst of confidence and camaraderie.

The cinematic, ‘Haunted or Holy’ is the kind of track that unfolds differently on every listen, while ‘Secondhand Spurs’ is a nostalgic ride through Katie’s early 20s in Tamworth, where dreams, heartbreak, and horse riding collided. “If my 20s had a theme song, this one is it,” she laughs.

The sound of Relentless is unmistakably Katie – timeless, authentic, and beautifully lived-in. Featuring world-class musicians like Jason Roller (Alabama, Grand Ole Opry Band), Rusty Crook, and Bradley Bergen, the album was recorded slowly and intentionally, with Katie traveling five hours each way from her rural NSW home to Tamworth. “That drive became its own ritual,” she recalls. “A time to reflect, dream, and shape this album into something that feels worn in and well loved.”

Raised on a beef cattle property and now raising her own family in the same Northern NSW pocket, Katie has never chased a trend. Her whip-smart lyrics, salt-of-the-earth vocals, and no-nonsense charm have earned her a loyal following. Alongside accolades like winning the Listen Up Music Songwriting Prize (Gold Coast Semi-Final) and sitting on its national judging panel, she’s opened for the likes of The Black Sorrows, Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley and Shannon Noll.

Her Relentless album tour will take Katie and her full band across regional and metro Australia – a long-awaited step up for the country artist who’s previously toured solo or acoustically.

Whether she’s riding horseback with a guitar, writing songs while the baby naps, or cracking whips (just like her dad did when he opened the Sydney 2000 Olympics) – Katie Brooke is as real as they come. Relentless effortlessly channels that authenticity and marks a turning point, not just in her career, but in her own story.

“I experienced a major flood, became a first-time mum, faced some tough failures – and still kept pushing forward. This album is about that journey. It’s about becoming.”

It’s not just the sound of a country artist finding her feet – it’s the sound of one finally riding full tilt into who she’s always been.

TOUR DATES:

Friday 16^th May – Chattahoochee Joe’s – Brisbane QLD
Saturday 17^th May – Mummulgum Hall – Mummulgum NSW
Saturday 31^st May – The Hoey Moey Country Music Festival – Coffs Harbour NSW
Sunday 1^st June – The Crown Hotel Grafton – Grafton NSW
Sunday 15^th June – The Northern Rivers Hotel – Lismore NSW

&FRIENDS Festival is redefining what it means to be a destination music experience in Southeast Asia. On May 30 & 31, 2025, at Okada Manila, global superstars and Asia’s rising artists come together to celebrate music that’s beyond borders.

With Grammy-winning EDM powerhouse Zedd, Billboard-charting producer ILLENIUM, and genre-bending rapper bbno$ already leading the lineup, &FRIENDS Festival has now announced the addition of DJ HYO, the electrifying DJ persona of Hyoyeon from Girls’ Generation. Known for her unique fusion of EDM, house, and K-Pop, HYO has carved out her space in the global DJ scene.

Returning to Manila, DJ HYO is set to deliver a performance that amplifies &FRIENDS’ vision of bridging East and West with K-Pop flair and festival energy. Her presence marks a celebration of K-Pop’s global influence and highlights the growing impact of Asian artists in the international festival space.

Joining her are a lineup of Asia’s rising talents: Singapore’s Kiara, Thailand’s BOTCASH, Taiwan’s RayRay, Japan’s KDH, and South Korea’s Jeonghyeon: all bringing their own unique sounds to the stage. They represent a diverse wave of music that makes &FRIENDS one of the most culturally rich festivals to take place in Manila.

Three Stages, Two Days, One Unforgettable Weekend of Music

The festival transforms Okada Manila into a multi-stage experience, where fans can explore everything from high-energy EDM to experimental beats and live vocals across the Cove Stage, the Creator Stage, and the Friendship Stage, each offering its own distinct vibe.

