Category: MUSIC

Sheldon Riley launches new single: Insane

Sheldon Riley insane

Sheldon Riley’s hauntingly beautiful vocals first captured the world’s attention at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy. A year later, he returns with his much-anticipated single, ‘INSANE.’ The song showcases Riley’s vocal range and emotional depth, and it’s easy to see how the global pandemic played a role in inspiring the musician. The 24-year-old singer-songwriter found himself confined to a red zone during the pandemic and used the time to explore his creativity and delve deeper into his emotions. Riley says that he realized that his strength lies in writing music from the heart and telling his story directly. As a result, ‘INSANE’ is an emotional track that explores the complex theme of loving someone who doesn’t reciprocate the love in the same way. In the accompanying cinematic music video, Sheldon Riley takes on the role of director. He brings his bold and entrancing aesthetic to life, delivering a visual experience that is just as captivating as his vocals. The music video features an outfit made from over 62 meters of ethically sourced human hair that Riley spent over 30 hours designing and constructing. The result is a stunning display of craftsmanship that demonstrates Riley’s passion and commitment to his art. “I wanted to produce a piece that was innovative and original while still retaining a sense of darkness that is uniquely me and effectively conveys the intended story,” said Riley. “I was inspired by some of my favorite movies that explore the subtleties of insanity; big, dark films like the Harry Potter… Read More

See legendary Bass Feruccio Furlanetto perform at Sydney Recital Hall

Feruccio Furlanetto singer bass opera

Italian bass Ferruccio Furlanetto, known for his magnificent vocal skills and spellbinding stage presence, the likes of which we see a lot of in his performances with Opera Australia, is set to perform a solo recital at the City Recital Hall in Sydney on 27 April. This musical prodigy has been heralded as one of the greatest voices of his generation and is renowned for his vast range, thundering vocal power and masterful acting. The audience can expect a thrilling showcase of Furlanetto’s illustrious career, which spans almost five decades. His previous recital performances in Australia received five-star reviews, and the new program he has devised for this season will be an itinerary of his life in music. The show will include splendid compositions from Brahms, Mussorgsky and Rachmaninov, as well as beloved bass arias from some of the operatic world’s most famous and enduring works such as The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Boris Godunov and Don Carlos. Award-winning pianist Natalia Sidorenko would accompany Furlanetto on stage, making her debut in Australia. Together they will bring to life a night of superb musical virtuosity that is sure to be an unforgettable experience. The audience can look forward to a fusion of the talents of two brilliant artists, the incomparable Furlanetto with his powerful, booming voice and the virtuosity of Sidorenko’s piano playing. This event is a must-see for all music lovers, whether they are fans of opera or classical music. The concert hall’s excellent acoustics will be the perfect setting to hear Furlanetto’s resonant… Read More

Melbourne’s Spanish Steps: renowned cellist in town

Woman playing cello in a gallery

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra will perform with special guest musician, Canadian American cellist Elinor Frey in her Australian debut for the first concert series of 2023, Spanish Steps. Transporting audiences to the Spanish Steps in Rome, the concert’s rich program explores Italian composers and their affinity with Spain in an era of cultural enlightenment. The concerts will take place at Sydney’s City Recital Hall from 24 February – 10 March 2023 and Melbourne Recital Centre from 2 – 5 March 2023. The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra has fast become synonymous with the best in Australian baroque music, played between Sydney, Melbourne and countless other cities and venues around the world. Founded by Paul Dyer, he said, “we are so excited to be joined on stage by Elinor Frey in February for what will be her debut Australian performances. Elinor is such a spectacular musician, one I have wanted to bring to Australia for quite some time, and this program will really show off the rich and wondrous sounds of two different period cellos by way of rarely-performed works by Boccherini and the Australian première of Sammartini’s Concerto for piccolo cello. “We’ve once again enlisted award winning designer, Alexander Berlage to work on this production, and we plan to really immerse the audience in a fiery, Spanish-inspired world. It will be a riveting way to start the year for the Brandenburg!” Playing seldom performed works by Boccherini and Sammartini, guest performer Elinor Frey will reveal her astounding artistry, playing two separate cellos throughout the concert including the violoncello piccolo, an instrument rarely performed live. She will be joined onstage by the full orchestra led… Read More

