Merpire is the conceptualisation of Sydney singer/song-writer Rhiannon Atkinson Howatt, who takes the typical mood of the ukulele, and warps it into new uncharted sounds. After winning the Telstra Road To Discovery in 2015, Merpire was awarded a trip to music capital of the USA, Nashville as part of her prize package, to play at…
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When we last left Perth rockers Rag n Bone, they were leaving Singapore and heading to China to play the Concrete and Grass Festival – but would the threat of a typhoon keep them from reaching their destination? Let’s see how they went, how they got there and see all the experiences they had along…
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Up-and-coming Perth group Rag n’ Bone – who this week were nominated for both West Australian Music Awards and the National Live Music Awards – recently embarked on a tour that took them to Singapore for the annual conference and festival Music Matters, before heading to China for the Concrete and Grass Festival and a…
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BIGSOUND brought Sydney’s Allan Smithy to Brisbane with a new live show raring to go, beers to be drunk, games of ping pong and Jenga to be dominated. His music has been a highlight of our year to be listening to and it was great to keep an eye on how well Smithy would go on to be received…
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This year’s Canadian Music Week gave Melbourne artist Woodes (aka Elle Graham) the opportunity to not only introduce herself to some newcomers to her music, but to also embark on her first ever run of shows overseas. A talented songwriter and producer, Woodes’ time in Toronto brought her a solid response, not to mention the benefits of being…
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In the past, we’ve described Sydney’s Betty & Oswald as “having their own brand of music– a swirling blend of jazz, cabaret, folk and something a little more slippery.” Now, they bring their international adventures home with them in the form of one awesome and insightful travel diary for AU Abroad. Enjoy all the behind-the-scenes…
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It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Sydney based production trio True Vibenation. Upon landing in the UK ahead of their appearance at Glastonbury Festival and debut Europe Tour, their new song ‘The World Is Ours’ started gathering some serious steam, peaking at #1 on Spotify’s Viral chart for the UK and #4 globally. The stage…
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Melbourne singer/songwriter HOWQUA shares with us his journey through Canada for Canadian Music Week, his introduction to international touring and more. We tag along for his experiences in Canada, his visit to Movember headquarters in the Toronto, his last minute invitation to perform and his time spent with his friends. Beanie face crosses the seas It…
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Born and raised Port Macquarie man Patrick James is quickly moving from strength to strength as he debuts his first album, Outlier. Building his art by busking in the streets of Sydney, James is now headlining his own sold out shows, while supporting the likes of Boy & Bear, Pete Murray, Josh Pyke, Emma Louise and more. Check out this travel…
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When Kingswood returned from Canadian Music Week in Toronto, they shared with us their experiences on the road. From an intense game of oversized Jenga, giant pizza, and maple bacon donuts, to Niagara Falls and the upside down house, the band share their adventures and funny stories for us to enjoy. If you have ever been to Bigsound in…
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The quirky trio behind Netsuke recently took to New York for the CMJ Music Marathon. Freya, Elias, and Danny’s style of intricate indie electronica began in Sydney and they currently call London home. To give us a taste of life on the road, the trio documented their travels through the states with some stunning images….
