News:
·Puff 'n' Stuff
Everything that's happening in Adelaide this fortnight.
·Industry
The latest from the music industry.
·Dance
Dance and electronica news.
·Metal
Updates from the wide world of metal.
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Puff 'n Stuff
What's got a full-size replica of the Castle of Schšnbrunn, two working fountains, 80 debutantes from Vienna's famous Elmayer Dance School, two ice rinks and 60 skaters, including the Vienna Figure Skating Association and a complete golden ballroom with real golden chandeliers? No, it's not a terrible punchline, it's AndrŽ Rieu's Worldwide Stadium Tour, which will be coming to Australia in almost exactly one year (it takes a while to organise all that stuff, you know), at AAMI Stadium (subject to council approval) on 18 Nov.
 Oh, how Puff rejoiced when Laneways announced that Dan Deacon would be coming to Australia. And oh, the terrible disappointment when the fine print announced that he was not on the Adelaide list. But the one man party didn't want us to miss out, so he's bringing his fluoro green skull, signal generator, vocoder and computer to induce all kinds of crazy dancing and loosing of inhibitions. Best book a spot with your physio now because he's playing on Thu 28 Feb at Rocket Bar.
The boys from The Chaser may have missed a trick by not covering this year's election, but it was because they were working on their own promotional plans for a national stage tour next year, called the 'Age Of Terror Variety Hour'. Like the TV show, it will feature a combination of sketches, songs, presentations and interactive audience segments. Satire fans and 'Today Tonight' camera crews can catch them at the Thebrton Theatre from Thurs 15 to Sat 17 May next year.
That Paul Weller may have been quite some fella, but it's a mark against him in Puff's book that he never brought The Jam to Australia when he had the chance. From The Jam try and at least partially rectify that situation - original members Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler have reformed to play all of the old hits, and they'll be doing just that on Mon 17 Jan at the Gov.
Kelly Clarkson's ticket to Australia has been booked for a while, but until now there's been an empty seat next to her just waiting to be filled. As it turns out, it'll be 17 year old Sean Kingston, (he of Beautiful Girls and Me Love fame) supporting her at the Entertainment Centre on Mon 3 March.
Why, oh why didn't everyone in Adelaide buy tickets to see the Pixies and Pet Shop Boys at the mini V Festival this year? Now, they don't want to come back, so while Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast are cheering Richard Branson's corporate roadshow, Puff will only be able to hear what it's like over our mobile phone of choice. Here's what you're missing out on, Adelaide: The Smashing Pumpkins, Air, The Jesus And Mary Chain, Duran Duran, Queens Of The Stone Age, Mika, The Presets, CSS, The Tough Alliance and Plug-In City.
There are already lots of reasons to get excited about March's Golden Plains Festival. So excited that Puff had to make up a word to describe the new, Goldener line-up, which benefits form the addition of J Award winners The Panics, trickster turntablist extraordinaire Kid Koala and Jens Lekman (whose CD, 'Night Falls Over Kortedala' snagged the prestigious 'We Liked It And You Will Too' in last week's edition).
 Most people trying to cement a position as legends of a genre do so by releasing a series of albums to document their musical growth. Not so legendary lung collapsing underground rapper Percee P, who waited more than 15 years to record his debut album. So you can expect a full-on celebration when he rolls into The Gov on Sat 12 Jan for his first Aussie headline tour, then, because he'll be joined by Monstah Ganjah, DJ Kronic, DJ Snair, Damo & DJ Dyems, Conseps & Patti, Headstrong Company and Miguel Sanchez.
Sunday nights mean many things- second-rate movies on TV, Puff's weekly soccer matches, the impending end of the weekend and, in the first two months of next year, The Borderers at The Promethean. They'll be bringing their blend of Celtic, roots and country music for a season of five Sunday afternoon concerts on January 6 and 13, and February 3, 10 and 17 starting at 5pm.
