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[partscityaustralia]

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The Best News of Last Week - June 20, 2023

🐕 - Meet Sheep Farm's Newest Employee: Collie Hired After Ejection from Car!

1. Border Collie ejected from car during Sunday crash found on sheep farm, herding sheep

Tilly, the 2-year-old Border Collie who was ejected from a car Sunday during a crash, has been found. He was found on a sheep farm, where he had apparently taken up the role of sheep herder. 

According to Tilly's owner, he has lost some weight since Sunday's crash and is now drinking lots of water but is otherwise healthy.

2. After 17-Year Absence, White Rhinos Return to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recently welcomed the reintroduction of 16 southern white rhinoceroses to Garamba National Park, according to officials. The last wild northern white rhino was poached there in 2006.

The white rhinos were transported to Garamba, which lies in the northeastern part of the country, from a South African private reserve. In the late 19th century, the southern white rhino subspecies was believed to be extinct due to poaching until a population of fewer than 100 was discovered in South Africa in 1895, according to WWF.

3. UK to wipe women’s historic convictions for homosexuality

Women with convictions for some same-sex activity in the United Kingdom can apply for a pardon for the first time, the Home Office has announced.

The Home Office is widening its scheme to wipe historic convictions for homosexual activity more than a decade after the government allowed applications for same-sex activity offences to be disregarded.

It means anyone can apply for a pardon if they have been convicted or cautioned for any same-sex activity offences that have been repealed or abolished.

4. Study shows human tendency to help others is universal

A new study on the human capacity for cooperation suggests that, deep down, people of diverse cultures are more similar than you might expect. The study, published in Scientific Reports, shows that from the towns of England, Italy, Poland, and Russia to the villages of rural Ecuador, Ghana, Laos, and Aboriginal Australia, at the micro scale of our daily interaction, people everywhere tend to help others when needed.

5. In a First, Wind and Solar Generated More Power Than Coal in U.S.

Wind and solar generated more electricity than coal through May, an E&E News review of federal data shows, marking the first time renewables have outpaced the former king of American power over a five-month period.

The milestone illustrates the ongoing transformation of the U.S. power sector as the nation races to install cleaner forms of energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.

6. Iceland becomes latest country to ban conversion therapy

Lawmakers in Iceland on June 9 approved a bill that will ban so-called conversion therapy in the country.

Media reports note 53 members of the Icelandic Parliament voted for the measure, while three MPs abstained. Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, an MP who is a member of the Liberal Reform Party, introduced the bill.

7. The temple feeding 100,000 people a day

Amritsar, the north Indian city known for its Golden Temple and delicious cuisine, is also renowned for its spirit of generosity and selfless service. The city, founded by a Sikh guru, embodies the Sikh tradition of seva, performing voluntary acts of service without expecting anything in return.

This spirit of giving extends beyond the temple walls, as the Sikh community has shown immense compassion during crises, such as delivering oxygen cylinders during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the heart of Amritsar's generosity is the Golden Temple's langar, the world's largest free communal kitchen, serving 100,000 people daily without discrimination. Despite a history marred by tragic events, Amritsar continues to radiate kindness, love, and generosity.

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That's it for this week :)

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[ladyaislinn]

Rufus on his performance as an amnesiac in "Dark City": "Obviously he (Murdoch) was going to be the center of the film, but he was going to be a blank pamphlet. I thought, 'Well, that's an interesting thing to play.' Someone who's basically a child, born into the world with an adult's instincts but without any of the experiences to back them up. You wouldn't know what your face looked like, you wouldn't know what face you pulled. You wouldn't know whether your name was John, Jack or Beelzebub. I thought that would be interesting."

On working in the dark all the time making "Dark City": "It was weird. I'd flown all the way from England to Australia to see the land of sun, sea and sand. I arrive and they lock me in this aircraft hangar at 6 in the morning and let me out at 7 at night. Then they lock me up again the next morning. I didn't see the daylight during the week for a very, very long time."

"When Alex first sent me the sketches for that set, I was more excited than I had been when I read the script. The Underworld was truly remarkable -- a little bit scary, very thrilling, and full of hundreds of bald people."  buffalo news

To lead the ensemble, Proyas enlisted Rufus Sewell (Carrington, Cold Comfort Farm), whom Andrew Mason discovered during a trip to London when a friend suggested he see Sewell's latest play. "I was told he was the most exciting new actor coming out of England in years," says Mason. "I went to see him and thought he was extraordinary." After meeting with Alex Proyas and reading the script, Sewell accepted the role of John Murdoch, which was a departure from the kinds of film roles he has played to date.

"I never thought about being in a science fiction film before, normally, there's not much for an actor to do in a film like that, except to point at things and say, ëOh, look at the size of that!' or ëI've never seen one of those -- they've been extinct for 4,000 years!' But this is part film noir, part science fiction, part fairy tale, and it has really vibrant roles for actors."

"My character is on a quest to find out who he is. I've had experiences in my life when I thought I was on the edge of madness, and I drew on those experiences to play Murdoch."

in depth review DVD directors cut ▪ video (lousy qualitiy) ▪ video II ▪ Dark City - The Best Movie You Never Saw

[kokinu09]

Let Go of the Reins || Chapter 3

~*~

pairing seungmin x fem!reader

genre strangers to lovers, romance, fluff, slight angst later, happy ending, social media, not meant to be, someday

summary  Australia is considered home for two of the eight members. When two tour dates are scheduled for the land down under, the boys can’t help but want to spend a bit more time there to visit family and do a little sightseeing. So how do they convince the company that they need to stay a couple weeks? Filming some SKZ Code episodes.

A local riding school just outside the city with amazing reviews for their skilled instructors and beautiful horses is hosting a very popular kpop group to film their experiences. Y/N knows the group well and she just so happens to be their star working student. 

status ongoing

taglist OPEN

previous | masterlist | next

~*~

The getting ready part was easy. After Olivia spent a little too long on your makeup (and having to run through the barn to get everything prepped in time), you manage to have all 8 of your selected horses for the guys lined up before the film crew arrives. The other dozen or so horses for the crew were your other coworkers’ problems. You got to pick your lineup and you couldn’t be happier with your bunch. 

You finish securing the saddle on Storm’s back, the last one you needed, and shake out your shoulders. The nerves start to sink in as the seconds tick by. 

Storm nickers by your head, giving you a gentle nudge as if to comfort you. You giggle as your hands reach up to pat his neck, equally as comforting towards your equine companion. “Thanks Buddy. I’m ok,” you say with a smile. 

Your smile falters momentarily as you hear footsteps approaching. Swallowing down your nerves, you turn expecting the group of boys but instead, it is a couple of the staff members approaching with a mic and wires in hand. Right, you’ll need to be just as heard as they do. 

“Hello, are you Miss Y/N?” The young woman asks. 

“Yes, that’s me!” You brighten your smile and offer a polite bow. They both seem pleasantly surprised as they happily return the gesture, quickly getting to work mic’ing you up for the shoot.

“The crew should be over shortly.” The man informs nicely before they both bow and head back the way they came. Leaving you with your nerves to stew in your gut until the boys show up. 

Keeping yourself busy is definitely the best way to prevent a downward spiral into anxiety, so you double-check each horse’s equipment to make sure everything is secure and ready for the ride. Even taking the time to give all the horses a little pep talk. Maybe that was more for yourself but who’s to say?

As promised, it isn’t long before you hear the telltale signs that the boys are coming closer. The loud laughs and teasing bickers pulls an uncontrollable smile onto your face, a giddy feeling replaces your apprehension. This whole situation suddenly feels unreal. 

Yesterday, you’d been too worried about making sure they knew the dos and dont’s of safety to process the fact that you were face-to-face with your favorite group. Now, you just can’t believe you’re lucky enough to get to talk to them! Let alone spend the entire afternoon teaching them about a passion of yours, horses and riding! 

You turn just in time to see the same boy who you’d fateful met yesterday running towards you in the most adorable way; arms hanging at his sides, ‘running’ being a loose term, looking more like a happy trot just to get to you a little quicker than the others, and a huge smile spread across his face. And you can’t help but grin back, your excitement to see him just as high as his to see you it seems. 

