Monday, October 28, 2013

The Real Sydney Festival - 2014


So if I was given some money from the State government and I had a team to put together a festival in Sydney over January I think it would look a little something like the below:

Solange @ the Metro Theatre - Wed 8 Jan:

You can grab tickets HERE and we all know Solange, sister to the currently touring Beyonce and indie favourite @ present. Solange is one to watch and if her live YouTube videos are anything to go by, this girl is going to kill it.

Sorry to the real Sydney Festival but your line up next to just my first act, it's kinda lame. Sorry.

Next up:

Jagwar Ma @ the Metro Theatre - Fri 17 Jan:

"Howlin" is one of those hidden gems of 2013, it's been well received in the UK and the boys from Jagwar Ma just seem to be able to do no wrong. Catch them in Sydney before the boys race off and take over the globe.

Get your tickets HERE

Festival time:

Field Day @ The Domain - Wed 1 Jan:

Two our of three festivals have been cancelled which were due to be played in the Domain but I think this has a killer line up. Flume anywhere right now is where it is at and with the below along with Flume, damn baby doll if your ass ain't shaking at this festival, y'all need to have your ears and booty checked:

A$Ap Rocky
Alison Wonderland
Chet Faker
Cosmo's Midnight
Crystal Fighters
Dusky
Elizabeth Rose
Flight Facilities (Decade DJ Set - Decade To Be Chosen By Public Vote!)
Flume
Flux Pavilion
Hermitude
Jacques Greene
Julio Bashmore
Kill The Noise
London Grammar
Panama
Shadow Child
Solange
Ta-Ku
Triple J Unearthed Winner
What So Not
Wiz Khalifa
The Wombats

I love Hermitude and Solange well if you miss her at my first January pick you can always catch her on New Years Day in the beautiful Domain. Tickets can be brought in advance HERE

Now from music to everything else in Sydney. So the real Sydney Festival kinda sux from high end wank art to boring theatre staged in a freezing dark rooms in our warmest months when the sun is calling. Here is my favourite pick:

Wet N Wild - New to Sydney, it's a wee drive away and let's face it the kids will wee in the slides n stuff but it's going to be ace to have this new addition on those 40 degree days.

Beaches - Why fuck around getting to a venue where you will pay $9 for a G&T when these are close by:


Yes it's my old beach on the Coast above and 1.5 hours away from Sydney this place is just so beautiful, how I miss Avoca Beach.

King Street, Newtown - Cafe's, the Dendy and random people watching, what better place to be on a Sydney Summer day:


So there you have it, a festival, two great gigs (maybe more - depending on BDO sideshows) and the first of my NSW highlights for you to get amongst.

Sydney here is the start of a FAB January 2014, keep in touch as I update this bit.

XOXO






Sunday, October 27, 2013

One Erection


So a weekend of live music comes to end and I reflect on my loss of hearing (added to the fact I love having my I products up super loud, whether I be running or walking somewhere) and I believe I think I saw possibly the biggest bands right now last night, young folk ONE DIRECTION. Now this doesn't belong on my music blog cause I am not really going to talk to much about the music unlike Friday's Fall Out Boy.

So One Direction. They came third in the UK version of the X Factor a few years back when Dannii was judging a lot more talent (of course Dami Im - you are FAB and if that bogan Taylor wins (AKA Shannon Noll Version 2.0 - I will be very disappointed and I can't event put into words if Jai wins) and she actually won the X Factor year. One Direction didn't, they came third. The winner Matt Cardle (Dannii's main man) has done very little, second was Rebecca Ferguson and she is truly fab and her album last year proved you can be a reality TV finalist and release a listenable album.

Enough X Factor history because I actually think One Direction have moved away from the show and Simon Cowell as much as they possibly could.

Can I start with saying my experience begun with seeing scary parents being stressed and being stuck buying tickets to see a band who really is outgrowing it's 8-13 year old fan base. The boys are getting older and with that comes the need for their fan base to move on or discover the next cute boys next door.

So before the show @ Allphones Arena (formerly ACER Arena) I attended a Total Concert Experience which my darling friend Carly was a total queen at, door bitch and MC you rock honey boo boo child. I had a great time and thought the boys from the Collective did a good job warming up a room full of girls dancing and singing around in a frightful smell of BO and periods. All mixed in the room needed some deodorising which was in effect for the second half the post show Total Concert Experience.

