Shares his thoughts with us A multi-day mini-fest of Oz's top comics
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BILL BAILEY
WHERE: Smith’s Alternative
WHEN: Friday, 25 October
Art School dropout, seminal punk rocker, and living legend, Kim Salmon, was born into the isolated semiindustrial wastelands of 1950s outer suburban Perth, and rose to the world stage via bands, the Scientists, the Surrealists, and the Beasts of Bourbon. Now comes new project, Smoked Salmon, comprising Claire Birchall (guitar, keys, BVs), Douglas Galbraith (drums, BVs), and Jeff Hooker (bass), as does a taste of next year’s debut album, inc. hot new single How Did They Ever Manage on Cheersquad Records.
Farriss AM, legendary songwriter and co-founder of INXS, on his Something Stronger tour, marking a significant new chapter in his solo career. The concert series celebrates Andrew’s illustrious career, blending iconic hits with new songs from forthcoming album, The Prospector, due 2025. Furthermore, the CBR show features emerging ACT country artist Dana Hassall. “Supports play an important role, both for the audience and for showcasing the talents of the musicians,” says Andrew.
Expect an electrifying atmosphere where fans can rock out to Andrew’s dynamic performances, showcasing the best of his musical journey from INXS to solo success.
Described as “Oasis meets Jack Johnson with Chris Cornell feels”, by Scenestr magazine, CB Ghost is an original beast (or Ghost). This solo artist is making serious headway with his first two singles Hollywood Hills and Hold Down Hymn , and his full live band performance has manifested into an rollicking, sentimental and danceable as hell show.
Mixing blues rock, a little folk, a sprinkle of surf/country and pop singalong songs atop a riptide of feel good drum beats, his first show in Canberra is a must-see.
With the support of Aussie lyricist Pinky Ring and his band, this weighty double header of a show is one to bare witness to.
The Leisa Keen Trio is one of Canberra’s busiest and most popular jazz combos. The trio plays a smooth blend of well known jazz tunes, and pop tunes with their own “jazz treatment” including 3 sets of “Postmodern Jukebox” styled arrangements, but they are equally at home playing Rock’N’Roll, Soul and Disco to dance the night away.
The trio, consisting of piano/vocals, drums and a horn player, is in constant demand for weddings and parties; however Leisa also brings 25 years of musical theatre and cabaret experience to the trio, adapting it to suit both cabaret and corporate events.
WHERE: The Baso
WHEN: Friday, 11 October
Frenzal Rhomb announce a run of Australian shows in October to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their majestic, iconic, exalted album A Man’s Not A Camel. That’s the one that delivered the super hits Never Had So Much Fun, We’re Going Out Tonight, You Are Not My Friend and taught us an important historical fact about dinosaurs.
Vince Jones needs no introduction to any music-lover, renowned for his beautiful voice and eloquent trumpet playing. A night of musical indulgences, seductive memories and emotions await, as the man of quiet charisma delights with his mellifluous tones, performing much loved originals such as Trustworthy Little Sweethearts, Nature of Power, Rainbow Cake, and more from his vast 22 album catalogue.
Don’t freak out, but it’s the season to be spooky! Once you’ve finished carving pumpkins and sewing costumes, get on out to some live shows. And whether you celebrate the scary side of the season or not, there’s plenty o’ great gigs for you this month.
To kick things off, we have a show at the brand new Shadows Night Club Dark Horse is a local 5-piece covers band playing all the songs you love, from pop to metal.
It’s on Friday , 4 October from 8pm and to ensure your spooky month is off to a good start, the gig is free! No need to register; just show up with your dancing shoes.
Wanna see a bunch of new bands in one place? The Dept of Rock is once again hosting its public servant-centric battle of the bands. The first heat has already happened, but you can head down for three nights of fresh artists on Tuesdays, the 8th, 15th and 22nd of October , from 7pm. Each night boasts six different bands, all competing for a slot in the semis. Tickets are $20 ($10 concession) per event via the Smith’s Alternative website.
you to come along and be a part of the magic so you can relive it again when the album comes out.”
Doors open at 3:30pm, and tickets are available on the Smith’s Alternative website for $20 ($15 concession).
Local duo Capo Creek just released an album and have their own launch celebration at Smith’s Alternative on Saturday , 19 October . Called Running Out , the LP features local legends Matt Nightingale , Jacqueline Bradley , Marji Curran , DJ Gosper and Jonathan Jones . The album explores “contemporary folk, outlaw country, the blues, acoustic rock, murder ballads, romance, protest and social commentary”.
Tickets are $20 ($15 concession) via the Smith’s Alt website.
This next one is unique. Locals GravyTRAM presents The 27th Annual Freeee Floral Frock Fringe Festival which is taking place at Smith’s Alternative on Sunday , 20 October , from 3pm.
The AFFFFF comprises original music, comedy, circus, and more. And guess what? It’s completely free! The players put on this party simply for the love of getting together to entertain.
Songwriter, comic juggler, and multitalented entertainer Sam Floyd is your MC for this afternoon of fun, so no matter what you’re into, join The AFFFFF in its sole pursuit of reaching the ultimate state: Having a nice time.
Led by the incomparable Elise Walsh , Canberra jazz band Bella Groove has a special live performance set for Smith’s Alternative on Sunday , 13 October . Says Elise: “I’ve written a collection of songs with my collaborators Matt Lustri and Miroslav Bukovsky based on the theme of Biophilia (the desire for nature).
“The whole show will be filmed and recorded for a live album due for release later this year. We would love for
And finally... Want your time in the limelight whilst supporting a beloved CBR band? In further local live recording news, Deathbeds invite you to a free show to film their live music video for their upcoming song, Dead Name . Getting involved and having a great time is encouraged. As this is taking place on Halloween, there’s a merch prize for best dressed! So get creative.
This is all taking place at The Baso on Thursday 31 October from 7pm. You can grab your free ticket now via Oztix. Joining them on stage, we have a bunch of great artists; Post Human , st.sinner , Born2lose , Flesh and Mother Fucker (their debut show!).
And that’s my collection of cracking events around town this month. I hope you have a fabulously freaky October filled with much live entertainmentJannah
Everyone’s favourite fourpiece folk rocksters, Magic Rob Universe, are launching their new Live Album at the venue from which the recording originally came. Confused? Good. You’re in the perfect headspace to step into the extended MRU...
Where’d the band name come from?
Our songwriter, Rob Burgess, has been called “Magic Rob” by people for years because of his song, Magic Potion. We figured the band was an extension of his imagination, so we’d have entered his Universe.
How did you start on this magical musical journey?
Rob started on this magic musical journey as a kid when he
What are some of your most memorable experiences?