Taking bands back to their roots: Crooked Colours in Brisbane

Crooked Colours band

Aussie music legends, Crooked Colours, will head back to the venue that gave them their big break, The Brightside, Brisbane, for a one-night only gig open to the public on 9 March 2023. So if local music vibes are your thing – preferably with a drink-in-hand courtesy of Smirnoff, then this is for you. It’s happening thanks to the Smirnoff Origins series where Smirnoff Seltzer is taking Australia’s biggest musicians back to the venues that gave them their start, supported by the country’s most hotly-tipped talent. In a series of one-night-only intimate gigs hosted along the eastern seaboard, the events-Smirnoff Origins-will pay homage to the crucial role that live music plays in helping emerging talent cut their teeth, build their fan base and become fully fledged stars. Crooked Colours are next to step up to the stage, returning to Brisbane’s much loved nightclub,The Brightside on March 9, 2023.The Perth based duo found their feet at the iconic Brisbane venue, and this summer they will return to the venue where they honed their skills as musicians, generated fans and found their love for performing. Following on from one of the band’s biggest inspirations The Presets, whose Smirnoff Origins Sydney show sold out within 30 minutes, the next instalment of Smirnoff Origins is sure to be the hottest gig this summer. Crooked Colours are also tasked with finding Smirnoff’s hottest opening act, putting the call out to Queenslanders to find an emerging new artist to open their show. The chosen artist will also receive a $5,000 performance fee,double gold tickets… Read More

Reuben Kaye to host Opera Up Late this Sydney World Pride

Reuben Kaye Sydney Opera House Joan Sutherland Theatre 1

Opera Up Late is back this February! A bespoke arts event from Opera Australia, in association with Sydney WorldPride, on 18 and 23 February, it’ll shine a light on all things artistic and musical in a camp explosion of humour and art, totally befitting the Sydney World Pride events of 2023. And this year, Australian queen of camp comedy, Reuben Kaye will host, bringing his brutally funny and multi-award winning comedy to the stage. Reuben Kaye is an Australian comedian, singer and writer, who has cemented himself as one of the biggest names in comedy and cabaret both locally and internationally, while also accruing a massive following on Tiktok, Youtube and Instagram. What is Opera Up Late about? Opera Up Late shines a light on the extraordinary talent that the queer community brings to the national company, Opera Australia and the iconic Sydney Opera House as Sydney WorldPride takes over the city in 2023. In a rare late night peek beneath the city’s famous sails these performances begin at 11:00pm and feature artists from Opera Australia, including Australian tenors Tomas Dalton and Benjamin Rasheed, mezzo-soprano Angela Hogan, soprano Cathy-Di Zhang and musical theatre’s rising star Annie Aitken, with music direction by Opera Australia’s Chorus Master Paul Fitzsimon. There’s more at the Opera Up Late website

Smirnoff Origins is hosting The Presets at Club 77 Sydney this February

The Presets

The Smirnoff Origins series is where music comes back to shine. Smirnoff will take Australia’s biggest acts back to their roots to support live music venues after two years of lockdowns and give a platform to some of the country’s hotly-tipped talent.  Smirnoff will take Australia’s biggest acts back to their roots for the enjoyment of literally everyone. The Smirnoff Origins series has been developed to support live music venues, get people back through the doors and give some of our favourite names in music back doing what they do best. It’s a new thing starting in 2023 and so to kick off the event series, Aussie music legends, The Presets will head back to Sydney venue Club 77 – where it all started for them – for a one-night only gig open to the public on 2 February 2023. There’s a show in Brisbane to come, too. The Presets have also been tasked with finding the hottest opening act for the gig, hand-picking an emerging artist to open the show and score a prize package worth over $50K. It’s all about music, community and like-minds getting together to sip on some quality Smirnoff bevs and enjoy some quality like music. Get your tickets here

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra announces 2023 season 

Brandenberg Orchestra

In 2023, the famed Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, a baroque orchestra that tours Australia, will put on six live concert series performed at Sydney’s City Recital Hall and Melbourne Recital Centre. The ambitious season reimagines diverse musical and cultural traditions and will see the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Brandenburg Choir perform alongside celebrated Australian and international guest artists including Canadian-American cellist Elinor Frey, French Baroque violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte and Swiss-Iranian Baroque violinist Leila Schayegh who will all make their Australian debut.  Expect a truly global repertoire that will transport and transfix you. The production will open with Spanish Steps featuring leading Canadian-American cellist Elinor Freyin her Australian debut. Transporting audiences to the Spanish Steps in Rome, the concert’s rich program explores Italian composers and their affinity with Spain in an era of cultural enlightenment. Alongside the full orchestra led by Paul Dyer on the harpsichord, guest performer Frey will reveal her astounding artistry in seldom performed works by Boccherini and Sammartini.  Following that, Vivaldi will be given new life in Vivaldi Unplugged, promising to be one of next year’s most evocative experiences, the concert series will highlight Brandenburg’s celebrated concertmaster Shaun Lee-Chen’s consummate command of the violin and feature stage direction by Yaron Lifschitz, the Artistic Director of leading Australian performance company Circa.  And yes, there’s so much more. Download the brochure now. Book tickets here.

