ROCK OF AGES COMPETITION CLOSES TONIGHT!

Just a quick reminder that if you haven't yet popped your entry in for your chance to win one of five double passes to a preview performance of the hot new musical 'Rock Of Ages' in Melbourne, that you only have a few hours to do so.
The competition closes at 11:59pm AEDST tonight.
For all the information you need (including dates and conditions of entry), click the 'Rock Of Ages' logo in the sidebar.

STACKS ON FOR KILLER EP

Universal Music's latest release schedule is just through and there's a little bit of light on the horizon for fans of Short Stack. The Budgewoi boys will release a brand new EP at the end of next month.
'Heartbreak Made Me A Killer' is the third single proper to be lifted from their latest album 'This Is Bat Country' and is set to feature four tracks including a four and a half minute club mix, a piano mix of the boys' single 'Planets' and an acoustic version of album track 'Jack The Ripper'.
The 'Heartbreak Made Me A Killer' EP is due for release digitally and physically on Friday March 25.

KATE'S NOW WITH SONY

Following a series of albums for Universal Music, Aussie music legend Kate Ceberano has jumped ship, inking a brand new deal with Sony Music.
In a statement released by Sony today, Kate said, "“I am so excited about my signing with Sony. Just the idea of creating with some of the most powerful music leaders local and international, and with such a prestigious label, is literally making my heart skip a beat.
"I've never felt more inspired and challenged as an artist than right now and look forward to designing this next big adventure with them.”
Sony Music Chairman Denis Handlin was also excited.
“I am thrilled to have Kate as part of the Sony Music family. I have always had enormous respect for Kate, her passion for music and incredible work ethic has ensured a long and successful career," he also said in the statement.
Kate will release her 24th album via Sony Music later this year.

TAKE THAT : Kidz

Talk about stepping things up a notch... For Take That's previous video, the boys took a little scenic cruise along the river Thames. But this time around, it's all rather intergalactic, as an army of personnel march the streets to await the imminent arrival of a rather familiar shaped spacecraft containing five equally familiar faces.
The boys broadcast themselves to the throngs below before touchdown, ensuring that by the time the spacecraft elevator reaches terra firma, everyone's singing along to the catchy-as-all-get-up chorus.
Plenty of special effects ensure that this one's a feast for the senses. And with that thumping beat that's right on trend, could 'Kidz' be the single to bring them back to mainstream success in Australia?

MOST ADDED

RADIO'S MOST ADDED
WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2011

01. PANIC! AT THE DISCO : THE BALLAD OF MONA LISA
02. JESSIE J FTG. B.O.B. : PRICE TAG
03. BRUNO MARS : THE LAZY SONG
04. KINGS OF LEON : THE IMMORTALS
05. TINIE TEMPAH FTG. KELLY ROWLAND : INVINCIBLE
06. KE$HA : BLOW
07. LIFEHOUSE : FALLING IN
08. NEON TREES : 1983
09. YOU ME & SIX & CHIDDY : RESCUE ME
10. IAN CAREY FTG. SNOOP DOGG & BOBBY ANTHONY : LAST NIGHT

Most added tracks to Australian radio courtesy of The Music Network.

PARIS WELLS : Let's Get It Started

The one bad thing about the new Paris Wells track and its accompanying video is that it's so left field and unexpected that mainstream radio station music directors just won't get it, resulting in little airplay.
But quite frankly, who gives a shit about mainstream radio station music directors anyway? They're just filling in the blank eight minute spaces between ads to keep their asses in a job with something they perceive to be palatable to the masses.
The great thing about the new Paris Wells clip is that it indeed IS so left field and unexpected.
Take its '20s beat, the breakdown in the middle and the quirky-as-hell black and white video clip that seduces with a peppering of Paris, and a dusting of Down Under.
And sure it might not be mainstream enough to compete in the charts against the latest drivel from the Black Eyed Peas et al (it's over between us), but that, kids, is a very good thing.

WE HEARD A RUMER

British singer songwriter Rumer has taken her homeland by storm with her critically acclaimed debut album 'Seasons Of My Soul'. On release in the UK back in November, the album popped into the No.3 position and has since gone on to enjoy a platinum sales accreditation.
The album also recently earned Rumer Brit Award nominations for Best British Female Solo Artist and Best British Breakthrough Act.
And the fact that Rumer counts the likes of Elton John and Burt Bacharach among her growing legion of fans says something about the quality of the music she's releasing.
Vocally compared to the likes of Karen Carpenter and Carole King, the singer was born in Pakistan and moved around the world with her family due to her father's job as a chief engineer. She even spent time living in "outback Western Australia" as well as Tasmania, so the Australian connection is already set in stone.
Which is lucky, because it's now Australia's turn to fall under the singer's spell, with Warner Music confirming that 'Seasons Of My Soul' will finally see a local release.
The Warner team seems pretty excited about the album's impending arrival too, confirming that it's one of their "key releases" for 2011.
'Seasons Of My Soul' will hit Australian retailers on Friday April 01.

RADIO GETS JESSIE'S PRICE TAG

Slowly but surely 22 year old Jessie J is making the world sit up and take notice. Her debut single 'Do It Like A Dude' stalled at Australian radio and subsequently in the local charts, where it peaked at No.76.
But undeterred, Universal Music is pushing on with the Jessie J project, servicing her brand new single 'Price Tag' to radio earlier tonight.
Featuring a guest spot by B.o.B., the track spent two weeks atop the UK singles chart, and sold more than 84,000 copies there in its first week on sale. In the US, the single is now beginning to impact on the Billboard chart, but can Jessie become the hottest new thing to hit Australia?
With a little hard work from her local record company, time will tell.
Jessie's debut album 'Who You Are' hits stores this Friday.

LOOKBACK

Sophie B. Hawkins - Right Beside You (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Sophie B. Hawkins

SOPHIE B HAWKINS : Right Beside You

Now here's a blast from the past. Sophie B Hawkins burst onto the global music scene back in 1992 with her debut single 'Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover'. It reached the top ten here in Australia and set the scene for continued success down under. But two more charting singles later, the singer was virtually gone from our mainstream psyche, destined to live life as another three hit wonder. But what hits they were. 'Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover' was incredible. 'As I Lay Me Down' was similarly sublime. But it's her top 50 poppy uptempo number 'Right Beside You' which we feature here this arvo. With interesting choices of instrumentation right from the opening synths, the track sounds rather fresh still. The Grid (who had a hit down under with 'Swamp Thing' in 1993) provided a remix of the track on the local single.
The clip? Sophie's popped down to her beach house where she's exposed to the elements to give the whole thing an earthy look - albeit awash in blue.
The singer released an independent single called 'The Land, The Sea And The Sky' in the middle of last year. A fundraising single for waterkeeper.org, it's available on our local iTunes store HERE.