Monday nights with small groups of fanatics losing their shit at the Pheonix provide lots of fond memories - crowd surfing, Magic Rob Dancers, crowd tambourine solos, half-naked stage invaders... lots of fun.
What is it you love about your scene?
We generally love how supportive local venues and musicians have been in helping us put on shows. We feel like we’re in a scene that nurtures originality/weirdness. Thank you.
Proudest moments?
It’s been pretty special to have some local artists occasionally perform some of our songs live at gigs. Plus airplay on triple j Unearthed a few years back. Plans for the future?
learnt the piano at a convent. He then progressed to the clarinet in the school orchestra. After school, he switched to guitar and joined his first band, The Rainlovers.
Rob then went solo for a few years before forming the Magic Rob Universe band.
Describe your sound:
Folk rock with a medieval twist and a bit of glam.
Key tracks:
Green Witch or Space Girl on Spotify, YouTube, etc.
Who or what are your influences?
We’re influenced by Led Zep, David Bowie, and The Beatles, and science fiction/fantasy art and literature drawing inspiration from the early ‘70s progressive rock scene.
We’re releasing an album, Magic Rob Universe Live at Smith’s Alternative that, fitting enough, we will be performing live at Smith’s Alternative on 26 October. You read that right.
Also, building a warp-speed spaceship would be pretty cool.
What makes you laugh?
Our gigs make me laugh a lot... The costumes, capes, unicorns, improv jams... the list goes on.
What pisses you off?
Reality. Such a wet blanket on the good stuff.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Come to a gig. This band is all about the live experience of people getting together and getting a little (or a lot) crazy.
Where can people check you out?
Saturday, 26 October at 6pm at Smith’s. In the meantime, on Spotify, YouTube, etc.
Where were you when you heard your first Spiderbait track?
I was at Dad’s place sometime in my primary school years; he’d chucked on the Aussie share house love letter film He Died With A Felafel in His Hand. Those title tracks slid onto the screen, and Spiderbait’s Buy Me A Pony came with them.
The song kicked me in the arse, and I’ve been hooked on the trio ever since.
The ‘Bait’s third studio album, Ivy and the Big Apples, was on regular rotation in my first car, snuggling alongside the thundering Tonight, Alright in the zip-up CD flip book when not being thrashed in the car player. It is a wild thought to entertain that Tonight, Alright is 20 years old, especially if you’ve seen Spiderbait play in recent years.
They still have the energy and excitement of a band in their twenties. They still shout as loud, laugh as hard, and sweat as wet. The joy of performing radiates in their faces.
These three aren’t just a band - they’re family.
And the Spiderbait family unit has hit the road to celebrate the double-decade of Tonight, Alright, but more specifically of capital-H Hit single Black Betty. Instead of asking someone, ‘Do you know Spiderbait?’ sing “WoooooOOOAH Black Betty! Bam-ba-lam!” and yeah... they know.
So intensely has the track burned that it’s still heard on the radio, in movies, and at random parties 20 years on.
It’s lightning in a bottle, and the electricity continues to arc.
I chatted with Spiderbait’s legendary drummer/singer, Kram (Mark Mahar), about the song’s beginnings, what makes a great cover, and Australian music culture’s evolution over the last decades.
Big though Black Betty became, it was not the top pick at the time of choosing the album’s single releases.
“There was talk of another song going out,” Kram reveals.
“Because Black Betty was a cover, the label was like ‘, Nah, we’ll do that later; it’ll be a good bonus’. I told them it had to go out first because this song sounded so different.
“I’ve got this theory,” Kram continues, eyes ablaze. “If you’ve got a really good song that sounds really different, and everyone’s really into it? That should really be your first track.”
Kram says insistence was also needed with the release of Buy Me A Pony as the first single for Ivy & The Big Apples. The success of that release gave him the historical backing for Betty’s boost.
“The precedent set with Buy Me A Pony’s success helped me go, ‘No, we gotta go with this’. We spent so much time, me and Whitt, on the mastering sessions in Sydney when we got back from America - finishing it off and changing the arrangement. We worked on that song probably just as much as the rest of the record because the rest is quite a raw, live-sounding album.
“It was a case of, if you’re gonna do a song like that, you’ve either gotta bury it or go for it, and we decided to go for it.
I’m glad that we did.”
Looking back, I express my amusement that Kram had to fight for a cover so hard with Like A Version’s parallel popularity and proven chart-topping placements.
“That’s right!” he enthuses. “And if you look at the history of cover hits, there are many examples. Whether it’s Hazy Shade of Winter by The Bangles or I Love Rock ‘n Roll by Joan Jett.... all covers!
“You cover a song out of enthusiasm. When you first start playing in a band, you play covers coz you’re like,’ This is so fun! Let’s try this AC/DC song or have a crack at Midnight Oil’. And so that was a big part of it, too.
“It’s the same today,” Kram continues. “When we play Black Betty live, it’s a great joy coz we love it so much. That it’s not our song actually contributes to that enthusiasm.”
It’s been well documented that Kram believes that if Black Betty/Tonight, Alright had not been so successful, the band may have come to a conclusion.
“I think at that time, before the record, we weren’t as successful as we felt we deserved to be,” Kram reveals. “This happens to a lot of bands, the ups and downs. You exist mainly on the group’s personal relationships, which have always been vital for us.
“But then there’s the professional side. Are you filling these venues? Are you headlining these festivals that you used to?
“It wasn’t from a point of view of sadness,” Kram adds. Things weren’t going as well as we’d have liked, so we saw it as a sign that we should do something different.
“We would have done other things and come back eventually,” he hastily continues. “It’s just one of those things where there’s an arc in a band’s journey - there’ll be forks in the road.
“It’s a trip coz now it has hundreds of millions of hits on YouTube. It’s great to have an international hit, but it’s even better when you really need one,” he laughs.
The 20th anniversary of Black Betty got me thinking about the Aussie music culture of the ‘90s and into the 2000s. With the shift in modern media and the disappearance of shows like Recovery and Countdown, does Kram feel that Aussie music culture is as celebrated as it was 20-30 years ago?
“Actually, I think it’s stronger than ever,” he asserts. “The difference is that there isn’t the same portrayal of musicians and music as there used to be.
“You don’t get TV programs like Recovery anymore. You don’t get that singularity of radio play. Back when you only had a few TV channels to choose from, good things had more of an impact.
“Now, the myriad channels and mediums make it extremely hard to focus on one thing, so everything’s become more niche.
“Everyone had heard of something if it was successful. Now, there’s these huge artists selling out massive gigs you’ve never heard of.”
Kram also reflected on the environment of a musician living as a young person today compared with 20-30 years ago and how that could hinder someone’s growth as an artist.
