It was Friday night, it was the closing show for Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, it was ksubi’s 10th Anniversary show.

We were proud to be a part of the show, had fun producing it, and think that a few pictures and a video will do it more justice than lyrical wax.

Watch the video of the live stream here

To celebrate ksubi’s 10 year anniversary, Friday May 7th will see ksubi return to Rosemount Australian Fashion Week after a 3 year hiatus!

ksubi will be the closing show at Fashion Week, with their most highly anticipated runway event to date.

No rats this time, and no models plunging into Sydney Harbour either – what ksubi have up their sleeves is new, exciting, and (of course) a closely guarded secret!

mixitup is thrilled to be producing the event, that celebrates ten years of ideas, individuality, and authenticity that has developed this Australian brand into an underground subculture, an icon, a lifestyle.

ksubi’s new collection titled “One Via Zero” is to be styled by Australia’s international fashion icon, Brana Wolf. Wolf is a top-tier freelance stylist & design consultant who has lent a strong and defining vision to the fashion industry for over 20 years.

Also joining the team as casting director and show caller for ksubi’s RAFW finale show is the internationally reputed Kannon Rajah who has worked with the likes of Victoria’s Secret, Chanel and Dior.

Looks like it’s going to be a very busy year for the team at ksubi.

Stay tuned for announcements on the ksubi -Kirin, partnership programme Kirin Big In Japan

The loss of his own clothes en route to Sydney didn’t stop internationally acclaimed photographer Spencer Tunick from directing Sydney to decisively lose theirs last Monday!

Commissioned by the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Spencer Tunick’s call for volunteers was answered by over 5000 Sydney-siders who risked running late for work, having their private parts broadcast on international television and being spotted by a familiar face in the crowd!

An extensive queue of people snaked its way around Circular Quay and into the Royal Botanic Gardens from 3am onwards, lining up to participate. This overwhelming response demonstrates the strong message that we, as Australians aspire to live in an open and equal society. The feeling of togetherness was palpable, as people from all walks of life, gay and straight, lay side-by-side, naked on the Opera House steps.

A deafening applause ended the mass orchestration of nudity, with a slight sentiment of disappointment at Tunick’s instruction to get dressed!

The community really threw themselves at the new idea of a post-parade celebration with over 9000 Parade volunteers, Parade participants and their party-seeking friends generating a true community atmosphere at the inaugural Parade Carnival!

For one night only, the Byron Kennedy Hall into the Disco Dome with DJs Luke Leal, Alan T and Justin Scott carving up the decks. The Forum Funhouse flaunted Francisco Guerra all the way from San Francisco, Shigeki and Beatrix with their happy house tunes, while the parade buzz continued in the Show Ring with an abundance of food and live entertainment till 6am!

And the best bit about it was – it was FREE!!

Parade participation got you in for free and if you weren’t game enough to strut your stuff down Oxford Street, you only needed to offer a helping hand as a volunteer or a Mardi Gras member for unique access to the exclusive Parade After Party!

Sometimes the best things in life sure are free!

Virgin Blue quiffed their beehives, broke out the sequins and kicked off the Mardi Gras early with the Priscilla-style flight DJ 857 from Melbourne to Sydney.

Arriving in Sydney two days before Parade, guests aboard this ultra-glamorous flight were spoilt with delicious refreshments, goodie bags and very special ‘in-flight’ entertainment by the crew from ‘Leave it to Diva’.

Not to mention the special guest appearance of Virgin Blue’s own drag queen cabin crew team member, Ms Marion De-Pilot! 


Click here to check out footage from the flight!

ANZ has announced its sponsorship of this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, highlighting its continuing commitment to supporting the Sydney community.

ANZ Managing Director Strategy and Marketing David Lindberg said: “ANZ’s support of the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival reflects our diverse customer base and workforce. It also helps us build stronger relationships with the communities we work and operate in.”

“Over the years, the Sydney Mardi Gras has firmly established itself as one of the most anticipated events in the Sydney social calendar, and we are delighted to be an even bigger part of this iconic festival.

“The Sydney Mardi Gras is enjoyed by many of our staff and many of our customers, and we are delighted to continue to provide our support,” Mr Lindberg said.

More than 100 ANZ employees will participate in the Mardi Gras parade and many others will volunteer during the Festival. ANZ will also sponsor Mardi Gras volunteers and ‘Fair Day’ which will kick-off the Festival.

New Mardi Gras (NMG) Chief Executive Officer Michael Rolik said: “What we love about ANZ is their very real commitment to our community. We are delighted to have them back in 2010 and have been struck by their real drive to engage with our community’s needs and interests.”

What a better way to relax and prepare for the Mardi Gras festivities than with a selection of fine wine from our Official Wine partner Cockfighter’s Ghost!

