GTM, Zappa, Youtube Symphony & more: Newcastle Music News

by Helen Henry on February 3, 2011

Just in: The Sydney Soundwave fest has been moved from Eastern Creek to Sydney Showground. Dates remain the same. More info.

If you haven’t seen it yet, jump on to the Groovin’ The Moo website and check out this years lineup – it looks pretty heavenly for triple j darlings!

Old Man River & Passenger will perform at the Northern Star Hotel on 12 February. They’ll be supported by Triple J Unearthed Competition winner and Next Crop Artist Daniel Lee Kendall. Daniel’s debut EP, “Lost in the Moment” has garnered positive feedback from media and fans alike. More info & tickets.

After a hectic 2010 that saw them play around Australia, including an impromptu showcase in Hyde Park, local band Broadway Mile will support You Am I at the Brewery on Saturday, 19 February from 4pm.

Zappa fans of the Hunter unite – for all of you jamming in Joe’s Garage, there is a positive plethora of Zappa-related activities coming up in the next few months.

• First off, Petulant Frenzy – amazing 10-piece Zappa cover act – will be serving up a revamped set of Zappa hits at Lizottes in Newcastle on Friday, 4 March. Don’t be tricked into thinking that this is just any old band (according to Pat Shell from SMH, “describing Petulant Frenzy as a ”Frank Zappa covers band” is akin to describing the Australian Chamber Orchestra as ”a group that rehashes old Mozart hits” (15/12/2009)). It’s a must see for fans of Zappa and music nerds alike. More info & tickets.
• The one and same are also putting together a unique Zappa cruise on Sydney Harbour to set sail on Sunday, 3 April. Needless to say, a group of Zappa fans stuck on a boat together for 4 hours is sure to have interesting results! More info & tickets.
• For the really hardcore fans, Dweezil Zappa & the Zappa Plays Zappa band have just announced the 2nd annual Dweezilla Music Boot Camp. Yep, that’s right, 5 days of master classes with the band that can pump out the likes of Peaches En Regalia. All ages and all skill levels. But I did say hardcore fans for a reason, it’s in New York in July. More info.

“You can study to become a plumber or a mechanic, why not a rockstar?” Rosie’s School of Rock will introduce a new course in 2011 – an apprenticeship in rock! The brainchild of founder Craig “Rosie” Rosevear, the Total Rockstar program aims to help kids build a career in the music industry – from songwriting to recording, mixing and performing. The program has support from management, labels and booking agents who are keen to help out the budding rockers. Contact Rosie for more info.

Qantas are partnering with the Youtube Symphony Orchestra and giving someone a chance to jam on stage at The Basement, Sydney, on 19 March (as well as take a friend to Sydney for a week and crash at the lovely Four Seasons Hotel!). All you have to do to enter is submit a video of yourself singing, dancing, or playing along with the supplied track – I Still Call Australia Home. More info.

Got music news? Email it through to contribute@urbaninsider.com.au.