LENNY KRAVITZ SET TO RETURN TO AUSTRALIA; FIRST AUSTRALIAN CONCERT TOUR IN 18 YEARS; JOINED BY SPECIAL GUESTS THE CRANBERRIES AND WOLFMOTHER

Get ready to rock Australia! McManus Entertainment in association with F1 Rocks is thrilled to announce the return of rock icon Lenny Kravitz to Australia in March 2012. Touring Australia for the first time in 18 years, Lenny will be joined by Irish chart-toppers The Cranberries, and Aussie rockers Wolfmother. In addition to playing Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl during the Australian Grand Prix weekend, Lenny Kravitz, The Cranberries and Wolfmother will also be playing shows in Sydney, Wollongong, Brisbane and Perth. 

“Not only will rock fans around Australia get to enjoy these three great artists, highlights of Lenny’s performance will be broadcast around the world via the F1 Rocks network to a huge international audience. It’s been 18 years since Lenny Kravitz last toured Australia. Lenny is an international superstar and it’s a pleasure to bring him back here. And it’s perfect timing for those that are at the Grand Prix in Melbourne. Fans can conveniently walk over from the track to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and enjoy a great night of rock in Melbourne,” says promoter Andrew McManus.

Regarded as one of the preeminent rock musicians of our time, Lenny Kravitz has been producing music for more than 20 years, in a career which revels in the rich influence of '60s and '70s soul, rock and funk. Lenny Kravitz is a four-time GRAMMY Award winner and has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide. His many talents as writer, producer and multi-instrumentalist are on display in his timeless catalogue of eight studio albums – which include the hits Are You Gonna Go My Way, Let Love Rule and American Woman. Lenny Kravitz released his ninth studio album earlier this year, Black and White America (out now through Roadrunner Records) – marking his first release of new material in three years. Black and White America is a rich rock and funk-infused collection filled with Lenny’s signature guitar riffs, compelling melodies and undeniable anthemic lyricism. In addition to the release of his new album, Lenny Kravitz will appear in the upcoming motion picture "The Hunger Games" set for release in March 2012.

"I am excited to return to Australia after so many years away,” says Lenny. “It's going to be a great show and I cannot wait to see all my fans there. We are going to bring it!"

The Cranberries, fronted by Dolores O’Riordan, lit up the charts around the world for more than a decade with classics such as Linger, Dreams and Zombie. They have sold more than 30 million records and have had two number one albums in Australia, No Need To Argue (1994) and To The Faithful Departed (1996). Other live favourites include Free To Decide, When You’re Gone, Salvation, Ode To My Family and Ridiculous Thoughts. After taking a few years off to raise their families, the band are thrilled to be back with their new album, Roses (released next year through Shock Records on February 10), their first record in more than ten years since Wake Up And Smell The Coffee in 2001. 

In 2007 Aussie rockers Wolfmother won a GRAMMY Award for Best Hard Rock Performance for their single Woman. This followed ARIA Award wins for Best Group, Best Breakthrough Album and Best Rock Album for their debut self-titled album. The album Wolfmother has been certified 5 x Platinum in Australia (as well as Gold in the US, UK and Canada). Their latest album, Cosmic Egg, was released in 2009 and debuted at number three in the Australian charts (as well as charting in Europe and US).

Put it in your calendar – Lenny Kravitz, The Cranberries and Wolfmother is a rock show not to be missed! 

Proudly presented by Triple M, Wave FM, MAX, Channel Nine, Beat, Brag, Drum Media, Scene, Dangerfield and Australian Guitar Magazine. 

Websites

McManus Entertainment

http://www.mcmanusentertainment.com/

Lenny Kravitz

http://www.lennykravitz.com/

The Cranberries

http://www.cranberries.com/

Wolfmother

http://www.wolfmother.com/

Flourish PR

http://www.flourishpr.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Sydney Resolution Concert Series: Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, by Eva Rinaldi

Sydney Resolution Concert Series is thrilled to announce Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, which will be staged at Sydney’s Glebe Island overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour on Saturday December 31st 2011. The inaugural Sydney Resolution Concert Series will feature international superstars including Jamiroquai, Culture Club and Pet Shop Boys, as well as Australia’s very own Guy Sebastian, Pseudo Echo and Lyndsey Ollard.

Sydney Resolution Concert Series is sure to be an unforgettable night of music and festivities, showcasing some of the biggest acts in the world against a backdrop that only Sydney can provide.

