As previously mentioned on the site, Homebake is back at Sydney's Domain on Saturday December 08 and today they've unveiled a superstar line-up, headlined by none other than superstar US outfit Blondie. They'll no doubt be performing all the hits for their eager fans, but it's not just Blondie that punters will be lining up to see.
It's a cavalcade of big name talent, with the likes of Hilltop Hoods, Kimbra, Daniel Merriweather, Angus Stone, Julia Stone, Birds Of Tokyo, Sam Sparro, Something For Kate, Tim Rogers, Emma Louise and many many more.
Musical comedy star Tim Minchin is also part of the line-up.
Tickets for Homebake hit the sales desk from Thursday August 16.
US singer songwriter John Mayer may have seen a little controversy in his personal life over the last couple of years, but his popularity certainly hasn't waned. In fact, with his latest album 'Born And Raised', released in May, he hit the No.1 spot here in Australia for the first time and bagged his third No.1 album at home.
Because its musical contents have been a little more on the folk side of the spectrum, however, radio on the whole has snubbed their noses up at him this time around. Which is a shame, because yes, while it's super laid-back and very folky, John's vocals carry this rather beautifully.
Now the clip... Our peeps at Sony reckon that the clip for 'Queen Of California' was filmed all in one take.
While it's rather amazing that there's so much on offer - four seasons in one clip, if you will - there are a couple of moments in it that we reckon it may have been cut. Your thoughts?
Hot on the heels of last Tusday's announcement that she'd be dropping a 'Hits & More' package in the second week of August, Melissa Tkautz has today revealed the official tracklisting for her best-of package.
Included are the hits that have made her famous across the past two decades - from her 'Westside' days in the early '90s (with hits such as 'Read My Lips', 'Sexy (Is The Word)' and 'Skin To Skin') - to her later success with 'Glamorous Life' and subsequent singles 'Easily Affected' and 'Something About You'.
Also included are the previously unreleased 'Fake It Good' and the Nervo-penned 'Not Enough', along with brand new single 'Take Me Away' and a selection of remixes.
Melissa's 'The Hits & More' will be released in digital format only on Friday August 10.
The Hits
01. Read My Lips
02. Sexy (Is The Word)
03. Skin To Skin
04. My House
05. Is It?
06. Glamorous Life
07. All I Want
08. Easily Affected
09. I Want Your Love
10. Something About You
& More
11. Not Enough
12. Fake It Good
12. Take Me Away
14, Sexy (Is The Word) ’05
15, The Glamorous Life (D.O.N.S Remix)
16. Read My Lips 12"
17. Sexy (Is The Word) 12”
18. Skin To Skin 12”
19. Is It? 12”
20. Easily Affected 12”
Someone's doing something right! Like 'em or loathe 'em, there's no denying their popularity.
Tickets for Nickelback's forthcoming Australian tour only went on sale to the general public just over an hour ago and already organisers have announced that due to popular demand, a second show has been added to the schedule at Sydney's Allphones Arena.
The band's first visit to Australia in three years will see them performing tracks from throughout their 16 year history, along with songs from their latest album 'Here And Now', which made it to No.1 on the ARIA charts on release last year. Jackson Firebird are on board as support on all dates.
Tickets for the new show are on sale now.
November 17 : Perth (Perth Arena)
November 20 : Adelaide (Entertainment Centre)
November 22 : Brisbane (Entertainment Centre)
November 24 : Sydney (Allphones Arena)
November 25 : Sydney (Allphones Arena) NEW SHOW
November 27 : Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena)
How could we not bring you the rather stunning cover image to the new Muse album 'The 2nd Law'!?
Revealed by the band overnight, the colourful cover will harbour a range of fantastic new track, including the official Olympic Anthem 'Survival'.
'The 2nd Law' is due to drop locally on Friday September 14.
01. Supremacy
02. Madness
03. Panic Station
04. Prelude
05. Survival
06. Follow Me
07. Animals
08. Explorers
09. Big Freeze
10. Save Me
11. Liquid State
12. The 2nd Law: Unsustainable
13. The 2nd Law: Isolated System
British singer songwriter Billy Bragg will bring his 'Ain't Nobody That Can Sing Like Me' tour to Australia in October.
Already announced for shows as part of the Melbourne Festival, Billy will play dates in all states except the Northern Territory, kicking off at Hobart's Federation Hall on Sunday October 21.
The shows will be split into two halves; the first will see the singer celebrating the life of US folk singer Woody Guthrie and the second will delve into Billy's extensive back catalogue to showcase the songs that have delighted his fanbase across his 30 year career.
Tickets are on sale on Monday August 06.
October 19 : Melbourne (Hamer Hall) * The Legacy Of Woody Guthrie show
October 20 : Melbourne (Recital Centre) * An Evening With Billy Bragg
October 21 : Hobart (Federation Hall)
October 23 : Canberra (Canberra Theatre)
October 25 : Brisbane (QPAC)
October 27 : Sydney (Enmore Theatre)
October 31 : Adelaide (Town Hall)
November 02 : Perth (Astor Theatre)
Looks like the team at Universal Music are really digging their dance at the moment, with news through yesterday that they've just inked a deal with Sydney-based DJ duo Milly Gattegno and Suhana Lye (aka The Faders).
The talented twosome have already garnered the attention of plenty of big name internationals, including N.E.R.D, T-Pain, Good Charlotte, Busta Rhymes and more, all of whom have experienced the girls at their devastating best.
