Australian Shorts

Rave Reviews For Metallica

The scramble for tickets to Metallica’s first Australian visit since 2004 saw 20,000 tickets sold online alone on the first day, with promoter Michael Coppel Presents adding extra shows downunder.

Reviewers were unanimous that a powerful set – and an assortment of flame throwers, lasers, round stage, moving drum kit and coffin-shaped lighting rigs – kept Metallica as benchmarks of metal shows.

The first show, at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena Sept. 15, saw them return for two encores.

Linkin Park, Sharon Jones Back in December

Linkin Park returns for five arena dates Dec. 3-13 through Michael Coppel Presents.

Billions Australia bring back Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, who established themselves as a formidable live force in past visits, for seven theatre and festival dates Dec. 1-15.

Other tours announced for November included Mary Gauthier and Richard Bona, while extra shows were added for Bone Thugs N Harmony.

Festival Moves

Two New South Wales festivals are moving to new sites this year.

XYZnetworks’ Country Music Channel (CMC), Rob Potts Entertainment Edge and Chugg Entertainment confirmed that “CMC Rocks The Hunter” will be held at Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley.

It will also move to a Saturday and Sunday format, held March 5-6. It was previously held at the Thredbo snowfields. The artist lineup will be announced Oct. 25.

The Great Southern Blues Festival, in its 15th year, moves from Narooma to a larger site in Batemans Bay on the South Coast early October.