What’s On In Newcastle? Bruce Springsteen, Surfest, Caravana Sun & Craft Beer Week

by kirsty on February 20, 2014

Thursday 20th February

Craft Beer Week Launch Party @ The Grain Store

Featuring a celebration of our Local craft brewers & the first taste of some new release beers from the local lads!

We will be joined by the brewers from each of our local breweries; Murrays Craft Brewery, Hunter Beers Co., Grainfed Brewing Co., Six String Brewery, River Port Brewing Co. and Lovedale Brewery.

Check out our Newcastle Craft Beer Week Guide for all the event details.

Ticket price includes 2 x 200ml glasses from each brewery & canapés

Tickets: Ticketbooth

Doors: 6:30pm

Red Beard @ The Small Ballroom

2013 was nothing short of an amazing debut year for the Synth-Rock sensation that is Red Beard. Today they announce that they will be heading into the studio in March to cut their 2nd record with Jeff Sahyoun from Let Live(USA) and Troy Brady of The Amity Affliction.

From what literally saw a bunch of kids from Gympie rehearsing in a tin shed go on to play some of the most iconic live music stages around the country and overseas, they certainly defied all odds and expectations.

Releasing their debut EP Enigma, the quintet from the sticks conjured up stellar reviews from blogs, street press and music magazines all around Australia with killyourstereo.com giving them a-rating of 95.

Their singles Fox Tale and One Love received airplay on over 40 radio stations and they also received kind words from the likes of Triple J, themusic.com.au and AMH Network. Fox Tale was also the most requested clip on Channel V through most of December.

After a busy touring schedule that included being on the road with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (USA), The Sweet Apes, Gay Paris and The Getaway Plan, the band have scheduled their final shows before they hit the studio and will play UTS O’Fest, Sydney alongside Art Vs. Science, Illy, Stickyfingers and many more.

Tickets: Kingdom Sounds 

Doors: 8:00pm

The Necks @ Lizottes

World famous improvising legends and one of Australia’s great cult bands THE NECKS return home for their much-anticipated annual Australian tour. Renowned for creating immersive, hypnotic concert experiences over two completely improvised one-hour sets, Chris Abrahams (piano), Lloyd Swanton (bass) and Tony Buck (drums/percussion) slowly conjure sound mountains out of thin air that leave audiences mesmerised.

From humble beginnings over a quarter of a century ago as a private jamming project, The Necks now count Brian Eno and Nick Cave among their legions of fans. They have released 17 albums, the most recent ‘Open’ released in Oct 2013, is being hailed by critics as one of their finest. They have played packed concerts everywhere from the Sydney Opera House to The Barbican in London and Roulette in New York. Before stepping on stage for a Necks concert, nothing is planned or discussed between the trio. They walk on and they start playing. The Necks’ commitment to the simple concept of truly letting the music take care of itself is at the core of their unique sound and their ability to constantly create exciting, engrossing music for themselves and their audiences. No two Necks concerts are ever the same. Long-term fans of this unique band come back time and again for their annual fix, but if you haven’t heard them before, come along and find out why The New York Times described them as ‘one of the greatest bands in the world’.

Tickets: Lizottes

Friday 21st February

Caravana Sun @ The Small Ballroom

NEW ALBUM ‘AYA’ & NATIONAL TOUR FIESTA

AYA is gypsy-ska rockers, Caravãna Sun’s second Independent album & is set for release nationally this summer. After a packed house album launch on the 29th November at renowned Sydney venue Oxford Art Factory, the band is proud to announce their AYA National Tour Fiesta. Having long been praised for the raw energy and emotion injected into their live shows, Caravãna Sun purposefully went into the studio aiming to capture the essence of a live performance

AYA was recorded in an old water tank come studio nestled in the Gold Coast hinterland by Govinda Doyle in just over a month. The recording process steered well clear of post-production effects instead relying on the natural space and dynamics of the rooms. This theme was continued right through to the mastering by Grammy award winning William Bowen (Gotye).