THE auspOp DIARY

WEEK COMMENCING FEBRUARY 28, 2011

TICKETS ON SALE
Monday : Architecture In Helsinki (Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth)
Monday : John Legend (Sydney)
Thursday : White Lies (Sydney, Melbourne)

Feb 28 : ADELAIDE – Michael Buble (Entertainment Centre)
Feb 28 : NEWCASTLE – Rihanna (Entertainment Centre)
Mar 01 : ADELAIDE – Michael Buble (Entertainment Centre)
Mar 01 : ADELAIDE – Stonefield (Spiegeltent)
Mar 01 : BRISBANE – Roxy Music (Riverstage)
Mar 01 : BYRON BAY – The Waifs (The Northern)
Mar 02 : BYRON BAY – Imelda May (The Nothern)
Mar 02 : MELBOURNE – Paul Kelly (Athenaeum Theatre)
Mar 02 : NAMBOUR – The Waifs (Civic Centre)
Mar 02 : PERTH – Cecilia Bartoli (Concert Hall)
Mar 02 : SURRY HILLS – The Trews (Excelsior Hotel)
Mar 03 : BRISBANE – Ke$ha (Riverstage)
Mar 03 : BRISBANE – Imelda May (The HiFi)
Mar 03 : BRISBANE – The Waifs (The Tivoli)
Mar 03 : MELBOURNE – Paul Kelly (Athenaeum Theatre)
Mar 03 : MELBOURNE – Roxy Music (Rod Laver Arena)
Mar 03 : NEWTOWN – The Trews (Sandringham Hotel)
Mar 03 : TORQUAY – Donavon Frankenreiter (Torquay Hotel)
Mar 04 : BRISBANE – Chemical Brothers (Riverstage)
Mar 04 : MANLY – The Trews (Old Manly Boatshed)
Mar 04 : MELBOURNE – Altiyan Childs (Palms At Crown)
Mar 04 : MELBOURNE – Donavon Frankenreiter (Prince Of Wales)
Mar 04 : MELBOURNE – Paul Kelly (Athenaeum Theatre)
Mar 04 : MELBOURNE – Soundwave (Showgrounds)
Mar 04 : NEWCASTLE – Imelda May (Leagues Club)
Mar 04 : PERTH – Old Man River (Amplifier Bar)
Mar 04 : SWAN VALLEY – Michael Buble (Sandalford Wines)
Mar 04 : SYDNEY – Illy (Oxford Art Factory)
Mar 04 : SYDNEY – Rihanna (Acer Arena)
Mar 05 : ADELAIDE – Soundwave (Bonython Park)
Mar 05 : BRISBANE – Future Music Festival (Doomben Racecourse)
Mar 05 : BUSSELTON – The Waifs (Old Broadwater Farm)
Mar 05 : FREMANTLE – Old Man River (Mojo’s)
Mar 05 : HOBART – Donavon Frankenreiter (Republic Bar)
Mar 05 – 06 : HUNTER VALLEY : CMC Rocks The Hunter (Hope Estate)
Mar 05 : MELBOURNE – Altiyan Childs (Palms At Crown)
Mar 05 : MELBOURNE – Andy Bull/Owl Eyes (Toff In Town)
Mar 05 : MELBOURNE – Neil Diamond (Rod Laver Arena)
Mar 05 : MELBOURNE – Paul Kelly (Athenaeum Theatre)
Mar 05 : NEWCASTLE – Illy (Cambridge Hotel)
Mar 05 : ROZELLE – The Trews (Bridge Hotel)
Mar 05 : SYDNEY – Imelda May (The Gaelic)
Mar 05 : SYDNEY – Rihanna (Acer Arena)
Mar 05 : SYDNEY – Paris Wells (The Vanguard)
Mar 06 : ADELAIDE – Cecilia Bartoli (Festival Centre)
Mar 06 : CRONULLA – The Trews (Brass Monkey)
Mar 06 : DENMARK – The Waifs (Castelli Estate)
Mar 06 : LAUNCESTON – Donavon Frankenreiter (Country Club)
Mar 06 : MARGARET RIVER – Michael Buble (Sandalford Wines)
Mar 06 : PERTH – Future Music Festival (Arena Joondalup)

SATURDAY NEWS WRAP #41

• EMI has announced that the latest long player from Gorillaz will be released in Australia on Friday April 15. 'The Fall' (pictured) was originally released as a download from the cartoon band's website at the end of last year, but it will now get a full physical release.
• Speaking of EMI, a new Ben Harper album has appeared on their latest release schedule. The LP is called 'Give Till It's Gone' and is slated for an Australian release on Friday May 13.
• Chris Brown's new single 'Beautiful People' was serviced to radio by Sony Australia yesterday. It's the second single to be lifted from the forthcoming album 'F.A.M.E.', which will hit stores on March 18.
• The US has already fallen in love with them and now it's Australia's turn, with Universal Music announcing that Celtic Thunder will head to our shores late next month for five days of promotional commitments. With their second album 'Take Me Home' and it's accompanying DVD being released on the 18th, it's expected interest will be high when they visit. They'll be in Sydney on March 27, 28 and 29 before heading to Melbourne on March 30 and 31.
• Channel [V] has teamed up with the Future Music Festival to give all those punters who won't be able to make this year's events a little taster of what they missed out on. [V] will screen a huge four hour highlights package of Future Music Festival, giving you access to on stage, off stage, behind the scenes and more. It screens on Saturday March 19 at 1pm.
• British producer Mark Ronson (left) will perform a free live DJ set as part of the upcoming Optus One80Project at Sydney's Prince Alfred Park. The event, set down for Sunday March 20, will also feature live sets from Bag Raiders and Softwar before the winner is announced in the competition to come up with great ideas for local TV drama.
• Indie rock outfit White Lies will return to Australia in April to perform shows in Sydney and Melbourne in celebration of the release of their latest album 'Ritual'. They'll play Sydney's Metro Theatre on April 07 and Melbourne's Prince Bandroom on April 08. Tickets for both are on sale this Thursday.
• In the US, Kylie Minogue has hit the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Airplay chart with her latest single 'Better Than Today'. The track hits radio in Australia on Monday.
• On the Billboard singles chart this week, Lady Gaga maintains her stranglehold on No.1 for a second successive week with her single 'Born This Way'. Cee Lo Green, however, is nipping at her heels in the No.2 position with his Aussie hit 'F**k You'. Dr.Dre and Justin Bieber bullet into the top ten at positions four and eight respectively.
• The US album chart this week belongs to Justin Bieber and his 'Never Say Never' EP. It debuted in the No.1 position ahead of Mumford & Sons in No.2, while Lady Antebellum's album 'Need You Now' is back in the top ten at No.4.
• And just a quick reminder that entries close on Monday for our 'Rock Of Ages' competition. You have the chance to win one of five double passes to a preview of the show in Melbourne before it opens on Saturday April 09. Click HERE or hit the 'Rock Of Ages' link in the sidebar for more info and your chance to win a double.

