Maria Minerva
PROBLEM SOLVED
Estonian princess, Maria Minerva (aka Maria Juur) has just announced she’ll be visiting Australian for the first time ever this August. Best known for as one half of the duo mariaUNDmaria, along with her collaborations with LA Vampires, Minerva will play an intimate show in a spectacular location upon the banks of the Swan River, with special guests Mei Saraswati and Leure. It all goes down on Sunday, August 26, at the Maylands Yacht Club. Hit up Oztix for tickets.
TURN UP YOUR RADIO
Now that McDonald’s isn’t moving to Mount Lawley, we can start saving our pennies to help RTRFM stay alive with Radiothon 2012! It costs over 10 grand a week to keep Perth’s finest community radio station alive and that money comes from subscribers, members and the community. The most important fundraising event of the year is Radiothon, which this year runs from Friday, August 17, until Sunday, August 26. By taking out a subscription or making a donation, you go into the draw to win such prizes as a four night trip to Broome for two; a 50cc Piaggio Scooter and accessories; a whopping 250 feature albums; a This Is Nowhere access all areas experience, and a heck-load more. Plus Radiothon is also a good time to party, and some details about the opening weekend party have dropped: it will be a Northbridge-wide blow out on Saturday, August 18, taking place at The Bird, Ya Ya’s, PICA Bar, and The Bakery. Stay tuned for more information.
MORE MUMFORD
Shortly after they went on sale on Monday, the massive Mumford & Sons with Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Willy Mason show was completely sold out. Did you miss out? Fear not as they’ve added a second show to take place at Belvoir Amphitheatre on Friday, October 12. Tickets go on sale from Ticketmaster this Friday, July 13, at 9am. Don’t miss out!
HIS NAME IS JONAH
Jonah Matranga is coming to Per th in September as part of his Onelinedrawing Australian Tour. Jonah is only doing one show at Amplifier’s The Academy on Wednesday, September 12. With his sound been described as a combination of Nick Drake, Cheap Trick and Sinead O’Connor, he is a man worth seeing especially as he’s worked with the likes of Lupe Fiasco, Deftones and more. Tickets are only available at the door.
Tame Impala Lady Gaga, Photo by: Yoshika Horita
LADY GAGA
Lady Starlight Burswood Dome Saturday, July 7, 2012 A girl wearing only small balloons pinned to her body, a young man wearing black tights with a green mohawk and a black-and-white skull painted face, a 40-year-old bogan wearing a snap back with a plastic, peach coloured jacket, young girls in coloured wigs of every variety, numerous shoulderpad wearing folk, heavily made up dolls and even some girls wearing literally just white underwear and bras, flocked into the Dome for the Born This Way Ball, a completely outrageous arena show from the queen of pop, Lady Gaga. But first, punters had to endure the ‘entertainment’ of Gaga’s support act, Lady Starlight. Sensibly, a lot of Gaga fans chose to stock up on drinks, get near the Monster Pit at the front of stage or go to the toilet during Starlight’s set. What an utter joke. Starlight was dressed like Jasmine from Aladdin and proceeded to ‘entice’ punters by spinning around on stage, beating the floor with her disco cane, gesturing strange arm movements and wandering in and out of a mini stage within the actual stage. She didn’t even sing. It was a boring slice of mime which did not showcase one measly bit of talent at all. The only reason her ‘set’ seemed appropriate as a support act for Gaga was because it was weird. As soon as the house lights went down, a euphoric communal scream erupted. The little monsters were ready with cameras in hand, bow
WHAT’S THE FREQUENCY?
Progressive surf roots rockers Band Of Frequencies have announced their debut tour of Western Australia in August. The Queenslanders are set to touch down at the Prince Of Wales on Friday, August 3; Quindanning Tavern on Saturday, August 4; Mojos on Sunday, August 5; Indi Bar on Wednesday, August 8; Settlers Tavern on Friday, August 10; Albany’s White Star Hotel on Saturday, August 11; and Clancy’s Fish Pub in Dunsborough on Sunday, August 12.
head-pieces glowing in the dark and hands in the air. Dressed as a glitter alien-like creature, Lady Gaga entered the stage from a massive castle on a ‘horse’ accompanied by her ripped, sexy troupe of dancers down a circular runway. Although the storyline for the Born This Way Ball was difficult to follow – with a large 3D Gaga robotic head floating in and out during certain songs and ranting about ‘being ready to enter earth’ - the kids in the Monster Pit and those already dancing in the stands clearly didn’t care. They grinded, foot-tapped in their high heels and shook their sparkling booties to Gaga as she danced about the stage in an origami dress, a bull-head piece, a revealing, black leather leotard and a plastic long dress with a Ndebele-look-a-like head piece. Running through popular tracks Judas, Americano, Government Hooker, and Electric Chapel from Born This Way, a grand crowd sing-along occurred when Poker Face, Just Dance, Telephone, and Bad Romance smashed through the speakers. There were tender moments – Paparazzi saw Gaga play a victim of the media and Princess Die, a new, slow ballad which Gaga said might not appear on her new album because she doesn’t like to “put a price on music”, saw her take the stage solo, playing a piano attached to a motorbike. She even tried on a wig and a quirky yellow t-shirt which was thrown on stage for the song. But, it was the marijuana which was thrown on stage which fascinated her the most: “it’s basil, what a rip off”. Thoroughly outrageous, egotistical and, at times, manipulative, Gaga put on an incredible live show. Big snaps to her dancers too – they engaged in a mini ‘orgy’ on a plastic meat couch, were exceptionally strong, and beat Usher’s dancers any day. Finishing with the anthemic The Edge Of Glory, all energy was saved for the huge, dance rock tune and final song for the evening, Marry The Night. Even Calvin Harris can’t make people dance like Gaga can. Gaga ooh la la, indeed. _ANNABEL MACLEAN
TONI! TONI! TONI!
