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FeaturedNews
April 16, 2024
Megan Milner

LADYHAWKE ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM 15TH ANNIVERSARY AUSTRALIAN TOUR!

Acclaimed Electro Rock-Pop Synth Artist Ladyhawke (‘Pip’ Brown) burst onto the international music scene with her self-titled debut album, which celebrates this year its 15th Anniversary! To honour the major milestone and calls from fans after the UK show run dates sold out in February, Ladyhawke has announced her electrifying anniversary live show is coming to Australia this July/August.

TOUR DATES:

FRI 26 JUL – THE GOV, ADELAIDE

SAT 27 JUL – FREO.SOCIAL, FREMANTLE

THU 01 AUG – PRINCESS THEATRE, BRISBANE
*Announced alongside Open Season Programme

FRI 02 AUG – METRO THEATRE, SYDNEY

SAT 03 AUG – NORTHCOTE THEATRE, NORTHCOTE

Fans can secure access during a pre-sale commencing at 12pm (AEST) tomorrow Wednesday, April 17 via https://sbmpresents.com/tour/ladyhawke-2024/

General public tickets go on sale the next day Thursday, April 18 from 12pm (AEST). Visit: https://sbmpresents.com/tour/ladyhawke-2024/

From her early days playing in Wellington band Two Lane Blacktop and Sydney act Teenager (formed by Nick Littlemore), Pip Brown’s knack for writing a catchy pop hook has garnered her global recognition. Coupled with 80’s rock-chic ambiance, Pip quickly made a name for herself under the moniker Ladyhawke, releasing her debut self-titled album in 2008. Boasting electro-pop classic gems ‘My Delirium’, ‘Paris Is Burning’, ‘Dusk Till Dawn’, ‘Magic’, ‘Back Of The Van’ and more. The record made huge waves internationally with accolades including multiple ARIA and New Zealand Music Awards, along with nominations for BRIT, MTV, and NME Awards. This success propelled Ladyhawke on a global tour, during which she was invited to perform at esteemed festivals such as Big Day Out, Glastonbury, Splendour in the Grass, and Laneway.

The album charted Top 20 across Europe, UK, Australia, and Number One in NZ plus hailed unanimous glowing reviews upon release which included…

“A confection of synth-infused, mammoth-chorused tunes that sound surprisingly and thrillingly fresh” – SPIN

“’Magic’ may be the best opening track on any album this year, other tracks “Dusk Till Dawn”, “My Delirium” and “Another Runaway” are monumental – THE GUARDIAN

“Each of the tracks has a chorus to kill for, and Brown’s voice features an end-of-phrase exhalation that is sex on a microphone stand” – THE SUNDAY TIMES

“An accessible but immensely rewarding listen” – THE OBSERVER

Be sure not to miss out on the chance to celebrate and relive history by grabbing your tickets early to Ladyhawke’s 15th Anniversary tour of her debut album.

Proudly Presented by SBM Presents

www.sbmpresents.com | www.ladyhawkemusic.com

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Gig ReviewsReviews
February 4, 2024
Cassandra Hale

[Review] The Darkness, Festival Hall Melbourne 03/02/2024

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album Permission to Land sees The Darkness back on Australian soil for an impressive string of dates. With singer Justin Hawkins going down with illness just before their arrival we have all been waiting with bated breath, but never fear The Darkness are here and ready to rock. They are no strangers to Australia being greedily lapped up with every visit, now it was my turn to see what all the fuss is about.

The iconic Melbourne stalwart Festival Hall is back up and running after a dubious period in no mans land, and I for one was glad to get back down to Dudley Street and rock out where so many music legends have graced the stage. The openers were plentiful giving punters great value for money, as Melbourne’s Cry Club and Brisbane’s DZ Deathrays got the party started. It was then up to Sydney lunatics You Am I to give the final warm up session. Treating us to a Spinal Tap set that opened up a world of nostalgic memories from the quintessential piece of fictional history. Tim Rogers was the perfect fit to pull off the The Majesty of Tap, he enveloped the role to perfection along with the perfect accompaniment in You Am I. Their musicianship and theatrics were the key to this set going next level, add to this Tim wearing silver flares and a black hooded cape it really set the tone. Stonehenge was delivered with faux stone appearing from the roof, keeping with the theme of the movie, it certainly enveloped the mocumentary with gusto. Hell Hole was another welcome additional and had the crowd up and about as Tim said “Open you cheeks to the sight and smell of the Tap!” as only he could. A wonderful addition to the show and a perfect fit for The Darkness.