"We are super excited to join the Universal music family and follow in the footsteps of some of our favourite music idols," they said in a statement. "We can’t wait to bring our party vibe to the masses!! We’re channelling an old school house party, it’s a mix of our favourite hip hop, rnb and party jams – music we would listen to get amped for a night out on the town!"
Yes, in between Aussie and international DJing engagements, Milly and Suhana are currently putting the finishing touches to their debut compilation album.
And you can catch it live and kicking in-stores on Friday September 28.
Ladyhawke has officially unleashed the video for her latest single 'Blue Eyes'. The track is the third (following on from 'Black White & Blue' and 'Sunday Drive') to be lifted from Pip's latest album 'Anxiety' and the clip sees our pop heroine riding out into the middle of nowheresville on a fully painted, skeletally-themed horse where she sips something she really ought not to before collapsing into what can only be described as an hallucinated haze of colour.
With the crunking of distorted electric guitars throughout, there's still a pop sensibility at work underneath it all - and it's for this reason that it works so well as a single.
We're quite loving the cover image of Ronan Keating's new single 'Fires'... If for no other reason than it actually complements our header and sidebar colouring rather nicely.
Yes, X Factor judge Ronan's latest effort has been officially serviced to Australian media today. It's the first single to be lifted from an album of the same name, due at the end of August. It's been widely reported that Ronan has once again been writing with Gregg Alexander - the man behind his 2000 smash 'Life Is A Rollercoaster' - on the new LP.
It's due to drop in Australia on Friday August 31.
There's certainly plenty to like about this latest compilation in the 'RNB Superclub' series... Two big discs bulging with top name global talent including J-Lo, Ke$ha, Keri Hilson, T-Pain, Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj, Kelly Rowland, Lloyd, LMFAO, Usher, Taio Cruz, Flo Rida and Pitbull.
But there's also a tip of the hat to the locals, with tracks from Timomatic, Havana Brown, Jess Mauboy, 360, Israel Cruz, Stan Walker and Marvin Priest also featured amongst its tracklist.
We also had five copies to give away - and that's precisely what's happened, with copies of the new compile already in the post and winging their way to...;
Effie from Dingley Village in Victoria, Scott from Moorabbin in Victoria, Caitlin from Glebe in Tasmania, Amber from Reedy Creek in Queensland and Jannette from Glebe in New South Wales.
Congratulations ladies and gent! A copy of the compile is on its way to you as we speak.
Thanks to all who entered - and don't forget - more prizes are only a click away in the sidebar!
Well it's official... Sydney's appetite for US singer songwriter Ben Harper is completely insatiable. While his shows in both Melbourne and Brisbane continue to sell steadily, it's in Sydney where his fans have been the most passionate.
Within days of going on sale, a second Sydney show was added, then a third.
Now organisers have revealed that there's to be a fourth (and most definitely final) Ben Harper date at the Sydney Opera House during his November visit, even though the last one was due to be the last!
Ben will be tell his one-man story in acoustic mode, playing tracks from across his 18 year career, including from his latest LP 'Give Till It's Gone'. And with shows running at two hours each, you're getting plenty of bang for your buck.
Tickets for the final show are on sale this Thursday, with pre-sale 'go' from 10am tomorrow.
November 09 : Brisbane (Convention Centre)
November 10 : Melbourne (The Plenary)
November 12 : Sydney (Opera House) SOLD OUT
November 13 : Sydney (Opera House) SOLD OUT
November 14 : Sydney (Opera House) SOLD OUT
November 15 : Sydney (Opera House) NEW SHOW
RADIO'S MOST ADDED
WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY JULY 30, 2012
01. THE SCRIPT FTG. WILL.I.AM : HALL OF FAME
02. FAR EAST MOVEMENT FTG. COVER DRIVE : TURN UP THE LOVE
03. 360 : RUN ALONE
04. NO DOUBT : SETTLE DOWN
05. BALL PARK MUSIC : SURRENDER
06. TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB : SLEEP ALONE
07. HAVANA BROWN : YOU'LL BE MINE
08. GREEN DAY : OH LOVE
09. P!NK : BLOW ME (ONE LAST KISS)
10. AFROJACK & SHERMANOLOGY : CAN'T STOP ME
Most added tracks to Australian radio courtesy of THE MUSIC NETWORK.
British singer songwriter Ed Sheeran's love affair with Australia continues. With his new single 'Drunk' and the double platinum album '+' both rocketing up the charts on the eve of his sold out Aussie tour, the singer has announced that he's returning to Australia again for more dates in February and March.
He's not even performed the first date on his current visit just yet - this one kicks off at Brisbane's QPAC tomorrow night - but since all shows for it sold out instantly, fans have been screaming for extra chances to see the singer live.
Next time around, therefore, not only will the venues be bigger, there'll also be a show in Wollongong to cope with the anticipated demand.
Frontier pre-sale kicks off at 3pm next Monday August 06, with general public tickets on the sales desk from 9am on Thursday August 09.
February 23 : Perth (Challenge Stadium)
February 26 : Adelaide (Entertainment Centre)
February 28 : Wollongong (WIN Entertainment Centre)
March 01 : Sydney (Entertainment Centre)
March 02 : Brisbane (Riverstage)
March 05 : Melbourne (Festival Hall)
"Amy Meredith is the world's first female Competitive Eating Champion. She holds records in over 25 eating competitions and is known for her ability to consume 70 hard-boiled eggs in 7 minutes."
There have been many identities attached to the mysterious woman who inspired the name of the cheeky Sydney outfit, but the latest (above), takes the cake! With such a penchant for eating eggs, we suggest perhaps standing upwind of her at all times.
But we digress. 'Fun' is the brand new single for Amy Meredith - and has been serviced to media this morning.