With unobstructed, stunning views of the city and the fireworks display, there is no better place to be on New Year’s Eve than Glebe Island. See 2011 out with a bang with some of the world’s biggest classic and contemporary artists, playing all the songs you know and love.

Sydney’s Glebe Island will turn into a ‘mini city’ for this very special event, with a custom-built venue providing the very best in entertainment and bars, an incredible on-site ‘village’ showcasing Sydney’s best local and international food, and a unique array of retail and market stalls.

Sydney Resolution Concert Series will be the hottest ticket in town for New Year’s Eve!

Please be advised that Sydney Resolution Concert Series is a licensed event – all patrons must be over 18 years of age.

Glebe Island is situated on the beautiful Sydney Harbour. All patrons will arrive and depart by ferry or bus service from terminals and wharfs provided by Sydney Resolution Concert Series. 

Please note there is no parking at the event. Gates open at 2pm, entertainment commences at 4:00pm and all performances will conclude by 1:45am.

Gates close at 3.00am

Tickets go on sale at 9am on 28th November through Ticketmaster.

Websites

Sydney Resolution Concert Series - New Years Eve

http://www.sydneyresolution.com/

Flourish PR

http://www.flourishpr.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flick

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Soundwave 2012 - 3rd and final announcement!

WE CAME WE SAW WE ROCKED!

THIRD AND FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

Friends, Rockers, Countrymen! Lend us your ears and we'll subject them to loud rock music.

Tighten your togas, strap on the dancing sandals and join us in this Roman edition of Soundwave; featuring our biggest line-up yet!

Joining the already gargantuan 2012 lineup is:

Bush

In Flames

The Black Dahlia Murder

Holy Grail

Hyro Da Hero

These Kids Wear Crowns

In This Moment

Black Tide

Kids In Glass Houses

Fireworks

Conditions

Cherri Bomb

SYSTEM OF A DOWN

SLIPKNOT

LIMP BIZKIT / MARILYN MANSON / A DAY TO REMEMBER / MACHINE HEAD / LAMB OF GOD / BAD RELIGION / TRIVIUM / ALTER BRIDGE / LOSTPROPHETS / STAIND / ANGELS & AIRWAVES / COBRA STARSHIP / THE USED / WEDNESDAY 13 / YOU ME AT SIX / DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT / UNEARTH / UNWRITTEN LAW / COAL CHAMBER / STRUNG OUT / DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL / THURSDAY / FOREVER THE SICKEST KIDS / RAISED FIST / DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN / ZAKK WYLDE’S BLACK LABEL SOCIETY / MASTODON / UNDEROATH / SAVES THE DAY / CIRCA SURVIVE / STEEL PANTHER /THE PRETTY RECKLESS / CATHEDRAL / SHADOWS FALL /  TONIGHT ALIVE / JACK'S MANNEQUIN / MESHUGGAH / THE SISTERS OF MERCY / ENTER SHIKARI / FOUR YEAR STRONG / BLACK VEIL BRIDES / MADINA LAKE / ZEBRAHEAD / HATEBREED / BIOHAZARD / MOTIONLESS IN WHITE / BREAK EVEN / HEAVEN SHALL BURN / TIMES OF GRACE / CKY / STREET DOGS / DRAGONFORCE / GOJIRA / KVELERTAK / LETLIVE / HELLYEAH / CRO-MAGS / YOUR DEMISE / KITTIE / A ROCKET TO THE MOON / THE READY SET / THE MENZINGERS / DREAM ON, DREAMER /ATTACK! ATTACK! / DREDG / THE SMOKING HEARTS / THE SUMMER SET / THE CAB / RELIENT K / VERSA EMERGE / HEROES FOR HIRE / KILL HANNAH / THE DANGEROUS SUMMER / CHIMAIRA / FRAMING HANLEY / WATAIN / ROYAL REPUBLIC / I AM THE AVALANCHE / TURISAS / RIVER CITY EXTENSION

SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL VENUES AND DATES

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012

SATURDAY 25                    BRISBANE, RNA SHOWGROUNDS

SUNDAY 26                         SYDNEY, SHOWGROUND

FRIDAY 2                              MELBOURNE, SHOWGROUNDS – SOLD OUT!

