What began in 2005 as a one-time show in Melbourne has now become an annual event, which fans across Australia look forward to each year. It is the Boomtown Showdown, a showcase tour for Boomtown Records and their continually expanding catalogue of artists. In November 2007, Boomtown will celebrate their fifth birthday, and will be making an effort to reach out to both the fans and bands that have helped the company grow from a small bedroom operation to a fully-fledged and overflowing office, which now boasts an impressive list of artists, each with their own identities and accolades. The Showdown, which went national for the first time last year, showcases the diversity and quality within the thriving Boomtown roster.
Headliners The Getaway Plan solidified a successful campaign for their 2006 debut ‘Hold Conversation’ by touring nationally on the personal request of US hard-hitters The Used, and have since spent the last few months recording their debut album ‘Other Voices, Other Rooms’ in Florida with super-producer James Paul Wisner (Dashboard Confessional, New Found Glory). The first single from the album, ‘Streetlight’, will be released on November 3, with the forthcoming album due in February 2008. The Boomtown Showdown will be The Getaway Plan’s first shows back in Australia since heading the US in July.
The Adelaide punk / pop five piece, In Fiction, have been riding on the back of their March EP release ‘Ghost’ and subsequent national jaunts with The Matches, Behind Crimson Eyes and Kisschasy. They have received both Nova and Triple J support for their single ‘When The Camera’s Off’ and have just released their latest track, ‘If You’re Up Late’ along with a clip, to radio and TV.
Joining them is the latest signing to Boomtown Records, hardcore act The Amity Affliction, who has been touring nationally with their new lineup throughout 2007. With a reputation for outrageous party antics and intense live shows, The Amity Affliction is quickly becoming one of the most talked about bands in Australian heavy music. They will release their Boomtown debut in the first half of 2008.
Rounding up the lineup is Perth rockers Elora Danan. They have recently released their debut mini-album ‘We All Have Secrets’ in August. Debuting in the top forty of the ARIA Charts in Western Australia, the Boomtown Showdown will be the band’s first full-blown national tour – something that will no doubt attract a plethora of East Coast fans who have felt the hype from across the desert.
With most of the shows reaching an all ages market, and Boomtown celebrating their birthday with a huge retail and press campaign, Boomtown Showdown 2007 is set to be one of the best local tours of the year.
Friday 14th September , 2007 - Less than two weeks from their album 'So Many Nights' (Saturday September 22) and upcoming national tour, The Cat Empire released their new single 'No Longer There' to store this week. The Releas comes ahead of the band's attempt at setting a new venue record at Sydney's Metro Theatre commencing Sunday October 14. Having Sold out five of eight consecutive shows already, the guys are confidently cruising into the sixth show (Thursday 18Th October) which goes on sale this Friday September 14.
New album kicks off in Melbourne where the band play three sold out shows at The Prince Of Wales Hotel from September 19 through Friday Sept 21. Fans and the general public will be given the chance to purchase the very first copies of 'So Many Nights' from midnight on the 21st/22nd and the venue opens to the public for an album launch party. Jumps (decks) from the band will then DJ well into the morning to celebrate the album release.
Friday September 28 will see the band play a free concert at Federation Square, a celebration of an iconic Melbourne event, the eve of the AFL Grand Final. A huge street procession will lead the way to Federation Square where the band will take over the celebrations on the outdoor stage.
The Cat Empire and members of The Australian Youth Orchestra have joined for an exclusive concert event, where songs from So Many Nights and previous albums will be performed in the gorgeous Iwaki Auditorium (ABC centre) Melbourne. This truly amazing one off show on Friday October 5 is alread sold out, but will be a phenonenal performance that fans will boast about for months to come.
The band will also visit Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide during Sept/Oct. They have also just added Broome to the ever-growing run of shows.
The new single 'No Longer There', features two un-released album tracks, 'Africa Love Song' (written by Felix) and 'Wont Be Afraid' (The Cat Empire) plus the 'Andy Bionic & Norman Pow! Remix' of 'No Longer There', re-mixed by Andy Baldwin who produced the bands (now double-platinum +) debut album.
Lead vocalist Felix explains, "'No Longer There' was written when I began to read about climate change and the broader concept of sustainability. I am positive that the culture, environment, and economy of this generation can work and benefit from becoming sustainable. It requires common sense, innovation, structure, and the descision to leave a planet fit for thos who come next."
Don't miss the last few available tickets left to see The Cat Empire live:
AT&T AND LIVE NATION GIVE FANS THE CHANCE TO WIN FREE CONCERT TICKETS FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR!
Written by al
Thursday, 13 September 2007
You have a chance to win season passes – courtesy of AT&T blue room and Live Nation. The two entertainment powerhouses are giving five lucky winners a pair of 2008 season passes to a Live Nation venue. Fans will have the opportunity to see a ton of concerts featuring their favorite artists performing live - Click here for details: http://attblueroom.com/win/enter.php?id=17455.
The AT&T blue room and Live Nation will also give registered fans the chance to win weekly prizes including iPhones, Ringtones and iPods, all on behalf of the Live Nation Weekly Concert Series which features live online performances from artists like Interpol, Fall Out Boy, Switchfoot, Ozomatli and many more. Visit http://attblueroom.com/win/enter.php?id=17455 or text the keyword “WIN” to 31234 from your AT&T mobile phone, for your chance to win these exclusive prizes including free concert tickets for an entire year!
Sick City - Nightlife - 2007 - Smallman
Written by stefan
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Both Winnipeg and Smallman have hit home runs around Lucky13. First we were graced with the pleasure of hearing Sights & Sounds, then we reviewed Burnthe8track who also hail from Winnipeg and now in front of me I have the latest from Winnipeg’s Sick City.
Sick City’s drummer is Joel Neufeld, who also helms the skins in Sights & Sounds, who must be ecstatic at having success in 2 bands – Not many people get to see the road in one band, let alone 2 that don’t suck.
Sick City play tightly-wound rock with just a hint of pop influences – There’s no bubblegum here though, it’s mature and refined. Sick City sound like they’ve been playing together for years. Most bands take at least an album or so to mature and find their sound but these guys have accomplished that with just an EP behind them and a history that is barely 3 years old.
The disc incorporates many elements from the rock genre of music – the disc is peppered with some background screams, some heavy guitar work and some upbeat tempo’s that make this a refined package – there’s something for everyone here, and that is not a bad thing. Singer Josh Youngson has a clean and distinct voice that soars above the band especially on the track Moving, Not Moving Forward.
I wish I knew exactly what it was that makes these bands so good. Maybe it’s the big sky in Manitoba, the exclusion and distance from any of life’s bullshit. Perhaps the air or water is cleaner, but the one thing I do know for sure is that Sick City make quality music, and they should be proud of their achievements even so early in the game.
So go forth, see them in your city and don’t forget to remind them how good this record makes you feel.
http://www.myspace.com/sickcity
The album is out Sept. 25th in Canada on Smallman Records and Oct. 23rd on Trustkill Records.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD ANNOUNCES THEIR FIRST OFFICAL FAN CLUB!
Written by al
Thursday, 13 September 2007
This fan club gives you a ton of awesome features including an early admission pass to all headlining general admission shows, the new CD/MVI which includes the new album and over 2 hours of exclusive footage, the opportunity to take advantage of Avenged Sevenfold ticket pre-sales, plus much, much more!
Join the fan club today to take advantage of this special presale bundle. Be the first person in line, first to have the new self-titled CD/MVI and first to buy tickets! You get all this with a one year membership to the Avenged Sevenfold Fan Club for only $25.99.
Fan club includes: -An official Avenged Sevenfold Laminate (1 per Fan Club Bundle sign up), which can be used as an early admission pass for all headlining general admission A7X shows. No more waiting in line (“Front of the Line” laminates are non-transferable. Limit 1 per person). -Access to pre-sale tickets before the general public (Limit 4 per person). Never miss a sold out show! -A welcome letter from the band. -And as a part of this special offer, you also receive the new self-titled CD/MVI on street date (1 per Fan Club sign up). This CD/MVI includes the new album and over 2 hours of exclusive footage, content and more!
BY JOINING THE FAN CLUB YOU CAN TAKE PART IN THE EXCLUSIVE FAN CLUB PRE-SALE WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO BUY TICKETS FOR THE DATES BELOW ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH AT 10AM. EVERYONE ELSE HAS TO WAIT UNTIL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH.
