News

News: Josh Pyke ‘Kingdom Within’ New Single & Album Announcement

Josh Pyke
‘Kingdom Within’
New Single & Album Announcement
‘Kingdom Within’ LP out June 12 via ADA Music Pre Order now
‘Kingdom Within’ Single out now via ADA Music
joshpyke.com

Download Press Pic here – Photo Credit Michelle Pitiris

With his eighth studio album, ‘Kingdom Within’, out June 12th, via ADA Music, Sydney singer-songwriter Josh Pyke delivers a masterfully crafted collection of songs that explore humankind’s shifting moral compass in a rapidly changing technological landscape, how society values human creativity, love, loss and family.

Produced by ARIA Award winner Chris Collins (Matt Corby, Royal Otis) ‘Kingdom Within’ is a bold artistic statement that demands examination and repeat listens, this album reaffirmsJosh’s place as one of Australia’s most compelling storytellers.

In the title track, ‘Kingdom Within’, he sings, “With no Kingdom within such a rudderless thing we become.” 

“This song is really about reconnecting with your moral core,” he explains. “The Kingdom Within I am referring to is our rich internal life. In a world that seems really fraught at the momentand is really fragmented by not only what is going on in the political landscape but also in social media, I think it is more important than ever that we reconnect with what is important to us. This is different for everybody, but for me its creativity, art, nature and most important of all, family.”

Watch the official clip for ‘Kingdom Within” here:

Josh is currently rounding out 38 intimate shows across Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and the ACT for his Feeding the Wolves and Other Stories Regional Solo Tour.

‘Kingdom Within’ LP out June 12 via ADA Music Pre Order now
‘Kingdom Within’ Single out now via ADA Music

Feeding the Wolves and Other Stories Regional Solo Tour 2026

Remaining Shows

FRI 20 MAR – DRPAC, THORNLIE, WA

SAT 21 MAR – HARVEY RECREATION & CULTURAL CENTRE, HARVEY, WA – SOLD OUT

SUN 22 MAR – BRIDGETOWN POTTERY RESTAURANT, BRIDGETOWN, WA – SOLD OUT

THU 26 MAR – THE MEMO, HEALESVILLE, VIC

FRI 27 MAR – THE CAPITAL, BENDIGO, VIC

SAT 28 MAR – THE CUBE, WODONGA, VIC

SUN 29 MAR – RIVERLINKS WESTSIDE, SHEPPARTON, VIC

WED 08 APR – PORTLAND ARTS CENTRE, PORTLAND, VIC

THU 09 APR – LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE, WARRNAMBOOL, VIC

FRI 10 APR – GEELONG ARTS CENTRE, GEELONG, VIC

SAT 11 APR – THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE, VIC

THU 16 APR – FRANKSTON ARTS CENTRE, FRANKSTON, VIC

FRI 17 APR –  THE WEDGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, SALE, VIC

SAT 18 APR – BERNINNEIT CULTURAL CENTRE, COWES, VIC

SUN 19 APR – MEENIYAN TOWN HALL, MEENIYAN, VIC – SOLD OUT
FRI 24 APRIL – ALICE SPRINGS BREWING CO, ALICE SPRINGS, NT
SAT 25 APRIL – PORT LINCOLN BREWING CO, PORT LINCOLIN, SA

Tickets are on sale now
https://www.joshpyke.com/shows

News

ELLA HOOPER SHARES STOMPING NEW SINGLE ‘I GOT EYES (ON YOU)’

Ella Hooper delivers a bold, barroom banger in new single, I Got Eyes (On You).  An upbeat, finger-wagging, foot-stomping anthem that swaps heartbreak for hard-won clarity. Released today, the single is packed with jumping zydeco squeezebox and an earworm chorus that lets Hooper rip into a classic ‘fool me twice’ tale. This track feels like beer spilling on pub floorboards while the band plays on. Landing like an Americana response to Robyn’s Dancing On My Own – but Hooper’s not crying in the corner, she’s walking out the door.

I Got Eyes (On You) follows last year’s Springsteen flavored coming of age track – Growing Up Is Hard To Do.

