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.

Live Review: US quartet Bully play Cardiff’s iconic Clwb Ifor Bach ahead of TGE & Splendour

US quartet Bully are no strangers to Australian shores – though it’s been a while between drinks, over two years in fact since we welcomed them to AU HQ. But hot off the heels of their sophomore record Losing, the Nashville group are currently touring the UK and will be back in Australia for Splendour…

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Win a double pass to see Starship Troopers back on the big screen in Sydney

Since the dawn of his existence, Humankind has ruled the earth. But now the rules are about to change. Prepare for battle with the Starship Troopers – Friday, May 18th at 7pm – as Event Cinemas George St (Sydney) go In The House – for the second last instalment of the season. Forget the insecticide,…

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Review: Planet Earth II: Live in Concert brings nature to life with the SSO and Eric Bana

Having just wrapped up its four city Australian tour, Planet Earth II: Live in Concert brought together Symphony Orchestras from around the country to present, live, the music from the acclaimed nature series of the same name. Accompanied by images from the series, and live narration from Australian actor Eric Bana, the night sounds like…

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Interview: Lord Huron’s Ben Schneider talks TV shows & Vide Noir: “There’s no song on the record we don’t want to play live”

I first met Ben Schneider of Lord Huron at Bluesfest, during the band’s first tour of Australia in 2016. Two years on, the band are set to return, with a new album (the brilliant Vide Noir) just released, and plans to play Splendour in the Grass and a couple of sideshows along the way. I caught…

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Amy Shark, Hussy Hicks, Hollow Coves & more shine as winners of 2018 Gold Coast Music Awards

The 4th annual Gold Coast Music Awards were held this year at Surfer’s Paradise beachfront on Thursday night, seeing performances from some of the biggest and best in Gold Coast talent, including Bobby Alu, Eliza and the Delusionals, Hussy Hicks and more. The night was hosted dutifully by former triple j presenter Dom Alessio who…

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The Jacobson Brothers’ new film Brothers’ Nest is changing the way local productions interact with local cinemas

While the highly anticipated Australian film Brothers’ Nest recently premiered at SXSW earlier this year, that didn’t stop director/producer/star Clayton Jacobson, writer/producer Jaime Browne and producer Jason Byrne from pushing the boundaries of Australian films by establishing a personal bond with theatres that little have done before. I caught up with the trio while we were at…

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Virgin Australia vs Air New Zealand: Whose Premium Economy is Better to LAX?

Following the recent break up of long time allies Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand – in my opinion the best airlines who fly the Pacific route – it’s become pertinent for allies of the airline to pick sides. Some will stick with whichever one they have Frequent Flyer status with (Virgin’s Velocity proving miles…

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Introducing Canada’s Okanagan Valley: A one-of-a-kind wine lover’s paradise

The Okanagan Valley mightn’t be the first stop travellers think of when they are planning a trip to Canada, but in many ways it should be top of the list for any lovers of beautiful scenery, and locally produced wine. An hour flight from Vancouver – or a four hour drive – heading east across…

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Live Review: After skipping Sunrise, Portugal. The Man rocks Sydney’s Enmore Theatre to its core

I first became familiar with Portugal. The Man almost ten years ago, off the back of their fourth LP The Satanic Satanist. Since then, I’ve seen them grow into one of the most in-demand bands in the world. Their latest album, Woodstock – their eighth and first in four years – has easily been their…

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Live Review: Stereophonics celebrate 20 years with a spellbinding Opera House debut, strings and all

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over twenty years since the release of the debut LP from Welsh rockers Stereophonics, Word Gets Around. With hit singles like “Local Boy in the Photograph” and “A Thousand Trees”, the album set the stage for the group to eventually become one of the UK’s biggest act; with almost all…

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Young Henrys release new hoppy porter “Motorcycle Oil” just in time for Winter

Just in time for Winter, Newtown brewery Young Henrys have unveiled a brand new seasonal porter, Motorcycle Oil, which is available from May 1st in limited quantities, following its official public launch at Dust Hustle – one of the most popular motorcycle festivals in the country. A fitting launch location given the name of the beer, which…

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Interview: Royal Blood’s Ben Thatcher chats ZZ Top, Jools Holland and more

Back in the country for some sick headline dates as well as this year’s Groovin’ The Moo tour, Royal Blood caught up with us in Sydney just to check in and see how everything has been since the last time we sat down in this part of the globe. You may have seen Ben Thatcher chatting with us about…

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Black Panther composer Ludwig Göransson talks working with Kendrick Lamar and the next Childish Gambino record

This week, I had the chance to catch up with Black Panther composer Ludwig Göransson while he was in his LA based studio, working on a new Childish Gambino record. We spoke about working with Childish, as well as Kendrick Lamar, who curated Black Panther: The Album and performed a number of tracks for its…

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Hotel Review: The InterContinental Century City proves a comfortable hideaway amongst the glitz and glamour of Hollywood

It’s the weekend of the Oscars. There’s a buzz in the air as I check into the InterContinental Century City with ease – and just a slight delay as they finish preparing my room, which was unexpected considering my early morning arrival (common for Australian travellers). The hotel has a definite sense of glamour as…

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Oscar winning makeup artist Lucy Sibbick talks about Darkest Hour and the final season of Game of Thrones

Speaking from her home in Hertfordshire, just before she was set to jump on a plane to Ireland to work on the final season of Game of Thrones, we caught up with Oscar winning makeup artist Lucy Sibbick to talk about her work on transforming Gary Oldman into Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour.   This isn’t the…

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Royal Blood to unleash their own beer at Groovin’ The Moo; Drummer Ben Thatcher chats about it