May 30, 2025 (Friday)

• Cove Stage: Zedd headlines alongside HYO, €URO TRA$H, RayRay, Fairlane b2b Siangyoo, Kiara, Hoang, and more.

• Creator Stage: The night turns into a K-Pop Rave presented by HIDDEN NIGHTS, with 2Spade, Hoaprox, and Foxela, and more spinning K-wave hits with an EDM twist.
• Friendship Stage: DJ collectives Restored Bass and EKO&FRIENDS take over for a night of Asian underground music.

May 31, 2025 (Saturday)

• • Cove Stage: ILLENIUM and bbno$ make their Manila debuts, along with Seven Lions, 2Spade, Jeonghyeon b2b KDH, Hoang b2b MVSE, NGHTSHIFT, Caden, Orange Juice Asia, and more.

• Creator Stage: Filipino music is front and center with the OPM Stage led by Ylona Garcia, joined by Amiel Sol, Kiyo, and music-focused collectives like Orange Juice Asia and Planet Workshop, expanding the definition of what OPM can be.

• Friendship Stage: Scene-shaping groups Midnight Rebels and Contrast deliver their signature style, fusing sound and community-driven culture.

2-Day Tickets that include entry to both days, are at Php 8,500 for General Admission and Php 15,000 for VIP.

Solo day tickets start at Php 6,000 for Day 1, with Zedd, €URO TRA$H, Kiara, Fairlane b2b Siangyoo and more EDM acts. Day 2 starts at Php 3,500, headlined by bbno$, ILLENIUM, and Seven Lions.

VVIP Cabanas and Day 1 Music + Expo tickets are officially sold out. 

&FRIENDS Festival is powered by LastDrop.

—

About &FRIENDS:

&FRIENDS is a lifestyle + events brand by Clout Kitchen that celebrates Gen Z pop culture, the creators leading the charge, and the communities around them. A gateway between East and West, &FRIENDS Festival brings the world’s biggest names to Asia while giving local rising stars a global spotlight.

About Clout Kitchen:

Clout Kitchen is a startup that crafts unique, creator-powered tech and experiences that unlock infinite fun and possibilities for creators and their communities. Headquartered in Los Angeles and Manila, Clout Kitchen is backed by world-class investors like a16z Games and AppWorks. Learn more at cloutkitchen.net. 

About LastDrop:

LastDrop is an all-in-one marketing app for music artists and content creators that puts fan outreach, engagement, and social growth on autopilot.

INSTAGRAM

Photo by: Vinca Petersen

Singer songwriter Matt Maltese today releases his sixth studio album Hers via The Orchard. Hers arrives as Maltese’s most insular and intimate project to date, and his first fully self-produced effort since his second album Krystal.

Maltese has long drawn from the tried and tested artistic wellspring of romance and heartbreak, but the songs that make up Hers find him reflecting upon a serious long-term relationship and the more grown-up complexities of love through the rearview, with the quiet artfulness for which he has become so beloved. Hers exists in a twilight world, pairing heartfelt songwriting and dry witticism with the gentle quiver of strings, a flourish of woodwind or the sound of a creaking old piano.

“I’ve written a lot of music that comes from a place of infatuation, but this record was written on reflection of a much longer-term love. The complications and wonderful roads that that goes through and the more informed heartaches that come out of it. I got to really reflect and slave over it… It’s a bit like having a year to write a really important email,” he says. 

“I’m British enough to feel a slight shame of writing so many love songs in the past,” he adds. “Maybe the more interesting thing on paper would have been to go to the other side of the world and write a concept album about prehistoric creatures or something, but at the end of the day, we’re all human, and love and people are things we’re all continually affected by. It’s my job as a songwriter to excavate the things in my life, and that’s what I was going through.”  MATT MALTESE

LISTEN TO HERS 

Today he also highlights the record’s latest single ‘Happy Birthday’, a mediation on all the feelings that can be held in such a simple exchange between two people. Maltese explains: “I grew up when writing ‘happy birthday’ 108 times a year peoples Facebook pages without any punctuation was socially acceptable behaviour, and I’ve always thought how interesting it is looking back.. such a plain message but always so much unsaid between senders and recipients in those two words. The socially conventional shell for a million other feelings. And I think in break ups, the ‘happy birthday’ text is the last thing to go. Sometimes it goes on years longer than anything else, and that’s fascinating, I think. Reflecting on this, it started to really interest me to get that into a song. A light title, but all the anguish underneath the surface. Maybe someday, people all over the world will joyfully chant ‘I’d break my legs in half..’ when the cake comes out. Or not.”

