Splendour 2013.

 

Splendour in the Grass 2013 is well under way in the planning department.
This year Splendour will finally be at it's long planned permanent home of North Byron Parklands. Twenty minutes North of Byron Bay, this beautiful location is 660 acres featuring native forest and dams.
“It has been a long journey to get to this point. Seven years after we first found this idyllic piece of land, we’re so excited to finally move Splendour to its permanent home at North Byron Parklands.” said co-producers Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco.
Splendour will be on: Friday 26th, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th of July.
Stay tuned for the line-up!

Rachel x

Art Gallery of NSW to Expand!

Steven Lowy, President, Board of Trustees and Michael Brand, Director, Art Gallery of New South Wales.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales has announced a master plan to turn the gallery into "An Art Museum for the 21st Century!" 

The plan? A major expansion, doubling the size of the gallery and a focus on serving a global audience.

Apparently the current building is inefficient and restricting. Not allowing the gallery to pull the audience that they would like.

So when will this grand museum be ready???

Just a few years away in 2021. Hey at least they are planning realistically.

I myself think it's a grand idea, more room for exhibitions. 

I can not wait for the spectacular new grand entrance, expanded cafes and restaurants and the roof top garden and terrace.

What do you think about the Gallery's plans?

Rachel x

"Don't make people pay for music, let them."

If you are unfamiliar with who Amanda Palmer is, she is an amazing musician/performer. 

She performs solo, was one half of The Dresden Dolls and most recently is part of The Grand Theft Orchestra. 

A few days ago she was a stand out talker at the extremely popular TED talks. 

Her talk on The Art of Asking is incredible. When there is such a lack of trust in society, Amanda talks of the generosity she has been shown by strangers, all from asking for help.

With her career currently being in music, music was expected to play a role in the talk.

The future of music I have discussed with friends many times before. Illegal downloading has many issues surrounding it. It has resulted in job loss lost in the music industry, it has also means greater and easier exposure for up and coming musicians.

I know of people who feel no guilt illegally downloading as they do not want to support the "middle man" in the industry, they want to support the artist themselves.

Amanda Palmer's TED talk is inspiring, emotive and thought provoking. 

Her message, don't make people pay for music, let them."

And that asking for help has the potential to result in an influential exchange between humans.

Take a look and let me know what you think.

Do you ask for help when you need it?

Rachel x

NME Awards

Foals

The NME Awards are currently being hosted in London, acknowledging the best of the Brits in music.

Florence was the first winner of the night, taking out Best Solo Artist. Modestly accepting the awards, saying, “Well, thank you so much everyone. I really didn’t expect to get this again, especially because it’s debatable whether I’m a solo artist. Thanks to my band – it really is a collaborative thing”. 

Other award winners so far include:

Best British Band: Biffy Clyro

Best Album: The Maccabees, Given to the Wild

Best International Band: The Killers

Best Track: Foals, Inhaler

Best Re-Issue: Blur, 21

Best New Band: Palma Violets

Best Festival: Reading & Leeds

Best Music Film: Ronnie Wood, Crossfire Hurricane

Best Live Band: The Rolling Stones

Best Music Video: Arctic Monkeys, R U Mine

Biffy Clyro

Florence Welch

Ronnie Wood

The Soda Factory.

Polyester Lovers had the chance to check out Sydney’s newest late night watering hole this week. The Soda Factory is Surry Hills’ latest “hidden gem”, 12 months in the making and it’s been worth the wait! Intended as a sanctuary for our lovely city’s late night boozers or lovers of live music, The Soda Factory is definitely worth a look!

Grammys 2013.

Another year, another Grammys season. Polyester has everything covered from who won what, to red carpet fashion and even Taylor Swift's dig at Harry Styles from One Direction.