TOURING : Kasey Chambers/Shane Nicholson

Kasey Chambers will wrap her current tour in Geraldton tomorrow night, but no sooner will she have finished touring than she'll be headed back out onto the road with her hubby Shane Nicholson in tow for the 'Little Birds & Bad Machines Tour'.
Kicking off in Rooty Hill at the end of March and continuing through the early parts of both April and May, the shows will encompass both singers' back catalogues along with music from their Kasey's latest album 'Little Bird' and Shane's forthcoming release 'Bad Machines'.
They'll also perform tracks from their collaborative album 'Rattlin' Bones', released back in 2008.

March 31 : Rooty Hill (Rooty Hill RSL)
April 02 : Mildura (Setts Bar & Function Centre)
April 03 : Broken Hill (Civic Theatre)
April 05 : Port Lincoln (Nautilus Civic Theatre)
April 06 : Whyalla (Middleback Theatre)
April 07 : Port Pirie (Keith Michell Theatre)
April 08 : Renmark (Chaffey Theatre)
April 09 : Beachport (Recreation Centre)
May 04 : Lismore (Workers Club)
May 05 : Boonah (Cultural Centre)
May 06 : Tweed Heads (Twin Towns)
May 07 : Caloundra (Caloundra RSL)
May 08 : Redcliffe (Cultural Centre)
May 11 : Coonamble (Bowling Club)
May 12 : Dubbo (Regional Theatre & Convention Centre)
May 13 : Bathurst (Panthers)
May 14 : Katoomba (Katoomba RSL)
May 15 : Goulburn (Soldiers Club)

WYNTER'S MARDI GRAS ANTHEM

Seems like Alexis Jordan's not the only one who'll be around to stoke the Mardi Gras fires this year, with news just through that Wynter Gordon, who recently topped the ARIA singles chart with her track 'Dirty Talk' is about to launch a brand new single called 'Putting It Out There (Pride)'.
The track is the official anthem for the 2011 Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras and features plenty of powerhouse soaring diva vocals from Ms Wynter atop thumping club beats.
The track will be released to digital retail on Friday March 04, the day before the iconic parade winds its way down Oxford Street.

MARVIN PRIEST : Own This Club

Universal Music signing Marvin Priest has had music running through his veins for most of his life. As the son of reggae superstar Maxi Priest, the singer has toured the world providing a support role in his dad's backing band.
After visiting Australia three years ago and falling in love with the country (subsequently spending six months here every year), Marvin has jumped the reggae ship, choosing instead to venture onto the dancefloors with his solo offerings.
And following on from his guest vocal on Piper and Fernandez's club tune 'Rockstar' last year and a cameo on Ronan Keating's album, the singer has seen his debut single proper 'Own This Club' serviced to radio this week.
The clip features the singer spending time on the platforms of Green Square in Sydney, before heading out into the backstreets for a little screen time and a party for some serious dance time.
Combining the cool of US R&B with the latest dance beats and a global-quality production, there's really no reason why this shouldn't work. It's right up to the minute.

MINISTRY'S NEW NATION

The gang at Ministry Of Sound Australia have done it again, revealing the details for their forthcoming compilation 'Dance Nation : The Hits'. With more than 80 minutes of music crammed onto one tiny CD, there's plenty for pop purists to get their teeth stuck into, including Zoe Badwi's superb 'Freefallin', Afrojack ftg. Eva Simons' 'Take Over Control', Ke$ha's 'Take It Off' and Rihanna's 'Only Girl (In The World)'.
But it doesn't stop there, with tracks from Martin Solveig, Pitbull, Swedish House Mafia, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool and even the newbie from Pnau.
With 23 tracks, there's something for everyone and you'll be able to pop it in your shopping basket from Friday March 18.
(Tracklist below in the comments section! Bless.)

ALEXIS ROUND TWO

Hot on the heels of her platinum selling smash hit 'Happiness' comes the brand new single for US singer Alexis Jordan. 'Good Girl' treads a similar musical path as its predecessor, with repetitive lyricism spread liberally atop dance beats to create a sound that music directors the country over are currently going gaga for. It's the second single from her self-titled debut album which hits the stores in Australia next Friday.
Fans in Sydney will get the chance to say 'hi' to Alexis personally when she takes the stage at Westfield Parramatta for a performance and signing on March 04.
She's also been confirmed as a guest at Mardi Gras and will close ABC's 'In Gordon Street Tonight' with a performance on March 09.
'Good Girl' looks to be released digitally on Friday March 11.

BRIAN'S DRUNK AT THE BAR

It'd be so easy to insert a corny line about life imitating art (or in this case, possibly the other way around), but Universal Music has this morning serviced 'Just The Way You Are (Drunk At The Bar)', the brand new single for Brian McFadden.
Kicking off with a flurry of banjos (which reappear in each of the choruses), the track is another up-tempo pop/dance number that has one eye on the clubs and the other firmly with radio stations in its sights.
So given the 'Drunk At The Bar' reference, could Brian's recently reported indiscretions aboard a flight across the Pacific have been a ploy for attention ahead of the song's release?
According to Universal, the track comes with a "controversial" video, which is set to drop soon.

UPDATE : Now we're all kinds of confused with a different cover image being sent out with an official Universal press release (below).

AT RETAIL ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2011

Art vs Science – The Experiment
Justin Bieber – Never Say Never : The Remixes
Johnny Cash – Bootleg Vol.2
Alain Johannes – Spark
Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes
Mini Mansions – Mini Mansions
OST – True Grit
Elvis Presley – Elvis Is Back (Legacy Edition)
Queens Of The Stone Age – Queens Of The Stone Age
Various – Following That White Line
Various – School Disco Anthems 2
Various – Vicious Cuts 2011

PNAU : The Truth

After a hiatus of four years (apart from Nick's little side step into a little empire), Aussie dance outfit Pnau returns with the first track from their forthcoming album 'Soft Universe', which is due sometime this year.
The video has dropped too - and in it, poor Nick's being dragged against his will to a solitary bright light in the distance, but once the big silver door closes behind him and TV screens flicker to life in flashes of rich colour, he's fondled by two lovely ladies. We must point out that he doesn't seem to mind this too much.
Sadly, it seems this was all an elaborate ruse, as some crafty alien experimentation gets underway. Let the probing begin!

ASTON COVERS GAGA

Geez, it doesn't take them long, does it? No sooner has Lady Gaga's new single 'Born This Way' been released and debuted at No.1 on the ARIA singles chart than that lovely bunch of Sydney based classical musicians known as Aston have whacked together a classical arrangement of it, recorded it, filmed a video and whacked it up on YouTube! Amazing!
Wonderfully, it's their first new recording of the new year and follows on from plenty of previous tasty classical takes including those by Britney Spears, Coldplay, Rihanna, La Roux and even Lady Gaga.
All the guff on where to buy it is available RIGHT HERE.