LISTEN TO ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’

This week Matt embarks on a tour of intimate record store in-store shows in support of Hers, with events taking place in London, Liverpool, Nottingham, Oxford and Brighton over the coming week. Later this year Maltese embarks on his Tour For You My Whole Life run, playing the biggest venues of his career across North America, UK and Europe from September through to December. The 46-date tour commences in Nashville, stopping by major venues including Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre and London’s Roundhouse, before concluding his European run in Barcelona in mid-December. Full list of dates below, tickets are on sale now and available via matt-maltese.com.

HERS TRACKLIST

Arthouse Cinema 

Buses Replace Trains

Happy Birthday 

Anytime, Anyplace, Anyhow 

Always Some MF 

Cure For Emptiness 

Holiday From Yourself 

Pined For You My Whole Life 

Eternal Darkness Of The Spotless Mind 

Tangled 

Everybody’s Just As Crazy As Me 

Having first established himself as a songwriter with a knack for dry one-liners and a keen eye for self-deprecation, Maltese released debut album Bad Contestant back in 2018. The three albums that followed over the next five years cemented his position as one of the UK’s finest young songwriters. Critics were unanimous; Matt Maltese’s piano harmonies, playful approach and quintessentially British wit saw ‘the mundane transformed into fantasy’.  

Since the release of 2023’s Driving Just To Drive, Maltese has been busy in multiple behind the scenes roles, lending his songwriting abilities to a number of fellow artists, and establishing indie label Last Recordings On Earth. Taking a slightly different approach to his own craft, last year saw Matt share covers album Songs That Aren’t Mine, a collection of some of his favourite songs, recorded at home with guest features by friends including Dora Jar and Liana Flores. Elsewhere, he made his theatre songwriting debut, composing all original music and lyrics for The Royal Shakespeare Company’s winter production of Twelfth Night, described by The Observer as “inspired… perfectly balances Shakespeare’s dramatic polarities”.  

Late 2024 also saw Maltese embark on a headline tour of Asia, Australia and New Zealand, following live runs through the US, Europe and the UK, including his biggest show to date at the Wiltern, Los Angeles, and a sold-out show at London’s Brixton Electric. His global appeal as an artist is undeniable, with sold-out shows from Sydney to Sao Paolo, and Jakarta to Tokyo to his name.  

