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In the last few hours Coldplay has released their brand new song Christmas Lights. Now the cynical side of me sees this as a blatant grab at dollars and attention at this time of year, but commercialism aside the song is emotive and genuine. (At least it's better than Mariah Carey's mid-90s attempt at a Christmas anthem).

The video clip is equally as impressive with most of it shot in single take. Check it out below.

Christmas Lights is available now through iTunes. No official release date yet for their fifth studio album, but you can expect to see it in stores some time in early '11.

Youngie d -_ -b
SMP

Weird Al Yankovic is the undisputed maestro of parody of this generation. With a career that's spanned nearly 30 years, about a dozen album and EP releases and over 12 million record sales you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who couldn't name a handful of Weird Al's legendary musical spoofs of recordings artists and blockbuster movie franchises.

It's been nearly four years since he made his W.A.Y. (my attempt at a pun) to Australia and this coming March Weird Al Yankovic and his tongue-in-cheek lyrical genius return with a five-piece band and an array of costumes, gadgets and big screens for what's set to be an hilarious audio/visual spectacular.

When: Friday, March 18, 2011
Where: Enmore Theatre
Tickets: On sale 3/12/10 through Ticketek

Youngie d -_ -b
SMP

Huzzah! It seems that Jimmy Eat World has finally realised that they have a significant fan base in Australia!

Before this year it seemed that the band was either oblivious to their cult following in Australia or just deliberately chose to ignore us all. In any case they seem determined to make up for their notable absence from our shores with their second visit in just 14 months and personally I'm super excited!

It was only last February that the chaps from Mesa, Arizona were one of the headlines acts on the Soundwave festival lineup. Now on the back of the release of their seventh studio album, Invented, the boys have once again plotted a course across Australia and are stopping by in April 2011. Here's what you need to know:

When: Friday, April 8, 2011
Where: Enmore Theatre
Tickets: On sale 9/12/10 through Ticketek

Youngie d -_ -b
SMP

Jimmy Eat World - My Best Theory
(From the album Invented)

Congratulations to the list of locals who today were added to the lineup for the Sydney Big Days Out this coming January.

Those who made the cut include Papa Vs Pretty (pictured), Jinja Safari, The Mission in Motion and Parades. The full list can be found on the Big Day Out's official website here.

This year Sydney gets two helpings of the Big Day Out festival. Tickets for the first on January 26 are completely goneski, but you can still get yourself tickets to Day #2, January 27, through Ticketmaster.

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

If your still sulking because you missed out on tickets to the Big Day Out 2011, or if you're whackin' your noggin trying to think of that perfect Christmas gift that both you and the recipient can enjoy together, then this might just put a smile on your face...

This week tickets to see a platoon of BDO sideshows including Lupe Fiasco, Deftones and Crystal Castles all go on sale in one big, bank-account-draining hit! Check out this list of who's on offer:

Lupe Fiasco
When: Monday, 24 January, 2011
Where: Enmore Theatre
Tickets: On sale 22/11 through Ticketek

Crystal Castles (pictured)
When: Tuesday, 25 January, 2011
Where: Enmore Theatre
Tickets: On sale 25/11 through Ticketek

CSS (pictured)
When: Monday, 24 January, 2011
Where: Oxford Art Factory
Tickets: On sale now through Moshtix

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
When: Friday, 28 January, 2011
Where: Forum Theatre
Tickets: On sale 22/11 through Moshtix

Booka Shade
When: Saturday, 29 January, 2011
Where: Forum Theatre
Tickets: On sale 22/11 through Moshtix

Deftones
When: Friday, 28 January, 2011
Where: UNSW Roundhouse
Tickets: On sale 22/11 through Ticketek

M.I.A.
With: Die Antwoord
When: Friday, 28 January, 2011
Where: Metro Theatre
Tickets: On sale 22/11 through Ticketek

Primal Scream
When: Saturday, 29 January, 2011
Where: Metro Theatre
Tickets: On sale 22/11 through Ticketek

If none of those tickle your fancy tickets to see a bunch more acts touring later in 2011 also go on sale this week:

The Doobie Brothers
When: Friday, 25 March, 2011
Where: Enmore Theatre
Tickets: On sale 25/11 through Ticketek

Maroon 5
With: Cobra Starship + Sara Bareilles + Ry Cuming
When: Friday, 6 May, 2011
Where: Acer Arena
Tickets: On sale 23/11 through Ticketek

Kyuss
When: Saturday, 7 May, 2011
Where: Metro Theatre
Tickets: On sale 25/11 through Ticketek

So get your plastic out and invest in a good set of ear plugs!