It's the lead single (no 'Pick Up Your Tricks' then?) from their forthcoming album 'Maps', due later in the year, and was recorded in Los Angeles during the band's US sojourn to work on the new LP, the follow-up to their 2010 debut 'Restless'. It's been described as a subtle self-reminder that touring the world and hanging out with friends shouldn't be all business - it should be about having 'fun'.
The album 'Maps' will be released on Friday October 12. The single 'Fun' is due at digital retail on Friday.
As you're probably aware by now, the gang from Stereosonic have once again outdone themselves this year, pulling together a massive line-up of top name international superstars for US dance-loving Aussies.
We know it's going to be a particularly massive year for fans - with each of the events headlined by Tiesto, Avicii, Calvin Harris and Example.
But there's so much more... Carl Cox is in. So too Major Lazer, Laidback Luke, Martin Solveig, Diplo, Sander van Doorn, Dash Berlin and Markus Shulz, along with a swag of locals including Tommy Trash, Van She and Kaz James.
Tickets for the 2012 edition are on sale THIS Thursday, but to celebrate, we and the fab team at Stereosonic are offering you the chance to win a rather fab prize!
November 24 : Sydney (Homebush)
November 25 : Perth (Claremont Showground)
December 01 : Adelaide (Bonython Park)
December 01 : Melbourne (Showgrounds)
December 02 : Brisbane (RNA Showgrounds)
Thanks to the team at Stereosonic, we have a DOUBLE GENERAL ADMISSION PASS to give away for each of the five dates (they're valued at about $280 each!!)
Yes! One lucky person will win a double general admission pass to the Sydney event on November 24, one person bags a double pass to Perth on November 25, someone will get a double pass to Adelaide on December 01, someone else will get a double to Melbourne on December 01 and someone will be off to Brisbane on us - on December 02.
And as always, we make it SOOO easy to enter.
Simply send us an email containing your name, postal address and contact phone number to mail@auspOp.com.au with the subject line "SS - " and the name of the city you're entering the double pass for. For example, if you're wanting to enter the draw for the Brisbane double pass, email us with "SS - Brisbane". For Perth, it will be "SS - Perth" and so on. We're giving you three weeks to get your entry in, so hurry!!
Competition closes at midday AEST on Friday September 14, 2012. Strictly one entry per person/address. Winners drawn at random. Over 18s only. The competition is open to Australian residents only. One lucky winner will receive a double pass to Stereosonic Adelaide, one lucky person gets a double pass to Stereosonic Brisbane, someone will walk away with a double pass to Stereosonic Melbourne, someone bags the double to Stereosonic Perth and another lucky bugger (and a friend) will head along to Stereosonic Sydney. Winners' first names and suburbs will be published here on the site on Saturday September 15, 2012. Travel to/from the event and any other associated costs (including shandy booze) are the sole responsibility of the winners. This prize is for the tickets only. Remember, we're fussy when it comes to keeping your details private, so they're never passed on to any third party unless previously advised. In this case, phone numbers, email and postal addresses will not be used in any way other than to notify the winners of their prizes and the delivery of such.
You've got to give big props to local bands who stretch themselves artistically when it comes to their live performances.
Brilliantly, Brisbane outfit The Smart (who hit radio earlier this year with a Jimmy Z remix of their single 'City Lights'), are one such band. They're about to hit The HiFi venues in both their home town and Melbourne for two very exciting live shows in support of their upcoming single 'Hands Of Shelter'.
In Brisbane, the band will take punters on an exciting ride with one of the country's first ever silent live shows. The first 500 people through the door at the show will receive a set of headphones so that can experience it exactly the way (and at the volume) they like!
The band will then take their highly acclaimed 3D show to Melbourne, where its patrons will receive 3D glasses on entry in preparedness for a visual extravaganza. Tickets for both shows are on sale now.
September 01 : Brisbane (The HiFi)
September 08 : Melbourne (The HiFi)
To be honest, we'd been blissfully unaware of the growing social popularity of Melbourne boys The Janoskians, but now that they've been signed to Sony Music Australia, it's most definitely time to put them on our radar.
The Janoskians (the name apparently stands for Just Another Name Of Silly Kids In Another Nation Skip) found their popularity booming via YouTube video mockumentaries. But with a high profile appearance on Ellen, Beau, Jai, Luke, Daniel and James have seemingly hit the big time.
With recent personal appearances across Australia seeing thousands flocking to catch a glimpse of their internet idols.
Band member Beau sums it all up.
"We can’t believe the incredible year we have had so far, it’s been totally amazing," he said in a statement. "What started as us playing pranks on our friends has led to us appearing on Ellen...we never thought would happen! Signing with Sony Music is the icing on the cake and we can’t wait to get into the studio and start laying down some tracks. We still have to pinch ourselves to believe that this is really happening."
Though details of a debut single are still to be released, fans can pre-order it before tomorrow by SMSing "JSK" and your name to 193123.
You may very well have seen us Tweet this image (pictured) if you're following us on TWITTER. If not, this is precisely what our fab readers had been playing along at home for last week. One of ten signed copies of Johnny Ruffo's gold-selling debut single 'On Top'.
We were smothered with entries from across the country (and a couple from across the world), all wanting to get their mitts on the booty. But given we had just ten copies, there can be just the ten winners.