“Hello again,” he says in a hushed greeting once he’s close enough. 

“Well hello there,” you return with a giggle. “Feeling up for being on the horse rather than underneath it?” 

Your teasing earns a smirk from the menace himself but he doesn’t get the chance to reply as the others finally have caught up. Chan comes up beside him and ruffles his hair, much to his displeasure. “Looks like you beat us here, Seungminnie!” He teases, turning to you without paying any attention to the glare from the younger. “And you must be Y/N! I’m Chan, it’s nice to officially meet you!” He smiles and bows respectfully.

“Yes! It’s nice to meet you too!” You agree, returning his respect. He grins wide at you then turns to the others. 

“Everyone say ‘annyeonghaseyo’ to Y/N-ssi!” He instructs. 

All the boys turn to you with their hands folded in front of them as they bow, saying in unison, “Annyeonghaseyo, Y/N-ssi.” 

A blush spreads across your face, eyes scanning over them bowing towards you while you catch sight of the cameras in the corner of your eye. Way too much attention is directly on you right now. You have to divert. You hastily bow over and over towards them with a loud, nervous laugh.

“Hello! Thank you!” You straighten up as they do and offer a sincere smile. “It’s wonderful to meet all of you,” you tell them, looking at each of them to show how much it really means to you. Another camera pointed at you catches your eye and your shoulders stiffen, nerves returning. “We should probably get started!” 

That sets the other Aussie member bouncing on his heels.

“Yes please! Which one is mine?? I can’t wait to pet them!” Felix’s excitement sends the group into a fit of laughter as they begin teasing the ball of sunshine in a mix of Korean and English. 

With the boys talking and distracting the cameras, you take the opportunity to turn away to act like you’re adjusting Storm’s harness. But actually, you inhale a shaky breath. 

“Hey,” the soft greeting still startles you slightly. You find Seungmin beside you now, one hand gripping the mic on his shirt, the other lifted to pet Storm’s snout. 

“O-oh! Hey,” your chin ducks in embarrassment. Now you’re stuttering? This is a disaster. 

“Don’t let the cameras scare you. You’re doing great,” he says. And when he looks over to meet your eyes, you can see his sincerity. 

You breathe out a sigh, relieved from the show of support. “Right, yeah,” after just a moment’s pause you add, “Thank you.” 

The smile that lights up his face sends a swarm of butterflies fluttering in your stomach. That expression makes it clear why he’s known as a puppy. You can practically see his proverbial tail wagging behind him and you can’t help but think it is absolutely adorable.

”Ah-yah! Seungmin~!” Felix whines, causing your spine to stiffen like you’ve been caught with your hand in the cookie jar. “You’re already petting the horses?! I asked first!” 

Seungmin releases his muffled mic and turns with that teasing smirk of his. “If you weren’t running your mouth, maybe Y/N-ssi would be able to introduce us to them.” He spouts in Korean. 

At the indignant cry from the younger Aussie boy, you wave your hands in front of you. “No, no! It’s alright! You weren’t interrupting anything! We aren’t in a rush!” You quickly assure…also in Korean. 

All the boys freeze to stare at you with wide eyes. The almost eerie silence from them all draws a cold sweat to your skin. 

“You…speak Korean?” Chan asks, his face reflecting the astonishment, almost skepticism, in his voice. 

“Well, I’m still learning… but I’m getting pretty good at understanding,” you say as your shoes become incredibly interesting. 

Suddenly, a different pair of shoes joins in your line of vision. Your wide eyes lift to find the maknae of the group standing there, looking at you with starry eyes, and before he says, “Noona is so cool!” 

A chorus of agreement from Han, Felix, and Changbin sounds behind the youngest causing your face to erupt into the color of a tomato. Chan, bless his soul, is quick to step in, settling the boys down and regaining focus to their task ahead of them for filming. By the way he talks, they’ll probably be editing a lot of that out. Which you’re beyond grateful for.

“Cool. Now, where were we?” Chan offers the stage back over to you. 

“I was just about to introduce you all to your horse partners for the day!” 

A few of the members can’t help their eager squeals as you go on, walking over to the first horse in line. A gorgeous black stallion. 

“Here at Hooves and Harmony Riding Academy, we’ve been very fortunate to raise a wide variety of breeds on the ranch. Some of those are particularly rare, like this boy here!” You explain, mostly for the cameras. “Chan, you’ll be working with Shadow today. He has high energy but is surprisingly patient with his riders!”

The eldest walks up slowly, his face showing his awe for the creature as he takes your place beside him as you move to the next. This stallion has a thicker build with an almost black mane and solid brown coat. His snout being the exception as it looks like he dipped it in white paint. “Lee Know, this is Copper. He’s big but a total sweetheart. I think you’ll work really well with him.” 

Minho’s lips are pouted in the shape of an O as he places a gentle hand on the white muzzle of the horse. You smile to yourself (so far so good!) before walking to the next. Changbin bounces on the balls of his feet in anticipation, eyes locked on the horse he knows is going to be assigned to him. One of the strongest horses you’d been allowed to pick from. His bulkier muscles covered with a beautiful red-toned coat with black tips to his ears and legs to match his black mane. “I can see you’re excited, so Changbin, this is Jersey. He’s our biggest bay boy!” 

The boy can’t help his ecstatic shout and he gets a few panicked looks that he’ll startle the huge animal. “Don’t worry, he’s super tolerant to noises so you shouldn’t have any issues with him,” you assure everyone with confidence. Changbin hurries over with the biggest smile you may have ever seen on him. 

“Y/N-ssi really has thought of everything!” He cheers, patting his horse’s neck as he takes his place.

You try to push down the blush that heats your face while you make your way over to the dark chocolate spotted mare. “This sweet girl’s name is Daisy. She’s a little dramatic at times but she is one of the most reliable of the bunch!” You explain, looking to Hyunjin. “I thought you’d enjoy this fun little fact too! Most people like to refer to horses with this pattern on her coat as ‘paint’ horses.”

Hyunjin’s eyes widen and sparkle. “Because it looks like she’s been splattered with paint!” He beams, immediately befriending the mare with chin scratches that there’s no way he could have known were her favorite.

You giggle, continuing on to the next; an older mare but no less beautiful. Her white coat littered with hundreds of little brown specks. “And this is Freckles! Our resident leopard! She’s the oldest in this group so she’s very laid back and easy to work with.”

Han gives you a skeptical look, knowing by the order you’ve introduced the members to their horses so far that this is his, then glances at Felix. Thinking you’d accidentally mix them up because they’re so close in age that they’re almost twins. You laugh a little at the subtle implication. “Even though her looks would make you think I’d pair her with Felix, I think you’ll have a lot of fun with her today, Han! She has been known to play little tricks on the other horses from time to time.” You say with a mischievous wink.

The rapper’s heart-shaped smile spreads across his face at this news and he greets the mare with hesitant hands at first. That is until Freckles presses her snout into his palms, impatient for attention. 

When you look over to Felix, you can see his excitement already bubbling over the surface. The boy basically vibrating with the biggest eyes and smile. You walk over to the beauty he will be handling for the day. Her cream-colored coat only a few shades darker than her white mane, the longer hairs adorning a slight curl not super common with their other horses. 

“Felix, I’d like to introduce you to Rosie! She is always so poised and calm, not to mention absolutely stunning! I think you two will have a nice relaxing ride together.” Having been the most giddy of them all from the get-go, it doesn’t surprise you when he sprints to take his place beside the elegant steed. 

Only two more. And so far, they’ve all been super happy with your choices of companions for them. But why are your palms sweaty and your heart racing even thinking about telling Seungmin about your choice for him? 

You manage to swallow the lump of fear in your throat and keep moving, avoiding lifting your head his way. Instead, coming up beside the chestnut spotted mare with more white than spots. You reach up and brush the fringe of her mane away from her eyes. ‘It’s her moment in the spotlight, gotta make sure she’s looking her best!’ The internal monologue makes you chuckle under your breath. 

