Wow folks, what a year!
Our little ol’ tour promoting company threw it all against the wall this year. In our first full year of shows post pandemic we made a decision to have a crack at many and varied tours and happenings.
We lived. We learned. We delivered. We won. We lost.
It’s always a stress selling tickets and trying to keep the boat afloat. We certainly indulge in our eclectic musical taste and try to manage wishes of artists wanting to tour, with what we can afford to offer, and who will accept our financial deals to make it all happen. So much goes into each and every tour, no matter how small. Our team work tirelessly and passionately, and our local staff and suppliers are heroes for helping it all come together to deliver the show in front of your senses. No matter how big or small a show or festival is, it is strangely a similar amount of work to set it all up and put it all to bed at the end.
First cab off the rank was M. WARD in what would be his first of two tours for 2023. We put Matt together with local musicians on a tour to celebrate 20 years of the excellent Transfiguration of Vincent album. The band and Matt gelled, the support bands gelled, there was a lot of love in the air as well as incredible vibes and sounds.
Next up, please finally welcome CHARLEY CROCKETT and his band THE BLUE DRIFTERS. We tried to tour him back in 2015 on a sweet double bill with the unknown SIERRA FERRELL, but due to health issues it didn’t happen. It sure did this time, and along with our pal CAITLIN HARNETT & her PONY BOYS along for the ride, the East Coast of Oz shook just that little bit looser with the ‘gulf & western’ sounds. Was so great to see people discover Charley and be in awe of him and the band’s Texas swing. He’s back real soon and you would do well to not miss these shows. we’re taking him everywhere, so no excuses.
With our friends from Roundhouse, I Oh You and OK Motels we staged the first ever TENT POLE festival at Mt Duneed just outside of Geelong. With a sweet bill of PAVEMENT, SPIDERBAIT, CHARLEY CROCKETT, BLACK LIPS, MAGIC DIRT, FLOODLIGHTS and more we all had a magical day down on the Surf Coast. Always tough to get a new festival off the ground, but those that came had a grand time and 2024’s version is looking to keep it all growing in the right direction.
One of the standout and definitely the discovery act at TENT POLE was the amazing SCHIZOPHONICS. We were touring them at the time, and their subsequent shows in Melbourne came home strong with the word of mouth of the TENT POLE show. So great that old school sharing of musical joy can still exist.
Based around Port Fairy and Blue Mountains Folk fest, we brought back ol’ pal EILEN JEWELL and her band, and introduced you to ARLO MCKINLEY and EARLY JAMES. Good times by all with Eilen and the band cementing a place in their long time fans hearts. They really are a crow favourite, and lots of people hit the shows. Arlo has one or way or another been chasing his demons for years now. We are glad to see him back playing shows and hope to have him back some day. These songs our people sing, they are real. They are deep, they hurt and they heal. If you happened to see EARLY JAMES and his gruff voice and hot guitar pickin’ you’ll be happy when we get him back some time soon.
And then it was BOOGIE time yest again. This year was a total local line up over the three days. With everything happening in the licensed are for the first tie for a while, we spun things around a little and keep the BOOGIE faithful happy. We reckon it’s time we gave BOOGIE a rest for a little while. Camping festivals, and intimate ones like BOOGIE, have all become a bit common and costly to put on, and add to that any annoying local council issues, it just ain’t worth the hassle. Sorry BOOGIE lovers. We gave while the spirit of 16 years of good times. Let those memories continue to shape your lives, and haze your conscience.
Old timer, and swamp pop legend, TOMMY MCLAIN made it to Oz for the first time ever at the ripe old age of 78 for stellar shows with the one and only CC ADCOCK. It’s such a trip that you can still spend time with these icons of early music. Tommy told ripper stories of the old days about every one from Bobby Charles to Elvis. And the tunes. The man is a living, breathing, always dreaming song machine. He was on a special planet during his time here and was writing new material daily. Long may his tones float through the universe.
After almost 10 years, we finally got THE DELINES back. Wow. Some killer, well attended shows with people falling for their spellbounding soulful sound. The are also such sweethearts and were up for anything, which is something that makes a tour just a dream to work. We threw on JIMBO MATHUS who was a first time visitors. He is a unique act and entertained well adding a different hue to colour of the night. Those lucky enough to get some of “artwork” after a show we’re sure are proudly telling Jimbo tales to this day.
Our pals from Adelaide, BAD//DREEMS, found themselves without management and wanted some help with a tour to promote their Hoo Ha album. They asked nicely and what the hell, we did it. Rockin’ shows in most major cities followed with a local range of supports making a great night of it all. These blokes have their heads screwed on right. Good beliefs, good morals, and they give a shit about you and this country. They won’t let you down.
We also put together a nice little Victorian run of shows for one of our recording Artists, the excellent MYLEE GRACE. From Collingwood to Brunswick to Thornbury, Mylee and band made new fans. If you haven’t yet discovered her sound, summer time is the time to feel it.
To our collective surprise, we realised to it had been a long 8 years since the last MILK CARTON KIDS tour down here and that finally changed in June this year. Excellent, excellent evening of songs and gags with Kenneth and Joey almost everywhere around the country. Am sure for many these shows were a highlight for the year. They always deliver. Was also a treat to have Kenneth’s partner, VERA SOLA, open the shows.