Emmy winner and three-time Grammy nominated artist Toni Childs is hitting Aussie soil for a 26 date Because You’re Beautiful winter tour. This tour will see her performing tracks from Keep The Faith, along with well-loved favourites and a special preview of her forthcoming album, Citizens Of The Planet. Childs plays Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on Wednesday, August 15; Fly By Night on Thursday, August 16; Goldfields Arts Centre on Friday, August 17; Esperance Civic Centre on Saturday, August 18; and Albany Entertainment Centre on Sunday, August 19. Tickets can be purchased from the respective venues.
Tame Impala have revealed that their second album, entitled Lonerism, will be out in October. Your next chance to see them looks to be Parklife on Monday, October 1, but if you were more worldly you could see them at Splendour In The Grass in Byron Bay, Lollapalooza in Chicago, or supporting The Black Keys in Iowa. The first taste of record is Apocalypse Dreams and it’s available for free download now from tameimpala.com. Speaking of those guys, The Bakery is hosting the Gift Of Sound Fundraiser GBF#03 on Sunday, July 22. Raising money so Dada Records Garage can get some better equipment for their free all-ages events, Mink Mussel Creek, Drowning Horse, Usurper Of Modern Medicine, Frozen Ocean¸ Chris Cobilis, Sacred Flower Union, and Craig McElhinney will all hit the stage. On the subject of record shops that put on gigs, Fat Shan Records do it for the love of music, which is why they’re holding a fundraiser at Mojos on Sunday, July 29. Head along from 2pm to catch Amanda Merzdan, The Flower Drums, Jacob Diamond, Our Man In Berlin, Sam Perry, Sean O’Neill, The Silent World, Gerard Mcartney, Heathcote Blue, Mulder acoustic, Lucy Peach, and Rachael Dease. Rock’n’rollers Black Board Minds launch their debut album, What Do You See, at Mojos on Friday, August 17, with support from Rainy Day Women, Deep River Collective, and Jane Azzopardi. Tireless songsmith Benedict Moleta will release his seventh album, Singleton, on Sunday, August 12, at The Bird. The record features Andrew Ewing, Bill Darby, Scott Tomlinson, and Miranda Pollard. Shattering ears since 2009, Scalphunter have readied their new EP, Get On Board With Self Destruction, for launch next week. See them on Friday, July 13, at Amplifier with Grim Fandango, Blazin’ Entrails, Faim, and The Shakeys; and on Saturday, July 14, at the Prince Of Wales with The Decline, Nighthawker, and Fumar Mota.
THIS CHET ATTACK
Melbourne electronica artist Chet Faker has announced a headline national tour in support of his new single Love And Feeling. You can see him at The Bakery on Friday, August 3; and at Mojos on Satuday, August 4. 2012 has been a standout year for the artist, he played SXSW and also The Great Escape Festival in the UK. In March, he released his debut EP Thinking In Textures and he is currently touring Europe with The Temper Trap. For tickets to the shows visit nowbaking. com.au (The Bakery) and Moshtix (Mojos).
IN THE KNXW
Wanna be part of a mid-week musical meeting to remember? Well you best be getting on down to The Bird next Thursday, July 19, to witness Philadelphian beat-maker KNXWLEDGE smash out some crunchy hip hop beats seasoned with dusty soul samples for the first time in Perth ever! Having released tunes on All City, Tres, Klipmode and Hit+Run and pricked the ears of tastemakers like Mary Anne Hobbs and Benji B, KNXWLEDGE has been bubbling under the surface of beat music community for a long time now. Get on down from 8pm, it’s $10 on the door.
DIAMOND IN THE RUFFO Sandi Thom
SANDI WAS A PUNK ROCKER
Cast your mind back to 2006 and you might remember a little ditty called I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair). The voice behind that #1 hit was Scottish songstress Sandi Thom, who’s just announced plans to tour the nation in January 2013. Thom will be showcasing tunes from her new album Flesh And Blood, which hits shelves next month. Catch her on Thursday, January 10, at the Fly By Night. Snap up your tickets from flybynight.org. www.xpressmag.com.au
X-Factor finalist and Dancing With The Stars champion Johnny Ruffo will be signing copies of his debut single On Top at the Whitford City Shopping Centre at noon this Saturday, July 14. Head along.
PURPLE WASH
Newly announced dates for Barry Humphries’ Eat Pray Laugh! Farewell Tour means Perth will not miss out on the chance to say goodbye to the legendary comedian. Humphries will perform at the Burswood Theatre next year from Friday, February 1, till Sunday, February 3. Alter egos such as Sir Les Patterson and Dame Edna Everage will be making their final appearances on this big tour. The brand new show is directed by multiaward winning director Simon Phillips. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketek now.
EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
Indie dance trio Rufus are touring the country in August in celebration of their new EP Blue. The boys will play Amplifier on Saturday, August 18; and follow it up on Sunday, August 19, at the Newport Hotel. Earlier this year, the band toured the country on their This Summer tour, playing sold out shows. Their track Talk to Me was picked up by French label Kitsuné who featured the track on their Soleil Mix compilation. Electronic pop artist Elizabeth Rose will support the band on this tour. For tickets, head to Moshtix, Heatseeker or Oztix. 9