GIVEAWAY

We know how you love a little giveaway here at auspOp, so we've been in touch with the team at Ministry Of Sound, who are looking after the promotion of the latest 'Vicious Cuts 2011' compilation. Of course, the MOS mob are a generous lot and they said to us, "hey, why don't you guys give five copies away to your readers?" to which we replied, "why the devil not!?".
So there you are. Yes, Ministry has granted us five delicious copies of the latest 'Vicious Cuts' compile that contains two discs full of top name doyens of dance. Yes, Freemasons are in there. There's Robyn, Martin Solveig (with Dragonette no less), Deadmau5, Wynter Gordon, Armand Van Helden, Laidback Luke, Axwell, Alex Gaudino - even the new Ian Carey track with Snoop is there for all to get their chops around. It's all mixed to perfection by Andy Van, Ian Carey and John Course.
And best of all, you could win one!

To go into the draw to score yourself a copy, you just need to send us an email containing your name and postal address to auspOp@ymail.com with the subject line "Now THAT'S a Vicious competition!" and we'll whack you firmly (but oh so tenderly - we're not without heart) into the draw. And done.

Competition closes at 11:59pm AEDST on Thursday March 03, 2011. One entry per household. Winners drawn completely at random using our technologically advanced patented raffle tickets in a stay-fresh tub system. Five lucky sods will each receive a copy of 'Vicious Cuts 2011' with big thanks to the team at Ministry Of Sound. Winners' first names, suburbs/towns and states will be published on the site on Friday March 04, 2011. And as always, your privacy is very very important to us, so there'll be no forwarding your details onto anyone, no adding you to some evil spam clongomerate and no peeking through your mesh curtains when you're having a shower. It's not our shtick.

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.

KYLIE TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT IMMINENT

If you follow us on Twitter (you can do that HERE), you'll be well aware of the fact that 'Better Than Today' - the third single from Kylie Minogue's latest album 'Aphrodite' will be officially serviced to Australian radio on Monday.
Within the same tweet (sent out on Tuesday), we also stated "we smell imminent tour announcement".
Couple the new track going to radio with plenty of press over the past week due to the kick-off of the 'Les Folies' tour in Europe and the forthcoming five year anniversary of Kylie receiving the cancer 'all clear' and it's an exciting time for local Kylie fans.
But the really exciting part is ahead. In a email from Kylie's Australian publicist received late tonight, she revealed to us that (quote) "a tour announcement is indeed imminent".
Best get saving then! The 'Les Folies' tour is expected to hit Australian shores in the middle of the year.

(You can also follow Kylie's local publicist Martini Media on Facebook HERE.)

TOURING : Bliss N Eso

After plenty of whispering among their many local fans, the boys from Bliss N Eso have today officially announced that they're heading out on the road throughout May and June for what will be their biggest ever national tour.
The 'Running On Air' tour will see the band play dates in all states, but not the territories, kicking off at the University Of New England in Armidale on Friday May 06.
Frontier Touring believes that given some of the unique venue choices and the pocket friendly pricing of the tickets, the tour will sell out quickly when tickets go on sale on Monday March 07.

May 06 : Armidale (University of New England) TICKETS HERE
May 13 : Broome (Mangrove Hotel)
May 21 : Perth (Challenge Stadium)
May 28 : Sydney (Hordern Pavilion)
June 03 : Melbourne (Festival Hall)
June 10 : Brisbane (Riverstage) TICKETS HERE
June 11 : Sunshine Coast (Lake Kawana Community Centre) TICKETS HERE
June 12 : Coffs Harbour (Showgrounds)
June 17 : Adelaide (Entertainment Centre)
June 18 : Mount Gambier (Old Mount Gambier Gaol) TICKETS HERE
June 24 : Devonport (The Warehouse) TICKETS HERE
June 25 : Hobart (City Hall) TICKETS HERE

THE AUSTRALIAN CD NEW RELEASE SCHEDULE

March 04
Adalita – Adalita
Anna Calvi – Anna Calvi
Harry Connick Jr. – Harry Connick
Neil Diamond – The Bang Years
Dropkick Murphys – Going Out In Style
Feeder – Renegades
Lupe Fiasco – Lasers
Albert Hammond – Legend
Jessie J – Who You Are
Alexis Jordan – Alexis Jordan
Avril Lavigne – Goodbye Lullaby
Malachai – Return To The Ugly Side
Aaron Neville – I Know I’ve Been Changed
Oh Mercy – Great Barrier Grief
OST – Packed To The Rafters Vol.3
Pet Shop Boys – The Most Incredible Thing
Placebo – B-Sides (1996-2006)
Placebo – Live At Cigale
Jasmine Rae – Listen Here
REM – Collapse Into Now
T-Rex – Get In On : The Collection
Various – Hottest 100 Vol.18
Various – Hottest 100 Vol.18 (Deluxe Edition)
Various – Hottest 100 Vol.18 (Limited Edition)
Various – Ministry Of Sound Anthems : 30 Years Of Hip Hop
Various – Playhouse Disney : Let’s Dance
Various – Puppy Love : Tracks For Dog Lovers
The Waifs – Temptation
The Wannabes – Title TBA (CD/DVD)
Lucinda Williams – Blessed

March 11
Clay Aiken – Tried And True (CD/DVD)
Clay Aiken – Tried And True Live (DVD)
Ayo – Billie-Eve
Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speeding
Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speeding (Deluxe Edition)
Children Of Bodom – Relentless, Reckless Forever
Cloud Control – Bliss Release (Tour Edition)
Elbow – Build A Rocket Boys!
Aretha Franklin – The Great American Songbook
Billy Joel – Live At Shea Stadium
Lady Gaga – Born This Way (CD single)
Clare Maguire – Light After Dark
Queen – A Day At The Races (Deluxe Edition)
Queen – A Night At The Opera (Deluxe Edition)
Queen – Deep Cuts 1973-1976
Queen – Queen (Deluxe Edition)
Queen – Queen 2 (Deluxe Edition)
Queen – Sheer Heart Attack (Deluxe Edition)
Rise Against – Endgame (Australian Limited Edition)
Rye Rye – Go! Pop! Bang!
Tiki Taane – In The World Of Light
Various – 60s Child
Various – 70s Child
Various – 80s Child
Various – Fit
Various – Just Sing
Various – Smash It 2011
Wye Oak – Civilian