The atmosphere was electric to say the least, green lights resembling a landing strip flashing down each side of the stage as The Darkness took full flight to an erupting Festival Hall. This show was their biggest in Australia to date and Melbourne music fans turned out in droves to witness this most prestigious celebration. Justin donning a red and black jumpsuit in his trademark fashion as they jumped into Black Shuck to get the party started. Working through the album in no particular order the fans were 100 per cent committed to making the show one for the memory banks with phones put away and everyone living in the moment. It felt like stepping back in time just people going nuts, hands in the air, clapping on command, dancing, singing and have a bloody awesome night.  Get Your Hands Of My Woman, Growing On Me, Givin’ Up were all slotted in as they worked through this cracker of an album. The punters singing the ‘oh, oh’s’ and ‘Givin Up, Givin Up Givin a Fuck’ with unabashed enthusiasm. Justin had now stripped the top half of his jumpsuit down saying “I didn’t think it would be this hot up here!”  But we all knew it wasn’t called ‘Festy Hall’ for nothing. Crowd engagement was second to none as Love Is Only A feeling and Stuck In A Rut played out, Rufus Tiger Taylor was smashing the skins to within an inch of their life and kept the set running like clockwork.

Dan Hawkins is really a jack of all trades when it comes to musical instruments, his guitar work is of the highest calibre as he strutted his stuff and worked the stage like a true professional.  Frankie Poullain kept pace with the bass, this four-string slayer did not miss a beat, so at home on the big stage as Friday Night saw the fans ready to sing. A sneaky little snippet of Led Zeps Immigrant Song was a worthy addition as super shredder Justin even noodled the intro of AC/Dc’s Thunderstruck before he launched into I Believe In A Thing Called Love. With Melbourne finally throwing up a summer day, good old Festy Hall started to really feel the heat, living up to its nickname in spades as the sweat drenched punters screamed for the one they had been waiting for. Arms aloft clapping in time it really was a sight to behold, Justin still hitting the high notes with faultless precision of a man many years his junior. With the roof well and truly raised the boys left the stage to cool their jets for five minutes but the Melbourne maniacs were having none of it as they stomped and clapped, and if you have been to Festival Hall before you would know those timber floor do love a good feet hammering. It was no surprise when The Darkness returned that Justin said he could hear the stomping from downstairs. With their outfits changed to bedroom attire, all four sporting silk robes or PJ’s of choice, even guitar tech extraordinaire Ian Norfolk sporting a robe. With Justin having more guitar changes than I have had hot dinners he was certainly kept on his toes, and he did not miss a beat. I can see why they call him the fifth member of the band.  Speaking of the band, Justin went on to do introductions to the tune of In The Air Tonight made famous by Phil Collins, with his brother Dan on the drums, mixing things up a bit. Once again I reiterate, super talented musicians!!

Justin launched into I Love You 5 Times, almost a cappella with the fans singing along until he strapped on his guitar and ramped it up a level or two.  Love On The Rocks With No Ice saw out the show and had the rabid crowd in a right frenzy as Justin took to the shoulders of one of his team and made his way in and around the floor of Festival Hall. All while shredding up a storm and not missing a single note, fans very respectful of him with the odd pat on the back as he made his way from one side to the other. After being delivered back on stage he showcased his skills again playing, jumping and even hopping on one leg as he played like his life depended on it.  Forever the showman and a moment forever etched in our hearts. The Darkness really are the complete package and if are yet to see them do not delay, with just a few shows left on this Australian tour it would be a cardinal sin to miss out.

Celebrating 20 years in the biz is no small feat but here’s hoping there will be many more years in the tank for The Darkness. Gauging on tonight’s performance Melbourne Airport will not just grant permission to land but dedicate a runway in their honour. Thanks for the thrills boys, here’s to seeing you back in Aus real soon!