SATURDAY 3                       ADELAIDE, BONYTHON PARK

MONDAY 5                         PERTH, CLAREMONT SHOWGROUNDS
General Public tickets on sale now through www.soundwavefestival.com www.oztix.com.au & Oztix outlets & www.ticketek.com.au 132 849

*All shows are licensed and all ages
*Venue and lineup subject to change

For more information head to http://www.soundwavefestival.com/

For publicity and media enquiries e-mail publicity@soundwavefestival.com

Alter Bridge and Steel Panther will Rock Soundwave 2012

ALTER BRIDGE are fast becoming a rock juggernaut and are on the way to firmly placing themselves in the rock 'n' roll pantheon forever.

Meet Myles Kennedy (Slash’s frontman), Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips; the future of rock.

With 2 amazing albums already under their belt ALTER BRIDGE has crafted one of the best rock records of recent time with AB III. In fact, it's a sprawling masterpiece that illuminates just how brilliant this band truly is, and it's going to make believers of the world.

This double bill of debauchery could not be filled by anyone else except STEEL PANTHER.

STEEL PANTHER is the hottest band out of Hollywood since Motley Crue, Guns N’ Roses and Poison ruled the Sunset Strip. They remained rock's best kept secret for decades -- prowling the Sunset Strip with weekly residencies while keeping the sleazy flame of rock 'n' rock alive…”But no longer. The ferocious Steel Panther has been let out of its iron cage and has only one mission: to roar with the tiger-like growl and strut with the sensual prance of glam rock n' roll from the halcyon days of the 1980s.” – Metal As Fuck

With their brand new album ‘Balls Out’ in tow, STEEL PANTHER are “Crude, rude, filthy, and more infectious than a bad case of herpes. – Revolver Mag.

Tickets go on sale Friday 25 November, 9am.

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER, 9AM

TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY           SYDNEY, ENMORE THEATRE – Lic A/A http://www.ticketek.com.au/

WEDNESDAY 29 FEBRUARY    MELBOURNE, THE PALACE - 18+

http://www.oztix.com.au/ / www.ticketek.com.au 132 849

For all tour enquiries please contact Chris O’Brien: chris@soundwavefestival.com

Presented by Soundwave Touring

Harry Potter Magic Cast On Media At Powerhouse Museum, by Eva Rinaldi - 17th November 2011

Harry Potter: The Exhibition, stopped at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum today. The amazing exhibition staged at the Powerhouse features props, costumes, the Hogwarts Express, all all sorts of other Potter items.

The exhibition, which will run until March, also includes a number of enchanted interactive elements which should entertain kids of all ages.

The media pitch read: "Take a step inside the magical world of Harry Potter and get up close to hundreds of iconic film props, costumes and creatures, all displayed in elaborate settings inspired by the film sets and locations from the famous Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Scenes from the Gryffindor™ common room and boys’ dormitory, Hagrid’s Hut, Hogwarts classes – including Herbology and Potions – the Great Hall, and the Forbidden Forest will be revisited in this spectacular 1,400 square metre exhibition.

Additionally, two new display cases have been added for the exhibition’s Sydney season – one featuring the Deathly Hallows™ and another displaying an array of  Voldemort’s horcruxes, including some on display for the first time."

On hand to answer questions today were James Phelps and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley from the Harry Potter film series), Eddie Newquist, Chief Creative Officer, Global Experience Specialists, creator of Harry Potter: The Exhibition and Dr Dawn Casey, Director, Powerhouse Museum, presenter of Harry Potter: The Exhibition.

Journalists present today probed the stars about the excitement and stability of working for the world famous Harry Potter franchise and the stability and financial rewards it brings. Even the NSW government is catching the Harry Potter mania, and speaks of it bringing millions of thousands of dollars into the NSW economy.

George Souris, Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality, Racing and the Arts, is urging everyone in NSW to embrace their "inner wizard" (the new lingo for the public at large) via the Powerhouse Museum over coming months.

Mr Souris advised Harry Potter: The Exhibition officially launched at the museum...the exclusive Asia/Pacific venue for the show.

"The NSW Government, through Destination NSW, is delighted that the magic of the world famous boy wizard will come to life in Sydney,"Mr Souris said.

"It is the first time Harry Potter: The Exhibition has been shown outside the United States and the Powerhouse Museum is the only venue for the exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere.

"Spread across 1,400 square metres of the museum’s newly refurbished exhibition touring gallery, the show creates an immersive world of everything Harry Potter.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition comprises hundreds of original film artefacts from what is the world’s highest grossing films series and one of the strongest global popular culture brand with families and children, up there with Marvel Entertainment and WWE. The impressive collection of items, such as props and costumes, is set against a backdrop of various settings inspired by locations from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including the Great Hall and Gryffindor common room. 