Pooles Rock Wines have put together a range of packages showcasing some of the best premium single vineyard wines Australia has to offer.

And we’re feeling the love from our Official Wine Partner with $20 from every package sold being donated to the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation!

Offer ends February 10 so order now! 

New Mardi Gras (NMG) and Virgin Blue today announced details of a major push to bring interstate visitors to the 2010 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The two organisations have collaborated to put together five highly integrated deals including airfares, accommodation and event tickets, available through Blue Holidays, the holiday program of Virgin Blue. The packages will allow visitors to get the very best out of Mardi Gras with one simple purchase.

Click here to check out these packages!

Two packages focus on the weekend of the Parade, which this year takes place on 27th February. One other focuses on the Mardi Gras Party weekend of 6th and 7th March. Two further week-long packages offer visitors the chance to enjoy the most exciting week-long program ever offered by New Mardi Gras.

Packages include tickets to many of this year’s Mardi Gras’ most coveted events, including a wide range of parties, arts and cultural events and social events around Sydney’s tourist attractions from Manly Beach to Luna Park. They also include exclusive parade viewing access.

The packages will be promoted through a joint print and online campaign, targeting both interstate markets and New Zealand.

In August 2009, Events NSW research showing that Mardi Gras brought over 21,000 visitors into New South Wales in 2009, generating almost $30 million in new money for the State.

“We are delighted to have these packages out in the market,” said NMG Head of Marketing & Communications Damien Eames. “We have an exceptional season planned and these holidays really make the most of the events we’re hosting all over Sydney.”

Virgin Blue General Manager Public Affairs, Heather Jeffrey, said “Mardi Gras is one of the biggest events on the calendar and we’re pleased to be associated with NMG, working together to package up unique holidays and experiences so travelers can make the most of their time while in Sydney.”

Whether it was the urge to let loose after an extremely busy year or just that good ol’ gal Mother Nature keeping the mercury hovering around 40 degrees, we don’t know. But what we do know is, it was a steamy start to festival season for mixitup!

First stop: The Falls Music & Arts Festival, Lorne Victoria & Marion Bay Tasmania.  Summer frivolity was the name of the game as  a sold out crowd of 16,000 punters in each town added a wondrous new chapter to The Falls Festival history books.

Virgin Blue also added a new chapter to the Falls history books this year, offering you lot the opportunity to snap up the last 50 tickets in each state, along with cheap flights, a two-man tent and sleeping bag. And boy did people jump at the chance!

Musical highlights of the festival included Sydney lads, Art Vs Science who yielded the best sing-a-long in festival history, Moby’s sweet sounds painted vivid pictures across the minds of young and old, the Hilltop Hoods who carved it up in Lorne while headline act the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s brought in 2010 in Marion Bay.

Good people, good music, good times.

Next year’s festival is already in the works believe it or not and it’s only a matter of time before we let you in on what’s cooking in the kitchen, so stay tuned!

Click here if you'd really like to get acquainted with Lorne & Marion Bay!

We consider the New Mardi Gras crew as part of the mixitup extended family and Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is the next massive event on our summer calendar!

In preparation for the two-week cultural festival that is the best gay event in the world, (Shhh don’t tell anyone I’m telling you this!) Greg wears his diamond encrusted tiara ‘round the office, Peita pulls out her sequins and stilettos and Stu, well Stu brushes his bushy locks for once!!! And all the while we work vigorously to provide the best opportunities for our sponsors! Goodness me, it’s exhausting.

As well as securing partnerships with ANZ, Virgin Blue, V Australia, Mount Franklin, Budweiser and Cockfighter’s Ghost, mixitup is facilitating the continuation of Mardi Gras Parade celebrations by producing the first ever Post Parade Carnival!

15,000 Parade volunteers, participants, NMG Members and their friends are invited to keep kicking on at the Show Ring, Dome and Forum at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park on the 27th of February!

We want you to keep your frock on, step out of line, forget your choreography from Parade, check out winning floats up close and get loose!

And if that wasn’t enough Mardi Gras madness around the mixitup office, we’ll also be producing the Mardi Gras’ Harbour 10 dance event on the 28th of February to be set at the Fleet steps against the iconic backdrop of Sydney’s Opera House and Harbour Bridge!

Set in the tropical surrounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens, with two beautiful garden dance floors, Harbour ’10 will be the perfect recovery after the Parade the night before.

It’s no wonder they’re expecting a sell-out Harbour party as international and interstate visitors get down with thousands of locals, soaking up the sunshine (and the cocktails) till the sun sets.

Spinning at the Harbourside stage are UK favourites DJ Wayne G and Paul Heron, along with local crowd-pleaser, Paul Goodyear, while DJ’s Sista P, Kitty Glitter and Jason Barry serve up a funky mix of house beats on the upper stage.

