16th Anniversary event returns to Willowbank from Wednesday 15* – Sunday 19 March 2023
*Campers entrance only
FULL ARTIST LINE-UP COMING TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER!
As the dust settles on an enormously successful sold out homecoming event on the weekend, CMC Rocks QLD is delighted to reveal dates for the March 2023 festival.
Between Wednesday 15 and Sunday 19 March 2023, CMC Rocks QLD, Australia’s premiere international country music festival will land in Willowbank, Ipswich helmed by some of the hottest global superstars; with the full artist line-up to be announced on Tuesday 11 October!
With just six months between last weekend’s hugely anticipated 15th Anniversary and the 2023 event – which sees the festival return to its regular March slot on the annual calendar – CMC Rocks QLD will once again deliver the ultimate country music line, certain to light up the country community’s spirit like nothing else!
|
|
Over the weekend just gone, the first CMC Rocks QLD since March 2019 went off with the kind of explosive energy country fans have bottled up and waited to unleash for the past 3 and a half years! Across three days, 22,000 patrons descended on Willowbank to take in live sets from international chart-toppers Brad Paisley, Kane Brown, Morgan Evans, Jimmie Allen, Blanco Brown and more, along with an absolute smorgasbord of the finest homegrown talent on offer!
Spirits were sky high as crowds entered the main festival area on Friday afternoon, with local heroes Casey Barnes and Troy Cassar-Daley returning to the CMC Rocks stage. First Nations talents Isaiah Firebrace and Mitch Tambo joined Lee Kernaghan during his set for a stunning rendition of their new single ‘Come Together’.
Friday also served up anticipated debuts from US stars MacKenzie Porter and Abby Anderson, who played in the afternoon, then joined Jimmie Allen on stage that evening during his explosive set. It was Kane Brown’s stellar performance that brought the first night to a close, including chart-topping hits ‘Like I Love Country Music’, ‘One Mississippi’ and more, along with ‘I’ve Got Some Famous Friends’, featuring some of his festival mates – Blanco Brown, Restless Road and MacKenzie Porter – live on stage. Brown left no doubt as to why he’s one of the hottest stars in country music right now.
Saturday’s all female Songwriter’s Show line-up captivated, MacKenzie Porter, Laci Kaye Booth, Lindsay Ell and Abby Anderson playing in the round, stripped-back and intimate, showcasing their incredible raw talent. As day turned to night, crowd favourite Troy Cassar-Daley continued the good vibes, lifting the crowd with his live show.
From debuting in a lunchtime slot at the first ever CMC Rocks in 2008, Nashville-via-Newcastle star Morgan Evans made his anticipated homecoming as a festival headliner at the 15th Anniversary event. On Saturday night, Evans had spirits soaring as he laid down a blistering set featuring hit singles ‘Day Drunk’ and ‘Diamonds’, fans singing along to every word.
Wingham’s own James Johnston is as country as they come, drawing large crowds on Sunday afternoon, with audiences jamming along with singles ‘Raised Like That’ and ‘Small Town’. US singer-songwriter Niko Moon continued to enthrall on his CMC Rocks debut, followed by crowd favourite Brad Cox, who had some serious country spirit on display and fans in the palm of his hand.
Accompanied by an extraordinary fireworks display to close out an epic three days, Brad Paisley’s Sunday night headline set blew the lid right off the Rebel Stage. Delivering a legendary performance punctuated by chart-topping hit after chart-topping hit, plus a duet with Lindsay Ell, Paisley had it all and then some, reminding us why exactly why CMC Rocks QLD is the ultimate country music experience.
Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said CMC Rocks was a significant feature on the It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar.
|
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said two festivals within six months would be a huge boost to the region and inject millions of dollars into Ipswich’s economy.
|
CMC Rocks QLD firmly cemented their place as Australia’s most significant country music event in 2022, with a festival experience like nothing else around! From new bars – Big Time Charlie’s and Gordons Pink Pamper Beauty Bar – to fresh new activations including an eight-metre high cowboy boot, Great Northern House, Singles Mingle, Honky Tonk Stomp line dancing and more, CMC Rocks is the ultimate, incomparable country music experience.
The Queensland Government is proud to support CMC Rocks QLD through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar, showcasing Australia’s best live events in Australia’s best destinations.
Stay tuned for the full CMC Rocks QLD 2023 Artist Lineup –
Coming on Tuesday 11 October!
Sign up to the CMC Rocks mailing list HERE, to stay up to date on all the latest information.
LIVE VISION & IMAGES FROM CMC ROCKS QLD 2022 AVAILABLE HERE
www.cmcrocks.com | #CMCROCKS2023
Like us on Facebook | www.facebook.com/cmcrocks
Follow us on Instagram | www.instagram.com/cmcrocksfest
Beautiful words: Darren Chan
American singer/songwriter Billie Eilish returns to Melbourne after more than three years. Her exponential rise in popularity saw her performing the first of 4 nights on the Melbourne leg of her Australian tour.
Diehard fans screamed at deafening levels when Billie appeared amidst a wash of
red lighting opening with “Bury a Friend”.
She screams “Melbourne are you ready?!!” was just reiteration of the 15,000 strong crowd more than willing to partake in the audio visual extravaganza the next two hours would bring.
A minimalist stage set up with a walkway and giant ramp helped create a visual canvas for each song. From the backdrop of flames and red lighting of “Therefore I Am”, the oceanic themed “Ilomilo”, to the environment themed “All the Good Girls go to Hell”, every song had a visual wow factor.
A moment was taken for musical partner Finneas to join Billie at the front of the stage for the acoustic song “TV”. Billie dons a guitar and sings “I Love You / Your Power” in her airy vocal style ending with dual harmonic guitar lines with her brother.
The LED backdrop distracts the crowd for a minute before Billie appears floating on an elevated platform at the back of the arena. In a sea of phone torches, she stretches out her hand symbolising her connection with the crowd.
She’s conscious of her rise to fame and takes several moments to acknowledge her appreciation for everyone. She seems to also take on a duty of care for those attending her show – taking a mindfulness moment with some deep breathing.
Billie only takes short moments to bring things down a notch before ramping up again. She had stage presence to captivate the crowd, and they were with her every step of the way.
Jumping around like a metal front person, she concluded the night with the energy expending “Bad Guy”, then serenaded everyone with “Happier Than Ever” as the entire arena rained down in confetti.
It was evident a lot of creative thought and well timed execution had been put into the show. The combination of lighting, staging, LED projected imaging, musical arrangements, and performance delivered a dream-like cinematic experience that fans and even those not attuned to Eilish’s music would never forget.
Photography: Juan Castro
Forming back in 1988 and hailing from Hermosa Beach, Pennywise alongside fellow Californian punk rockers Circle Jerks and Civic gave Melbourne’s Forum Theatre exactly what they had been waiting for.
Circle Jerks hit the LA South Bay scene back in 1979, playing a huge role in the innovation and development of Hardcore Punk. It was a true pleasure to see Pennywise and the Circle Jerks on the same bill.
Forming in 2018, Melbourne’s very own Civic opened the show with a huge mix of tasteful glam/classic rock hits.
Checkout https://www.livenation.com.au/artist-pennywise-6617 for the final remaining tour dates and tickets.
Toronto, ON – JUNO Award-winning Canadian pop-folk band The East Pointers, are excited to announce the release of their highly anticipated new EP House of Dreams, set to arrive on September 30th via Nettwerk Music Group on all streaming platforms.
House of Dreams was born out of pandemic downtime and a desire to always be pushing forward. With the cancellation of touring in 2020, Koady Chaisson, Jake Charron and Tim Chaisson of The East Pointers started working on new music with the help of their friend and member of The Trews, Colin MacDonald. After narrowing down over twenty songs written to the best seven tracks, the EP was brought to life virtually with the help of producer Derek Hoffman (Arkells, The Trews, Silverstein).
In January 2022, the band suffered an unimaginable loss with the sudden passing of beloved member Koady Chaisson, and the new music was brought to an abrupt halt. Tim and Jake met in the weeks that followed and both knew, almost without saying it, that they had to carry on and bring the new music to fans.
“The “House Of Dreams” EP is a collection of 7 tracks that we wrote while sidelined during the pandemic. After eight years of solid touring, it was our first experience being grounded on Prince Edward Island as a unit. We recorded them with our producer, Derek Hoffman, before our bandmate and best friend, Koady, sadly passed away. Koady was probably the most excited about all of these tracks, so we’re channeling that enthusiasm as we release it to the world,” said Jake Charron and Tim Chaisson of The East Pointers.
Keeping Koady’s spirit alive, House of Dreams will push new boundaries with the same driving trad instrumental hooks the band has become known for in tracks such as “When I Had You,” “Happy As I’ve Never Been” and “Kayla, For Me,” a song about loss and the memories that you try to hang onto when dreams are suddenly taken away.
The EP’s first track, “The House of Dreams,” is special to the band as it is one of Koady’s compositions that came from their writing sessions, originally titled “Quarantine Sessions #2”.
“The location of Koady’s dream-come-true home is a little cottage with a spectacular view of the ocean on the Eastern Shores of Prince Edward Island. We spent many days here as a band, hanging out, writing music, and dreaming up plans for the future,” said Jake Charron of The East Pointers.
Also included on the EP, will be the recently released singles “I Saw Your Ghost”, “Stronger Than You Know,” and “Save Your Lonely,” an upbeat and decidedly folk-pop tune about the hardships endured by a touring musician and feeling the distance from someone back home.
Since forming in 2014, The East Pointers have remained furiously energetic, musically complex, and technically brilliant. They’re grounded in family, as the seventh generations of traditional PEI and Ontario-based Celtic players and writers, and have effortlessly parlayed into the folk-pop arena.
The band gained international recognition as musical trailblazers, and continued to rise to success after releasing their debut album, Secret Victory, in late 2015 and performing in Canada, the United States and Australia. The East Pointers have also received achievements including a JUNO Award for Traditional Roots Album of the Year in 2017 for Secret Victory, a nomination for Traditional Roots Album of the Year for What We Leave Behind at the 2019 JUNO Awards, the Canadian Folk Music Award for Ensemble of the Year at the 12th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2016, and nominations for Instrumental Group of the Year and Canadian Folk Music Award as Ensemble of the Year again in 2018.
In addition to the new EP, The East Pointers are also getting ready to present the Harvest Home Festival, set to take place on September 23rd and 24th at the Rollo Bay Fiddle Grounds in Prince Edward Island. For more information on the festival, visit here.
House of Dreams Track Listing
1. The House Of Dreams
2. Stronger Than You Know
3. I Saw Your Ghost
4. Save Your Lonely
5. Kayla, For Me
6. When I Had You
7. Happy As I’ve Never Been
Words: Chris Brooks – Photography: Juan Castro
Beloved South East Queensland legends The Chats tore up Melbourne’s Forum theatre with trail blazing support from USA Mean Jeans & Melbourne locals The Prize.
The Chats smashed through 20 something, bone crunching, high voltage, punk rock classics. With barely a moment for breath, every song seemed to be pushing close to 2x speed or more compared to recorded versions, very reminiscent of early Ramones shows.
Filled with bogan mullets and sweaty flannelettes, The Forum crowd lapped up every sound screeching decibel that The Chats dished out. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favour and catch The Chats on their GET FUCKED world album tour!
Newcastle pop punk outfit PSTCRDS deliver a fresh anthemic sound on their latest single “What We Dwell On“.
The intoxicating new track explores the ideas and emotions surrounding a failing friendship. As the tune twists and turns, it evokes a sense of dejection whilst simultaneously clinging to feelings that are no longer reciprocated, despite continued efforts.
“Eventually you can only try for so long to keep someone in your life who doesn’t want to be there,” says the band.
Produced, mixed and mastered by Chris Lalic (Windwaker, The Last Martyr), “What We Dwell On,” was welcomed into the world on Wednesday night via triple j Short.Fast.Loud. The tune is accompanied by a dynamic music video directed by Crow River Visuals (Paperweight, Terra).
Formed in early 2019, PSTCRDS is Stove Reid (vocals), Henry Holzberger (guitar), Tom Pockett (guitar/vocals), Brad Reid (bass/vocals) and Jack Stewart (drums). Together the band blend traditional pop punk sensibilities with a mix of emo and metalcore influences. The group dropped their debut EP, ‘This Place Or Our Pace,’ in May 2021 and was described by Wall of Sound as capturing, “The youthful essence of pop punk perfectly, whilst adding rebellious grit and staying current to today’s scene.”
The five-piece followed up with two-track release, ‘System Overload,’ in September 2021 to which triple j Unearthed’s Dave Ruby Howe expressed, “These big melodic punks have added a bit of gnarly skater bite to their sound here.”