So, with thanks to Sony Music, the lucky buggers who'll have their mitts on a copy shortly are...;
Dayne from Brisbane in Queensland
Caitlin from Glebe in Tasmania
Jamie Lee from Manilla in New South Wales
David from Kambah in the ACT
Nicola from Holsworthy in New South Wales
Chandler from Keswick in South Australia
Aaron from Lindisfarne in Tasmania
Nick from Whyalla in South Australia
Kenny from Raceview in Queensland
Michael from Glenelg in South Australia
Congratulations ladies and gents! You've picked up a signed copy of the Johnny Ruffo CD single 'On Top' with thanks to Sony Music! A copy will be winging its way to your place in the coming days.
Thanks to all who entered. But don't forget - there are other brilliant prizes up for grabs in the sidebar, so go! Conquer! Enter!
Bananarama are one of my all time faves. In fact the first CD I bought was Wow.
Nathan Jones appeared on that album but with Siobhan Fahey's vocals. When she left, they re-recorded and remixed it with the new addition of Jacquie O"Sullivan. I remember seeing this video for the first time on a giant screen in Pitt St Mall and loved it. The video was even nominated for a BRIT Award. Watching clips of them performing this song over 20 years later they still use parts of the chorry. Brilliant!
- Sean from Double Bay in New South Wales
Thanks for sharing that classic from the Bananas, Sean! Good times indeed. Let's just hope the Nana's 30 year best-of gets a local release now!
So what about you!? Have you shared your pop clip memories yet? We're always on the look out for people willing to contribute their favourites to our weekly Reader's Lookback segment. Have a go! It's easy...
All you have to do is send us about 100 words about your favourite Lookback clip with a link to said video and we'll feature it on the site on a forthcoming Sunday! We'll publish your first name and suburb/state under the clip so not only will our readers know just how amazing you really are, but you can tell your friends all about your contribution so they too will know just how amazing you really are (as if they already don't!). Our email address is up top in the sidebar! Over to you!
She's already given national audiences 'The Ol' Razzle Dazzle' with her brand new album, but now Missy Higgins has announced she's almost ready to give us 'The Ol' Razzle Dazzle' live in person, this morning announcing ten live dates throughout November and December.
She's also taking along two other much loved performers as support for a number of the shows - in Gurrumul and Emma Louise.
"It felt so good to finally get back on the road last June, I can't wait to do it again this time in bigger venues and with two amazing support artists, Gurrumul and Emma Louise,” the singer said in a statement. “A lot of the theatres we'll be playing are my all time favourites. Some, like The Palais in Melbourne and the State Theatre in Sydney, I haven't played in over five years so it'll be an amazing way to end the year. I'll be bringing my Nashville band back again, this time with an exciting new addition or two!"
Presale tickets go on sale next Tuesday, August 07, with general public tickets on sale from Thursday August 09.
November 17 : Hobart (Soundscape Festival)
November 20 : Sydney (State Theatre) with Gurrumul & Emma Louise
November 23 : Canberra (Royal Theatre) with Gurrumul
November 24 : Adelaide (Gorgeous Music Festival)
November 25 : Queenscliff (Queenscliff Music Festival)
November 27 : Wollongong (WIN Entertainment Centre) with Gurrumul & Emma Louise
November 30 : Gold Coast (Jupiter's Theatre) with Gurrumul & Emma Louise
December 01 : Brisbane (Convention & Exhibition Centre) with Gurrumul & Emma Louise
December 04 : Melbourne (Palais Theatre) with Gurrumul & Emma Louise
December 08 : Fremantle (Arts Centre South Lawn)
TICKETS ON SALE
Monday : Village People (East Coast)
Tuesday : Nickelback (Nationally)
Wednesday : Kasey Chambers/Shane Nicholson (Nationally)
Wednesday : Scissor Sisters (East Coast)
Thursday : Stereosonic (Nationally)
Friday : Nicki Minaj (Nationally)
Jul 30 : SYDNEY – Miike Snow (Metro Theatre)
Jul 31 : BRISBANE – Ed Sheeran (QPAC Concert Hall)
Jul 31 : MELBOURNE – Django Django (Corner Hotel)
Jul 31 : MELBOURNE – Miike Snow (Palace Theatre)
Jul 31 : SYDNEY – Smashing Pumpkins (Entertainment Centre)
Aug 01 : ADELAIDE – Tina Arena (Festival Theatre)
Aug 01 : SYDNEY – Django Django (Oxford Art Factory)
Aug 01 : SYDNEY – Ed Sheeran (Enmore Theatre)
Aug 02 : BUNBURY – Children Collide (Prince Of Wales)
Aug 02 : CANBERRA – Set Sail (Transit Bar)
Aug 02 : MELBOURNE – Smashing Pumpkins (Hisense Arena)
Aug 02 : NEWCASTLE – Hilltop Hoods (Bar On The Hill)
Aug 02 : SYDNEY – Sophie Koh (FBI Social)
Aug 03 : ADELAIDE – Snakadaktal (Governor Hindmarsh)
Aug 03 : DAPTO – Shannon Noll (Dapto Leagues)
Aug 03 : GOLD COAST – Hunting Grounds (Elsewhere)
Aug 03 : HOBART – Even/The Fauves (Republic Bar)
Aug 03 : MELBOURNE – Ed Sheeran (Palais Theatre)
Aug 03 : PERTH – Children Collide (Amplifier)
Aug 03 : WOLLONGONG – Hilltop Hoods (Waves)
Aug 03 : WOLLONGONG – Set Sail (The Patch)
Aug 04 : ADELAIDE – Ed Sheeran (Thebarton Theatre)
Aug 04 : BRISBANE – Hunting Grounds (X&Y Bar)
Aug 04 : BRISBANE – Nine Sons Of Dan (The Hive)
Aug 04 : CAMPBELLTOWN – Shannon Noll (The Cube)
Aug 04 : KATOOMBA – Set Sail (Clarendon Guesthouse)
Aug 04 : MELBOURNE – Pseudo Echo (Corner Hotel)
Aug 04 : PERTH – Children Collide (Amplifier)
Aug 04 : PERTH – Snakadaktal (Astor Theatre)
Aug 04 : SYDNEY – Hilltop Hoods (Hordern Pavilion)
Aug 05 : BYRON BAY – Hunting Grounds (Great Northern Hotel)
Aug 05 : MELBOURNE – Tina Arena (Hamer Hall)
Settle down! Looks like the No.1s on both the ARIA singles and albums charts have done precisely that this week, with no change atop either chart. But that doesn't mean there's not plenty more to get our chart chops around, so let's dig in to this week's Chart Watch.
