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The Obese Records Block Party is back in 2008 and it's bigger, better and further reaching than ever before. BLOCK PARTY 5 will showcase some of the hottest hip-hop talent around. The party will hit The Arena, Brisbane on May 4 and The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay on May 24.

Due to recent amendments of the entertainment visa requirements set by the Australian Immigration Department, MAYHEM will not be able to get their visas approved in time for their scheduled Australian and NZ tour dates. As a result, tour promoter Just Say Rock in conjunction with Mayhem, have decided to postpone the tour to later this year.

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Striking the perfect balance between power and groove, SHIHAD will tour Australia playing songs from their highly anticipated new album, 'Beautiful Machine'. See them live at Bar 388, Brisbane on June 13.

MARK KOZELEK of SUN KILL MOON returns to Australia for his second tour. Catch him at The Troubadour, Brisbane on Thursday July 24.

UK punk band SHAM 69 has rescheduled their upcoming tour. The new date for Brisbane is Thursday July 17 at the Step Inn.

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The DROPKICK MURPHYS are famous for blending East Coast hardcore with whiskey-scorched Celtic folk. Catch them along with SICK OF IT ALL at The Tivoli, Brisbane on Tuesday May 17.

After supporting MATCHBOX 20 in April, THIRSTY MERC will play four gigs in Queensland. They will play for all ages at Kedron Wavell Services Club, Brisbane on Thursday May 8 followed by an 18+ show at South Logan Diggers, Brisbane on Friday May 9. The catch them at Sands Tavern, Maroochydore on Saturday May 10 and the Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast on Sunday May 11.

Acclaimed Australian guitarist, singer/songwriter JEFF LANG will showcase his new material when he hits the road on a national tour. You can see Jeff on Thursday June 26 at the Sound Lounge, Gold Coast, Saturday June 28 at the Judith Wright Centre for Contemporary Arts, Brisbane and on Sunday June 29 he will be at Joe's Waterhole, Eumundi.

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After a fateful visit to a curio shop in Jerusalem, MARS VOLTA began to suffer a curse brought on by a ouija board they purchased. Hear the stories live as MARS VOLTA perform songs from their new album 'Bedlam in Goliath'. Catch them at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Saturday June 21.

Genre-hopping, instrument-swapping, expectation-confounding, musical melting-pot ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI are playing at the Tivoli, Brisbane on Tuesday May 13.

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We have no idea when the Apocalypse is supposed to come; we have no idea what is going to happen. But as we listen to THE PRESETS album 'Apocalypso' it is obvious the end is nigh. You can catch them at The Tivoli, Brisbane on Saturday June 14 and Sunday June 15.

LAWLESS BREED will leave you begging for more with their new single 'Addicted'. See them live at Bar 388, Brisbane on May 9 and at Fishermans Wharf Tavern, Gold Coast on May 10.

Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist KARA GRAINGER, exhibits an effortlessly seductive and modern take on roots, blues and soul music. See her live as she tours her debut album at The Sound Lounge, Gold Coast on June 26, Judith Wright Centre for Contemporary Arts, Brisbane on June 28 and Joe's Waterhole, Eumundi June 29.

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The masters, purveyors and destroyers of indie-dance CUT///COPY are set to embark on a full-fledged 'In Ghost Colours' national tour. Catch them at The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay on June 18, Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast on June 19 and The Tivoli, Brisbane on June 20.
 
THE BLACK STARS have earmarked May to launch their second album, 'Money Or Your Life'. See them live at Step Inn, Brisbane on May 2, Shed 5, Gold Coast on May 3 and The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay on May 23.
 
Over a couple of months late last year, YOUTH GROUP holed up in a near derelict 1920s mess hall on Sydney's harbour to create album number four, 'The Night Is Ours'. See the result live at Bar Soma, Brisbane on May 22.

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BLUEJUICE and THE PAPER SCISSORS' 'Less talk More Problems' tour stops off in Brisbane at the Step Inn on Saturday May 31.

SHANNON NOLL is going back on the road with the Turn It Up Tour. See him live at The Southport RSL, Gold Coast on July 4 and the Norths Leagues and Services Club, Brisbane on July 5.

