Solange has been announced as the first artist to perform at Sydney’s annual Vivid LIVE.
The shows will occur at the Sydney Opera House, where she’ll perform in the round, “offering audiences a 360° view of her cutting-edge choreography and bold staging,” according to a press release.
Her universally-acclaimed, Grammy-winning 2016 album A Seat at the Table was not only widely considered one of the best albums of the year, but one of the most important. The artist’s third full-length LP was a brilliant, beautiful and poignant statement about, and in celebration of, black womanhood.
While no other Australian tour dates have been announced, Solange will perform four nights in the Concert Hall: Friday June 1, Saturday June 2, Sunday June 3 and Monday June 4. Tickets range from $79 to $137 plus booking fee and will be available via ballot – more details can be found here. The ballot is open now until March 4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0qrinhNnOM
Vivid LIVE will take place from May 25 to June 16, predominantly at the Sydney Opera House, amidst the wonderfully-illuminated city skyline. Each year tops previous years in terms of incredible artists, one-off performances and breathtaking music, with The Cure, Bon Iver, Brian Eno and St Vincent among the many impressive names who’ve played a big role in making Vivid one of Sydney’s premier cultural events. Keep an eye out for the full lineup coming mid-March.
Image: Supplied
Joey Badass has kicked off triple j’s Like A Version 2018 with one of the most original tracks in recent memory. In town for a headline tour along with an appearance at Sugar Mountain Festival, the 22-year-old rapper stopped by the triple j studios to reinvent a Prince classic.
Hailed the biggest Like A Version in history, complete with a ten-member band and full purple lighting, Joey adapted Prince’s When Doves Cry into a soulful, rap-heavy tune re-titled When Thugs Cry.
The tune isn’t so much a cover as a new track with Prince sampled. After the beautiful performance, Joey revealed he’d been sitting on When Thugs Cry for some time—in fact, it was supposed to end up on his 2017 album All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$, but they weren’t able to clear the Prince sample.
Joey then thanked presenters Ben and Liam for giving him the opportunity to share the song regardless. We’re joining in the thanks, because this track is bloody lovely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPcclBGKAMw
The rapper, singer and Mr. Robot actor has certainly set the bar high. If this is how Like A Version is beginning for 2018, it looks like we’ve got a great year ahead.
Image: triple j
We’re currently in the throes of the festival season 2018. With the New Years events behind us, Laneway Festival is what we’re setting our sights on next. The 2018 lineup is filled with wonderful, diverse, talented acts—so many that you’d be hard pressed to catch them all during the festival itself. Likewise, while festivals are great for many reasons, some shows are simply better on their own. Not only do you get a full-length set as opposed to the 40-odd minutes at a festival, but you’re guaranteed a crowd that’s more passionate, enthusiastic and excited to see that one particular band.
Luckily, most Laneway artists are performing at least a couple sideshows while they’re in Australia. Here’s our five top picks.
Slowdive
https://youtu.be/F2YJbTrxeos
There aren’t many artists who can return after 22 years with a good album. Slowdive returned after 22 years with a really, really, really good album. Slowdive easily rivals the band’s earlier releases, and might even be their best to date. I was lucky enough to catch them performing overseas last year and can genuinely say it was one of the most gorgeous live shows I’ve seen in years, if not ever.
Slowdive Tour Dates
Jan 31: Metro Theatre, Sydney
Feb 8: Forum, Melbourne
The Internet
https://youtu.be/CNJkas_LiCM
Led by the incredibly talented Syd, The Internet are a band who, though a nightmare to search for online, have been producing some of the most original, sensual, smoky R&B in recent years. Originally formed as an offshoot of the Odd Future collective, there’s a good reason they’re still touring off the back of their incredible 2015 album Ego Death—it’s really, really good on stage.
The Internet Tour Dates
Jan 31: Forum, Melbourne
Feb 9: Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Moses Sumney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMyRfIpNvPs
It’s difficult to quantify the experience of a Moses Sumney live performance in words. The utterly brilliant, unique artist has the talent to captivate, devastate and delight at once. His intriguing music hits hard on record, but on stage, it takes on a life of its own. Touring his 2017 debut album Aromanticism, this will haunt and hypnotise you long after the show ends.
Moses Sumney Tour Dates
Feb 1: Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne
Feb 11: Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Anderson Paak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OqrcUvrbRY
If you aren’t aware of Anderson Paak, I can only hope the rock you’re living under is comfortable and warm. The hip-hop-meets-R&B-meets-soul wunderkind made a huge splash with his solo album, Malibu, as well as collaborations with artists including Dr Dre, ScHoolboy Q and A Tribe Called Quest. On stage, Paak doesn’t just sing and rap, he also plays drums—at the same time. And he’s incredible at them all.
