Australian News Briefs 1/24

Check out the latest bit of news from Australia.

 

Road Warriors

During Tool’s headlining set at Big Day Out, singer James Maynard Keenan revealed the band would return to Australia and New Zealand for its own tour in September.

Details of Keith Urban’s return to live performances is still being worked out. But the 39-year old is expected to start off with club shows in the U.K. and Germany, then head here in May before winding down in the U.S. and Canada in June.

Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil posted solo dates on his Web site including Sydney University for March 28, The Palace Melbourne March 29, The Arena Brisbane March 30 and the Capitol Perth on April 1. New York’s Sex Slaves will open.

 

Aussie Acts At the BBQ

An integral part of raising the Australian profile at South By Southwest is the Australian Music Collective’s Aussie BBQ/showcase.

This year’s bash – March 16 at Brush Square Park – includes Hoodoo Gurus, You Am I, the Beasts Of Bourbon, Dallas Crane, Airbourne, and Children Collide. More acts to be announced shortly.

The AMC also holds Oz music showcases at Los Angeles’ Troubadour and New York’s Mercury Lounge on either side of the BBQ. This year they’ve added an event in London. Bills for these will be announced in the next few weeks.

 

Return To Splendour?

Plans to hold the annual Splendour In The Grass festival (and a number of other events) in its new permanent home is facing protests from nearby residents.

The 260-hectare site in the NSW shire of Yelgun was purchased last October by associates of the festival and an arts marketing company.

The local council is looking at the environmental implications of green lighting events at the site. Residents have complained that they fear for the safety of their properties and predict traffic gridlocks.

 

More Silverchair U.S. Dates

Silverchair has added two more shows to its U.S. tour.

Due to the quick sellout of their first New York show at the Bowery Ballroom set for February 12, a second was added for Webster Hall on February 13.

A gig in Los Angeles, at the El Rey Theatre, was also announced for February 20.

The band is performing at "G’Day Toronto," a four-day extravaganza in Toronto celebrating the relationship between Australia and Canada. The band will perform on the Australian music night February 15.

 

Bradby, Sloan Up For Golden WAMI

Talent managers Heath Bradby and Scott Adams along with festival promoter Paul Sloan are among those up for the "Golden WAMI" for services to the Perth music industry.

WAMIs are handed out at the West Australian Music (WAM) awards, set to take place February 21 in Perth.

Bradby and Adams are also up for manager of the year, alongside Phillip Stevens and Juliet John.

Nominated for most popular music venue are Amplifier Bar, Hyde Park Hotel, Mojos and the Rosemount Hotel.

The "Most Popular Music Event" category sees Big Day Out, alt-rock showcase In The Pines, WAMi Festival and the growing Southbound pitted against each other.

 

Jazz Pianist Vince Genova Dies

Sunshine Coast jazz pianist Vince Genova died at Nambour Hospital of cancer.

New York-born Genova, 64, studied under Oscar Peterson and was Harry Belafonte’s pianist on a world tour.

The Sunshine Coast jazz fraternity last week hailed Genova’s technique and his enthusiastic support for the local jazz scene. He is survived by his wife Liz and four daughters.

 

Short Notes

Rae Harvey’s Crucial Music Management (Living End, Children Collide) has moved to 3 Budd St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia. Phone is 61-3-9416 2316 and new e-mail is [email protected].

The Queensland government set up an annual $20,000 music fellowship in memory of the late Grant McLennan of the Go- Betweens. Premier Beattie said, "This fellowship will allow a talented Queensland songwriter to spend up to two months in Berlin, London, or New York – cities which played a big role in Grant McLennan’s career."

Stu McCulloch’s Qld-based Amplifire, which co-manages multi-platinum singer songwriter Pete Murray, has taken over the reins of Adelaide roots band The Audreys.

R&B singer Jimmy Barnes will undergo open-heart surgery on February 22 to replace a faulty aortic valve.

The Sydney Festival has been forced to pay out refunds after some patrons objected to the fact they paid $38.50 to see jazz improvisational ensemble The Necks, and got just a 40-minute set, which critics raved about for its excellence.

Mel Alushaj, former booker and promoter of Sydney’s Club 77 Gimme Gimme Gimme Indie night, has joined Principal Entertainment team and booking Melbourne venue Geddes Lane.

Chris O’Brien, Entertainment Manager at Empire Events, is now booking Melbourne’s long-standing Billboard club, which recently underwent a $2 million revamp.

Dane Hunnerup, manager of Tasmanian band Scientists of Modern Music, has taken over Friday night bookings for new Hobart music venue Curlys Bar.

Blues performer John Butler shares his royalties through his annual JB Seed grants. This year, the money is being offered to indigenous hip-hop acts and any association that creates debate and awareness of the impact of nuclear weapons and waste on Australia.