“Australia is a lot more expensive to live in now,” Krams says. “It’s so much harder for a young musician to just be on the dole, work a part-time job, pay the rent, and then rehearse the rest of the time. Now they have to work three jobs, pay their HECS debt, and hope they can make ends meet.
“So there’s a bit more desperation in the business now, more business orientation than the chill I-don’t-give-a-fuck aspect of the ‘90s punk rock idiom, and that’s restricted artists’ ability to
with ALICE WORLEY
completely lose themselves in the music. They have to be more stressed about things working out.
“I know we’ve also lost a lot of festivals in the past few years,” Kram reflects, “but we still have a lot of really great ones, and the live aspect of music is as strong as ever. We did a show with Dom Dolla last year, and it was huge. People still wanna come out and embrace music. I don’t think that’ll ever change.”
From Kram’s point of view, music is this beautiful thing that will always endure, despite the recent issues like mass venue closure and festival cancellations.
“It’s my favourite artistic medium. It always has been,” he enthuses. “It’s the most accessible, transparent, and emotional, and it’ll survive no matter what happens. We owe it to ourselves to check it out, keep believing, and let it invade the soul. There’s great bands everywhere; always have been, always will be.”
There’s no understating Black Betty’s impact on Spiderbait’s career; it may have even saved them from a hiatus at best and a conclusion at worst. So, if you’re a Spiderbait fan and haven’t seen them live, do yourself a favour and get to this show. Witness the sweat, embrace the grit, feel the overdrive, and lose your voice in the crowd as you scream every word of every amazing song.
Spiderbait: Black Betty 20th Anniversary Tour hits Ngunnawal/ Canberra on Friday, 25 October at the UC Refectory with primary support Adalita and locals Box Dye to open the show. Tickets are $84.90 via Moshtix.
The FFFFF is a laidback, fresh air celebration of spring, this year taking the shape of a three-hour Sunday afternoon variety show outside Smith’s Alternative. BMA caught up with co-founder Melody Bear and MC/ host/performer Sam Floyd to learn of The Frock’s past, present, and future...
I sincerely thank all performers for donating their time and talents to create this community event.
The first Freeee (that’s Free with with 4 e’s) Floral Frock Fringe Festival, in 1998, was a brain burst born by musical duo GravyTRAM, Music with Fun & Glam (bizarro multi-talented Canberra creatives, R.G.M. & Melody Bear), as a buskerthon outside Floriade, to protest the then $15 entry fee being charged (a foolish idea, soon dropped).
Once planted, the Floral Frock germinated, spreading across the land! After a few years in Commonwealth Park, the FFFFF popped up annually, like a determined dandelion in a tulip patch: at the legendary Canberra Park Wool Shed and then at notorious Death-Metal Den, Rock Ape.
After morphing into a series of amazing house parties hosted by friends, the Frock landed at The Phoenix, The Pot Belly, and Magpies Underground till it settled in the lovely dandelion patch that is Smith’s Alt. Billed as the Second Smallest Fringe Festival in the Southern Hemisphere, Canberra’s longest-running joke now finds itself in its 27th year, once again flowering at Smith’s, where it has flourished since October 2020.
songwriter, host of Wax Lyrical original songwriters jam), the whimsically provocative Dancing Horse who will be making their first appearance at FFFFF, and Danny V, one of Canberra’s most dedicated performers, and Floral Frock mainstay for the Smith’s Alt era.
GravyTRAM, in 2024, welcomes poetsinger-juggler fashion icon Sam Floyd on board to MC the Frock. Over to you, Sam!
“I’ve always been enamoured with the name, theme and story. When Melody invited me to be involved, I was thrilled; it was highly on-brand for me, and felt like a natural first foray into the role of MC.
“I’m conspiring with fellow Warehouse Circus alumni, Kylie O’Keefe, to pepper the event with silly juggling. I’m chuffed to have strong representation from Wax Lyrical, which is our monthly Songwriters Circle that meets at Smtih’s.
“Holding the event outdoors makes it most accessible and invites foot traffic. I want people to stumble across it. Having a drink in the sun in the afternoon and listening to live music is my happy place, so I’m very pleased to give my time to this celebration of the warmth returning.
“Floral frocks, garments, accessories or any other interpretation of the Spring theme are welcome. I have too many outfits, obviously.
“There WILL be costume changes; question is how many. I will not be upstaged!”
Special thanks to poet Ralph Nelson, sponsor of the Floral Frock’s first outing at Smith’s as his personal gift to A.C.T. Mental Health Month. He has been at every one since.
Many thanks to Smith’s for opening their doors to FFFFF from 2022.
This year, the Frock will be at its fringiest, featuring musical art installation Brickbat the Rock Bot. R.G.M. will try stand-up comedy, a scary step-up from his alwayshilarious sets in Melody Bear’s kitchen.
New to this year’s Frock is prog rock duo Defeat the Porpoise, comprising Bry Wills (guitar, drums & vocals) and early Frock familiar Verry Gerry (Hot Tubs bassman). Expect cute little ditties using odd time signatures and exciting dynamics.
We have exceptionally talented singersongwriters: the beautifully befrocked Simone Penkethman, Ian Paulin (master
As a happy nod to Frocks of past, many performers from the early days of the festival are playing this year.
One is Ry James, who has played his ukulele at all the Smith’s Frocks. Ry is rehearsing for the first time in 15 years with Cam Ewens to revive their Cam’n’Ry duo, who count among their gigs an appearance at FFFFF at Rock Ape in the first decade of the Millennium.
Another is Gypsy Jewles, a unique, passionate, soulful musician who, through appearances alone, is the embodiment of the FFFFF.
Involved from its early days at Canberra Park Wool Shed, Jewles went on to host the Fringe Fest at her home for two consecutive years. She also played at a Magpies Underground Floral Frock. Returning to perform after a break from music, we are very excited to have her on board this year.
David Bath (he of The Hot Tubs and MRU) has also been involved with the Frock since The Wool Shed days, performing at most Frocks and hosting two at his home. He’ll join the GravyTRAM band along with whoever else hops on board for the big finale.
SiMONE PENKEThMAN
verRy gerRy
ian paulin
METALISE
[THE WORD ON METAL] WITH JOSH NIXON [DOOMTILDEATH@HOTMAIL.COM]
The year relentlessly surges forward, and I write to you today in the afterglow of the wholesome stadium entertainment of Iron Maiden + Killswitch Engage
The Future Past world tour on the Thursday night show kicked off with a super great intro of Somewhere In Time and—after some timing weirdness due to some monitoring issues for Bruce—the band laid down two top-notch hours.
While Nicko is noticeably a step behind his best—the single kick drum reflective of the impact of the stroke he suffered early last year—was still a huge night, opened in highly professional style via a super-tight 30 minutes by Killswitch Engage.