It’s impossible to avoid the inevitable forever though, so you finally look over to Seungmin. His eyes are watching you. Your gaze meets his and it feels like the world is frozen. Or maybe it’s only you. But you also can’t seem to care. 

You don’t know how long you stand there just staring into his warm brown eyes, but the only thing that snaps you out of it is the smirk that tugs at his lips with a soft chuckle. Eyes blinking rapidly, you take a quick glance around to find everyone looking at you curiously. By some miracle, your face doesn’t turn beet red (at least you don’t think so) when you try to play it off with a little cough to clear your throat. 

“Sorry, uh, this next girl is very special to me. Her name is Pearl.” You say with a smile as you pet her soft nose. “She came to the ranch at the same time as my horse Storm did. And they’re best buddies, virtually inseparable! So, by association, we’re virtually inseparable!” The boys all join in with your laugh. “But I would trust this girl if I was riding blindfolded, so I know she will take good care of you.” You turn to smile warmly at her intended rider.

Seungmin steps forward until he is in your space, casually placing his hand on the horse’s neck. You vaguely hear the other members talking but you’re too busy fighting the racing of your heart. The pounding deafening to your own ears and you’re marginally worried that the mic pinned to your chest will pick up on all of it. 

“Thank you for entrusting me with her.” His voice just over a whisper. You let out a giggle. 

“Or I am trusting her with you,” you counter jokingly. “Can’t say you haven’t given me reason to believe you’ll fall off.” He breathes out a laugh, eyes sparkling with mirth and maybe something else you can’t quite place. All you know is that you’d give anything to turn the cameras off and get to talk to him without these extra nerves buzzing in your gut.

“I’ll try not to, but no promises,” he jokes. 

“I’m still going to hold you to it, Puppy Boy.” 

The two of you laugh a little too loudly and catch the attention of Felix next to you. You don’t see the knowing smile on his face before he gives the younger member a light shove, a gentle reminder of where they are and who is around. Both of you seem to sober up as your backs straighten and he offers you an apologetic smile. 

“Let’s move on while the staff are still distracted by my loudmouth brothers,” Seungmin says with a teasing eye roll. 

“Hey, I heard that,” Felix grumbles under his breath. You giggle at the baritone showing in his voice, the first time hearing it. Momentarily you wonder how many times you might be able to aggravate him enough to hear it during the trail ride. But you catalog that in the back of your mind for later. 

Making your way around the singer, with a shy tip of your head, you come to the last of their partners. The stallion growing excited as soon as he sees you approaching, his head bobbing dramatically up and down as a show. His black mane thrashing in the crisp February air. 

“Hey now, Monster! Behave yourself, we have guests!” You scold without any bite. You manage to catch his bridle and settle him down, rubbing a hand along his strong brown neck. He still attempts to wrap around your front to lay his head on your shoulder but you stop him with a laugh. You release the strap and ruffle his bangs, just over the single white spot on his forehead. 

“Last but certainly not least, I.N you will be working with Monster! He is such a jokester and so fun to ride. I think you two will get along really well!” You tell the maknae who looks giddy with his own excitement. 

The youngest trots over and the big brown horse immediately takes a shining to him, tapping his foot happily as he nudges his hand for pets. It feels good that everyone seems happy with the horses you’ve assigned to them. And the horses seem content with their riders, so you take it as your first win of the day!

You move back to the front of the line and untie Storm’s reins, leading into the space the boys had just occupied, where all of them can see you. “Now that we’ve gotten the introductions out of the way, let’s really get started!” You cheer, ready to get them mounted in their saddles and riding so you can all be back from the first trail by lunchtime.

~*~

taglist

@kangaracha @rainfallingfromthesky @puppysmileseungmin @defnotfertilizedtoesw @teenyfinds @bbokari711 @lakoya @keepswingin

[louisupdates]

Review: Louis Tomlinson rocks Brisbane River Stage with Faith in the Future world tour

Louis Tomlinson ignited the Brisbane River Stage on Tuesday night, blending One Direction nostalgia with his new Indie-Pop hits, at the second Australian show of his Faith in the Future world tour.

Molly Snaylam | January 31, 2024 - 7:49AM

Courier Mail AU

Former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson took Brisbane’s River Stage by storm on Tuesday night, at his second show of three in Australia, as part of the Faith In The Future World Tour.

The 32-year-old singer performed to thousands of screaming and adoring fans, with some wearing their almost vintage-looking Directioner merchandise and others in Louis’ Brisbane tour T-shirts.

Tomlinson first performed in Brisbane with One Direction on their Take Me Home tour in 2013 and on Tuesday established himself as an independent Indie-Pop/Brit Rock artist, “making the music he wants to make”.

As the lights went down the crowd came alive with excitement as the band kicked in to accompany him for The Greatest, the opening track to his 2022 album Faith in the Future.

Tomlinson charismatically introduced himself to the crowd, not shying away from profanity, as he welcomed the audience to his tour, “It’s f---king hot tonight isn’t it Brisbane, we’re going to have a great time!” Tomlinson said.

“This scale and size of a show like this absolutely blows my f---king mind, I can feel this is going to be a special night,” he said.

The setlist was a perfect blend of his solo hits, fan favourites, and some surprises, showcasing the evolution of his music.

Tomlinson’s vocals were on point as he effortlessly transitioned from powerful anthems to more intimate moments.

The live arrangements brought a new dimension to familiar tracks, making them feel fresh and dynamic.

Throughout the night, it was clear Tomlinson has veered from his prior pop status and has embraced a ‘mod’ and rock feel with his new music, this was confirmed by him including a cover of the Arctic Monkeys' eerie smash hit 505.

His casual and cheeky northern Brit personality shone through as he sported a black singlet and grey joggers, showing off his iconic tattoos.

He was sure to interact with fans as he wandered around the stage, even taking selfies and posing with his band for a photo in front of the audience.

The relationship between Tomlinson and his fans is noticeably gratuitous and nostalgic, with in tears and others moshing with wide smiles as they danced the night away.

As a major One Direction fan myself – especially during my teenage years, I can appreciate the impact Tomlinson has had on the many young music lovers, who attended his show, during their adolescent years.

Witnessing his fans singing along to every tune, old and new, brought back fond memories of when I saw him perform with One Direction in 2013, seeing the fans who have grown up with his music and the worldwide hype of the band took me back to that night.

Tomlinson’s ability to convey vulnerability and strength resonated with fans, creating an intimate atmosphere in one of the city’s largest outside venues.

His casual, yet captivating stage presence and soothing vocals memorised the audience throughout the show.

Tomlinson said the goal of his Faith In The Future tour was to create a “great live experience on the next tour”, a goal he certainly fulfilled on Tuesday night.

The concert was a testament to his connection with his fans, leaving them eagerly anticipating what the future holds for his music.

FULL ARTICLE

[daisiesonafield-blog]

Review -After many a postponement, for the first time since his debut world tour in 2017, Grammy award winning artist Harry Styles touched down at Mt Smart Stadium, bringing Harry Styles: Love on Tour to Tāmaki Makaurau.

Released in 2022 and recently awarded Album of the Year at the 2023 Grammys, Harry's House, built in London by way of Hollywood, Malibu, and Wilshire, and engineered by the likes of Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson, and Samuel Witte has seen almost every major city of the world. It's only fitting that, at long last, Aotearoa finally got a taste of the artist's highest acclaimed album.

Decorated from head to toe in sequins, sparkles, cowboy hats and the coveted feather boas, punters, who had been lining up as early as two days before the concert itself, descended on Mt. Smart Stadium bright eyed and bushy tailed, eager to get as close to Styles as they possibly could. His charm, wit and general crowd interaction is a major selling point of the tour itself - something all 47,000 attendees were eager to get a taste of.

Aotearoa's own Ny Oh and Isle of Wight-based band Wet Leg opened the show, to a crowd that, although mixed in demographic, got behind every single beat. Seeing Wet Leg at Mt Smart was a bit of a big deal; the last time they were here, they performed to a sold-out Tuning Fork - a venue which can hold up to 300 people. Fast forward eight months, playing to a sold-out stadium, comprising a crowd who, for the most part, know every word to every song, is something to marvel at.