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

Central Coast band Jonnday have today released a brand new track One Type of Falling for free download from their website: jonnday.com

Since we last caught up, Jonnday has parted ways with founding member Kara Jones and has picked up guitarist Sam Telford. Not much is known of Sam at this point - he seems to be an enigma of sorts. The only thing we have managed to deduce is that he really loves one particular shirt that he's donned for both of the band's most recent photo shoots.

Jonnday is currently touring overseas in Tasmania =) No official word yet from the band on any new release, but we'll keep you posted!

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

This afternoon we received official confirmation of the lineup (so far) for next year's Soundwave festival... and it's completely kickarse! (I'm super excited! I think a little bit of wee just came out).

Headlining the bill are the legends of metal Iron Maiden (pictured), flying themselves out in their own private jumbo jet to crank it up to 13 and make our ears bleed.

Other massive acts tagging along include Queens of the Stone Age, Slash and Avenged Sevenfold... but there are just too many great acts to highlight in a separate paragraph - you're just gonna have to read the entire lineup below:

Iron Maiden - Slayer - Queens of the Stone Age - Primus - Slash - Social Distortion - Rob Zombie - Avenged Sevenfold - 30 Seconds To Mars - Stone Sour - Gang of Four - New Found Glory - Pennywise - Sum 41 - Annberlin - The Gaslight Anthem - Third Eye Blind - Devildriver - Sevendust - Less Than Jake - The Bronx - Monster - Magnet - Terror - MXPX - Protest The Hero - Melvins - 30 Crazyfists - Ill Nino - The Ataris - The Starting Line - Bayside - Madd Caddies - The Maine - Trash Talk - May Day Parade - Foxy - Shazam - Never Shout Never - The Blackout - Alesana - Asking Alexandria - All That Remains - High On Fire - Dommin - The Sword - Kylesa - A Skylit Drive - There For Tomorrow - Breathe Carolina - Taking Dawn - I See Stars - Rise To Remain - Nonpoint - Veara - Every Avenue

Soundwave makes it's way around the country in late February/early March in 2011. The Sydney Soundwave festival rocks our outer suburbs on Saturday, February 27 at the Eastern Creek International Raceway.

Presale tickets go on sale to Soundwave Festival members on Wednesday, August 18 @ 9am. The general public gets its turn on Thursday, August 26 @ 9am through Ticketek. There are also still more acts to be announced, so make sure you keep an eye on the Soundwave website for all the skinny: www.soundwavefestival.com

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP`

Fear of Dawn is a new electro project made up of local DJ/Producer Kai Waldon and DJ/Musician Mark Olsen. The fellas are successful DJs in their own right, but have teamed up and locked themselves in the studio over recent months to put together their debut release.

Million Dollars is the first track from Fear of Dawn, featuring the vocal services of elctro-pop diva Lady Lauryn. It's most definitely a club anthem... and a darned catchy one too!

Check it out below:

Fear of Dawn & Lady Lauryn - Million Dollars (Radio Edit)

No release date has been announced as yet for an EP or LP from the duo, but as soon as we know, you will too! In the meantime, keep your ears peeled in the clubs.

You can find more info on Fear of Dawn on their Facebook page. You can also hear more of Lady Lauryn's tunes on her MySpace page

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

Sydney's largest community radio station is FBi 94.5. It captures the heart and vibe of Sydney's music scene and makes it available to all via radio broadcast and podcast. As a community station, FBi largely relies on volunteers and donations from listeners to keep its door open and remain on the air.

