SOMA + BRAZEN BARBIE TEAM UP FOR HEADLINE SHOWS THIS MAY
This May, two of the brightest stars in the Aussie hip hop scene will team up for two very special joint headline shows, with Sydney eclectic sorceress Soma and Melbourne-based rap guru Brazen Barbie set to join forces. With each artist headlining their respective hometown headline show, Soma and Brazen Barbie will perform on Saturday May 10 at The Chippo Hotel in Sydney, and on Saturday May 17 at The Laundry in Melbourne, with both artists armed with some brand new material primed to dazzle fans in the live setting.
Tickets for Soma and Brazen Barbie’s headline shows go on on sale to the general public on Tuesday April 1 at 10am AEDT from Oztix and Moshtix.
A powerful songstress fluent in blending neo soul, electronica and alternative hip hop with her own unique flair, Soma’s chameleonic artistry developed at a young age, expanding into her solo work that effortlessly straddles relatability and razor-sharp execution. Drawing her creative moniker from the idea of nourishment for the soul, Soma’s blurring of genres and expectations centres music as a universal language, capable of healing, connectivity, and as a powerful avenue for navigating the complexities of the digital age.
Kicking off 2025 with the release of her debut mixtape COBRA, Soma traversed themes of life, love, loss, self-discovery, letting go and taking control, with 11 powerful tracks enticing you into Soma’s staggering creative universe that stylistically spanned hip hop, futuristic soul and beyond. An artist renowned for her ability to fuse timeless charm with raw emotion and modernity, Soma’s cutting-edge creative aesthetics transcends onstage, with her live performances also offering an abundance of energy, connection and storytelling, resulting in a transformative experience that will be on full display this May alongside fellow Aussie powerhouse Brazen Barbie.
“This is a really exciting collaboration for me!” enthuses Soma of the upcoming shows with Brazen Barbie. “Brazen Barbie and I have been supporting each other from afar for a while now. I actually came across her incredible talent online, and I was just drawn to her energy, her voice, and her raw, unapologetic style. She’s someone who really stands out, and I couldn’t help but follow her journey and see how she was taking the Australian music scene by storm. I’ve always admired her confidence and how she represents herself as a powerful, multicultural woman in this industry. Our connection makes sense, not just because of the mutual respect we have for each other’s artistry, but because we both share similar backgrounds as multicultural women in the Australian music scene. I grew up in a diverse environment that exposed me to a wide range of music and sounds, which shaped my unique style. Similarly, Brazen’s roots are deep in her Kenyan-Australian heritage, and she channels that energy in her music, too. We both come from a place of richness in culture, and it’s such a beautiful thing to bring that to life through music.”
Kenyan-Australian, Perth-via-Melbourne artist Brazen Barbie is a genuine force to be reckoned with, wielding a compelling voice, bold lyricism and a rawness that pierces the heart and the mind. An increasing fixture on the Australian R&B and hip hop scenes, Brazen Barbie’s musical flame first sparked in primary school, with her early experiences playing cello and singing ultimately leading to her pursuing the steps of the likes of rapper Gangsta Boo and crunk pioneer Duke Deuce; but eternally with her own voice laced throughout. Previously performing at Sydney Fringe Festival, BIGSOUND, and SXSW, Brazen Barbie also started off 2025 with a bang via the release of a new track: Sweet Talk.
A sleek and bold outing, Sweet Talk channels Brazen Barbie’s ever-burgeoning trademark authenticity along with nods to some of her earliest influences, including Missy Elliott, Eve and Megan Thee Stallion. A matured release that steps into some new territory for the Melbourne-based rapper off the back of a string of potent singles released in 2024, Sweet Talk will be on the menu for fans this May in a live setting, as will Brazen Barbie’s unapologetic world where females reign, perfectly complemented by teaming up with fellow femme rising star Soma.
“Expect to be immersed in an unapologetic world where females reign, egos are slaughtered,” shares Brazen Barbie of the upcoming shows this May. “I’m impenitent with my message and presence. I love wordplay, and making music that makes people feel something, whether that’s hyped, empowered, confident, or feeling heard/understood.”
“Soma and I connected through the scene and admire each other’s work,” adds Brazen Barbie. “We’ve got that mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s craft so it makes sense to join forces and turn that into something even bigger. Our juxtaposing styles complement each other. I’m really excited for these upcoming shows because I’ll be performing some brand-new stuff, including a few tracks that push into different genres. I’ve been experimenting with new sounds, and it’s been really exciting finding ways to blend them with my style. It still has that Brazen flavour I’m known for, but with a fresh twist of the unexpected.”