First up this month is a big up to the mighty and indeed indomitable Ploughshare.
These locals have been at the forefront of the more extreme end of the metal spectrum in the ACT in the last few years, staking their claim with a bunch of dense, confronting material.
Never afraid to experiment, the lads have a killer new release entitled Second Wound due out on vinyl through Brilliant Emperor on Friday, 8 November. A single 9-minute track, The Fall of All Creatures, is in the offering and will doubtlessly encapsulate the darkest reaches of their morbid musical universe.
Always a must-sus - check it.
Continuing the Canberra triumphs, our own Witchskull dominates October with whole month-long residency at The Baso to celebrate a decade in the game. Over the four weekends, the band will chronologically take us through their four studio albums.
So, that means you get:
- Saturday, 5 October - Vast Electric Dark
- Saturday, 12 October - A Coven’s Will (ft support Voodoo Acid Space Kings)
- Saturday, 19 October - Driftwood Cross
- Saturday, 26 October - The Serpent Tide
The last show includes support from legendary Oz metal alumni, the Bengal Tigers. You can grab a ticket to the lot or to individual shows. What a way to mark one of the best metal bands to come outta tha capital.
On Saturday, 5 October, the legendary Glenn Hughes performs the iconic Deep Purple album Burn to celebrate the album’s 50th anniversary. Hardline Media have been looking after Canberra recently, so get along and sail away. Tix via Oztix.
On Saturday, 19 October, another chapter in the Mixed Bill Madness lands at Smith’s Alt with an outstanding 3-band bill.
With Melbourne’s Velvet Parade tantalisingly described as “theatrical, luscious and dark, a vampiric presence with rich, decadent opulence”, ya can’t miss.
Local upstarts Voodoo Acid Space Kings have been gigging heaps and will bring their increasingly honed prog-tinged stoner doom, killer vocals and big riffs. The mixed bill is completed by locals Krampus, who will be no strangers to regular readers of this column and their grinchcore delights.
November ramps up the international fun with Periphery on Tuesday the 5th at The Baso as a sideshow of their Monolith tour. Guitar nerds unite!
Freshly announced, the legendary Dutch extreme act Pestilence bring top blokes of Melbourne and support act Alarum out on the road for a 5-date Australian tour, landing at The Baso on Friday, 8 November.
As a foundational member of the death metal fraternity, Pestilence should require no introduction, assaulting the world with their seminal works Consvming Impvlse, Testimony Of The Ancients and Spheres. Tix via Oztix.
Weedeater is an institution in rollicking stoner sludge. The USA act welcomes visitors to The Baso as part of the elite tour package, including Aussies King Parrot, Astrodeath and Choof. The show is a Sunday affair on 10 November and should see in the warmer months in style.
Recently announced is a welcome return from LA HC hard legends Xibalba on 12 February and the very enticing proposition of Left To Die on 7 March.
The band, featuring two members of the classic Death line-up, performs songs from Scream Bloody Gore and Leprosy (Terry Butler and Rick Rozz) and will be joined by Exhumed and Malevolent Creation members. A night of the classic era of early death metal awaits.
A LOT is coming up, folks! You keep reading about it, and I’ll keep writing about it.
THE DROP
[THE WORD ON EDM/DANCE MUSIC]
AEGIPAN SAMARAWICKRAMA - AEGIPAN101@GMAIL.COM
G’day g’day!
Who’s wearing one less layer on the dancefloor now that the cold is slowly abating? It’s almost hard to believe, but we’re in the final quarter of 2024, and the end-ofyear shenanigans are fast approaching.
This year’s been one of the best for yours truly, made all the better by the opportunity to write these columns and keep you up to speed on the happenings round town!
I would like to thank everyone who’s given me feedback and sent me the goss on their releases and events, too. Beyond my ability to write, research, and party, that’s what makes this column possible.
Likely, by the time you read this, Dragon Dreaming will be done and dusted. I trust you all had a blast, stayed safe, and made it back home alright. I was extremely impressed with the Warm Up Party at the end of August. It was a microcosm of the festival proper, and it was evident that a lot of work went into getting it off the ground.
I’d love to see more like that in the future, especially in the downtime between the bigger doofs.
Before I get into the proverbial meat and potatoes of this column’s now-standard fare, I’d like to make a couple of public service announcements.
First up – in the interest of harm minimisation and safety, I feel that it’s important to mention that CanTEST has detected a type of nitazene in pills purchased off the dark web. This stuff is a hundred times stronger than fentanyl, so it poses a substantial risk to the broader community. If you choose to purchase any substance and are
unsure of what’s in it, please take it to CanTEST and have it tested. The last thing we need in Canberra is more overdoses and deaths when we have the means to mitigate and prevent both.
Secondly – if you’re a DJ and have yet to break out of your bedroom and onto an actual stage, it’s well worth hitting up Headz are Rolling for a chat.
These free Royal Rollerz gigs would make for an excellent opportunity to dip your toes in the water and get some recognition for your name without having to get booked for a paid gig right out of the gate.
Personally, I’d love to see some new blood on these lineups. That’s how we keep our scene healthy and growing, and it would also provide opportunities to meet new people and network for future promotions. If you can’t get a hold of the Headz crew through Facebook for some reason, email me, and I’ll get in touch for you!
So...onto new releases and releases to keep your eyes peeled for.
Kazuki released his seventh EP, Flowers, on 30 September, comprising three stellar prog house tracks with techy beats, uplifting grooves, and blissful soundscapes aplenty. It’s a solid follow-up to his great Canyon/Pharos EP from early last year.
Since I’m writing this column well before its release, I will only have a chance to listen to this next one after publication. However, on 16 September, Argentinian psytech wizard Tetra Hydro released his EP Active Meditation on local label Soliq Records.
Everything released on Soliq is well worth checking out, but this one promises to be a real mind-bender.
Co-Lab Recordings is celebrating its 20year milestone with a stacked VA released mid-September. Honestly, every artist on the record is worth mentioning - A-Audio, Ben Soundscape, Colette Warren, Dr Meaker, Flaco... If I listed them all, this paragraph would get biblical. Primo drum and bass is on the menu.
Harley D is one of the UK’s hardest-working drum and bass producers, and on his Alien EP from August, you’ll find six tracks of filthy, brain-tickling drum and bass. If we’re ever visited by extraterrestrials, let’s send them this one as a peace offering.
13 September saw Bristolian producer Mako release his second solo album, Oeuvre Part 2, on Metalheadz. If you’ve never heard his work, you’re in for a treat, as he’s among the most genius and dedicated drum and bass producers of our time. Much like Part 1, Oeuvre Part 2 features crisp, intricate beats and juicy wobbles that range from soulful to downright dirty.
