[Review] Aminé @ Forum Theatre, Melbourne 06/01/2023
On the 6th of January the beloved Forum Theatre welcomed in thousands of excited faces, eagerly awaiting for Aminé to hit the stage. Advancing into the foyer like an army of loyal troops, it was clear that Aminé fanbase was strong- united in their love for his intoxicating presence, and quirky persona. There was, however, one fan who was quite new to the scene, and uncertain of what to expect. This fan was me. I knew of Aminé, and of course was familiar with Caroline, the song that catapulted him to commercial recognition. However, it is safe to say, that my musical pallet surrounding alternative hip hop and rap was…rather dry. So, as I entered the Forum and took my spot amongst the buzzing crowd, I hoped and prayed that I might leave the show a little quenched.
And boy did I.
Starting off the night, Dj Classic warmed up the crowd with a classic game of call and response. Within a few minutes, strangers were acting like best mates, and it was clear that this pre show entertainment was there to lay the ground rules for the night: go wild, dance, but do it all as one. Following Dj Classic, B Wise took to the stage. I was majorly impressed with his ability to take the audience’s growing energy, and send it into the stratosphere. With songs like Who?! and Won’t Stop, B Wise demonstrated his slick lyrics and insatiable beats with incredible prowess; all the while maintaining a sense of gratitude and connection with his audience. With his concerted effort to look directly at his crowd, and his constant reminder to befriend and look after one another, B Wise felt like an artist at the top of his game, as well as a close and trusted friend. My favourite moment was when he took a moment to acknowledge his Nigerian roots before performing Ezzina, a song that oozed funk, heart, and soul. Side note: I still can’t get that guitar riff out of my head!
By this point in the night, the crowd of newly formed friends were as prepped as they could be for Aminé‘s entrance. So, when that moment came, and aminé danced his way onto the stage, the wild cheers was exactly what I was expecting. Kick starting his set with Mad Funny Freestyle, Aminé’s kooky lyrics and hilarious wordplay were accompanied by spectacular visuals that were as creative and dynamic as his rapping. Between Aminé‘s commitment to jumping around the stage, and the backdrop of neon coloured lights that featured garish yellows and hot pinks, it felt like we were witnessing the inside of Aminé‘s brain: an explosion of absurdity and playfulness. From start to finish, the Forum stage transported itself into a visual exploration of Aminé‘s creative genius; one where we got to witness his bouncy melodies, giddy synth, and hyper pop influence come to life.
It’s one thing to bop along to Charmander in the car. It’s another thing to experience it in a sold out venue, where it’s infectious energy and fast paced flow had me feeling so carefree that I almost felt weightless. What I also loved about Aminé‘s was the variety in his performance. Just when you thought the night might become one dizzying mosh, he’d bring us back down to earth with performances like shine that highlighted his slower melodies and more delicate, vulnerable vocals. I was particularly impressed with his falsetto in Shine and the smooth, glitzy guitar in the background. Aminé‘s musical confidence really showed itself through his ability to hook the crowd. Whether it was through a sugar rush state of energy, or a more reflective, down to earth moment, the crowd was there to drink in every moment and savor every minute. Finishing off the night with a consecutive performance of Spice girl, Caroline, and Reel It In, these three crowd pleaser songs provided a climactic high point that left the audience in a state of total appreciation and bliss. I left the Forum feeling more connected to hip hop and rap than ever before, and I have Aminé and his generous fans to thank for that. All in all, it was certainly a night well spent, and I cannot wait to see what craziness Aminé conjures up next.
[Gallery] King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard @ Palais Foreshore, Melbourne 10/12/2022
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
Stella Donnelly
Civic
Ben Harper 2023 Australia Tour
Last performing in Australia in 2019 at the 30th anniversary of Byron Bay Bluesfest, Ben Harper returns to theatres in February 2023, performing music spanning his entire catalogue along with music from his brand-new acclaimed album, Bloodline Maintenance.
The GRAMMY nominated Bloodline Maintenance is both a political and personally revealing work. It is soul music, but never a stylistic tribute to some by-gone era. The sound and words are essential and undeniably timely.
“It was like I was moving forward and venturing into places I had never been before. Taking everything I’ve learned from every other record and kind of setting fire to it all and starting over,” Ben Harper says of his new album. “And I knew the sounds I was hearing in my head were so unorthodox that I had to do most of it myself.”
Produced by Harper and long-time studio collaborator Sheldon Gomberg, Bloodline Maintenance applies the inventiveness of hip-hop to longstanding paradigms of soul, blues and jazz, continuing his long history as one of this generation’s most prominent protest singers.
Harper has amassed international critical applause and a worldwide fan following, winning three GRAMMY® Awards for his own genre-traversing body of work while also producing acclaimed albums by Mavis Staples, Rickie Lee Jones, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Natalie Maines, and others. An inveterate collaborator, Harper has also recorded with a diverse span of artists ranging from John Lee Hooker, Charlie Musselwhite, and Jack Johnson to Ringo Starr, Keith Richards and, most recently, Harry Styles.
BEN HARPER
FEBRUARY 2023
Presented by Live Nation
Tickets Available
Via www.livenation.com.au/artist-ben-harper
TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY
Palais Theatre | Melbourne, Vic
WEDNESDAY 8 FEBRUARY
State Theatre | Sydney, NSW
FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY
QPAC Concert Hall | Brisbane, QLD
Pip Millett announces first ever Australian shows
British singer, songwriter and musician PIP MILLETT announces her first ever Australian shows as part of the when everything is better i’ll let you know tour. Millett will bring her live show to Melbourne’s 170 Russell on January 18, Brisbane’s Triffid on January 19 and Sydney’s Metro Theatre on January 20 and will be joined by special guest Shanae.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 9am Friday November 11
My Live Nation members can secure tickets first during the exclusive presale beginning 9am Thursday November 10
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.com.au
Born and raised in Greater Manchester — spending the majority of her childhood in Marple — Pip Millett shares that her early experiences of loss and grief played a huge part in her resonating with and being obtusely aware of her emotions from her infancy. “They’ve really helped shape my ability to songwrite,” she acknowledges in an inquisitive and animated Northern twang. “I find it easier to say what I can’t physically express to people with words.”
In 2022, Pip Millett wraps up her highly anticipated debut album in the moniker When Everything Is Better, I’ll Let You Know, acknowledging her growth personally, now coping healthily with anxiety as well as depression, as well as overcoming trauma. “It’s years on from my first break up, which I learned so much from,” she says thankfully, taking a deep breath and wiping her head figuratively on Zoom. “It’s also years on from my first therapy session; I’ve just come so far, it was so difficult to let go of someone and focus on my mental health first.”
With sold-out dates across Europe and the eyes of both the industry and the UK firmly on her, Pip Millett proves firmly on When Everything Is Better, I’ll Let You Know that blossoming authentically and true-to-form is a concoction that audiences are yearning for more of. Once released, she’ll prove that all of her talents and industry-nods are only the beginnings of the next homegrown legacy act in the making. “The North needs the light shone on it,” she says earnestly. “And to be part of this current moment is beautiful. It’s time it opened up and allowed us in.”
Pip Millett’s debut album When Everything Is Better, I’ll Let You Know is out now
PIP MILLETT
AUSTRALIA 2023
170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18
THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE
THURSDAY JANUARY 19
METRO THEATRE, SYDNEY
FRIDAY JANUARY 20
TICKETS ON SALE 9AM FRIDAY NOVEMBER 11
Live Nation pre-sale: 9am Thu Nov 10 > 8am Fri Nov 11
For complete tour and ticket and information, visit: livenation.com.au
Yung Gravy Aus Tour: second Sydney show added!
Yung Gravy has officially sold out the Sydney and Melbourne dates on his wildly anticipated Australian tour in February 2023 – less than a week after tickets going on sale. In response to this huge demand, Secret Sounds and Live Nation are thrilled to add a second and final Sydney show to the tour which will see the hip-hop phenomenon kick off his Australian performances at Enmore Theatre on Thursday 9 February. Tickets to the new date are on sale now via secretsounds.com!
Yung Gravy dropped Marvelous on 28 October via Republic Records. The album was accompanied by his new music video for single ‘Dancing In The Rain’ and ushers in Gravy’s biggest, boldest and best era yet – and we get to see it live!
