Webcuts Music

The end of winter and onset of spring then summer in the Southern Hemisphere means one thing. Well it means warmer temperatures obviously but it also means more international tours for us antipodeans starved of name acts over the winter months (yes Splendour and its sideshows, we know you were an exception). A number of big names have been announced in the past week so let’s first put our Britpop band t-shirts back on (if we can fit into them) for two of that era’s seminal UK acts who are touring within days of each other.

The Charlatans who Webcuts last caught up with in Barcelona running through their 20 year old debut album Some Friendly, Don’t Look Back style, will be in our cities for a more rounded set to support their new album Who We Touch, their 11th, out September 17th through Shock.

• 10 Nov (Wed) – Brisbane – Hi-Fi
• 11 Nov (Thu) – Sydney – Metro
• 12 Nov (Fri) -  Melbourne – Billboard
• 13 Nov (Sat) – Adelaide – Fowlers Live
• 15 Nov (Mon) – Fremantle – Metropolis

Tickets on sale 20th August through www.custommade.com.au

The Manic Street Preachers will be trailing them closely in support of their 10th studio album Postcards From a Young Man, (Sept 24, Sony) which follows the release of last year’s Journal for Plague Lovers which featured lyrics from the still fondly remembered, but still missing, Richey Edwards.

• 13 Nov (Sat) – Brisbane – Hi-Fi
• 15 Nov (Mon) – Sydney – Metro
• 18 Nov (Thu) – Adelaide – HQ
• 20 Nov (Sat) – Melbourne – Forum
• 22 Nov (Mon) – Fremantle – Metropolis

Tickets on sale 18 August through the venues or ticketek

We last told you about the Blonde Concretes, er, Concrete Blonde, who are celebrating 20 years (and I remember it quite well, yes I’m old) since the release of Bloodletting which spawned the mega-hit “Joey” back in April. Well the bloodletting will continue in Australia in October (ha! Take that London Webcuts staff).

• 19 Oct (Tues) – Brisbane – Hi-Fi
• 21 Oct (Thu) – Sydney – Enmore Theatre
• 22 Oct (Fri) – Melbourne – Palace
• 23 Oct (Sat) – Perth – Astor

Tickets: Ticketmaster, Hi-Fi on sale now.

The big news (although further afield) was The Falls/Southbound/Sunset Sounds festivals announcement. The acts that have got Webcuts excited are The National who have never failed to disappoint us live and their High Violet record of this year was wholeheartedly welcomed by all and sundry, Interpol who have us shaking in suspense for their fourth self titled album in September (through Matador/Shock), and The Morning Benders whose third album came out of nowhere to charm our socks off. Add to that the likes of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Public Enemy (playing Fear of a Black Planet), Paul Kelly (especially after his solid Splendour performance), Cloud Control, Hot Hot Heat, Peaches (DJ) and The Soft Pack (who, truth be told, we weren’t sold on their debut album, but will be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt live) and you’ve got the makings of another sensational bunch of festivals.

The Falls

• Dec 28 2010-Jan 1 2011, Lorne, Victoria
• Dec 29 2010-Jan 1 2011, Marion Bay, Tasmania

Southbound

• Jan 1-3 2011, Sir Stewart Bovell Park, Busselton, WA

Sunset Sounds

• January 4-5 2011 – Riverstage, Brisbane