As part of their strategy to generate much-needed coin, FBi are putting on some sensational fundraising events this month, featuring some of the best talent in Sydney... and we've got the tickets! Here's the list of gigs... and they're all cheap as chips!:

Cuddle Puddle | Friday July 9 @ Oxford Art Factory: 11:30PM

KID KENOBI - KATO & ANNA LUNOE - RO SHAM BO - HOOPS - DIZZ1 (live) - TONI TONI LEE (live) - SIMON CALDWELL - JAMES TAYLOR & BEN MORRIS - MONKFLY - GARAGE PRESSURE - STOLEN RECORDS - ANDREW MAXAM - JAMES MCINNES - BOONIE - 16 TACOS - WEDDING RING FINGERS - GENERIC DJs

Prepare to boogie till daybreak! Tickets here!

Jinja Safari has released their first official music video for the song Peter Pan. Check it out below ↓

The boys are also gigging plenty, with their next live show next on Friday, July 9 at Spectrum. Get your tickets here or in our Ticket Store.

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

Jinja Safari - Peter Pan:

When you think about angelic voices, the name Katie Noonan immediately springs to mind. Katie and her soul-piercing vocals came into the spotlight back in 2002 as part of Aussie orchestral-pop-rock band George. Since then she has had a hand in many other projects and has embraced her opera and jazz roots in her myriad of recordings since, including the 2007 solo album Skin.

Now in 2010, Katie is back on the road with a new band and a brand new album to boot!

Katie Noonan & The Captains have been writing and performing over the last couple of years and have recently released their debut album Emperor's Box. They've now embarked on a national tour and are playing the Metro Theatre on Saturday, June 19. Tickets are available from the Metro Box Office on (02) 9550 3666 or online at metrotheatre.com.au

To celebrate their visit to Sydney, we have a copy of Emperor's Box to give away. For your chance to win, send an email to competitions@sydneymusicpodcast.com with a subject heading of Katie Noonan Competition and answer this simple question: What was the name of George's debut album released in 2002? Entries close 6pm (AEST) on Friday, June 25 (winner will be notified by email).

Emperor's Box is now available in stores and on iTunes. More info and some sample tracks can be found on MySpace too.

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

The official lineup for Parklife 2010 has been announced this morning, and I, for one, am quite impressed with the looks of bill on paper.

International acts include shoegaze rock maestros The Dandy Warhols (pictured), UK indie lads The Wombats, plus Groove Armada, Missy Elliot, New Young Pony Club and Kele from Bloc Party.

Among the local acts, Midnight Juggernauts, Holy Ghost!, Cut Copy and Ajax to name but a few.

Here's the full lineup:

AC SLATER - AJAX - BAG RAIDERS - BRODINSKI - BUSY P - CHIDDY BANG - CLASSIXX - CUT COPY - DAN BLACK - DARWIN DEEZ - DELOREAN - GROOVE ARMADA - GRUM - GYPSY & THE CAT - HOLY GHOST! - JACK BEATS - JESSE ROSE - KELE - MEHDI - MEMORY TAPES - MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS - MISSY ELLIOTT - MIXMASTER MIKE - NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB - OU EST LE SWIMMING POOL - SINDEN - SOULWAX - THE DANDY WARHOLS - THE GLITCH MOB - THE SWISS - THE WOMBATS - UFFIE - WASHINGTON - WOLF GANG - YOLANDA BE COOL VS DCUP

Parklife kicks off nationally on the Gold Coast in late September, but Sydney gets its turn on Sunday October 3 at Kippax Lake, Moore Park (right next to the stadia). Tickets go on sale July 1st and will go in a flash!

For all the info head on over to parklife.com.au

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

The modern-day masters of musical extravagance MUSE will be returning down under for a nationwide tour this December. The announcement of the British trio's next tour has been hotly anticipated since headlining and wowing crowds at the Big Days Out at the beginning of 2010.

If you've never seen MUSE live in concert, you really have missed out on one of life's greatest wonders... But don't just take my word for it - Chris Wolstenholme (Bass/BVs) from the band has openly been quoted as saying "we want to put on as much of a spectacle as we can."

The boys have just announced the one date in Sydney so far: Acer Arena on Thursday, December 9, 2010. Tickets go on sale Monday, June 7 through Ticketek.

It's almost a certainty, however, that the moment this show sells out (and it will) that there will be at least a second show announced and will very probably go on sale the same day.

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

PS: For those of you who weren't at the Big Day Out this year: Nic Cester from Jet with MUSE doing a cover of AC/DC's Back In Black!