And don’t forget Mardi Gras Party on March 6th, David Guetta… Bimbo Jones… and many more top-secret performers. mixitup has the scoop on more international celebrity guests set to rock Mardi Gras 2010, so watch this space for further updates! 

Click here to check out 2009 Mardi Gras madness!!

Some described it as “extravagant”, others described it as “bizarre”.  But according to the majority… and we all know a majority rules… the Kirin Big In Japan event was… (drum roll please)…. Party of the Year![nbsp] (pedestrian.tv)

Yes, that’s right ladies and gentleman, mixitup produced an epic event where Japanese contemporary art was appreciated like never seen before!
 
We had Daito Manabe face hacking to the sound of bleeps and white noise, Trippple Nippples carving up the stage with their Lady-Gaga-looks-conservative costumes, Mademoiselle Yulia pumping up the crowd with her exquisite beats and Kathy captivating the crowd in a trance with their truly unique performance art…
 
Sydney’s CarriageWorks provided the perfect canvas to an event of such diversity and difference.  We’ll reveal what the future holds in the weird and wonderful world that is the Ksubi Kirin Big In Japan partnership, so stay tuned boys and girls

To check out the Party of the Year click here

As New Mardi Gras' exclusive sponsorship agency we are excited to release some hearty information this week on key dates, venues and talent.  This mob never cease to amaze us and we’ve gotta’ feeling that this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is going to be magical!

NMG launched its official Season Guide with the front cover based on art commissioned by NMG from local gay artist Scott Elk to bring this year’s Mardi Gras ‘History of the World’ theme to life. 

International and interstate visitors will have the opportunity to experience a variety of queer events in 2010 with gigs in Sydney’s parks, on the harbour, at the zoo, at Bondi, at Manly, at Tamarama, at Luna Park and at the Opera House.

Sydney is the place to be over February/March with no other event providing this kind of diversity of experience and with such a high-octane schedule, you’ll see what Sydney really can do!

Key events include:

Sunday 21^st February

Fair Day

Saturday 27^th February

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade

Saturday 27^th February

Parade Carnival, Entertainment Quarter

Sunday 28^th February

Harbour ’10 – the perfect recovery to the night before

Monday 1^st March

Spencer Tunick installation

Tuesday 2^nd March

Fag Tag, Manly

Wednesday 3^rd March

Dinner at the Zoo

Thursday 4^th March

Burt Bacharach

Friday 5^th March

Drag Races, Bondi Beach

Saturday 6^th March

Mardi Gras Party

Sunday 7^th March

Official After Part, Toybox at Luna Park

and loads, loads more!!!

To get more information on event schedules visit http://www.mardigras.org.au/

The culmination of a massive year on the Australian independent music scene erupted at the Jagermeister AIR Awards at Melbourne’s The Forum Theatre on the 22^nd of November absolutely bringing down the house!

And we expected nothing less, with performances by Dappled Cities, Philadelphia Grand Jury, CW Stoneking and Bertie Blackman, (Those last two even went on to win an ARIA awards the following week!!!).

We would like to thank our official sponsors Jagermeister and Coopers 62 Pilsner for their consistent support of independent Australian music and for their efforts in collaborating successfully with mixitup to create such a memorable evening.

Congratulations to all the successful artists:

JAGERMEISTER BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD

THE DRONES – HAVILAH (Independent / MGM)

INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR

THE DRONES (Independent / MGM)

BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR, PRESENTED BY COOPERS 62 PILSNER

BERTIE BLACKMAN (Forum 5 / MGM)

BEST INDEPENDENT SINGLE OR EP

PHILADELPHIA GRAND JURY - GOING TO THE CASINO (Boomtown Records / Shock)

BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM

ADAM BRAND - HELL OF A RIDE (Compass Brothers  / Shock)

BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM

C.W. STONEKING - JUNGLE BLUES (King Hokum Records / Shock)

BEST INDEPENDENT HARD ROCK OR PUNK ALBUM

THE NATION BLUE - RISING WATERS (Casadeldisco Records / Shock)

BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP/URBAN ALBUM

PEZ - A MIND OF MY OWN (Soulmate Records / Inertia)

BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE ALBUM

ART VS. SCIENCE - ART VS SCIENCE (Independent / Green)

BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JAMES – LINGUA FRANCA (Independent / Lamplight)

New Mardi Gras today announced the signing of a new sponsorship agreement with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Blue Airlines group - comprising brand new long haul international airline V Australia, long time supporter Virgin Blue and sister airline Pacific Blue Airlines which flies to New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands.

The new four year agreement, designed to target growth in visitor numbers to the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras will see the airlines assist in promoting the event across a growing network now spanning 28 Australian cities and towns and 13 international destinations including the USA, South Pacific and Southeast Asian countries.

