figure eight’s hummingbird blends indie rock with a hazy, almost dreamlike edge, balancing melodic clarity with textured noise. The track unfolds patiently, letting its layered guitars and steady rhythm create a soft but immersive pull. Vocals drift within the mix, adding emotional weight without overpowering the atmosphere. There’s a subtle tension between fragility and distortion, giving the song depth while keeping it accessible. hummingbird stands as a thoughtful, slow-burning piece that leans into mood and texture, rewarding listeners with its understated yet resonant presence.
Paradame’s Return to Base moves with a cool, understated confidence, blending alt-R&B textures with dark, electronic undertones. The production feels spacious yet immersive, allowing subtle details to breathe while maintaining a steady, hypnotic flow. Her vocal delivery is smooth and controlled, carrying an introspective tone that never feels forced. There’s a quiet intensity throughout, as the track leans into mood rather than big moments. Return to Base stands out for its restraint and atmosphere, offering a sleek, late-night listen that unfolds gradually and stays with you.
The Buzz Junky’s Gene is a gritty, off-kilter indie garage cut with a sharp, nocturnal edge. Driven by jagged guitars and a pulsing undercurrent, the track balances raw energy with a sly, almost playful darkness. Vocals feel loose yet intentional, delivering a late-night, confessional tone that adds to its charm. There’s a sense of controlled chaos throughout, where rough textures meet clever songwriting.
Gene thrives in that space between messy and magnetic, offering a dangerously catchy listen that feels a little unpredictable—in the best way.
Mellen Events & Face to Face Touring have announced The Pogues Australian / New Zealand tour will still take place with their original dates. A new show has just been added in Brisbane for Thursday 2nd April at Fortitude Music Hall – tickets go on-sale on Monday 23rd March at 10.00am (QLD time) via Ticketmaster.
The Pogues will make their long-awaited return to Australian stages with a special 40th anniversary celebrating the classic album Rum, Sodomy & the Lash.
The tour brings together original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer and Spider Stacy, alongside a stellar line-up of musicians and guest vocalists including Daragh Lynch, Iona Zajac, John Francis Flynn and Lisa O’Neill. Released in 1985, Rum Sodomy & the Lash is a cornerstone of punk and alternative rock, renowned for its raw energy, poetic lyrics, and infectious melodies. The band are set to play the legendary album in full, including B-sides, extended version tracks, plus a special selection of their most beloved material.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest folk-punk albums, Rum, Sodomy & the Lash features the anthemic Dirty Old Town, A Pair of Brown Eyes and A Rainy Night in Soho. Ranked among Rolling Stones “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”, its influence continues to echo across generations.
Returning for their first Australian / New Zealand tour in 14 years, this marks a rare chance to celebrate The Pogues extraordinary legacy live on stage.
THE POGUES – RUM, SODOMY & THE LASH 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR DATES 2026:
Wednesday 25th March
Fremantle Prison, Fremantle WA
Friday 27th March
Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide SA
Sunday 29th March
The Forum, Melbourne VIC
Tuesday 31st March The Form, Melbourne VIC
Thursday 2nd April Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane QLD ***NEW SHOW JUST ANNOUNCED*** Tickets available from Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com.au
Sunday 5th April
Sydney Opera House, Sydney NSW
Monday 6th April
Sydney Opera House, Sydney NSW
Wednesday 8th April St James Theatre, Wellington
Thursday 9th April Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch
Saturday 11th April New Zealand International Convention Centre, Auckland
southpaw’s Yin:Yang (with Era 51) settles into a calm, grounded lo-fi hip-hop groove, built on subtle textures and a steady, unhurried rhythm. The track embraces simplicity without feeling minimal, letting its warm tones and gentle progression create a reflective atmosphere. There’s a quiet balance at play, with each element complementing the other without excess, mirroring the duality hinted at in the title.
Smooth, understated, and thoughtfully arranged, Yin:Yang offers a mellow listening experience that feels both intimate and effortlessly cohesive.
Color Palette’s Barcelona is a bright, breezy indie gem, blending jangly guitars with a dreamy pop sensibility. The track moves with an easygoing rhythm, layering shimmering melodies over a warm, sunlit atmosphere. Vocals sit comfortably within the mix, adding to its laid-back, escapist feel without overpowering the instrumentation. There’s a subtle sense of motion throughout, like a hazy memory unfolding in real time. Effortlessly catchy yet understated, Barcelona captures a light, nostalgic mood, making it an ideal soundtrack for slow afternoons and reflective moments.