SINGLES
US outfit Fun. spends their second week atop the ARIA singles chart with the title track from their album 'Some Nights'. But could it be that the boys from Justice Crew may overtake them next week? Their new single 'Boom Boom' has edged up five positions this week and now sits in the No.2 spot.
P!nk's 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss)' is down to No.5, but there's a platinum mark next to it now and there are two bullets into the top ten this week - Justin Bieber and Big Sean's 'As Long As You Love Me' bullets from No.34 to No.8 and Karmin's now-platinum 'Brokenhearted' is up from No.19 to No.9 and you can read our recent interview with Karmin HERE.
B.o.B and Taylor Swift are now gold and up to No.11 with 'Both Of Us', Florence & The Machine's 'Spectrum (Say My Name)' rises to No.14 and T-Pain's 'Turn All The Lights On' rebounds seven places to No.18.
Train's on the right track - their latest single '50 Ways To Say Goodbye' has been certified gold, while Carly Rae Jepsen's smash 'Call Me Maybe' maybe down five more places, but it's picked up a seventh platinum accreditation (sales closing in on half a million in Australia alone).
With interest in One Direction waning, interest in that other British boyband The Wanted is surging. Their single 'Chasing The Sun' is up 30 spots with a bullet, settling at No.31, followed by the week's highest new entry - Far East Movement's 'Turn Up The Love'.
Ed Sheeran's 'Drunk' experiences the wind in its sails - improving 40 places to No.37 this week, with No Doubt's single 'Settle Down' doing even better - up from No.91 to No.41. The Temper Trap's 'Trembling Hands' is into the top 50 at No.42, Chiddy Bang's improves to No.44 (from No.64) and The xx are up from No.83 to No.46 with 'Angels'.
Outside the top 50, Outasight's 'Tonight Is The Night' has slumped from No.20 to No.54, Cher Lloyd's 'Want U Back' hits a new high of No.60 and LMFAO's 'Party Rock Anthem' shows no signs of slowing down (especially with its high profile placement on the 'Big Brother' ads) - it's down two places to No.61 but is now a highly respectable 12 times platinum (840,000 copies).
Havana Brown's 'When The Lights Go Out' debuts at No.64, followed closely by new entries for Alex Clare ('Too Close' at No.66) and The Killers ('Runaways' at No.67).
Conor Maynard's new single 'Vegas Girl' enters at No.75, The Black Keys' 'Lonely Boy' re-enters at No.76 and Karise Eden's 'You Won't Let Me' slides from No.58 to No.77.
Two more new entries further down from Ne-Yo ('Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)' at No.81) and Illy ftg. Pez ('Where Ya Been' at No.84).
The week's biggest drop is from Ricki-Lee. Her new single 'Crazy' drops from No.52 to out of the top 100 after just one week.
ALBUMS
On the albums front, Karise Eden extends her lead to five weeks on top of the ARIA albums chart with 'My Journey'. It's still stuck on the platinum mark for now, but we're expecting that to change any week now.
The "Bieb" moves up to No.2 with 'Believe' and Darren Percival holds with 'Happy Home'. Not such good news for his fellow runners-up Rachael Leahcar and Sarah De Bono, however, with their debuts dropping to No.11 and No.20 respectively.
Fun.'s album 'Some Nights' is up to No.5, Missy Higgins' 'The Ol' Razzle Dazzle' bounces back to No.6 and the week's highest new entry comes courtesy of Passion Pit, with 'Gossamer' debuting at No.12.
Ed Sheeran's '+' is up five to No.13, The Gaslight Anthem's 'Handwritten' debuts at No.14, Slipknot's 'Antennas To Hell' is in at No.16 and the new 'Batman' soundtrack 'The Dark Knight Rises' is in at No.19.
Paul Costa's 'Wheels & Steel' is in at No.32, Jack White's 'Blunderbuss' improves to No.34 and Nickelback's album 'Here And Now' gets a bump on the back of the tour announcement - up from No.46 to No.36.
The Bee Gees' 'One Night Only' is up from No.77 to No.42, House vs Hurricane's album slumps from No.20 to No.47 and the 'Jersey Boys' soundtrack re-enters the top 100 at No.49.
Outside the top 50, Icehouse's 'Man Of Colours' is down from No.30 to No.52, The xx's self-titled set re-enters at No.63, Michael Kiwanuka's 'Home Again' finds a home again in the top 100 - re-entering at No.67 and The Shins' 'Port Of Morrow' is also back - at No.74.
Latter debuts come courtesy of Purity Ring ('Shrines' at No.79) and Pierce The Veil ('Collide With The Sky' at No.81), but the 'Rock Of Ages' soundtrack is heading down - No.51 to No.87 - and the Icehouse best-of 'White Heat', which was at No.40 last week, is now out of the top 100.