It’s clear that as a solo artist, Mako’s LPs are a labour of true love.
Taking a break from the filth and beelining it for pure bliss, Transmissions by Mineral is one for relaxing in the sun or having an outdoor sesh. It’s tranquil and never overwhelming, with heavenly breaks, twinkling melodies, and soothing atmospherics. It might be one of my favourite discoveries this year, and I hope to see some of the more notable tracks being played at parties. It’s the sound of spring!
There are only a few shindigs on my radar for this month. I assume that after the big one, crews will take a bit of downtime before the hectic slew of endof-year parties just over the horizon. I know I am!
As I mentioned in the last issue, Headz are Rolling are bringing out heavy hitter Bailey on 18 October, and if you’re into drum and bass be sure not to miss it. Dude’s got decades of experience, and knowing the Headz, there’s gonna be a whole lot of raw talent filling up the supporting slots.
Keep an eye on their Facebook page for more details!
I’ll also deliver the info on their traditional holiday belter, Jungle Bells, as it comes in.
Suppose you’re looking for a lovely day party followed by a (reasonably) early night. In that case, RPG Events and Escape Ferocity are bringing New Zealand’s Grouch down to a new lakeside park near the city for a solid outdoor sesh.
This one promises some good barbecue and a cheap bar, too, not to mention what’s sure to be a spectacular view to take in while we boogie. Young ‘uns are welcome during the day before it goes adults-only when night falls.
RPG gigs are limited to a maximum of 100 participants to keep it in the underground, so if you’re keen on this party, you better strike while the iron is hot.
As always, I will close this one out by letting you know what else I’m listening to and what’s on my radar outside of the EDM umbrella.
By the time you read this, Nordic folk trio Aftenstorm will have released their debut album on 20 September. I have a lot of love for their 2022 EP Ondt blot and the single they released in May, Farvel mitt hjem. Their sound is hypnotic, emotive, and the perfect soundtrack for walking in the woods or those nights spent under the stars.
Bristol’s doomgaze up-and-comers Sugar Horse have released a curiously-titled EP called Spit Beach. If you don’t know what doomgaze is, that’s what I’m here for.
Think slow, fuzzed-out, massively heavy metal with a multilayered wall of sound that will overwhelm your senses and dissolve your consciousness in the gooey thickness of its riffs, topped off with beautiful melodies and haunting vocals.
If that doesn’t pique your interest, I don’t know what will. Give it a chance, and let the sound of Sugar Horse wash over you.
That’s all I’ve got for you for this issue. I’ll be back next time with more details on how the end of the year is looking. Email me if you’ve got anything worthy of space in this column, and I’ll write it up!
KIRSTEN WILLIAMS LEADS
CSO THROUGH VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS
ESSENTIAL ARTS EVENTS ESSENTIAL ARTS EVENTS
Composed in the early 18th century, Vivaldi’s programmatic Four Seasons was published with a suite of poems dedicated to the sensory experiences of la primavera (spring), l’estate (summer), l’autunno (autumn) and l’inverno (winter), inspiring countless arrangements and remixes, from opera to video games and all in between. Over the Atlantic, Piazzolla’s Four Seasons were scored for violin, piano, electric guitar, double bass and bandoneon – often in tango music. The CSO will present Leonid Desyatnikov’s popular orchestral arrangement, elegantly referencing Vivaldi’s Seasons from two centuries earlier.
SOPHIE EDWARDS | CURTIN OPEN STUDIO SESSIONS
Sophie Edwards is an award-winning performer, songwriter, producer, and creative with a passion for crafting engaging music. Taking inspiration from the incredible Oz artists of her youth, Sophie’s music is unapologetic and fierce. A self-produced artist with a passion for storytelling, Sophie hosts an Open Studio session where you can participate in creating a song in her home studio. She will be using audio samples from iconic Curtin places—Red Brick, The Ovals, the baseball field, Curtin Shops— as a backdrop for an original song that will speak of her connection to time and place. Participants are invited to contribute ideas and share their experiences of Curtin.
Trick or Treat is a one-of-a-kind, Halloween comedy play where the audience holds the spectral reins with Lightbulb Improv creating unscripted magic towards your chosen ending!
Since 2016, the quick-witted Lightbulbers have delivered genre-twist guffaws via shows Shakespeare: Off the Ruff (2021), Austen: Under the Bonnet (2022), Winging It – The Musical (2022) and The Family Business (2023). Now, 2024’s Trick or Treat is your chance to dress in a boo-tiful Halloween costume for a spooktacular night where the
THE COURTYARD STUDIO - 31 OCT - 2 NOV $29 - $39 + bf VIA TICKETEK
LOTS OF LOLS IN CANBERRA THIS OCTOBER
by Chris Marlton (with the portion on Chris Marlton by Allan Sko)
Canberra comedy fans are in for a treat this Spring with a three-day fest at the Canberra Theatre. Six comics commandeering crisp new shows come to town from 10 - 12 October, with iconic favourites and hot up-andcomers. BMA and Comedy’s own, Chris Marlton, guides us through the odyssey of chuckles that await...
Laura Johnston - That’s Brave
LOL Season kicks off with cresting Canberra star Laura Johnston and her show That’s Brave. Fresh off her first tour of the UK, which included a month at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Laura is bringing her overseas experience back home for a guaranteed laugh-packed hour of comedy.
A sketch comedy veteran from her days writing, performing, directing and producing university comedy revues, Laura has firmly made her mark as a solo performer. That’s Brave is a joyful continuation of her craft, giving a mix of sketch, musical and stand-up comedy from a highly talented musical comedian.
The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre CentreThursday 10 October @ 7pm
Maddy Weeks - Never Gonna Die
Melbourne-based comic Maddy Weeks returns to their old stomping grounds with Never Gonna Die, set to cure what ails you. Nominated for Best Newcomer at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the show has it all: stories, gags, and pathos aplenty.
Weeks can do it all. Described by the ABC as having “bucketloads of joy and energy on stage,” Maddy is quickly becoming one of the most captivating acts on the Australian stand-up scene.
The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre CentreThursday 10 October @ 8:30pm
Andrew Hansen - Everyone Else Is Wrong
Chaser star Andrew Hansen is one of the country’s best known comedians, being a regular on the TV screen since the early 2000s with iconic sketches and songs from The Chaser’s War On Everything and Australian Epic. Now in 2024, he’s treating us to his latest comedy show, Everyone Else Is Wrong, to Canberra audiences as part of LOL Season Comedy, with an hour of brand new laughs you have to see.
With a piano, a guitar and unshakeable conviction, the hilarious Hansen has all the answers in this incredible new show that opens up the second night of comedy at this Spring comedy festival.
