Latest news with #GiddyUp
News.com.au
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Opinion: The racing industry needs to embrace new ideas like the global jockey league or risk withering on the vine
If racing keeps talking to itself, it is in danger of withering on the vine in an endless echo chamber. Without fresh ideas, innovative concepts and thinking outside the box we would never have seen The Everest, which by any measure has been a stunning success since its inception in 2017. Apart from The Everest, racing generally doesn't sell itself but has been blessed that the likes of Winx, Black Caviar and Makybe Diva have all come along since the turn of the century. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. But let's face it, household names on the equine front don't come along every day. Via Sistina is a big name in racing circles, but outside the racing beltway there wouldn't be a hell of a lot of Australians who know who she is, and certainly not nearly as many as who would know who James McDonald is. Racing must do more to hero its human headlines. The audience that this new global jockey series is trying to attract isn't rusted-on punters or existing racing lovers. It's the new and younger generation, the same type who are being captivated by the Drive To Survive phenomenon in Formula One racing. "I love it, sure you can poke holes in it but racing spends far too much time talking to itself." @bendorries76 joined @ghall27 on Giddy Up to further explore the Global Jockeys' League. LISTEN | — Giddy Up With Gareth Hall (@SENGiddyUp) May 5, 2025 A lot of Drive To Survive viewers probably wouldn't have a clue about the length of the motor racing straight, the type of vehicles being deployed or what petrol they use. Many of the viewers of the Full Swing golfing documentary series might not know the difference between a 7-iron and a 3-wood. But they love the storylines. Now, imagine 12 of the best jockeys in the world coming to a racetrack near you – or a shopping centre for a promotional visit – in 2026 and beyond. Yes, the specifics of exactly how it all works – although largely outlined in the exclusive story we broke – need to be ironed out. That will happen over the next few months, as the bidding process for host cities gathers steam and more details are unveiled. Man walked on the moon in 1969, but this process has similar complexities given the logistical hassles of getting a dozen jockeys from all around the globe in one place at one time given the riding contracts they have in place. It's also no small matter trying to find suitable timeslots given the founders of the new league have made it crystal clear they don't want to be a rebel competition or cannibalise existing products. Melbourne Cup winner Michelle Payne also makes a fair point when she says there should be female riders in the first series. Organisers insist there will be female jockeys as the league gathers steam, but it is hard to argue with Payne's sentiments. However some of the other criticism this concept has quickly received – some from racing people who have probably just seen a tweet or a throwaway line on social media – is not warranted. There are plenty in racing who seem to be dying to bag any new ideas or fresh concepts. Do the narks and naysayers want racing to be stuck in a time capsule? So, will this new jockeys league kick off in 2026? And will it work? A major hurdle has already been jumped, signing up a dozen of the world's best and most recognisable jockeys who are coming on board with unbridled enthusiasm. Let's give it a chance and see where it goes.
CBS News
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Kinetic Australian punks Amyl and the Sniffers headline the Fox in Oakland
Australian punk band Amyl and the Sniffers bring their high-energy stage show and songs from their latest album Cartoon Darkness to the Fox Theater in Oakland Saturday night with support from punk/metal power-pop crew Sheer Mag. Since first coming together in 2016, the Australian quartet has risen to become one of the most celebrated new acts to emerge from Down Under in the past decade. Formed by pint-sized, bleach-blonde singer Amy Taylor (aka the band's namesake Amyl) and her housemates in suburban Melbourne, the group named itself after the party drug amyl nitrate or "poppers." Taking cues from classic '70s proto-punk (particularly Iggy and the Stooges), glam, pub rock and modern punk, the band's recorded and released their debut EP Giddy Up that same year, reportedly tracking the four songs in just 12 hours. While the raw early recordings featured on that recording and the follow-up Big Attraction EP showed the band's knack for writing short -- often only 90 seconds long -- catchy blasts of punk, it was their feral live show that established the band in Australia. Shows often found the diminutive vocalist spending as much time crowd surfing or on the floor dancing with the audience as onstage during performances. The group would enter the studio to record their debut full-length with producer Ross Orton (the former drummer for UK synth-punk band Add N to X), releasing their eponymous album in 2019 on Flightless, the label affiliated with popular Australian psych band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (ATO and Rough Trade would issue the record in other parts of the world). The album would receive uniformly high praise from critics, earning the ARIA Award -- Australia's version of the