Anderson Paak Tour Dates
Feb 6: Metro Theatre, Sydney
Feb 7: 170 Russell, Melbourne
S U R V I V E
https://youtu.be/zfAgTIFeXV4
Any Stranger Things fans out there? If you aren’t yet aware, the musical maestros behind the hit series’ brilliant, synth-heavy soundtrack is Texas four-piece SURVIVE. With three albums and at least six EPs under their belt, it’s about time they made their way down under. These will be their first ever shows in Australia, and judging by their immersive, spooky music, it’s going to be something special—whether you’ve seen the show or not.
S U R V I V E Tour Dates
Feb 7: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Feb 9: Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Image: Michelle Grace Hunder/Howl & Echoes
Post Malone is currently on tour in Australia, and he’s been picking up a few local traditions along the way— most notably, of course, the classic shoey.
The Rockstar artist was filmed drinking shoeys onstage in Brisbane. Now, the event has been immortalised on a huge wall in Melbourne:
Do you think @postmalone would be a sick cunt and come down to this wall in Melbourne to do a shoey? pic.twitter.com/0XjZwUXAWp
— LUSHSUX (@lushsux) January 9, 2018
The mural—which is based on a photo taken at FOMO Brisbane by photographer Tobias Baxter—was posted along with the caption, “Do you think @postmalone would be a sick cunt and come down to this wall in Melbourne to do a shoey?” We have a feeling the answer will be yes, so stay tuned for more.
The piece was created by talented, notorious graffiti artist Lushsux, who Aussies will know from murals of celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Taylor Swift, as well as controversial portrayals of politicians like Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu and Hillary Clinton. This one’s far less controversial, so there’s a pretty high chance it won’t be removed (unlike many of his other portraits).
Post Malone continues his Australian tour this week, performing at FOMO Festival in Melbourne and Sydney. Consistently smashing streaming records across the globe, he’s expected to drop his sophomore record, Beerbongs & Bentleys, some time this year.
Image: Lushsux
Kendrick Lamar was the inaugural musical guest for the halftime show of the College Football Playoff National Championships, which took place in Atlanta, Georgia this week.
Lamar performed a medley of hits from DAMN., arguable 2017’s best album: after walking on to the music of FEEL., he ripped his way through DNA., ELEMENT., and HUMBLE., as well as his new track from the Black Panther soundtrack, All the Stars, albeit without collaborator SZA on vocals.
Taking the family-friendly audience into consideration, Lamar was careful to censor his entire show. Preventing viewers from having to deal with annoying bleeps and mutes, he either replaced profanities with alternate words, or left some lines totally blank, leaving the audience to fill in the gaps.
There had been speculation that Lamar would use his performance to address President Donald Trump, who made an appearance at the game. Instead, he rightfully ignored his presence completely, leaving his powerful, often-political lyrics to do the talking. In any case, Trump left the game before the halftime performance even began. Figures.
While the game took place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Lamar’s performance actually happened at the nearby Centennial Olympic Park. It was projected onto screens in the stadium. Watch the brilliant ten-minute performance right here:
Watch Kendrick’s full Halftime Show performance for the CFP National Championship. pic.twitter.com/zGgzU3pKRA
— DUCKWORTH TDE (@DuckworthTDE) January 9, 2018
Jack White has announced a new single, Connected By Love, dropping tomorrow—Jan 10, 2018. The long, long-awaited release comes three-and-a-half years after the release of his second solo album, Lazaretto.
The former White Stripes lead and Third Man Records head honcho dropped a brief, cryptic video on social media, announcing the new release. Check it out here:
CONNECTED BY LOVE. TOMORROW. pic.twitter.com/XZYUzwOkKG
— Third Man Records (@thirdmanrecords) January 9, 2018
New music has been rumoured and hinted at for at least two years, with snippets from interviews hinting at a long-winded process of writing and recording. With the recent spout of US festival announcements that include White as a headliner—Governors Ball, Shaky Knees and Boston Calling among others—new music was inevitable.
Connected by Love will be premiered by Zane Lowe at 12 p.m. ET (that’s 4 a.m. on January 11 for us in Australia). Presumably, it’s the first single from a release first teased in December, when a four-minute video of musical snippets, photographs and cryptic imagery, titled Servings and Portions from my Boarding House Reach, showed up online.
Image: Third Man
Daniel Caesar released one of 2017’s best R&B albums in Freudian. Considering it’s his maiden full-length, to say we’re hyped about this upcoming artist is putting it mildly. Now, Caesar will be bringing his sweet melodies and velvet voice down under for the first time, with a string of tour dates taking place in March 2018.
With two EPs under his belt, the 22-year-old Toronto artist’s full-length debut earned him two Grammy nominations, for Best R&B Performance (Get You ft. Kali Uchis) and Best R&B Album. With a sound that draws on several genres, from R&B and soul to gospel and hip-hop, it’s no surprise to see the world take to his rich, emotive sound so quickly. We’re assuming his next visit to Australia will see him perform at festivals and larger venues, so make the most of this tour while you can.