Passion Pit sailed to the heights of electro pop stardom last year with their stellar debut album Manners. Since then, the boys from Boston have had many an audience w00ting for their energetic performances and contagious joy.

Passion Pit is one of the draw cards for this year's Splendour in the Grass festival and, much to our delight, they have also announced a Sydney sideshow for Monday, August 2 at the Forum Theatre at Fox Studios.

Click here to get your tickets before they're all gone!

Don't forget to check out our Ticket Store for all the other shows we're promoting.

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

Jinja Safari is a local two-piece outfit and has been gathering wide recognition and momentum over the last few weeks.

The duo has managed to fuse jungle beats and rhythms with contemporary folk vocals and other elements of world music to create a multicultural mix of melodic mastery. To put it another way, picture the lovechild of Jack Johnson and Bon Iver raised by Amazonians.

Their latest track Peter Pan is up on their MySpace page and also available for download on Triple J Unearthed:

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jinjasafari
Triple J Unearthed: http://triplejunearthed.com/jinjasafari

If you'd like to see the boys live, they'll be supporting Miami Horror next month at the Manning Bar. Get your tix through our ticket store!

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

Well, it's now official... At time of writing, Splendour in the Grass 2010 has just SOLD OUT!... but all is not lost!

Now that Splendour is at capacity, a myriad of acts appearing at the festival have announced their Splendour Sideshows for Sydney. Here's a list of the most notable so far...

Jonsi (pictured) of Sigur Ros fame will be playing at the Enmore Theatre on Monday, August 2. Tix through Ticketek May 14.

Foals are booked in for an appearance at the Manning on Wednesday, July 28. Tix through Moshtix May 14.

Two Door Cinema Club will no doubt pack in a squished crowd at the Oxford Art Factory on Monday, August 2. Tix through Moshtix May 14.

The Magic Numbers will be bringing their brand of folk-pop to the Metro Theatre on Friday, July 30. Tix from the Metro Box Office May 14.

We Are Scientists and Ash will co-headline what's shaped up to be an incredible show at the Metro Theatre on Tuesday, August 3. Tix from the Metro Box Office May 14.

Kate Nash will also being appearing at the Metro on Thursday, August 5. Tix from the Metro Box Office May 14.

No doubt a whole stack more sideshows will be announced shortly. In the meantime, make sure you keep an eye out for tickets to all these amazing shows! Happy gigging! =D

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP


EDIT

Updated list of sideshows:

Florence & The Machine @ Enmore Theatre - Thursday, August 5. Tix on sale Friday, May 21 through Ticketek

Passion Pit @ Forum Theatre - Monday, August 2. Tix on sale Friday, May 14 through us HERE

Band of Skulls @ Oxford Art Factory - Tuesday, August 3. Tix on sale Friday, May 14 through Moshtix

Broken Social Scene @ Metro Theatre - Wednesday, August 4. Tix on sale Friday, May 14 through The Metro Box Office

Last month's announcement of the lineup for this year's Splendour in the Grass took many a breath away... and just when we thought the news couldn't possibly get any better regarding international touring acts, it's been announced that Metallica will be returning to our shores this November!

2004 was the last time we saw the gracefully-aging legends of metal when they headlined the Big Days Out. Those who braved the outdoor event back then and received a drenching when the heavnes opened will be relieved to learn that the band will be playing at the indoor Acer Arena on Wednesday, November 10. Tickets go on sale through Ticketek on Thursday, May 13.

And whilst we're talking about long-haired axe shredders, former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash has announced a tour down under in August to promote his new, self-titled album. Slash is booked in for a relatively small gig at the Enmore Theatre for Monday, August 16. Tickets on sale through Ticketek this Friday, May 7.

With the enormous number of international acts making their way out to Australia for Splendour, the announcements of sideshows are starting to trickle through as well...

LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip are co-headlining a show at the Hordern Pavilion on Monday, July 26. Tickets available through Ticketek from this Friday, May 7.

You can also catch Grizzly Bear on Sunday, July 25 at the Enmore Theatre. Tickets, again, through Ticketek.

Don't forget that tickets to Splendour go on sale at 9am this Thursday, May 6 through Moshtix. No doubt once the festival has completely sold out, more sideshows from touring artists will be announced...