March 18
Alterbridge – Live From Amsterdam (CD/DVD)
Travis Barker – Give The Drummer Some
Chris Brown – F.A.M.E.
Celtic Thunder – Take Me Home
Celtic Thunder – Take Me Home (DVD)
Due Voci – The Songs Of Dianne Warren
Keri Hilson – No Boys Allowed
Ke$ha – The Remix Album
Kids Of 88 – Sugarpills (Australian Edition)
Adam Lambert – Glam Nation Live (CD/DVD)
Black Joe Lewis – Scandalous
New York Dolls – Dancing Backward In High Heels
Primal Scream – Screamadelica (20th Anniversary Edition)
The Secret Sisters – The Secret Sisters
Soundgarden – Live On I-5
Sparkadia – The Great Impression
Sparkadia – The Great Impression (Deluxe Edition)
Stanton Warriors – Warriors
The Strokes – Angles
Alex Turner – Submarine
Various – 100 Biggest Trance Anthems Ever!
Various – 101 Housework Songs
Various – 101 Power Ballads
Various – Hardstyle : The Ultimate Collection Vol.1
Various – Ministry Of Sound : Dance Nation – The Hits
Various – So Fresh : The Hits Of Autumn 2011
Robbie Williams – Escapology (Limited Edition)
Robbie Williams – Intensive Care (Limited Edition)
Robbie Williams – I’ve Been Expecting You (Limited Edition)
Robbie Williams – Life Thru A Lens (Limited Edition)
Robbie Williams – Rude Box (Limited Edition)
Robbie Williams – Sing When You’re Winning (Limited Edition)
Robbie Williams – Swing When You’re Winning (Limited Edition)

March 25
Cage The Elephant – Thankyou Happy Birthday
King Cresote & Jon Hopkins – Diamond Mine
The Church – Starfish
Derek & The Dominos – Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs
Hollywood Undead – American Tragedy
Josh Kelley – Georgia Clay
Lil’ Wayne – The Carter IV
Bob Marley & The Wailers – Live Forever
Mirusia – Always And Forever (DVD)
Shane Nicholson – Bad Machines
Emily Osment – Fight Or Flight
OST – Paul
Panic At The Disco – Vices & Virtues
Pearl Jam – Vitalology (Legacy Edition)
Peter Bjorn & John – Gimme Some
Protest The Hero – Scurrilous
Snoop Dogg – Doggumentary Music
Britney Spears – Femme Fatale
Rod Stewart – The Best Of The Great American Songbook
Sum 41 – Screaming Bloody Murder
James Taylor/Carole King – Troubadours (CD/DVD)
The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
Various – #1
Various – NOW Autumn 2011
Various – Pump It Up Vol.3
Various – Top Gear : Seriously Rock N Roll
The View – The Best Last Forever
Roger Waters – The Wall : Live In Berlin (20th Anniversary Edition) (DVD)
Hindi Zahra - Handmade

April 01
Ry Cuming – Ry Cuming
Gloria Estefan – The Love Songs
The Kills – Blood Pressures
John Legend & The Roots – Wake Up (Tour Edition)
Barry Manilow – Music & Passion : Best Of
OST – Rio
OST – Rock Of Ages : Original Broadway Cast Recording
Pitbull – Planet Pit
Sebodoh - Bakesale
Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water (40th Anniversary Edition)
Tim & Jean – Like What
Tim & Jean – Like What (Collectors Edition)
Matt Walters – Farewell Youth

April 08
Architecture In Helsinki – Moment Bends
Alesha Dixon – The Entertainer
Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
Various – 100 Crazy Dutch Anthems

April 15
The Aston Shuffle – Seventeen To Midnight
The Aston Shuffle – Seventeen To Midnight (Deluxe Edition)
Dave Graney – Rock N Roll Is Where I Hide
Jebediah – Kosciuszko
Jebediah – Kosciuszko (Collectors Edition)
Lone Pigeon – Box Set
Cass McCombs – Wits End
Rolling Stones – Singles Box Set : 1971 – 2010
Various – CMAA Mothers Day
Various – Hallelujah

April 22
Various – Eurovision Song Contest 2011

April 29
Mick Harvey – Sketches From The Book Of The Dead

May 06
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – The Boatman’s Call (Collectors Edition)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Let Love In (Collectors Edition)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Murder Ballads (Collectors Edition)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – No More Shall We Part (Collectors Edition)
Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi – Rome

May 13
Austra – Feel It Break

May 23
Lady Gaga – Born This Way

All release dates subject to change & list is updated weekly.

NEW WAIFS

Western Australian outfit The Waifs will make their long-awaited return to record stores in Australia on March 04 with their brand new album 'Temptation' (pictured).
Released through their own Jarrah Records, the album is the sixth in their 19 year history and follows on from 2007's 'Sun, Dirt, Water'.
To celebrate the release of the new LP, the band is giving away a track absolutely free.
The track is called 'Angela', and though not included on the physical version of the new LP (tis the bonus track on the digital version), it gives you a little bit of an idea as to what to expect when the album drops.
Check it out and download it from our Soundcloud account;



In the meantime, the band is on the road for a series of live dates across the country. Tonight, they're on stage at the Canberra Theatre Centre. All dates from The Waifs' OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

LEGEND SELL DATE SHIFTS

Fans trying to secure tickets to John Legend's second Sydney show this morning had a little trouble doing so. The team from Frontier Touring tweeted this morning that Ticketmaster was having problems with popping them on sale due to an issue with their website.
(We re-tweeted to our followers)
So scrap the February 23 sale date.
Frontier has announced moments ago that the show will now go on sale on Monday February 28.
Sony Music will also release a special tour edition of John's latest album 'Wake Up' at the beginning of April to co-incide with the tour's arrival.

April 24 : Sydney (State Theatre) SOLD OUT
April 25 : Sydney (State Theatre) NEW SHOW
April 26 : Melbourne (Palais Theatre)

(If you're on Twitter and you'd like to follow us, you'll find us HERE. We're also hoping to tweet breaking news and information as it comes to hand in the months ahead).

LOPEZ HITS THE FLOOR

We smell a hit. Jennifer Lopez's new single 'On The Floor' may have only been on sale domestically for a little over 24 hours, but already it's found favour with the Australian record buying public. It shot to No.3 this morning on the local iTunes chart and remains there this afternoon, bettered only by Rihanna's 'S&M' and Gaga's 'Born This Way'.
Universal has today announced that the video for 'On The Floor' will have its global premiere on next week's episode of American Idol.
Aussie fans will be able to catch it exclusively on Fox8 on Friday March 04 from 7:30pm.
Jennifer's new album 'Love?' is due later this year.

