Australian News 8/3

Christina Aguilera, Linkin Park, Elton John, The Killers, Klaxons injury, Homebake, The Police, Kylie Minogue, …

Aguilera Cancels Concerts

On the first of three Melbourne concerts, Christina Aguilera put in a high-energy show, but toward the end, she told the crowd, "I’m feeling a bit under the weather," and dropped three songs from the set. Doctors confirmed she has a viral upper respiratory tract infection. The singer had a high fever and abnormal coughing.

Frontier Touring canceled the remaining two shows in Melbourne, leaving 28,000 fans disappointed.

Aguilera sent an apology. "This is one of the best cities in the world to perform in and I am truly disappointed that I won’t be able to share my show with you all. Thank you for all of the continued love and support and I hope to perform for you all again next time."

Frontier Touring managing director Michael Gudinski said the singer was distressed at upsetting fans. "Christina is a real trouper," he said. "She is a talented artist who puts her all into her concerts and she is devastated that she can’t perform her remaining concerts in Melbourne."

At press time the singer was flying on to New Zealand for the final two shows of her "Back To Basics" world tour, but it looked as though they too would be axed due to medical reasons.

Aguilera is clearly pregnant although that is not officially confirmed by the singer. Her costumes are reportedly being altered almost every week as her body changes shape.

Linkin, Elton, Killers Head For Aussie Spring

The Australian spring is already starting to fill up with major acts. Michael Coppel Presents has teamed Linkin Park and Chris Cornell for five arena dates October 14-22.

Elton John returns in late November for his 13th visit downunder – but his first solo visit. He told promoter Michael Chugg he wanted to play some unique places during the five-show run, called "A Night Under the Stars" November 24 through December 15. Chugg booked him into wineries in South Australia and New South Wales, a huge park in Canberra and the grounds of a large mansion in Melbourne. Traditional venue stops include the Barossa Arts & Convention Centre in Tanunda November 24 and the Sydney show at Acer Arena November 28.

Andrew McManus Presents teamed up Bryan Ferry and Joan Armatrading for seven shows November 17 to December 1. The venues include arenas, theatres, wineries and a zoo.

After headlining Big Day Out in January, The Killers return to play three arena shows for Frontier Touring November 9-13.

Roundhouse Entertainment’s winery concerts "A Day On The Green" sees Jimmy Barnes headlining four shows in four states October 27 to November 24. Joining him are rock-soul singer Vanessa Amorosi, R&B band The Black Sorrows, former Men At Work frontman Colin Hay, singer songwriters Richard Clapton and Deborah Conway, R&B singer John Swan and niece Mahalia Barnes.

Adrian Bohm Presents has the Indigo Girls back for six theatre dates October 26 through November 6.

Randy Crawford and Joe Sample are locked in for three theatre dates September 27 to October 1.

Adam Quits As Panda Manager

Scott Adam of Q-Stik Management is departing as manager of Perth’s The Panda Band – and has confirmed that New York based Leslie Cooper (ex-EMI) is their manager in the U.S. where the band will be based after their CMJ performance in New York.

Their first album is released in the U.S. through Filter U.S. Recordings.

Klaxons Cancel Oz After Accident

U.K. New Rave warriors Klaxons had to cancel their four Australian shows early August when singer Jamie Reynolds broke his leg after he hurled himself into the crowd at the Garden Nef Party in Angouleme, France.

Reynolds posted a MySpace note explaining "as per usual I jumped from the stage on the final song of the set so as get that little closer, only this time I’d drastically misjudged the approx 12’ distance between the stage and the grass and landed with a larger than expected velocity on my right foot.

"The result has left me in hospital until they let me out in an hours time with a broken tibia (the bone between the knee and the foot) and a 3" plate to hold the break in place…"

The Australian dates will be rescheduled. Klaxons were still scheduled to play the Japanese festival Summersonic on August 11.

Divinyls Headlining Homebake

The Divinyls come out of hibernation to headline this year’s Homebake festival, which features a "Ladies Domain" theme in Sydney December 8.

Female artists on the bill include Missy Higgins, Sarah Blasko, Angus & Julia Stone and Operator Please.

The festival also features non-female acts The Beautiful Girls, Cut Copy, Josh Pyke and Ed Kuepper, among others.

Short Notes

A look at the Ticketmaster Web site showed that Australia’s first auction of concert tickets saw fans prepared to pay double for the best seats. The Police introduced the process for the first five rows in each show in January. The $250 tickets went for $570 for the first row and $320 for the fifth row.Kylie Minogue is rumoured to be planning a tour downunder in the summer.

On August 3, Minogue was to throw a party for friends, family and business associates to celebrate her 20th year as a recording artist and her association with manager Terry Blamey.