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The Script Light Up Sydney’s ICC with New Beginnings and Classic Anthems 30.01.2025 – Backseat Mafia
Tonight, I find myself amid the buzz of Sydney’s ICC, where Irish rock veterans The Script are making their long-awaited return. For a band that has spent over two decades shaping mainstream pop-rock, tonight’s show carries an undeniable weight—it’s their first visit since the release of Satellites, their seventh studio album, and the first since the tragic passing of guitarist Mark Sheehan. Since forming in 2001, The Script have carved out their legacy as one of the UK’s definitive pop-rock giants. Their catalogue is a playlist of milestones: over 10 billion streams (enough to earn the prestigious BRITs Billion Award), six UK Number One albums, two US Platinum-certified singles, and…
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The Magic Numbers / Rhiannon Scutt- The Foundry, Sheffield 25.01.2025 – Backseat Mafia
The Foundry in Sheffield was taught with anticipation as a packed crowd gathered to witness The Magic Numbers deliver an unforgettable performance, certainly for this first timer. The scene was set with an emotive set by singer-songwriter Rhiannon Scott, whose heartfelt melodies and poignant lyrics captivated the audience, setting a perfect tone for the night. As the lights dimmed, The Magic Numbers took the stage to a raucous welcome, launching into their hit ‘Forever Lost’ much to the crowd’s delight. The band was in exceptional form, with frontman Romeo Stodart’s engaging and witty between song banter enhancing the intimate atmosphere. Michele Stodart’s basslines were impeccably tight, providing a solid foundation…
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In a blossoming collaboration, Tahi teams up with Robotikus to release the dreamy anthem ‘Tend To Me’. – Backseat Mafia
One of our favourite artists from nipaluna/Hobart, Tahi, has teamed up with another local favourite, Robotikus, and created a sparkling gem of a track, ‘Tend To Me’: a veritable marriage made in musical heaven. We are honoured to premiere this stunning collaboration ahead of its general release tomorrow. Robotikus is the moniker of producer and multi-instrumentalist Scott Targett and the collaboration with Tahi was a result of a gig the two played together. Tahi singer, guitarist and songwriter Leah Randall explains: Back when ‘Wolf Grin’ [reviewed by us here] came out for Tahi, we had a launch gig and asked Sasquin and Robotikus to headline the show. After the show…
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Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon call out ‘Hey Hey Narcissus’ – a sinuous, slinky smooth delight. – Backseat Mafia
Is this song about me? We are inordinately proud to premiere the new single ‘Hey, Hey Narcissus’ from the living legend Kim Salmon‘s new project, Smoked Salmon, and it’s a blast of fresh air as vocal duties are wrested from Salmon by Claire Birchall. It’s a sinuous, slinky smooth track that’s as enchanting as the call of the sirens to a mast-strapped Odysseus. There is a sort of sixties backbeat blush to the track that’s all miniskirt, eyeliner and beehives and it weaves in and out of the ears and mesmerises like a snake charmer’s pet. The track comes complete with a video that is just as transfixing with its…
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Julien Baker & TORRES announce debut album ‘Send A Prayer My Way’, release new single ‘Sylvia’ – Backseat Mafia
Julien Baker and TORRES have announced their debut collaborative album, Send a Prayer My Way, scheduled for release on 18 April 2025, via Matador Records. The duo has also shared a new single from the album titled ‘Sylvia,’ accompanied by a music video. According to Pitchfork, the song “Sylvia” draws inspiration from TORRES’ (Mackenzie Scott) experience of adopting her dog, Sylvia. Scott recounted that on the morning she went to pick up Sylvia from a shelter, she heard Dolly Parton’s “Cracker Jack” on the radio, which moved her deeply and felt like a sign. This experience inspired her to write a song that evokes deep emotions, reflecting the profound bond…
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The fin. Returns With Ethereal & Beautiful New Single ‘Echoes’ – Backseat Mafia
Dream-pop duo The fin. unveils the beguilling, minimal yet radiant and inventive new single ‘Echoes’. A track that grows form its spacious opening to a swirling and lo-fi backdrop of drum machines, interesting production and analogue synths, the single displays all the creativity which has seen the pair acclaimed in press previously. Opening with a single synth and reverb soaked lead vocal, the track immediately sets a alternative tone before the melody move to add a luscious flourish of backing harmonies and beautifully wonky arpeggiator. Immersive and minimal, ‘Echoes’ gradually moves to a instrumental break as distant vocals move above distant drums. The second verse adds a tempo with a…
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BLVDS Share The Genre Bending New Single ‘Two Sides’ – Backseat Mafia
Montana duo BLVDS share the new single ‘Two Sides’. A captivating blend of Synthwave, Retrowave, Darkwave, and electronic elements, the track draws inspiration from genre heavyweights like The Midnight, Dayseeker, and Dance with the Dead. Built around swelling synths, driving electronic beats and melodic vocals, the track melds pop exploits with electronic EDM undertones before bursting into a striking heavy rock infused chorus. Bursting into a striking and epic sax solo in the latter part of the track, the band manage to even bring an 80s flare to the track which perfectly compliments the spotless cinematic production of the track. The song first took shape in mid-2024 as an instrumental…
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Yagki drops fearless new track ‘Adults’ – Backseat Mafia
YAGKI is back, and she’s pulling no punches. The Lebanese-Australian pop-rock artist has unleashed her latest single, ‘Adults’—an expansive, emotionally charged anthem produced by Yianni Adams (Betty, Kyoshi). Opening with swirling synths and a gut-punch of a first line, ‘Adults’ is an unflinching dive into power imbalances, personal reckoning, and the scars left behind. The track builds with cinematic grandeur, weaving introspective verses into euphoric, tension-fuelled choruses that rise and shatter like a tidal wave. Speaking to The Music, YAGKI reflected on her turbulent past—bullied at school, living in a women’s refuge, and ultimately finding salvation in music. ‘Adults’ details a relationship she had at 17 with her former university…
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Meadow 2025 Drops Final Line Up For Last-Ever Bambra Hill Festival! Feat. Hiatus Kaiyote, Pond and More – Backseat Mafia
Australia’s festival scene has been on one lately. From the tree-lined magic of Strawberry Fields to the community spirit of Meredith and the chaos of Beyond the Valley, it seems like every month has another reason to pack your tent, charge your phone, and road trip into the great unknown. If you’ve been lurking on Instagram stories and quietly questioning your life choices, Meadow 2025 is here to tip you over the edge. Set in the rolling Bambra hills on Gulidjan, Gadubanud, and Wadawurrung land, Meadow has quietly built a reputation for delivering one of the best boutique festival experiences in the country. But this year, the stakes are higher…
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Indie rock royalty the Snarski brothers join forces in Snarski vs Snarski for the exquisite album ‘Waiting For The Bell’ and announce tour dates. – Backseat Mafia
The Snarski brothers are indie rock royalty here in Australia. Forming the iconic Chad’s Tree in the eighties, both brothers have continued to make a major contribution to the music scene down under. Rob Snarski is possibly better known as the singer of The Blackeyed Susans and more recently SnarskiCircusLindyBand (with The Go-Betweens’ drummer Lindy Morrison), and Mark Snarski was the singer-songwriter of The Jackson Code and now lives in Spain. Surprisingly, the two have never joined forces until now with the recent release of their album ‘Waiting For The Bell’ under the name Snarski vs Snarski. This is an album that showcases the exquisite vocals of the brothers –…