Striving for a live band sound but still allowing for each members idiosyncrasies to prevail produced 23 takes on We Lost it All and an unrehearsed brass jam rounding off All That I Know. A combination of the summer heat and built up frustration lead front man Luke Carra to record his guitar solo on the title track, AYA while he was at one with nature, naked.

The first single, Took the World explores rigid rhythms with chant like choruses which reflect the narrative between self-obsession and reality. The second single, GAIA was inspired by the evolution of society, the Earth and the tension between the two. Originally written seven years ago but recorded in only three takes, it represents an idea now just as relevant as it was then.

To celebrate the release of ‘AYA’, the band is touring nationally throughout the fiesta season and beyond.

Tickets: Kingdom Sounds

Doors: 8:00pm

Love + Fait Accompli @ The Cambridge Hotel

Presented by: My Sydney Riot, Röckstar Music Company, Wodka Vodka, EAO, Cambridge Hotel

Sydney three-piece Fait Accompli have spent the majority of 2013 within the confines of their studio getting deep into their next wave of new songs. Being a band that revels in playing live, it was hard for Fait Accompli to get focused in on writing for their next record, so getting off the road was the only solution. And now the band have close to 15 new songs which have been given their Soul Pun…k treatment, so recording is definitely on the cards at this stage.

These new songs are spearheading the band into a direction which they have naturally followed since their inception as a free spirited inner city underground punk band back in late 2006. After 8 releases Fait Accompli are ready to make alot of noise in 2014.

With a new single down and a video in the making Fait Accompli are keen on celebrating the start of 2014 and share some of their new material with their fans who have been starved of their punchy melodic punk infused music, bringing together loud guitars, hectic drums, beefy bass lines and alot of soul.

Fait Accompli only recently visited The Espy - Melbourne, Great Northern - Byron Bay and Frankies - Sydney and will now jump across for a four date visit of Perth. The band will then be set on returning with a full Australian tour assault planned for late February.

Tickets: Big Tix 

Queens Of The Outback @ Lizottes

MA15+

Start your engines! Imagine a Tarago filled with sequins, feathers, fishnets false lashes and a whole lot of attitude. This is a brilliant cast of stunning girls, hot guys and three outrageous drag queens who have nothing better to do than spend an evening kicking up their heels with Dolly, doing the Nutbush with Tina and getting sexy with Gaga.

Queens of the outback is about three Melbourne drag queens that turns the outback upside down after accepting a gig in regional Australia. Join them in their mischievous and crazy road trip. These showgirls find love in unusual places, light beyond prison bars, strippers that surprise, manly bar brawls, breakdowns and hotel minibars just waiting to be emptied All in the name of their final gala performance. ‘Queens Of The Outback’ takes the basic story line of the classic, deftly twists it around and turns up the sexy content with ad-lib comedy and audience participation. The audience will be captivated in the musical and theatrical experience through the cast’s amazing singing, smart-witted humour, glamorous costumes and surround sensory delight all oozing with sensuality, sexuality and dark thoughts people have but don’t talk about. This hit stage spectacular is sure to get you ‘lovin’ the nightlife’ and ‘shaking your groove thang’ once again! The cast are some of Australia’s finest musical theatre performers, including Simon Vowles (Time Warp, Westside Story, Chicago and Grease) and Anna Burgess (The Producers, Time Warp, Crazy For You). Performing all of your favourites: I Will Survive, Dancing Queen, Nutbush City Limits, Love Generation, I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine, We Are Family, Sweet Dreams + more! Produced by Andrew Malouf- known for the smash hit “Time Warp - A Musical Tribute to the Rocky Horror Show”.

 Tickets: Lizottes

Saturday 22nd February

Bruce Springsteen @ Hope Estate

After delivering in March 2013 what many critics and fans declared the ‘greatest rock and roll show on earth,’ Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have announced they are headed back to Australia and New Zealand in 2014 for their most extensive tour of our shores to date.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band brought the Wrecking Ball tour to Australia earlier this year on their first tour Down Under in more than a decade, performing three hour plus shows in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and at Victoria’s iconic Hanging Rock.