The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre CentreFriday 11 October @6:30pm
Frankie McNair - An Intimate Evening with Tabitha Booth
Canberra’s own Frankie McNair is back in town starring as Tabitha Booth, the iconic and heavily medicated lounge singer we all know and love.
Think Judy Garland crossed with Marilyn Monroe; Tabitha Booth is unstoppable, engaging and SOso funny in this intimate evening of comedy unlike anything else.
OCTOBER WITH LOL SEASON COMEDY!
Winner of the Best Newcomer Award at the 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, McNair is going from strength to strength, featuring on channel Ten’s Thank God You’re Here, Just For Laughs and ABC’s Question Everything. Grab your tickets before they’re all gone.
The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre CentreFriday 11 October @ 8pm
Paul McDermott + 1
REDUX
You know him from The Doug Anthony All-Stars, Host of Good News Week and JJJ; Paul McDermott is still at the height of his powers with his show REDUX.
Joined by guitarist and comrade Glenn Moorhouse, you’ll be swept off your feet by the songs and unable to catch your breath from the laughter with this controversial and captivating hour of comedy.
As a star of stage and screen for over 40 years, McDermott is still going strong, and you’ll love this hour
of irreverent and observationally sharp comedy. Due to demand, this show plays twice on the festival’s final night, at 5pm and 7pm. Don’t miss it.
The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre CentreSaturday 12 October @5:00pm, and @ 7pm
Chris MarltonEggplants and Cigarettes
Why, hello there, you big ol’ comedy lover, you! Allan Sko here, relieving Mr Marlton of his duties spruiking the talent of others so I can wax lyrical about his delicious new show, Eggplants and Cigarettes.
It is my distinct pleasure—nay, HONOUR—to extol the virtues of young Christopher. He’s one of the kindhearted and deliciously compelling people I know, and unselfishly pours many-a personal hour in supporting other comics, as well as the scene.
He is also, mercifully, really bloody funny.
The King of Character Comedy, his new show features three of your favourite characters talking about everything from copyrighting fruit, life-hacking your cooking, optimised parenting tips and a wild ride around the world.
Marlton’s immersive accents and epic stories have been described as “a transformative experience” by me, just then. And I’ve heard loads of other people say that, too.
Fresh off touring Eggplants and Cigarettes interstate earlier this month and releasing his latest special on YouTube, Marlton is a joyous must-see, as makes for a fitting final show for the LOL Season Comedy festival at the Canberra Theatre, capping proceedings off in style.
The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre CentreSaturday 12 October @ 8:45pm
COMPILED
BY
NFSA’S JACQUI DOUGLAS, WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ALLAN SKO
Tucked between The Australian National University and Lake Burley Griffin sits the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (affectionately known as the NFSA) – a stunning Art Deco building in Acton’s cultural precinct and a hidden gem in Canberra’s arts scene.
I have a personal connection to the place. My Dad headed the Film Preservation Unit for over a decade, working tireless hours in the pursuit of purloining and preserving priceless works of Australian history whilst my brother and I, as knock-kneed boys, froliced on the historic stone artifice. Nitrate runs in our family's blood.
As such, it is a joy to see the institution and the hard-working folk who toil within produce thrilling programs bursting with multi-faceted performances, going beyond the scope of a screening in order to return to a film with a renewed appreciation.
Let’s keenly glean the deets from the NFSA-ers themselves, shall we?
Marketing guru and all-around Top Human Jacqui Douglas has lovingly laboured in collecting info and interviews to extol the virtues of what lies ahead.
Triptych, which launched at Unsound Krakow in 2022, has been on a successful tour across Australia and internationally and even won last year’s prestigious Prix Ars Electronica Isao Tomita Special Prize.
This exclusive performance, described as a ‘space-time carving’ and a ‘synaesthetic marriage of sound and light’, is a wholebody experience that manifests uniquely in each performance venue.
As a have-to-be-there occurrence that can never be ‘packaged up’ for digital release, it is a must-see event.
Triptych uses custom hardware to generate synchronised sound from laser projections. ArtsHub described it as ‘music you felt in your bones’ while NME Magazine likened it to ‘seeing a major pop star condense their stadium show into your local band room’.
Triptych reflects Fox’s dual fascination with electronic music and the mechanics of audiovisual art – with a nod to pioneering laser artist Stanislaus Ostoja-Kotkowski.
OF LINE, OF LIGHT... OF COURSE!
alongside NFSA Creative Producer and Program Coordinator Aidan Delaney.
IN NFSA WE TRUSTNEW LICKS FOR HISTORICAL BRICKS
Our heritage building at NFSA is not just a venue; it's a work of art. We're dedicated to its ongoing rejuvenation, aiming to restore and highlight its unique architectural design elements.
This commitment was recently recognised with a National Trust of Australia (ACT) Heritage Award for the renewal of The Library, Foyer and Mediatheque spaces.
The building is open daily, offering a chance to explore the national collection's audiovisual content and artefacts and enjoy a cup of locally roasted Red Brick coffee in our onsite cafe and bar.
DRAG & (MIC) DROP
For music enthusiasts, the Spring Film Series offers screenings of The Blues Brothers (John Landis, 1980), High Fidelity (Stephen Frears, 2000) and Velvet Goldmine (Todd Haynes, 1998) – the latter as part of SpringOUT Pride Festival with a pre-screening glam rock performance by Pass/Fail (Nick Delatovic).
Over to you, Jacqui!
INTRO
In what is becoming a fond tradition at NFSA Acton, we're proud to present another seasonal program brimming with its unique blend of live arts and film screenings. Our program features standalone experiences and performances that complement and enrich the film screenings at NFSA’s Arc Cinema.
TRIPTYCH - THREE TIMES THE EXPERIENCE
This month, we're thrilled to present the highly anticipated Triptych, the latest work from the renowned Australian audiovisual artist and composer Robin Fox.
Elsewhere, a new commission from Australian contemporary artist and writer Bronte Cormican-Jones is currently being exhibited on the NFSA's sweeping front lawns. Commissioned for the Canberra Art Biennial, Of line, of light draws viewers into ‘moments of contemplation…of pause, and visual play’ as they move around the three-dimensional frames of light and explore the varied perspectives it offers on the space around them.
Showing until 26 October, Of line, of light is complemented by special screenings of visually stunning and futuristic films Metropolis (Fritz Lang, 1927) and Ghost in the Shell (Mizuho Nishikubo, Mamoru Oshii, 1995), presented by the NFSA in collaboration with Canberra Art Biennial and Canberra Glassworks.
Cormican-Jones will briefly introduce each film and its relationship to her artwork
There’s a spotlight on gospel music in November, with Sydney’s Rejoice Gospel Choir headlining a Sister Act double feature. There is also a screening of the Aretha Franklin concert film Amazing Grace (Alan Elliott, Sydney Pollack, 2018).