So then it was show time.

The screams, the girls and the mums and dads (all loaded with Merch helping Harry and the boys laugh all the way to the bank) all went nuts for 5 young men from England: Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles & Louis Tomilnson.

Now I will look at the boys performances:

Niall Horan - Way more popular than when he first was on the X Factor
Zayn Malik - To say he looked bored would be a massive understatment
Liam Payne - Definitely turning into a handsome gentleman and maybe the most enjoyable to watch on stage.
Harry Styles - So not sure what Taylor Swift saw in him? Or he saw in her to be honest?
Louis Tomilnson - Most boring one for me to look at and under all the screams, vocally I didn't love his voice live.

The set list covered all the ladies favourites including the ones I knew "What Makes You Beautiful" (sang last in an obvious encore - happy to read NZ newcomer Lorde hates encores - you go girl), "One Thing", "Live While We're Young" & "Kiss You" whilst throwing in two covers, one randomly from Blondie ("One Way Or Another") and Wheatus ("Teenage Dirtbag"). The later had the crowd in raptures (including me - whatever happened to Wheatus????) and then as quick as it started, it was all over and the screams continued.

I am not sure if it was the best concert I have ever been to (actually I know it wasn't) but it was great to see a sold out venue all in love with the kids on the main stage, front and centre. A fun night however today dear readers I must pay tribute after the high of last night to the low of today, Matthew Richardson, R.I.P my step/half whatever brother, you had a troubled life but still I loved your letters and yes my handwriting is messy and I'm always in a rush, but thanks bro.....

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

It's time for Australian Music festivals to wake up and smell the roses....


News flash the 90's are OVER, yes no one pays for music, no expects to pay full price for tickets to any concerts, any festivals, any theatre or any live event (thanks Lasttix and other last minute discount sites) it's a last minute world we live in.

And in the eyes of Homebake the price, the venue, the dreadful line up and the ideal summer day of Australian was destroyed by outbursts on social media and lack of interest when it came to putting your credit card details into the void of the Opera House's website.

Homebake is not alone, Harvest (making two from three Domain festivals to fail in 2013 - Field Day seems to still have a cult following), Big Day Out scrapped an unwanted second day (why do that? wait for the first to fill and then drop a second if required maybe?), Supafest (seeya later) & Movement Festival could make Danity nervous about the latest Urban festival featuring Eminem.

So why are Australian's over music festivals? Is it because the drinks are way over priced? Is it because the toilets are something out of a third world country? Could it be the line ups are getting more and more average? Or is it just because the average festival goer is getting old. I am of the later, I am getting old, can't stand all the boys parading around on steroids and the girls with short enough pants for you to see their tampon strings.

Yes the late 90's/early 2000's saw Music Festivals rise, but like all good things they come to an end and with every amateur hour promoter under the sun putting on their own style of a musical festival or event, the whole experience and quality is just becoming one hell of an average day/night out.

So where from here? In the old days their was Homebake, Big Day Out and a couple of other festivals held just in one or two states. Maybe we should go back to that model, with too many festivals and not many bands rising up it's hard to fill those big line ups.

Australia it's time to reclaim the festival circuit and embrace the good brands and hope the rip offs disappear as quickly as they popped up and ruined what once was a music lovers dream, a day in the sun, good bands, a light beverage and plenty of daggy dancing.


Monday, October 21, 2013

Saturday, October 19, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - 2 Guns


First up what a great cast and really Marky Mark and Denzel just work so well together. Bill Paxton and James Marsden do good jobs in their roles too making this film super easy to watch and it's a really fun ride. Take a look at this action film preview below:



Look their are no new grounds covered however when the chemistry is so good between the two leads and the action scenes are this good it really makes for an above average action film. For Marky Mark this just shows he can do no wrong and man he is only getting better looking with age.

2 Guns is way better than your average blokey film, it rates way more than 2 stars it rates 3.75 STARS. Australia if you want to escape the heat or the cooler nights give 2 Guns a good hard crack. Happy Saturday...

Friday, October 18, 2013

What's New on the Idiot Box


So the 2013-2014 TV season is off on the way in the USA and Australian TV just goes from bad to worse (unless your on the old ABC of course) with crap like Beauty & the Geek, Australia's Got Talent (or lack of if you look at the judging panel) and Big Brother.