MATT MALTESE 2025 TOUR DATES

16 September – Marathon Music Works, Nashville

17 September – Tabernacle, Atlanta

19 September – Underground, Charlotte

20 September – Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh

20 September – The Fillmore Silver Spring, Washington

23 September – Roxian Theatre, Pittsburgh

25 September – HISTORY, Toronto

26 September – Beanfield Theatre, Montreal

28 September – Citizens House Of Blues, Boston

30 September – Toad’s Place, New Haven

2 October – The Fillmore, Philadelphia

4 October – Paramount, Brooklyn

6 October – Newport Music Hall, Columbus

7 October – Bogart’s, Cincinnati

9 October – Deluxe at Old National Centre, Indianapolis

10 October – The Fillmore, Detroit

11 October – Riviera Theatre, Chicago

13 October – The Fillmore, Minneapolis

25 October – Summit, Denver

16 October – The Depot, Salt Lake City

18 October – Vogue Theatre, Vancouver

19 October – Moore Theatre, Seattle

21 October – Fox Theatre, Oakland

23 October – House Of Blues, San Diego

24 October – The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles

26 October – The Van Buren, Phoenix

29 October – House Of Blues, Dallas

30 October – Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheatre, Austin

1 November – House Of Blues, Houston

2 November – House Of Blues, New Orleans

4 November – The Ritz Ybor, Tampa

20 November – Project House, Leeds

21 November – O2 Institute, Birmingham

22 November – O2 Academy, Bristol

24 November – The National Stadium, Dublin

26 November – SWG3, Glasgow

27 November – O2 Ritz Manchester

28 November – Roundhouse, London

1 December – La Cigale, Paris

3 December – Ancienne Belgique, Brussels

4 December – Tivoli Vrendenburg, Utrecht

6 December – Kantine, Cologne

7 December – Metropol, Berlin

9 December – WUK, Vienna

11 December – Legend Club, Milan

13 December – Razzmatazz 2, Barcelona

PRAISE

“An undeniably safe pair of hands… even the most quotidian of details becomes filmic. ‘Hers’ is testament to how much Matt has grown since his 2018 debut” 

DIY MAGAZINE

“New album ‘Hers’ could be a defining statement… a beautiful glimpse of his creative essence.”

CLASH

Hers is out Now

Matt Maltese: Website | Instagram | TikTok | X | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music 

Photography: Hieu Nguyen – Words: Ken Magno

My first memory of Montell Fish was the same way I discover most artists that have become quite constant staples in my recent most-played lists. A chance encounter with a song that comes on in my recommended tracks, just to scroll back through hours of music and find that one specific song that stuck in my head. The song of question? “Fall in Love with You.” A song with a simple yet powerful message that seemed to strike a chord during the late hours of the night. That song would go on to become a mainstay in my daily rotation, during late night dnm’s over the phone, long drives up and down the highway and during any time my friends and I would go band for band in what our ultimate ‘yearning’ track is.

Jump forward a couple years, on a cold and windy night in May, and Montell Fish was set to play the final few of his internationally sold out “the Dream Deer Tour”, following the release of his 2024 album “Charlotte”. Driving into the venue, the sun was setting over an overcast Sydney as the dimly lit lights of the Enmore Theatre battled with the violent blues and greys of the sunset; a night that matched the energy of the enigmatic singer perfectly. Setting the scene for Fish was DJ / producer Exxy, a young up and coming artist who set a scene of intimacy rather than the usual upbeats of most opening acts at shows. His set complimented Fish’s music perfectly, a feeling of ambience in his sound that most would recognise as the feeling of listening in on the party music playing through the walls of the bathroom you’ve found yourself in – a melancholic feeling of euphoria as you sit back and rethink the decisions that led you to the moment you’ve found yourself in.

As Montell made his highly anticipated entrance, his silhouette was only highlighted by a mix of strobe lighting and a dimly lit back curtain, adding to the mystery and complexity of his character. Flashes of lights and quick glimpses of the Pittsburgh-based singer-songwriter, the pain and anguish in his voice and words hitting at the heart as if they’re lingering memories of past mistakes that you can’t quite let go of. Montell Fish had created a haunting scene over the historic venue, something more reminiscent of a painting from the romantic period filled with emotion and longing, his words being his paintbrush that carefully curates the artwork of emotion that was on display at his show.

Songs like “Every Night” and “Same Sh*t” had lit a fire in the audience, the chorus of the Every Night feeling more like a hypnotic chant as the audience relentlessly screamed “The drugs, the sex the lights / I think I want it all, like every night” with the heavy drums and distorted guitar adding a layer of harshness that contrasts his usual soft, alternative-pop style.

Though throughout the set, Montell’s duality behind his songwriting really shone as he led the crowd through a more personal story. Taking a trip back to his early release of “Jamie”, Fish walked us through a story that may seem like another soft RNB ballad about the hopelessness of falling in love with someone just out of your reach, though actually paints a story of a man struggling with is relationship with God. Montell’s early days having freshly moved to New York as a young artist looking to find community while trying to uphold his Christian roots sparkled through a beautiful play through of his hit song “Talk2Me”, his guitar acting as an extension of his voice rather than an accompaniment.