Springsteen and the E Street Band’s marathon performances, infectious energy and ability to captivate audiences did not go unnoticed with the Wrecking Ball tour being awarded the 2013 Helpmann Award for ‘Best International Contemporary Concert’ and both fans and critics heralding it as the tour of the year.

Additional special guest at Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s, will be Australia’s favourite rock & roll soul man Dan Sultan.  With ARIA Awards for Best Male Artist and Best Blues and Roots album, three AIR Awards, four Deadly Awards, an #1 AIR chart debuting album already to his name, there is no doubt that this highly anticipated third release is going to be something special.

The Rubens will be sharing the stage with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band once more at their Hunter Valley show, after opening the show at their Hanging Rock performance earlier this year. The band have had a whirlwind year including a gold-certified debut album that landed at #3 on the ARIA album chart and an impressive touring schedule across Australia, Europe and the United States.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

 Maids w/ Horror My Friend & Archers @ The Great Northern Hotel

After hailing 2014 in explosive style alongside such acts as DZ Deathrays, Step-Panther and Chicks Who Love Guns, Newcastle’s MAIDS are wasting no time in bringing their scorching brand of genre-bending bass-pounding heavy rock back to the people, with a slew of (sure to be memorable for all the wrong and dirty reasons) national tour dates up their sleeves.

Tickets: At Door

Christine Anu @ Lizottes

CHRISTINE ANU PRESENTS REWIND - THE ARETHA FRANKLIN SONGBOOK

Back in 2014 with Encore Performances Christine Anu is back in 2014 with encore performances of REWIND - The Aretha Franklin Songbook. Now is the time to experience Christine’s soulful performance in REWIND for your first time, or to return to enjoy her soulful performance and sassy tunes once again. Christine has been entertaining audiences for two years with her tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. With sell-out shows and multiple performances at venues across Australia, REWIND continues to be a show that receives rave reviews from audiences and critics. REWIND - The Aretha Franklin Songbook has proven to be a special show, unlike anything Christine has done before. In this must-see performance, Anu conjures soulful interpretations of Aretha’s most memorable songs including the signature tunes Respect and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, as well as Chain of Fools and many other unforgettable classics like Today I Sing The Blues.

Christine has enjoyed the opportunity to connect with a new audience through the magic of Aretha Franklin’s music. “Nobody says it or sings it better than Ms. Aretha Franklin. She is one of my greatest influences and an inspiration. I truly believe she is the greatest soul singer of our time!”says Christine. Fans of Christine, from her early days as a performer, will enjoy seeing Christine perform songs that made her the Diva she is today, in particular Island Home and Sunshine on a Rainy Day, and new fans will enjoy REWIND - The Aretha Franklin Songbook, while being introduced to the diversity and raw talent of our Australian Icon. “I would like to thank Aretha Franklin - her magic introduced me to a whole new audience and for this, I will forever love her…still” said Christine. With a show that has received such high praise from critics, there is no surprise that Christine has had repeat performances to packed-out audiences, or that she is taking the show around Australia again & for an Encore tour. The show itself has been described by critics as an event that ‘captures and celebrates the high standard of live Australian music and artists today’ and Christine’s performance as elegant, powerful and seductive. During an illustrious career spanning more than two decades, Christine has amassed a multitude of achievements spanning across music, theatre, dance, film, television and children’s entertainment. Anu is a multi-ARIA nominee and recipient, has had platinum albums, a Green Room Award for Best Actress in a Musical, won song of the year (for My Island Home) and is an eight-time Deadly Award recipient. And yet there is no slowing down for Christine - she had success after success in the entertainment arena for the past twenty years and 2014 looks to be another busy and successful year! As well as her encores of REWIND in 2014, Christine will continue to star as Bloody Mary in Opera Australia’s production of South Pacific. And, towards mid 2014 she is set to take to the stage again, starring in a theatrical production at Riverside Theatre, NSW.