Meanwhile, Cult Classics with Venus Mantrap continues each month, with introductions and live performances by Venus, local drag artist and culture warrior.
Check out the weekly curated program to explore the complete offerings, including thought-provoking Q&As and discussions with leading Australian creatives and innovators. Visit www.nfsa.gov.au/events
A rare recording was captured between BMA’s Allan Sko and beloved UK comic Bill Bailey, in which we hear two old men trying to avoid talking about “the old days” and failing spectacularly.
Flights of fancy, extraordinary music and thought-provoking ideas, Thoughtifier is classic Bill Bailey. Whether it’s with Bluetooth bouncing ‘rock balls’ or his love of gospel music, he revels our human instincts for harmony, melody and rhythm to brilliant effect.
With a giddy mix of instruments, screens, and AI, Bill Bailey shows that our human capabilities can transcend pesky algorithms with his hilariously useless AI, ‘BillBot’. With outlandish new instruments such as the dazzling laser harp and a thread of philosophy running throughout, Thoughtifier takes all the greatest elements of a Bill Bailey show and propels them to new dizzying heights.
ALLAN SKO: Ahhh, hello! And how are you, Mr. Bailey?
BILL BAILEY: I’m very well. Thank you. Excellent. The last time we had the chance to chat, I believe, was just a few months before a particular world event that, uh, tipped everything a little bit upside down. Yeah, it was a bit of a kerfuffle. It WAS a kerfuffle; that’a a lovely way of putting it.
Yeah, it was a palava.
Oh yeah, a kerfuffle, a Palava... I’d even go as far as a hullabaloo.
Yeah, I think you’re right. It definitely tipped over into the hullabaloo-esque side of things. We’re still feeling it’s tentacular reach even now.
Oh, SO very tentacular.
It’s shocking... I got whooping cough over Christmas...
And that’s not all bad for someone who uses their voice for a living.
Yeah, I know, and it came exactly when I was about to embark on a national tour where you use your voice every night, singing, and trying not to be coughing in front of 1000 people.
I didn’t even think it was a thing! I thought it was only, like, Victorian-era urchins who got whooping cough.
Yeah, wouldn’t be surprised if you had a spot of gout an a few of the ol’ boils along the way.
Yeah! ‘Excuse me, Mister, want any lucky heather?’
(joins in with overly hacking cough)
Yeah, but no; apparently not so. And it
was—sorry, just to make it relevant—this was a result of our incarceration, our, our... enforced domestic, errrr... coddling. This meant we were out of the loop, as it were, and not exposed to all of these antibodies that have seen us open to all these kinds of ancient maladies...
Like a historical tour of illness. Legacy illnesses!
Bringing us all the closer to our Dickensian cousins, I guess.
Yeah, that’s right! It was, yes. ‘I got a case of the Bloody Flux, did you? Well! Good lord!’
Suddenly, all the doctors are there with their pipes smoking away. ‘I say, that’s a rum fix, old boy. Take these leeches.’
‘Yes! Take a leech. That’s what I say. We’ve no cure for this; I would just rest and be administered a beating.’
‘Nurse! My bloodletting knife!’
It felt like I was catapulted back into some ancient era. But I guess that’s just it; that’s what we have to deal with. That’s the world today.
It is, it is.
When you think everything’s just happening for the first time, and go: ‘Wait a minute... Where have I heard this before?’ That’s what I feel now. I don’t know about you, but I swear I’ve heard this before; I know this one. I formed this theory recently about that nostalgia that kicks in during your late30s/early-40s. And you see it in society of, like, certain decades suddenly come back in vogue again. I think Mother Nature or whatever overarching deity you prescribe to hasn’t caught up with the fact that our life expectancy is no longer 35-ish years of the Keats era. So we get to 40, push past it, and Nature’s gone, ‘Shit... I don’t have anything past this...’
Yeah... ‘Now what?’
‘Ummm... Alright then, same again! Same again! Run it back.’
‘Just keep rolling through it!’ Yeah, that’s right. Then you get a second wave of nostal gia, and it just keeps happening. ‘You’re not supposed to be living this long!’
Yeah, the manual’s blank after this. There’s nothing, just keep going. Yeah, I get that. I see it a lot in trends, particularly in music, actually. I think there’s, you know, a huge swathe of quite specific ‘80s music that suddenly became very popular... ‘80s styles, ‘80s fashions...
And, of course, ‘80s politics! So, these things have a cyclical nature.
It’s because we have our collective con sciousness that what you think you’re going through individually, collectively it’s happen ing all together. We’re going, ‘Oh yeah! The ‘90s! I remember that! Let’s dig up not just the fashion of the time but, as you say, the politics and the everything else. It’s a funny old thing.
Yeah. I know. It is. It is, indeed.
Do you find, as a man who has charged gleefully through many a decade now that, like the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s—heck, you can go back to any decade in the 1900s, really— each holds a very strong identity to them. And then the millennium ticked over aaaand... not so much?
Not so much, no. Not really. It’s become a kind of, you know, a grab bag of a lot of different musical styles. It actually starts to become quite homogenous. I mean, and I’m very wary of sounding like these people say, ‘Oh, there’s no tunes anymore! Why, back when I was a boy, you would whistle any tune...’ O, I am aware of that on a daily basis, my dear Bill.
But yeah... It sort of IS that! That’s the terrible thing about it. If you look at the charts, which I don’t tend to do—I don’t even know if they’re still going—but if you were to do such a thing, you would see... I remember the charts when the music was wildly different. There’d be a bona fide disco song, then a sort of a metal
Ahhh, yes! The show!
Hehehe... Yeah, the show. I was reading this fascinating article about the way that algorithm, particularly in Tiktok, is now starting to mould people’s songwriting and guide the sensibility. So now, people are basically writing songs for the algorithm. If they want to get a song to be seen or heard by a number of people, it has to fit to certain parameters, and as an artist, you find it quite depressing, in a way. It’s quite disturbing that in order to be seen, the very thing that I guess all artists want is to have their whatever-it-is, their art, their music, seen by as many people, is now dictated to by some predetermined... thing. It has to be this long, you can’t have a middle-eight... That’s another thing! The middle eight is just GONE! Forget the middle eight!
I mean, you’re right, of course, but the thing is, Bill... I share your despair, yet I do come at it with a positive angle, because the more something seems to fade away and die and not be a thing anymore, the stronger that’s going
know what? That would actually serve the Tik Tock/Spotify generation perfectly, just snippets of middle eights.
But no, you know what would happen, though... is that they’d glom onto that and it’d be like, ‘we’re just looking for middle eights, now...’