After dancing around the keys of his piano to “What ‘s it Take to be a Star”, Montell Fish made his goodbye’s by playing his infamous ballad “Fall in Love with You.” (giving the younger me chills) before bowing out to a thunderous rendition of “Hotel” and “Bathroom” back-to-back, adding a heavily distorted guitar solo to the end of “Hotel” that seemed to transcend the space between the audience and the artist and elevate the night to a whole other level. 

Montell Fish creates music for the dreamers, for the lost, for the lovers – he creates music that is real and relatable, leaving a piece of his heart on the stage with every soul piercing note, creating a show that was nothing short of a night to remember for decades. The Dream Deer Tour ends with the final show of the international tour at the Enmore Theatre on Wednesday the 14th of March, followed by an afterparty at the Lansdowne Hotel in Sydney hosted by Montell Fish’s alter ego DJ Gummy Bear.

Unveiling a new rock n roll number, The Grogans are releasing ‘Social Cue’, the latest single from their forthcoming LP Stagger, out Friday 23 May. Capturing their live energy that their fans love best, the single is joined by a live video recorded at Sing Sing Studios, Melbourne. After returning from a 16-date US headline tour, the trio are making a quick stopover in WA for shows in Margaret River and Esperance as they gear up to release their fifth and favourite album later this month and a return to the US this June.

Out Thursday 8 May, ‘Social Cue’ is packed with heavy guitars and drums, reminiscent of an early Grogans sound that fans first fell in love with. The track embodies the story of feeling disrespected and all the frustration that comes with it. “Dig in and turn it up to eleven” – The Grogans.

PLAY/LISTEN

Exploring another side of The Grogans’ music, Stagger is a patchwork of different sounds and sonic inspirations that all come together in the one album, “it came from this idea that it was a jagged and stylistically different album track to track“, explain The Grogans. Capturing the magnetic energy of their live shows, the album also touches on themes of mental health, taking care of yourself and your loved ones, the occasional love song, and more. As the catchy chorus first single and album opener ‘Oh Boy’ leads into sonic powerhouse of a tune ‘Come Up (Goes Down)’, ‘In My Heart’ slows it down to a new easy listening direction, followed by ‘Have a Little Dream’ – as dreamy as the title suggests – and the big open echoed instrumentation of ‘Once In A While’. Adding new textural effects in ‘Roll Back’ and last single ‘Roundabout’, ‘Happier Man’ dips into a heavier psych realm with a reminder that “striving to be a better and happier person should be a goal for everyone.” ‘Worry About Everything’ is an upbeat tune sure to have you worrying about nothing, and feel good album closer ‘All My Days’ ends on a more serious note that outlines the beauty and the beast of live music and the personal struggles that come with the lifestyle and touring.

Included in Rolling Stone’s Future of Music 2025 and described by triple j as ‘one of the most consistently hardworking live acts in the country’, The Grogans commitment to making incredibly varied, distinct music, sharing good experiences at their live show and genuine elation on playing together is clear to see and explains why they are one of Australia’s brightest bands. In recent years, they have delighted their international fans with a headline 2024 tour across Europe, Ireland, and the UK, a stop at the Netherlands’ Misty Fields Festival, joining Ocean Alley on their US Summer Tour, and more. Never ones for slowing down, 2024 was filled with local shows, sharing the stage with Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers for their ‘Fix It With Salt’ tour, and a 5th anniversary tour of their LP ‘Just What You Want. ’

Filled with catchy chorus’ for fans to sing along to, get ready for the new 11 track LP from The Grogans.

‘Social Cue’ is out via CW Records

Stagger out Friday 23 May CW Records

Photography: Josh Ma

Words: Ken Magno

There’s something different about dance concerts. Most bands and artists I’ve seen live recently, it’s a race to the front of the barricade to try gain the attention of whoever has the stage, though there’s something magic about the hypnotic trance of an electronic gig. The pounding bass echoing through the venue, the syncopation of frat flicks and red bull vodka induced “Woo’s” of eager many eager fans, there’s no better way to battle the oncoming cold weather than by burning up on the dance floor.

Enter Chris Lake; British electronic DJ and producer phenomenon who first took the world by storm back in 2006, turning the Hordern into a dance party not even some of the Sydney city’s most well-known dance clubs could compete with on a chilly Saturday night. His signature tech house sound accompanied by simple visuals (an LED screen hooked up to a livestream of the DJ alongside a light show that perfectly elevated the atmosphere) had the audience moving in a way that looked the Hordern had its own living heartbeat. 

Having just come off a fresh back-to-back set with Australia’s very own techno powerhouse FISHER, many eager eyes scouted around the room to see if the Under Construction (the moniker that the duo of Chris Lake and FISHER perform under) marathon continued – a speculation that would pay off as the night went on. Playing through some of his more popular tracks, including recent hits such as ‘Summertime Blues’, ‘In the Yuma’ and chart topper ‘Beggin’ as well as his 2024 remix of Gotye’s hit single ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ simply titled ‘Somebody’, the party raged on with FISHER acting as a hype man throughout the remainder of their time on stage (while also playing some FISHER classics in true b2b style. 

Chris Lake’s Disclosure collab ‘In2Minds’ signified the final moments of the night, closing out an insane season of shows and festivals for the dance mastermind. The show never ended even after the sound was cut off, with Lake taking to the stage once more to give the crowd one more chant, showing his love and appreciation for the people of Sydney one more time and bowing out to a thunderous applause of Sydney’s ever growing EDM community.

Photography & Words: Darren Chan

Melbourne got to experience two of rock’s most iconic artists at Margaret Court Arena. The autumn chill has kicked into Melbourne, but George Thorogood heated up the atmosphere with his long-time band, The Destroyers, consisting of drummer Jeff Simon, Bill Blough on bass, Jim Suhler on guitar, and Buddy Leach on saxophone.

From the get-go, it was rock ’n’ roll boogie with the opener “Rock Party.” Aussie blues-rock artist Hamish Anderson joined the band on percussion for Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love,” as George jokingly put it, “to be the lady magnet.”

Buddy added to the performance with some tasty saxophone licks and solos, intertwined with George’s percussive guitar rhythm playing. George had his moments to shine with an intense slide solo in “Gear Jammer.” Jim seamlessly carried both rhythm and lead guitar duties. They effortlessly ripped through crowd favourites including “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” “Gloria,” and “Get a Haircut” with sass and attitude.

The slide intro of “Bad to the Bone” had the crowd up and cheering, finishing with the classic “Born to Be Bad.” With George and The Destroyers, what you see is what you get—raw, in-your-face, blues-infused rock ’n’ roll boogie.

ZZ Top have been around for 51 years, and the show was an opportunity to experience the legends that have shaped rock and blues for decades. They strutted onstage to enthusiastic applause, kicking off with “Got Me Under Pressure” from the Eliminator album. The setlist spanned their entire career, seamlessly blending the past and present, including their hits “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Legs,” and deeper cuts like “Brown Sugar” from their debut album, the riff-laden “Just Got Paid,” and “Tube Snake Boogie.” They even threw in covers of Sam & Dave’s “I Thank You” and Merle Travis’ “Sixteen Tons,” previously performed with the late Jeff Beck, but done in their signature gritty Texas blues sound.

Billy Gibbons is a guitarist and music icon. Tonight, he cemented his status as the Texas blues statesman. His guitar playing was in the pocket and full of attitude, complementing his growly, gritty blues vocal. He seamlessly shifted from his instantly recognisable and iconic riffs in “Gimme All Your Lovin’” to bluesy licks and solos. There were plenty of moments to showcase his guitar chops—improvising before launching into “Head in Mississippi,” a solo in “Sixteen Tons,” swampy slide licks in “Just Got Paid,” and a one-handed solo in “Sharp Dressed Man.”

