LATIN AMERICA TOP 100

1 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
2 Ricky Martin – Vente Pa’ Ca (feat. Maluma)
3 CNCO – Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)
4 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
5 DJ Snake – Let Me Love You (feat. Justin Bieber)

MEXICO TOP 100

1 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
2 CNCO – Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)
3 Ricky Martin – Vente Pa’ Ca (feat. Maluma)
4 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
5 DJ Snake – Let Me Love You (feat. Justin Bieber)

* MEXICO AIRPLAY TOP 100
* MEXICO POP ANGLO
* MEXICO POP LATINO
* MEXICO REGIONAL POPULAR

COSTA RICA TOP 100

1 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
2 J Balvin – Safari (feat. Pharrell Williams, BIA & Sky)
3 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
4 DJ Snake – Let Me Love You (feat. Justin Bieber)
5 CNCO – Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)

PARAGUAY TOP 100

1 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
2 J Balvin – Safari (feat. Pharrell Williams, BIA & Sky)
3 Ricky Martin – Vente Pa’ Ca (feat. Maluma)
4 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
5 Bruno Mars – 24K Magic

ARGENTINA AIRPLAY TOP 100

1 Shakira con Maluma – Chantaje
2 Ricky Martin con Maluma – Vente Pa’ Ca
3 Bruno Mars – 24K Magic
4 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
5 Maxi Trusso – Make You Mine

ECUADOR DIGITAL TOP 100

1 CNCO – Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)
2 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
3 Ricky Martin – Vente Pa’ Ca (feat. Maluma)
4 Enrique Iglesias – DUELE EL CORAZON (feat. Wisin)
5 J Balvin – Safari (feat. Pharrell Williams, BIA & Sky)

ECUADOR AIRPLAY TOP 100

1 CNCO – Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)
2 Ricky Martin con Maluma – Vente Pa’ Ca
3 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
4 Enrique Iglesias con Wisin – Duele El Corazón
5 Chino y Nacho con Daddy Yankee – Andas En Mi Cabeza

EL SALVADOR TOP 100

1 CNCO – Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)
2 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
3 J Balvin – Safari (feat. Pharrell Williams, BIA & Sky)
4 Chino & Nacho – Andas En Mi Cabeza (feat. Daddy Yankee)
5 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)

GUATEMALA TOP 100

1 CNCO – Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)
2 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
3 Chino & Nacho – Andas En Mi Cabeza (feat. Daddy Yankee)
4 The Weeknd – Starboy (feat. Daft Punk)
5 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)

PERU TOP 100

1 CNCO – Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)
2 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
3 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
4 Ráfaga – Una Cerveza
5 Chino & Nacho – Andas En Mi Cabeza (feat. Daddy Yankee)

BOLIVIA TOP 100

1 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
2 DJ Snake & Zedd – Let Me Love You (feat. Justin Bieber) [Zedd Remix]
3 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
4 Maroon 5 – Don’t Wanna Know (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
5 Ricky Martin – Vente Pa’ Ca (feat. Maluma)

HONDURAS TOP 100

1 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
2 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
3 DJ Snake – Let Me Love You (feat. Justin Bieber)
4 Chino & Nacho – Andas En Mi Cabeza (feat. Daddy Yankee)
5 LP – Lost On You

NICARAGUA TOP 100

1 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
2 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
3 Jonas Blue – Perfect Strangers (feat. JP Cooper)
4 DJ Snake – Let Me Love You (feat. Justin Bieber)
5 Maroon 5 – Don’t Wanna Know (feat. Kendrick Lamar)

ARGENTINA TOP 100

1 Ricky Martin – Vente Pa’ Ca (feat. Maluma)
2 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
3 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
4 CNCO – Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)
5 Justin Timberlake – CAN’T STOP THE FEELING! (Original Song From DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls”)

CHILE DIGITAL TOP 100

1 Ricky Martin – Vente Pa’ Ca (feat. Maluma)
2 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
3 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
4 CNCO – Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)
5 Bruno Mars – 24K Magic

CHILE AIRPLAY TOP 100

1 Ricky Martin con Maluma – Vente Pa’ Ca
2 Shakira con Maluma – Chantaje
3 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
4 Chino y Nacho con Daddy Yankee – Andas En Mi Cabeza
5 Zion & Lennox con J Balvin – Otra Vez