But luckily here is my guide to the new early favourites:

1. American Horror Story - Coven:

GIRL POWER!


2. The Blacklist
So very similar to Hostages which I was very excited to watch, but this is actually way better and the surprise for me thus far of the 2013-2014 season.


3. Ja'mie - Private School Girl

As I said thank god for the ABC, this looks AWESOME! The only girl who I would marry, I love you Ja'mie!


4. Witches of East End

Maybe the most camp show of the season, yeah it's the season of the witch. Not 100% sold on this yet but still it has promise.


5. Serangoon Road

A co production between our own ABC and HBO Asia, it's not the best thing since sliced bread but still enjoyable:


And the misses of the season so far:

1. Hostages - so disappointing.
2. Revenge {Season 3} - ABC it's time to drop the heavy axe on this tired old drama, one season wonder.
3. Super Fun Night - Rebel Wilson, what are you thinking, or are you not thinking? This is the train wreck of the season. It's not super, nor fun, sorry Rebel.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Prisoners


Oh Hugh, so good seeing you in a leading role in a new Hollywood film. Prisoners is an excellent thriller with an all star cast. Including Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Melissa Leo & a load more! Thrillers are getting harder to do and running for almost 3 hours this movie does it well but over a long period.

Tension is kept from almost the opening scenes. It's not an original style story but done well and with such talent this movie really works and will be one of my favourite of 2013.

Prisoners has many levels to it and you need to really pay full attention, so if your in the mood for a gritty almost three hour thriller this is for you:



Prisoners is an after school holidays gem and I really enjoyed the ride 4 stars.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

I'm Back in Sydney Ladies


And well done to Mr Flume, all those ARIA nominations, I guess I was right with the Australian Album of last year, definitely was the year for Mr Flume. Look over at my other Blog for a full blow by blow ARIA nominations wrap.

Still to come photos from the holiday to end all Asian Holidays and more fun than you can poke a stick @. PS I also saw Prisoners with Hugh Jackman in Bangkok and I will review this one in coming days. My apartment basically looks like a brothel right now so less writing and more cleaning up and unpacking me thinks!

Laters X

Monday, October 14, 2013

Whoops Malaysia spelling fail!


Oh dear sorry Malaysia, damn iPad blogging, oh well it's been real off to Changi Airport now with a nice new suit in tow. Thanks Top Man Singapore! Had such a great trip pics to come, are u ready for me Qantas? Can I get an upgrade?????

Breakfast - Malayasia, Lunch - @Ruffles Singapore, High Tea - Sentosa Island


Look out boot camp here I come! Five hours till flight time, super sad face. Waaaaaaahhhh

Last stop - Singapore


No Dreamgirls one night only, it's one day only! Yes flying back to Sydney with beloved Qantas (Queer And Nasty Try Another Service) tonight after 10pm, what a day two international flights, some shit airline food, Air Asia antics and then back to my dreamy Sydney pad. Oh dear readers what adventures I have had travelling and I cannot wait to share them with you via photos and more tails to come xoxo

Hire Cars, Monkeys all in a day as we farewell Langkawi


As I need to catch a flight I will save the story for another time but I have to say yesterday I had one of my most crazy travel moments ever. Stay tuned! Also I missed a whole bunch of birthdays last week (you know who you are) Happy Birthday. Off to Singapore now and then dreamy old Sydney see you on the other side of two more flights xoxo

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Water Sports in Langkawi


Firstly don't be rude dear readers, secondly after a buffet breakfast it was down to the beach for a kayak session, a swim and then a swim by the pool. Who can believe my Asian adventures are almost coming to a close, sad face. Next up more food and one hell of an early morning before heading to Singapore!

Malayasia Truly Asia V2 - Langkawi


To say we left the most incredible hotel to last would be an understatement. The Datai is just divine, however per getting to the hotel from the airport is another story. The lady at the hire car joint we went to saw the devil overcome me. Not a pretty sight. Anyway as the holiday comes to an end I will hopefully have loads of holidays snaps and later on ill share the stats on the trip. Until then it's time to enjoy the paradise also known as Langkawi...

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Hawker Stalls & Georgetown


Last night we went local bus style down to Georgetown the capital of Penang. It was interesting and the way and speed these Hawker Stalls work at is incredible. After a long day and a very warm day we got to bed late (around midders - yes I'm old) and I woke to what I thought was a hurricane, such heavy rain and wind cray cray! So we farewell Penang today and then the Asian road/plane trip continues.....