HURTS : Sunday

Hurts - our favourite purveyor of moody synthpop - is back with a video for their latest single 'Sunday' and just as you'd expect, it's yet another melancholy dramatic affair.
Here the British duo teams up with director W.I.Z. (who shot their 'Better Than Love' video and Jamelia's brilliant 'See It In A Boy's Eyes') for a minimalist production filmed in Romania, juxtaposed with scenes of a technicolour contemporary "underworld" where our protagonist Theo goes to bring back his lover in a very Orpheus like fashion. The video's sumptuous themes of death, after life and "looking back" seem to fit marvelously with the song's own feel. 'Sunday' will be released in the UK this Sunday - the CD single features a previously unreleased track 'Live Like Heroes', while the digital bundle contains remixes courtesy of Seamus Haji and Tom Flynn.
No word on whether Australian radios will be treated to this magnificent pop track. DL

HAIRSPRAY DEPARTS MELBOURNE

After wowing audiences in Melbourne across the past eight months, 'Hairspray The Musical' will leave the Victorian capital after its final performance on Sunday May 01.
'Hairspray' producers made the announcement this morning, revealing that the hit show would hit Sydney, opening at the Lyric Theatre on Thursday June 23.
'Hairspray' has impressed critics during its run in Melbourne, with many praising Jaz Flowers for her role as Tracy Turnblad and former So You Think You Can Dance winner Jack Chambers for his role as Link Larkin.
Final tickets for Melbourne are on sale now, with Sydney tickets from Ticketmaster due for a sell date in early April.

GLEE FIVE

Attention Gleeks! There's a very good reason for you to look forward to March, with confirmation a short time ago that Sony Music will release the fifth in the soundtrack series for the hit Channel 10 show next month.
Volume five will contain recent hits from the cast, including their medley of 'Thriller'/'Heads Will Roll', their take on the Lady Antebellum track 'Need You Now', Katy Perry's 'Firework' and even J Bieb's 'Baby' and 'Somebody To Love'.
The release also features a new ensemble track called 'Loser Like Me' - a track written by Max Martin, and a Lea Michele solo called 'Get It Right', both of which will feature in a forthcoming episode.
Glee Volume 5 will hit stores locally on Friday March 11.

01. Thriller/Heads Will Roll
02. Need You Now
03. She’s Not There
04. Fat Bottomed Girls
05. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
06. Firework
07. Baby
08. Somebody To Love
09. Take Me or Leave Me
10. Sing
11. Don’t You Want Me
12. Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)
13. Kiss
14. Landslide
15. Get It Right
16. Loser Like Me

KYLIE HITS JAPAN

EMI Japan has revealed the cover image for Kylie's forthcoming Japanese-only best-of. And though initial reports about the CD (and accompanying CD/DVD edition) suggested that fan favourite 'Flower' and her Taio Cruz duet 'Higher' would form a part of the release, it appears those reports were wrong, with the official tracklisting being revealed.
It's relatively safe, with only a remix of 'Get Outta My Way' to tempt purists. However, the DVD edition comes complete with the clips of 13 Kylie classics including 'Aphrodite' singles 'All The Lovers' and 'Get Outta My Way'.
'Hits' is set to be released in Japan on March 16.

01. Can't Get You Out Of My Head
02. All The Lovers
03. Wow
04. Spinning Around
05. On A Night Like This
06. In Your Eyes
07. Love At First Sight
08. Slow
09. I Believe In You
10. 2 Hearts
11. Get Outta My Way
12. The Locomotion (Live Version taken from 'Showgirl Homecoming Live' album)
13. I Should Be So Lucky (Live Version taken from 'Showgirl Homecoming Live' album)
14. Get Outta My Way (Yasutaka Nakara Remix)

LAUREN PRITCHARD : Stuck

Gosh this single seems to have been coming for an interminably long time. It was back in early December when we mentioned about the new single for former Tennessee singer Lauren Pritchard. She'd been whisked off to the UK to try her hand at a pop career and had already released her debut album 'Wasted In Jackson'.
Well now that the single is finally about to see the light of day in Britain, the singer has released the video for the track and it features a guest appearance from 'Made In England' actor Michael Socha.
Back in December we said that the track would stylistically sit somewhere between Norah Jones and New Zealand singer Hollie Smith - smooth, soulful balladry with soft, smoky vocals that make you want to reach for a cognac and a thick cigar (though you've never drank or smoked).
A lot to like here.

QUEEN CUTS

As you're probably aware, after Universal Music nabbed Queen from long time record company EMI last year, they promised a full remastered re-release of the band's back catalogue.
The band's first five albums ('Queen', 'Queen II', 'Sheer Heart Attack', 'A Night At The Opera' and 'A Day At The Races') are the first to get the deluxe re-release treatment when they're released in Australia on Friday March 11.
To coincide with the releases, Universal will pop out 'Deep Cuts 1973-1976', a 14 track look at some of the highlights from the band's first five LPs.
The tracklisting has been chosen by both Roger Taylor and Brian May, along with Taylor Hawkins from the Foo Fighters and will provide those who aren't that familiar with Queen's first five albums with the highlights.
Two more 'Deep Cuts' compilations are planned for later in the year (June and September) when two further batches of five Queen albums will also get the deluxe treatment.
'Deep Cuts 1973-1976' will be released on Friday March 11.

NEWS WRAP

• A few new tunes out at radio this week, including two from Sony Music. They include the new Kings Of Leon track 'The Immortals' - the third single to be lifted from the band's latest album 'Come Around Sundown', which is now double platinum here in Australia - and the new single from Beth Ditto called 'I Wrote The Book' - the video of which we posted earlier this morning.
• Universal Music has serviced new singles from Roger Sanchez ('2Gether'), Sam La More ('Paradise') and Marvin Priest's 'Own This Club', while EMI sent out Hindi Zahra's 'Stand Up'.
• It's been a heck of a long time coming, but the new Jennifer Lopez single is finally at digital retail in Australia. 'On The Floor' is the first single to be lifted from J-Lo's forthcoming album, features a guest appearance from Pitbull and has already made its way inside the iTunes top 40.
• Less exciting is the latest news for Nicole Scherzinger fans, with the singer's forthcoming album disappearing from this week's Universal Music release schedule. Her latest single 'Don't Hold Your Breath' still hasn't made its way to Australian radio.
• We introduced you to Melbourne duo Tricking Emma in the middle of last year. Now the boys have unleashed their latest independent single 'TIA (Ticket Inspectors)' to local radio. Given the No.1 placing on Triple J's unearthed chart with their single 'Boat Afloat' last year, it's anticipated they'll be getting more love from the national broadcaster with this one.
• The 2011 JD Set, to be headlined by MGMT in Byron Bay on Thursday March 03 has now officially sold out. The band will take the stage at Byron's Beach Hotel for the one-off gig with a full house and will be supported by Pond.
• The gang at MTV classic have unveiled a little Easter nugget of goodness. They'll be counting down the top 1000 greatest songs ever across the Easter long weekend, kicking off at 8am on Good Friday.
• Adele owns the UK charts this week - both singles and albums chart No.1 positions belong to the English songstress. Her track 'Someone Like You' rockets 46 places into the No.1 position on the singles chart, displacing Jessie J from the No.1 position. JLS is into the top ten with their new single 'Eyes Wide Shut'.
• And after their Brits 'Album Of The Year' triumph, Mumford & Sons are back in top five action on the albums chart, their LP 'Sigh No More' is up to No.2. Also surging back into the top ten on the back of Brits appearances are Tinie Tempah and Plan B, while PJ Harvey's new LP 'Let England Shake' rattles the ten in the No.8 position.

