Author: Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.

Hotel Review: Las Vegas Downtown Grand provides luxurious & comfortable access to the ever evolving Fremont Street

The “downtown” area of Las Vegas, which is situated around the iconic Fremont Street (also known as the “classic” Las Vegas strip featuring casino-hotels like the Golden Nugget) has been undergoing quite an extensive amount of changes over the past decade. The run of old hotels and casinos are still there, some redeveloped – with…

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Why flying out of London’s furthest airport Southend might actually save you time

Last month, I hopped on flight BE6032 with Flybe, operated by Stobart Air, travelling from London’s Southend Airport – which at 64km distance is furthest of London’s six airport from the centre of the city (though at 63km distance, Stansted isn’t far removed) – to Groningen in the Netherlands. The airport is so far from…

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Six things to know before travelling to Abu Dhabi

Long seen as little more than a city of transit and the hub of Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi is fast becoming a tourist destination in its own right, with new theme park and museum openings, and things like the relaxing of licensing laws to make the city more approachable for non-Muslim tourists. Here’s just six…

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Theatre Review: Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a technical marvel (Adelaide & Perth Performances Remain)

The acclaimed touring West End production of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time wrapped up its Sydney last night, before it heads off to Adelaide and Perth. Based on the celebrated book of the same name by Mark Haddon, the play tells the story of Christopher Boone (Joshua Jenkins in a masterful performance),…

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Flight Review: Economy X on Virgin Australia’s Maiden Voyage from Sydney to Hong Kong (VA80)

On July 2nd of this month, Virgin Australia kicked off their much anticipated service between Sydney and Hong Kong, as the carrier continues their push for growth within the Asian market. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to be on board the maiden voyage – and while an airline’s first ever flight between…

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Splendour Interview: Soccer Mommy (USA) on her Australian live debut and not writing with others

Soccer Mommy, the project of Sophie Allison, has had one hell of a year. From being relatively unknown as the calendar year kicked off, to releasing her debut LP Clean to critical acclaim and being one of the most talked about new artists in the world, it’s far to say the future is looking bright…

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Did Festival of the Sun just drop its best lineup ever?

The 15th Festival of the Sun in Port Macquarie, NSW, just set the bar massively high for the Summer season as they dropped a huge lineup for their circus themed “Roll Up Edition”.  For 2018, festivities begin December 13th and the event will run through to December 15th with performances from headliners Vera Blue and…

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Aussies in Edinburgh: Cabaret performer Michael Griffiths on his Fringe show Songs By Kylie

Michael Griffiths is an Australian cabaret performer from Australia coming back to Edinburgh for his 6th Fringe in a row, this time armed with his hit show Songs By Kylie. As the title suggests, the production is an hour of all things Kylie Minogue. We caught up with Michael to find out more about it and being…

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Splendour Interview: James Bay (UK) on Buddy Guy, Abbey Road and finding the space to write

It’s been a while between visits for acclaimed British singer/songwriter James Bay, but this week he’s been touring the country off the back of his second full length Electric Light. One of these performances was at Splendour in the Grass, and just before he hit the stage, I sat down with the enigmatic artist to…

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Splendour Interview: Lewis Capaldi (Scotland) on developing as a songwriter, and the master of hilarious banter amidst sad songs, Scott Hutchinson

While backstage at Splendour over the weekend, we sat down with Scottish singer/songwriter Lewis Capaldi, who describes himself as “a chubby guy who sings sad songs” (in fact it’s how he introduced himself to us when we sat down), as he made his Australian debut. We talk about developing as a songwriter, The Beatles, Frightened…

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BIGSOUND adds Didirri, HANDSOME, No Mono, Hollow Coves and 60 other new acts; unveils official venues & parties for 2018 event

75 acts were already announced to play the mammoth new music event BIGSOUND in Brisbane this September – and today we have another 64 to add to the bill; plus the festival is giving us its first glimpse into what we can expect from the events, parties and venues that will run across the event’s…

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The AU’s 10th Birthday Party & Cats Scouted Afterparty in Adelaide reveals lineup

This Friday, the AU review is kicking off its 10th Birthday Celebrations in Adelaide by taking over the Rocket Bar & Rooftop; first with a run of performances as part of SCOUTED, and then with a night of DJ Sets from a bunch of special guests. From 5:30pm, the AU review’s stage at SCOUTED will…

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Review: Delays and Lost Baggage, flying British Airways from Scotland to Barcelona proves a trying experience

At the end of May, en route to Primavera Sound, I flew with British Airways for the first time. With direct flights from Edinburgh, Scotland to Barcelona seemingly only available via budget airlines, I ended up on a connection service with British Airways via Heathrow. Like many national carriers around the world, I’d rarely heard…

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Splendour Interview: YUNGBLUD (UK) almost missed his festival set & already has another album up his sleeve

One of the most exciting international talents making their Australian festival debut at Splendour in the Grass over the weekend was UK rising star YUNGBLUD. His unique blend of punk, hip-hop, rock and whatever else he fancies, has made his album 21st Century Liability one of the most talked about releases of the year. And…

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Splendour Interview: G-Flip (Australia) reflects on working with Sounds Australia to debut her live show & “the best months of my entire life”

Few artists, be they Australian or otherwise, have ever had quite a whirlwind and eventful five months as Melbourne’s G-Flip, who burst onto the scene with “About You”, just a few weeks before making her international live debut at the Twitter / Sounds Australia Party at SXSW. And now this weekend she played to her…