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With their debut EP gaining solid acclaim upon its release and their single “Eye to Eye” generating some great momentum, Sydney’s Wild Honey kicked off 2016 joining The Delta Riggs for a tour down the east coast – a perfect way to start a promising year! Spending the tour travelling along the Great Ocean Road, lapping up the sun…
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Last year, Adelaide avant-pop band Ghyti took their particular brand of alternative rock to Toronto for the Canadian Music Week festival. They have written a detailed yet entirely unreliable account of the tour, and sent it to us with a selection of grainy smartphone photos. Behold! DAY 1 Flying. Lots of flying. Once upon a time,…
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Canberra three-piece Safia continue to make waves and move to the forefront of Australia’s next biggest musical exports with their blend of indie rock, delicate soul, and various styles of electronica. Last year, the group travelled to the USA for a run of shows that included SXSW, and the trio kept the AU review in the…
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This year’s Canadian Music Week gave Melbourne artist Woodes (aka Elle Graham) the opportunity to not only introduce herself to some newcomers to her music, but to also embark on her first ever run of shows overseas. A talented songwriter and producer, Woodes’ time in Toronto brought her a solid response, not to mention the benefits of being…
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Last year, Sydney hip hop crew True Vibenation let the AU in on what life is like playing festivals and shows in places like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Peep their tour diary below which they sent us just before their African adventure came to an end in South Africa. It’s crazy to think it’s been just…
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For songstress Lisa Crawley, Canadian Music Week represented a week full of music discovery and education (as it does for many delegates); as a performer, she was able to perform for some great crowds, learn from some brilliant industry minds and even come away from the experience with an Uber story like most of us…
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Adelaide-based rock band, BAD//DREEMS share an exclusive tour diary with the AU review on their exciting international adventure at The Great Escape from last year. Taking us along for the ride from Leeds to Derbyshire and from Birmingham to London, the band give us the lowdown on their life on the road. Live at Leeds…
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Soul-Funk-Pop singer/songwriter Dru Chen has had an interesting upbringing. Having spent half his life in Melbourne and half in Singapore, it made sense for him to perform at Music Matters where he had previously performed as a guitarist for Brisbane singer Bec Laughton. Here, Dru takes us on a trip around his second home, sunny…
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Josef Salvat takes the AU review along on his tour of England for The Great Escape last year. Salvat brings us quirky photos of his trip including his visit to Brighton, chill days at the beach, seeing live bands like Slaves and stumbling upon a pigeon that oddly enough, gives him a new perspective on…
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Last year, Sydney indie/folk band, Little May had an incredible time at The Great Escape festival in Brighton, England. Seeing talent from the likes of Jesse Davidson, BAD//DREEMS and Sakswatch, the talent that this festival had was enormous – and it looks no different for 2016. Before we kick this year off, however, Liz Drummond…
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AU Abroad is taken to North America with South Australia’s olivers army from the time they played at Canadian Music Week. They share with us their experiences playing shows in Toronto and the USA, plus reflect on overeating Mexican delicacies and visiting the Smorgasburg Markets for some sausages courtesy of the great… well, actually we’ll let you find out for yourself….
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While on tour for Lollapalooza, Angus and Julia Stone recorded their adventures for us with an exclusive tour diary. We follow the musical duo as they travel around Chicago and play at the iconic festival. During their visit, they explored the many film locations of The Blues Brothers and talked about how influential the film…
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Last year, Sunshine Coast’s Selahphonic enjoyed house parties in L.A, had a “rad” three days at Canadian Music Week in Toronto, headed to to Dive Bars and Rehab in San Jose, not to mention big water falls and big bridges… And they treated us all to their experiences in this exclusive Travel Diary. This one’s a…
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Originally from the Blue Mountains, the boys from Hermitude headed off to perform at Lollapalooza last year. Along the way, Luke Dubber took some happy snaps for the band, who share their experiences here: Still sleep deprived and somewhat delirious, we arrived in Chicago. Driving to the festival downtown we drove past Daley Plaza, which…
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Hello Asia! editor Johnny Au visited South Korea’s second most populous city of Busan recently and took the opportunity to see how to explored the city in a day. From taking the KTX (the local bullet train) to picking out a city hop on/hop off tour, come explore this modern coastal city with Johnny. The…
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While in the UK and Europe for a run of festivals last year, including The Great Escape and Primavera Sound, Australian group HOLY HOLY documented their experiences while on the road and share with us their tour diary. From driving through Europe and being regular tourists, to pre-show exercises and visiting the great John Bonham’s grave,…
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Along his journey to Canadian Music Week in Toronto last year – which is just about to return for 2016 – Aussie musician Ash Grunwald encountered electric bicycles, cars, plenty of waves and the contrast of rural Nicaragua and the USA. He’s shared these and more stories with us from his time over the pond… Having a beer…
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SXSW can be an overwhelming, sometimes unforgiving beast to anyone attending the Texan music festival for the first time or for the umpteenth time. For US-based Aussie musician Lo Carmen, the programme saw her performing her own showcases as well as connecting with some important industry individuals and of course, seeing some of her favourite musicians do…
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Hailing from Perth, indie-electronic sensation Angus Dawson recently found himself abroad for Singapore’s Music Matters festival. From conferences and gigs, to hangovers and exploring the city, Angus takes AU Abroad along for the ride with this tour diary. Click through for all his insights and photos of his international adventure… Day 1: 3:30am. Alarm blaring in…
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