Dates can be found below. Tickets go on sale through Live Nation at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 10.
Daniel Caesar Freudian Australian Tour Dates
Saturday March 17: 256 Wickham, Brisbane
Sunday March 18: Metro Theatre, Sydney
Tuesday March 20: 170 Russell, Melbourne
Image: Supplied
Eminem has dropped an official remix for Chloraseptic, from his recent album Revival. While the track featured a guest hook from Phresher (the only rapper featured on the album), it was originally supposed to feature 2 Chainz. The remix reveals his explosive, original verse, along with a full verse from Phresher, and new bars from Slim Shady himself, addressing the less-than-positive response to his album.
Wasting no time at all, it immediately launches into 2 Chainz’s killer verse atop the spooky, sparse instrumental. It begs the first of many questions: why the hell was this left off the original?
Phresher’s full verse is surprisingly impressive, certainly exposing his talent and unique vocals far more than the simple hook he originally delivered.
Eminem’s reactionary verse is fresh, fast, clever and angry: all things he’s best at. But the content, like the album as a whole, is the problem. It’s angry, but it’s pointless. He slams those who hated on the pop-heavy tracklist before listening to the album, he criticises those who didn’t like Walk on Water, he even criticises reaction videos. He talks about how, despite alienating half his fans, he still outsold everyone else.
While that’s true, isn’t Eminem at a point where he’d rather, you know, not lose half his fanbase?
Sadly, a reaction verse to a reaction video isn’t going to garner any new support from disappointed fans. There’s a reason (well, several) that the album wasn’t well-received. Slapping back at the criticism isn’t going to change anything.
That said, the fact that he’s released 2 Chainz’s verse, and is clearly riled up enough to record a new one himself, is of note. While he’s outwardly slamming the Revival critics, could he be doing so with his tail between his legs? Has he realised his mistakes? Has the fire been relit? Will there be more remixes coming out? Let’s not get too hopeful here, but it definitely seems like there’s more to come. Perhaps Eminem remembered his own words: “But I’ll never be served, my spot is forever reserved / If I ever leave Earth, that would be the death of me first / ‘cause in my heart of hearts I know nothin’ could ever be worse, that’s why I’m clever when I put together every verse.”
Kendrick Lamar and SZA have joined forced to release a new track, All The Stars. The collaboration between TDE’s king and queen has been released as part of the forthcoming soundtrack to Marvel’s Black Panther. One of 2018’s most anticipated films, it just grew even bigger with the news that Lamar and TDE head Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, will be both producing and curating the soundtrack.
In a press release, Lamar spoke about the importance of the film and its titular character—Black Panther was the first black superhero, and the film will be the first superhero movie to feature a predominantly African American cast. “Marvel Studios’ Black Panther is amazing, from its cast to its director [Ryan Coogler]. The magnitude of this film showcases a great marriage of art and culture. I’m truly honoured to contribute my knowledge of producing sound and writing music alongside Ryan and Marvel’s vision.”
“Working on such a powerful movie is a great opportunity,” added Tiffith. “We’re always working on new goals at TDE, so teaming up with Disney, Marvel Studios and the Black Panther film makes perfect sense.”
The press release also confirms that this will be the first time in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe history that several original songs have been written specifically for a Marvel Studios movie.
While the full soundtrack won’t be released until February 9, trailers released in 2017 featured music from Vince Staples and Run the Jewels. Watch below.
Black Panther will be released worldwide on February 15-16, including Australia. We can’t bloody wait.
Image: Marvel
Frank Ocean has kicked off 2018 with a Tumblr post that hints at new music – potentially even a new album – coming in 2018.
The Blonde artist shared a photo of a guy wearing a hat that says, “If you liked 2017, you’ll love… 2018″, and a caption that reads “new 18/99″. The quote on the hat refers to a mini-essay he penned for Vice’s i-D magazine in 2017, which ended with the comment, “If you liked two thousand and seventeen then you’ll love two thousand and eighteen.”
Fans are still in awe of the unusually prolific artist, who, after waiting four years between Channel Orange and Endless, went on to release several original songs, guest on tracks by Jay-Z, Calvin Harris and Tyler, The Creator, perform at numerous festivals, curate his own radio program and release merchandise among other things throughout 2017.
In another Tumblr post last year, he also alluded to having an unreleased album under his belt, meaning the possibility of another new album is not entirely ridiculous:
The comment refers to a much earlier tweet from Ocean, who once stated that he’d have five albums before turning 30. He turned 30 on October 28, 2017.
Of course, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This is Frank Ocean, after all, one of the most reclusive, historically unreliable artists in the game. But he’s also one of the greatest, so we’ll take what we can get.