Triple J Unearthed Artist of the Year to headline Press Play 2016

Triple J Unearthed Artist of the Year to headline Press Play 2016 - 16 March 2016

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Fresh off being named Triple J’s Unearthed Artist of the Year, Perth’s Tired Lion will be headlining the Wagga’s National Youth Week concert Press Play.

Along with the J Award win in 2015, the four piece mashed up Violent Soho and the Smashing Pumpkins for the radio station’s Like a Version segment in May and opened Splendour in the Grass in July.

Tired Lion will be joined by Melbourne folk rock outfit Creature Fear for two shows at the Home Tavern on Saturday 16 April as part of Press Play – an all ages, drug and alcohol free gig at 2pm and an 18 years and over show from 8pm.

Fronted by the enigmatic Sophie Hopes, Tired Lion's infectious melodies are coupled with raw honesty and intensity.

“We're all about the raw honesty in the music we make,” the band said. “We're passionate about bringing to people a fresh take on what is a nostalgic sound, keeping the guitars loud and trying to evoke some kind of feeling for the listener with dynamics and melody.”

Press Play 2016 follows last year’s successful event, which brought Melbourne outfits Kalacoma and Dear Plastic to Wagga for National Youth Week.

On the back of her creative designs for Press Play 2015, Wagga-based graphic designer and CSU alumni Adele Packer has again been commissioned by Council to create the artwork for this year’s promotional material.

With more than a fifth of Wagga’s population aged between 12 and 25 years, Council’s Director Environmental and Community Services Janice Summerhayes said National Youth Week was an important event for the community.

“The City of Wagga Wagga is delighted to support and celebrate the enormous contribution that young people make to our city in so many ways,” Ms Summerhayes said.

“Through education, sport, music, art and other forms of performance, volunteering, community and politics, young people are making their mark on our community.”

Home Tavern licensee Trevor Jones said the venue is committed to supporting live music and was thrilled to give 12 to 17 year olds the opportunity by hosting the all ages gig.

“So many people now playing or working in the music industry got the bug at an all-ages show in the 80s and 90s,” he said. “It’s important the next generation is given the same opportunity in a safe, supervised environment.”

Tickets for Press Play 2016 are on sale from today, Wednesday 16 March, at the Home Tavern, Don Tuckwell’s Audio and online (plus booking fee) at popupgigs.com.

All ages show tickets are $10 presale or $15 at the door. Tickets for the 18 years and over show are $20 presale or $25 at the door.

For more information, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/pressplay.

Press Play 2016 is funded by the City of Wagga Wagga, National Youth Week and the Home Tavern, with support from Wagga Wagga Community Drug Action Team, NSW Police Force, Allison Music and Regenerate Youth Festival.