Perth Tourism News

Monday, September 15, 2014

Perth V8 Supercar fans get more on-track action in next year’s schedule

Jamie Whincup, Garth Tander and the rest of V8s field will return to WA in 2015. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

PERTH will host the fifth round of next year’s V8 Supercars championship from April 17-19 at Barbagallo Raceway in Wanneroo.

The Perth event will feature two SuperSprint races on the Saturday and a 200km Sunday race.

The Perth SuperSprint will be one of eight races in this format across the championship and will include 120 minutes of Friday practice to incorporate team testing, meaning the fans get to see more on-track action.

A V8 Supercars statement today said the refined formats had the goals of maximum attack and multiple race winners.

“Building on a season where all manufacturers and multiple winners featured, V8 Supercars has made minor modifications to formats which include two signature events returning to their customary race distance,” the press release stated.

The Castrol Townsville 400 returns to its original 200km race format each day. The Clipsal 500 Adelaide and Sydney 500 at Sydney Olympic Park retain the 2x125km Saturday format, as daytime races.

The ITM 500 Auckland has returned to its traditional November date as a SuperSprint event.

The New Zealand event moves into a critical stage of the Championship immediately following the Pirtek Enduro Cup, into a clear sporting space and an ideal weather period.

The sharp Saturday sprint races are designed to encourage drivers to attack by alleviating the need to be conservative while trying to maintain tyre life.

“Our research shows that the existing formats have been highly successful,” V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said.

“The emphasis was on improving the racing product, and giving drivers the opportunity to attack at all times without external factors preventing them from being aggressive.”

Each SuperSprint event will include 120 minutes of Friday practice to incorporate team testing. Teams will be able to test at these eight SuperSprint events with one discretionary private test.

“It made sense that instead of testing away from the fans to combine Friday practice and allow teams the ability to adopt testing procedures as required,” Warburton said.

“That achieves two key objectives: more V8 Supercars on track for the fans and reducing the high costs to teams of testing away from race meetings.”

Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/motor-sport/perth-v8-supercar-fans-get-more-ontrack-action-in-next-years-schedule/story-fnhq61x5-1227056900296?nk=0b37bee270a89676325370d660377fa0

Monday, August 25, 2014

Stereosonic 2014 Music Event -- Hot Lineup!

Electronic dance music festival Stereosonic - which leaves you in no doubt about its musical leanings with stages named "FULL ON" and "HARD" - has announced a big-name line-up for its travelling two-day doof-extravaganza in November and December.

The festival will boast some of the genre's biggest names including Calvin Harris (who has had a number of worldwide top 10 singles since 2009, including Feel So Close in 2011), dubstep leader Skrillex and Tiesto (the world's richest DJ, according to Forbes). Not far behind are superstar Dj Steve Aoki, Major Lazer founder and producer to the stars Diplo (who has worked with Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Usher, Snoop and Britney Spears), British techno veteran Carl Cox and the duo Disclosure whose album Settle reached number 5 on the Australian charts in 2013. Disclosure will play a DJ set.

Eight of the DJs in the world's top 20 for 2014 (as named by the respected site djmag.com) will play at the event, which begins in Sydney and Perth on November 29 and 30, before moving to Adelaide (December 5 and 6) then Melbourne and brisbane (December 6 and 7). The eight (in order) are: Tiesto (4th), Steve Aoki (8th), Dash Berlin Dash (10th), Skrillex (11th), Alesso (13th), W&W (14th), Harris (15th) and Nervo (16th).

Several high profile Australians join the line-up including Melbourne sound leader Will Sparks; Sydneysiders Timmy Trumpet and Tigerlily; Peking Duk and The Aston Shuffle (both from Canberra) and Triple J presenter/DJ Nina Las Vegas.

The festival is able to run in two cities at once by swapping each day's line-up between them, so the first night line-up in Sydney will play day two in Perth, and vice versa. The same will happen between Melbourne and Brisbane.

Organisers have decided not to keep anyone waiting around for tickets either, with the first batch of pre-sale tickets released tonight from 8pm. General sales commence on Tuesday ,August 5.

FULL LINEUPS

Group 1

Calvin Harris, Tiësto
Diplo, Disclosure (DJ Set), W&W, DJ Snake
Duke Dumont, Will Sparks, RL Grime, Peking Duk
NERVO, Cedric Gervais, Cosmic Gate, Andrew Rayel
Tale Of Us, Destructo, Ørjan Nilsen, Nina Kraviz
Oliver Heldens, Wilkinson, Scuba, Cash Cash,
Kölsch, MaRLo, Mano Le Tough, Shogun, Uberjak’d
Mark Sixma, Nina Las Vegas, Timmy Trumpet
M4SONIC, Tigerlily, Generik and L D R U & Yahtzel

Group 2

Skrillex, Alesso, Steve Aoki
Showtek, Dash Berlin, Carl Cox
Porter Robinson (Live) Laidback Luke, New World Punx
TJR, Ferry Corsten, Noisia, Deorro, Headhunterz, MK
DVBBS, Booka Shade (Live), Markus Schulz, What So Not
Joel Fletcher, John O’Callaghan, Foreign Beggars
Hot Since 82, Alison Wonderland, Crookers, Jack Beats
The Aston Shuffle, Route 94, Simon Patterson, Alex Metric
Deetron, Kaz James, Ilan Bluestone, Acid Jacks and Nick Thayer

Stereosonic Dates:

Sydney - Saturday November 29th and Sunday November 30th, Sydney Showgrounds

Perth - Saturday November 29th and Sunday November 30th, Claremont Showground *

Adelaide - Friday December 5th and Saturday December 6th, Adelaide Showground

Melbourne - Saturday December 6th & Sunday December 7th, Melbourne Showgrounds

Brisbane - Saturday December 6th & Sunday December 7th, Brisbane Showgrounds

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Robbie Williams | The Swing Tour Live

Rumours of a return tour have been running hot since the release of his latest studio offering late last year, and now Chugg Entertainment can proudly confirm that the rumours are true. Few artists can boast that they’ve sold 55 million albums globally, but Robbie can.