Aussie sensation Wally de Backer aka. Gotye has taken out an outstanding three awards at this years Grammys including:
+ Record of the Year - Somebody That I Used to Know

+ Best Pop Duo/Performance - Somebody That I Used to Know

+ Best Alternative Music Album - Making Mirrors 

Tropfest 2013 Finalists Announced

So if you haven't guessed from my previous posts I'm a bit of a Tropfest fan.

Today the finalists for Tropfest 2013 were announced!

2nd ACCTA Awards Ceremony

Cate Blanchett

Tonight has seen the wrap up of the 2nd ACCTA Awards Season, with an international acclaimed line up of Aussie stars. After the 2nd ACCTA Awards Luncheon on Monday, the final slew of Awards have been presented and the season is over for another year.

2nd ACCTA Awards Luncheon

Today saw the the 2nd ACCTA Awards Luncheon take place at Sydney's Star Event Centre, where the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts announced the first group of winners.

The event, hosted by Adam Elliot, had many winners but The Sapphires dominated the Feature Film section taking out 5 of the 6 Awards on offer.

Tropfest 2013 Draws Closer...

My very first post on this blog was about Tropfest 2013, so I have to say I'm slightly excited about the release of their 2013 trailer.

The trailer was created by Alethea Jones, the winner of Tropfest 2012. Alethea has been working in LA on multiple projects when she created the trailer. Here's what she had to say, "I've gotten so much out of my win with Tropfest, making the trailer was just another way for me to be involved in this incredible event."

Tropfest 2013 is on February 17 at The Domain, Sydney.

Visit www.tropfest.com/au for details, screening venues and regular update of all things Trop!

What do you think of the trailer?

Will you be attending Tropfest this year?

Rachel

xx 

Peats Ridge Arts and Music Festival

It's been a week since New Year's Eve and I have finally found the time (and energy) to sit down and write about my New Years.

This year I went to Peats Ridge Arts and Music Festival at Glenworth Valley. As a virgin to this festival I have to say it was pretty amazing.

I have never been to a festival that had so many different things going on at once, there was so much to see and do! Although I did spend a lot of time trying to stay out of the horrifically hot sun that does not get along with my red hair and fair skin too well.

With over 10 000 people converging for the event the start of the festival was greeted with a line up and car search, which is generally to be expected for camping festivals. After waiting for an hour we were through and more than eager to find the rest of our crew, set up camp and meet our neighbours for the next few days. The first day is generally when everyone had the most energy. We were fresh faced and ready to spend the day exploring the festival and what it had to offer. Highlights from the daytime definitely included Mat McHugh and the Seperatista Sound System who had everyone up dancing. Also David Knight, who at 19 years of age is definitely a true talent to keep an eye (or even an ear) out for!!

The first night brought with it so much fun! Headlining the main stage was The Herd who, as always, were fabulous. As a group they are fantastic performers but I have to say that Jane Tyrrell definitely adds that extra something to the group. I heard quiet a few people giving her the praise she definitely deserves.

Over at the Chai Temple Valley of Kings had their whole audience captivated.They definitely fit the relaxed vibe of the festival.

The last act I saw for the first night was Krafty Kuts vs A-Skillz. They had a few technical issues to begin with that were sorted out in enough time to keep the audience from straying. 

The second day brought with it a hot sun and many more fantastic acts. Day two is definitely a rest day after partying hard the first night. 65daysofstatic and The Black Seeds were my personal favourites. I didn't see anyone without a huge grin on their face during 65daysofstatic. 

New Zealand's The Black Seeds had everyone dancing around as they sung about "Something Beautiful".

The second night saw friends made and another late night.

Day Three - New Years Eve! What can I say, this day was even hotter. And the hangover's were certainly starting to kick in. John Butler Trio were amazing to bring in the New Years, they suited Peats Ridge Festival perfectly. Even telling everyone to, "pick up three bits off rubbish" at the end of their set. 

I treated myself to some Wood Fired Pizza after John Butler and is was absolutely delicious to say the least. 