He's been covered by everyone from Bryan Ferry to Guns n' Roses, but there are plenty of Adelaide musicians itching to have a crack at Bob Dylan's songbook. So, the nice folks at The Gov have given acts like Catherine Lambert, The Ramonettes, Steve Brown and Junior the chance to pay tribute to his Bobness at the Bob Dylan Tribute Show on Fri 11 Jan.
So you haven't seen Leader Cheetah around for a while, eh? No doubt you've been scratching your head wondering where they've been, but the all-knowing Puff can now reveal that they've been recording their debut album with legendary US Producer Kramer (he's worked with the likes of Galaxie 500, Low and Urge Overkill, you know). They don't want you to miss out on the goodness of their live shows, though, so they'll be welcoming in the New Year with good friends No Through Road and local newcomers Sidewalks at The Exeter on New Year's Eve.
With the Chappell-Hadlee Series in full swing at the moment, New Zealand expats Shihad must be a bit confused about who to cheer for, but there'll be no such problems when they rock Australia on their national tour next year. They're bringing special guests Horsell Common and The Galvatrons with them for extra rocking power at their SA shows at Mannum's Pretoria Hotel on Sat 1 Mar and Fowler's Live on Sun 2 Mar.
Expect a very odd crowd at The Gov on Mon 3 M rch, because that strangest of bands, Ween, come to Adelaide. They may not be very trusting of Australian musicians, so instead of booking a local act, Dean and Gene just decided to play an extra long set at the Governor Hindmarsh on Mon 3 March. An extra long, three hour set.
Parkway Drive are certainly doing it for the kids - literally. All the dates on their upcoming Australian tour will be all ages events, ensuring that everyone gets a piece of the Parkway pie. It doesn't sound too friendly, but be assured that the All Ages Assault Tour will be a bunch of fun, as the Drive bring fellow Byron bay grommets 50 Lions along for the ride on Sun 17 Feb at HQ
There may not be any tickets left for the Big Day Out, but that hasn't stopped the organisers from piling on the value. They've just announced the Lilyworld line-up, and as always, it's set to encompass both the sublime and the ridiculous. The air will be blue around dancehall queen Lady Saw as she gives new meaning to the word slack when she jets in from Jamaica, there'll be eclectic DJing from Mayall vs. Mayall and Puff is certainly looking forward to the pretty self-explanatory Boxwars on Fri 1 Feb.
This 'Don't Look Back' thing of playing classic albums in their entirety is a pretty good idea. In fact, it's such a good idea that a bunch of other acts have nicked it, including old metallers W.A.S.P. 15 years after the release of 'The Crimson Idol', they'll be playing that album in its entirety on their Australian tour. But don't accuse them of living in the past and resting on past glories - oh no, they'll also be playing a second set of old classics and new material, including tracks from this years 'Dominator' album. They'll be bringing the whole circus to town with The Poor at Thebarton Theatre on Sun 13 April.
 Don Henley never dreamed of these Boys Of Summer, but Silverstein, Amity Affliction, Set Your Goals, Deez Nuts and Capeside will be barreling into The Gov with nary a deadhead sticker or a Cadillac between them on Sun 13 Jan at the Gov.
Jive certainly love to put on a Christmas show, and it would be foolish to think that they could call on anyone but High Stakes to help them out. They've reformed specially so that they can bring joy to the masses with The Beards and The Tony Font Show on Sat 22 Dec.
But if your tastes are slightly more tropical, perhaps you'd be interested in checking out the Calypso Crazy party on Sat 22 Dec as Rhino Room opens both levels for a carnival of fun. With DJ Kim Dezen, limbo competitions and prizes for best dressed, the only thing that could make it better is the fact that they're donating all door proceeds to help disadvantaged kids.