“In an exclusive at the Powerhouse, two new display cases feature several items never shown before, including the Resurrection Stone, the Invisibility Cloak and the Elder Wand,” Mr Souris said. 

Harry Potter: The Exhibition is also interactive allowing non magical, muggle visitors to toss a Quaffle in the Quidditch area, tour Hagrid’s hut and get up close and personal with Buckbeak, the Hippogriff. "This exhibition has the potential to attract 325,000 visitors, including an estimated 80,000 interstate and international tourists.

"The Powerhouse is well on track to achieve its pre-sale target of 50,000 tickets for the exhibition which opens to the public this weekend.

"It is also estimated to contribute more than $20 million to the NSW economy." Mr Souris said securing this exhibition reflects the State’s reputation as the cultural capital of Australia.

“Sydney is currently hosting two international blockbuster exhibitions which are set to attract hundreds of thousands of Sydneysiders and people from across Australia and the Asia Pacific,”

He said. “As well as the Harry Potter show, the most significant exhibition of works by the great Spanish artist Pablo Picasso is now exclusively on display at the Art Gallery of NSW as part of the Sydney International Art Series. "Picasso: masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris is a collection of 150 masterpieces which is set to attract more than 300,000 people from all over Australia and the Asia Pacific.

“Also part of the Sydney International Art Series, the Museum of Contemporary Art will present Rafael Lozano-Hemmer Recorders from December 16.

“Staging Lozano-Hemmer’s exhibition in Sydney is a unique opportunity for audiences here to experience the work of one of the art world’s rising stars. “Of course annual arts and cultural entertainment in Sydney is well and truly underway with Sculpture by the Sea now showing along the Eastern Suburbs coastline. “And the 15th annual Sydney Festival 2012 will kick off in January with a program of 98 events and 388 performances including 11 world premieres.” The Harry Potter films which have received critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide are based on a popular series of fantasy novels by the writer J.K Rowling.

The exclusive Sydney season of Harry Potter: The Exhibition is a key event on the NSW Events Calendar developed by the NSW Government through Destination NSW. Harry Potter: The Exhibition is on at the Powerhouse Museum from November 19 to March 18. It is recommended tickets be purchased in advance to avoid disappointment. Exhibition tickets are now available at http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/

Well done to the team at Harry Potter and Powerhouse Museum on their latest efforts and thank you for bringing a little bit of magic to Sydney.

Websites

Harry Potter The Exhibition

www.powerhousemuseum.com/harrypotter

Powerhouse Museum

http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Splash News

http://www.splashnews.com/

The Pointer Sisters Do The Enmore Theatre, by Eva Rinaldi - 16th November 2011

Photography By Jezmark Photography

It's great to see wonderful bands reunite, and that's just what the Pointer Sisters have done, and Australian fans are licking it up.

It's fair to say that many fans saw them as dance floor queens of 1980s.  Many fans are still head over heals for them.

Promotional blurb reads 'The Pointer Sisters are best known as the "Divine Divas of Pop Music", have constantly been at the top of the record charts for three decades, and today they are considered the trendsetters for a whole new generation. Sassy and brassy The Pointer Sisters are pure dynamite.'

The sisters spoke to the press as part of their Australian tour preparation.  Anita Pointer said "We've been working. We've been on the road all over the world. And writing songs. We haven't done a Pointer Sisters album in quite a few years. And it's really because of the industry, the way the business is going right now."

She elaborates in a jovial fashion "They just don't have any interest in any artist that's over 25."

The girls know they are past their prime, but they remain positive and still have what it takes to put on a great show.

"I'm proud to say we still pull it off, definitely. People are always coming back after the show, being amazed and saying 'God I can't believe that you guys have so much energy and that you still sounded just as good as you did back then - even better than the records'."

Anita and sister Ruth are the core of the group. They came up with over a dozen top-20 singles over the years including Slow Hand, I'm So Excited and Jump (For My Love). Not that many groups can say that.

Founding member of The Pointer Sisters, June, passed away in 2006, and this gave an opportunity for Ruth's granddaughter, Sadako Johnson, to show her stuff.

Ruth Pointer said "We do a lot of private showcases and festivals. We'll do a show or maybe two and then come home. This coming tour of Australia and New Zealand is something extraordinary which we haven't done in a while. I've been in the gym training and getting my stamina up."