ALERT: Young Henrys is hosting an epic 3-day mini festival

PHP Q3Sept2022 SKATEDAYWEB 89

Love Young Henrys beer? Same. Love music? Also same. Love a weekend of good vibes. BIG SAME. Good news is all your favourite things are coming together in one place at Hotel Steyne in Manly from 11-13 November as Youngs Henrys hosts a mini festival featuring ice cold brews, music from the DMA’s, Ruby Fields and more, and fun activities such as a pop-up tattoo parlour and skate competitions.  Rip In Weekender is set to be even bigger than Young Henrys birthday celebrations earlier in the year. Expected to be an “all hell breaks loose” party, the killer DJ lineup spearheaded by beloved names DMA’S, Pacific Avenue, Ruby Fields , Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Crocodylus, The Regime and SCABZ, is sure to have the dancefloor heaving.  In addition to the jams, Volcom Stone is transforming a level Hotel Steyne with a kickin’ half-pipe for shredders to showcase their skills alongside Australian Skater of the Year and hometown hero Rob Pace. Outside of the skate park, punters will have the chance to get inked by Thanks Tattoos and Manly natives Whistler Street Tattoo, get their nails done by Volcom’s resident nail artist, attend the Nao Deane film premiere or for those keen on the surf, sit in on a live podcast stream by Ain’t That Swell. In a nutshell, there is a lot happening. Find out the day by day breakdown here.  This event is sure to be full up, so RSVP ASAP here. 

Awakening Shadow: the new show at Carriageworks Sydney

Art sculpture

Sydney Chamber Opera is bringing its latest production, Awakening Shadow, and by all accounts it’s one to see. In a first Australian staging, Benjamin Britten’s five Canticles are entwined with a new work by leading Australian composer Luke Styles, performed by a quartet of singers and four musicians in front of a monolithic altar-like screen. The work channels Britten’s crisis of faith through the singing body and will be presented from 30 September – 7 October 2022. Awakening Shadow follows on from Sydney Chamber Opera’s previous successful stagings of Britten operas at Carriageworks with Owen Wingrave in 2013 and The Rape of Lucretia in 2017.  What to expect? The hour-long quintet of chamber works will centre on radiant tenor Brenton Spiteri, commuting between Britten’s intense demands and the brand-new world of Luke Styles’ response. Spiteri will be joined onstage by Sydney-born mezzo soprano Emily Edmonds, who has recently performed with the Royal Opera House, London and Komische Oper, Berlin, alongside Sydney Chamber Opera Artistic Associate soprano Jane Sheldon and the company’s frequent baritone collaborator Simon Lobelson. The singers will perform alongside a large screen that presents itself as an altar on which a new video work will unfold, exploring Britten’s complex and evolving relationship with faith. Australian Ballet School dancer Luca Armstrong has been captured in multiple poses using a technique called photogrammetry, using 120 synchronised cameras to then generate a 3D model that has been digitally manipulated in space. The resulting work features moving tableaux that are photorealistic yet hauntingly unreal, as if floating between life and death. Awakening Shadow Sydney Chamber Opera 30 September – 8 October 2022 Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW… Read More

Sydney’s favourite chicken joint BUTTER teams up with Spotify A1 for limited edition eats

Chill scaled

If you’ve ever been to BUTTER, Sydney’s hottest chicken shop, you’ll know it’s hard to go past the classics. However thanks to a new partnership with Spotify you will be quickly forgetting the famous Cheezus burger and opting for the new limited edition bites. BUTTER and Spotify have teamed up to launch the BUTTER x Spotify A1 menu. Inspired by local hip-hop artists A.Girl, ChillinIT and Day1, the uber popular A1 playlist and talent has lead to BUTTER feast for the ears and mouth with limited edition menu items from $25  such as: ChillinIT Canadian Sandwich Fried chicken burger with Chivas maple BBQ sauce, maple bacon, cheese, mayo and fries in the sandwich A.GIRL Nashville Sandwich Nashville spiced fried chicken sandwich with buttermilk ranch, fried runny egg and lettuce  (note: excludes egg at Surry Hills store) Day 1 Fried Chicken Snack Pack 2 fried chicken tenders with mozzarella, house Spicy BBQ sauce and spicy mayo on a bed of fries Upgrades to include the divine cinnamon donuts and drinks, plus a family box also available if you want to go all out.  “We’re so hyped to be working with Spotify’s A1 and some of our favourite and diverse local hip hop community artists to create our limited edition menu. We hope that Sydneysiders love the delicious A1 menu – we’ve had a great time working closely with ChillinIT, A.GIRL and Day1 to bring this to life.” – Julian Cincotta, Owner, Exec Chef and COO at BUTTER Sydney Get your mouths around it for two weeks… Read More