ALCHEMIST will play one last show at the Step Inn, Brisbane on May 10 with GOSPEL OF THE HORNS before heading over to tour Europe and play some of the world's biggest metal festivals with the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, Meshuggah and Death Angel.

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DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN are playing The Arena, Brisbane on Monday May 19 with Relapse Records buddies COLISEUM. It's been a long time between drinks, so you'd be crazy to miss this live show from one of the most energetic bands on the planet.

!!! - CHK CHK CHK will appear at We Love Sounds in The Arena Complex, Brisbane June 7.

ABBE MAY conceals an undercurrent of hot blooded intensity within the poetry and grunge of her music and band. See her live at the Caxton Street Festival, Brisbane on the Petrie Terrace Stage at 4.20pm on May 4, The Warf Tavern, Mooloolaba on May 6, Bar Soma, Brisbane on May 8, Miami Tavern, Gold Coast on May 9 and The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay on May 10.

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ANGUS & JULIA STONE are touring Queensland with material from their stunning debut album, 'A Book Like This'. See them at the Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sunshine Coast on June 10, The Tivoli, Brisbane on June 11, Gold Coast Arts Centre on June 13 and the Byron Cultural and Community Centre, Byron Bay June 14 and 15

Jet pack prepared, THE JOHN STEEL SINGERS and CLOUD CONTROL will be launching their dual headline Flying High Tour with a common love of inventive pop melodies and catchy hooks. See these bands at The Zoo, Brisbane on May 31.

Combining equal parts melody and mayhem, US pop-punk/hardcore group FOUR

YEAR STRONG are heading to Australia for the first time. See them live at Club 299, Brisbane on June 3 (18+) and The Princess Theatre, Brisbane on June 4 (all ages).

THE SLIM DUSTY FAMILY are hitting the road for the Reunion Tour. The three generations are continuing a family tradition and winning hearts across the country. See them at the Twin Towns Services Club, Gold Coast on July 9 and the Nambour Civic Centre, Sunshine Coast on July 10.

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World class DJ ARMIN VAN BUUREN brings his famous "extended sets" back to Australia. Catch him live at The Commerce Building, Brisbane on June 14.

Two of Australia's most loved and successful female recording artists, CHRISTINE ANU & DENI HINES, join forces on one tour. See the girls at The J, Noosa on June 13, Southport RSL, Gold Coast on June 14 and Victoria Point Sharks, Brisbane on June 15.

US metalcore idols THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA will rip through Australia, bringing with them an intense passionate live show. See it at The Princess Theatre, Brisbane on May 28 and Club 299, Brisbane on May 29.

THE SEABELLIES are an experimental outfit that combine elegant electronic sounds and rock layers with melodic vocals. Catch them live at The Troubadour, Brisbane on May 10.

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Melbourne's A DEATH IN THE FAMILY are a melodic punk outfit featuring ex-members of Conation and Fear Like Us. They've toured all over the US and Europe, and make a stop in Brisbane at Club Phoenix on May 22 with local label-mates THE GIFTHORSE and folk-punks WHEAT PASTE POETS.

Australian four-piece band SKORBA are bringing their original music, inspired by the Neolithic temples of Malta, to Queensland They will appear at Studio One in The Old Museum, Brisbane on May 3 and at the Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sunshine Coast on May 4.

THE MILLIONAIRE$ are an Australian indie group featuring David McCormack (CUSTARD), Jim Elliott (CRUEL SEA) and Brendan Gallagher & Michael Galeazzi both of KARMA COUNTY. Together they have made their own 21 st century country music take on songs from Doris Day, George Michael and some new original compositions. See them at Ric's Bar, Brisbane on June 5, The Sound Lounge, Gold Coast on June 6 and at Joe's Water Hole, Eumundi on June 7.

Yes it's true, rock fans everywhere rejoice, THE ANGELS are back with the original line-up. See them play at Caloundra RSL, Sunshine Coast on July 24, Southport RSL, Gold Coast on July 25 and at North Leagues and Services Club, Brisbane on July 26.

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Brisbane alt-rock quartet DEAD LETTER CIRCUS hit the road in June to support their fresh new single 'Reaction'. See them at the Sands Tavern, Maroochydore on May 31 and at The Globe, Brisbane on June 14.