I always admire an artist who has an impeccable pre-show playlist - it shows that not only do they know their crowd well, but when done right, the right selection can show that they know the city, or in this case, country, well too. Classic tracks such as 'Best Song Ever' by One Direction and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen had the crowd doing vocal somersaults over one another, singing as loud as they could.

What took me by surprise was the addition of Poi E by Pātea Māori Club - released in 1983, sung entirely in te reo, now playing to a crowded stadium before Harry Styles of all people graced the stage. He knew his crowd, and where he was in the world, extremely well.

Styles is known for his on-stage outfits. Some are understated, some are extremely overstated, and most, if not all of them, end up being one of the main focal points of every performance. The last time he was in Aotearoa, he wore an all-black suit, assumingly paying homage to the All Blacks. Last night, he wore a short sleeve raglan tee with a bejewelled whale's tail adorning it, with a pair of purple dress pants. Not the most spectacular outfit compared to his recent Australia tour, but we'll take what we can get.

After all, fashion comes second when you're stood mere metres from One Direction's Golden Child.

It's always special when an artist comes to any given country and does more than just plays their show and jump on the next flight home. On his recent Australian tour, Styles immersed himself in the culture of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia, and his stop in Aotearoa was no exception.

At his first break in the show, Styles, who, earlier in the day, had spent time with Te Matatini finalists, Angitū, sang the start of 'Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi' - written by Canon Wiremu Te Tau Huata in the 1950s.

The crowd, clearly stunned, sung the rest of the waiata back to him without hesitation while he danced around the stage. He continued to do this multiple times throughout the night, which kept the crowd on their toes. I was almost waiting for it to happen every time he got the chance to speak. At one point in the concert, he picked a Tino Rangatiratanga flag from the crowd, and put it on his mic stand - the flag found itself to be a permanent fixture on the stage for the rest of the night.

The moments of the concert I remember the most vividly seem to be the same at almost every one I go to; the times when the whole crowd is still, flashlights up, yelling the lyrics of the saddest songs back at the person singing them - and last night was no exception. At the end of the catwalk which spanned what felt like ten trillion miles, Styles performed 'Matilda', 'Little Freak', and 'Satellite' one after the other, and for all three songs, I've never heard a crowd with so much gusto.

Harry performed songs from across all three released bodies of work, such as 'Woman', to 'Golden', and even far back as a new rendition of One Direction's seminal hit, 'What Makes You Beautiful'. He even snuck in crowd-favourite unreleased weapon, 'Medicine' which went viral during the tour for his last album, Fine Line. During every song, the crowd didn't hold back. So much energy in one space - it was amazing to bear witness to.

It's crazy to think that, from Harry's end, there are 47,000 people in the same space as you are singing the words to the music you wrote back at you. Those moments stick with an artist - I feel as though they stick with the crowd for eternity.

Crowd interaction is paramount for an artist as big as Styles. Throughout his time as a solo performer, he's always placed a large emphasis on connecting with his crowds, and as he's grown, the interactions have only evolved to be more intense.

Last night was no exception. From pointing out a fan who had been throwing fruit at him (which then proceeded to him singing a two-minute-long song about people dressed as bananas, eggs, aubergines, so on and so forth), the singer, who encourages fans to bring signs with him to his shows, went back and forth with two fans. One, who allegedly sold their cats leg to be at the show, and the other, who was with her best friend going through a breakup. After finding out the now ex-boyfriend wasn't prioritising them, hence the breakup, he told the crowd to "not be a Michael, be a Romy!"

Styles also asked the crowd about the census, telling everyone that he too had filled it out prior to the show.

Finishing with crowd favourite, and aptly named, 'Kiwi', Styles had made the nights of 12-year-olds with their parents and mid-40-year-olds alike, as well as everyone in between. Harry Styles is truly an artist who transcends all levels of musical talent and incomparable wit, with a hint of charm that can't be matched.

The remnants of the 47,000 plus feather boas will live on the field of Mt Smart Stadium until Harry Styles makes his triumphant return to Aotearoa.

Admittedly, he doesn't actually know when that will be. All he knows is that he hopes it won't be too long.

[gamergirljournalist]

How video game journalism kickstart my media career

On July 8, 2024, it was announced that Kotaku Australia and many other third-party brands will be shut down by Nine Entertainment/Pedestrian Group. When the news broke, many journalists who lost their jobs mourned. The same can be said for other journalists and Australian media members, who emphasized that this is another blow in Australian media. This was somewhat expected as the Nine Network announced that it would lay off multiple staff members due to budget cuts as the Australian media giants could not renew a deal with Meta under the media bargaining code.

As someone who has worked professionally in journalism since 2018, I feel for these people. At the same time, it's a shock to see how the gaming and tech news space is slowly dwindling. I know this first-hand as my old place of employment was the first to stumble, which led to many of my co-workers losing their jobs, just days before Christmas.

So as part of my "Australian Gaming Journalism" Eulogy, here is my take on the whole situation, how gaming journalism is important and how it kickstarted my career.

Where it all began

Video game journalism played a huge role in my career as it was where people noticed my potential to play a role in this industry before I realized it was my calling.

In 2012, my dad was approached by a convention attendee, asking if I was his daughter because my Q&A question during the EBGames Expo was "really good" for someone my age. My question addressed mental health in video games, and whether it made things better or worse.

The next was in 2016. My first year journalism class had this non-graded assignment, where we were tasked to listen to the people we passed by and pitch something the next day. This was supposed to teach us that "a story can be found anywhere, even in everyday conversation." My first pitch was "I witnessed Opal ticket officers playing Pokemon GO using the same device to check our tickets. while on the job" My lecturer got excited for a second and told me to write a full report, like actually report on it. I was still a first year university student, and I had no idea what just happened.

Sadly, I didn't get the chance to do so due to a variety of reasons, one of them being I didn't have media law training yet to report on something that involved Opal and NSW Transport. But this first pitch made my lecturer see something in me that I have yet to discover. I did make up for it by covering the Phil Spencer's keynote address for the student newspaper.

TLDR - Video games made people notice that I have the potential to become a journalist.

There is more to video game journalism than just reviews

Video game journalism is more than just "video game reviews" or talking about the next game release. It's about reporting on the latest happenings in the industry, the shifts game devs are making, and how this billion-dollar industry is impacting society.

And it's not just my personal stories. There were other events in this field worth talking about. There are video game influencers raising funds for charity, indie companies making strides and making innovations, how accessibility and representation became a form of discussion, video game preservation, media adaptations, and in some cases, how video games are being utilized by the government (looking at you City of Melbourne).

Video Games shaped my journalism career

For those saying "video game journalism is a waste of resources," think again. My career started with video game journalism. People saw potential in a young girl who had no idea what she was doing. She just pitch and ask questions in a topic that was very familiar to her. All of this shaped my career and I'm truly grateful for it.

Not only did this journalism genre shape my career, but it also got me recognized in the Australian journalism space. It also gave me the opportunity to expand my passion and consider entertainment and pop culture reporting. Meanwhile, other reporters who started in video game journalism expanded towards science, tech and IT, and business reporting. I know someone who's trying to get a PHD because of it. This niche genre is a launchpad for so many reporters and other professionals and it's a shame that it's completely underfunded.

This is a niche in journalism that needs respect and recognition as it gives up-and-rising writers a platform to get published and write something they're passionate about. It's not a waste of time, it's a valuable resource with untapped potential.

[dreamings-free]

By Alex Gallagher | 18th January 2024

From debut headline shows for breakout artists to bustling festival sideshow programs, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as a stellar batch of musicians make their way Down Under in 2024. Read on for NME’s roundup of all the biggest concerts and tours coming to Australia this year.

Louis Tomlinson When: January 28 – February 2 Find tickets and more info

Louis Tomlinson shot to fame with One Direction, who formed on The X Factor in 2010. Since the group parted ways in 2016, Tomlinson released his 2020 solo debut album ‘Walls’; followed by last year’s chart-topping ‘Faith In The Future’, which scored a four-star review from NME‘s Rhian Daly.

