The John Butler Trio are John Butler, Grant Gerathy (Drums), Byron Luiters (Bass)  http://www.johnbutlertrio.com @johnbutlertrio

Formed in Florida, Matchbox Twenty entered the world with a blockbuster -- 1996's YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU. The debut set spawned five hit singles -- "Push," "3 am," "Real World," "Long Day" and "Back 2 Good" and snagged an RIAA Diamond Award certification for U.S. sales exceeding more than 12 million to date. Thomas also raised the band's profile by co-writing and singing on Santana's Grammy Award-winning 1999 smash "Smooth." Matchbox Twenty maintained the momentum with MAD SEASON in 2000 and "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE in 2002, both of which went multi-platinum and continued to spit out hits such as "Bent," "Unwell," "If You're Gone," "Bright Lights" and "Disease."

But after three albums of hard work and equally hard touring, Matchbox Twenty was ready for a break. Thomas released a pair of Top 5 solo albums which contained several #1 singles, Doucette worked with his band The Break and Repair Method and wrote film music, while Cook led the New Left. The hiatus not only renewed Matchbox Twenty as a band but also seasoned the individual members even further as they came back together for 2007's EXILE ON MAINSTREAM, a greatest hits collection that sported six inspired new tracks which were co-written by the band for the first time ever and included their biggest selling single to date “How Far We’ve Come”. 

In addition to more than 30 million records sold worldwide, Matchbox Twenty has also earned countless accolades, including five Grammy nominations, four American Music Award nods, the 2004 People’s Choice Award for “Favorite Musical Group, and they were named “Best New Band” in the 1997 Rolling Stone Readers Poll.

After EXILE ON MAINSTREAM's Top 5 success, Matchbox Twenty continued the collaborative process as it headed towards NORTH. The romantic "Overjoyed," according to both Thomas and Doucette, was "the first time we felt like we had something special”. Kyle Cook took lead vocals on the incredible ballad "The Way," which he and Doucette penned together. "She's So Mean," meanwhile, represents a "storytelling exercise" during which Thomas, Doucette and Cook sat around a microphone free styling lyrics that they eventually sculpted into the cautionary tale about a hard-to-handle woman who Doucette promises bears no similarity to anyone in the group members' real lives. Listening deeper to NORTH reveals even more different nuances, approaches and feels because of the group-writing dynamic.
 
"Matchbox Twenty is pretty all-encompassing," Doucette says. "Once it gets rolling, we just devote all our time and energy to that. I can speak for everybody on this; it's the thing we hold the most dear because it's the thing we built the longest, so we want to give it its due. We don't make records that often anymore, so when we do we want to devote our time and energy to not only doing it; but also bringing that music to the fans."

Ziggy Alberts has built a dedicated global following through a powerful combination of captivating songwriting, persistent touring, and a fiercely independent ethos. His journey from busking on the streets of Byron Bay to commanding sold-out world stages as a solo artist stands as a testament to authentic connection and musical craftsmanship.

With over 1 billion streams across his discography, Alberts has firmly established himself as a folk powerhouse. Hits like "Runaway" - surpassing 100 million Spotify streams and achieving ARIA Triple Platinum status, Gold Status in Canada - and "Love Me Now" have resonated with audiences worldwide. His impressive collection of accolades includes ARIA Triple Platinum for "Laps Around The Sun," Double Platinum for fan favourites "Days In The Sun," "Gone," and the EP "Four Feet In The Forest," plus multiple Gold certifications and three APRA Music Awards for Most Performed Blues and Roots Work.

What truly sets Alberts apart is his unwavering commitment to independence. Rather than signing with a major label, he established his own music company, Commonfolk, allowing him complete creative control and the freedom to forge his own path in the industry. This pioneering approach has made him an inspiration for artists seeking alternatives to traditional music business models.

Alberts' touring resume demonstrates his work ethic and global appeal. His performances across Australia, Europe, the UK, North America, South America and South East Asia have transformed from intimate venues to major headline sets, including standout appearances at Bluesfest, Bonnaroo, Fuji Rock and Splendour in the Grass. His recent tours have seen him play to over 110,000 fans at headline shows, sell out London's Royal Albert Hall six months in advance, pack houses in Germany with crowds of 3,500+, and make impressive international debuts in Brazil and Mexico.

His seventh studio album, 'New Love', represents his most refined project yet. Divided between a warm, folk-inspired Side A and a more expansive rock-and-country-influenced Side B, the album mirrors life's inherent duality. Co-produced with longtime collaborator Garrett Kato, the album embraces an organic, minimalist approach that preserves the raw emotion of each track. Singles like "New Love," "Outlaw," and the introspective "Where Does The Love Go?" offer glimpses into Alberts' musical and personal evolution while maintaining the acoustic charm and emotional resonance that first captured his audience's hearts.

Ziggy Alberts offers a rich tapestry of sun-soaked folk that explores themes of love, self-discovery, and the pursuit of freedom and joy. His commitment to direct connection with his audience has built not just a fan base but a community united across continents by his music and message.

Triple One are impossible to categorise, and even harder to ignore. Brash bars come courtesy of rappers Marty Bugatti and Obi Ill Terrors, melodic hooks by Lil Dijon float in paranormal fashion while greyscale production is expertly crafted by Billy Gunns. Triple One are a sonic experiment between hard, soft, and all the textures in between.

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