For a full run down of the ARIA top 50s, head over to www.ariacharts.com.au each and every Sunday from 6:30pm AEST.
• With the London 2012 Olympic Games now officially underway and the Opening Ceremony now behind us, organisers have today released the official Games album - 'Isles Of Wonder'. 'Isles Of Wonder' is a 37 track release featuring songs performed as part of the Opening Ceremony, with heavy involvement from Underworld, along with Emeli Sande's performance of 'Abide With Me' and the Arctic Monkeys' cover of 'Come Together'. Dizzee Rascal's 'Bonkers' and Pet Shop Boys' 'West End Girls' also feature. It's available digitally now.
• Today marks 25 years since Kylie Minogue released her debut single 'Locomotion' here in Australia. It hit the No.1 spot here in Australia, but narrowly missed achieving the same in the UK and the US on its later releases there. As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations, Warner Music yesterday announced the upcoming release of an exclusive new singles boxset. The Time Capsule (more details HERE) is due for release in late October.
• Warner Music has announced the forthcoming local release of 'Come Home To Mama' - the new album for Canadian songstress Martha Wainwright. The LP is set to contain ten new recordings and includes collaborations with the likes of Nels Cline from Wilco and Sean Lennon. Recorded earlier this year at Sean's studios in New York, 'Come Home To Mama' will be released locally on Friday October 12.
• The Sex Pistols will release a 35th Anniversary Edition of their debut album 'Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols'. The deluxe box set will include remasters of their original demo tapes including a newly unearthed version of 'Belsen Was A Gas' - long thought lost to history. The box set will contain three CDs, a DVD, a 7" single, a 1977 diary and much more. It's due in stores on Friday September 28.
• Shock Records has announced the upcoming release of a new album by Canadian indie-poppers Stars. The band's sixth studio album is called 'The North' and follows up their 2010 release 'The Five Ghosts'. 'The North' will pop locally on Friday September 07.
• There's seemingly no budging Carly Rae Jepsen from the No.1 spot on the US singles chart. 'Call Me Maybe' continues to find fans there as it notches up a seventh week on top. Ellie Goulding's 'Lights', however, improves again, moving up to No.4. Highest debut of the week comes from Jason Aldean and his new single 'Take A Little Ride' (No.12), while Aussie songstress Havana Brown's 'We Run The Night' is up further again - now top 30 at No.27.
• The new Nas album 'Life Is Good' has premiered atop the Billboard 200 albums chart, relegating last week's No.1 (Zac Brown Band's 'Uncaged') to the No.2 spot. A new 'Kidz Bop' compile debuts at No.3, Phil Collins' 'Hits' re-enters the countdown and smashes the top ten and the soundtrack to new Batman film 'Dark Knight Rises' premieres at No.8.
• And as always, we'll have a wrap of the ARIA singles and albums charts tomorrow morning with our weekly Chart Watch, live at 9am AEST.
The clip for J-Lo's new single 'Goin' In' has actually been doing the rounds for a couple of days, but due to region restrictions, we here in Australia been unable to see it until now.
Yes, she's teamed up with Flo Rida for a track lifted from the soundtrack to the new 'Step Up' soundtrack - a track that also features on her just-released 'Greatest Hits' package.
The clip opens with a flash of a stunning Jen with bejewelled lips blowing a dandelion to create a starry backdrop before exploding into four minutes of colour and movement.
There's a lot to like about it and Ms Lopez looks a million dollars (perhaps more), but despite the clip being a visual feast of colour, we're not connecting with the track itself.
With the countdown now officially over, the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games now just hours away and a new generation of athletes' names about to be written into both the history and record books, we've decided to have a little look back at some of the songs that have made the Games all the more special over the past quarter of a century.
Some big names have been involved, some big songs have been formulated with the aim of creating some spine-tingling moments.
So before we let the games begin, here's some Olympic pop highlights from the past.
1988 : SEOUL
The 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea featured this rather obscure little track from Italian disco pioneer Giorgio Moroder. The track itself was performed partly in English and partly in Korean and performed by a Korean vocal group named Koreana. Though Koreana had plenty of success in their homeland, with a career spanning decades, it was their performance of 'Hand In Hand' at the Opening Ceremony on September 17, 1988 for which they're best remembered across the rest of the world.
Also featuring during the Opening Ceremony in Seoul was this classic from Whitney Houston. 'One Moment In Time' was produced by the legendary Narada Michael Walden and although it barely scraped into the top 50 here in Australia on its release, it slammed the top virtually across the rest of the world, peaking at No.1 in the UK and No.5 in America. It's a stirring piece of music and another prime example of why Whitney Houston was so admired as a vocalist across the globe.
1992 : BARCELONA
For the Barcelona Summer Games in 1992, Andrew Lloyd Webber brought together the classical prowess of Sarah Brightman and Jose Carreras for the uplifting 'Amigos Para Siempre' - 'Friends For Life' in English. Performed predominantly in English, the song experienced major success here in Australia, where it remained in the top spot for six weeks. It was later covered by comedy stars Norman Gunston and Effie.
Four years later at the games in Atlanta, Latino superstar Gloria Estefan got her time to shine, performing the uplifting Dianne Warren co-penned 'Reach'. Not only did the song hope to inspire, it also hoped to get people dancing, with a swag of top name remixes sending the song all the way to the upper echelons of the US dance chart. It wasn't massively successful as a single per se, but it did hit the top 30 briefly here in Australia, top 20 in Britain and reached the No.1 spot in Colombia.
