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Food Review: Calle Rey fuses Peruvian, Mexican and Japanese influences into an ambitious plant-based feast

It’s been a while since I last ventured into a fusion restaurant, let alone one that skillfully harmonizes not just two, but three distinct culinary traditions into a symphony of flavors. Calle Rey has masterfully achieved this feat, exuding both confidence and finesse through its plant-based and gluten-free menu. The abundance of exquisite diversity in…

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Live Review: Holy Holy + Queen P – Forum, Melbourne (11.02.21)

9:30pm on a Thursday night and the Forum had a long line queuing around the side of Hozier Lane. Everyone was waiting to get in to see Holy Holy and their opening act, Queen P. There was extra tension in the queue: for many of us, it was the first time seeing an artist play…

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Lollapalooza Day One: CHVRCHES, Travis Scott, Khalid, Arctic Monkeys & all the highlights from Grant Park, Chicago

The 2018 edition of Lollapalooza kicked off Thursday in Chicago’s Grant Park with a jam packed lineup of today’s current pop sensations. Lollapalooza this year seems geared to the new wave of artists and not so much the big names of yesteryear, The Weeknd is slated as the first name on the bill this year,…

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Seven things to do in Edinburgh during the world’s best Fringe Festival

Kicking off on Friday, the Edinburgh Fringe is widely regarded as the world’s best Fringe Festival, which shouldn’t be all that surprising; it just so happens to be in one the world’s most vibrant and exciting cities. While the Fringe will give you more than enough to enjoy  Here’s just seven things to do in…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Sometime Sonny “Have a Heart” (2018)

Brissy has long been home to talented songwriters and this week, Sometime Sonny proves once again that belongs in this tight crop of musicians producing some great music out of the east coast. His new single comes in “Have a Heart” – melodic, catchy from the onset and confidently delivered, Sometime Sonny (project of songwriter Dave Campbell)…

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Belles Hot Chicken kicks off new guest chef series “Rulers of the Roost”

Belles Hot Chicken have this week launched their very first guest chef series, dubbed “Rulers of the Roost”, which will be highlighting a superstar chef line up to join founder and chef Morgan McGlone across the Sydney and Melbourne venues of the famed chicken joint. Each guest chef will be creating a one-off, event-only menu…

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Splendour Interview: Matt Caughthran of The Bronx (USA) talks Trump and a return to Australia in October

One of the groups to make an exclusive appearance at Splendour in the Grass over the weekend were The Bronx, who hit the main stage in support of their latest album, BRVNX (or The Bronx – V). Not long before they hit the stage I briefly sat down with the group’s frontman Matt Caughthran, to…

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Details revealed for The Morrison’s sixth annual “Oyster Festival” (Sydney)

Now in its sixth year, The Morrison Bar and Oyster Room’s celebratory, month-long “Oyster Festival” plans to spread plenty of events throughout the entirety of August. From 1st to 31st, there’s going to be plenty of oysters shucked around the expansive venue, with the Morrison team expecting to serve more than 17,000 of those shelled…

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Why flying out of London’s furthest airport Southend might actually save you time

Last month, I hopped on flight BE6032 with Flybe, operated by Stobart Air, travelling from London’s Southend Airport – which at 64km distance is furthest of London’s six airport from the centre of the city (though at 63km distance, Stansted isn’t far removed) – to Groningen in the Netherlands. The airport is so far from…

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Six things to know before travelling to Abu Dhabi

Long seen as little more than a city of transit and the hub of Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi is fast becoming a tourist destination in its own right, with new theme park and museum openings, and things like the relaxing of licensing laws to make the city more approachable for non-Muslim tourists. Here’s just six…

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Splendour Interview: James Bay (UK) on Buddy Guy, Abbey Road and finding the space to write

It’s been a while between visits for acclaimed British singer/songwriter James Bay, but this week he’s been touring the country off the back of his second full length Electric Light. One of these performances was at Splendour in the Grass, and just before he hit the stage, I sat down with the enigmatic artist to…

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Splendour Interview: Lewis Capaldi (Scotland) on developing as a songwriter, and the master of hilarious banter amidst sad songs, Scott Hutchinson

While backstage at Splendour over the weekend, we sat down with Scottish singer/songwriter Lewis Capaldi, who describes himself as “a chubby guy who sings sad songs” (in fact it’s how he introduced himself to us when we sat down), as he made his Australian debut. We talk about developing as a songwriter, The Beatles, Frightened…

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BIGSOUND adds Didirri, HANDSOME, No Mono, Hollow Coves and 60 other new acts; unveils official venues & parties for 2018 event

75 acts were already announced to play the mammoth new music event BIGSOUND in Brisbane this September – and today we have another 64 to add to the bill; plus the festival is giving us its first glimpse into what we can expect from the events, parties and venues that will run across the event’s…

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The AU’s 10th Birthday Party & Cats Scouted Afterparty in Adelaide reveals lineup

This Friday, the AU review is kicking off its 10th Birthday Celebrations in Adelaide by taking over the Rocket Bar & Rooftop; first with a run of performances as part of SCOUTED, and then with a night of DJ Sets from a bunch of special guests. From 5:30pm, the AU review’s stage at SCOUTED will…

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Glebe’s Thievery is doing a special “Middle Eastern Yum Cha” menu in August (Sydney)

Glebe Point Road’s playful mod-Lebanese restaurant Thievery is doing something a little different for the month of August, temporarily replacing their original offerings with a special “Middle Eastern Yum Cha” menu in an attempt to fuse aspects of Middle Eastern and Asian eats. Executive Chef Julian Cincotta, who only recently returned from an extensive journey…

