Australia: Chugg,
Festival Hall, Lockouts

The rap-rock band went to No. 1 with its second album, Party For Your Life, in its home market through Universal Motown.

In Australia, two Chugg Music signings are doing brisk business.

Brisbane pop band Sheppard’s “Geronimo” hit No, 1 while The Griswolds’ “Beware The Dog” has attracted strong airplay on alternative radio.

Melbourne Festival Hall Honoured

Victoria’s state government honored Melbourne Festival Hall May 30. The legislators renamed the venue’s West Melbourne street address Wren Lane, after the Wren family that built the venue in 1915 and operated it since.

As part of an adjoining rail link project, light box installations were installed bearing images of Nick Cave, AC/DC’s Angus Young, Kylie Minogue, Daniel Johns of Silverchair, INXS’s Michael Hutchence, and The Divinyls’ Chrissy Amphlett, all of whom had played Festival Hall.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle pointed out, “The images chronicle Festival Hall’s history and pay tribute to the performers who have made it the iconic music venue that it is, while also preserving its history for future generations.”

New Laws Hitting Trade Three months after the 1:30 a.m. lockouts and 3 a.m. last-drinks laws were introduced to Sydney’s entertainment precinct Kings Cross to address drunken violence, businesses told the Daily Telegraph that Saturday night trade dropped from 20,000 to 5,000 and many operators are putting out the For Lease signs. Asst. Police Commissioner Mark Murd Sol Republic headphones och argued, “the point we really should be pressing is … you can come to Sydney on holidays or to enjoy yourself and know you’ll be safe.”