REP. DOMINICANA TOP 100

1 Ricky Martin – Vente Pa’ Ca (feat. Maluma)
2 Rae Sremmurd – Black Beatles (feat. Gucci Mane)
3 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
4 Zion & Lennox – Otra Vez (feat. J Balvin)
5 Chino & Nacho – Andas En Mi Cabeza (feat. Daddy Yankee)

PANAMA DIGITAL TOP 100

1 Zion & Lennox – Otra Vez (feat. J Balvin)
2 Chino & Nacho – Andas En Mi Cabeza (feat. Daddy Yankee)
3 Shakira – Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
4 Wisin – Vacaciones
5 Ricky Martin – Vente Pa’ Ca (feat. Maluma)

PANAMA AIRPLAY TOP 100

1 Zion & Lennox con J Balvin – Otra Vez
2 Ricky Martin con Maluma – Vente Pa’ Ca
3 J Balvin con Pharrell Williams, BIA & Sky Rompiendo – Safari
4 Shakira con Maluma – Chantaje
5 Bruno Mars – 24K Magic

COLOMBIA DIGITAL TOP 100

1 Silvestre Dangond – Ya No Me Duele Más
2 Piso 21 – Me Llamas
3 Chino & Nacho – Andas En Mi Cabeza (feat. Daddy Yankee)
4 Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta
5 Ricky Martin – Vente Pa’ Ca (feat. Maluma)

COLOMBIA AIRPLAY TOP 100

1 Silvestre Dangond – Ya No Me Duele Más
2 Sebastián Yatra – Traicionera
3 Juanes – Fuego
4 Zion & Lennox con J Balvin – Otra Vez
5 Ricky Martin con Maluma – Vente Pa’ Ca

USA LATINO CHARTS

USA AIRPLAY TOP 100
USA TOP URBANO
USA TOP REGIONAL POPULAR
USA TOP TROPICAL
USA TOP POP EN ESPAÑOL
USA TOP POP EN INGLÉS

OTHER AMERICAN MUSIC CHARTS

BRASIL DIGITAL TOP 100
VENEZUELA AIRPLAY TOP 100
SURINAME AIRPLAY

ATRL – Charts

ATRL – Charts

As a comparison to Billboard Hot 100 Year End 1994

ATRL – Charts

http://www.mediatraffic.de/

ATRL – Charts

They topped Zayn :clap3:

ATRL – Charts

Hugh Jackman announces his national concert tour Broadway to Oz.
Source: News Corp Australia

The Hollywood star has announced a five-city arena concert tour in November and December, Broadway To Oz, based on his hit Broadway show, Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway.

The Golden Globe, Emmy and Tony Award winner promises a high-octane show taking audiences on a journey through his life so far, performing along with choirs, dancers and musicians.

“Anybody who knows me knows that keeping secrets is not my forte … today is the announcement of a true bucket list moment for me,” Jackman told reporters in Sydney on Monday.

The production will showcase some of his biggest hits, including The Boy from Oz and Les Miserables, as well as a nod to his role as Wolverine in the X-Men film franchise.

“Broadway To Oz is a dream come true. This is THE show I’ve always wanted to bring home,” he said, promising fans, “You will get to know the real me.”

Jackman’s wife Deborra-Lee Furness and daughter Ava were present for the big announcement.

The eight-date concert tour will kick off in Melbourne on November 24, continuing on to Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane.

Tickets go on sale on Monday August 31 from Ticketek.

Hugh Jackman announced he is returning home in November and December for a national tour.
Source: AAP

www.news.com.au/entertainment/music

singer Josh Pyke in Brisbane pic Jamie Hanson
Source: News Corp Australia

ROCK

Josh Pyke, But For All These Shrinking Hearts

(Wonderlick/Sony) ****

Most of us are attracted to those who dig deep inside, revealing their own traumas for their art.

But chances are a songwriter can only go to that well a few times. Too much trauma isn’t good for anyone, artists included. Anyone in this for the long haul has to rely not only on personal experience but on observation, a compassionate eye, or the writer’s keen eye for a story.