Canadian superstar Celine Dion certainly has the ability to polarise audiences across the globe, but there was no denying her star power with her extraordinary performance of 'The Power Of The Dream'. Penned by Babyface, David Foster and Linda Thompson, the singer took to the stage at the 1996 Opening Ceremony and inspired us all with what's still one of our favourite Olympic anthems of all time. It was released as a b-side to her single 'It's All Coming Back To Me Now' and also featured on a limited edition repackage of her album 'Falling Into You'.
2000 : SYDNEY
Long before she was missing your 'Strawberry Kisses' and a LONG time before she unleashed her more grown-up image with 'Devilicious', Nikki Webster captured the world's attention as she flew over the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She'd take centre stage again at the Closing Ceremony, performing the track 'We'll Be One'. The track hit the top 20 down under and eventually sold gold (35,000 copies), but it would take her next single 'Strawberry Kisses' to get her much closer to top spot.
Aussie songstress Tina Arena had spent the past seven years tearing up the charts in Australia with singles like 'Chains', 'Sorrento Moon', 'Burn' and 'Wasn't It Good'. Musical director John Foreman penned 'The Flame' specifically with Tina in mind. Though it completely bypassed the charts, a simple video clip was made, featuring Tina in a citrus-coloured studio belting the song while images of the Olympic Torch journey were intercut.
We couldn't possibly cover the Sydney Olympics, however, without making special mention of the extraordinary performance of Vanessa Amorosi and the spine-tingling single 'Heroes Live Forever'. Though rumour has it that the vocals were tweaked in the studio, there was no doubting the impact of the track, which was released exclusively as part of the Games' official album. Also one of our all time favourites.
2008 : BEIJING
With the absence of any real official song for the 2004 Games in Athens (save from a performance by Bjork in the opening ceremony), we're moving swiftly along to the 2008 Beijing Games.
The official song for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad was performed partly in Chinese (by Mandopop artist Liu Huan), partly in English (by operatic songstress Sarah Brightman). It was decided that there would be verses in both languages as a way of uniting the globe as athletes came together for the Games.
So there's a little lookback at some of the songs that have made the Olympic Games a little more special across the past two and a half decades.
In London for 2012, Muse has bagged the official song - the inspirational 'Survival'.
Other tracks to be featured at various events across the two weeks of competition include Elton vs Pnau's 'Good Morning To The Night' and The Chemical Brothers' 'Theme From Velodrome'.
And with a massive line-up of talent due to take to the stage as part of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies (hello Spice Girls, Take That etc etc!), we can't wait to get our chops into things. So... Let the Games begin!
We know that you (like us) are just a little bit obsessive when it comes to your pop music. But just how obsessive are you? The team at Sony Australia wants to know. And they've developed a super-fresh new app that's specifically designed to discover your level of entertainment obsession, with your chance to win some fab prizes (hello FIVE packages of a Sony Bravia TV PLUS Xperia smartphone) to help entice you.
But given we're all about pop music here at auspOp, the team at Sony is also offering up some great little prizes just for you (and just for US!)... Like a first prize of a $50 Entertainment Network gift voucher (that can be used to purchase product for your Sony Playstation 3, SingStar tracks, subscriptions to Music Unlimited etc) PLUS a pair of Sony headphones (so you can listen to your favourite tunes in peace) worth $100. Or two runners-up prizes of a $50 Entertainment Network gift voucher! Smashing!
But we ARE going to make you work for it just a little...
What we'd love for you to do is to answer the following question in the comments section below;
How do you listen to your music?
That's it!
Is it on the bus, blasting your fellow travellers?
Could it be via an old school beatbox that sits on your shoulder as you walk down the street?
Is it through great big headphones while sitting half-naked on your bed?
Tell us how you listen to your music by hitting the comments section below and we'll pop you in the draw to win!
(Perhaps it might also be wise to pop your first name, suburb and state on your entry so we know who's who).
Of course, beyond OUR booty, if you'd LOVE to go into the draw to win one of the Sony Bravia TV and Xperia smartphone packages, you'd best be heading to the competition's Facebook page HERE.
Competition closes at 10pm AEST on Sunday August 05, 2012. It's open to Australian entries only and you can enter as many times as you like! We'll choose our favourite three entries from the comments section at the conclusion of the competition. One lucky punter will win a pair of Sony headphones (valued at $100) plus a $50 Entertainment Network gift voucher to spend on anything they like. Two runners up will each receive a $50 Entertainment Network gift voucher. And it's all thanks to the glamorous team at Sony.
We'll announce the winners on the site on Monday August 06, 2012. Those entrants will then need to get in contact with us via email
On this occasion, we'll be sending the winners' contact details (including postal) through to the team at Sony for the sole purpose of prize distribution. However, this is only for the winner and runners up.
GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!
A massive piece of Kylie news dropping out of Australia tonight, with news that Warner Music Australia is set to release this incredible Kylie Minogue singles boxset!
Entitled the 'Kylie Time Capsule', it's set to feature 25 collectible mini discs featuring all of Kylie's extraordinary hits since the release of 'Locomotion' back in 1987!
It's due to drop in late October and it can be pre-ordered now from right HERE!
You may have spotted the new Sneaky Sound System single in Beni remix guise as part of last week's inaugural Free Track Friday column. The remixes package for the track, the fourth to be lifted from the duo's latest album 'From Here To Anywhere', was also released last Friday.
Now enter the official video, directed by band member Ms Connie. Filmed last month in Tokyo, the clip has been described by the band as "a commentary on relationships, isolation and solitude, but ultimately uplifting and liberating."
It's like a bloody zoo out there too, with a zebra, a wolf, a lion, an elephant, a cat, a tiger, a pig, a monkey, a rabbit and even a penguin joining in the festivities.