On January 28, Tomlinson will perform at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, before performing at the Riverstage in Brisbane on January 30. Tomlinson will wrap up his Australian leg of the Faith in the Future world tour at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on February 2.

[a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives]

Luke Arnold, Doc Wyatt talk the teamwork and insanity that defines ‘ESSENTIALS’

The compelling new OGN is funding via Kickstarter.

by Chris Coplan (April 18, 2024)

You may know Luke Arnold as Long John Silver in the Black Sails and/or INXS’ own Michael Hutchence in the Never Tear Us Apart miniseries. Doc Wyatt, meanwhile, is best known for his production work on the iconic Napoleon Dynamite and the animated Rocket and Groot for Marvel. So, what happens when a lauded actor and a TV writer/producer get together? Why a brand-new graphic novel, ESSENTIALS.

For ESSENTIALS, Arnold and Wyatt were brought together in part by The Lab Press, a new publishing outfit that focuses primarily on graphic novels. Together, the pair then collaborated with a veritable smorgasbord of comics artists, including Bill Sienkiewicz (who does the cover), Dani, Jason Howard, Andrea Mutti, and Glenn Fabry. (The book’s colors were provided by Jordie Bellaire, Brad Simpson, and Wesley Wong, with lettering from DC Hopkins of AndWorld Design).

Once fully assembled, this superstar team behind ESSENTIALS set about crafting a story in which “the world you see around you is not real.” More specifically, we follow “disgraced mathematician Harris Pax” as he and Buttons (an “interdimensional being possessing his niece’s favorite toy”) set about smashing the walls of this faux reality. ESSENTIALS asks some big questions — “What matters most in a well-lived life? Is joy more valuable than truth?” — just as much as it’s a rollicking, dimension-hopping adventure story.

ESSENTIALS is currently crowdfunding via Kickstarter, with the campaign having raised $13,000-plus (of a seemingly $1,111 goal) on the way to its May 16 deadline. (Head here to contribute.) To get a better idea of the work that went into ESSENTIALS, we recently got to field questions to both Arnold and Wyatt. The duo spoke about the somewhat involved creative process, the big themes at the book’s heart, working with The Lab Press, and much more.

The talent behind ESSENTIALS. Courtesy of The Lab Press.

AIPT: I’m curious: what’s the collaborative process look like between a TV writer and an actor making a comic book?

Luke Arnold: It’s hard to summarize this process because there are so many stages. We broke most of the story on zoom between Australia and LA. Then, we outlined in pieces, trading them back and forth multiple times, rewriting and recrafting until we were happy. After that, we’d take a chapter each, write them, share them, editing and/or rewriting each other’s work. Then, it would go to the artists, and we’d wait for the first sketches to roll in.

Because the team (Doc, myself, and everyone at The Lab) is spread around the globe, we found that the best place to review artwork was actually in VR. We all got Oculus headsets that allowed us to sit around a table together with the art displayed on a huge board in front of us, marveling over the work and deciding on any notes to send back to the artists.

The next few stages would take place over email, and then when all the art was finished, Doc and I would get back on Zoom to take another look at the script. Once you have those final pages, you can quickly realize that a lot of dialogue feels unnecessary, so we’d go through and make changes before sending everything to the letterer. That was one of my favorite stages, as you have an opportunity to write some parts all over again, inspired by the work of the artists.

Doc Wyatt: Luke’s an actor, but he’s also a novelist. His novels blow me away. I knew Luke first as an actor, and on set, he was talking about these fantasy novels that he wanted to write. But when it actually happened, I was blown away. The Last Smile in Sunder City was Luke’s first book, and it kicked off a series that’s a mashup of the noir detective genre with urban fantasy. Anyone who’s missed it should catch up with it.

As a writer, Luke is intricate. He works in levels and layers, meanings behind meanings, and philosophical underpinnings. It was a really rich and rewarding experience because we’d start out talking about the story we were breaking, but the conversation would drift into all these other, unrelated places… until suddenly it would snap back into story mode, but bringing along all these influences from our seemingly unrelated conversations.

AIPT: What’s the elevator pitch for ESSENTIALS? It seems like there are a lot of big questions churning at the heart of this book.

LA: Our world has collided with another dimension and reality has become untethered. Most humans were killed in the collision, and those that survived are now trapped in their own subjective realities as their beliefs, thoughts, and fears become manifest around them. Harris Pax – the only scientist who foresaw this apocalypse and managed to protect himself – has teamed up with Buttons – a being from the other dimension. Together they must travel into these subjective realities and convince the people inside to give up their illusions and return to the real world.

DW: Honestly, it can sound complicated, but at the end of the day the story is pretty simple. A cosmic catastrophe has killed most human life, with the few survivors unknowingly stuck in their own bubbles of subjective reality. It’s the job of our heroes to pull them out of these private realities before they’re killed by them.

AIPT: Similarly, it seems like this book may be about/interested in simulations and subjective reality and the like. Why are those kinds of massive ideas interesting, and how do you come at them from a new angle?

LA: It’s a cliché now to say that we’ve never been so divided. We started writing this four years ago, and things seem to have only gotten worse. In this age of reactionary politics and algorithms, we really are starting to live in separate realities where even basic facts are up for dispute. But this feeling of disconnection was an existential issue long before the internet. Artists and writers have always explored the pain of isolation, our yearning for interconnection, and the despondency that comes from witnessing the perpetual division of the human race on both an intimate and planetary scale. With ESSENTIALS, we found two heroes, a villain, and a reality-spanning quest that allows us to dig into these concerns in a way that feels fresh and kind of limitless. There are already so many realities we’ve had to cast aside and many more we hope to include as the story continues.

The Jason Howard cover to ESSENTIALS. Courtesy of The Lab Press.

AIPT: What’s it like to be the debut release from Lab Press? Does that pressure help or complicate your process as creators and then also promoters of said creation?

LA: I can really only speak to it from a creative standpoint. It has awarded us a kind of freedom that is rare to find. The Lab and ESSENTIALS were formed at the same time, so the publishers had no preconceptions about what this book needed to be. There were no expectations, either from the reader or the company itself, so the book was able to find its form on its own terms. And being their debut, The Lab was likely more open to our wild ideas, such as jumping between so many artists in the way we do.

DW: For me, sure– it’s a little nerve-wracking to be the first book from a new publisher, because they’re going to be doing all their learning on our book. But that said, we believe in them. They’ve certainly taken a risk on our weird, little, indie book, so it’s only fair we take a risk on them!

AIPT: The book has a slew of talented artists attached, including Dani, Andrea Mutti, and Bill Sienkiewicz. What’s it mean to have such a roster of sheer artistic talent, and do you have any standout moments/pages?

LA: Even though this book has been in development for years, from the artists signing on to sending their pencils, their inks and colors, and now holding the final version, I still can’t really comprehend that we were able to work with artists of this caliber.

This is the first comic I’ve written, and so I was still wondering how all our scripts would come out after being interpreted by the artist. There’s a sequence in chapter two with a collage of a conversation that passes through a bunch of scenarios across a double page spread, and when Jason Howard sent us his pencils of that section, I started to believe that this world Doc and I had dreamed up could actually be realized.

I also have to say that I’m a huge Glenn Fabry fan. We gave him some of our weirdest pages, and his beautifully textured detail is everything we hoped for and more.

DW: The Lab Press had us submit a list of dream artists we’d be dying to work with. We did, thinking–well, they’ll never be able to get these… But they did!!! They didn’t tell me that they’d gotten Bill Sienkiewicz for a cover, who has been a very important artist to me since childhood. Instead they just revealed to me the fully finished cover at a party at New York Comic Con as a big surprise, and I just about lost it. It’s such an amazing cover. And it’s so Bill while still being so ESSENTIALS!

AIPT: Do you have a fave sci-fi book/film/show/etc. that maybe made its way into this project in some way (intentionally or not)?

LA: Doc is a font of sci-fi knowledge, and our original scripts were stuffed full of amazing references. Eventually, we decided to remove most of them before sending the scripts to artists because we didn’t want to cloud their minds with other visuals before we could see what their imaginations offered up. On quick flip though, you could see references to Alien, The Blob, and Night of the Living Dead, but we’ve done our best to use that imagery as a starting block to build something weirder.