Paul Kelly and Neil and Tim Finn are fine examples of songwriters who have done that, album after album, decade after decade. That’s where Josh Pyke is aiming, a long-term career that carries his early fans with him for the ride. And this fifth album is evidence that he has finally hit his stride.

Pyke broke through 10 years ago with his winning tale about growing up in Sydney’s Balmain, Middle of the Hill, also included on his 2007 debut album Memories and Dust. That album established him as a distinctive new voice, one in the same sphere as songwriters like Elliott Smith but with a warm kind of glow, a positive tone, that recurred in his lyrics and melodies.

For Pyke there have been some good songs since, but no album quite as convincing again until now. It is only speculation to say why it might have happened. Perhaps it’s confidence that he’s still around while so many artists who arrived at the same time have withered on the vine. Perhaps it is the studio set up in his backyard that allows him to tinker on songs to his heart’s content. Perhaps it’s his contented spot in life as the father of two young sons.

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Source: Supplied

But For All These Shrinking Hearts isn’t that different from his previous work — that warm voice and sunny melodies make him immediately recognisable — but the quality is there from track 1 to 11. There are enough sonic details there for the album to keep revealing new things: I’m still finding them and I’ve been listening to it for weeks.

That would certainly be attributable to having a studio close to home, the shimmering keyboard textures of Book of Revelations and There’s a Line, the colourful orchestral-pop arrangement of Be Your Boy.

Other tunes are comfortably familiar: Momentary Glow is the kind of song that would have shone on Memories and Dust, where he already sounded like a rather wise head on those young shoulders. Songlines, a co-write with Marcus Azon from Sydney band Jinja Safari, feels like a summer anthem in waiting.

It’s not easy to write a love song that doesn’t drown in sentimentality but Pyke can pull it off: Still Some Big Deal is another of Pyke’s philosophical observations (“I’ve seen you carry this weight/But I can still be an atlas for you/And that’s still some big deal’’).

Two of the album’s finest songs use orchestral instruments to striking ­effect. The strings on Late Night Driving are rich without being syrupy: they feel integral to the emotion of the song rather than just another colour.

Pick of this crop is Doing What You’re Told, with a lovely Beatles-y major to minor chord change and swelling brass and strings that adds to the ’60s atmosphere. It is one of those songs that feels like it has always been around, even first time through. It also begs the question, what does a fellow have to do around these parts to get some commercial radio play?

* Pyke plays the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers concert series, with Toowoomba Concert Orchestra, on September 20, and Caloundra Musical Festival, October 2

Noel Mengel

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Source: Supplied

ROCK

Albert Hammond Jr, Momentary Masters

(Infectious/Liberator) ***1/2

Solo sets from band members can go two ways. Uh-oh, not as good without the other guys. Or, the others are going to be mad these songs weren’t on the radar for their next album. This is the latter, from the exuberant opener Born Slippy, where Hammond mixes lurching guitars with the best pop hooks he’s played on for some time. His vocals are getting stronger too, or maybe it’s that he’s getting stuck into lyrics he really cares about. The setting is guitar-driven rock, sometimes quite detailed and intense: the multi-riffed wigout of Caught By My Shadow is almost prog-metal. But that’s balanced by tunes that would have been right at home in The Strokes’ set (see Losing Touch) and new-wave-ish rockers that sound like someone played the best Cars album on 45rpm (Razor’s’ Edge). When he takes on Bob Dylan’s Don’t Think Twice he does so with taste. This is Hammond’s third solo album and his best. Whatever happens with The Strokes, his future as a song craftsman (a path already taken by his father, author of The Hollies’ The Air That I Breathe and his own hits) is assured.