A former guitar tech for the late bassist Dusty Hill, Elwood Francis did an exemplary job as the bassist, keeping the spirit of ZZ Top alive on stage, performing the characteristic sways and moves with Billy. He held down the rhythmic backbone with drummer John Douglas, also a tech with the band, filling in for Frank Beard who could not perform on this tour.

Their stage presence is always larger-than-life, with Billy occasionally engaging directly with fans. The stage was stripped back but with a bit of glitz—Billy and Elwood wearing glittering jackets and pants, a gold tiki-adorned drum kit, and a wall of multicoloured Magnatone amps. Their regular guitar changes added a novelty factor, with Elwood starting the night with a monstrous 17-string bass, plush-covered guitars in “Legs,” and guitars with screen visuals in the encore.

As the band started riffing into the finale “La Grange,” the crowd were on their feet dancing. ZZ Top delivered a high-energy show of Texan blues and nostalgia. They are a testament to an enduring blues-rock legacy, and everyone was there to enjoy being part of their journey.

BEONIX, Cyprus’s premier electronic music festival, will take place on the sun-soaked shores of Limassol from September 19 to 21, 2025, bringing together a genre-spanning lineup of legendary names and rising talents. Held once again at the ETKO venue, the three-day celebration promises an unforgettable sonic journey across four immersive stages: Main Stage, Hangar Stage, Organic Stage, and Garden Stage.

Headlining the 2025 edition are some of the most influential names in the global electronic scene, including Adriatique, Armin van Buuren, Boris Brejcha, Dubfire, Len Faki, Maceo Plex, and Roger Sanchez. From progressive and melodic techno to house, trance, and live electronica, BEONIX curates a multifaceted musical experience for both dedicated ravers and curious newcomers.

The full lineup for BEONIX 2025 features over 50 international and regional artists:

Adriatique, Anfisa Letyago, Armin van Buuren, Boris Brejcha, Dubfire, Kevin Saunderson, Len Faki, Maceo Plex, Roger Sanchez, Shimza, ANII b2b Olympe, AS IDE, AVALAN ROCKSTON, AVANT b2b Solique, Avision, Axel Haube b2b Ross Quinn, BADBOX, Carlo Lio, Casey Spillman b2b Seb Zito, David Moreno, Deepesh Sharma b2b Romeo Ji, Henri Bergmann b2b Kadosh, Highjacks, Human Rias, James Zabiela, Jordan Masters b2b Smythy, Julian Prince b2b Kosta Kritikos, Juliet Fox, Just Jam b2b Wodda, Kole Audro, Lehar, LNTX, Markus Klee, Marlie, Octave One (live), Saraga, Spartaque, Tania Vulcano, The Advocate, The Element, Wax Material, Xavi Emparan, Yulia Niko, Zakes Bantwini.

Each of BEONIX’s four stages will offer its own soundscape and atmosphere, carefully curated to blend cutting-edge music with immersive art and lighting design. Every year, BEONIX invests heavily in the production of the Main Stage, ensuring audiences enjoy world-class sound quality and breathtaking visual experiences.

The festival takes place at ETKO, a historic former winery in Cyprus that has been carefully restored. The venue is home to art installations and murals created by talented artists, highlighting that BEONIX is not only about music, but also about celebrating art in all its forms.

Since its debut, BEONIX has established itself not just as a festival, but as a cultural movement celebrating creativity, diversity, and high-end production values in Cyprus. With its 2025 edition, BEONIX continues to push boundaries, turning the island into a global hub for electronic music enthusiasts.

