Audio Antihero label kids Benjamin Shaw (left) and Nosferatu D2 (right)

It’s not every day that you hear about a young bloke starting up a record label for pretty much the sole purpose of releasing his now-defunct favourite band’s first album. But you could say that Jamie Halliday isn’t content with being average. The 22-year-old South East Londoner has run Audio Antihero out of his bedroom since late 2008, releasing his favourite band Nosferatu D2′s album as well as signing another artist, Benjamin Shaw. In between busy jobs, Jamie decided to race over to Shakespeare’s Sister and explain what it’s all about.

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For over thirty years, Sydney Festival has illuminated the heart of the city each January for a month of music, culture and the arts and, since 2008, Festival First Night has kicked off the festivities with style – and all for free.

This year’s First Night attracted hundreds of thousands of culture lovers, who flocked the city streets all day to soak in the entertainment on offer, from music to jugglers and a range of food and drink stalls. Sydney electronic outfit Seekae graced the Hyde Park Fountain stage in front of the historic St Mary’s Cathedral, spilling their intoxicating beats across a dancing lawn, whilst hundreds of saxophonists gathered on the steps of the Sydney Mint to flood the streets with the sounds of ‘Sax and the City’. Elsewhere, a brigade of kilted bagpipers marched proudly on, children played with hula hoops on the grass, and spectators held their breaths as acrobats defied gravity, hurtling through the air with weightless grace. And at the peak of the evening, The Black Arm Band got feet moving and the Qantas Choir still called Australia home, before legendary gospel singer Al Green performed to a packed-out Domain in what was his first ever Australian performance. Throwing roses to the swooning crowd, the 64-year-old veteran was charismatic and, backed by an airtight 13-piece band, explosive (though he kept complaining that he just didn’t have enough time to perform to his heart’s desire!). Festival First Night has firmly established itself as one of this city’s most important annual events – tonight Sydney came alive with lights, inspiration, creativity and, as the Rev himself would say, love and happiness.

Happy Sydney Festival, folks – over the next three weeks make sure you get amongst as many of the events on offer as you can, and enjoy the start of a brand new year of appreciating all of the arts!

Photos: Peter Griffiths and Giselle Nguyen
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