Issue 8 Hotch Potch - University of Ballarat

It’s been nearly three years since their last full lengthalbum but Birds of Tokyo are back and sounding betterthan ever. The past year saw many changes forthe band. They welcomed two new members andsaid goodbye tothree originals.These changeshave not slowedthe band down.Last year they releasedThis Fire, anEP which gave fansa taste of the newsound. ‘We reallymade a consciouschoice to just puta match to everythingwe’d donebefore so that wecould create somethingthat felt freshand exciting for us. Hopefully people who like theband will feel the same way when they hear it’, explainsAdam Spark.March Fires, their new full length album, is set todrop 1 March. They kick start their tour right here inBallarat. Last year the University of Ballarat was luckyenough to have the Hilltop Hoods perform at theMt Helen campus.This year the Unigot Birds of Tokyo.It is the Birds’ firstnational tour in 18months and withthis being theironly regional concertthis side ofMelbourne, ticketsare sure to sellfast.It is fantastic thatBallarat is gettingto hear sucha band play live.It is sure to be anamazing show so make sure you support our greatAussie talent and pick up your ticket as soon as possible.EntertainmentFans certainly seem to be loving the new sound. Thetitle track off their last EP, also titled ‘This Fire’, evenmade it onto Triple J’s Hottest 100 list coming in atnumber 51.The concert is Wednesday, 27 February. Tickets areavailable at the UBuy store (students only), NewGeneration, Pre-Mix King (Mt Clear) and Oztix.com.Tickets are $37 for students or $41 General admission+ $3 booking fee.Les Miserables; first a novel,then a famous stage show,and now the most talkedabout movie of the summer.Set during the FrenchRevolution the story followsthe character Jean Valjean(Hugh Jackman) over thecourse of 17 years. At thebeginning he is just a poor,disadvantaged ex-convictwho is given a second chancewith a new identity; soon becoming the mayor of atown in France he must forever dodge the exposureof his true identity to the relentless police inspectorJavert (Russell Crowe), and then takes on the role ofadopted father of Cossette (Amanda Seyfried). Thefilm fantastically intertwines the musical stylings ofthese actors—with Anne Hathaway giving an unbelievablerendition of ‘I dreamed a dream’—withthe political turmoil that was the June Rebellion ofFrance.Director Tom Hooper (best known for The King’sSpeech) has given audiences the chance to experienceone of the greatest shows on the big screen.This three hour spectacular will definitely leave youwith a numb bum from uncomfortable cinema seats,but it is totally worth the pain. Even the mediocresinging of Russell Crowe won’t dampen the mood;the talented Hugh Jackman certainly makes up forthis. Up for eight Academy Awards including BestPicture, Best Actor (Jackman) and Best SupportingActress (Hathaway), this is definitely a film to takethe girlfriend to, or forcefully drag the boyfriendalong. You could even make a compromise, The Hobbitfor Les Miserables, either way, go see it!By Courtney O’Neill15