“Mardi Gras is an amazing, spectacular, international celebration and right across our network our team understand the significance and importance of it,” said Heather Jeffery, General Manager of Media and Communications for the Virgin Blue airlines.

“Many of our Virgin Blue team members have had enormous fun supporting Mardi Gras for the past three years and now with an expanding airline network, we look forward to helping bring even more international and local visitors to experience the colour, creativity and community which underpins yet another iconic Sydney event,” she said.

“I am so proud that Virgin Blue is back for another term and tremendously excited that V Australia has come on board,” said New Mardi Gras CEO Anna McInerney.

“We will be encouraging people to fly with New Mardi Gras friendly airlines and Virgin Blue and V Australia’s booking facilities will be easily accessible via the New Mardi Gras website so that patrons can easily access flight prices and times for their trip to Sydney.

In August, Events NSW research showing that Mardi Gras brought over 21,000 visitors into New South Wales in 2009, generating almost $30 million in new money for the State. Of these visitors New Mardi Gras estimates that just under half are international travelers with the US and UK each accounting for just under a third of the total.

The team at Niche Productions and Waterfall Entertainment have outdone themselves this time. Days Like This! 2010, Sydney’s boutique one-day music event at the Moore Park Entertainment Quarter on Sunday 10th January, is excited to announce a jaw-dropping addition to their lovingly handpicked line up.

Check out the freshest of the fresh METHOD MAN & REDMAN! Yes, that’s right. We’re talking the Grammy Award-winning founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, Method Man, and the one and only Redman of Def Squad fame. Signed to the infamous Def Jam label, the almighty hip hop duo dropped their second album Blackout! 2 this year exactly one decade after their 1999 debut Blackout! The legendary Method Man & Redman will rock Days Like This! 2010 like it’s never been rocked before.

If you want to be the first to know about anything and everything about Days Like This!, be sure to check out www.dayslikethis.com.au and join the mailing list to receive all Days Like This! news and updates.

Don’t spend Christmas Day moping around the hostel – head to Bondi Beach and have Christmas lunch with four thousand mates!

At SUNBURNT CHRISTMAS on Christmas day 12 noon – 10pm, back packers will be partying with “The fastest rising stars of the dance scene” — THE POTBELLEEZ.   And they’ll be joined by UK sensations MICKY SLIM and HELENA!

Spanning three stages, SUNBURNT CHRISTMAS boasts homegrown talent like GROOVE TERMINATOR, TIMMY TRUMPET and JOHN GLOVER and loads more – not to mention the Miss Bikini Christmas Competition and a Wet T-Shirt Comp!

Grab a $69* pre-paid ticket and you’ll get CHRISTMAS LUNCH from 12 – 3pm and $4.00 basc drinks between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.  Fill up early – be ready to celebrate!

$59* entry only pre-paid; $69* includes entry plus lunch 12 – 3pm and $4.00 drinks 1 – 3pm; $79 on the door (unless sold out). 

***TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM MOSH TIX & TICKETEK***

The Australian Independent Record Labels Association is proud to announce the nominees for the 2009 JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS. These artists are the top of the pile. The hottest Australian independent musicians. The acts who will soon be the biggest names in the Australian music business.

Nominees for Best Independent Artist include joyous SA pop princess SIA, Australian bluesman CW STONEKING, global sensation DAPPLED CITIES, beguiling synth-pop breakthrough BERTIE BLACKMAN and critical darlings THE DRONES.

Shortlisted for the coveted Jagermeister Best Australian Independent Album of the Year Award are BERTIE BLACKMAN’s Secrets and Lies, CW STONEKING’s Jungle Blues, DAPPLED CITIES’ Zounds, They Blind The Stars, And The Wild Team by DECODER RING and Havilah by THE DRONES.

BERTIE BLACKMAN and SIA are also among the nominees for Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year, presented by Coopers 62 Pilsner and Best Independent Single or EP.

The JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS are presented by the AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT RECORD LABELS ASSOCIATION and honour the quality and diversity of music made by Australian artists, released by Australian owned independent record companies and distributed through Australian owned distribution companies. The AIR Awards are 100% Australian and recognize the incredible depth of talent in our music industry across all genres.

The 4th Annual JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS will be presented at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Sunday 22 November 2009 and hosted by The Chaser’s Julian Morrow.

AIR would like to welcome Coopers 62 Pilsner as the official beer of the Jagermeister AIR Awards 2009.

