Friday 12th of March 2010
Remember the boy next door that played records all day, and at night kept you up with songs of his own? He left home one day and was never heard from again. He moved to the big city, living in cheap motels, eating dollar hamburgers, working the boulevard with ex-models, thorazine freaks, transvestites, mothers, fathers, drunks, junkies and punk rockers alike.He struggled during many long lonely desperate nights under the dizzying city lights but made a vow that he would never forget the magic in this world the things he loved the most: his first fix, his first girl and most importantly the first time he rocked a mic. Mickey Avalon has done whatever it took to get him to and off Hollywood Blvd. to invite you into his world.And I guess thats what it is, his world.
Saturday 20th of March 2010
Music People Presents: POWER!! A Boysnoize album night at the Forum Sydney, that will go down as one of the must see shows of the year, with a lineup that will make your ears scream and your feet move. Housemeister is new to our shores and he will definitely impress - as will the very special guest - announced Feb 15!Hailing from Berlin, HOUSEMEISTER has been making muchos noise for boys and girls around the world with his techno/electro/acid/punk sound. Hanging with the Bpitch Control Collective, hes released numerous singles, his first album Who is that Noize on his own label and now his second album Enlarge your Dose on BoysNoize Records. Housemeister never sleeps - if he's not touring or in the studio producing, he's designing the artwork for his label Allyoucanbeat. Watching Housemeister work his sets is something special - his passion to perfection in music is something only a true DJ/producer can pull off. Always experimenting and always thrashing ahead, Housemeister adds the spark to the experience that a party really special.
Saturday 27th of March 2010
Niche Productions is proud to present, Japanese sensation DJKENTARO – 2002 DMC World Champion, performing his only Australian show, an intense audio/visual experience live at The Forum on Saturday 27 March.First earning the title of DMC Japan Champion in 2001, DJKENTARO won the coveted title of World Champion just a year later at the age of 20, earing the highest score in the contest’s history. In 2005 Kentaro wowed audiences worldwide with his Ninja Tune Solid Steel mix ‘On The wheels of Solid Steel’ which featured exclusive Ninja Tune back catalogue.His full production debut ‘Enter’ was released in 2007, showing his talent as a producer and featured some guest turns from the likes of The Pharcyde, Spank Rock, and Fat Jon to name a few.Kentaro’s blend of hip-hop, breaks, DnB and turntablism is untouchable, which has lead to many tours all over the world showing off his epic talent. Kentaro also understands that making a great album doesn’t mean an overload of scratching, with his album making a musical journey through the likes of funk, dub, space-jazz and DnB while staying true to his old skool hip hop roots.More recently, Kentaro has been working on his second full production album to be released through Ninja Tune later in the year, as well as releasing a line of wristwatches for Nixon Worldwide.DJKENTARO LIVE DJ/AV SHOW with special guests Dizz1, El Gusto (Hermitude) and True Vibenation (mixtape launch) – exclusively at The Forum, Saturday 27 March. Tickets on sale Thursday 18 February from moshtix.com and all moshtix outlets. www.djkentaro.com - www.nicheproductions.com.au
Friday 9th of April 2010
If skills sold, Talib Kweli would have been one of the most commercially successful rappers of his time. As it was, however, the earnest MC became one of the most critically successful rappers of his time, which dawned in the late '90s when he rapped alongside Mos Def and DJ Hi-Tek as part of the group Black Star. In fact, he was one of the most admired and respected rappers on the major-label circuit during the mid-2000s, best evidenced by Jay Z's famous Black Album rhyme: "If skills sold, truth be toldI'd probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli."Born in Brooklyn as the eldest of two sons born to college professors, Kweli's first name, Talib, is an Arabic name meaning "the seeker or student," while his last name is a Ghanaian name meaning "of truth or knowledge." He began developing his literary gift in elementary school, when he'd write short stories, poems, and that sort of stuff. It wasn't until years later in high school that he turned to hip-hop as an outlet for his self-expression. In anticipation of his next solo album, Kweli collaborated with producer Madlibs on the digital-only Liberation, which was made available as a free download during the first week of 2007 on the Stones Throw website. Finally, in August of that same year, Kweli issued the full-length album Eardrum on his own label, Blacksmith, via a partnership with Warner Brothers. Debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and selling about 60,000 copies in its first week, Eardrum was Kweli's best-selling album to date and features beats from not only Madlib but also Hi-Tek, Kanye West, Pete Rock, and will.i.am, among others, and features guests like Norah Jones, UGK, Justin Timberlake, and Strong Arm Steady.Although she was born in South Africa, Jean Grae (real name Tsidi Ibrahim) will always be a New Yorker by heart. The daughter of two jazz musicians, Jean learned an appreciation for all genres of music at an early age. She attended the High School of Performing Arts as a vocal major and was later accepted to New York University as a Music Business major. Disenchanted by the classroom settings, Jean decided early on that she was more of a hands-on learner. During high school she learned to read and arrange music as well as learn classical and choral arrangements, giving her a good foundation on becoming a hip-hop writer and producer. Jean Grae (then known as What? What?) was recruited by a rapper named Ocean, who formed a group called Natural Resource in the mid-90s. In 1997, Natural Resource founded their own record label, Makin' Records, and released the 12" single, "Negro League Baseball", which became an underground hip-hop classic. They followed with several other 12"s including "I Love This World", "They Lied" and "Bum Deal". In addition to writing and producing with Natural Resource, Jean Grae also produced singles for Makin' Records artists Pumpkin Head, Don Scavone and The Bad Seed. Dont miss this rare chance to see 2 of the best entertainers in Hip-Hop together on one stage doing 2 serapte shows!
Friday 23rd of April 2010
“High-voltage buzz-saw riffs and irresistible melodic hooks” – Rolling StoneLadies and Gentlemen, the wait is over, Switchfoot has added Australia to their world tour. The past few years have been somewhat of a coming-of-age story for San Diego quintet Switchfoot and as a happy ending to the tale, the band is heading to Australia to play their brand of familiar anthemic rock tunes that acknowledge life’s storms while managing to find an element of hope in them.Whilst the boys have been closely compared to bands like Snow Patrol, or a ballsier Cheap Trick, their latest album Hello Hurricane, which was featured in USA Today’s Fall Pick for most awaited album, has a far more edgy vibe to it than their previous albums. Packed full of songs you want to die singing, Switchfoot are back with a fighting spirit while still retaining their moniker of hope and optimism.Although Switchfoot have never fit any of the genre boxes, the band find that diversity is their strength and that they operate at their best during their infamous and energetic live shows. Expect a night of melodic crunch with densely layered sound featuring some electronic experimentation, often driven by heart-pumping guitar riffs, with a few softer ballads thrown in as well. Tickets on sale Friday 26 February.
Saturday 24th of April 2010
A night to rival the musicality of Fabric (London) and the atmosphere of Ibiza in Sydney. Sydneys newest electronic music brand msica relaunches this Autumn with a massive party at The Forum, Saturday 24 April 2010, 6pm - 2am.After returning from two years of producing and playing parties in the sizzling city of So Paulo, Brazil, msicas founder Kane Bligh has returned to Sydney to create a music brand that will bring high production values, memorable shows and world class sounds to Australia.Music fans will be able to catch some of the worlds most innovative DJs and producers
playing alongside Australias best and brightest over three levels, on a world-class system that cant be heard anywhere else in Sydney.msica is about the experience, not just big names... although it has plenty of big names to brag aboutFeaturing Hernn Cattaneo (Argentina), Apparat (LIVE) (Germany), Marc Marzenit (LIVE) (Spain),
plus Simon Caldwell (Mad Racket) and Alex Taylor, msica will present discerning music fans with
the very best of international house and experimental dance music.Hernn Cattaneo is one of the biggest DJ / producers to ever come out of South America. A pioneer of dance music in Buenos Aires, Hernn was taken under the wing of Paul Oakenfold as a promising young DJ and hasnt looked backed since. His incredible career so far has included playing almost every major party in the world, releasing mixes for revered labels Perfecto and Renaissance, and hosting a global dance music radio program in Buenos Aires. Expect a genre defying progressive house set from this Argentinean master.Sascha Ring, aka Apparat (LIVE), is that rare breed of producer who can match sensitivity in the studio with intensity on stage. Hell be making his Australian debut at msica this April!
Co-owner of the Shitkatapult label (alongside T.Raumschmiere) and one half of the mighty Moderat, this Berlin Legend with be combining his dense studio pop and electronica with his love of
Techno, IDM and Elektro on Australian dancefloors for the first time ever.Can msica finish with the freshest name on the bill? When its Marc Marzenit (LIVE), we say hell yeah! With new tracks coming out on Cocoon and Bedrock, this Spanish progressive and melodic techno producer is the on the up and up. A boundary pusher of the highest calibre, Marc begins his set on two laptops and ends it in the crowd, controlling it remotely! Not to be missed.Rounding out the bill is Mad Racket founder Simon Caldwell and Australian dance music legend Alex Taylor, the new local musica resident
Friday 30th of April 2010
Irish multi-platinum selling act Aslan return to Australia after a ten year absence. Showcasing songs from their latest album “Uncase’d” and playing old favourites spanning their 27 year career, this promises to be a triumphant return to Australia for one of Ireland’s best loved and most revered live bands.
Friday 7th of May 2010
SPOON - GROOVIN' THE MOO
Last here in 2008 for a tour that included appearances at all six Big Days Out, as surprise guest to the Arcade Fire and for their own headline shows, Texan minimalists SPOON return this Autumn having signed up to perform nationally for the GROOVIN' THE MOO experience and for a selection of major city headline shows.
The 2010 tour coincides with the release of a brand new album TRANSFERENCE, the follow-up to 2007's much heralded US Top Ten hit GA, GA, GA, GA, GA. Unlike its predecessor though (arguably the band's most polished statement to date) TRANSFERENCE is a stark reminder of the proverb "less is more" and a nod perhaps to the bare bones production style of the band that inspired the Spoon name: krautrock pioneers, Can.
On Transference, it's quality not quantity of melody that sticks: each song is spinal, gutsy, emotional and different. Here Spoon drops the polish to give us rough, ready and human rock. - DRUM MEDIA (Album of the Week)
What a joy it is that bands like Spoon exist. Easily one of the most consistent bands of the last decade-plus, they have become almost synonymous with their indie-cool swagger and their calculated and nuanced approach to making records - Absolutepunk.com
While Transference is remarkable in its own right, song for song it stands tall alongside the best of the band's entire catalog. - UNDER THE RADAR
Live too, SPOON are trimmed of any excess and deliver a show based on precision, passion and skill. You'll hear no unnecessary guitar or drum solos at a SPOON concert.