Over the weekend, the six-piece soul funk blues band The Axolotls released their debut EP, Up Down All Around.

Led by the incredible Newcastle-based singer/songwriter who also writes and releases under the moniker Ella Day, the band continued up the coast for a tour to celebrate its release.

We caught up with Ella during their EP launch at Jam’s Karaoke & Bar.

ABOUT NEWCASTLE LIVE

If it’s on in Newcastle, it’s on Newcastle Live – the Hunter’s source of entertainment and lifestyle news and information. We’re devoted to all the great things happening in the region. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s on in Newcastle and across the Hunter region.

FIND OUT MORE: https://newcastlelive.com.au/

Local disabled and queer genre-fluid artist, Cacti Moon is about to release a brand new song called Arachnid Woman.

Through their music, they’re able to express their experience of Dissociative Identity Disorder and share the varying identities and musicians within them.

We’re joined by Sam and Kira from Cacti Moon ahead of their release on 7 January. 

ABOUT NEWCASTLE LIVE

If it’s on in Newcastle, it’s on Newcastle Live – the Hunter’s source of entertainment and lifestyle news and information. We’re devoted to all the great things happening in the region. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s on in Newcastle and across the Hunter region.

FIND OUT MORE: https://newcastlelive.com.au/

Ella Paterson is a local photographer and writer who captures energy and stories through music, portraiture, and street photography. 

She’s released a poetry collection, All the Small Gods, All the Young Angels, and a short music documentary, The Divine Chatroom and has a truly captivating catalogue of work that you should go and check out.

We’re joined by Ella to chat about the photography exhibition that she is curating for The Lass on 21 December called Live City. 

ABOUT NEWCASTLE LIVE

If it’s on in Newcastle, it’s on Newcastle Live – the Hunter’s source of entertainment and lifestyle news and information. We’re devoted to all the great things happening in the region. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s on in Newcastle and across the Hunter region.

FIND OUT MORE: https://newcastlelive.com.au/

Two years ago, Yaron Hallis turned the 110-year-old Denman Hotel into a dedicated live music venue now known as Qirkz in the Hunter.

The venue is an immersive experience, filled with an incredible collection of art, statues, mannequins, and other quirky creations.

We spoke to Yaron following Qirkz second birthday celebrations.

ABOUT NEWCASTLE LIVE

If it’s on in Newcastle, it’s on Newcastle Live – the Hunter’s source of entertainment and lifestyle news and information. We’re devoted to all the great things happening in the region. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s on in Newcastle and across the Hunter region.

FIND OUT MORE: https://newcastlelive.com.au/

One of the most influential contemporary Aussie alt-rock bands, Moaning Lisa, has just released their sophomore album, fainter.

To celebrate it's release, Moaning Lisa is about to embark on a tour that includes a date here in Newcastle at the Hamilton Station Hotel on 28 February.

Here’s our chat with Moaning Lisa’s Hayley Manwaring. 

ABOUT NEWCASTLE LIVE

If it’s on in Newcastle, it’s on Newcastle Live – the Hunter’s source of entertainment and lifestyle news and information. We’re devoted to all the great things happening in the region. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s on in Newcastle and across the Hunter region.

FIND OUT MORE: https://newcastlelive.com.au/

Mainstays in the Australian music scene, The Cat Empire is gearing up to release their tenth studio album, Bird In Paradise, on 7 March.

The album has been described as an Australian-Flamenco, Afro-Cuban project that features the brand new songs Doing Fine, La Gracia, and Blood On The Stage. 

Here’s our chat with Felix Riebl ahead of the Over The Ditch festival on 22 February featuring The Cat Empire.

ABOUT NEWCASTLE LIVE

If it’s on in Newcastle, it’s on Newcastle Live – the Hunter’s source of entertainment and lifestyle news and information. We’re devoted to all the great things happening in the region. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s on in Newcastle and across the Hunter region.

FIND OUT MORE: https://newcastlelive.com.au/

Australian musician, filmmaker, author, and Fortem Australia ambassador Paul Field AM has created an incredible album called We See You as a tribute to emergency service workers in Australia. 

The album acknowledges all the first responders who do extraordinary jobs every day and the families who stand behind them and features ten of Australia’s most talented songwriters including Little Quirks, Dog Trumpet, The Wiggles, John Schumann and more.

Here’s our chat with Paul Field following his visit to Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and Ambulance NSW base in Hamilton.

https://fortemaustralia.org.au/we-see-you/

ABOUT NEWCASTLE LIVE

If it’s on in Newcastle, it’s on Newcastle Live – the Hunter’s source of entertainment and lifestyle news and information. We’re devoted to all the great things happening in the region. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s on in Newcastle and across the Hunter region.

FIND OUT MORE: https://newcastlelive.com.au/

Welcome to a new series on Newcastle Live in which we interview the musicians who play in venues and keep the dance floors pumping around Newcastle and the Hunter every weekend. 

We’re kicking things off by talking to ARIA, Logie, and Helpmann award winner Tim Harding. 

Many people would know Tim from his time in Hi-5, but since moving to Newcastle in 2016, Tim has been working as a soloist and fronting a funk/soul band called Soultraders.

ABOUT NEWCASTLE LIVE

If it’s on in Newcastle, it’s on Newcastle Live – the Hunter’s source of entertainment and lifestyle news and information. We’re devoted to all the great things happening in the region. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s on in Newcastle and across the Hunter region.

FIND OUT MORE: https://newcastlelive.com.au/

Wheatus frontman Brendan B. Brown and fellow Wheatus member Gabrielle Sterbenz will embark on an epic 14-date acoustic tour of Australia in January, including a date here in Newcastle on 26 January.

After discovering the original multitrack recordings of their self-titled debut album had been lost, Wheatus ventured back into the studio to re-record it.

Here’s our chat with the creator of Teenage Dirtbag, Brendan B. Brown.

ABOUT NEWCASTLE LIVE

If it’s on in Newcastle, it’s on Newcastle Live – the Hunter’s source of entertainment and lifestyle news and information. We’re devoted to all the great things happening in the region. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s on in Newcastle and across the Hunter region.

FIND OUT MORE: https://newcastlelive.com.au/

Formed in Whakatāne, New Zealand, award winning band L.A.B. will headline Newcastle’s Over The Ditch festival which is happening on February 22 & 23.

L.A.B. released their first 5 albums in consecutive years and have become a mainstay in the NZ Music Charts and on the festival circuit across New Zealand and Australia.

Here’s our chat with L.A.B.S.’s lead vocalist and guitarist Joel Shadbolt.

ABOUT NEWCASTLE LIVE

If it’s on in Newcastle, it’s on Newcastle Live – the Hunter’s source of entertainment and lifestyle news and information. We’re devoted to all the great things happening in the region. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s on in Newcastle and across the Hunter region.

FIND OUT MORE: https://newcastlelive.com.au/