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Splendour in the Grass comes to an end for 2018 as Kung Fu Kenny unleashes DAMN. onto 30k punters

Another Splendour has come and gone, with the vast majority of punters descending into the Amphitheatre for the four closing sets of PNAU, MGMT, The Wombats and Kendrick Lamar. You may think that’s an odd quartet to play side by side – and you’re not wrong – but the crowd didn’t seem to mind, barely…

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Single of the Day: Alex the Astronaut “Waste of Time” (2018)

Not far from hitting the stage at Spin Off Festival in Adelaide today or Splendour in the Grass tomorrow, Sydney’s Alex the Astronaut snuck out a long awaited new song on triple j Good Nights last night! “Waste of Time”, her first new track of the calendar year is a stellar indication of just how much…

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Four Aussies set to make a splash at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe

The world’s biggest Fringe Festival is back for yet another year and the line up of acts is endless! Kicking off August 3, Edinburgh Festival is offering up a gigantic serving of arts and entertainment, and if you’re lucky enough to be making your way over you’re probably already scrambling to get your ‘Must See,’…

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Gang of Youths frontman David Le’aupepe auctions off Go Farther in Lightness guitar for charity RAICES

Sydney outfit Gang of Youths have been busy touring the world this year, though fans will be surely looking forward to singing along to all their hits off their acclaimed, ARIA winning and chart topping record Go Farther in Lightness, this weekend at Splendour in the Grass. And now fans have the chance to own…

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Win a double pass to Scouted in Adelaide and the 10th Anniversary AU Review celebrations

The AU Review is turning 10, and to kick off several months of celebrations around the country, next Friday we’ll be taking over Rocket Bar as part of Indie-Con’s SCOUTED event in Adelaide. Set across 4 venues, 16 up-and-coming artists will take to the stage, with Strict Face, Bree Tanner, Hartway and Argus & The…

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Music Video of the Day: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever “Time in Common” (2018)

There is something particularly surprising about the success of Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. On face value, the music shouldn’t be particularly interesting nor as successful as it is. Put simply, there are a lot of bands doing what they’re doing. But for some reason (let’s call it “talent”) – their latest single “Time in Common”…

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Track of the Day: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever “Time in Common” (2018)

There is something particularly surprising about the success of Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. On face value, the music shouldn’t be particularly interesting nor as successful as it is. Put simply, there are a lot of bands doing what they’re doing. But for some reason (let’s call it “talent”) – their latest single “Time in Common” being no…

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Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi’s General Manager takes us behind-the-scenes of the brand new theme park

This time next week, the Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will officially open its doors to the public; a brand new, state-of-the-art indoor theme park set to feature six immersive lands, 29 rides, shows and attractions, dining options and all the usual trimmings you’d expect from a world class park of its kind. While in…

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Music Video of the Day: Harley Mavis “No Chance” (2018)

Sydney’s Harley Mavis has just dropped an outstanding debut single “No Chance”, and its paint drenched accompanying music video is a stunner in its own right. It’s an impressive and effortlessly catchy debut for Hannah Robinson‘s latest project, which made its live debut earlier in the year, performing at events like the Courtyard Sessions’ Mardi Gras…

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Troye Sivan has collaborated with Jonsi & Leland for new Australian led movie; get your first taste here

Musically, Aussie pop artist Troye Sivan keeps going from strength to strength, and will soon be releasing his anticipated second record Bloom. But the singer who once appeared as a Young Wolverine hasn’t giving up acting either; he’ll be appearing in Joel Edgerton‘s new film Boy Erased, which also stars the likes of Russell Crowe,…

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Exclusive: Alexander Biggs takes us behind-the-scenes of his first ever overseas tour

I was lucky enough to catch up with Alexander Biggs while I was at The Great Escape in Brighton (UK) earlier this year, as we spoke about the Melbourne singer/songwriter embarking on his first ever overseas trip. Now we’re excited to take you on this behind-the-scenes tour diary shot by Alex and his team as…

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Forget the Headliners: 6 Splendour Acts You Can’t Miss before 6PM

Splendour in the Grass is back again for another year this week, returning to North Byron Parklands from the 20th-22nd of July. If you’re heading out to Splendour for the first time, chances are you’re going to have a helluva bender – what a stacked line up to pop your SITG cherry! As we all…

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Interview: Partner (Canada) on touring the world, their goal “to not be compared to Weezer anymore” and flute solos

One of the most exciting Canadian outfits right now goes by the name of Partner. Led by Lucy Niles and Josée Caron, the Ontario group recently were short listed for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize (the Canadian equivalent of the AMP), won the SOCAN Songwriting Prize (the Canadian equivalent of the Vanda & Young Songwriting…

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Single of the Day: Emma Louise “Mexico” (2018)

Emma Louise surprised fans last month when she unveiled the first track off her new project Lilac Everything, which sees the acclaimed Australian Singer/Songwriter take on something of an alter-ego (who she called “Joseph”). This was made possible as first time producer (and musical master in his own right) Tobias Jesso Jnr. took the pitch down…

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The In-n-Out Burger inspired Japanese Dumpling is real: It’s in Melbourne, and it’s really bloody good

Set in a 1887 heritage warehouse building on Chapel Street in Melbourne, the Morris Jones Restaurant & Cocktail Bar re-opened earlier this year with head chef Matthew Butcher‘s unique take on California-Japanese fusion cuisine sitting as the restaurant’s driving force; while a leafy, checkered refurb from AZBCreative, doubles down on the California-meets-Japan narrative. And the fusion doesn’t stop…

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