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FeaturedNews
December 1, 2023
STM

THE DARKNESS Announce VIP Upgrades For Australia & New Zealand Shows!

The countdown is on for the return of multi-platinum UK rock royalty The Darkness, who are all set for their highly anticipated 20th Anniversary celebration tour of their classic debut album, Permission To Land and taking to stages for their Let There Be Rock shows in early 2024!

With all shows selling fast, The Darkness have unveiled a handful of exclusive VIP upgrades for Australia and New Zealand, making these the hottest tickets in town and even a great Christmas present.

A once-in-a-lifetime experience, VIP fans for the Let There Be Rock and Permission To Land shows can arrive early for soundcheck, take a photo with the band or catch iconic songs “I Believe in A Thing Called Love” and “Love Is Only A Feeling” from side of stage! Here are the rock star VIP upgrades on offer

PREMIUM*

VIP Premium upgrades include an exclusive VIP laminate and early access to the show and merchandise stand.

Upgrade your ticket to VIP Premium Class here.

BUSINESS CLASS*

VIP Business Class upgrades include an exclusive VIP laminate and early access to the show and

merchandise stand, plus…

  •  A signed tote bag
  •  Access to the soundcheck
  •  Chance to play a song on stage with the band at soundcheck*
  •  Q&A with the band
  •  Photo with the band
  •  Guided tour of the stage
  •  Early venue access for the show

Upgrade your ticket to VIP Business Class here.

FIRST CLASS*

This top tier VIP First Class upgrade includes an exclusive VIP laminate and early access to the show and merchandise stand, plus…

  •  Signed tote bag
  •  Access to the soundcheck
  •  Chance to play a song on stage with the band at soundcheck*
  •  Q&A with the band
  •  Photo with the band
  •  Guided tour of the stage
  •  Early venue access for the show
  •  Watch the show from the side of the stage with snacks and drinks provided.

Upgrade your ticket to VIP First Class here.

*You must be a general admission ticket holder or purchase a general admission ticket to the show prior to purchasing a VIP product.

Igniting the mainstream rock scene in the early 2000s with their trademark falsetto, spandex, guitar riffs and theatrical live shows, the band’s album topped the UK charts almost overnight, surpassing 5x Platinum and selling over 1.5 million copies in the UK alone. It’s no wonder the album swept The Darkness into a whirlwind of global success, sharing the stages alongside rock icons such as Queen, Guns ’n Roses, Black Sabbath, Def Leppard, and the immortal, KISS.

Prepare to have the sounds, fashion and extravagance of classic hard-rock resurrected before your eyes with a touch of The Darkness’ trademark British flamboyance. Fans can expect a bucket list rock show experience when “Permission to Land” comes down under.

Don’t miss your chance to catch The Darkness in Australia and New Zealand in 2024!

Tickets On Sale now via

www.thedarknesslive.com and www.sbmpresents.com

The Darkness VIP Upgrades on sale now via

www.thedarknesslive.com

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FeaturedNews
September 19, 2023
STM

THE DARKNESS Announce Extra Dates for PERMISSION TO LAND Australian Tour

Fresh off the electrifying announcement of their “Let There Be Rock” live show spectacle in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane last week, multi-platinum UK rock royalty The Darkness are extending the highly anticipated 20th Anniversary celebration of their classic debut album, ‘Permission To Land’ announcing additional tour dates across Australia playing shows in Adelaide, Fremantle, Canberra, and crossing the pond with dates also added in Auckland & Wellington this coming January/February.

Delivering iconic songs such as “I Believe in A Thing Called Love” and “Love Is Only A Feeling”, the band’s album, ‘Permission to Land’ will be performed live, in its entirety, for fans plus a string of album B-sides and rarities.

Irrepressible frontman Justin Hawkins reflects on the anniversary of their debut album with fondness; “When Permission to Land landed twenty short years ago, we were bathed in shock and awe. As if by magic, rock wasn’t dead! Fun wasn’t banned! And spandex was almost acceptable again… Well, guess what? Twenty years on, the same rules apply. So please squeeze yourselves into those inappropriate leggings, back-comb your mullet, splash on a big handful of attitude, and come celebrate with us! We promise everything and we deliver, every time. Bring on the next twenty!”