Yung Gravy dropped Marvelous on 28 October via Republic Records. The album was accompanied by his new music video for single ‘Dancing In The Rain’ and ushers in Gravy’s biggest, boldest and best era yet – and we get to see it live!
Yung Gravy released the record’s lead single ‘Betty (Get Money)’ in June 2022, popping off as a generation bridging banger as it reignites the classic chorus (and iconic synths) of Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’. Produced by Dillon Francis, Dwilly, and Popnick, the track has already gone Gold in the United States and Canada, in addition to generating over 200 million global streams.
‘Betty (Get Money)’ notably broke out as Yung Gravy’s first Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs Chart and leapt into the Top 30 of the Hot 100, ticking off another first for the rapper. Dominating airwaves both in the US and Australia, the single led to Yung Gravy making his late-night television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and a performance slot at MTV’s VMAs pre-show.
Alongside these massive releases, Yung Gravy has accelerated his meteoric rise this year with a co-headline tour of the states with Dillon Francis, an opening slot on Limp Bizkit’s arena tour and a series of RIAA certified platinum and gold bangers including: platinum ‘Mr. Clean’, platinum ‘1 Thot 2 Thot Red Thot Blue Thot’, gold ‘oops!!!’ gold ‘Magic’, gold ‘Whip A Tesla’ and ‘Welcome to Chilis’ with bbno$.
Yung Gravy is currently on a 29-city, co-headline tour of North America with bbno$ through December, before reaching Australian shores in February. Tickets are selling fast so jump on the gravy train and get them quick!
YUNG GRAVY AUSTRALIA X NEW ZEALAND MARVELOUS TOUR
Thursday 9 February 2023 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (just added)
Friday 10 February 2023 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (sold out)
Saturday 11 February 2023 – Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide
Friday 17 February 2023 – Astor Theatre, Perth
Saturday 18 February 2023 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Sunday 19 February 2023 – Forum, Melbourne (sold out)
Tuesday 21 February 2023 – venue TBA, Christchurch*
Thursday 23 February 2023 – venue TBA, Wellington*
Friday 24 February 2023 – Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland
Saturday 25 February 2023 – venue TBA, Dunedin*
TICKETS
Tickets on sale now at secretsounds.com
YUNG GRAVY Touring Australia February 2023
Secret Sounds and Live Nation are thrilled to announce that multiplatinum hip-hop phenomenon Yung Gravy will be touring Australia in 2023, arriving down under hot off the release of his new album Marvelous. The wildly anticipated tour will see Gravy bring the ruckus to venues across the country with shows in Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne throughout February 2023.
Yung Gravy dropped Marvelous on 28 October via Republic Records. The album was accompanied by his new music video for single ‘Dancing In The Rain’ and ushers in Gravy’s biggest, boldest and best era yet – and we get to see it live!
Yung Gravy released the record’s lead single ‘Betty (Get Money)’ in June 2022, popping off as a generation bridging banger as it reignites the classic chorus (and iconic synths) of Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’. Produced by Dillon Francis, Dwilly, and Popnick, the track has already gone Gold in the United States and Canada, in addition to generating over 200 million global streams.
‘Betty (Get Money)’ notably broke out as Yung Gravy’s first Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs Chart and leapt into the Top 30 of the Hot 100, ticking off another first for the rapper. Dominating airwaves both in the US and Australia, the single led to Yung Gravy making his late-night television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and a performance slot at MTV’s VMAs pre-show.
Alongside these massive releases, Yung Gravy has accelerated his meteoric rise this year with a co-headline tour of the states with Dillon Francis, an opening slot on Limp Bizkit’s arena tour and a series of RIAA certified platinum and gold bangers including: platinum ‘Mr. Clean’, platinum ‘1 Thot 2 Thot Red Thot Blue Thot’, gold ‘oops!!!’ gold ‘Magic’, gold ‘Whip A Tesla’ and ‘Welcome to Chilis’ with bbno$.
Yung Gravy is currently on a 29-city, co-headline tour of North America with bbno$ through December, before reaching Australian shores in February. Jump on the gravy train and get tickets quick when they go on sale from 10am local Friday 11 November!
YUNG GRAVY AUSTRALIA X NEW ZEALAND MARVELOUS TOUR
Friday 10 February 2023 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Saturday 11 February 2023 – Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide
Friday 17 February 2023 – Astor Theatre, Perth
Saturday 18 February 2023 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Sunday 19 February 2023 – Forum, Melbourne
Tuesday 21 February 2023 – venue TBA, Christchurch*
Thursday 23 February 2023 – venue TBA, Wellington*
Friday 24 February 2023 – Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland
Saturday 25 February 2023 – venue TBA, Dunedin*
TICKETS
Presale available from 10am local Thursday 10 November
Tickets on sale to the general public from 10am local Friday 11 November
*details coming soon
BACKSTREET BOYS ‘DNA’ Australian Tour Dates, February and March 2023
BACKSTREET BOYS, the biggest selling Boy Band of all time (100 million albums), have re-confirmed the Australian leg of their DNA World Tour.
The DNA World Tour – Australia 2023 commences in Perth on February 25, followed by two shows in Melbourne on February 28 and March 1 and Sydney on March 4 and 5, winding up in Brisbane on March 8.
Tickets for all dates are on sale now. For complete tour, ticket and VIP Experience information, visit: livenation.com.au.
For meet and greet information, visit: backstreetboys.com/events.
Having enthralled fans for more than 25 years AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson will bring their signature, flawless choreography, harmony-laden vocal prowess and arsenal of mega-watt hits such as; “I Want It That Way’, ‘Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) and ‘As Long As You Love Me’, plus songs from their tenth studio album, “DNA”, to Australian fans early next year.
Touring in support of their tenth studio album and Billboard No: 1, DNA, the album features the Grammy nominated single ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ from Stuart Crichton (DNCE) and Jamie Hartman; ‘Chances’ penned by Ryan Tedder and Shawn Mendes plus songs written by Lauv (Charli XCX), Andy Grammer, and Mike Sabbath (J Balvin).
BSB analysed their individual DNA profiles to see what crucial element each member represents in the group’s DNA. Watch the video here, to see how their individual strains, when brought together, create the unstoppable and legendary Backstreet Boys.
“That’s what I love about the DNA album,” says Kevin Richardson. “We were able to bring all of our influences and styles into one coherent piece of work. These songs are a great representation of who we are as individuals and who we are as a group. It’s our DNA. We’re really proud of that.”
Produced by Live Nation, The Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour – their largest arena tour in 18 years – began on May 11, 2019 with sell-out performances throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. The blockbuster production features a pyramid-shaped stage of light, trap doors and giant video screens.
“Vegas was amazing and the UK, European and US dates have been an absolute party,” says Howie D. “Now it’s time for us to visit our fans all over the world.”
“The journey is ongoing with us and there is so much left to do,” added Brian Littrell. “We’re living the next chapter that hasn’t been told yet, and that’s exciting.”
Praise for The Backstreet Boys live:
‘There are trap doors, giant V-shaped video screens, a pyramid-type stage of light, impeccable choreography, numerous outfit changes and a whopping 32 songs’ – The Guardian (UK)
‘Two hours of pop perfection were matched by impressive vocals, a perfectly pitched setlist and proper interaction with the crowd. An array of tracks from new album DNA slotted seamlessly into the repertoire, but never distracted from revelling in the riches of the past’ – Express (UK)
‘Backstreet Boys party like its 1999’ – Variety Magazine
‘The performance was a reminder of a time when pop music was at its finest’ – Daily Star
The Backstreet Boys have spent the best part of two decades honing their craft, no other Boy Band compares. For a night of pure nostalgia and entertainment, you do not want to miss them live in 2023.
THE BACKSTREET BOYS
The DNA World Tour – Australia 2023
RAC ARENA, PERTH – SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25
ROD LAVER ARENA, MELBOURNE – TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28
ROD LAVER ARENA, MELBOURNE – WEDNESDAY MARCH 1
QUDOS BANK ARENA, SYDNEY – SATURDAY MARCH 4
QUDOS BANK ARENA, SYDNEY – SUNDAY MARCH 5
BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE – WEDNESDAY MARCH 8
ALL TICKETS ON SALE NOW
For complete tour, ticket and VIP Experience information, visit:
