Australian News 10/3

Empire Of The Sun Goes Live

Luke Steele unveiled Empire of the Sun’s ambitious theatrical stage show, with its live debut at the opening of Parklife festival in Brisbane in front of a crowd of 28,000.

His partner on the record, Nick Littlemore of dance act Pnau, was not in attendance. But Steele made do with dancing swordfish, giant pink guitars, alien dancers and numerous costume changes.

He wanted to use tigers and elephants but said they ended up being too expensive to hire.

Short Notes

Big Day Out unveiled its first acts for its January six-city run, including Muse, Powderfinger, Dizzee Rascal, Groove Armada, The Mars Volta, Eskimo Joe, Ladyhawke, Peaches and Lily Allen. Media speculation had tipped David Bowie doing an acoustic set, as well as Eminem, Weezer and Blink-182.

Tasmanian police closed down a dance party advertised as part of the worldwide Earthdance raves for peace. The organizers, two 21-year-old university students, sent out 1,000 invitations via Facebook. Alas, they had not got permission from the owners of the property, taken out public liability insurance or set up enough toilets for 200.

After much lobbying, the South Australian Music Hall of Fame will open in January on the first floor of live music venue Kentish Arms.

CC Entertainment, which creates tribute nights around classic albums and acts, took a gamble when it moved from clubs to the Enmore Theatre in Sydney to stage its “Whole Lotta Love” tribute to Led Zeppelin Sept. 24.  It worked. The night sold out, and the band, which included a six-piece string section, received two standing ovations. CC Entertainment is negotiating to take its shows to other cities.

One of Sydney’s best-known indie live music showcases, the Hopetoun Hotel, closed its doors suddenly Sept. 28. It had been battling the local council over noise, the need for more security and for disability access for its toilets.

Powderfinger will curate a Dec. 10 concert to mark the 150th anniversary of Queensland. They asked quirky pop band Custard to reform, and invited up and coming acts Yves Klein Blue, The Middle East and The Cairos.