(Happy International Star-Wars Day and May the fourth be with you! ☺)

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

Those nice chaps from local indie rock band The Goldhearted have just released a just released a brand new track for free download called May Day. We asked Mark Holland (vox/guitar) from the band about the new song and the significance of its release on May 1st (also known as May Day).

"There's not too much connection to the European Labour Day called 'May Day' on May 1st, but we thought it'd be a good tie in to finally getting our new music and sound out there. The track on a lyrical level is about a friend of mine who seemed to just keep getting stuck in situations and constantly needed that extra push to break out of the slump."

The Goldhearted has been recording a new EP called Saving Out Heritage, which we're told is planned for release late winter. Mark also tells us we shouldn't have to wait too much longer to see the boys on stage again.

"We're all super busy folk working in the music industry, so finding sufficient time to tour is a little hard. There will be some shows around the EP release and we're also supporting British India this coming Friday 7th May at Manly Fisho's."

May Day is available for download from the band's website: thegoldhearted.com

Tickets to their support gig with British India at Fisho's are available through Moshtix or at the door.

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

After months of speculation, the official lineup for Splendour in the Grass 2010 has been announced!

We're particularly excited to see some of our favourite American acts returning to our shores, including New York's The Strokes (pictured) along with Boston's Pixies and Seattle's Band of Horses.

A delicious selection of European acts are on the way too, including Foals, Mumford and Sons and Sigur Ros' front man Jonsi.

Plenty of great Aussie acts on the bill too, including The Middle East, Philadelphia Grand Jury, Paul Kelly and one of the SMP's favourite Sydney acts Boy and Bear.

Other big names include Goldfrapp, Yeasayer, Ash, Ben Harper and the Relentless 7... and the list really does go on. Here is said list:

The Strokes - Pixies - Foals - Goldfrapp - Jonsi - Mumford and Sons - Frightened Rabbit - LCD Soundsystem - Broken Social Scene - The Drums - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Yeasayer - Angus and Julia Stone - Empire Of The Sun - Wolfmother - The Temper Trap - Band Of Horses - Passion Pit - Florence and the Machine - Laura Marling - Grizzly Bear - Band Of Skulls - Surfer Blood - Alberta Cross - Two Door Cinema Club - Midlake - Ash - Scissor Sisters - The Ting Tings - Hot Chip - Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 - We Are Scientists - Richard Ashcroft and the United Nations Of Sound - K-Os - Delphic - School Of Seven Bells - The Magic Numbers - The Vines - Tame Impala - Paul Kelly - Operator Please - Lisa Mitchell - Midnight Juggernauts - Little Red - Space Invadas - British India - Oh Mercy - The Middle East - Bluejuice - Washington - Whitley - Dan Sultan - Cloud Control - Miami Horror - Clare Bowditch - Philadelphia Grand Jury - The John Steel Singers - Violent Soho - The Mess Hall - Jonathan Boulet - Boy and Bear - Gypsy and the Cat - Last Dinosaurs - Ernest Ellis - Tim and Jean - Yacht Club DJs

This will be the first time that Splendour in the Grass will take place over three days at its new home in Woodford, Queensland, July 30 - August 1. Tickets on sale Thursday, May 6 from 9am.

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

Those sensational San-Diegons Switchfoot reach Australian shores next week for an all-too-brief, east-coast-only tour. The band is out here to promote their latest release, Hello Hurricane, but with such an extensive back catalogue dating back more than 12 years, the lads will no doubt dish up plenty of the tunes that have made them one of the most underrated rock bands of today.

Their one and only Sydney show is next Friday, April 23 at the Forum Theatre, Moore Park (Fox Studios)... and there are still some tickets available in our ticket store (or you can just click here). Adolescents will be thrilled to learn this is an all ages show.

In related news, Switchfoot has also just been announced on the bill for the world-renowned music festival Lollapalooza 2010 in Chicago. Other headline acts this year include Green Day, Lady Gaga, The Strokes, Phoenix and Arcade Fire... but the one that's drawing the most attention is the return of iconic grunge pioneers Soundgarden. (ZOMG w00t!) Unfortunately, we're not selling tickets to that particular festival here... but you can bet they'll be hot property come August when the show gets underway over three massive days.

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP