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New this week: Niall Horan, Guy Sebastian, AFL Grand Final, Frozen, and more
Our weekly round up of this week's biggest news in music, sport, theatre, and comedy from around the globe.
News this week; Niall Horan and Nothing But Thieves announce global livestream performances, Guy Sebastian and In Heart’s Wake announce national tours, the AFL Grand Final lock in an all-Australian entertainment lineup, and Frozen The Musical take us behind the scenes of their Australian production – and that’s only scratching the surface.
Here’s the latest, biggest news in live entertainment.
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Music News this week
The tour announces just keep rolling in this week. Guy Sebastian has confirmed that he will take his just-released ninth album T.R.U.T.H on the road in November 2021, marking his first national tour since 2019. He’ll be performing at Wollongong’s WIN Entertainment Centre on Wednesday 10 November 2021 [Find tickets here]. In Hearts Wake are set to take their fifth album Kaliyuga on the road throughout March 2021, with local acts Thornhill, Gravemind, and Drown This City holding down support duties. They’ll storm through The Tivoli, Brisbane on Saturday 27 March 2021 [Find tickets here]. Led by songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Sophie Hopes, Brisbane rockers Tired Lion will launch their brand-new album Breakfast For Pathetics at a special Open Season performance. They’ll take over Brisbane’s The Tivoli on Thursday 19 November 2020 [Find tickets here].
Summersalt has announced their second date for 2021, taking over Hobart’s Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens on Sunday 21 February with a jampacked lineup featuring The Teskey Brothers, The Cat Empire, Boy & Bear, John Butler and Emily Wurramara. This news follows their original announcement that will see Missy Higgins, The Cat Empire, Boy & Bear, L.A.B., Montaigne and Emily Wurramara take over Glenelg Beach, Adelaide on Sunday 14 February [Find tickets here].
Ready to welcome some more of your favourite musicians into your loungeroom, because the livestreams just keep coming. In hugely exciting news, Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan will take the stage with his full band at London’s Royal Albert Hall for a special one-off, global livestreamed performance. The show, celebrating his second album Heartbreak Weather, is set for Sunday 8 November @ 8pm AEST [Find tickets here]. UK rockers Nothing But Thieves will be performing three special livestreamed sets in support of their forthcoming third album Moral Panic. As well as new album tracks, the unique setlist – performed in-the-round – will also feature rare songs, covers, and old favourites. Show one goes down on Wednesday 28 October @ 10pm AEST [Find tickets here]. Keep updated on all the latest livestream news, including performances from James Bay, Billie EiIish, and more here.
AusMusic T-Shirt Day is back for round two in 2020, back in its annual November home following April’s special edition which raised over $26,000 for Support Act’s COVID-19 Emergency Appeal. For anyone unfamiliar, Support Act has been there from day one assisting musicians, crew and industry workers and their families who have been doing it tough, and AusMusic T-Shirt Day is the perfect opportunity to get behind them as well as show support for your favourite Aussie musicians. It will take place on Friday 20 November and you can find out all the details – including how you can get involved – here.
Another year, another award season. The 2020 Aria Award nominations are in and the competition and talent-pool is stacked. Leading the nomination count this year, Sydney’s Lime Cordiale are up for a huge number of eight ARIAs, including Album Of The Year, Best Group, Song of The Year, and Best Pop Release. The unstoppable Tame Impala have scored seven noms for album The Slow Rush – AKA the current highest-selling Australian album of 2020 – including Album Of The Year and Best Rock Album. Powerhouse Sampa The Great is up for a total of six ARIAs off the back of her award-winning album The Return, including Album Of The Year, Best Female Artist, and Best Australian Live Act. Other nominees include Alice Ivy, Ruel, DMA’s, Five Seconds of Summer, Genesis Owusu, Parkway Drive, and Harry Styles. Find the full list of nominees here.
The first instalment of the two-part Music Victoria Awards handed out seven Industry Awards and honoured two Music Victoria Hall of Fame inductees. Included in the winners was venue Forum Melbourne crowned Best Large Venue, Golden Plains winning Best Festival for the third year straight, and Outstanding Woman in Music Award going to Sarah Hamilton for her work with not-for-profit organisation One of One. The flagship instalment of the Music Victoria Awards goes down on Wednesday 9 December.
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Sport News this week
We are officially on the road to the 2020 AFL Grand Final, with this weekend’s two games set to decide who will compete in the big dance. The first preliminary final, on Friday 16 October, sees minor premiers Port Adelaide take on reigning premiers Richmond over in South Australia. Then, on Saturday 17 October, Brisbane Lions face-off against Geelong at The Gabba in Queensland for the final Grand Final spot. Final tickets to the game are on sale now.
The 2020 AFL Grand Final is locked in for a history-making evening at The Gabba on Saturday 24 October (we’ll have ticketing information for you real soon!) and this week, the AFL has confirmed a steller all-Australian entertainment lineup. Spread across pre-game and half time, DMA’s, Cub Sport, Sheppard, Andrew Stockdale, Electric Fields, Thelma Plum, Busby Marou, Mick Brady, and the QSO will all perform. Read more about it here.
The 2020 French Open champions have been crowned. Spain’s Rafael Nadal earned his 13th Roland-Garros trophy when he defeated world #1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets, elevating him level with Roger Federer’s all-time mark of 20 major titles. Polish teenager Iga Swiatek became only the second-ever unseeded Roland Garros champion after her emphatic 6-4, 6-1 win over Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin. Germans Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies make it back-to-back men’s doubles titles with victory over Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares, Timea Babos of Hungary and Kristina Mladenovic of France successfully defend their women’s doubles title, defeating Desirae Krawczyk and Alexa Guarachi, and our very own Dylan Alcott claimed his 11th guad wheelchair singles Grand Slam title with a win over doubles partner Andy Lapthorne.
Australian F1 driver Daniel Riccardo has clocked his first podium finish with his team Renault, taking third place in the Eifel Grand Prix. It had been nine years since Renault finished on the podium, as well as taking his first podium since 2018. Lewis Hamilton‘s victory saw him match Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 wins in Formula One .
Greater Western Sydney AFLW player Jacinda Barclay, who also represented Australia at five baseball World Cups, has passed away at the age of 29. In a statement, Barclay’s family confirmed her death with “deep sadness and regret”.
“She was a shining comet that soared through this world casting her radiant light of love on all she met,” they said. Though that comet has now shattered into a million pieces, the memory of it will remain a beacon for all women in high-profile sports to strive to excel, to dare to be great while staying humble and proud. Barclay joined the competition in the Giants’ first season in 2017, playing a total of 23 games and kicking 11 goals in four campaigns.
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Theatre News this week
Disney’s Frozen The Musical is giving fans an inside look into how the production is coming together ahead of its Australian debut at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre this December. With behind the scenes looks at the making of the character’s outfits (including Elsa’s iconic dress), hats, and wigs it is truly time to get excited – you can view all the magic right here. New tickets to shows up until Sunday 21 March are on sale now [Find tickets here].
The 2020 Artists of Colour Initiative has announced their top 30 semi-finalists. Last month, the AOC launched a scholarship competition designed to provide financial assistance and industry support to six exceptionally talented theatre performers based in Australia that identify as Bla(c)k, Indigenous or as People of Colour (POC). The semi-finalists represent 21 different cultural backgrounds including Sri Lankan, West African (Sierra Leone, Nigeria), East African (Eritrea, Mauritius), Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiian, Colombian, Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago), Polynesian, Aboriginal, Indian, Singaporean, Malaysian, Filipino, Parsis, Vietnamese, Fijian, Samoan and Botswana. You can view the semi-finalists below and read more about the Initiative on the AOC’s website.
One of Australia’s favourite homegrown talents Hugh Jackman is set to star in Broadway revival of Tony-Awar winning production The Music Man when the show officially opens in 2022. The musical will take place at New York’s Winter Garden Theatre. The Music Man first debuted back in 1957, with books, music, and lyrics by Meredith Wilson. Following its success, the broadway musical was also adapted into a film.
The original cast of Hamilton is reuniting to put together a virtual fundraiser for Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Director Thomas Kail will moderate a cast Q&A, which will be followed by a special performance by the cast, featuring show creator Lin-Manuel Miranda along with original cast members Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Javier Muñoz, Leslie Odom, Jr., Okieriete Onaodowa and Phillipa Soo. Australia’s debut season on Hamilton is set to open in March 2021 at Sydney Lyric Theatre [Find tickets here].
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