“I Got Eyes (On You) is the next step in sharing this new era. I’m pushing the boundaries of what Americana means to me.. including more of the diverse flavours I love like the Cajun and Zydeco elements here. From the crazy playing on it, to the production, to the cheeky lyrics –  I’m really proud of it”

Written and recorded in Nashville with a who’s who of players, the track was born from a modern day music-industry meet-cute. After becoming obsessed with the work of East Nashville songwriter Melody Walker, co-writer of Sierra Ferrell’s Dollar Bill Bar and the Grammy Award-winning American Dreaming, Hooper slid into Walker’s DMs to heap praise on the songs she couldn’t stop spinning. A connection sparked and months later, Walker was assembling the backing band for Hooper’s Americanafest appearance (Americana’s answer to SXSW) and the pair found time for a co-write in Walker’s living room.

Following a long walk-and-talk around Radnor Lake where both women unpacked a helluva few years and wondered whether they (and maybe the world) were ready for a little cheek and levity, they set out to write something with grit, smarts and heart. The result: a relatable, no-BS “I’m done with you” anthem for anyone who’s chosen a swift exit over being the ‘pick me’ girl.

The studio band reads like a Nashville honour roll: Sheryl Crow’s drummer Fred Eltringham, Tom “Uncle Larry” Bukovac on guitar, Rachel Loy (Willie Nelson, Vince Gill) on bass, not to mention bringing Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor’s pedal steel player – the iconic Dan Dugmore – out of semi-retirement to feature on the track. The sound is loose, live and electric, capturing the joy of seasoned players in a room chasing the same spark. A notable Melbourne based addition is Flora Smith, squeeze box virtuoso and granddaughter in law of Australian music pioneers, Slim Dusty and Joy McKean. Stacked is an understatement.

“I’ve wanted to record in Nashville since I was a kid reading my parents’ record liner notes, seeing the city’s name pop up again and again,” says Hooper. “Seems like every great singer-songwriter from Dylan to CMAT has their Nashville record, and I felt ready for mine. Being there so much these last few years I feel plugged into a community — especially in East Nashville — that feels like a perfect chrysalis for my musical evolution.”

Accompanying the release is Hooper’s wildest, most joyfully unfiltered music video yet, a high-octane live-performance romp shot in her beloved North East Victoria, in and around the iconic North Eastern Hotel in Euroa. Directed by long-time photographic collaborator Laura May Grogan and shot by Indigo Tait-Atkin, the all-female crew captured the countrified patina of the late-1880s watering hole where Hooper genuinely plays and hangs out. It’s Hooper being fully, unapologetically herself – boots on boards, eyes wide open.

“I’ve been wanting to do a live performance clip for ages, as playing with my band is such a big part of what I do,” beams Hooper. “Laura and Indi encouraged me to bring my authentic energy and yes, my silliness to the fore. Working with a tight crew of young female creatives on something so bad ass was honestly pretty special. Everyone burned the midnight oil to get it done, including calling in favours from my country friends for catering and cameos. This a window into my actual reality. Just add dancing on top of cars, being a bar-wench and bringing the razzle dazzle to a 1880s Victorian era pub – which I definitely don’t do every weekend!”

Hooper’s origin story of exploding on to the scene with the band Killing Heidi is well documented. Scoring No. 1 albums, Rolling Stone covers, a stack of ARIA’s and pop culture phenom status as the millennium broke, she is a well loved and respected veteran of the Aus music scene.

Branching out into a solo career, Hooper has continued to surprise and dazzle with her dexterous musical flair, trading in everything from pop rock to synth folk, her evolving craft as a writer has been clocked and celebrated by critics. Her most recent solo album, 2023’s Small Town Temple, was nominated for the Australian Music Prize. The record shared deeply personal narratives over warm acoustic sounds and debuted at #1 on the Australian Country chart. Firmly in her country era and splitting her time between Nashville and Melbourne, Hooper’s sonic shapeshifting continues to transfix both on airwaves and in a live setting.

Hooper has captured the energetic rock chick energy she is known for and blended it with a whole lot of twang on this new single.

I Got Eyes (On You) is out today.

Hooper is also hitting the road with legendary Celtic country innovators, The Waterboys on their tour of Australia and New Zealand throughout May.

 

Stream: I GOT EYES (ON YOU)

Watch: I GOT EYES (ON YOU)

Interview, News

Interview: New BATTLE BEAST Singer Marina La Torraca chats ahead of the bands debut Australian Tour

 

BATTLE BEAST singer Marina La Torraca sits down with us to answer some questions ahead of their first Australian tour and her first run of shows with the band.

 

This will be your first time touring Australia with Battle Beast, what are you expecting from Aussie metal crowds, and how are you preparing to bring that signature Battle Beast energy down under?

I know Aussie metal is INSANE and the community is on fire. So I’m expecting no different from BB fans: a lot of energy and readiness to party with us!

We rehearsed for a bit over a week in Finland, and we’re making sure to bring an extra load of energy to match the Aussie crowd. And as a Brazilian, the weather alone will make it easy for me to tap into that – I’m so over this depressive winter already. 🙂

 

When you joined, did you feel more like you were “carrying the torch” of what Battle Beast already was, or did you see it as an opportunity to redefine certain elements of the band’s sound and stage presence?

I’m trying not to overthink all of that too much. I certainly don’t want to copy Noora (that wouldn’t work anyway, haha), and we’re all super open to possibilities. It’s exciting to see how music, show and dynamics will organically adapt.

 

Metal fans can be incredibly loyal — and sometimes protective. What will be the biggest challenge in earning the trust of long-time Battle Beast fans, and how will you make it your own?

Again, something I’m trying not to overthink. I can only be me, and surely some will hate it and some will stay supportive of the band. The biggest ‘’winning over’’ I’m focusing on is giving my very best, because this band deserves it. And I’m sure the more open-minded fans will stick around. And the ones who don’t see the value in the band without Noora will move away, and that’s also totally understandable and expected.

Have you guys worked on the Australian tour set-list already? Can you give us a hint at some of the songs you are planning to perform live Down Under?

I am typing this interview on the plane to Japan, so yes, the setlist is set! It is still a Steelbound tour and being so, there will be a lot of new songs. Plus, all of this happened pretty much last minute, and you can imagine there was a LOT to deal with, leaving us no time to dig deep into material searching this time around. We’re just thrilled that we are able to make these shows happen!

You come from Brazil’s vibrant metal scene, and now you’re fronting a Finnish power metal powerhouse. How have your Brazilian roots influenced your approach to performing with Battle Beast?

I’ll be dancing some samba on stage! No, just kidding 🙂 Salsa is already enough atm. I’m sure the fact that I’m Brazilian has a lot of influence in who I am and how I perform, but I haven’t actively tried to figure that out. Even though Eero is Finnish, I think he could out-chat me anytime. Well, maybe, we’ll find out soon, hahaha.

 

With this new chapter beginning and your first Australian run ahead, what do you want this era of Battle Beast to represent — both musically and emotionally?

Good one! That’s a very good question! I hope they can feel the good vibes pouring from the stage, because I’m sure they will be there. And I hope they have FUN and feel the sense of community that live metal music is all about. That’s where many metal heads have found a sense of belonging (I know for me that’s how it went). Amidst the absolute madness the world is experiencing right now, I hope they go home believing in mankind just a little bit more than they were, haha.

 

Can you share with us any fun tour story?

I still don’t have any with battle beast, but I do remember with Phantom Elite when we forgot our bass player at the gas station. For a few minutes, but still… that was funny.

BATTLE BEAST March 2026 Australian Tour Dates
Tuesday March 10th PERTH, Magnet House

Wednesday March 11th ADELAIDE, Lion Arts Factory

Friday March 13th MELBOURNE, Max Watts

Saturday March 14th SYDNEY, Manning Bar

Sunday March 15th BRISBANE, Crowbar

Tickets on sale now from: https://thephoenix.au/battle-beast/

 

News

Live Review: Live At The Gardens

Live at the Gardens

JEM CASSAR-DALEY

SONS OF THE EAST

THELMA PLUM

Live At The Gardens returns to Melbourne for its annual run of shows, and tonight’s line up showcasing an exceptional group of artists.

As the sun sets, Jem Cassar-Daley kicks off the evening,  the daughter of Troy Cassar- Daley. With her Indie-pop with soulful, reflective, and storytelling-focused lyrics the crowd adores her instantly. While her Dad is well known, Gem proves that music talent certainly runs in the family and she’s inherited her beloved Dad’s talent for entertaining audiences and connecting through powerful song lyrics. Jem  is the perfect fit alongside a line up of folk and indie artists, providing entertainment for the early arrivals, eager to get the show underway.

Sons of The East are relatively new to festival stages, and they kick off a dance party with their folky vibes. They resemble a little bit of Boy & Bear or Mumford & Sons , with their wholesome sound. They really are a bit of a pleasant surprise, and definitely a band to watch- big things are surely on the horizon for them. The blues artists warm up the cold and windy evening with a fantastic performance- and anyone who wasn’t a fan has been rapidly become one.

Thelma Plum, a proud Gamilaraay artist, arrives in a cute black bubble skirt and geometric top, looking absolutely stunning. She paces the stage, waving to fans and a little overwhelmed at the large crowd. She’s sweet, her voice absolute perfection. Songs like ‘ Nobody’s Girl’ are melancholic but achingly beautiful, delivered with a delicate voice. She is at times self deprecating- calling herself a school teacher and joking about drinking too much water. She is so delightful to watch that she captures hearts. Throwing in a cover of Meredith Brooks’ 1997 hit

‘ Bitch’ she wraps up the evening with a bang, proving again what a delightful performer she really is- making everyone fall in love. 

Live At The Gardens is a wonderful mini- festival that showcases some of Australia’s best talent and is the perfect end of summer event. With food trucks, picnic vibes and a bar, it brings such a great atmosphere to Melbourne’s live music scene. Reminiscent of the bigger Day On The Green outdoor festivals, it’s a wonderful experience for music lovers and always provides a fantastic night out for music lovers of any genre.

Words and images by Amanda Lee Starkey

 

Live Gallery, music

Live Review: Left Field

Leftfield, The Gardens, Melbourne

08 March 2026

By the time darkness settled over the lawns of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, the relaxed picnic atmosphere had shifted. Blankets were still scattered across the grass, but the crowd was standing now, drawn closer to the stage as anticipation built for Leftfield.

The evening had unfolded gradually. Local selector Late Nite Tuff Guy opened proceedings with a smooth, groove-heavy set that suited the golden hour perfectly—disco edits and warm house rhythms drifting across the gardens.

During the late 90s- early 2000s, Paul Mac was a God in the dance music scene, creating hit after hit, so this rare chance to see him spin the decks was a rare treat. His DJ set leaned deeper into techno territory, tightening the rhythms and pushing the energy forward. From the middle of the crowd, the shift was clear: people who had been sitting earlier were now standing, edging closer to the front as the basslines grew heavier.

When Leftfield finally took the stage, now led by founding member Neil Barnes, the shift was immediate. The first bass notes rolled across the lawn like distant thunder. People who had been chatting moments earlier suddenly stopped, turning toward the stage as the sound system flexed its muscles.

From the crowd, the performance felt less like a sequence of songs and more like a continuous surge of rhythm and pressure. Familiar moments surfaced throughout the set—particularly when “Release the Pressure” landed, its dub-infused groove rippling through the audience. Later, “Open Up” brought a sharper industrial edge, its jagged synths cutting through the warm night air.

But the moment everyone seemed to be waiting for came near the end. As the unmistakable bassline of “Phat Planet” emerged, a wave of recognition moved through the crowd. Heads nodded, then bodies bounced, and the wide lawn in front of the stage became a synchronized pulse of movement. In the open air, the low frequencies felt enormous—less like sound and more like a physical force rolling through the gardens.

What made the night unusual was the contrast. Electronic music of this scale often belongs in dark clubs or warehouses, yet here it was surrounded by trees, under open sky, with the city only faintly visible beyond the gardens. The lights flashed through branches while the bass carried across the lawns.

From where he stood in the crowd, it felt like a strange but perfect collision: one of electronic music’s most influential acts turning one of Melbourne’s calmest spaces into a temporary outdoor rave.

For a few hours, the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne stopped feeling like a park. It felt like a dancefloor—and Leftfield sounded exactly as powerful as their reputation suggests.

Behind the lens

CJ Perros – Shutter Theory

 

DJ Sarah

 

Late Nite Tuff Guy

 

Paul Mac

 

Leftfield

live review

Live Review: G Flip at Margaret Court Arena

Live Review: GFlip at Margaret Court Arena

7 March 2026

Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena erupts as Ayesha Madon, The Beaches and hometown hero G Flip turns the sold‑out ‘Dream Ride’ tour stop into a euphoric, hook‑filled celebration of Australian pop‑rock energy.

Ayesha Madon set the tone stepping onto the stage with quiet confidence, immediately drawing the audience in with a warm yet commanding vocal presence. Known to many as an actor as well as a musician, she proves that her artistry comfortably stands on its own. Her set blends dreamy pop melodies with introspective lyricism, creating a captivating start to the evening.

Madon’s performance is intimate despite the arena setting. Tracks such as ‘Eulogy’, ‘Blame Me’ and ‘Michelle Obama’ showcases her storytelling ability with soft electronic textures and shimmering guitar lines filling the space. Her voice carries effortlessly across the venue, moving between delicate vulnerability and confident pop brightness.

The Beaches bring rock swagger delivering a jolt of pure rock energy. The Toronto quartet storm onto the stage with undeniable confidence, turning the arena into something closer to a sweaty rock club.

From the opening chords of ‘Blame Brett’, the band’s sharp guitars and punchy rhythm section immediately has the crowd bouncing. Frontwoman Jordan Miller commands the stage with effortless charisma, leaning into the band’s mix of indie rock attitude and pop-savvy hooks.

Songs like ‘T-Shirt’, ‘Everything Is Boring’ and ‘Grow Up Tomorrow’ land with punchy immediacy, their infectious choruses echoing through the arena as the crowd sang along. The band’s chemistry is unmistakable and full of playful banter between members giving the set a loose, fun atmosphere.

G Flip emerges to thunderous cheers, and it feels like a genuine homecoming celebration. The Melbourne-born artist has built a reputation for explosive live performances with a strong connection to their fans, and this show quickly proves why.

Launching into ‘Disco Cowgirl’, G Flip immediately set the tone for a night driven by pounding drums and euphoric pop hooks. The stage design embraces the neon aesthetic of the ‘Dream Ride’ era, with glowing lights and towering drum kits framing the performance.

Few artists command an arena quite like G Flip does behind the drum kit. Throughout the set, they jump between instruments and singing from centre stage one moment before climbing behind the drums the next, unleashing thunderous rhythms that shook the venue.

Early highlights include the energetic ‘Gay 4 Me’, as they wave the pride flag along to the anthemic chorus and they pull out the saxophone for the ‘80’s tinged ‘I Don’t Wanna Regret’.

G Flip holds back the tears as they look across at the sold-out arena of fans as she begins the biggest show of their career in her hometown. They set out some house rules before launching into old favourite ‘Drink Too Much’ as they dive down into the mosh pit with the audience in the front row.

As G Flip jumps on the drums the podium moves forward like a ride whilst they play along to ‘Good Enough’ it showcases G Flip’s ability to balance stadium-sized energy with deeply personal songwriting. They then continue the adrenaline-fuelled moment adding a drum battle with two other drummers on stage by their side.

A cover of Taylor Swift’s ‘Cruel Summer’ is a crowd pleaser that puts everyone is good spirits singing along at the top of their lungs before Vanessa Amarossi is welcomed to the stage for an iconic duet of ‘Absolutely Everybody’. The energy is electric and full of excitement.

G Flip keeps the momentum going with a medley of ‘About You’, ‘Killing Time’, I Am Not Afraid’, ‘You + I’ and ‘Queen’. They then bring their dad out for an emotional acoustic duet of ‘Australia. “My dad made me jam with him in the garage when I was about eleven or younger and he’s been my biggest supporter,” says G Flip.

But the night never stayed quiet for long. Soon enough, G Flip was back behind the drums, hammering out explosive rhythms for ‘Be Your Man’ dedicated to their wife Chrishell. The song’s irresistible groove sent the audience jumping in unison, the entire arena pulsing to the beat.

The Beaches come back on the stage to perform their brand-new collaboration with G Flip called ‘Lez Go!’ and it’s a fresh feel-good track that gets everyone up on their feet dancing along. To keep the party going, G Flip brings out their best friend to dance on ‘Bed On Fire’ to fulfil a promise they made to each other when they were teenagers in celebration of living out their dreams years later.

An encore of ‘Worst Person Alive’ sees G Flip starting out back on drums at the top of stage before closing out the show with ‘Another Life.’

The ‘Dream Ride’ tour delivered exactly what fans hoped for with an exhilarating night of music, identity and celebration driven by G Flips’ explosive showmanship and undeniable musical talent.

Words by Michael Prebeg

Photos by Joshua Braybrook

Live Gallery, live review

Live Gallery: Marlon Williams

Marlon Williams
Live At The Gardens
March 6, 2026

A night with Marlon Williams’ Live At The Gardens at Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens on 6 March 2026 unfolded as a beautifully curated evening that blended Aotearoa storytelling, te reo Māori songwriting, and Williams’ unmistakable vocal presence. Supported by Kee’ahn and Emma Donovan, and joined by The Yarra Benders and special guests Ngā Mātai Pūrua, the concert felt deeply rooted in place and culture, transforming the outdoor setting into an intimate, resonant musical space.

Drawing heavily from his 2024 album Te Whare Tīwekaweka, Williams delivered a set rich with emotional depth, from the atmospheric opener “Ko Tēnā Ua” to the soaring “Ngā Ara Aroha” and the reflective solo‑piano moments of “Kahore He Manu E.” Other fan favourites like “My Boy” and “Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore” added warmth and familiarity, while traditional Māori songs and collaborative performances with Ngā Mātai Pūrua brought the night to a powerful communal close. The result was a performance that balanced artistry and cultural reverence, leaving the audience with a sense of shared celebration and quiet awe.

Words and images by Joshua Braybrook

News

Live Gallery: Live At The Gardens

Live at the Gardens.

Thelma Plum

Live at the Gardens is one of the summer’s best outdoor venues that hosts fantastic line ups every season.

Last night played host to a fantastic line up with JEM CASSAR-DALEY joins THELMA PLUM and SONS OF THE EAST as special guest.

Behind the lens

Amanda Lee Starkey

 

 

News

Live Review: The Darkness

The Darkness

Pier Hotel, Frankston

The Pier is packed to breaking point, almost ready to rip at the seams when Justin Hawkins and his band The Darkness saunter out to greet them.

Opening with ” Rock N Roll Party” quickly followed by ” Growing On Me”, Hawkins quickly grabs the attention of the crowd, with his high energy performance. Dressed in flares, he jumps up onto the barrier, perching precariously on the barrier edge his tall frame wobbling as the crowd holds onto him.

Diving head first into the crowd, he lands and gets passed through the audience, quite the scene. Returning to the stage he grabs a handy cam and passionately pleads with the audience to put away their phones- he’s tired of seeing screens blocking human interactions. And, he has a point, there is nothing worse than having your view blocked by videos people will never watch again, social media has made us a bunch of validation seeking wankers.

Moving through the set list, he randomly sings ‘The Power Of Love” the Jennifer Rush song, the audience embracing the moment, arms raised in the air. It’s a moment that brings the entire room together, strangely enjoying the song. That’s the thing- an exceptional front-man like Hawkins can unite a whole room, no matter what song he happens to be singing.

Finishing the night with ” I believe In A Thing Called Love” followed by ” I Hate Myself”‘, The Darkness proves that they are the quintessential rock band that give audiences a really great night. Hawkins as usual is charismatic, charming  and just really fun to watch. The Darkness are one of those bands that are just really good fun to watch, always providing a great time.

Words and imaged by Amanda Lee Starkey

 

 

News

Live Gallery: Pendulum

The air in St Kilda was pulsing on Friday night, as drum and bass powerhouse Pendulum shook the Palace Foreshore pop-up space. The Perth quartet are touring Australia in support of their 2025 record Inertia, their first full length record in 15 years.
Supported by Ekko & Sidetrack, the night was a celebration of Pendulum’s monumental 25 year career; playing a mix of songs old and new that could be heard all along the Melbourne beach.

See the full gallery by Rixon Creative (Aimee Harris) below.

MUSIC ARTS MEDIA