Grammy -- for Best Rock Album and getting nominated for the Australian Music Prize. King Gizzard had already provided Amyl and company with their first significant exposure in the U.S., taking them out on a North American tour the year prior. The quartet would become a regular attraction at festivals its native Australia, Europe and the States, appearing at Coachella and Oakland's own garage-punk celebration the Mosswood Meltdown. While the pandemic put a pause on the band's momentum and busy touring plans, Amyl and the Sniffers issued their sophomore effort Comfort to Me to another round of ecstatic notices last year. While maintaining the group's aggressive musical attack, some of the new songs found Taylor ruminating on self-empowerment, sexual politics and emotional vulnerability that elevated the visceral impact of the album. In 2022, the band returned to the Bay Area for a pair of sold-out shows at the Great American Music Hall in in the spring and paid the region another visit to headline the first night of the Halloween Meltdown in Oakland's Mosswood Park. The band has issued an expanded edition of Comfort to Me that featured a full live performance recording made on an empty dock in Melbourne during the pandemic. The band embarked on another national tour last summer that included several festival stops, including a raging set at Outside Lands in Golden Gate Park. Last fall, the quartet released its latest effort, Cartoon Darkness . While still retaining their unbridled punk fury and Taylor's trademark snarl and biting humor at its center, the band's third album shows them stretching into more melodic territory. Still as blunt and profane as their earlier songs (see album opener "Jerkin'" and its video packed with blurred, full-frontal nudity for proof), this round of tunes focuses some of Taylor's bile at the punk rock gatekeepers who question her legitimacy ("U Should Not Be Doing That"). At the same time, the singer questions her own onstage image on "Tiny Bikini" and turns more introspective on a couple of uncharacteristically quieter songs ("Bailing On Me," "Big Dreams"). Amyl and company bring their latest tour to Oakland's Fox Theater on Saturday night , returning to the biggest Bay Area venue the band has headlined. For this show, they are joined by acclaimed Philadelphia-based punk band Sheer Mag. Contemporaries who also feature a distinctive powerhouse female singer in Tina Halladay -- the two groups appeared together at two editions of the Mosswood Meltdown in 2019 and 2022 -- the band's roots stretch back to when the vocalist and fellow core members Matt Palmer and siblings Kyle and Hart Seely while attending Purchase College in New York. Relocating to Philadelphia, the band formed in 2014 and soon started churning out 7-inch singles equally informed by punk, '70s hard rock (especially the harmonized twin-guitar sound of Thin Lizzy) and power pop. Sheer Mag has released three albums while touring with such diverse bands as PUP, Coheed and Cambria and Power Trip. The group put out its latest Playing Favorites a year ago on Jack White's Third Man Records. Amyl and the Sniffers with Sheer Mag Saturday, April 12, 7 p.m. $39.50-$59.50 (sold out) Fox Theater
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Z SUPPLY Brings the Cowboy to California in Second Exclusive Collection with Diamond Cross Ranch
COSTA MESA, Calif., March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Z SUPPLY, the women's fashion brand known for its everyday essentials focused on comfort and effortless style, is excited to release its second collaboration with the iconic Diamond Cross Ranch. Since 1912, Diamond Cross Ranch – nestled at the base of the Grand Tetons in Jackson Hole, Wyo. – has been an anchor in authentic Western culture. The breathtaking landscape and legendary horseback riding inspire the quintessential ranch details on clothing made from Z SUPPLY'S signature feel-good fabrics and fits. "Z SUPPLY couldn't wait to collaborate with Diamond Cross Ranch again. The collection reflects the natural beauty and charm of the American West," said Z SUPPLY President Mandy Fry. "Our customers couldn't wait either, and we're so happy to launch these new styles that exude cowboy cool. It's been amazing to see such a strong response, and we're eager to continue this partnership with fresh, ranch-inspired designs." For the second year in a row, Z SUPPLY x Diamond Cross Ranch features modern western-inspired pieces that pay homage to the ranch's legacy, all while maintaining the comfortable, high-quality fit and craftsmanship that Z SUPPLY is known for. This latest collection has grown into a larger coastal-country collaboration that includes graphic tees, sweatshirts, and jackets that capture the essence of ranch life in a playful way. The limited-edition collection features the following key styles: Cowboys Tourist Tee: For the cowgirl at heart, this tee features a fun and playful "I Heart Cowboys" graphic with a vibrant red heart for a pop of color and a touch of charm. Cool It Tourist Tee: The washed black tee features a bold cowboy hat graphic along with playful text reading "Cool It Cowboy" for a fun, Western-inspired touch that is effortlessly cool. Howdy SoCal Tee: Designed in a relaxed, oversized fit, the tee features a "Howdy" and bold bucking bronco on the front, while the back makes a statement with bold "Not My First Rodeo" lettering. Keep Ridin SoCal Tee: Saddle up! This oversized tee features