One of Britain’s premier pop superstars, known for his cheeky wit as much as his hit-studded albums, the one and only Robbie Williams will be making his long overdue return to Australia for a national run of dates this September, bringing his incredible swing album, Swings Both Ways.

It’s been nearly eight years since the British superstar treated Australian audiences to his myriad talents on the live stage. In December 2006 Williams undertook a stadium tour of monumental proportion across Australia.

Williams' love for Australia has been well documented over the years, with a slew of tours and special performances (including the 2009 ARIA awards), he can also boast his most well known collaborations being with Australians; Kids, a duet with pop star Kylie Minogue and a cover of Frank & Nancy Sinatra's Somethin' Stupid with Nicole Kidman. Add to this that 2.6 million Robbie Williams albums have been sold in Australia to date – making that 1 in 10 Australians who own a Robbie album – it’s a certainty that the love affair continues.

Robbie’s latest album Swings Both Ways is the follow up to his original 2001 swing release, Swing When You’re Winning, which spent six consecutive weeks at the top of the UK charts, and likewise garnered unprecedented success in Australia, going four times platinum and remaining his best selling album of all time. Swings Both Ways sees the reunion of Robbie’s collaboration with songwriter and producer Guy Chambers; the creative pairing responsible for some of Robbie’s biggest hits (Rock DJ, Feel, Millenium, Let Me Entertain You, Angels, Supreme).

The album debuted at #1 in the UK and #5 on the ARIA charts, and within the first 4 weeks of release, the album was certified Gold in Australia. This is his eleventh chart-topping album in the UK, which now means that he draws level with Elvis Presley as the male solo artist with the most number one albums.

Armed with an arsenal packed with ballads, pop songs and massive sing-along hits, Robbie returns to the swing genre for his tenth studio album and current world tour.

Tour Dates:

Ticketek is selling for the following venues only:

Thursday 11 September - Perth Arena
Tuesday 16 & Wednesday 17 September - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 September - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 September - Allphones Arena, Sydney

Monday, August 4, 2014

Les Misérables is Coming to Crown Theatre Perth

Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production, Les Misérables is coming to Crown Theatre Perth for a strictly limited season.

With glorious new staging and dazzling reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, this new production features classic songs including I Dreamed A Dream, Bring Him Home, One Day More, Do You Hear The People Sing? and On My Own.

“THIS NEW PRODUCTION SENDS SHIVERS DOWN YOUR SPINE” - METRO PARIS

“THIS ACTUALLY EXCEEDS THE ORIGINAL – LES MIS IS BORN AGAIN” - NY1 TV

“ * * * * * A FIVE STAR HIT, ASTONISHINGLY POWERFUL” - THE TIMES UK

“THRILLING, SPECTACULAR AND UNFORGETABLE” - NEW YORK TIMES

BOOK NOW THROUGH TICKETEK

Location: Crown Theatre

Date: From 13 January

Tickets: From $55.00

Plus a one-off service/delivery fee from $8.45 per transaction and a credit/debit card processing fee from 1.95% applying.

Running Times: Duration: 2 hrs, 50 mins (including one interval)

Book Nearby accommodation at Metro Hotel Perth

For more details visit http://www.lesmis.com.au/

Latest Reviews on TripAdvisor.com about Metro Hotel Perth - May & June 2014

~ Metro Hotel Perth Review ~

“Very surprising interior and rooms”

Reviewed 20 June 2014 by vickic16

Great position with some fabulous views of the city and Swan River. Great service from booking in to booking out. Good food and big rooms with lots of extras. Within walking distance of river front restaurants and south perth.

Source: http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g2216337-d257998-Reviews-Metro_Hotel_Perth-South_Perth_Greater_Perth_Western_Australia.html

“Great stay”

Reviewed 4 May 2014 by Pirate63

This was my 2nd stay at the Metro and have been impressed both times.
The Hotel is in a good location in South Perth being 15min from airport, 10min from Perth CBD and easy 20-25min from Fremantle, also easy access to Kwinana freeway to head north or south of Perth. Attractions within easy drive are Perth Zoo, Kings Park. The Metro has been here longer than I can remember but has undergone renovation to modernise the rooms and facilities. Check in at reception was smooth and easy with great, freindly staff.
I stayed in a Superior River View room which provides, as you would expect by the name, a good view of the river and Perth CBD which looks great at night. The room was very clean, spacious with a very comfortable king(?) bed. Tea and coffee making facilities and a small fridge are provided.
I did not eat at the restuarant but did have both evening meal and breakfast from room service. I could not fault the food. It was cooked well, good serving size and was delivered in a timely manner.
I found all staff from reception to service to houskeeping to be very freindly and professional.
I would not hesitate to stay here again and would certainly recommend this hotel to anyone.

Room Tip: The River View rooms are certainly the best as beside the view they are also on the north side

Source: http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g2216337-d257998-r203872887-Metro_Hotel_Perth-South_Perth_Greater_Perth_Western_Australi.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

Book your next stay with Metro Hotel Perth: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/western-australia/metro-hotel-perth/hot-deals/