Friday, October 11, 2013

There are some things a young man should never have to do....


And this story is for my nearest and dearest friends so feel free to buy me a coffee and I will tell you my horror story in Penang. Otherwise it was shopping, beach, TGI Fridays and a month with way too much sugar. Tomorrow we depart Penang and after initially finding it a little underwhelming it has grown on me. I also meet a traveller from Holland today who really made me think about justdroppin everything and travelling on the cheap for a year or more.... But nah love/hate Sydney enough to give it a few more years of my life.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Hello Penang! #Malayasia-TrulyAsia


Oh bye Bangkok, I miss you already. However Penang, hello! Yes with a running nose (damn indoor air con, outdoor 30+ degrees) and a great Air Asia flight it's time for the second last country and the third last city. We drove into the Lone Pine Hotel which was ace! We had a swim and now it's time for food x

100 Baht movie + more dumplings


Yesterday was all about mannies, peddies, massages (with no happy endings thank you very much) and a movie for around $3.50 plus snacks that totalled roughly $2, beat that Greater Union. Finally we discovered another Din Tai Fung in Bangkok. So much cheaper than Sydney! Anyway today we make way to Malaysia, as always Bangkok its been real xoxo

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Market stalls, department stalls & fish plus chips


All in a days walking in downtown Bangkok. And for my first time in Bangkok it rained however steamy conditions welcomed this moist gift from above. So it's day two in Bangkok and the final one prior to me making my debut in Penang, Malaysia. I am super excited for Malaysia and equally excited for more Air Asia time. Oh what's that? The breakfast buffet calling? See ya!

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Two nights in Bangkok and the world is my oyster!


Well maybe after landing in style t the old military base on Air Asia, it was like a flashback to the 80's. upon lobbing in at our hotel in downtown Bangkok it's time to hit the shops, the dining and later most importantly the pool. Oh what travel does to a tired old soul like me. I love Thailand and I can't help feeling this will be one of my favourite parts of my Asian gap year. Well week and a bit but who's counting?

Wonton noodle soups and Outback Steahouses


Oh dear I know I'm on holidays when I have eaten too much! Also thank god for coffee to keep me powering through the days of being pushed, shoved and near spit on from mainland Chinese visitors to Hong Kong. Good grief. Oh we'll it's off to sunny Bangkok soon. Farewell Hong Kong. See you on the other side of my Air Asia flight X

Monday, October 7, 2013

Last night in Hong Kong!


Tomorrow it's off to Bangkok, Thailand. It's one of my favourite cities in the world but Hong Kong is also now finding a place in my heart. So my Asian gap year is about to move onto my third country so Air Asia look out tomorrow.

Still to come Malaysia and more from Singapore! So much to see so little time. Goodnight folks xo

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Who needs to visit Manila when Sundays in HK has a devious maids feel


Yes it's the maids day off in Hong Kong so they are out in force in downtown Hong Kong, it's amazing seeing all these people on their cardboard boxes enjoying the company and card playing social Sunday. Part of me feels sorry for the maids but part of me loves their Sunday together ritual. I also experience hardcore authentic yum cha today, what a treat!

Saturday, October 5, 2013

STOP THE BOATS!


Omg I found Tony Abbotts and Julie Bishops worst nightmare! A city full of boats and guess what a lot of the people on them ain't white? Holy fuck balls! Yes I'm in Hong Kong and I just lobbed into the dreamy world of the Four Seasons, lush! Oh yes not my favourite city in Asia but still it has something. More updates from the harbour city totally soon.

Goodbye Singapore(till the end of the trip) Hello Hong Kong


JetStar here we come, yum cha here we come and to the wonderful city of Hong Kong I'm on my way. Raffles in Singapore was lovely but now it's onto Hong Kong. Stay tuned for regular little updates from all over Asia!

SBS Pop ASIA


Yes my time in Asia has begun! Already missing all my dear folk at home but Singapore has a lot to offer and the divine pool at the Raffles Hotel was just dreamy after my flight into Singapore. 31 degrees and its now bed time, goodnight Australia.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Holiday begins now...


Look out for some exciting updates.

Have a great long weekend all (well in NSW and other states were it is Labour Day - Sorry Mr Abbott).

See you soon....