'Getaway' this is not. Now can we please have some radio support for this quality Aussie act? Please?
British pop superstar duo Pet Shop Boys always bring something interesting to the table when it comes to their music videos. Who could forget the spectacular 'I'm With Stupid' clip featuring David Walliams and Matt Lucas of 'Little Britain' fame', or naked man on trampoline in 'Being Boring' or even rats on the railroad in the clip for 'Home And Dry'.
For their latest single 'Winner', however, they've delved into the burgeoning world of Roller Derby, but naturally, they've done things a little bit differently, with one Derby entrant a little different from all the rest.
It's all put together in a semi-documentary style, with Neil's vocal at times relegated to background sound as the girls' stories unfold.
'Winner' is lifted from the boys' new album 'Elysium', due on Friday September 14.
We guess it doesn't really matter what happens with P!nk's latest single 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss)' here in Australia now that it's already achieved No.1 success.
However, given it's already down to No.7 on the iTunes chart, there's every chance that the official video, unveiled earlier today, will be able to reverse the trend.
The clip opens with P!nk in black and white trapped at a picnic for two she obviously can't wait to get away from. There's some red wine splatter to break the white-wash before she strips off and heads into her tomorrow with another chap, who's got a motorbike and sidecar (classy!).
But will it be happily ever after? Or will history repeat?
Well then! If you missed the premiere of our scorching hot new segment last week, allow us to introduce you to Free Track Friday... This is our brand new weekly segment where you'll find a swag of fabulous freebies that we've been sent across the course of the week, all waiting for you to download, completely FREE of charge.
So whether you're a reader, an up and coming band, a manager or publicist, start spreading the news... Free Track Friday is where you'll discover a raft of latest legal downloads from all sorts of different genres!
Download fingers at the ready...?
• This fresh-faced young man is US-based singer songwriter Adam Whittington, who's slowly but surely been making a name for himself in pop circles across the United States. With five radio singles already under his belt, he's now unleashed 'Dare To Dream' that hopes to inspire the listener to "to reach for the stars and never stop dreaming". 'Dare To Dream' also serves as the title to his forthcoming album project, due later in the year.
For more information on the young star, hit www.adamwhittington.com. You can download 'Dare To Dream' the single HERE.
• Canadian electro duo Crystal Castles saw their last album drop into the top 30 down under on its release back in 2010. On it, they teamed up with The Cure's Robert Smith for the single 'Not In Love'. Now they've revealed brand new music in the form of the 'Plague'. And what's more, they're allowing all and sundry to download it FREE! The track is rumoured to be lifted from the forthcoming album, due later this year and if you'd like to get your mittens on it for nix, best you click HERE.
• Here's something brand new fresh out of the UK... Up and coming songstress Laura Steel will release her high energy pop/rock single 'Overdrive' in Britain in October this year. She hails from the city of Sheffield (famous for its stainless steel - perhaps the reason for the surname??) and co-penned the track with Marc Nelkin, whose previous CV includes tracks for Ke$ha and Corinne Bailey Rae. There's set to be plenty more to come from Laura soon, but ahead of the track's October release, you can download it free and instantly by clicking HERE.
• You may have missed this one on the site earlier in the week, but the lovely Alicia Keys is back with the brand new single 'New Day' and right now, she's giving the bloody thing away absolutely FREE! It's a stomping, marching, percussion-heavy tune about hope and turning over a positive new leaf that relies more on the beat rather than Alicia's voice. The track has been produced by Keys' husband Swiss Beatz. For a limited time only, you can get your grubby mitts on it right HERE.
• It's actually been a good week to pick up a bit of free St.Lucia. The New York-based artist (real name Jean-Philip Grobler) has seen his track 'Before The Dive' featured on iTunes as its single of the week. But given his forthcoming appearance at this year's, the gang from Parklife are also offering up a free download from his self-titled EP. The five minute 'We Got It Wrong' is an awesome piece of driving electronic dance/pop that will have you grooving your butt off. It'll be downloaded straight to your computer by clicking HERE.
• We were big fans of Sydney outfit Panama and their ripping good single 'Magic' when we published a story about it back in February. Described by the band's publicists at the time as "steeped in sunburn, the scent of coconut, beer drinking on the promenade and bikini-clad girls on roller-skates", the single delivered Aussie audiences a delicious slice of percussive indie-pop goodness. Now (thankfully) signed to Future Classic, the boys are offering up the Midnight Magic remix of 'Magic' for free download. Nab it HERE.
Another freebie that we brought you earlier in the week was from 'The Voice' songstress Carmen Smith. Many will remember the frizzy-haired songstress being booted from the show (some would say unfairly) after featuring heavily on Guy Sebastian's single 'Gold'. With new music due later in the year, Carmen released the track 'Polaroid' as a free download. Says Carmen of the track, "This song is possibly the most special song I have ever written. It deals with losing my father." It's a pretty extraordinary piece. Head to carmensmithmusic.com to obtain your freebie.
• Don't let the cover image of this EP fool you... It may look like Brittany McDonald has stepped straight off the set of 'Dynasty', but its contents are not what you might expect from the cover photo. Orange County songstress Brittany's self-titled release contains eight tracks, all of which are slick mainstream electro-pop and all of which are available for nothing. You can choose to leave a monetary tip if you like what you hear and you'll have to part with your email address to get your mitts on it, but give it a listen HERE.
So there you go! Consider that your second exciting installment of Free Track Friday!
We'll be back next Friday afternoon with more fabulous freebies right here on your favourite Aussie pop blog!