Up and coming Melbourne rockers Freestate are feeling a little bit guilty, because it's been a while since they visited the Festival State, but they're set to make up for that with a flurry of shows in January. They'll kick off their SA holiday with a show at the Austral on Thurs 17 Jan, follow it up with an appearance at eth Twenty Twenty Allstars show at The Gov on Fri 18 Jan and then finish at the beach with a Sun 9 Jan show at Jetty Bar.
Bonde Do Role had a hit on their hands with Marina Gasolina, and she's certainly proved slippery, with the band having to call off their Australian tour due to the departure of Marina...But Blackalicious have tried to make up for it by coming the very next day. The hip-hop innovators will be playing with a seven piece band at HQ on Fir 4 Jan.
Most people celebrate Christmas on December 25, but a little birdy told Behind Crimson Eyes that Adelaide audiences are usually a bit ahead of their time, so they decided to gift everyone with an early Christmas. They'll be playing at Fowler's Live on Sun 23 Dec with New Season Black and Kiss Montana.
Puff might take a little well-earned rest over the Christmas break, but not everyone gets to do the same. The kind folk at Moonlight Cinema, will be working extra hard over the break to bring movies like 'Across The Universe', 'Stardust', 'Ratatouille' and 'Death Proof' to the serene locale of Botanic Park over the holiday period.
Prog rock may be a dirty word for some, but prog metal is another thing entirely, and it doesn't come much proggier than Dream Theater. Not only are they accomplished musicians, but they're considerate as well - they've got a special formula to ensure that each setlist is unique, keeping fans from having to see the same show twice. Enjoy an evening with Dream Theater at the Wayville Paviliion on Mon 28 Jan.
 Finnish symphonic metal types Nightwish are just a little sick of all the cold weather in their homeland, and when Puff told them about Adelaide's balmy climate, they immediately booked plane flights over. Unfortunately, they couldn't get anything before Tues 29 Jan, but on that date they'll announce their arrival with a bang by playing at HQ.
It's over two months away, but already Soundwave is looming over the heavier elements of Adelaide's music community as Bonython Park is the place to be come Sat 1 Mar. And with bands like Still Remains, Incubus, City And Colour, The Offspring and Killswithc Engage appearing, why wouldn't you want to be there?
Interpol put their love out there for all to admire when they turn on the bright lights at the Thebarton Theatre early next year. Catch all of the band's antics on Tue 26 Feb.
Puff may have a social calendar that's booked out until 2009, but not everyone's so lucky, and when the New Year starts and St. Valentine's day edges ever closer, it can be pretty hard to forget about things like that. Which is why it's a great relief to have a reason to look forward to that time of year, and what better reason than the Desperate and Dateless ball on Sat 9 Feb.
They're back! Airbourne have been in the States for a while, and they liked it so much they'll be moving there permanently soon, but the boys form Warrnambool are going to turn it up to eleven once more when they hit the Night Train Entertainment Complex on Fri 11 Jan.
Spank Rock sure is a nice looking fellow -that's why we put him on our cover last week - but he's also got plenty of talents to offer the discerning music lover, as well. You can find out all about them by seeing the speaker-wobbling performance he gives with the four-piece live group at the Gov on Wed 9 Jan.
After a busy 2007, Adelaide indie/pop band Room One play Jive this Friday night as a close to their exciting year. Returning from Melbourne after a successful national band competition the group promises an electrifying live show not to be missed. Supported by Melbourne lads Skye Harbour the night should be a great end to a good year.
 Madviolet's latest album is called 'Caravan', and with the amount of touring the Canadian duo is doing, you'd be forgiven for thinking that they live in one whenever they're in Australia. South Australia alone gets three shows, and they'll be ensuring that alt-country is on the agenda at The Wheatsheaf Hotel on Wed 30 Jan, at The South Coast Folk Club in Port Noarlunga on Thurs 31 Jan and The Church Of The Trinity's Trinity Sessions on Fri 1 Feb.
Have a very merry festive season, and
Get Out Of The House!
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