To date, PSTCRDS have warmed up stages for artists to the likes of Windwaker, Rumours, Reside, Ocean Sleeper and more and set off on their first successful headline run mid-last year.
The band are currently flaunting their new tune live across the East Coast as part of their ‘Typical Emo Sh*t Tour’ in collaboration with Sydney metalcore group, Synge. The band have already listed Brisbane, Central Coast, and Canberra and still have sets in store for Adelaide, Melbourne, Singleton, Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle. Tickets on sale now.
“What We Dwell On” is available now, streaming everywhere!
Photography + Words: Darren Chan
Nothing like spending a Tuesday night going to a live gig. To a warm reception, Sydney singer/songwriter Cap Carter opened the evening. An artist who wears his heart in his songs, he sang with such passion and intensity belting out tracks like ‘Relapse’ and ‘Guns’. This is one artist worth seeing.
The full house cheered Teddy Swim’s entrance to audio quotes mentioning his meteoric rise to popularity thanks to YouTube. Casually dressed in a hoodie and sans shoes, he effortlessly delivered a eclectic mix of music, such as the pop infused ‘All That Really Matters’, the dance track ‘Better’ to his famous cover of Shania Twain’s ‘You still the One’ backed by his stellar band. His huge vocal prowess and musical versatility won the crowd over.
Teddy was incredibly humble and appreciative of his rapid rise to fame, numerous times expressing his gratitude to his fans. Somehow, I think this is just the beginning of much bigger things to come.
FREAKCLUB
DROP NEW SINGLE & VIDEO
“GOBSTOPPER“
Today, Melbourne alternative hip hop collective FREAKCLUB drop their new single Gobstopper. To celebrate, the group have also announced The Gobstopper Release Party, to take place in Melbourne this October, details below.
Of the new single FREAKCLUB states, “Gobstopper was one of those songs that we just had to make. We were fuelled by a lot of the hunger, angst and uncertainty that comes from trying to make it in music. It was those years of almost opportunities, broken promises and “We’ll keep an eye on what you’re doing”s that inspired us to make this song. There’s no hidden meaning or secret feeling, we really let this song speak for itself. From the grungy-punk inspired vocals to the screeching guitar solo, this song is very much just us being us, and hoping to inspire people to do the same.”
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR GOBSTOPPER
Gobstopper is the first piece of new music since’s the group’s debut EP Bambi Vol.I which received rave reviews from Pilerats who said “As a whole, Bambi. Vol. I does an incredible job in introducing what FREAKCLUB are all about, and we have no doubts that this is just the start” while NME Australia commented with “Echoing similar groups like Odd Future and Brockhampton, the sextet strike with a radiant youthfulness and tight, collaborative musicality”
Named as ‘20 Artists to Watch 22′ by Pilerats, FREAKCLUB are writing songs showcasing their abilities well beyond the years the group has been together. Each new single the band releases represents a different side of FREAKCLUB while still maintaining their core sound, style and freedom of expression.
ABOUT FREAKCLUB
FREAKCLUB is an Australian alternative hip-hop collective based in Melbourne, Victoria. The group is made up of independent vocalists, producers, directors, photographers and designers whose authentic art and DIY approach have helped carve their own lane within the Australian creative community. Bursting onto the scene with their debut EP ‘Bambi, Vol. I’ FREAKCLUB has already established a dedicated following with their heartfelt lyrics, infectious melodies and genre bending sound, being described as confident and unpredictable. Accompanied by music videos, photography and fashion trademarked with a unique and in-your-face art style, the group is only just emerging worldwide.
FREAKCLUB consists of vocalists/producers Wolf Henson, Zac Sunset & Zvchvrivh, as well as director/creative designer Charles Buxton-Leslie and photographer Brianna Da Silva.
FREAKCLUB
Gobstopper Release Party
with special guests
Sascha Astrid
Realname
October 14 – Yah Yahs Fitzroy, Melbourne – Tickets
|
|
We’re excited to share the Sun Cycle NYD 2023 lineup
Sign up for early access to tickets via the button below!
Witness overlap between all spectrums of dance music, converging in unison for a mutual love of all gems soul, jazz, hip hop, electronica and beyond from artists including Freddie Gibbs, Sherelle, Job Jobse B2B Palms Trax, Folamour, Or:la plus more!
This festival has sold out every year, so gaining early access to tickets is your best chance to secure your spot to join us at the Velodrome in 2023.