AIPT: Why should anyone support the forthcoming Kickstarter for ESSENTIALS?

LA: Because this book is done and it’s incredible. We’re teaming up with Kickstarter because it’s the best way to get the books out to everyone around the world. We’re not asking for support to get it finished or anything like that. Not long after we launch, the book will be out of the printers and in your hands.

DW: We love our weird little story, and we want to tell more of it in the future, but we’ll only get the chance to do that if people read and love this one. We want to get the word out any way we can, so backers will find and support and read the book. It’s strange, it’s heady, and it’s not for everyone, but the people who it’s for– we hope– will really love it!

Source: AIPT Comics

[partscityaustralia]

Power Steering Rack For Isuzu D-MAX 2008-2012 - Parts City Australia

POWER STEERING RACK FOR ISUZU D-MAX 2008-2012, FITS THE FOLLOWING CARS: ISUZU D-MAX 10/2008 - 6/2012, BUY QUALITY POWER STEERING RACK FOR ISUZU D-MAX FROM Parts City Australia With Money Back Guarantee.

[my-mt-heart]

Dead City ratings are boasted by international views (it only made 683k on AMC) and taking into account that Norman couldn't promote exhaustively like Jeff and Lauren did it and also was NFL night so it wasn't that bad (not good either).

Roaming into youtube and reddit people didn't expect much from this spin off but it snuck up on them and now they are hyped so I guess the ratings will grow next sunday, maybe

Neither Dead City nor DD were available internationally, though I think DD was in Australia. Those figures would be included in the live totals. DD was also promoted plenty, and there shouldn’t be that much overlap with the NFL, so what we have for both shows are still comparable 🤷🏻‍♀️

Most reviewers who were part of the show's target audience didn't seem to enjoy it. If their target audience is younger men then it isn't hitting the mark. I did see a lot of positivity from general TWD fans, Daryl fans and some Caryl fans, but I also saw a lot of negativity from the same groups of people, and even Reddit users. I would say overall reception was mixed and because of that I don't know what the ratings will look like next week. We’ll have to see.

[innervoiceart]

INXS - Original Sin (Official Music Video) - 1983

"Original Sin", originally titled "Brand New Day", is the first single from "The Swing" album. This was the band's first #1 Single in Australia. During 1984, it was #1 in Australia (for two weeks in January) as well as in Argentina and France.

‘Original Sin' is one of INXS' most enduring hits. It was their first Australian number one and helped them make inroads into markets around the world they would soon dominate.

The legendary Daryl Hall appears on the song's chorus, though Hall has since said he has no idea why.

“Nile Rodgers is a friend of mine. He was working on the record and he asked me to come down to the studio because they wanted me to sing on it for some reason,” he told Donnie Sutherland on Sounds in 1984. “I don't know why, they're good singers. They didn't need me. But I did it anyway.”

What the artist said:

“INXS just about lost their minds when they saw that Nile Rodgers was backstage at one of their shows in Canada. The band were fans of Chic and his productions and had tried to get the word out that they were keen to work with him on their next album.

“We gave him a copy of the ‘Original Sin' demo, and the next minute we found ourselves rehearsing in Florida, then going into The Power Station in New York City, literally just after David Bowie and his band had left the studio,” Andrew Farriss told FasterLouder in 2014.

“We walked straight in and the best part was the engineer who had worked on a lot of those albums with Nile, Jason Casaro, was there too.

“When I listen to ‘Original Sin' and compare it to other recordings, geez that sounds good. At the time there was this cutting edge of people who were really good at what they were doing, and two of them were sitting in that room.”

What Nile Rodgers said:

Rodgers not only affected the music, but he had a big say in the lyrics for the song's iconic chorus too.

“The original lyrics were, 'Dream on white boy, dream on white girl,' Rodgers told AdelaideNow in 2012. “I said, 'Why not make it 'black boy, white girl?' I come from an inter-racial couple. Psychologically that makes it a bigger statement.'

“Even when I rang up Daryl Hall from Hall and Oates to sing on it, his manager thought it was too controversial. I think the record would have been bigger had I not talked them into changing the lyrics.”

What the press said:

In a glowing review of the song for AllMusic, Ned Raggett particularly outlined the influence of Rodgers' production as a high point of the record.

“It's the monstrous groove and punch of the song that counts first and foremost,” he wrote. “With its stuttering drum breaks, the dark chime of the lead synth line matched by droning guitar, Kirk Pengilly's brisk sax, and the relentless, straight-up rhythm driving everything along.”

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/features/nile-rodgers-beginner-s-guide/102675826?sf269838049=1&fbclid=IwAR0kRdgTHVUlzcLlRpD5cSpZNcuOvr-gOGOluaH495gl3T7aHSRMVI-rNC0

[frootyrooties]

i’ve just realised i haven’t done an official review of all the places i’ve been to this year and since i’ve been to so many, i will try to keep it short and sweet. i might even divide this review in two parts. anyways, without further ado here we go:

starting off with the countries down undah

australia

-the koalas and joeys were absolutely adorable. shame i didn’t go to the bigger zoo (taronga) to hold a koala but you know, there is always a next time.

-this is very american of me to say, but i had one of the best McDonald’s burgers at sydney airport. i usually go out of my way to go to the nearest McDonald’s in any country i go as it always fascinates me how international menus differ from the standard macca’s menu in US

-scenery was okay

-bondi beach was pretty. it gave southern france vibes.

-downtown sydney had some great areas for running (esp in the morning when not too crowded)

-i went there during their winter. i would like to go back to experience their summer to see what it’s like.

-overall, Sydney like a diluted version of London

overall rating: 7/10

new zealand

-absolutely stunning views

-i only went two cities (Auckland and Queenstown), but i was still amazed with the view both places had to offer

-i would say NZ is a cross between England and Ireland with regard to the scenery

-food was okay. they basically eat like the english. meat and potatoes, that sort of thing.

-queenstown was absolutely breathtaking.

-again, similar weather to australia when i went. i would love to go back and experience their summer as well

-would be nice to explore the northern end of the island to the southern end (personally, i would love to visit Stewart Island for obvious reasons)

overall rating: 10/10

moving on to european countries

england

-london is london. business as usual. didn’t spend too much time there as i have already been there a few times as i was more interested in exploring the countryside. anyway, the tube is always fun to ride. not to miss!

-i really enjoyed driving “on the wrong side” didn’t take long for me to learn the rules of the road there. absolutely worth renting a car especially if you’re wanting to explore england’s rural areas.

-now, the countryside (i went to Banbury bordering the Cotswolds, Peak District and Lake District) and i was truly amazed with just how stunning the views were in these places

-oxford was also very stunning. loved exploring oxford university and the vicinity.

-food was okay.

-liverpool and manchester are literally the loves of my life (and yes i am biased about those places for personal reasons). I want to back again and again and again and ag-

overall rating: 10/10

..i will stop here and do a part 2 (maybe 3 as well)

[memorableconcerts]

Nick Cave The Bad Seeds - "From Her To Eternity" - Live 1989

Live 1988

Nicholas Edward Cave AO FRSL (born 22 September 1957) is an Australian singer, songwriter, poet, lyricist, author, screenwriter, composer and occasional actor. Known for his baritone voice and for fronting the rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Cave's music is characterised by emotional intensity, a wide variety of influences and lyrical obsessions with death, religion, love and violence.

Born and raised in rural Victoria, Cave studied art in Melbourne before fronting the Birthday Party, one of the city's leading post-punk bands, in the late 1970s. In 1980 they evolved towards a darker and more challenging sound that helped inspire gothic rock, and acquired a reputation as "the most violent live band in the world". Cave became recognised for his confrontational performances, his shock of black hair and pale, emaciated look. The band broke up soon after moving to Berlin in 1982, and Cave formed Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds the year after, later described as one of rock's "most redoubtable, enduring" bands. Much of their early material is set in a mythic American Deep South, drawing on spirituals and Delta blues, while Cave's preoccupation with Old Testament notions of good versus evil culminated in what has been called his signature song, "The Mercy Seat" (1988), and in his debut novel, And the Ass Saw the Angel (1989). In 1988, he appeared in Ghosts... of the Civil Dead, an Australian prison film which he both co-wrote and scored.

