Australian News 12/13

Black Keys, Bonde Do Role Cancel

The Black Keys canceled their Australian shows that were to begin late December. A statement explained, "Family health complications prevent the band from being so far from home over the New Year’s period."

Brazilian baile-funk outfit Bonde Do Role axed its visit over December and January. The group was to do four festival appearances and three club dates.

Promoter Handsome Tours declined to comment, but said, "The band will be making their own statement shortly, which will make their reasons apparent."

 

Elton Honoured By Maoris

The members of the Ngati Te Whiti tribe in New Zealand made Elton John an honorary member for his loyalty to their country.

They presented him with a specially made bird-feather "Korowai" cloak after his show in the city of New Plymouth. A representative said, "[The Korowai] was gifted as recognition of the enjoyment Sir Elton John’s music has give to Maori over the years and his loyal continuance to return to Aotearoa [the Maori name for New Zealand] to entertain."

 

CMC Teams With Promoters For Fest

Pay TV XYZnetworks’ Country Music Channel is launching the inaugural "CMC Rocks The Snowys" in the southern autumn, teaming up with promoters Rob Potts Entertainment Edge and Chugg Entertainment.

The two-day roots and country music festival will be held in picturesque Friday Flat, Thredbo, March 14-15.

Acts announced are John Butler Trio, Gary Allan, Sugarland, Adam Harvey, Brian Cadd, Catherine Britt, Steve Forde, Taylor Swift, The McClymonts, Morgan Evans and Shea Fisher.

CMC will air a one-hour documentary on the making of the festival a month later.

 

Hendrix Tribute Finishes Guitarfest

A star-studded tribute to Jimi Hendrix called Kiss The Sky ended the inaugural International Guitar Festival in Adelaide.

Blues guitarist John Hammond and Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen told personal anecdotes of Hendrix, including Kaunonen’s tale that they jammed together and Hendrix later burned the tapes convinced they were possessed by the devil.

The 4,000-strong crowd at Elder Park enjoyed a multitude of renditions of Hendrix material.

They ranged from the fiery heavy rock of Jeff Lang, Magic Dirt’s Adalita Srsen, Alvin Youngbood and Midnight Oil’s Jim Moginie to Kaki King turning "Hey Joe" into a bizarre conversation. Some acts based their interpretations around banjos, mandolins and a guitar-free string arrangement.

The festival drew 30,000 enthusiasts over 10 days to see 70 artists. It will return next year, producer Christine Schloithe said.

 

Kylie Has Her Own Dream

Kylie Minogue’s British-based lawyers sent off a stern letter to Garth Rosson, owner of Wellington, New Zealand, strip club Santa Fe Dream Girls over a picture in his window of someone who looks very much like Kylie sporting a wet T-shirt.

Rosson pulled the photo down but told the legal eagles they’d have to prove it was their star client or it’d go up again.

Minogue’s U.K. tour for April/May sold out in two hours, with seven more shows added.

The dates are part of a European tour that includes France, Finland and Sweden.

Rumours are she’ll headline the Glastonbury Festival. One newspaper columnist claimed a tour insider revealed Minogue is talking to Frontier Touring Company chief Michael Gudinski for Australian shows in mid-2008.

 

Southbound Expands Green Commitments

Promoter Sunset Events announced that Western Australia’s Southbound Festival would crank up its green commitments even further this year.

Its environmental programme EcoBound includes a Tree-per-Ticket policy expecting to plant more than 20,000 trees.

Also in the programme are plans for an Optional Green Fee, which is $2 more; Green Money to reward punters who pick up empty cans and water bottles; biodiesel and green energy initiatives; expanding on their recycling stations to achieve their aim of zero rubbish; encouraging patrons to car pool and introducing a Renewable Energy Arts Area where energy is generated by solar, wind turbines, biodiesel and punter pedal power.

 

Short Notes

Adelaide’s Fuse Festival has announced its two keynote speakers for its February 27-29 meet: Sydney-based promoter Michael Chugg, who runs Chugg Entertainment, and Martin Elbourne, the chief booking agent for the U.K.’s Glastonbury Music Festival and also talent buyer for Guilfest, Jersey Live, and the Lovebox Festivals.

The rush for Foo Fighters tickets in Brisbane melted down the Ticketek system for one hour, Frontier Touring Company reported.

When the system came back online, tickets then disappeared in an hour. Foo Fighters concerts have sold out in Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, where second concerts were added.

The Divinyls’ singer Chrissie Amphlett revealed she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis but has kept quiet about it until now.Velvet Revolver is trying to reschedule their canceled December tour for February, guitarist Duff McKagan said.Paul McCartney says he’s trying to include the land of Oz in his 2008 world tour.