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Australian cinemas introduce six new popcorn flavours, including Spicy Nacho and Salted Caramel

Not long after limited edition vegemite & cheese popcorn hit Village and Event cinemas across the country, there’s been a deluge of new twists on the timeless movie snack with Parlour Lane Popcorn Company hooking up with Event and BCC Cinemas to exclusively offer several flavours including Spicy Nacho, Salted Caramel, and Salt & Vinegar…

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Splendour Interview: YUNGBLUD (UK) almost missed his festival set & already has another album up his sleeve

One of the most exciting international talents making their Australian festival debut at Splendour in the Grass over the weekend was UK rising star YUNGBLUD. His unique blend of punk, hip-hop, rock and whatever else he fancies, has made his album 21st Century Liability one of the most talked about releases of the year. And…

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Splendour Interview: G-Flip (Australia) reflects on working with Sounds Australia to debut her live show & “the best months of my entire life”

Few artists, be they Australian or otherwise, have ever had quite a whirlwind and eventful five months as Melbourne’s G-Flip, who burst onto the scene with “About You”, just a few weeks before making her international live debut at the Twitter / Sounds Australia Party at SXSW. And now this weekend she played to her…

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The 7 best moments from day two of Splendour belong to the Aussies: Gang of Youths, Amy Shark and more

Vampire Weekend may have been the headliners of night two, playing their first festival in four years and their first Australian show in five, but it was a day that belonged to the local acts – with Gang of Youths attracting what was undoubtedly the biggest crowd of the day, and other acts like Amy…

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From Lorde’s wardrobe malfunction to The Wiggles: The 7 Best Moments from day one at Splendour in the Grass 2018

The first day of Splendour 2018 in Byron Bay delivered plenty of highlights – here, we count down just seven of the best moments… 7. DMA’s ask the crowd if they believe… In getting an absolutely rammed amphitheatre to sing along to Cher’s “Believe”, which the Sydney trio did for Like a Version (though never…

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Eat your way around Byron Bay: 5 places to try during Splendour in the Grass

Not far from the fields where the annual winter festival Splendor in the Grass will take place this weekend, Byron Bay is a hotbed for innovative gastronomy and creative enterprises. The landscape is constantly evolving and flourishing, yet within the much loved laid-back coastal and country environment that has thrived for years. The food scene has…

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Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi’s General Manager takes us behind-the-scenes of the brand new theme park

This time next week, the Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will officially open its doors to the public; a brand new, state-of-the-art indoor theme park set to feature six immersive lands, 29 rides, shows and attractions, dining options and all the usual trimmings you’d expect from a world class park of its kind. While in…

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Exclusive: Alexander Biggs takes us behind-the-scenes of his first ever overseas tour

I was lucky enough to catch up with Alexander Biggs while I was at The Great Escape in Brighton (UK) earlier this year, as we spoke about the Melbourne singer/songwriter embarking on his first ever overseas trip. Now we’re excited to take you on this behind-the-scenes tour diary shot by Alex and his team as…

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Arnott’s have turned your favourite biscuits into mini cakes

Arnott’s have been doing a lot of crazy things lately. Last July they translated four of their most iconic biscuits [that aren’t Shapes] into ice creams, they recently opened a giant Shapes box, and now they’ve fattened some of their biscuits into indulgent mini cakes. And it’s the ones you would have asked for anyway:…

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Merivale trades Papi Chulo for Queen Chow on Manly Wharf (Sydney)

Based on the success of Merivale’s Enmore debut, the hospitality group have now opened a second location for their Cantonese kitchen Queen Chow, which moves into the former digs of waterfront meat-sweat haven Papi Chulo. Patrick Friesen and Eric Koh are aiming for “classic neighbourhood Cantonese” inspired by the way the diverse cuisine is recreated…

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Bistro Rex is tracking this year’s Le Tour de France with a new concept menu (Sydney)

With Bastille Day rolling through Sydney (and the world) this weekend there’s going to be plenty of celebrations throughout the city geared towards all things French dining. And seeing as French cuisine is one of the most diverse and technique-heavy in the world, that’s not a bad reason to get out and eat your way…

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Exclusive Album Premiere: Porpoise Spit – GOD YEAH! (2018 EP)

Melbourne’s Porpoise Spit have finally arrived at the point many of their fans have been waiting for – EP release day! The band’s debut effort comes in the form of the enthusiastically titled GOD YEAH!, an apt culmination of the kickin’ year the band has had in developing their craft. Confidentially harnessing catchy melodies and great rock…

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The world’s only Iron Man ride and five other reasons why Hong Kong Disneyland stands apart from other Disney Parks

Hong Kong Disneyland may be the company’s smallest theme park (the recently opened Shanghai park – whose development was memorably slowed to give the Hong Kong Park more time to grow an audience – is no less than 14 times larger than its Southern counterpart), and the only park not to have a true water ride…

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Celeste Barber’s Guide to Hollywood and Los Angeles

Celeste Barber has made a name for herself on Instagram by impersonating (or, more to the point: parodying, often unflatteringly) Instagram “celebrities”, so much so that the Australian comedian has become something of an Instagram Celebrity herself, amassing no less than 4.3 million followers on the platform. This popularity has led to a live show, #CelesteChallengeAccepted,…

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Exclusive Music Video Premiere: Luke Carlino ft. Daydream Fever “Minute” (2018)

Now calling Melbourne home, Adelaide songwriter Luke Carlino has been bringing his latest single “Minute” to life over the last week or two on stage, a slow burner of a track that continues to grow in its impact with each listen. Teaming up with Daydream Fever and VIIV on raps and production respectively, “Minute” is a strong release from Carlino,…

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