The 1990s saw Cave move between São Paulo and England, and find inspiration in the New Testament. He went on to achieve mainstream success with quieter, piano-driven ballads, notably the Kylie Minogue duet "Where the Wild Roses Grow" (1996), and "Into My Arms" (1997). Turning increasingly to film in the 2000s, Cave wrote the Australian Western The Proposition (2005), also composing its soundtrack with frequent collaborator Warren Ellis. The pair's film score credits include The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), The Road (2009) and Lawless (2012). Their garage rock side project Grinderman has released two albums since 2006. In 2009, he released his second novel, The Death of Bunny Munro, and starred in the semi-fictional "day in the life" film 20,000 Days on Earth (2014). His more recent musical work features ambient and electronic elements, as well as increasingly abstract lyrics, informed in part by grief over his son Arthur's 2015 death, which is explored in the documentary One More Time with Feeling (2016) and the Bad Seeds' 17th and latest album, Ghosteen (2019).

Cave maintains The Red Hand Files, a newsletter he uses to respond to questions from fans. He has collaborated with the likes of Shane MacGowan and ex-partner PJ Harvey, and his songs have been covered by a wide range of artists, including Johnny Cash ("The Mercy Seat"), Metallica ("Loverman") and Snoop Dogg ("Red Right Hand"). He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007, and named an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2017.

Live 1988

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (1984–present)

The band with Cave as their leader and frontman has released seventeen studio albums. Pitchfork Media calls the group one of rock's "most enduring, redoubtable" bands, with an accomplished discography. Though their sound tends to change considerably from one album to another, the one constant of the band is an unpolished blending of disparate genres, and song structures which provide a vehicle for Cave's virtuosic, frequently histrionic theatrics. Critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and Steve Huey wrote: "With the Bad Seeds, Cave continued to explore his obsessions with religion, death, love, America, and violence with a bizarre, sometimes self-consciously eclectic hybrid of blues, gospel, rock, and arty post-punk."

Reviewing 2008's Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! album, NME used the phrase "gothic psycho-sexual apocalypse" to describe the "menace" present in the lyrics of the title track.[23] Their most recent work, Ghosteen, was released in October 2019.

In mid-August 2013, Cave was a 'First Longlist' finalist for the 9th Coopers AMP, alongside artists such as Kevin Mitchell and the Drones. The Australian music prize is worth A$30,000. The prize ultimately went to Big Scary. In a September 2013 interview, Cave explained that he returned to using a typewriter for songwriting after his experience with the Nocturama album, as he "could walk in on a bad day and hit 'delete' and that was the end of it". Cave believes that he lost valuable work due to a "bad day".

Live 1986

[aero-sense]

We reach a familiar location this time, Omashu! And in this level, we get a closer look at their society, how they've been affected by the war, and more!

This is not meant to be a critical review or a detailed walkthrough. All I will do is point out little details I notice or like. I'm doing this for fun, not for accuracy.

Omashu:

I like how Aang was able to figure out the riddle from the last level, as absurd as it is, the game's working off how he's good at riddles and mystic metaphors from old men... or you could take it as Aang making up a reason to see Bumi again.

Haru says in the prelude that he can't wait to go to Omashu again? Very odd continuity, knowing he never once visited it in show. Either the game writers forgot or deliberately lied, to build a stronger connection between him and the city??

Once again, this game is only working off information from the first season of avatar, so in the game Omashu is the biggest city and the heart of the Earth Kingdom. On the map, Omashu is located the same area Ba Sing Se is. This is really interesting to build off of regardless. For instance, perhaps Omashu is debated to be the heart of the Earth kingdom, since earth bending originated from it.

Omashu is designed like a massive bazaar maze. The city is a huge trade export, with several different markets around the map.

The items Momo finds this time are pumpkins that are all in the market, so is he stealing…?

The merchants seem more greedy and bitter compared to previous merchants, but they're hardly getting any business these days due to the war.

The war is taking a toll on the citizens. They talk about how long the days are and that no one has been trading with Omashu lately. Their friends from other local villages say it's too dangerous to travel anymore.

The citizens are also growing more secretive and wary of the government, similar to Ba Sing Se. They can't trust the guards with certain requests. We recovered a village's artifacts for a traveler that was too afraid to ask permission from the Royal Library.

People are worried about Omashu's weakened defenses because they sent too many men out to training. Once young benders are old enough, they are sent out of the city to train at places like the forest camp from the last level.

Cool world-building fact, it's considered dangerous to train earth bending in the city because it's too crowded. Even outside of training, maybe bending is strictly forbidden in certain areas unless you're permitted by the government.

Earth benders also train at camps because of spiritual connection to nature. They need to go to places that preserve their attachment to nature to better attune their senses.

Cool new tidbit about earth bending! So an important aspect is the replication of earth, replacing the earth that the bender moves. An unskilled bender won't be able to perfectly replicate the earth's appearance they bend, so you can tell by little marks.

Another common complaint about Omashu is the king allowing ruffians inside the walls and you'll fight these bandits in certain parts of the city. It's the intended effect from the Consul by removing guards, but some of these complaints seem targeted at the refugees? Interesting to consider.

The other enemy is stray cats. Straight up stray cats. You have to hear Sokka say "you're going down" as he clubs stray cats, like I know it isn't appropriate but it's just so wild and funny out of context. Starving stray cats may I add? They look like they're playing with you too, since they hardly do any damage. You also fight them in the wild?? Their homes??? Didn't know Omashu is Australia...

The funniest thing in Omashu is a guard you run by saying maybe he should stop talking out loud to himself.

This level has the most impressive design so far in the game. In fact, I think because of the mix-up of Omashu being the capital instead of Ba Sing Se, the designers made Omashu seem as huge as possible within what limits they had. There are a lot of vantage points to look down and see the mountainous city. As you run up to the royal library, you get to see the sprawling scenery of Omashu and how expansive it is.

(Seriously, just look.)

There's also neat little details like how the roads are lit by crystals or a mail cart zipping by on a slide. The city also has a system of lifts when the ground is too steep. You can stand on a platform that an earth bender will shoot up and down, like a elevator.

I would assume a lot of the atmospheric sounds in Omashu are mail carts shooting by and echos from it's mountainous architecture.

The downside to having such a large map is that the travel sucksss. It would be so much easier if you could use the carts to travel but oh well...＼(;´□｀)/

Using mail carts is normal for kids of Omashu to do. It's sweet that the regular civilians recommend it, wanting the kids to have fun, while most of the guards are a bunch of fusspots.

Omashu must be in high demand of earth benders to regulate the mail and join the guards. Though non-benders probably have a wider range of career choices.

There's a scene where the gang ride a mail cart after Momo jumps on one and we end up crashing into the Cabbage Man again. Afterwards, the guard for the lift says King Bumi want to see us immediately, probably because we just crashed the cart and he realized Aang must be in town.

Bumi always seem to know immediately what's going on in the kingdom at all times, even with some of the most insignificant things, proving he's the most involved ruler in the show yet.

Although there's many other reasons for Bumi to dislike the Consul by his side, I think Bumi genuinely dislike all the regulations and rules he enforces. Bumi's a very active ruler and perhaps he finds bureaucracy in the way.

There's a huge statue of Bumi in front of his palace, and it's one of those times I feel the game is really off with its characterization. I think Bumi would be more willing to make a statue of his pets over himself (and that's ignoring how the show portrays making large statures of yourself is associated with the imperialists).

Bumi lets Aang use his expensive jewellery and put things on his tab, the dream of having a century old king as you best friend.

I like how some guards are stern and the others friendly enough to talk to children. The show didn't really expand of the EK military's personality besides being stern and jaded, so it's nice seeing them portrayed in a more positive manner for once. There's a much larger range of their personalities, but the ones in the city are generally caring and involved in helping the citizens, if a bit stiff about it.