I was so glad that acts continued well after midnight. I have been to other festivals where not much happens after the countdown, leaving everyone looking for something to entertain themselves. 

Friendly Fires DJ Set with Jack Savidge was perfectly timed to continue dancing. Finishing up his set with "Love is in the Air" was great!

The stage that had a DJ with naked dancers drew in a very naked crowd and awkward looking onlookers. 

To finish the night off I went to the Future Bubble, which was essentially a bubble that popped up out of no where at some point during the night that featured DJs. 

It is also apparently a known fact that the last night of the festival is dress up time. 

People were dressed up the whole festival, however NYE saw people get extremely creative and some obviously put huge effort into their costumes. 

A mention has to go to The Night Odditorium which was an installation that just had to be experienced.

Also a shout out to my amazing photographer Chris, without him this post would have been extremely dull.

Peats Ridge Festival was such a relaxed festival which I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend to anyone willing to listen.

What did you do for New Years?

Rachel

xx

Winter People

A couple of weeks ago I spoke to Dylan from the fantastic Winter People. We chatted about touring the U.S., Dylan's knack for letter writing, all things films and of course Peats Ridge Festival!

Here's what went down:

Rachel's Christmas Wish List.

1. Clinique - Whole Lotta Colour, Chubby Sticks Set

2. Dolce and Gabbana - Dress

3. Saltwater Sandals

4. Not Your Ordinary Housewife - Nikki Stern (novel)

5. Polaroid Camera and Case

6. Laura Mercier - Laura's Signature Brush Collection, Wenge Wood Limited Edition

So with only a couple of days left until Christmas I have decided to post my wish list. 

Gatsby!

Baz Luhrmann has to have one of the most anticipated films for 2013. Although it was once said that Baz's adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby would be out Christmas 2012, instead we have been delivered a fantastic second trailer. By the looks of things the film is going to have Luhrmann's trademark spin - theatrical costumes, superb acting and a killer soundtrack to accompany. If you haven't read the book yet you still have a few months to still do so before the film comes out. When I read it a few years ago I completed it in a day. It is definitely a novel worth reading and is set to be a film worth watching. 

Rachel

xx

Glass Towers

I spoke to Ben from Sydney band Glass Towers this week. We discussed festivals, what's in store for 2013 and pubs and clubs.

You are supporting Maximo Park in January. Would you be able to tell me a bit more about that? How did that come about?

There's no real story, I think they just chose us because they like our music.

The Herd

As part of Polyester's cover of The Peats Ridge Festival we recently caught up with the fantastic Shannon Kennedy aka Ozi Batla from The Herd.

We spoke all things festivals. 

Be sure to check out Shannon's essential items for festivals including, "all the pieces for your tent!" We've all been there!

Aria Awards.

Miss the Aria awards last night? Luckily Polyester has the fashion and awards here for you in a nutshell.

Gossling

Polyester had a chat to the lovely Helen Croome (aka Gossling) recently. We asked her about everything from festivals and collaborating to probing her about her fashion and beauty secrets.

The Medics

With the countdown to New Years Eve on, Polyester is doing a special on the Peats Ridge Arts and Music Festival. We will be talking to some of the fantastic acts that will be heading to Peats Ridge this year. And who better to start it all off with than The Medics!

Polyester had a chat with lead guitarist Andy about playing festivals and supporting The Living End.

Melbourne Cup

So that's it for another year of the Melbourne Cup. And because I know your all sooo interested I've got  a round up of the celebrity fashion for the day. So if you missed all the fashion due to work, prior commitments, too busy getting blind drunk and blowing all your money at a pub (in which case your probably still there) here it is!

To start we have the turban wearing Jesinta Campbell. Now I could probably make some crude joke about Jesinta's choice of headpiece, but I actually like it. I think the colour is great with the white dress. It's a little bit different and I definitely prefer this to some of the hideous feathers that were sticking out of some ladies heads. So kudos to you Jesinta.