Album: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers - I Love You

Likeable debut from Aussie outfit which combines punkish bio with a feminist edge

Canberra band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers continue the recent tradition of Australian indie bands having unwieldy comedy names. However, their music, as laid out on their debut album, has higher aspirations, bridging their scuzzy punkin’ roots and a larger sound, loosely somewhere between The Breeders and Foo Fighters, yet very much their own thing.

The Red Shoes: Next Step review - teen dancer's crisis

★★ THE RED SHOES: NEXT STEP An Australian teen ballet movie marred by its ludicrous plot

An Australian teen ballet movie marred by its ludicrous plot

Fans of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's timeless classic The Red Shoes shouldn’t rush to The Red Shoes: Next Step expecting a sequel. This sentimental Australian teen drama is more of a step-change than a follow-up.

Album: Genesis Owusu - Struggler

Ghanaian-Australian continues his exuberant alt-pop mission with a unique swagger

There’s been a sense of anticipation around Ghanaian-Australian Genesis Owusu ever since his ebullient 2021 debut album Smiling with No Teeth. He won a bunch of Arias, Australia’s Grammys, but could he break internationally? He’s toured the US with Paramore and is due to hit Europe in the Autumn, including a stop at Berghain.

The Great Escape Festival 2023, Brighton review - a long, hot, messy Day Three

Our team check out Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Thumpasaurus, Nice Biscuit, Moonlight Parade and more

“stay with the beer. beer is continuous blood. a continuous lover.” So said Charles Bukowski in his poem “how to be a great writer”. Who am I to argue. It’s a bright day and 11.50 AM. The sun isn’t past the yard-arm but the beer is cold and good. IPA. Finetime and I stand with Vanessa, her 18-year-old son Cody and her mate Jodie. Vanessa has a short blond crop which glows.

Hannah Gadsby, Netflix special review - shaggy dog story of marital bliss

★★★★ HANNAH GADSBY, NETFLIX SPECIAL A shaggy dog story of marital bliss

Tasmanian talks about marriage, cultural differences and autism

Hannah Gadsby had a memorable lockdown; it was when the Tasmanian comic got together with producer Jenney Shamash. And it's their courtship that forms the basis for Something Special, the wonderful new show by Gadsby which is now a Netflix special, recorded at the Sydney Opera House.

Ten Pound Poms, BBC One review - a new life in the Great Southern Land

★★★ TEN POUND POMS, BBC ONE A new life in the Great Southern Land

Sun, soap and clashing cultures in Danny Brocklehurst's emigrant drama

The Ten Pound Pom programme (or to use its official title, the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme) was devised to encourage British emigrants to Australia after World War Two. The idea was that the volunteers could escape from drab, rationing-battered Britain to the sun, sea and wide-open spaces of the Great Southern Land, while also helping to boost the Australian economy. Adults paid 10 quid and children travelled free.

Colin from Accounts, BBC Two review - winning mix of great performances, nuanced writing and a cute dog

★★★★★ COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS, BBC TWO Great performances, nuanced writing

An Australian screwball romance delivers mature slice-of-life comedy

As Australia's greatest comedic export exits the stage, strewing gladioli, a promising contender for that title makes an entrance, trailing a dog on wheels. The dog is the titular Colin from Accounts, for the few who still haven’t tried this exceptional, refreshingly mature comedy.