We get a Momo spy mission to sneak into library's vents :D

The cutscene in the library is interesting. Aang is able to recognize and read marital arts training manuals easily. Being classical trained by monks must have made scrolls easier to decipher (or that they were all made during his time). Katara makes a dig at Sokka for bragging he could understand them, cause he's not a master bender, which is revisited later in the game.

The FN attack the city and Haru insists on holding them back while the gang head back to the palace. This is why we can't have Haru on the team. He would be doing noble sacrifices all the time, he couldn't last more than an episode.

We play as Haru as he helps the guards fight off the FN. It's nice seeing Haru accepted as a bender among the Omashu Guards.

I do like how Bumi was prepared for the attack. He sent the gang on a pointless quest to pick up something from the market right as the FN attacks, so the gang ends in helping at the front lines. After they gang make it to the palace, they wait on Bumi to come in, who was already dealing with the invasion outside.

In the main plot, King Bumi has a Consul running things in the background, which caused for many of the problems in the city. He's weakened defenses by changing the guards, and under his command, the guards are becoming more authoritarian and xenophobic. You can see a difference between the guards under him and the ones loyal to Bumi. The Consul's guards are disliked for being lazy and domineering, while Bumi's are hardworking and kind to citizens and children. It's interesting seeing the divide of opinions on the guards, the King and the Consul from the people.

Aang looked somber when the Consul said "there's bigger things than the Fire Nation and your precious little Avatar". Something about how Aang is constantly put on a pedestal for being the avatar and then knocking him off.

I like how the Haru is just able to bend the secret exit slightly open, compared to the Consul shutting it easily before.

Zuko also comes in running last second just to slam on the door, making me laugh.

If there's anything cool the Consul did, was give a big f-u smirk to Zuko before passing out.

[DS]

I like Bumi's sprite in this version, he just looks slightly off.

In this version and the PSP, Bumi seems more aware of what the Consul's been doing, so it's better to read his actions that he's always in the know. Keeps friends close, enemies closer, so forth.

I do like how considerate Aang is about not breaking EK traditions for his friend's sake. Good thing Bumi could care less.

Some citizens do like the Consul's strictness with rules unlike the King's lack of transparency, but they credit things the King does to the Consul. Some guards defend the King, that he is actually a very busy man and people slander him to draw out the war. It's also questionable how strict the Consul actually is, considering all the guards under him laze around all day.

Pretty sad seeing the growing fears of the machines. The citizens associate it with the FN, which isn't wrong seeing how the FN continues to make advancements in their war weapons, that eventually topple down the EK later in the show.

Hey a cat! And this time, we don't have to beat it up! :D

Funny how all the boys shrug when talking to others except Katara. The only one with social skills in the group.

Haru's sprite looks angry when he's bending and talking all the time, so if that's something else the games got right is Haru's bitter rage he hides.

We get a nice side quest where Haru gets training from a guard and is approved as a gifted bender. Its nice to see Haru get all this positive reinforcement, after learning earth bending in secret.

Apparently there is another bender missing from the city, but I don't think that's in the other versions.

We have to climb through the vents to get out of the library, so the gang end up in soot like this. The sprites cough and Aang blows the soot off, it's cute (also where's Toph when you need her....)

So unlike the PS2 version, we don't play as Haru when the group splits off after the attack. It could have been interesting, but nothing is really done with it and it comes off as inconsistent since this level has been about Haru's improvement as a bender.

However, the DS makes up for it as we fight the chancellor in a duel as Haru. Haru is so much more heated this time, as he feels insulted that the Consul disrespected everything Haru believes in. He insists on his pride as a member of the EK.

The Consul has similar moves to Haru but on a much larger scale, showing how advanced he is.

[PSP]

You can only play as Aang and Haru at the start of the level which shows how narratively significant this level is to their arc.

This version confirms Omashu is taking in refugees, the population grows by the day. They are also losing supplies and unable to leave the city.

The people are worried when summer comes and the FN will become stronger, so it's canon that the seasons influence bending. It's something explored in other atla canon, but it's nice seeing it confirmed so early.

It's funny how Sokka and Katara switch roles about who wants food and who wants to shop. Truly siblings in how they sync up their common interests at the worst times.

There's a similar quest to recover an artifact, except this time it's from a merchant who stole it and is trying to up-sell it in the market. We get it back (by scamming him) but I wonder if it's common for looted art to circulate in Omashu. There's poachers and black markets, let alone a controlling government that hold borrowed artifacts in their library.

A man proclaims the EK are the only ones doing anything about the FN, and yeah... the other two are barely alive? Interesting to note there may be growing discrimination in the EK towards other nations as they focus on their national pride against the FN.

I love how Bumi looks in this version, like a intimidating, sullen, old man. He was like this in his first appearance too. Maybe he's acts his age more when he's not around Aang...

Also cute how Aang runs up to Bumi with a little bounce, while Haru is taken aback and bows.

The palace from the DS and PSP versions make a whole lot more sense. Large wide stairways and doors for people to enter than another huge statue knockoff. It fits canon that Bumi keeps the palace welcoming to deal with his people's issues directly.

Actually adorable how one of the guards was worried about play materials. Sweet to think these stiff guards do enjoy being with Bumi. Make sense. A lot were probably sent out as young boys and experienced the horrors of war before coming back to their posts. Many of the citizens talk about how war made their life bleak and a guard admits he never thought there would be an end to the war, growing up in it.

We can use the carts to fast travel in this version! (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ.ﾟ☆

There's also a worried man nearby about kids riding the carts and warns us not too... and we do it right in front of him, aha...

There's a high position in being the royal supplier, the top merchant. They work directly for the King and own a mansion. The secret passageway out of Omashu is also located by their mansion.

Horse ostriches are actually a sign of status In Omashu. And the guy taking care of them is one of my favorite minor characters so far.

We have a kiss kiss fall in love moment with a merchant and break his "priceless" urn. We repair it with clay and such, and he accepts it, even though its technically worthless. Bumi apparently accepted it and it's kept on a table in the corner, how nice!

After accomplishing a timed quest, Aang jumps in excitement, Katara twists back and forth happy, Haru sheepishly rubs his head, and Sokka waves his club in the air.

Haru can help some guards find their missing items with his bending and secure a job for him to work as a sentry for the palace in a few years. It's an amazing opportunity for him to grow and learn and give himself self assurance that he's a great bender.

When sneaking into the library, it has the same stealth sections as the DS, but you are also questioned by guards if you are a master bender by answering questions about Omashu.

The PSP also clarifies the Consul's plan more than the other versions. He's been trying to sneak in machines without the King's knowledge and use them to replace the guards.

Katara wants to tell the King immediately, but Aang knows Bumi sent them to the library on purpose.

Ok, so this time when the FN attack, Katara and Sokka run off to fend off the FN while Aang and Haru go to palace. I prefer this over than Haru sacrificing himself, because we get Haru swearing to protect Aang. Haru's already getting practice in being a bodyguard!

(Momo also gets a moment where he doesn't know who to go with, until he runs after Aang, how sweet that it's hard to decide).

Mad funny that you can still buy from the merchants during the attack. Gotta get that bag, I guess.

Cute how Haru always stays bowing while Aang is chilling standing in front of Bumi. If anything, he's consistent.

Haru is concerned about whether more people will think like the Consul, which is a valid concern. The Consul's beliefs are quite dangerous and already some people in Omashu already showed signs of following his way of thinking. The Consul says how he'll ensure safety of the EK while also saying he'll make their [Aang and Haru's] kind obsolete, which is almost word-for-word the Fire Nation's mindset.

They skipped the scene with Zuko, but eh not much is missed.

[dreamings-free]

Louis Tomlinson When: January 28 – February 2 Find tickets and more info

Louis Tomlinson shot to fame with One Direction, who formed on The X Factor in 2010. Since the group parted ways in 2016, Tomlinson released his 2020 solo debut album ‘Walls’; followed by last year’s chart-topping ‘Faith In The Future’, which scored a four-star review from NME‘s Rhian Daly.

On January 28, Tomlinson will perform at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, before performing at the Riverstage in Brisbane on January 30. Tomlinson will wrap up his Australian leg of the Faith in the Future world tour at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on February 2.

NME Australia 31/7/23