Noel Mengel

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Source: Supplied

ROCK

Frank Turner, Positive Songs For Negative People

(Xtra Mile/Universal) ****

After the comparatively high-gloss production of 2013’s Tape Deck Heart, English folk-punk troubadour Turner and his backing band the Sleeping Souls have pared things back here. TDH was — by Turner’s own admission — a breakup album. On Get Better, Turner makes it clear this album is more about re-evaluation and moving forward (“I got me a future/I’m not stuck on the past/I got no new tricks/Yeah I’m up on bricks/But me, I’m a machine and I was built to last’’); and lead single The Next Storm drives the point home (“I don’t want to spend the whole of my life indoors/Lying low and waiting for the next storm’’). Elsewhere songs such as The Angel Islington, Mittens and Song For Josh — a touching tribute to a friend who took his own life — feature Turner at his quiet, contemplative best, while The Opening Act of Spring and Josephine are as musically upbeat as anything in Turner’s solo oeuvre. Fans of Turner won’t be disappointed with this back-to-basics album, a welcome addition to his discography.

Daniel Johnson

ROCK

Dead Letter Circus, Aesthesis

(UNFD) ***1/2

Brisbane’s prog-rock scene has undergone a renaissance in recent years, and two shining examples released new albums on the same day last week. We’ve already checked out Guards of May’s debut, now we turn our attention to the third effort from Dead Letter Circus. Like the former, this album has a star producer in Chris Lord-Alge, whose star-studded resume (Springsteen, U2, Stone Temple Pilots) makes him ideal for the stadium and radio-friendly yet indie rock. Singer Kim Benzie emotes on cue and relatively new addition Clint Vincent’s chiming guitar is a constant overarching presence. The big bang boom of a breaking heart was never louder than on first single In Plain Sight — “Maybe it’s time we say that it’s over” — while the soaring melodies of YANA give way to quieter acoustic guitar and muted vocals by the end. The penultimate Change the Concept picks up the pace. But the most emotionally intense track is Silence, a true tale of child sexual abuse kept secret for a lifetime: The song ends with a children’s choir incanting: “Liar! Liar!”

John O’Brien

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Source: Supplied

ROCK

The Jungle Giants, Speakerzoid

(Amplifire) ****

Songwriter Van Dyke Parks once told me about the music he enjoyed, with the “wobbly” bits left on. That describes this Brisbane quartet’s second album, in which they deconstruct the indie guitar pop of their debut into a buzzing rhythmic monster somewhere out on the ledge with Beck’s Odelay and Eels’ Mark Everett at his wiggiest. Pick of the pack bunch is next summer’s anthem Devil’s Play, with its buzzsaw attack and general sonic wooziness. They’re not much interested in verse-chorus-other bit and four beats to the bar. Instead they want to be the life of the party. They allow those hip-shaking rhythms to range free, punctuated with left-field effects (see Lemon Myrtle), and when an acoustic guitar pops up it’s in a Latin time signature (Mexico). They use spoken word (not rap) as a way of shaking up songs like Every Kind of Way and Not Bad, and while their melodic pop instinct is intact (try Creepy Cool and see if you can get it out of your head) they’ve made a real breakthrough here. Wobbly bits everywhere you look.

Noel Mengel

The Inner West Misses You by Danny Yau

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Source: Supplied

ROCK

Danny Yau, Think We’ll Live Here Forever

(Independent) ***1/2

Place is big with Danny Yau, formerly guitarist with bands including Lazy Susan and The Aerial Maps, also experts in telling local stories in song. Sydney’s bustling inner west provides the backdrop to many of the songs on this debut solo set. The Night Bus Home is a Kinks-type treat that observes all the landmarks seen from the ride home after a gig. Courtney’s Moving to Newtown (To Start A Band) might be the first song ever written on the subject, despite the fact people have been doing it for 50 years. For others adulthood and responsibility, and the understandable desire to escape rising damp, forces a move, leading to wistful pop treats like The Inner West Misses You. Yau might be a dad these days too but he’s not going anywhere with such a rich vein of stories for his well-crafted tales of the street, lost friends and all the girlfriends who came before (as per 12 Girls). Still, you get the feeling it wouldn’t matter if home was Penrith or Watson’s Bay, Yau would find plenty to write about. There are always books and movies for a start (see Unafraid of the Dark).

