Newcastle's own Daniel Johns is making a comeback.
He's been hinting about a return to music on his social media pages for some time.
Here is what he had to say in a statement yesterday:
"Thank you for listening to my podcast Who Is Daniel Johns? I didn't know that I needed that experience, but I did. The reception around the world has inspired me and I'm not anxious about what comes next anymore, I'm ready for the FutureNever.
FutureNever is my new album, it is coming out April 1st 2022, and is available for pre-order now. This time I'm doing things on my own terms, FutureNever will be the first album I release on my own label via a new global deal with my friends at BMG.
FutureNever is a place where your past, present and future collide - in the FutureNever the quantum of your past experiences become your superpower. The experience of the podcast has helped me make peace with my past and I'm ready to tackle this new world bravely. I won't be leading in with singles, the album is designed to be enjoyed as an album.
Call me a hopeless romantic but that's the benefit of releasing music on your own label. Nobody can tell you what to do.
FutureNever is an eclectic mix of music that I've made over the last couple of years. A few of my friends will be jumping on the record, I'll be slowly revealing them in the lead up to the album.
Visit FutureNever.art to pre-order now and I'll send you an email with a link to my new version of "After All These Years" which you may have heard throughout the podcast.
FutureNever.art is an evolving, interactive platform and leading into the album release I have a lot of surprises planned. I'm ready to have fun with this and I'm excited to do this together with you.
I've got some new merch items on sale and a very special limited edition vinyl bundle where 500 people who order FutureNever will have their names (or the name of a friend or loved one) 'carved' onto the vinyl.
I know I have a tendency to go missing - but I'm back now. Follow me into FutureNever. Dan x."
Regional live music
Great Southern Nights returns in 2022 and so far Newcastle has three gigs to look forward to: Kasey Chambers with Bill Chambers at Lizotte's on March 30; Allday supported by Nooky at The Cambridge on March 24; and Alex Lahey at The Cambridge on March 30.
Dashville Return Bonanza update
Dashville's Return Bonanza Weekend is on this Friday and Saturday (December 10 and 11) at an alternative venue, due to a "local council planning issue". But fear not, it's all going ahead as planned, and the other venue is just down the road from Dashville at The Drovers Camp in Branxton.
Team Dashville wants to share the following: "The Drovers Camp only has an approved capacity of 200 adults. So it means that we have had to make some small changes in ticketing.
"It is no longer a free entry event on Saturday. You must have a camping ticket or a portrait package in order to attend on Saturday. As long as you have a portrait package, you do not need to have a camping/entry ticket if you do not intend on staying past the afternoon.
"Friday night attendees, if you do not have a Saturday portrait package or Saturday camping ticket you will have to vacate the venue by 11am. Dogs are no longer permitted due to the venue having livestock and working dogs.
Once again we sincerely apologise to everyone about these last minute changes, we understand it's not ideal, but we thank you for your hopeful trust and support in keeping the show on the road."
One Night Only with ChillinIt
I had a good chat with ChillinIt via Zoom the other day about his new, chart-topping album Family Ties and he mentioned this one time he had performed at The Cambridge in Newcastle.
"I was opening for a guy called Riff Raff from America and you know how many people were there? Eleven," he said.
"I'm so excited about coming back. I'm looking forward to sweating it out with all my Novocastrians - if you're reading this right now, let's get ready to party."
ChillinIt's One Night Only 2022 Tour stops off at The Cambridge on February 19. Tickets have sold out.
Tom Gleeson takes hard Quiz on the road
Gold Logie-winner Tom Gleeson is taking Hard Quiz on a national tour in 2022. He'll be swapping the ABC TV studio for a theatre and adding a third dimension to Australia's hardest quiz.
Hard Quiz is now in its sixth season and is a ratings phenomenon. A game show where the host doesn't hide his contempt and the prize is the chance to stare down a camera while holding a mug.
This will be Hard Quiz like never before, with audience members pulled on stage for a live roasting from Gleeson. When he's not flaying contestants for his audience's enjoyment, he is also one of Australia's funniest and most successful stand-up comedians.
"People have been asking me for ages to bring Hard Quiz to their city," Gleeson said.
"Finally, I can say yes! Join me for Hard Quiz live in your home town ... away from the watchful eye of the ABC lawyers. Things will get loose."
Starting in Canberra in March, the huge tour will take in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Perth and Brisbane across the year.
Correction
A quick clarification regarding a fundraising night I mentioned in the Newcastle Herald on Wednesday. A Night for Amber is happening this Saturday, December 11, at Central Leagues Club on Bula Street in Charlestown. I have been advised that tickets have now sold out. Some good news for the Hughes family of Belmont in an otherwise difficult year.