Thursday, October 3, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 1


TV Show 30 - Orange is the New Black

Only a recent show and I thought I would theme this up a bit with Weeds as creator Jenji Kohan created both ace little shows. Orange is the new Black has been one of the most talked about shows of 2013 and has already been renewed for a 2nd outing. Like Wentworth it's a Women's Prison and there is loss of drama but unlike Wentworth this is also really funny. Like Weeds Jenji throws in some real laugh out loud moments.

With a great cast this made for very easy viewing and after 8 seasons and 102 episodes of Weeds it was really time for something new from Jenji.



It's hard to flaw this awesome series and as much as Weeds had some ups and downs I think Orange is the New Black is here to stay and here to stay quality. Let's take a quick peek back at Weeds:



Oh the good times, the bad times. That is it for my TV list. I hope you have enjoyed it, found a new show or two or just rediscovered some TV gold. I will be on the BLOG a bit OS on the old iPad but don't expect too much. I hope to have some images and other random goodness back up once I return to this great Southern Land. Until then, farewell dear reader...

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 2


TV Show 29 - Devious Maids

Marc Cherry has struck camp gold again with this brilliant 13 part series which recently wrapped up it's first season. The good news is it has been given the green light for a second series. It's great that the show will be back in 2014.



If you loved Desperate Housewives and love a bit of camp fun then Devious Maids from Lifetime is totally for you.

Yes it's a new show and not anything new but Devious Maids really got me hooked early on.

Well done Marc Cherry two from two, between you, Ryan Murphy and Alan Ball it's like gay TV mafia, well done boys.

One more day and one more show to go, Asia here I come!

200th Post for 2013


So we are here again in 2013 this is my 200th POST, WOW! So a lot has changed I created a new BLOG Flashing off the Record which is 100% devoted to music. I hope you have been enjoying it as much as I have enjoyed blogging away.

Music is my number one passion closely followed by movies, travel, TV, theatre and any other live performance. So still to come this year more movie reviews, more travel and more into the wonderful world of the arts.

Coming up on Flashing off the Record I have canned my regularly weekly stuff (besides the old school Sunday Countdown) and I have now focused hard on this year's album of the year. Thus far we have four nominations and with a fifth coming very soon! Also this year on Boxing Day the album of the year will be announced and also I will list the 200-101 songs of 2013. I will save the top 100 for a special on Australia Day. So listen up this year has been huge for tunes so from Boxing Day you can catch the 200 biggest tunes of the year.

So happy 200th post for 2013 and holidays here I come.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Blue Jasmine


Easily of the best films I have seen in 2013. Cate Blanchett is divine and the supporting cast is wonderful around this incredible performance from Blanchett.  Her facial expressions (Nicole Kidman would have really struggled in this role), her delivery of some killer lines and how her life just spirals out of control.

It doesn't help she pops xanax like tic tacs, has little or no respect for her sister and has just lost everything.

After landing in San Fran Jasmine tries to re-build her life but it continues to go from bad to worse. Easily one of Woody Allen's best recent films, but don't take my word for it check out the trailer below:



If you have some time this week or weekend check out what could be one of the films of 2013.

Blue Jasmine is outstanding it rates 4.75 stars, well done Cate.

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Runner Runner


Ben Affleck has gotten more credit lately with some good efforts, this one however may send him back down average road. Justin Timberlake has really chosen his acting roles (mostly) well. However this one is a little predictable and a little safe in the whole thriller game.

A lot of the film is based in beautiful Costa Rica and the 91 minutes really does zoom by. I enjoyed it to a degree and Justin Timberlake is ageing oh so well but I just felt it lacked something, anyway check out the trailer below:



Maybe check it out if you like Justin, there is not much else on at the movies and if you have a spare 91 minutes go for it. Runner Runner it's no epic thriller just a bit of old cat and mouse with the FBI, it rates 3 Stars.

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 3


TV Show 28 - Shameless (USA Season)

I tried watching the UK version of this show and thought it was OK but then I got into the American version and loved it.

Showtime has continued to bring confronting dramas to our television screens and for that I appreciate their hard work. It's not easy being bold when there is so many average programs and networks around.



I am so excite for January 2014 when series 4 premiers. This show really has not even reached it's peak yet, a dysfunctional family has so many stories to tell. With a station and the freedom on a station like Showtime these stories are explored in a realistic and sensitive manner.

Thanks Showtime for delivering another gem.