BETH DITTO : I Wrote The Book

To be completely honest, in her usual Gossip guise Beth Ditto scares the absolute crap out of us. With her feisty rock chick attitude and wild-child attire, she explodes onto the screen with the venom and swagger of a hungry doberman. And while we would willingly (and admittedly ought to) bow in her goddess-like presence, we kind of get the feeling it wouldn't take anything more than a sideways glance from the singer to have us trembling fearfully on our knees.
And while the Beth Ditto contained within the clip for her debut solo offering 'I Wrote The Book' is a little (nay, a LOT) softer, the singer manages to maintain her effortless cool. Still sexy, still exuding a whiff of attitude and feistiness, but for us in a much more palatable and slightly less petrifying pill.
It's gorgeous. She's divine. Gossip purists might not like it, but gotta give the girl props for mixing things up.

OZ TO GET GAGA CD SINGLE

The physical single is pretty much dead in Australia, but on the back of its spectacular debut on the ARIA singles chart, Universal Music has revealed late today via their latest release schedule that Australia will get a CD single of Lady Gaga's new track 'Born This Way'.
Though details thus far are extremely limited, auspOp can reveal that the single will be released exclusively via Universal's getmusic.com.au and will come complete with remixes.
The 'Born This Way' Aussie single is slated for release on Friday March 14.

TOURING : Amy Meredith + EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALE TIX

Those feisty boys from Aussie outfit Amy Meredith are heading out onto the road come May for a series of shows for their 'Higher Education' tour.
They're set to play 17 dates across the country, kicking things off in the Victorian regional city of Ballarat on Wednesday May 11 before visiting South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, wrapping things up in the nation's capital on June 10.
Up and coming female quintet Tonight Alive provide support for all the dates and following the tour, Amy Meredith will head back into the studio to start work on the follow-up to their debut 'Restless'.
Tickets are on sale the general public this Thursday, but because you're a little bit special, we've teamed up with the folks at Posse.com and Moshtix to offer you EXCLUSIVE pre-sale tickets!
Head to the links below to bag yours before everyone else!

May 11 : Ballarat (Bended Elbow) TICKETS HERE
May 12 : Geelong (Bended Elbow) TICKETS HERE
May 13 : Adelaide (Governor Hindmarsh) TICKETS HERE
May 14 : Melbourne (The HiFi) TICKETS HERE
May 15 : Melbourne (The HiFi) TICKETS HERE
May 19 : Mandurah (Players Bar) TICKETS HERE
May 20 : Bunbury (Prince Of Wales) TICKETS HERE
May 21 : Perth (The Capitol) TICKETS HERE
May 22 : Fremantle (Fly By Night) TICKETS HERE
May 25 : Wollongong (The Uni Bar) TICKETS HERE
May 26 : Newcastle (Level One) TICKETS HERE
May 27 : Sydney (Metro Theatre) TICKETS HERE
June 01 : Gold Coast (Coolangatta Hotel) TICKETS HERE
June 02 : Byron Bay (Beach Hotel) TICKETS HERE
June 03 : Brisbane (The Zoo) TICKETS HERE
June 04 : Brisbane (Princess Theatre) TICKETS HERE
June 10 : Canberra (ANU Refectory)

MINISTRY'S HIP HOP COMP

When the team from Ministry Of Sound put their efforts into something, they most certainly don't do it by halves. Introducing Ministry's latest collection of 'Anthems', this time bringing together some of the best tunes from the world of hip hop across the past three decades.
There are some familiar names too, as part of the three disc collection's tracklist including MIssy Elliot, Salt N Pepa, Mary J Blige, Black Eyed Peas, 50 Cent, Nelly, Kelis and more.
The set contains 54 hip hop anthems and will be released via physical format (CD) only on Friday March 04.
Full tracklisting in the comments section below.

CRUEL READY TO RUMBLE

New Zealand singer songwriter Dane Rumble might not have experienced the level of success here in Australia that he has over the ditch yet, but that might all be about to change, with the forthcoming release of his new single 'Cruel' (pictured).
The track was serviced to radio late yesterday and is the third single to be lifted from his forthcoming album 'The Experiment', which Universal has hinted will be released locally next month, almost one full year since its debut in New Zealand.
The 'Cruel' video premiered on Video Hits yesterday morning.

MOST ADDED

RADIO'S MOST ADDED
WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2011

01. LADY GAGA : BORN THIS WAY
02. KE$HA : BLOW
03. JESSICA MAUBOY FTG. JAY SEAN : WHAT HAPPENED TO US
04. THE SCRIPT : IF YOU EVER COME BACK
05. BRUNO MARS : THE LAZY SONG
06. MAROON 5 : NEVER GONNA LEAVE THIS BED
07. LMFAO FTG. LAUREN BENNETT & GOON ROCK : PARTY ROCK ANTHEM
08. PNAU : THE TRUTH
09. SPARKADIA : CHINA
10. LUPE FIASCO : THE SHOW GOES ON

Most added tracks to Australian radio courtesy of The Music Network.

GAGA SLAMS AUSSIE NO.1

Lady Gaga has broken Australian sales records with her new single 'Born This Way' according to an ARIA press release this afternoon. The track, the first from her forthcoming album of the same name, has become the first track of 2011 to debut in the No.1 position, clocking up sales so mighty that we have to look back more than six years to find a challenger.
She's smashed the Australian one week digital sales record. And according to ARIA's release, 'Born This Way' has recorded the highest number of sales for a No.1 single since Anthony Callea's 'The Prayer' back in 2004 and is the highest selling single by a non-Australian since Elton John's 'Something About The Way You Look Tonight/Candle In The Wind' following the death of Princess Diana back in 1997. Presumably they're talking highest first-week sales.
All very impressive, yes. But ARIA's crowing of the brilliant sales news, they still won't divulge just how many copies were sold.
The full ARIA top 50s are revealed at 6:30pm AEST at www.ariacharts.com.au.

LOOKBACK

CHICANE VS NATASHA BEDINGFIELD : Bruised Water

British dance music artist Chicane really hit the big time with his 1999 single 'Saltwater', which featured a vocal sample by Irish folk singer Máire Brennan. It hit the top ten in the UK and was the first of his singles to hit the top 40 here in Australia. Six years later, New Zealand singer songwriter Natasha Bedingfield (sister of Daniel Bedingfield) released a track called 'I Bruise Easily' from her debut album 'Unwritten'. On paper the two songs were like chalk and cheese, but somehow Chicane melded them together to spectacular effect for the 2008 single 'Bruised Water'.
The clip features a poor girl who seems to be a little under the weather. She's completely parched, so some kind gentleman helps her find her way to the nearest water sources. Sure, he could have just popped down to the local Night Owl and bagged himself a couple of bottles, but no... He's on a quest. Turns out things aren't always what they seem on the surface.