Tickets are now available via the official BEONIX website: https://beonix.art/tickets

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Photography: Abby Waisler

Words: Josh Ma

For most in the crowd at Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday night, it was a girls’ night out — clusters of best friends, mothers and daughters, and young women singing every lyric with the fervor of someone who’d been healing to these songs in their bedrooms for years. But for me as a boyfriend, we’ve only known her through the playlists of our girlfriends who has been blasting her for the last few weeks. 

And now, l get it. 

Gracie Abrams, the 24-year-old singer-songwriter hailed by some as “the next Taylor Swift,” didn’t need grand theatrics or elaborate choreography to hold the room. 

Where her father once told stories of galaxies far, far away, Gracie uses the smaller universe of heartbreak, healing, and coming-of-age to wage an emotional war — one waged with just a piano, a diary’s worth of lyrics, and the collective ache of 20,000 hearts. 

Her Sydney return was no small feat. From two show at Hordern Pavilion last year to three sold-out nights at Qudos Bank Arena, her swift ascent in Australia is a testament to the intimacy she creates in her music — and remarkably, still sustains in person, even under arena lights. 

Opening the night was LA-based artist Ashe, whose emotionally grounded set prepared the crowd with ease. Highlights included tracks from her new album Wilson — particularly Pull the Plug and Running Out of Time — and, of course, Moral of the Story, the 2019 hit that rocketed her to fame. As a fan of Ashe it was a special night watching her perform after her long break from music to focus on her mental health, we were unsure of whether she would return to perform anytime soon. Seeing her back on the stage filled me with joy and she truly shined so bright. 

Grscie Abrams took the stage with Felt Good About You, setting the tone with dreamy lighting and soft vocals that highlight the vulnerability of her lyrics. Her setlist spanned fan favourites and deeper cuts, with standout moments including Risk, Blowing Smoke , and 21, which saw fans waving for her attention. 

She greeted the crowd warmly: “Sydney, Australia — my name is Gracie Abrams and this is The Secret of Us Tour… We missed you so much. I’m so deeply obsessed with this crowd.” The sentiment felt sincere, particularly when she spoke about how much the new album meant to her and mentioned one of her best friends Audrey Hobert who helped create the album and has recently taken a step into the music industry with her upcoming song ‘Sue Me’ releasing this

May. As well as the one and only Taylor Swift, who collaborated on the project with the hit song ‘Us’ who has introduced new fans to Abram’s discography following her Era’s tour which Abram’s supported her on. 

The sea of white bows sang every word of the soft pop ballads. The thought that fans put into their outfits was unmatched with people cutting fabrics and spelling out their favourite lyrics of songs on their shirts. Of course there were many girls wearing long white skirts, a staple for pop girl concerts. 

The emotional core of the show came when she left the main stage and disappeared into the b stage — a quiet, dimly lit stage that mimicked her childhood bedroom where she started to do Zoom concerts whilst she was beginning her career. Amid these tender moments, she paused to connect directly with fans — snapping polaroids of the crowd, laughing at signs that referenced old tattoos and then accepting a fan-made scrapbook passed from the front row. She flipped through the pages with wide eyes, visibly touched by the thoughtfulness of her fans. 

Phones went up as she covered a song from her 2023 album Good Riddance: ‘This is where the drugs are for,’ her surprise song for Sydney Night 2 which is a soft ballad about getting through a breakup. Following this she sang ‘Cool’ where she introduced the song by telling fans that she wrote this song when she felt angry. Ending her time in her bedroom she sung the song ‘I Miss You, I’m Sorry’ coming full circle with her music video being filmed in her bedroom back in 2020. 

Back on the main stage, the energy gradually swelled again. The final stretch of the show felt like an emotional release — cinematic and cathartic. Gracie turned the audience into her choir for Us and Free Now, lifting the track into something sacred, before she closed and encored with That’s So True, and Close to You — a fitting end to a night that started in heartbreak and ended in something close to healing. Seeing all the fans jumping and dancing in circles on the floor was a perfect end to the night with strangers now connecting with strangers becoming friends. 

It was the true epitome of girlhood.