a black and white image of two beautiful horses photographed by Z SUPPLY at Diamond Cross Ranch. Jackson Sunday Sweatshirt: This is a comfortable sweatshirt with lettering on the front that reads, "You Had Me At Howdy," along with lettering down the sleeves. Giddy Up Sunday Sweatshirt: A cozy sweatshirt that reads "Giddy Up" on the front, along with a cowboy and horse graphic. The ideal sweatshirt for cooler days on the ranch. Rodeo Denim Jacket: This light-wash denim jacket offers a relaxed yet tailored fit, featuring "Howdy" on the front pocket, as well as on the back. Rodeo Days Jacket: The new bomber jacket in a bold, satin red hue makes a statement with its Western-inspired embroidery on the back. This statement jacket is the perfect addition to an urban cowgirl's wardrobe. "We're honored to partner with Z SUPPLY for a second collaboration. The quality and craftsmanship of their products is surpassed only by the caliber and character of their team," said Kirby Long, Co-CEO of Diamond Cross Ranch. "Beyond creating beautiful products, this partnership allows us to share our family's story: our more than 100-year ranching heritage, our deep respect for nature, and our commitment to preserving the land for future generations. For us, legacy isn't just a word – it's a promise." This limited-edition collection ranges in price from $33 to $169 and is now available for purchase on and Hi-res imagery of the collection can be found HERE. For more information about Z SUPPLY, visit and follow @zsupply. ABOUT Z SUPPLY: Z SUPPLY designs reflect the belief that simplicity, comfort and style should coexist in every closet. Featuring signature plush fabrics, timeless silhouettes, and versatile style, Z SUPPLY creates everyday essentials that can be worn by everyone. For more information and to view current collections, visit ABOUT DIAMOND CROSS RANCH: The Diamond Cross Ranch family traces their Jackson Hole roots back to 1912 when Frederick and Caroline Feuz settled in the Valley. Diamond Cross Ranch remains family-owned and operated, with the family taking great pride in carrying on their family's legacy of stewarding the land for future generations. Known for its stunning Grand Teton views and rich heritage, the ranch has hosted events for high-profile guests like Sandra Day O'Connor, Josh Allen, Thomas and Lauren Rhett, Jack Ma, and Channing Tatum. Collaborations include private rodeos for Microsoft executives and a recent exclusive collection with Wrangler. The ranch embodies Western authenticity and a pioneering spirit, fueled by the Golliher family's unwavering love for the land and their cowboy way of life. Press Contacts:Shout Public RelationsFrancesca Ressa / Erika Fabrisfrancesca@ / efabris@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Z SUPPLY Sign in to access your portfolio
The Guardian
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Wiggles on singing with Dolly Parton in their starry country era: ‘We are friends of Dorothy!'
When the Wiggles first started touring the US, there was one question they were asked again and again. 'People were coming up and saying, 'Oh, so you're friends of Dorothy?'' veteran Wiggle Anthony Field says. 'I didn't even know the other meaning – I went, 'Yeah, we are!'' Field (the OG blue Wiggle) thought Americans were referring to Dorothy, the affable green and yellow dinosaur and longtime fixture of the Wiggles' songs and live shows. They were, of course, really making a sly reference to the queer code slang term for a gay man. But when Field eventually figured this out, it gave him an idea for a song. On Friday, when Australia's best-known children's entertainers release their 63rd album (yes, really), audiences will finally get to hear Friends of Dorothy. It's a collaboration with Orville Peck, the modern country songwriter known for his face masks, cowboy hats – and being an out-and-proud gay man. The Wiggles nervously took the idea for Friends of Dorothy to Peck on Zoom. To their delight, Peck, who has a young nephew who loves the band, jumped at the chance. 'Orville was so happy to do it,' Field says. 'And he's a friend of Dorothy's as well!' Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Peck isn't the only contemporary collaborator the Wiggles have snagged for their next album. Wiggle Up, Giddy Up is a 17-track country album rhinestone studded with the genre's biggest contemporary names – Dasha, Lainey Wilson, Jackson Dean and Morgan Evans among them. There's an appearance from the late Slim Dusty (who collaborated with the band on a song back in 2000) and two songs featuring none other than Dolly Parton, including a reimagining of 9-5, titled Counting 1-5 ('Well, I just wiggled my way out into the Wiggles' world!' Parton says in a press quote, best read in her voice). It's a list of names that reflects both the Wiggles' celebrity stature and their desire to make 'music for the preschoolers, which is, of course, our audience – but then we can put things out that older people can enjoy, and get the joke of', as Field says. This is a new approach for the Wiggles, who first formed in 1991 and operated as a four-piece, Field, Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt and Greg Page delighting tiny listeners with simple, catchy songs such as Hot Potato and Fruit Salad for the next two decades. But in 2012 when some of the founding members began eyeing retirement, instead of winding up the band, Field opted to bring in a next generation of performers and create the Wiggles 2.0. The Wiggles, which has since had its lineup refreshed more than once, is currently a team of eight skivvy wearers, including fresh blood like 19-year-old Tsehay Hawkins and 21-year-old Lucia Field, Anthony's daughter. Field describes the decision to restaff the group as 'selfish' – he simply didn't want to retire. 