THE auspOp DIARY

WEEK COMMENCING FEBRUARY 21, 2011

TICKETS ON SALE
Monday : Children Collide (Nationally)
Monday : Illy (Western Australia)
Thursday : Amy Meredith (Nationally)
Thursday : Jimmy Eat World (Melbourne)
Friday : Cut Copy (Nationally)

Feb 21 : MELBOURNE – Black Mountain (Corner Hotel)
Feb 21 : PERTH – Doves (Metropolis)
Feb 22 : ALBANY – Kasey Chambers (Entertainment Centre)
Feb 22 : MELBOURNE – Michael Buble (Rod Laver Arena)
Feb 23 : ADELAIDE – Roxy Music (Entertainment Centre)
Feb 23 : MELBOURNE – Michael Buble (Rod Laver Arena)
Feb 23 : MELBOURNE – Iron Maiden (Hisense Arena)
Feb 23 : SURRY HILLS – The Trews (Excelsior Hotel)
Feb 23 : SYDNEY – Papa vs Pretty (UNSW Roundhouse)
Feb 23 : WOLLONGONG – Andy Bull/Owl Eyes (Otis Bar)
Feb 23 : YAMBA – Deep Sea Arcade (Pacific Hotel)
Feb 24 : BYRON BAY – Deep Sea Arcade (Beach Hotel)
Feb 24 : CRONULLA – Andy Bull/Owl Eyes (Brass Monkey)
Feb 24 : ESPERANCE – Kasey Chambers (Civic Centre)
Feb 24 : HOBART – Old Man River (Repubic Bar)
Feb 24 : NEWTOWN – The Trews (Sandringham Hotel)
Feb 24 : SYDNEY – Iron Maiden (Entertainment Centre)
Feb 25 : BRISBANE – Rihanna (Entertainment Centre)
Feb 25 : GOLD COAST – Deep Sea Arcade (Elsewhere)
Feb 25 : HOBART – Illy (University Of Tasmania)
Feb 25 : KALGOORLIE – Kasey Chambers (Goldfields Arts Centre)
Feb 25 : MANLY – The Trews (Old Manly Boatshed)
Feb 25 : MELBOURNE – Michael Buble (Rod Laver Arena)
Feb 25 : MELBOURNE – Old Man River (East Brunswick Club)
Feb 25 : SYDNEY – Andy Bull/Owl Eyes (UNSW Beergarden)
Feb 25 : SYDNEY – Roxy Music (Entertainment Centre)
Feb 26 : BELMONT – Damien Leith (Belmont 16s)
Feb 26 : BRISBANE – Deep Sea Arcade (Woodland Bar)
Feb 26 : BRISBANE – Soundwave (RNA Showgrounds)
Feb 26 : HENLEY BROOK – Kasey Chambers (Elmars In The Valley)
Feb 26 : LAUNCESTON – MS Fest 2011
Feb 26 : MELBOURNE – Michael Buble (Rod Laver Arena)
Feb 26 : NEWCASTLE – Roxy Music (Entertainment Centre)
Feb 26 : ROZELLE – The Trews (Bridge Hotel)
Feb 27 : CRONULLA – The Trews (Brass Monkey)
Feb 27 : GERALDTON – Kasey Chambers (Queens Park Theatre)
Feb 27 : NELSON BAY – Damien Leith (West’s Nelson Bay Diggers)
Feb 27 : SYDNEY – Soundwave (Eastern Creek Raceway)

SATURDAY NEWS WRAP #40

• Megan Washington (pictured) launched Take 40's Live Lounge last night is mesmerizing style, performing tracks from her album 'I Believe You Liar', including 'How To Tame Lions' and 'Clementine'. She also performed a version of Leonardo's Bride hit 'Even When I'm Sleeping'. Fans can catch the performance on Video Hits on Network Ten on Sunday March 20. In the meantime, head to www.take40.com to hear a track from the performance as well as photos and other highlights.
• EMI has revealed via their latest release schedule that the forthcoming collectors editions of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' albums 'Let Love In', 'Murder Ballads', 'No More Shall We Part' and 'The Boatman's Call', which were due for release in late March, have now been pushed back to the beginning of May. For all the latest release information, keep your eye on our fully updated auspOp New CD Release Schedule, posted every Thursday at 9am AEST (link in the sidebar).
• Lady Gaga will once again partner with cosmetics company M.A.C. in the year ahead in the hopes of raising not only awareness of HIV/AIDS, but also much needed cash for research. To date, M.A.C. has raised in excess of $200 million for the cause, but Gaga hopes to raise this amount to $250 million by mid next year. "I am incredibly passionate about this campaign and strongly believe the M.A.C AIDS Fund has the power to create a global movement not only to combat HIV/AIDS but also to encourage men and women everywhere to protect themselves," she said in a statement. "I feel honoured to be part of such an important cause."
• With her debut album dropping at the beginning of next month, Liberation songstress Adalita (pictured) has announced a tour. She'll kick things off at the Great Northern Hotel in Byron Bay on March 24 before visiting all bar the Northern Territory. 16 dates are on the itinerary, with all the info available at www.adalita.com.
• On the US singles chart this week, Lady Gaga slams into the No.1 position with her single 'Born This Way'. The track sold almost 450,000 copies Stateside in just five days and became just the 19th song to debut at No.1. Cee Lo Green's seeing some chart love for his potty-mouthed favourite 'F**k You', which moves into the top ten, just ahead of Rihanna's 'S&M' and Black Eyed Peas' 'The Time (Dirty Bit)'.
• And on the Billboard album chart this week, compilation album 'NOW 37' debuts in the top spot with Mumford & Sons getting some love off the back of their Grammy nominations and performance, heading to No.2 with 'Sigh No More'. Justin Bieber also gets the love despite his snub, now with two releases inside the Billboard top ten.

BRITNEY SPEARS : Hold It Against Me

She's been counting it down for what seems like an eternity and now Britney Spears has finally broken cover on the video to her top ten Aussie single 'Hold It Against Me'.
The bad points? We're not halfway through the thing just yet and already there have been three product placements that we've picked up on thus far. It's all done rather subtly with the exception perhaps of the fragrance and perhaps of the dating website (Gaga's promoted 'Plenty Of Fish') and later there's a splash of the Sony logo thrown in for good measure.
But the good points are many. Though 'Gimme More' was touted as Britney's 'comeback single' years back and the whole debacle ended up being desperately underwhelming (who can forget her disastrously lazy performance of the track at the MTV Video Music Awards), this feels very much like Britney back at the top of her game.
Though the tubular scaffolding may look simple, it's obviously incredibly complex and there's plenty to feast your eyes on within its lofty walls.
But it's when the breakdown hits, the coloured finger paints start flying and so too the punches as Britney takes on... well Britney that the whole clip really comes into its own. And in the new video world where Brit's got to stand up against the standards of Gaga, we reckon this is a pretty decent offering.