Follow You Anywhere finds The Iddy-Biddies leaning into warm americana textures, delivering a heartfelt and unpretentious ode to devotion. Built around gentle instrumentation and a steady, rootsy rhythm, the track carries a sense of comfort and sincerity throughout. The vocals feel close and honest, reinforcing its theme of loyalty and shared history without overstatement. There’s a quiet strength in its simplicity, allowing the songwriting to take center stage.
Follow You Anywhere stands as a tender, grounded piece that celebrates connection in a way that feels timeless and genuine.
Hollie Rogers releases the title track from her new album ‘Everything’s Fine’. The title track, Everything’s Fine, was co-written with Elles Bailey and Beth Nielsen-Chapman, who both feature on the track.
It’s a light-hearted, upbeat, bluesy tune that will resonate with busy people, parents, and particularly women – who are masters in the art of “keep calm and carry on.” Even when we’re juggling far too much and everything around us is falling apart, we smile and say, “Everything’s fine!” The track was written during one of Chris Difford’s invite-only songwriting retreats.
“I wrote this track with Elles Bailey and Beth Nielsen-Chapman. I already knew Beth and Elles, but we’d never had the chance to write together before this,” explains Hollie. “Poor Elles was really ill, but famously, not even a zombie apocalypse would stop her making music. That spirit is probably what led to us discussing how much we juggle as independent women; how many plates we spin, how stressful it can be, and how effortless we make it look. That’s really the heart of the song we went on to write. Everything’s Fine is about spinning a hundred plates and smiling like you’ve got it all under control.”
Elles Bailey adds: “I love Hollie’s version of Everything’s Fine and the way she’s taken the song and truly made it her own. I was in the writing session when this song was penned, but things were not ‘fine’ for me, I was a very poorly pup and I always chuckle when I hear it now and look back. It’s such a joy to sing on this track and celebrate Hollie. I’m so happy the song has found its place and become a whole new chapter for her.”
“Sitting in a room at the beautiful Pennard House with these two wild women and writing this song was a blast”. Says Beth Nielsen-Chapman “We pulled this off in a couple of hours laughing our asses off while we were writing it. I love Hollie’s version – she’s definitely hit a home run here!”
Instrumentation for Everything’s Fine was recorded at Masterlink Studios with one of Europe’s premier session bands, Stefan Redtenbacher’s Funkestra. Rogers tracked her lead vocals at Quiet Money Studios with five-time Grammy nominee James McMillan, whose resumé includes work with Whitney Houston.
SPRING Pre-Release Duo/Band Tour
“Everything’s Fine Tour (Chapter 1)” Apr 18 – Temperance, Leamington Spa (Duo)
Apr 19 – Greystones Sheffield (Band)
Apr 23 – Half Moon, Putney (Solo, support for Brave Rival)
Apr 24 – The Bear Club Luton (Band)
Apr 25 – Sudbury Arts Centre, Suffolk (Duo)
May 1 – Otford Hall, Sevenoaks (Duo)
May 29 – The Lighthouse, Poole (Duo)
May 31 – Cromer Centre, Norfolk (Band)
Jun 7 – The Harlington, Fleet (9 piece band – ALBUM LAUNCH)
SUMMER Jul 11 – Drawing Room, Chesham (Duo)
Jul 30 – Spring Arts Centre, Portsmouth (Duo)
Aug 8 – Nuernberg Guitar Festival, Germany (Solo)
Aug 21 – Old Bush Blues Festival, Worcestershire (Band)
Sep 3 – Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham (Band)
Sep 6 – British Country Music Festival, Blackpool (Band)
Sep 12 – South Downs Folk Festival, Bognor (Duo)
Sep 16 – St Ives Arts Centre, Cornwall (Solo)
NOV “Everything’s Fine Tour (Chapter 2)”
Nov 6 – aRTy Barn, Hemel Hempstead (Band)
Nov 13 – Cranleigh Arts Centre (Band)
Nov 19 – Ropewalk, Barton-Upon-Humber (Duo)
Nov 20 – The Live Room, Saltaire (Band)
Nov 24 – Tuesday Night Music Club, Coulson (Band)
Nov 27 – Chapel Arts Centre, Bath (Band)
Nov 28 – The Acorn, Penzance (Band)
Dec 5 – Nelly’s, Stratford-Upon-Avon (Duo)
Scottish metal warrior James McBain founded Hellripper in 2015, initially releasing an EP with the intention of contributing to the local scene in Aberdeen. Things quickly took a different turn. More than a decade later, Hellripper has evolved far beyond its regional roots, earning international acclaim and a devoted following. Now, over ten years after… Continue Reading →