Igniting the mainstream rock scene in the early 2000s with their trademark falsetto, spandex, guitar riffs and theatrical live shows, the band’s album topped the UK charts almost overnight, surpassing 5x Platinum and selling over 1.5 million copies in the UK alone. It’s no wonder the album swept The Darkness into a whirlwind of global success, sharing the stages alongside rock icons such as Queen, Guns ’n Roses, Black Sabbath, Def Leppard, and the immortal, KISS. 

Joining the band on these added shows will be Melbourne pop-punk duo Cry Club for the Australian dates, and pop-rockers, Volts in New Zealand.

Prepare to have the sounds, fashion and extravagance of classic hard-rock resurrected before your eyes with a touch of The Darkness’ trademark British flamboyance. Fans can expect a bucket list rock show experience when “Permission to Land” comes down under.

Tickets On Sale: Thursday 21 September 2023, 11AM [AEST] via

www.thedarknesslive.com and www.sbmpresents.com

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FeaturedNews
September 12, 2023
STM

THE DARKNESS Unleashes a LET THERE BE ROCK” Spectacle Downunder

Get ready and prepare to rock! Multi-platinum UK rock royalty The Darkness are returning to Australia in February 2024 to perform three very special “Let There Be Rock” events in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne celebrating the band’s 20th anniversary of Permission to Land.

The classic debut album which delivered iconic songs such as “I Believe in A Thing Called Love” and “Love Is Only A Feeling” will be performed live, in its entirety, for fans plus a string of album B-sides and rarities.

Igniting the mainstream rock scene like a meteor of sonic brilliance back in the early 2000s, The Darkness, known for their trademark falsetto, spandex, guitar riffs and extravagant mind-blowing live shows will be supported by one of Australia’s finest in rock, You Am I with their phenomenal “The Majesty of Tap” Spinal Tap tribute show plus Aussie gems DZ Deathrays, Cry Club, DJ’s Eleven & Denim coming along for the ride.

Following their sold out Motorheart tour across Australia and New Zealand in 2022, The Darkness couldn’t leave us waiting too long for another dose of their outrageous rock ‘n’ roll antics with irrepressible frontman Justin Hawkins reflecting on the anniversary of their debut album with fondness; “When Permission to Land landed twenty short years ago, we were bathed in shock and awe. As if by magic, rock wasn’t dead! Fun wasn’t banned! And spandex was almost acceptable again… Well, guess what? Twenty years on, the same rules apply. So please squeeze yourselves into those inappropriate leggings, back-comb your mullet, splash on a big handful of attitude, and come celebrate with us! We promise everything and we deliver, every time. Bring on the next twenty!”

The Darkness have set countless stages ablaze across the globe with millions of ecstatic fans, four mighty Top Ten albums, an astounding 400 million Spotify streams, and an awe-inspiring arsenal of five Top Ten singles along with sharing hallowed ground with legends like Queen, Guns N’ Roses, Black Sabbath, Def Leppard, and the immortal KISS. In an era where the heartbeat of rock has taken new forms, The Darkness emerged as the blazing phoenix, etching their name as one of the unquestionable rock gods of our modern chronicle.

Fans can expect the full rock show experience when “Let There Be Rock” rolls into town –

don’t miss out on getting your tickets early before these shows sell out.

Stay tuned for more tour news soon for the rest of Australia & New Zealand!

Tickets On Sale Thursday 14 September 2023, 10AM AEDT, available here.

Sign up to be notified as soon as tickets go on sale!

“LET THERE BE ROCK”

THE DARKNESS CELEBRATING 20th ANNIVERSARY ‘PERMISSION TO LAND’ ALBUM

With Special Guests

You Am I performing ‘The Majesty of Tap’, DZ Deathrays & Cry Club

+ DJ Eleven & DJ Denim

Saturday 3 February

Festival Hall, Melbourne

Wednesday 7 February

Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane

Saturday 10 February

Hordern Pavillion, Sydney

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