Tickets for Soma and Brazen Barbie’s headline shows on onsale to the general public on Tuesday April 1 at 10am AEST from Oztix and Moshtix.
SOMA + BRAZEN BARBIE – 2 NIGHTS ONLY TOUR:
SAT 10 MAY | THE CHIPPO HOTEL, SYDNEY | 18+
Tickets available www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Ticketek Outlets
SAT 17 MAY | THE LAUNDRY, MELBOURNE | 18+
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
360 ANNOUNCES NATIONAL OUT OF THE BLUE 2025 TOUR FOR JULY + AUGUST WITH SPECIAL GUEST PEZ
NEW SINGLE SAVE MY SOUL OUT NOW TAKEN FROM ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM OUT OF THE BLUE SET FOR JULY RELEASE.
ARIA Award-winning and multi-platinum Australian rapper 360 is back and ready to ignite Aussie stages once again, today announcing his national Out Of The Blue Tour that will see him return to the largest venues he’s graced since he exploded onto the scene in the 2010s, hitting Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth this July and August, joined by fellow local hip hop icon, and longtime 360 collaborator, PEZ. Fresh off the release of his potent new single Save My Soul, 360 has unveiled his forthcoming fifth studio album, Out Of The Blue (pre-save now), set for release this July, coinciding with the start of this incredible upcoming run of shows.
Tickets for 360’s Out Of The Blue Tour go onsale to the general public on Friday 21 March at 9am local time from 360music.com.au. Fans can register for presale tickets now from 360music.com.au with presale kicking off on Thursday 20 March from 9am local time.
Erupting onto the scene in the early 2010s, 360 firmly established his status as one of Australia’s most iconic and beloved rappers, blazing trails, storming charts and taking home multiple ARIA Award nominations and two wins alongside many other accolades over the years. In a live setting, 360 is renowned for his electrifying stage presence that has seen him enrapture sold out headline crowds, as well as perform across the globe alongside the likes of Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, and onstage at Lollapalooza, Big Day Out and Splendour In The Grass. Back in 2023, 360 returned to his musical pursuits, embarking on his first official run of shows in just under six years, swiftly selling out the first half of his Back To Life regional tour, and closing out the year with part two of the Back To Life tour and a new freestyle track, Most Wanted. And this year, fans will not only get a chance to witness 360’s insatiable flow and earnest-yet-playful storytelling in a live setting; they’ll also get a chance to catch his brand new single, Save My Soul, and more on stage this July and August.
One of the first songs written for 360’s upcoming fifth studio album Out Of The Blue, Save My Soul, which dropped earlier this month, is a heartfelt yet upbeat outing, bustling with old school beats, glossy production and 360 flitting between rapping and serene chorus vocals. Also armed with a sharp accompanying music video, Save My Soul finds 360in full buoyant flight; joyful, honest and vehemently meaningful, with the track also hinting at incredible things to come from its broader upcoming album.
“It’s been really exciting to start releasing new music,” shares 360. “I’ve spent most of my career releasing albums whilst struggling with mental health issues and addiction, so to be in a healthy and happy place whilst putting this out has been exhilarating. I’ve finally let go of the need for others approval, where it used to dictate how i would operate in every aspect of my life. It’s very liberating.”
In 2008, 360, aka Matt Colwell, first turned heads via his debut album What You See Is What You Get, before his 2011 release Falling & Flying catapulted the talented Melbourne-hailing rapper into a new stratosphere. Praised for its genre fluidity, emotive weight and 360’s undeniable charisma, Falling & Flying peaked at #4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified double platinum, with the album also securing two ARIA Music Awards in 2012 amongst several nominations, taking home wins for Breakthrough Artist – Release and Producer of the Year. At this point already declared a pioneer for his innovative artistry and delivery, 360 went on to release 2014’s Utopia and 2017’s Vintage Modern, with Utopia reaching #2 on the ARIA charts and certified gold, and Vintage Modern reaching #3 on the ARIA Australian Albums charts. And amongst many hurdles adjacent to his ongoing success, from an accident in 2010 that almost upended the release of Falling & Flying to his battle with addiction and mental health issues in later years, 360 has continued to breathe new life into the world via his creativity, whether teaming up with Support Act on his 2023 Back To Life Regional Tour for some of his performances, or providing a relatable shoulder for his fans to connect with via his ongoing releases. And in 2025, 360 is once again set to weave his signature and singular magic with Out Of The Blue, marking his first new record since 2017’s acclaimed LP Vintage Modern, and set to be celebrated in spectacular fashion via 360’s hotly-anticipated national performances this July and August.