Noel Mengel

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Source: Supplied

CLASSICAL

Genevieve Lacey & James Crabb, Heard This and Thought of You

(ABC Classics) ****1/2

Take this CD slowly, gently. It is a sensitive meeting of musical minds in music from composers across several centuries framed by intriguing love letters in a complementary, stylish booklet. Printed words unite with music as elements of nature blending in a garden of sensuous delights. A vibrant utterance from Genevieve Lacey’s recorder settles into the nest of James Crabb’s classical accordion textures in two Recercada movements from Diego Ortiz (c. 1510-1570). The expert ease of this virtuosic duo highlights contrasting moods in a setting of A Division upon a Ground from Playford’s Division Violin, by John Banister (1630-1679), Where is Everybody? a 2015 creation by Andrea Keller and a suite from Matthew Locke (c. 1521-1577), Shadow Box by contemporary Australian composer Damian Barbeler. Selections from J. S. Bach, Palestrina, Sally Beamish, whose plaintive Lament is haunting and beautiful, and inimitable vitality in Scottish folk melodies complete this Toby Chadd production masterpiece.

Patricia Kelly

www.news.com.au/entertainment/music

Labour of love … Szymon’s family and friends have completed his debut album Tigersapp after the young musician lost his life to depression. Pictures: Supplied
Source: Supplied

Szymon was 19 and on the verge of signing a record deal with EMI and releasing his songs when his struggle with depression prompted him to shelve the project.

He couldn’t face the prospect of finishing an album, having to promote it, let alone tour.

The preternaturally gifted musician focused on treating his illness and occasionally worked on his music but at 23, he took his life.

His family, father Andrej, mother Anna, brothers Kubush and Dom and sister Eva, along with Mark Holland and Craig Hawker, the two men who found his demo tape and encouraged the singer to follow his musical dream, have finally finished the stunningly beautiful pop record which will be released on August 21.

Holland remembers the day they plucked his unsolicited demo tape of four songs sent in by Szymon’s father from a huge stack in the office. Record labels get hundreds of them a week and probably have the time to listen to only a handful.

The teenager, who had studied saxophone and clarinet, taught himself guitar and piano and then found his voice and talent for composition, had painstakingly crafted every note in his bedroom using rudimentary software and gear.

“I freaked out when I heard it in 2008. I rang straight away and found out he was 18 and at that time, travelling in Europe,” Holland said.

“We helped him get some better equipment with a development deal and across the next two years he would send us the songs as he finished them.”

Gifted musician … Szymon taught himself to play most instruments and write his own songs in his Newcastle bedroom. Pictures: Supplied
Source: Supplied

Szymon was meticulous about crafting his songs, bunkering down in his bedroom and feverishly labouring over every instrument, lyric and note he recorded.

His older brother Kubush and young brother Dom remember he started getting serious about music in his final year at high school and then devoted all his energies to writing and recording throughout the next year.

“He really discovered the passion for it the year after he left school. Mum told us the story that one day he came out of his room and said ‘I think I can write, I think it’s something I am gifted at’,” Kubush said.

His older brother said he had almost finished all the songs for the album when his mental health began failing.

“Music was something he loved so much and enjoyed and we have a lot of fantastic memories of him playing and creating music,” Kubush said.

“When he became unwell, it was harder for him to concentrate and focus on it. His battle with his health, the medicine and treatment as well, made it hard for him.”

Both brothers pause as they recall the pain of watching him struggle with depression.

“It’s a tricky illness, trying to know how people are thinking, how you can be a support,” Dom said.

“For me, it was some of the hardest times I have ever had to deal with. It’s incredibly tough to go through that and watch someone trying to deal with it. It’s heartbreaking.”

Young Newcastle singer songwriter … Szymon lost his life to depression at the age of 23 and now his family have completed his debut album Tigersapp to share with the world. Picture: Supplied
Source: Supplied

When Szymon died in late 2012, EMI had an album’s worth of songs ready to be finished. The family searched for other works in progress but they couldn’t unearth his hard drive.

With Holland and Hawker, they agreed there was enough of Szymon’s carefully crafted electronic folk-driven music which could be mixed and completed.

What the family want people to hear now is the beauty of his music, songs they say are full of “light and hope and love”.

“Hearing the music is difficult sometimes because we miss him so much. We hope it encourages other people, listening to the love and hope in it. Despite the battles and struggles we all face, music was a release for Szymon and out of this tragedy, hopefully it can inspire someone else,” Kubush said.

