Some of Australia’s hottest acts, and a line-up of great local bands, will be headlining Australian Open 2007. Any valid Australian Open 2007 ticket will gain you entry to Garden Square. Performances are from 6.30-7.30pm in the Heineken Beer Garden. See below for details of this year's line-up. Local acts perform daily at 3pm (January 15-28). Vodafone Arena will also have live music – refer to the tournament Daily Schedule and Draw (available on-site) for details.
Monday 15th January
Custom Kings
It’s been a long time coming but Melbourne’s Custom Kings are back with their wonderfully addictive new single Swimming In The Darkness which is the first taster of their forthcoming EP Merchant Songs – a captivating collection that in true Custom Kings style, draws influences from blues, folk, hip-hop and roots.
Tuesday 16th January
The Exploders
The Exploders are a three piece rock band from country Victoria. Their debut, self-titled album was recorded for the most part in an old shearer’s quarters using a couple hundred bucks worth of equipment, one tattered lounge and a few broken windows. The result never lets on. The Exploders bristles with talent, sharp hooks and dirty southern rock with influences like The Easybeats, The Rollingstones and Credence Clearwater Revival.
Wednesday 17th January
The Casanovas
The Casanovas were originally formed in 1999 with all three original members hailing from Melbourne, Australia. Early on, their sound was described as AC/DC meets KISS with leanings to the 70’s New York punk.
Recent tours of the UK, Spain, Japan, USA, Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia saw the band’s chemistry and live prowess continue to grow stronger, earning themselves a record deal and releasing their debut album in the US.
Thursday 18th January
Jade MacRae
25 year old Jade MacRae has just released her debut, self titled album showcasing the remarkable vocal ability of this diminutive woman with tracks to vibe up before hitting the clubs, sweet soul tunes, and beautiful ballads. She has traveled from Sydney to LA and New York, writing and recording with the likes of Warren Campbell (Mary Mary) and White Chocolate (Destiny’s Child, Brandy).
Thursday 18th January
Alex Lloyd
Alex Lloyd is, quite simply, one of the finest and most popular singer-songwriters Australia has ever produced. His musical career can be traced all the way back to his teen years when, as a 13 year old upstart, he started playing in pubs with his first band, the blues based The Beefs. His three solo albums have collectively sold more than 500,000 copies and following the release of each album he has been awarded an ARIA for Best Male Artist, while also wining Best New Talent in 2000.
Friday 19th January
Taxiride
Taxiride’s latest album Electrophobia was laid down in a single performance, in a bluestone church in Melbourne on May 26, 2006, in front of a hundred fans.
The extraordinary warmth and precision of the performance, enhanced by a live string quartet on eight songs, is testament to a world class band in every sense of the term: exceptional songwriters, committed and passionate musicians with a rare chemistry that exists independent of studio gloss.
Saturday 20th January
Tex & Tim
Two heavyweight champions of Australian rock, Tex Perkins and Tim Rogers, have joined forces and released their first album My Better Half in September after playing only six shows together. Imagine Bon Scott and Mick Jagger together, or Tim Hemensley and Motorhead’s Lemmy teaming up. As the saying from the classic AC/DC song goes, it’s dynamite!
Saturday 27th January
The Black Sorrows
One of Australia’s most loved bands, who have sold more than one million albums, returns with their first new studio album in eight years that easily sits alongside the band’s best work.
With its mix of joyous, uplifting music and heartbreaking songs about love gone wrong, Roarin Town recalls the Sorrows’ best work. But it’s no nostalgia trip. The album is a bold step forward for an artist who’s never been afraid of change.
Sunday 28th January
Jimmy Barnes
Jimmy Barnes is Australia’s most successful and enduring male singer. He was the lead singer in legendary rock band Cold Chisel and then started a solo career that has touched on the bases of southern soul, hard rock and country rock at different times.
Jimmy Barnes’ new album Double Happiness has found a new, evolving sound… building on the foundation of his rock & roll heritage, he has added a strong female element to the tunes, a lot of acoustic, down-to-earth sounds and a deep seam of soul music through the whole record.