The 2009 JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARD NOMINEES

JAGERMEISTER BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD
Bertie Blackman - Secrets And Lies
C.W. Stoneking - Jungle Blues
Dappled Cities - Zounds
Decoder Ring - They Blind The Stars, And The Wild Team
The Drones - Havilah

INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bertie Blackman
C.W. Stoneking
Dappled Cities
Sia
The Drones

 
BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR, PRESENTED BY COOPERS 62 PILSNER
Art Vs. Science
Bertie Blackman
John Steel Singers
Oh Mercy
Sia

BEST INDEPENDENT SINGLE OR EP
Architecture In Helsinki - That Beep
Art Vs. Science - Art Vs. Science (EP)
Bertie Blackman - Heart
Philadelphia Grand Jury - Going To The Casino
SIA - Buttons

BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM
Adam Brand - Hell of A Ride
Amber Lawrence - The Mile
James Blundell - Portrait Of A Man
Kirsty Lee Akers - Better Days
Tania Kernaghan - Livin' The Dream

BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM
C.W. Stoneking - Jungle Blues
Ash Grunwald - Fish Out Of Water
The Waifs - Live From The Union Of Soul
Bonjah - Until Dawn
Carus Thompson - Creature Of Habit

BEST INDEPENDENT HARD ROCK OR PUNK ALBUM
Closure In Moscow - First Temple
I Killed The Prom Queen - Sleepless Nights & City Lights
Mammal - The Majority
The Amity Affliction - Severed Ties
The Nation Blue - Rising Waters

BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP/URBAN ALBUM
Astronomy Class - Pursuit Of Happiness
Funkoars - The Hangover
Gully Platoon - The Great Divide
Hermitude - Threads
Pez - A Mind Of My Own

Voting for the BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE ALBUM and the BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM is not yet complete.

Nominees in these categories will be announced on Friday 23rd October.

Tickets are on sale from 23 October 2009.

It’s final. Hip hop heavyweights, Downsyde are the winners of the Red Bull Soundclash for 2009, beating indie rock sensation Little Red in a closely contested battle of the bands.  From one challenging round to the next, blow by blow, note by note, the unstoppable Downsyde finally defeated Little Red to claim the coveted trophy.

The energy at the UNSW Roundhouse was at its peak as fans streamed from the beer garden and into the Roundhouse for the second Soundclash event to hit Oz.  Channel V presenters Renee and Kyle proved to be a dynamic duo in hosting the innovative musical event, and with DJ Leeroy Brown of Katalyst on the decks, the excitement was undeniable.

When the bands finally took to their respective stages, the Roundhouse was filled to the brink and the 700-strong crowd brought the commotion.  The audience were transported from rock to reggae, house to hip-hop and ultimately decided who the winner was based on applause. The “decibel-meter” measured the sonic energy of the crowd by microphone, which was meticulously positioned from the ceiling. The results were then displayed on massive screens for all to see.

After a tight four-round contest it was hip-hop that reigned supreme with Downsyde taking out the trophy and with it, a place in Red Bull Soundclash history.

The competitive energy on stage was really more of a friendly rivalry, and the bands played this competition to perfection. The music was never-heard-before, jaw-dropping brilliance and the crowd appreciated every minute.

As the giant Red Bull Soundclash trophy was handed over to Downsyde, the two bands united on stage for a final performance of Bob Marley’s ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ to end the night. The fans suddenly found themselves cheering for both bands and there was no longer any sign of competition. Both bands certainly flexed their musical muscles and made sure nobody would forget this one-of-a-kind music event!

If you weren’t there to witness the action in person or just want to re-live the experience Channel [V] will be screening the 2009 Red Bull Soundclash on Sunday November 1st at 11.00am.

The 4th Annual JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS will be presented at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Sunday 22 November 2009 and hosted by The Chaser’s Julian Morrow.

The JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS are presented by the AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT RECORD LABELS ASSOCIATION and honour the quality and diversity of music made by Australian artists, released by Australian owned independent record companies and distributed through Australian owned distribution
companies. The JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS are 100% Australian and recognize the incredible depth of talent in our music industry across all genres.

Now in their forth year, The JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS continue to grow and become recognised as a barometer for next year’s ‘big’ acts.

Previous winners include Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, The Hilltop Hoods, The Herd, Eddy Current
Suppression Ring, Gotye, British India, Sneaky Sound System and John Butler, many of whom have gone on
to major commercial and critical success subsequently.

Join great Australian musicians and industry members at the 2009 JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS and enjoy
performances by some of the country’s most sought after artists plus celebrate the successes of the Award
winners.

JAGERMEISTER AIR AWARDS are presented in the following categories:

Best Australian Independent Album
Best Australian Independent Single/EP
Best New Australian Independent Artist
Best Australian Independent Artist
Best Australian Independent Hard Rock/Punk Album
Best Australian Independent Urban/Hip Hop Album
Best Australian Independent Country Album
Best Australian Independent Dance/Electronica Album
Best Australian Independent Blues and Roots Album
Best Australian Independent Jazz Album

Voting opened on 25 September and closes on 12 October 2009.

Tickets are on sale from 23 October 2009.