Holland believes Tigersapp has the potential to capture people’s hearts in the same way the posthumous albums of American singer songwriter Eva Cassidy swept the world four years after her death from melanoma in 1996.

“Szymon was just one of those artists who was so insanely talented we were floored by it. His music is so timeless,” he said.

“It would have been criminal for people not to be able to hear this music and it’s been heartwarming the songs are already finding their way out there through word of mouth.”

Tigersapp is released on August 21.

Please seek help if you are feeling depressed.

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Lifeline 13 11 14

www.news.com.au/entertainment/music

Northlane’s monumental new album Node stands proudly at No. 1 on the ARIA Album Chart. Frontman Marcus Bridge, guitarists Jonathon Deiley and Josh Smith, bassist Alex Milovic and drummer Nic Pettersen make up the metal band.
Source: Supplied

“Well, actually we used to practise at Jon’s (guitarist) farm up in Hartley Vale but after his parents moved up to the farm it was way too loud to practise there,” bass player Alex Milovic laughed about the excessive sounds that used to echo far and wide at the farm.

The boys were forced to abandon their initial practice space for something that could take their compelling, hard-hitting sounds.

“We now practise in a warehouse space in ­Penrith,” Milovic said.

Since their debut as a solid metalcore outfit six years ago, the boys have blasted their way to worldwide fame, with three full-length studio albums, including Discoveries (2011), Singularity (2013) and the newly released Node.

Northlane practice in a Penrith warehouse after making too much noise at Jon’s farm.
Source: News Corp Australia

The July 24 unveiling of Node has seen the album rocket up the ARIA Albums Chart, last week taking the No. 1 spot.

“This album is special because it is the first album with Marcus (Bridge, lead singer), who replaced our original singer Adrian Fitipaldes,” Milovic said about the new musical direction the band took late last year..

The band involved its fans in the search for the perfect frontman from more than 2000 audition tapes.

“We had no other choice. We had exhausted the very few options we had and we know that other bands had done it in the past and came out on top,” he said.

Northlane are currently touring the US before coming back to Australia for their Aussie tour.
Source: News Corp Australia

SYDNEY CONFIDENTIAL’S BRIANA DOMJEN GOES GLAM

MODEL GIGI HADID TURNS HEAD IN SYDNEY

“When we saw the first audition that Marcus had sent through, we straight away knew there was something special about it.”

Milovic said the band’s longevity and success was due to their loyal fanbase. They have more than 268,000 Facebook fans screaming them on.

“It’s because of you guys (fans) that we are able to do what we do,” Milovic said.

Northlane are touring globally until November, when they kick their Aussie tour in Fremantle.

www.news.com.au/entertainment/music

Robert Forster receives an honorary doctorate at University of Queensland. Pic: Mark Cranitch
Source: News Limited

Go-Betweens founder Robert Forster was this week awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Queensland, 40 years after he first enrolled.

LANDMARK: Bridge named after band

The Go-Betweens, who penned the Brisbane-inspired hit Through the Streets of Your Town and have the city’s newest bridge named after them, had their beginnings at the university.

Forster met bandmate Grant McLennan in a drama class on the campus, and one of the band’s early songs, Karen, was written as an ode to the university’s librarians.

The band’s drummer in the ’80s, Lindy Morrison, also studied social work at UQ.

Forster says: “The university was the starting point for The Go-Betweens, and a surprising amount of what we learned there went into the band.

“The university had such a central place in Queensland in the ’70s during the Bjelke-Petersen era; it was a very lively political, social and intellectual world.’’

The Go-Betweens released nine albums to international acclaim before McLennan died of a heart attack in 2006, aged 48.

“I never forget that Grant was the one who finished his degree and I didn’t before the band took me away,” Forster says.

“Grant lived on campus for a while and the university was an important part of his life. Whenever I’m there I always think of him more than I do anywhere else in Brisbane.

“Karen is a song I wrote while I was there. I spent a lot of time in the libraries and the librarians had this stillness about them I found very attractive.’’

Forster is writing a memoir and his first album in seven years, Songs To Play, is released in September.

Originally published as Belated graduation from school of rock
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