'I call myself the last of the V8s. And the reason I've stuck around is because I love it,' he says. 'I don't know what else I'd do [with my time], to be honest with you.' The new Wiggles still play 400 to 500 shows per year (a feat achieved by cramming up to four gigs into a single day) but have also expanded in more modern directions. They have a big presence on YouTube and TikTok, where they have recently gone viral thanks to the bombastic dance moves of Wiggles supporting cast member the Tree of Wisdom (played by Anthony's nephew, Dominic Field). Dorothy the Dinosaur is now a DJ who remixes the original Wiggles classics. And in 2022 they topped the Triple J Hottest 100 with their joy-inducing cover of Tame Impala's Elephant. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion That surprise hit 'set off a domino effect' in the Wiggles' new direction, paving the way for their contemporary country album, says Lucia Field, speaking on a Zoom call alongside fellow newer generation cast members Hawkins and Lachlan Gillespie. 'It got the ball rolling for a lot of things.' Elephant has been viewed more than 6m times, helping them become the most streamed local artist on Spotify in Australia for the last two years. As Hawkins puts it, their starry collaborators on Wiggle Up, Giddy Up 'says it all' about the reach the Wiggles now have. Of all those big names, Field is most excited about snagging Parton for the album; at 61, he admits he wasn't familiar with some of the younger collaborators but left it to his younger colleagues to write most of the songs, not wanting his 'old-school' tastes to ruin their contemporary feel. And while Field has long considered himself the creative director of the Wiggles, he knows where to delegate: 'As far as TikTok, I don't understand that – I stay right out of it.' What Field looked for in his next generation of Wiggles was talent, diversity and the sort of personality that can match the joy kids bring to shows. Many of the newer members started as supporting cast members (Gillespie, for instance, played Captain Feathersword for years before being asked to don the purple skivvy) or back-up 'Wiggly dancers'. Nepo-Wiggle Lucia Field admittedly had an easier path to the group, having appeared in Wiggles videos since she was two months old. Becoming a Wiggle has changed her relationship with her dad – and the band. Today, she thinks it's an 'absolutely fantastic' inheritance. But growing up, she never told anyone she had a Wiggle for a parent and would make her dad park the car around the corner and walk in by himself to any school event, embarrassed at the prospect of being seen with him. 'I don't know if she thought I was going to come in singing Big Red Car, but I really wasn't,' laughs the elder Field. For his part, Field has found there are perks to sharing a band with your daughter: Lucia tells him what time to get up every morning on tour, 'keeps him honest' and introduced him to Orville Peck. But while Field is a lifelong country and western fan, and the gen Z Wiggles are acutely aware that country is 'cool' right now, the idea for Wiggle Up, Giddy Up actually came from the band's CEO – because yes, they have one. 'Apart from being children's entertainment and music, it is still a business,' Field says. 'I'm a preschool teacher. I'm glad I'm not running the business side of things because we wouldn't be working.' Field says the Wiggles has always had someone in a CEO-type role – a necessary job for a band that has sold about 30m albums, and was formally consolidated in 2005 (founding members such as Field reportedly own stakes in the Wiggles, while newer recruits are paid a salary). Certainly, the Wiggles are big business – they reigned as Australia's highest-earning performers for four years in a row in the noughties, the era when the Wiggles were so huge in the US they played 13 sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden. They had the Disney Channel to thank for their US fortunes – the channel played them four times a day, putting the Wiggles in front of 85 million subscribers. But when Wiggles management agreed to a deal that put Wiggles-themed areas in Six Flags, a rival theme park to Disney, the gravy train came to an end. 'I don't think Disney liked that,' Field says. Disney took them off the channel and the band lost its audience base in the US. Apart from those glory days, Field says, this is 'the biggest era we've ever had … it's really good times now for the Wiggles.' Their YouTube presence is helping the band claw back that all-important American audience, as is, Hawkins adds, the ever-popular Tree of Wisdom, who has his own dance album on the way. All their new US collaborators, too, are no doubt part of the play to regain Yankee listeners. So with that title and Peck on board, is Friends of Dorothy the first Wiggles' gay anthem? 'It could be taken like that,' Field says. 'But there's other ways you can look at it as well, as long as you have a good laugh, because that's what we're here for. Wiggles are for everyone. And we are just friends of Dorothy.' Wiggle Up, Giddy Up! is out now
