AU review

I’ve never been a massive fan of the Sword Art Online franchise, but have followed it loosely over the years, across a few novels, and more recently, the wildly popular anime series. For what it’s worth, there’s an incredibly dense and unique world on offer, complete with memorable characters and several great story arcs. The Sword Art Online games for me, however, have been a bit of a blind spot throughout.

I first became aware of Gia Darcy in February 2023, when I saw her performing on a stage outside Ed Sheeran’s Sydney concert. I was blown away by her stage presence, vocals and warmth, and have keenly followed her journey ever since. Now, Darcy is taking us behind the scenes of the video for her latest single, “What’s To Blame?”, a duet with Perth musician Sam McGovern.

After a decade spent moving through the relentless cycle of recording, releasing and touring, DMA’S finally allowed themselves the rare luxury of stepping back. That pause has led to DMA’S, the Sydney trio’s self-titled fifth album, due on 21st August. It is a record that looks forward while reconnecting with the raw, guitar-driven energy that first defined Johnny Took, Matt Mason and vocalist Tommy O’Dell.

Adelaide’s Beer and BBQ Festival has evolved from having market stalls in the cowsheds at the Showgrounds to more of a mini music festival at The Drive, right next door to Adelaide Oval. With a welcome balmy warm night and the lure of headlining band TISM, the joint was packed to the rafters. But was it a case of being too successful? This is the first year at the Drive, so there are bound to be teething problems.

It’s finally confirmed: Jimmy Eat World are returning to Australia in December on a headline tour celebrating their classic album Bleed American’s 25th anniversary. They will visit Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane on their first Australian headline tour since 2017 and the final shows anywhere in the world to wrap up their current tour celebrating the legendary record. Joining Jimmy Eat World on all Australian dates will be Ruby Fields and A.

California outfit The Neighbourhood touched down in Melbourne on Friday for the third Australian stop of THE WOURLD TOUR. Margaret Court Arena was packed with an eyeliner-and-dark-clothing-clad audience, more than eager from the moment the doors opened. Known for their moody sound, frontman Jesse Rutherford delivered a huge set with his signature edgy croon, full of swagger and cool bravado.

Ten years after audiences first sailed beyond the reef with Moana, Lin-Manuel Miranda has returned to one of the defining works of his career – not because the songs needed rewriting, but because the story deserved to be experienced in an entirely new way.

Few modern Disney films have resonated with audiences quite like Moana. Nearly a decade after the animated original became a global phenomenon, the beloved adventure returns to cinemas in an expansive live-action adaptation that honours its roots while charting a course of its own.

Before Bellroy became synonymous with backpacks and slings, it built its reputation by solving small, everyday frustrations in the carry solution space. That’s always been the appeal. The Australian brand is big on refinement and has become one of the top apparel labels emerging from Victoria in the past few decades. The Classic Duffel follows the same philosophy that has made Bellroy such a reliable brand.

The hiatus that has kept The Temper Trap largely away from the public eye since 2018 has happily come to an official end with the release today of their fourth studio album, Sungazer. Taking much-needed time off to focus on their personal lives and other creative projects has certainly had no apparent side effects musically, with this new album feeling cohesive and creatively robust.