We managed to couple local champs with international stars. THOSE PRETTY WRONGS with the very special JODY STEPHENS from BIG STAR along with LUTHER RUSSELL, teamed up with ALEX HAMILTON and his band for mind blowing, heart warming shows in August. Seeing and feeling those songs and spirit of all involved was something else. It amazing how those musical moments can happen and everyone wins.
Our dear old friends BEN OTTEWELL and IAN BALL from GOMEZ came back and smashed through 17 headline shows and festival in almost as many days. Along with their offsider, BUDDY, the boys took us through the GOMEZ hits and misses and choice covers. Always a good time singalong with those boys in the room.
HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER played their first ever shows in 2024 also. In full band mode these shows were captivating and dreamy as they rolled through their extensive catalogue. A sweet, jammy vibe for all to experience.
With our Nashville agent pal, Tommy Alexander, we put together a great night at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge during the Americanafest in Music City. NICK SHOULDERS, KASSI VALASSI, TOMMY PRINE, KATRINA MURRAY and local legend PAT MCLAUGHLIN, along with surprise guests may have just started us being involved in a new Nashville institution happening. Let’s see what 2024 brings.
And then it was the OUT ON THE WEEKEND extravaganza, and all that brings to the shores of Williamstown. We managed to get Texan institution ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL here for the first time in their 50 year career. Unreal. Western swing that is truly legit and historical. WILLIE WATSON returned for the first time for a long while. Hearing some of Willie’s new tunes make us very excited for a new album we are likely to hear in 2024. Tagging along at a bunch of those shows was Kentucky born bluesman NAT MYERS. What a dude. THE PINK STONES out of Atlanta finally got here for a bunch of shows. We partnered with possibly the hardest working band in cowpoke, JENNY DON’T & THE SPURS. This 4-piece never stops. Shows almost everywhere, making friends and fans all the way. You can look forward to continual visits by these champs. MELISSA CARPER finally got down here, and with local help from GRANT ARTHUR and DAN WATKINS delivered some sweet shows. as did the combo of first time Texan SUMMER DEAN backed by JAMES ELLIS and his ramblers.
One of the highlights of OUT ON THE WEEKEND came from us convincing ELLA HOOPER that she was in fact Linda Ronstadt for a heart warming performance backed by Australia’s leading Grateful Dead aficionados, DEADNECKS and friends. Watch this space for that one. There will be more shows, and they will be unmissable.
Next up was the first tour in forever for the legendary BRIGHT EYES. It had been years in the making, and was well worth it. Conor and the band delivered each and every night playing fan favourites, deep cuts and the hits. We could not have been happier with how this tour rolled and evolved.
The 4-piece champs known as WARPAINT also joined us for some special shows. The joy of these four friends making their intoxicating sounds is something to revel in, and that we did.
Another first time visitor this year was MARINA ALLEN, who permed with both BRIGHT EYES and WARPAINT at various times, as well as some headline shows. She is a talent and you will be hearing more from her in the years to come for sure.
We got asked to curate an early morning day party for the new 86 Festival in November. We decided to celebrate the year 1986. BEN MASTWYK AND HIS MILLIONS and others huddled to present Steve Earle’s Guitar Town in all its glory, and those who witnessed QUEENIE and her outfit smashing Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet on an early Thornbury morning will be forever changed. Add to the that an in depth discussion with AFL legend , and 86 Brownlow medallist, Dipper, a MARINA ALLEN performance and complimentary donuts, you know you are on a winner.
Musician and spiritual man, SATSANG, was one of the left of centre acts we toured here this year. Managed by a friend of ours, he was out here for a yoga festival, and what the hell, we’ll put some shows together for you. People showed up and there was lot of love and positivity in the room.
And speaking of vibes, next up was G LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE. It have been a long time between tours and those that got to the shows witnessed the good times G LOVE style for sure.
As well as playing as guest of THE TESKEY BROTHERS in some cities, we also toured COURTNEY MARIE ANDREWS nationally. Finally touring for the first time with a band, we got to hear her full sonic vibrations of tunes form throughout her career. Joining here at most shows was ol’ mate ROBERT ELLIS. Robert is something else and always gives you something special.
We teamed up with our mates in the South Coast of NSW and delivered a bigger, expanded version of the THIRROUL MUSIC FESTIVAL. Taking place across four venues in the lovely hamlet of Thirroul, a sweet, sweet Sunday of tunes and discovery happened for locals and visitors alike.
As the last days of December rolled off the page, Californian surf rockers SUN ROOM began their first ever tour. Stoked to be here, and then on a tour playing all the cites and surf towns of the East Coast and playing shows, life for these young dudes doesn’t get much better.
So there you have it. 2023. The shows we brought to you dear music lover. 2024 probably won’t be quite so busy but you never know what presents itself. We are up for it all, and so long as you keep buying enough tickets, we’ll keep on doing it. Tell your friends, bring your friends, sign them up to our newsletter, follow us on the socials. You can trust our taste.
See you at the shows!