 Tickets: Lizottes

Sunday 23rd February

Surfest Finals @ Merewether Beach

Surfest is the largest surfing festival in Australia. In 2014, Surfest is proud to boast 29 years of unbroken competition and community engagement in Newcastle.

Surfest 2014 will host a number of the world’s very best professional men and women surfers.

The six star rated Burton Toyota Pro will attract a large group of professional male surfers to Newcastle all competing for the much cherished Mark Richards ‘MR’ trophy.

Michael Paynter @ Lizottes

The musical evolution of Michael Paynter has been a series of obsessive love affairs. At the age of 7 it was the piano, at age 12 it was the guitar, and by the age of 15 he was crashing through a set of drums. July 2010 saw the release of Michael’s debut EP Love The Fall, featuring the fast approaching platinum selling single Love The Fall with guest vocalists Lisa and Jess Origliasso. Now as Michael and his incredible band embark on an Australian national tour supporting Miley Cyrus, Michael releases his latest offering, How Sweet It Is. Michael’s much anticipated follow up single How Sweet It Is was written, produced and mixed by Michael Paynter and was the#1 most added song to radio in the week it was serviced, entered the airplay chart #79 and is available to download on iTunes. Although much has been said about this multi instrumentalist and his ‘big’ voice, it seems to be the songs, his fine band and his honest and entertaining live shows that are ringing the ‘loudest’ bells.

Tickets: Lizottes

Monday 24th February

Murray’s Beer Dinner @ The Stag and Hunter

Australian Brewer of the Year – Shawn Sherlock will host a 4 course beer matched dinner featuring stylish Modern Australian cuisine by Head Chef, Anthony McLoughlin to compliment some of Murray’s Craft Brewing Co’s finest offerings. Prepare thy taste buds. Live entertainment from Shawn O’Friel. Check out Urban Insider’s Craft Beer Week Guide for full details.

Tickets: Ticketbooth

Doors: 6:00PM

We have also created a Monday Night Guide to ensure you always have something fun to kick-start your week. Check it out to plan your Monday in advance!

Tuesday 25th February

Chris Taylor & Andrew Taylor @ Civic Theatre

The Chaser’s War On Everything made Andrew Hansen and Chris Taylor household names, in half a dozen houses belonging to people who already knew them beforehand. Everyone else knows them as ‘those Chaser guys’, or simply ‘those pricks’.

Now Chris and Andrew present a live showcase of brand new sketches and songs, tipped to feature daring, never-before-seen concepts such as a Game of Thrones parody and a Kevin Rudd impression. Fun for all ages! But with a particular focus on the 43 to 43-and-a-half year old market.

‘I adore the thrill of the theatre,’ said Andrew. ‘Not the showbiz theatre though - the operating theatre. I love the spontaneity of being operated on.’

Chris and Andrew’s last live outing as a duo, Sydney Theatre Company’s Dead Caesar, played to packed houses - largely due to a ticketing mix-up with the latest David Williamson play.

Now, with Logies and AFI Awards, plus an ARIA for their musical comedy album The Blow Parade, Chris and Andrew are delighted that hardly anyone realises entertainment awards are arbitrary and worthless.

An unforgettable evening of songs and laughter is guaranteed’, in a different theatre nearby, meanwhile we’ll be staging a lengthy tribute to Rolf Harris.

Tickets: Ticketek

Doors: 7:30 pm

Wednesday 26th February

Official Newcastle Craft Beer Week Dinner @ Souths Merewether

This is the showcase event of Newcastle Craft Beer Week 2014. 8 of Australia’s leading brewers will have their beers matched with a menu specially constructed by the acclaimed Souths Merewether kitchen.

Each of the breweries will have a representative on hand to present their beer and answer questions from guests.

Tickets: Ticketbooth