Anita isn't so high about today's R&B sounds, saying real talent is out there but so many songs are missing melody and have "all the auto-tune that everybody's using now, where you can't tell one singer from the other … To me it's not good enough. I don't care for all that."

Pointer sticks to the old-school, melodic ways.

Fans will be happy to hear that the sisters still have plenty of life left in them and are going to keep performing for a good while yet. Probed on that matter of how much longer they will keep going: "As long as I have good health and can remember the words to the songs."

There's always autocue. "We haven't gotten to that yet!"

There isn't a new album on the horizon but The Pointer Sisters say they are open to suggestions to working with anyone who might want to bring something interesting to the group.

I say, sisters, keep doing it, as long as you love it, and also because so many still love you.

Websites

The Pointer Sisters

www.thepointersisters.com

The Enmore Theatre

www.enmoretheatre.com.au

Lionel Midford Publicity

www.lionelmidfordpublicity.com

 

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Songs of protest at Melbourne Festival, by Eva Rinaldi - 15th November 2011

Joss Stone and Paul Dempsey perform “Throw Your Arms Around Me”

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crkRBkBJ_RY

STUDIO, as seen on Foxtel and Austar, is delighted to bring Australians the closing night concert of the Melbourne Festival 2011, notes from the hard road and beyond. The exclusive concert broadcast is part of the ‘Season Ticket’ program that has presented six world television premieres on the popular arts channel this year.

To catch it tune in to STVDIO at 8.30pm Friday November 25. Notes from the hard road and beyond is a night of protest songs from throughout the ages.

Soul singer Joss Stone (UK) headlines a concert of celebrated international performers including gospel legend Mavis Staples (US), Rickie Lee Jones (US), Something for Kate’s Paul Dempsey, John Schumann and hip hop artist Emmanuel Jal (SUD).

The stage is Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, not far from where the Melbourne protests against greed have been going on for close to a month.

Some of the themes include abolition to the civil rights movement, women’s suffrage to the anti-war sentiments of the 1970s. The concert features music by Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Leonard Cohen, Pete Seeger and Green Day.

It's about celebrating freedom, but we suspect some will find other meaning also. Australia’s  Black Arm Band also join the movement. We've been tipped off that it also celebrates the human spirit and the power of voice to change the world.

Media blurb from Studio - World Movies reads...

Mavis Staples (US) A member of gospel and soul legends The Staple Singers, Mavis Staples' personal and musical history is enmeshed with the US civil rights movement and the life of Dr Martin Luther King. She sings This Land Is Your Land and the Staples Singers’ hit Freedom Highway. View the clip online here.

Joss Stone (UK) Joss Stone is a soul singer-songwriter who at only 24, has sold more than 11 million albums and won two Grammys. She brings her soul vocal talents to I Am Woman, Feeling Good and I’ll Take You There alongside Mavis Staples.

Rickie Lee Jones (US) Rickie Lee Jones returns to Melbourne at the invitation of The Black Arm Band to sing a haunting rendition of Somewhere with Archie Roach.

International Stars Lead Protest Songs To Stir Viewers On STVDIO

2.11.2011

Paul Dempsey Founder of Something For Kate, Melburnian Paul Dempsey recently launched his solo album Everything Is True. He performs Green Day’s political hit American Idiot and an emotional duet of Throw Your Arms Around Me with Joss Stone.

Emmanuel Jal (SUD) Born into the life of a child soldier in Sudan, Emmanuel Jal survived unbelievable struggles to emerge as a world-acclaimed hip-hop artist, spreading a message of peace and understanding. He performs Emma, his dedication to the rescuer who smuggled him out of war-ridden Sudan.

The Black Arm Band This coalition of Australian musicians includes iconic elder statesman Archie Roach, senior songman Shane Howard, yidaki virtuoso Mark Atkins and songstress chorus including Lou Bennett, Emma Donovan and Shellie Morris. Archie Roach performs a heart-wrenching acoustic version of Nick Cave’s Into My Arms.

John Schumann Legendary singer-songwriter John Schumann’s 1980s protest song I Was Only Nineteen captured the horror of the Vietnam War and the hearts of public worldwide.

Write this down: Friday 25 November 8.30pm World Television Premiere of 'Notes from the hard road and beyond'.

Joss Stone performs “People Get Ready”

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msC8HkU3dpI

Emmanual Jal performs “War Child”

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIpeI2ZVKjA

Websites

SBS

http://www.sbs.com.au/

World Movies

http://www.worldmovies.com.au/

Studio

http://www.stvdio.com.au/