Canberra brewing company Capital Brewing Co. will be unveiling a brand new beer for Groovin’ The Moo punters this weekend – the Royal Brew, a 6% Blood Orange New England IPA for UK duo Royal Blood, who are playing the festival as part of their biggest ever tour of Australia, which kicks off today, April…

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Win a double pass to see The Shawshank Redemption at In The House in Sydney

The classic drama The Shawshank Redemption starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman is returning to the big screen on Friday, May 4th at 7pm as part of the In The House series at the George Street Event Cinemas in Sydney. Tickets are only $15 (or $12 if you’re a Cinebuzz member) and selling quickly! Buy…

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Junk Lounge evolves their menu to showcase local ingredients with traditional Asian flavours

Sydney’s Junk Lounge, which sits above the Cruise Bar at the International Passenger Terminal, has this week introduced a new menu to its Asian-inspired dining experience, providing a wider selection of dishes to be enjoyed from 5pm to late, Wednesdays to Sundays. Behind the changes is chef Patrick Haney, who operates the kitchen for both…

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Collaboration is king as Belle’s Hot Chicken and PappaRich deliver delicious Malay-American fusion to Sydney

Last week, the latest culinary collaboration hit Sydney, as fried chicken experts Belle’s Hot Chicken teamed up with renowned Malaysian chain PappaRich to create the “Ultimate Fried Chicken Sandwich”. And indeed, it’s a dish not to be missed by fans of the delicacy, as the unique Malaysian flavours blend in with Belle’s take on Southern…

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Hans Zimmer’s Bleeding (Yellow) Fingers: Behind-the-scenes where The Simpsons and Planet Earth II are scored in Los Angeles

It’s a hot afternoon in Los Angeles. The Oscars just passed by a few days earlier. I’ve jumped into an Uber to an address given to me in Santa Monica. Like so many buildings in Los Angeles, I arrive at something of a non-descript location; nothing but a door in front of a building that…

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Aussies Abroad: Post-punk outfit RVG set to tour Europe with rising stars Shame

Following a successful run of shows in the US which included SXSW in Texas and showcases in LA and NYC, acclaimed Australian post-punk band RVG are set to embark on a 12-stop European tour alongside UK band Shame in May. Having their gig in SXSW described as embodying “pure self-expression the way the Muses intended”…

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Interview: Common Holly (Canada) on touring North America with Gang of Youths and playing SXSW

Montreal’s indie-rock rising star Brigitte Nagga, better known as Common Holly, set tongues wagging at SXSW as she showed off her latest album Playing House – just as Aussie band Gang of Youths were doing the same. Since the Austin event, they’ve been touring America together, and to learn a little more about the artist…

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Neo-Nazis, death threats and critical acclaim (in Russia): what happens when you sh*t on Brendan Maclean

Brian and Karl are an Aussie filmmaking duo based in London who made waves last year when they made a NSFW music video for Sydney’s Brendan Maclean, “House of Air”. Banned from YouTube (unsurprisingly) and sparking a wave of praise and criticism, the video recently appeared on the big screen as part of the SXSW…

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Introducing UK duo BONES: The next big thing

While in Austin, Texas for SXSW, we sat down with UK duo BONES at Australia House. In their chat with Larry, Rosie and Carmen talk us through their latest single, “Limbs” and more as we get to know more about this buzz act who are based in LA, but hail from London. And we reckon they might just…

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Review: Los Angeles’ Mari Restaurant blends Californian and Japanese Flavours in the InterContinental Century City

Opened in 2016, the on site restaurant at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, Mari Restaurant blends together Japanese and Californian flavours for a truly original menu offering. They serve an evolving menu throughout the day, from breakfast, through to lunch and dinner – every menu getting slightly more Japanese flavoured than the…

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Interview: Musician Ben Dickey talks playing songwriter Blaze Foley and working with Ethan Hawke

Arkansas musician Ben Dickey is no stranger to the stage; releasing a solo record, performing in bands like Amen Booze Rooster, Blood Feathers and featuring as the vocalist and guitarist in Post-Hardcore group Shake Ray Turbine. But now the accomplished, if widely unknown, artist is taking the stage in a new role: artfully portraying singer/songwriter…

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SXSW Film Review: A Vigilante (USA, 2018) proves an inspiring, powerful debut for its Australian Director

Directed by Australia’s own Sarah Daggar-Nickson and starring Olivia Wilde, A Vigilante is a powerful drama that sees Wilde play the titular role – Sadie, a vigilante who helps domestic abuse survivors get out of their situation by literally bringing the abusers to their knees. Spurred on by her own experiences and a tragedy, the…

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Interview: Kunichi Nomura on playing the dog hating villain in Wes Anderson’s new film Isle of Dogs

While at SXSW earlier this month, we caught up with Japanese actor Kunichi Nomura, who appears in the new Wes Anderson film Isle of Dogs. He also helped write the film. Watch the full chat here as we talk about working with Wes, playing the “villain” in the film, and he also tells us about partying…

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SXSW Interview: Nilüfer Yanya on her first trip to Texas, tackling a new year of music & more

UK artist Nilüfer Yanya sat with Larry at SXSW this year, her debut performances in Texas for the massive music festival. Here, they discuss introducing her music to larger crowds, how her local scene differs to ones elsewhere internationally, and more. Listen to the full interview, below! ———- This content has recently been ported from its…

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When Willie Nelson throws a party at his ranch, it’s not a festival. It’s a reunion.

The annual event Luck Reunion returned to Willy Nelson’s Ranch in Luck, Texas earlier this month, delivering an afternoon of incredible performances, food and drink in what was the event’s sixth year. But describing exactly what Luck Reunion is to someone who hasn’t been is hard. And just to be someone who’s been is hard…

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