Elton John set to land in Newcastle on farewell tour

BY RAVELLE EATON

Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour will be coming to McDonald Jones Stadium next year.

Newcastle Council is hoping the concert will encourage the local economy, in an effort to return to the state of pre-COVID tourism, worth $1.27 billion.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says it's going to be great for the region.

"Newcastle is once again showing Australia and the world that we're a global events city," she said.

"Attracting one of the biggest names in music, Elton John, to play a stadium concert in front of thousands of cheering Novocastrians and tourists."

The 30,000 seat stadium is one of only four stops on Elton's Australian tour, which arrives on January 10, 2023.

Tickets go on sale on August 1 - they're expected to sell out.

Venues NSW Group General Manager Acquisition Stephen Saunders, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Elton John impersonator, and McDonald Jones Stadium Venue Manager Dean Mantle.

Fans invited to forum on future of Newcastle music scene

BY LLEYTON SMITH

The Newcastle Institute is hosting a public forum later this month, to discuss the role and importance of music in the Hunter community.

The forum will see a panel of local musicians discuss important issues with the audience around the music scene in Newcastle, such as venues, their locations, opening hours and noise levels.

 Committee member Ross Kerridge says he's eager to see the scene grow, and the forum will help guide the community. 

"The forum will look at how we nurture, build and celebrate this important part of life," Mr Kerridge said.

"We also want to discuss how to make the live music scene more visible to everyone, including visitors and those new to town."

It's taking place on May 11 at Hunter United Sports Club at 6pm.

It's free to Hunter Institute members or $10 tickets for non-members.

Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns facing drink driving charge

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Daniel Johns faces a high range drink driving charge, after colliding with another vehicle in North Arm Cove last night. 

It's alleged, his northbound SUV collided with a southbound van in the southbound lane.

A 51-year-old man was treated at the scene.

A 55-year-old passenger was taken to the John Hunter Hospital for further treatment after the crash on the Pacific Highway.

The former Silverchair frontman was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, allegedly blowing 0.157. 

He's made a statement, saying he's self admitting to rehab.

Image credit: Daniel Johns.

Grants of up to $3000 for Musicians and Creatives in Lake Macquarie

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Lake Macquarie City Council is providing grants of to $3000 for local musicians and creatives as part of their Creative Industry Seed Grants program.

Four categories of funding are available under the program.

Five emerging musicians each year, over the age of 12, are eligible for grants of up to $500 to help with development and support of emerging musicians from Lake Macquarie.

“This could be used to create or deliver original performance works, upgrade instruments, make recordings or participate in gigs,” Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism, Jacqui Hemsley said.

Five $1000 grants will be awarded for projects covering art exhibitions and installations, theatre performances, literature, multimedia or film.

Ms Hemsley said Council was also offering five $500 grants for people to develop their professional creative skills through workshops, courses and other means.

“We’re also offering two $2500 grants each year for research and development into creative pursuits, whether it’s developing a script or publication, or preparing a business case for large-scale arts activities in Lake Mac,” Ms Hemsley said.

The new Lake Macquarie City Council Creative Industry Seed Grants program will provide a total $15,000 a year to emerging artists and musicians as part of its commitment to growing Lake Mac’s creative sector and supporting the creative economy.

“We’re urging talented applicants and emerging creatives to apply, to help them develop their own creative practice, profession or cultural pursuit,” Ms Hemsley said.

Applications close 5pm, 31 March, with funds distributed in June for projects in the 2021-22 financial year.

Information sessions on the new program will be held 5.30-6.30pm on Monday 9 March at Toronto Library, and 5.30-6.30pm on Thursday 19 March at Belmont Library.

Darby Street Micro Music Festival

BY ARIANA GATTI

The much anticipated Micro Music Festival along the cosmopolitan strip of Darby Street officially kicked off its performances this morning.

The festival advertised to continue through to the weekend will showcase local singers and musicians in hopes of boosting Newcastle's music scene and love for the performing arts.

Performances will be staged in and along the shop fronts of Darby Street's most frequented cafe's, shops and bars, bringing a whole new flare to regular shopping and eating experiences at the premises'.

A whole range of performances, ranging from harpists, to bands and to DJ's will be hitting the streets on Saturday, the 24th of March, suitable for all ages to enjoy.

Image sourced: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g2717917-d6826008-Reviews-Darby_Street_Precinct-Greater_Newcastle_New_South_Wales.html