The Falls Music & Arts Festival is proud to announce Virgin Blue Australia as the official festival airline for the 2009 event. Boasting a bigger line up of acts than ever before The Falls Festival interstate visitor numbers are expected to be strong again in 2009, generating valuable tourism dollars for the state.

In 2008 the popular music event attracted 16,000 visitors in total with 28% of those travelling from interstate. Through this exciting new partnership, patrons will be able to access a range of great flight options through Virgin Blue. 

Virgin Blue’s booking facility is now available on The Falls Music & Arts Festival website so that patrons can easily access flight prices and times for their trip to Hobart.  Virgin Blue is committed to Tasmania as a destination for domestic and international markets.

“Virgin Blue has a long term love affair with Tasmania and Hobart and that is reflected in the eight flights daily we operate to the city.  We are pleased to be partnering with Tourism Tasmania to support the Falls Festival and look forward to bringing visitors to Hobart to experience the sights and delights of both Hobart and the Festival.”

To celebrate this exciting new partnership, The Falls Festival has set aside the final 50 tickets to what is set to be a sold-out event to be released for Virgin Blue Guests to travel to Tasmania for the festival. 

Tourism Tasmania’s support of The Falls Music & Arts Festival represents an integral part of the organisation’s Events Marketing Strategy. Endorsing the new partnership, Tourism Tasmania, Chief Executive Officer, Felicia Mariani commented that, “The Falls Festival has been a very successful event in Tasmania for the past seven years and is working with Tourism Tasmania to drive tourism potential around the event. Tourism Tasmania are thrilled that the Falls have partnered with Virgin Blue who are a strategic partner of Tourism Tasmania”

A recent Economic Benefit Assessment conducted by Essential Economics Pty Ltd reported that the 2008 festival injected $22.5million into the economy via direct and indirect expenditure, providing a massive boost to the Tasmanian economy each year.

Andy Griffiths received a rock star welcome yesterday with more than 1000 students and fans lining the streets of Mildura for an autograph signing of his new book Robot Riot!

Touring regional Australia with his face plastered on the side of his tour bus, signing hundreds of books, Andy is more of a star than he could have imagined 20 years ago as a punk rock singer who had just moved to Mildura.

Andy says it’s wonderful to hear his books are turning a new generation of children on to reading.  “They’re still enjoying the same stories, I don’t think kids change a lot in what they find funny”.

Griffiths has won more than 40 Australian Children’s Choice Awards for his books, which have sold more than four million copies worldwide and have been featured on the New York Times bestsellers lists.

Hey if your planning on spending New Years Eve in Brissy and don’t want to travel down south for Falls Fest, never fear!

Sunset Sounds is here! 

If you love ‘music from lands abroad and towns near, tropical summer lovin’ weather and rolling green grass to frolic on’ , you better get your tickets to the Sunset Sounds Festival quick, coz’ last year’s sold out event was one hell of a way to bring in the New Year! 

Brisbane’s Botanical and City Gardens will host the summer soiree over two heavenly evenings as Sunset Sounds crafts its own stunning and spacious home by combining the Garden Stage in the Botanic Gardens and the Riverstage in the City Gardens.

Both Falls and Sunset Sounds share some amazing artists, so make sure to hit up the Sunset Sounds website for more info before tickets go on sale on 24 September 2009!

Whether you are enjoying a summer break or an après work beverage with a sound track to shake to, kick start your 2010 on January 6th & 7th in super fine style.

Bands appearing at Sunset Sounds:

Editors
Yveskleinblue
Moby
King Khan & The Shrines
Seasick Steve
The Middle East
Kakiking
Grizzly Bear
Sarah Blasko
Xavier Rudd
The Temper Trap
Hilltop Hoods
Rodrigo & Gabriela
Andrew Bird
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Lisa Mitchell
Emiliana Torrini
The John Steel Singers
Art vs. Science

The Line-Up for the 2009 Falls Festival has been announced this week, and we’ve got all the juicy details!
Australia’s longest running boutique music festival takes place over three days, and two stunning destinations: lovely Lorne in Victoria and Tasmania’s Marion Bay on 29 December til 1 January.

Yet the lush surroundings are just the beginning of this three day soiree, with some of the world’s leading international artists choosing to make their debut in Oz at the event.  Oh and by the way, The Falls Arts Village is making a come back by popular demand!  The vast array of up and coming musical talent, comedians and Saturday Night Fever Films will have laughing and dancing your summer days away! 