It sure has been a long time coming but now Brisbane trio Hot Liquid Sex are proud to announce they are playing at The Zoo, Brisbane on May 24.

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Two of the greats of Californian punk rock, STRUNG OUT and NO USE FOR A NAME, will be taking in as many cities as they can squeeze into one month when they embark on the 'Strangers in the Outback' tour. Catch them at the Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast on July 18, The Arena, Brisbane on July 19 and The Sands Tavern, Maroochydore on July 20.

FAKER are running away to be alone on a national tour, supported by Sydney outfit GRAFTON PRIMARY. See them live at Sands Tavern, Maroochydore on May 15, The Zoo, Brisbane on May 16 and 17 and upstairs at the Clock Hotel, Gold Coast on May 17.

PETE MURRAY will finally tour after two years of hiding away in the hills of Byron Bay. Catch him at The Tivoli, Brisbane on September 6.

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Melbourne's iconic indie-rock quartet BLUELINE MEDIC perform an electric live show with jagged post-punk riffs, poetic lyrics and an energetic onstage chemistry. See them at the Old Museum, Brisbane on May 17.

BOYZ II MEN are following in boy band tradition and will rehash several favourite Motown hits on their latest tour. See them at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on June 5.

In support of live music in Australia, Jack Daniels has picked up three bands to tour nationally. The winners of their first round are: ANGELAS DISH, BRAINDEAD LOVERS and DARDANELLES. See them at The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay on May 30 and at The Tivoli, Brisbane on May 31.

See PAUL GREENE perform live in Queen Street Mall's Centre Stage, Brisbane from 5-6:30pm on June 13. Then see him at TCB Live Lounge, Brisbane on June 13, Joe's Water Hole, Eumundi on June 14 and at Miami Tavern Shark Bar, Gold Coast on June 15.

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CLARE BOWDITCH will be touring across the country with a brand new rollicking solo show throughout June and July. The 'Winter Secrets Tour' promises intimate evenings of songs, stories and special guests. See her live at The Sound Lounge, Gold Coast on July 4 and at The Zoo, Brisbane on July 5.

BONDI CIGARS will play a show near you. See them at the Nambour RSL, Sunshine Coast on May 29 then catch them at the 'Blues on Broadbeach Festival' on the North Stage, Gold Goast on May 30. They then play Bribie Island RSL, Bribie Island on May 31.

FESTIVAL NEWS

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SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS is back again. Australia's favourite festival will remain at Belongil Fields, Byron Bay and the first line-up announcement is a cracker. Devo, Wolfmother, Sigur Ros, The Living End, The Presets, Tricky, Vampire Weekend, Cold War Kids, The Fratellis, The Wombats, Pnau, Laura Marling, The Vines, The Grates, Operator Please, Band Of Horses, The Panics, Gyroscope, Lightspeed Champion, Scribe, The Music and Brisbane's The Gin Club are just a few of the band's playing on August 2 & 3. Tickets go on sale on May 22 at 9am. Good luck getting one!

THE SMIRNOFF EXPERIENCE is back and three times as big in 2008, with a series of secret parties taking place at three unknown locations around Australia. The events will deliver exclusive access to unexpected performances, artist collaborations and drinking experiences. The only way to get tickets is to win so head to www.smirnoff.com.au.

With its vibrant mix of delicious foods, traditional and contemporary performances on three stages, including song, dance and music workshops throughout the day, The ZILLMERE MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL has become a firm favourite on the Brisbane event calendar. Drop in to O'Callaghan Park, Zillmere on May 17.

THE ISLAND TIME FESTIVAL is set for October 24 - 26 at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island. It is a celebration of reggae, soul, dub and island culture. The festival is opening applications for performing artists, musicians, poets and circus performers online at www.islandtimefestival.com with applications closing 30 May 2008.

The inaugural DO A FAVOUR DAY will be held on Friday, 9 May 2008. Do a Favour Day will raise funds for The Big Issue, as well as raising the profile of The Big Issue and the issue of homelessness. You can participate by purchasing a colourful wristband from one of The Big Issue vendors and wear it for the day. Or you can attend the free Breakfast BBQ in Queen's Park on George Street, Brisbane CBD from 7.00am.