Explore the lineup and sign up for early bird tickets below!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photos from top clockwise – The Aggrolites, Catbite, Mephiskapheles
Ska Nation 2022 will bring some of the best ska-centric acts to the small regional town called Warrion, just outside Colac, Victoria.
This year’s festival will be headed up by some of Australia’s and the world’s best exponents of Jamaican-inspired music together for a two-day dance party – including one of the originators of ska from Jamaica in Stranger Cole.
Joining Cole will be Los Angeles’ purveyors of the ‘dirty reggae’ sound The Aggrolites, who will also be heading up the festivities, alongside American third-wave ska band Mephiskapheles, Philly ska experts Catbite, Victorian seven headed brash and boisterous ska punk monster The Resignators, and Australians tallest Ska band The Donald Trumpets, among others.
Making its highly-anticipated return for 2022, following last years event with the likes of The Bennies, The Resignators, Loin Groin and more, the massive two-day Ska Nation 2022 celebrates the vibrant ska scene in all its glory.
Taking place on Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27, Ska Nation 2022 is taking to the town of Warrion, two hours out of Melbourne. Just 20 minutes out of Colac, the festival will be nestled between dormant volcanoes and golden plains farms on an acre of the countryside behind the 150-year-old Ti Tree Hotel.
There will be free camping at Meredith Park campgrounds for festival-goers, with regular shuttles as well as camping closer to the venue (subject to council approval) and a variety of B&Bs and hotels in Colac and the surrounding district.
Ska Nation will also be complemented by markets and food trucks.
Surf Shop Cops release killer debut album ‘Constant State’
https://distrokid.com/
Surf Shop Cops debut album, ‘Constant State’ follows a coming-of-age narrative. Songwriter Michael Slitenbachs reflects on the hard truths of growing up, and the things he doesn’t like about his younger self, to come out the other end of the ten tracks a better adjusted, more optimistic, and a much happier person.
The influence of bands like Amyl and the Sniffers, WAAX, and even Midnight Oil are all present, but it’s the unbridled intensity of the performance, the outpouring of emotion in the lyrics, and the enormous production that demands attention.
Musically, you can hear a mix of early 2000’s style emo, and indie rock, which carry the relatable lyrics with bounce, swagger, and sing-along hooks in spades. Surf Shop Cops debut record is worth your time.
OCEAN SOUNDS FESTIVAL RETURNS IN 2023 WITH ANOTHER MASSIVE LINE-UP HEADLINED BY JOHN BUTLER, THE WAIFS, MAMA KIN SPENDER AND MORE!
SATURDAY 7TH JANUARY 2023 | CHURCHILL ISLAND (PHILLIP ISLAND), VIC
TICKETS ON SALE 8.30AM THURSDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER VIA MOSHTIX
Ocean Sounds Festival is an annual family-friendly, music-lovers’ all-day sunset concert that will take place once again on the beautiful Churchill Island (just off Phillip Island) on Saturday the 7th January 2023.
This very special edition of Ocean Sounds Festival is packed with a massive line-up headlined by John Butler, The Waifs, Mama Kin Spender, Steph Strings, Carissa Nyalu and The Laing Brothers.
John Butler is one of Australia’s premiere alternative songwriters and storytellers with accolades spanning from 34 ARIA nominations, 3 number one albums and 21 triple j hottest 100 entries across his illustrious career as one of the country’s most successful independent musicians.
The original road warriors, The Waifs have built a career out of continually circling Australia and the globe thanks to their enchanting live shows and affable natures. With a career spanning more than 25 years, multiple ARIA Awards, platinum albums, and countless world tours, The Waifs continue to share their folk-infused, feel good sounds with adoring, now multi generation audiences.
It’s time for picnic rugs, smiling friends, stunning local wines, gourmet food, the summer-sun softly setting over the ocean and some of Australia’s most amazing live music!
As well as some of Australia’s best live acts, Ocean Sounds will also showcase local wines, cheeses and gourmet food vans.
Attendees are invited to bring their family, friends, good vibes and to enjoy a memorable experience of quality music in a relaxed, atmospheric and picturesque environment.
Exclusive pre-sale Wednesday 14th September.
Register at www.oceansoundsfestival.
General tickets on-sale Thursday 15th September
For more information, please visit www.oceansoundsfestival.com.au
|
|
|
|
|
|