The first instalment of the 2009 Falls Festival is as follows:

The kaleidoscopic vocals of Karen O guiding the formidable YEAH YEAH YEAH'S (USA); equipped with his full band comes iconic songwriter and producer, MOBY (USA); rewriting the hip hop rulebook comes HILLTOP HOODS; nerve-shatteringly beautiful and likely contender for Album Of The Year, GRIZZLY BEAR (USA – First Ever Australian Shows);  the unbridled dynamic energy of incendiary guitar virtuosos RODRIGO Y GABRIELA (Mexico); harmony-laden whole hearted dynamism of THE TEMPER TRAP; in his first Oz performance with new international  band comes XAVIER RUDD; captivating soaring vocals and sonic alchemy of EMILIANA TORRINI (Iceland); the driving energy and soulful melodies of LITTLE BIRDY; local electro-dance heroes MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS;  sophisticated, entertaining and spirited storytelling of YVES KLEIN BLUE; Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist and lyricist, the eclectic ANDREW BIRD (USA); the undeniable funk and hip hop party starter grooves of LYRICS BORN (USA); Brooklyn based experimental pop magicians CHAIRLIFT (USA – First Ever Australian Shows); the 11-peice psychedelic-soul big band explosion from dynamite act KING KHAN AND THE SHRINES (Germany – First Ever Australian Shows); iconic modern rockers EDITORS (UK); garage pop brilliance laced with punk from the infectious PHILADELPHIA GRAND JURY;  the dazzling guitar work and shimmering tapestry of future folk from  KAKI KING (USA); the ethereal, organic and immaculate performance of SARAH BLASKO; three sets of funky hands from the feel-good brand of obscure pulsating electro/pop from ART VS. SCIENCE; one of Britain’s most admired club DJs and audio visual manipulator DJ YODA ; awe inspiring, live phenomenon that is LIAM FINN (NZ) ; sweet pop-folk sensibilities of LISA MITCHELL ; the spawn of Diplo and Switch’s futuristic dance-floor-insurgent-sonics of MAJOR LAZER (Soundsystem) (USA); the dream-like tapestries that weave an aural delight from PATRICK WATSON (Canada - First Ever Australian Shows); a hootenanny hoedown from bluesman SEASICK STEVE (USA); rock’n’roll renditions from great Scott’s THE VIEW (Scotland); Aussie hip hop stalwart URTHBOY; dark pop meanderings from  WHITE RABBITS (USA - First Ever Australian Shows); a simmering intensity from pocket full o’ punch noise lovers  FUTURE OF THE LEFT (Wales); some high energy tunes from high priestesses the KILLAQUEENZ*; and the rare multi-instrumentalism and indie-rock melting-pot of THE JOHN STEEL SINGERS.

For fantastic footage of Falls, check out mixituptv here.

After a period of writing hibernation, international best-selling author Andy Griffiths is feeling fresh, invigorated and ready to hit the road.  Kicking off on the 3rd of July, Andy will begin his four-week national book tour to promote his latest children’s novel Just Macbeth.  Adding to Andy’s entourage, mixitup created a moving promotional billboard that will follow Andy on his journey across the countryside. 

Just Macbeth is the script of the successful play following Andy, Danny and Lisa in their first ever full length adventure.  Performed in 2008 by the Bell Shakespeare Company, Just Macbeth is one of the most hilarious, dramatic, moving stories of love, Wizz Fizz, witches, murder and madness!

Andy will give a series of sixty-minute presentations in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Newcastle, Maitland and the Central Coast. He is expected to be mobbed by kids, thanked by parents, perhaps chastised by teachers and librarians, but above all welcomed with fanfare into local bookshops. 

Make sure you’re there when Andy comes to your town!

V Festival was bigger and better than ever this year, leaving punters revelling in true Branson bliss!  The success of V Festival can be attributed to the smorgasbord of music genres combined with stunning locations and staggering atmosphere generated by the punters. 

As promised, V Festival delivered the Australian gig goer a truly unique experience, showcasing some of the hottest international and local acts for the third year running.

As we made our way from ‘This Stage’ to ‘That Stage’ and onto ‘The Other Stage’, and the ‘Virgin Music Stage’, it was obvious why  90,000 Aussies in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and the Gold Coast made V Festival a matter of national importance!

Headlining act The Killers enthralled their fanatic following while Ireland’s Snow Patrol returned once again to enchant the masses.  Musical sensation The D0 had fans of all genres grooving along to their contagious songs and Duffy’s soulful tunes were a stark contrast to the indie rock echo of Louis XIV.  Other acts included Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, The Kills, M83, The Human League, Elbow, Jenny Lexis, The Howling Bells and Jackson Jackson.  But the icing on the V Festival cake was certainly American rapper Vanilla Ice giving us his 90’s classic Ice Ice Baby.

V Festival certainly pushes the boundaries within the live music circuit, providing everyone with a little something and has firmly established itself within the music festival arena.  V Festival will be back by popular demand in March 2010 so stay tuned for some exciting details to come in the near future! 

Click here to catch a glimpse of some live footage of the event! Suits us to a V!