“I’m so keen to be back touring in general,” shares 360, “but to have PEZ with me on the Out Of The Blue Tour feels special too. We’ve reconnected so much over the last year or two and the fans will be able to see that. Expect a lot of energy and also for the live show to tell a bit of a story of my life.”
And as to what fans can expect from album #5 and beyond this year for 360? “This album feels like an amalgamation of all my older music, but with new influences, but much more refined and polished,” 360 reveals. “I couldn’t have done this without Tyron Hapi, having him to write these songs with me has been such a blessing. My new album Out Of The Blue is out this July, plus The Forthwrite Podcast is coming soon too, I can’t wait for people to check that out also.”
Seemingly out of the blue in 2025, 360 is primed and ready to return with gusto once again, with a national tour and his fifth studio album on the very near horizon. Do not miss your chance to witness one of Australia’s most prolific creatives live in action this July and August, this will absolutely be one for the 360 history books!
Tickets for 360’s Out Of The Blue Tour go onsale to the general public on Friday 21 March at 9am local time from 360music.com.au.
Out Of The Blue is due out this July, pre-order here.
360 – UPCOMING SHOWS:
FRI 18 JUL | THE FORUM, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from https://360music.com.au/
SAT 19 JUL | ODEON THEATRE, HOBART TAS | LIC/AA
Tickets available from https://360music.com.au/
FRI 25 JUL | METRO THEATRE, SYDNEY NSW | 18+
Tickets available from https://360music.com.au/
SAT 26 JUL | FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE QLD | AA
Tickets available from https://360music.com.au/
FRI 01 AUG | HINDLEY ST MUSIC HALL, ADELAIDE SA | 18+
Tickets available from https://360music.com.au/
SAT 02 AUG | METRO CITY, PERTH WA | 18+
Tickets available from https://360music.com.au/
JACK PANTHER NEW EP OUT TODAY ‘WHEN I’M FEELING BETTER WE COULD DREAM TOGETHER’ OUT TODAY
Today Jack Panther has announced the release of his soaring third EP when i’m feeling better we could dream together, with his first Australian show on the horizon at The Evelyn Hotel on Saturday, May 3
A moving, vulnerable and blissful journey throughout, when i’m feeling better we could dream together opens with Changes; an uplifting and airy alt-pop outing that balances tranquil instrumentation, flowing melodics and Jack’s hypnotic vocals as he muses on the trepidation and also hope that accompanies life’s many changes. And fluctuating between acoustic tenderness and oscillating euphoria (Just A Dog), through to melancholia threaded with dreamy reverb and tranquil pulsations (Why Won’t We) and, ultimately, swaggering and modern ambience (closing track Breathe), when i’m feeling better we could dream together also balances raw intimacy with stylistic diversity that retains a powerful and cohesive thread from start to finish. “I feel as though my artist voice is the strongest it’s been,” shares Jack of the upcoming EP. “Even if a track is sad in its theme, there is still an ‘outburst’; a big emphasis in the project was to create a journey. I want the audience to feel like each song encompasses its own emotion and journey. In a way, it’s a celebration of feeling that emotion. And I think a lot of the tracks within the EP still cling to a lot of hope. I started writing the project during COVID lockdown, and I wanted to write about things with a more positive or hopeful outlook.”
In 2025, the sky is barely the limit for Jack Panther, with his sublime third EP due out today, March 14, as well as an international tour that will see Jack head to London, Auckland and also tick off a career first in Melbourne imminently, set to perform his first ever show on Australian soil at The Evelyn Hotel on May 3. “I’m HUGELY excited to play my first Australian show in Melbourne,” Jack enthuses. “I’m a massive fan of the Melbourne music scene and I just love the venue The Evelyn Hotel, it’s been a goal of mine to play there for years! Previously selling out headline shows in both London and Auckland, this marks my second headline in London which is so exciting, and marks my homecoming show in Auckland. I’m very excited to play some of these songs LIVE for the very first time and to play a special cover my band and I have been working on!”
when i’m feeling better we could dream together is out today, Friday March 14.
JACK PANTHER – UPCOMING SHOWS
Tickets available from jackpanthermusic.com
SAT 3 MAY | THE EVELYN HOTEL, MELBOURNE VIC