Here at mixitup, we’ve always envied cities like New York, London, Barcelona and Edinburgh who have had the pleasure of hosting the All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival. 

So you can imagine our excitement when originator Barry Hogan decided to pack his British festival swag and bring us his boutique festival, highly praised for treating people with respect, pricing drinks reasonably and presenting decent bands who play a lot of sets!

Sydney, Mt Buller and Brisbane were the three Aussie locations chosen to host this music event, in unique and intimate settings in each state . 

As per tradition, the curation of the event was handed over to an influential and revered force in music. In 09, the honour was bestowed on Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, who genuinely made the festival their own. They called on international artists Spiritualized and James Blood Ulmer, not to mention Aussie mates The Saints, Laughing Clowns and The Necks to help stir up the crowd.  It was a diverse, eclectic line-up never to be seen again!

On Sydney’s Cockatoo Island, performances took place across four outdoor stages and guests could be seen chilling at a number of indoor and outdoor bars.  The impressive turnout was made up of real music lovers who sought to both reconnect with their fave acts from years gone by, and uncover fresh talent. 

We’ll keep you up to date with all future ATP-related news, so hit up our news section regularly. Believe us, if you missed the first Aussie ATP, don’t miss your chance this time. You won't forget this festival in a hurry.

Nevereverland first hit Australian shores in 2007 with music duo Daft Punk generating an atmosphere of pure electronic ecstasy.  With the inaugural event resulting in such a colossal sensation, Nevereverland became the most enthusiastically anticipated music event of the 2008 Australian calendar! 

In an attempt to feed their music addiction, young Australians flocked to venues in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth not only to get their groove on, but to commemorate the 10th birthday of Australia’s most influential independent record label, Modular. 

And commemorate they did. 

Modular turned double digits in style with the likes of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes of Australia’s very own premier electronic act The Presets putting on a show to help celebrate a decade of rollin’ out the hits.  The audacious indie-dance duo launched the crowd into musical mayhem, belting out hit tunes from their six-time Aria award-winning album Apocalypto. 

But that wasn’t all Modular had install for the Nevereverland clique.  The line-up was nothing short of mind-blowing with acts like the Klaxons, Ladyhawke, Cut Copy, Hercules & Love Affair, Whitest boy Alive, to name a few, performing hit after hit, each tune accumulating the ecstatic energy of the last to generate what was an absolutely astonishing atmosphere for all. 

Click here to catch a glimpse of some live footage of the event!

The crowd’s deafening applause was a testament to the complete success of Nevereverland, the pinnacle of the 2008 Australian music calendar and left party-goers pondering why such an event can’t be foreverever!

Happy 10TH Birthday Modular !!

Stay tuned for the anticipated announcement of the 2009 Nevereverland line-up to be released in the near future!!

Over 700 music industry personalities and independent Australian artists packed Melbourne’s legendary Corner Hotel to the rafters on Monday to witness Channel V’s Jane Gazzo and Bluejuice front man Jake Stone present the 2008 Jagermeister AIR Awards.    

The Australian Independent Record Labels Association handed out their awards at the magical ceremony to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of Australian independent artists, exclusively spotlighting those artists released through independent record labels. 

Artists weren’t the only ones awarded on the night.  The audience received an astonishing line-up exhibiting some of Australia’s thriving talent including The Getaway Plan who kicked off the ceremony, Grafton Primary, The Drones, ending the evening with Eddy Current Suppression Ring who took out Best Independent Hard Rock/ Punk Album. 

Indigenous singer-songwriter Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu demonstrated his solo stardom, stockpiling three highly sought after awards for Best New Independent Artist, Best Blues and Roots Album and Best Independent Album for his debut solo album Gurrumul.

The Herd delayed ceremonial proceedings when crowds went wild after their inspiring performance, only to walk away with Best Independent Artist and Best Independent Hip Hop/ Urban Album Awards. 

To view footage of the 2008 AIR Awards click here.

Congratulations to all AIR Award winners!!!

Best Independent Artist
The Herd (Elefant Traks/Inertia)

Best Independent Album
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul (Skinnyfish Music/MGM)

Best Independent Single/EP
The Getaway Plan - Where the City Meets The Sea (Boomtown Records/Shock)

Best New Independent Artist
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (Skinnyfish Music/MGM)

Best Independent Hard Rock/Punk Album
Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Primary Colours (Aarght Records/Shock)

Best Independent Urban/Hip Hop Album
The Herd – Summerland (Elefant Traks/Inertia)

Best Independent Country Album
Bec Willis - Bec Willis (Independent/Shock)

Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album
Peret Mako - The Devil is in the Detail (Future Classic/Inertia)

Best Australian Independent Blues/Roots Album
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul (Skinnyfish Music/MGM)

Best Australian Independent Jazz Album
Tina Harrod - Worksongs (Independent/Vitamin)