Yeah... ‘I’ve just written this magnificent, like, four-minute pop masterpiece that incorporates different instruments. It’s got underlying themes. Every second word links back to the other word.’ And they’re like, ‘No middle eight. Not interested. Fuck off.’
Unless there’s a key change and eight bars of instrumental, I’m not interested.
I love my EDM and electronic music. I like all kind of music, but drum ‘n’ bass is my gun-tothe-head, if you had to pick one choice. And I’ve noticed, back in the day, like you would have a seven or eight minute long track, and the reason for that is you’d have sort of a minute and a half, two-minute building up to the crescendo or the drop, if you will. Yeeeeeeeah-up...
being eroded. I’m swimming against the tide here, mate.
Yep. Amen. Now look, I’ve promised that I’ll stick to quick 15 minutes, so I’ll ask this about the show... I believe you’re incorporating the AI Bill Bot. Tell us a little bit more about that.
Yeah, that’s right. I thought it was interesting because there’s this panic about it. ‘Oh, it’s going to replace us!’ and all this. And I just wanted to see how it might fit into a comedy show. And a lot of people use, you know, they do these roasts where they get AI to write jokes, because they’re all objectively terrible.
And then you’d rise, fall, rise, fall, and then you have, like, a minute or two outro because you would mix on vinyl and you’d use that outro to bring in the next one. Now, all these same artists are putting out these little three to three-and-a-half-minute tracks instead, which is fascinating to see.
I know, it is quite fascinating to see. And the tracks are front-loaded, often with spoken word intro, so they just get right to it. Yeah, there’s no drama, there’s no setup. It’s ‘Bosch!’ straight in.
Straight into it, then chorus, then... you’re pretty much done.
That’s it, yeah. They’d never fade out, or have an outro, it’s like, Nah, hit that magic time mark and cut.
Because presumably, people are just scrolling through tracks, you hit that one, and if it’s any kind of intro... Ehhh, heard that, onto the next one. I read that Spotify don’t pay any royalties to artists until they’ve listened to about 35 seconds of a song.
I always wondered about what the cutoff point is.
It’s something like that. So you know if you can engage someone’s interest for more than 30 seconds.
The musical equivalent of jangling your keys. Yeah! Like, if you watch something for a minute on Netflix, you’re logged as a viewer. And I thought yeah, that’s GREAT. I’m operating in this environment where people’s attention span is deliberately and commercially
But it’s not really that. It was about using my image and manipulating that into a sort of version of me, with me then having a conversation with it and having a bit of fun. Anyway, little did I know this would start me down some AI rabbit hole. Because, in order for the software for me to get my image to be manipulated into characters, we use a software company in America, in LA, and they, I think conscientiously, refused to allow me to use my own image in the public eye!
And so I had to write to them say, No, it’s ME. It IS me. And I’m quite happy to have my image manipulated like this.
Ahhhh yes, Bill, but how do we KNOW you’re not an AI rendering of yourself?
Exactly! That was it. So, I send an AR of me going, ‘I’m quite happy with my image being used’. We got into some kind of meta doom loop. But anyway... it’s kind of fun. And quite disturbing as well, you know. But fun. It’s a great way to engage in comedy with this new technique. Look, I can happily talk to you until the AI cows come home.
Yeah, heheheh...
But given there’s a minute left on the clock, I’ll leave you to it. But can I just leave you with this observation, which I hope you take as being the incredibly warm-hearted compliment that I think it is. But currently, your beard looks like, if you get into a nice big bath and you make a little foam beard out of it. That. It looks fantastic. It’s amazing.
Oh, thanks very much! Yeah, I’ve had done some work done on it, and I have actually worn the foam beard as well. So I know exactly what you mean. But this has got a lot more texture.
It absolutely has. Yeah, I love it. Oh, Bill, it’s always an absolute pleasure. You know, great to see you going strong, really. Thanks again for including Canberra on your itinerary, and greatly look forward to seeing you in your element. Indeed, I will. Thank you, mate.
Bill Bailey will grace the Royal Theatre with his presence for two shows, each at 8pm on Sunday, 27 October, and Monday, 28 October, respectively. Tickets start from $91.65 + bf via Ticketek.
SINGLE IN FOCUS
NINA LEO BLIND SPOT
[ ]
A new force has appeared in the bustling heart of Naarm’s music scene. Nina Leo, originally from Canberra, is now poised to attract new audiences with her latest single, Blind Spot. Her journey from the capital to the cultural hub of Naarm has been a testament to her passion and dedication to her craft.
Released on 1 August and celebrated with a headline performance at The Retreat on 15 August, Nina’s work
is an eloquent blend of femme rock ‘n’ roll and raw, personal storytelling. Under the guise of a name crafted from her middle name and star sign, Nina Leo brings an authenticity and intensity that is both refreshing and moving.
Blind Spot, recorded at Infidel Studios and produced by Louis Montgomery (SAFIA, Lucy Sugerman, Young Monks), is a powerful testament to Nina’s journey from hurt to empowerment. Influenced by the likes of Wolf Alice, her music is a therapeutic outlet, a conduit for transforming reallife experiences into persuasive sonic narratives.
The track opens with a muted guitar intro, setting a measured mood soon complimented by Nina’s low-register vocals. The melody rises, reaching for sweet, sustained notes, while the band’s palpable energy builds behind her, mirroring the lyrics’ focus.
As the chorus bursts forth, it brings with it the distilled vigour of early 2000s shoegaze, with lyrics beautifully intertwining with the melodic choices.
An interlude precedes the second verse, sharpening the narrative focus and posing the poignant question, ‘Could I be your perfection?’ This moment reveals Nina’s yearning for therapeutic enlightenment, cloaked in poetic nuance.
The second chorus burrows deeper under the listener’s skin, paving the way for a stirring bridge over the chorus chord progression. Here, Nina modifies the melody and takes another narrative detour, offering the poignant declaration:
If I could change, I swear I would But I would change for me and not you.
As the evolved chorus merges into smouldering guitar lines and accented phrases from the band, a sense of measured hunger takes hold, reflecting the narrative pull of the track. Nina’s performance is impressive throughout, adding to the track’s enveloping power.
Blind Spot, at its core, traverses Nina Leo’s emotional landscape, marked by resilience and self-discovery. The track reflects Nina’s vulnerability and strength through its refined lyrics and direct melodies, offering listeners a glimpse into her world and solidifying her emerging presence in the local music scene.
VINCE LEIGH
[BEST OF CANBERRA MUSIC]
JACK BIILMANN & THE BLACK TIDE FOLSOM PRISON BLUES
In a time when the music scene is navigating its toughest terrain, Jack Biilmann & The Black Tide stand defiantly resilient. Fresh off the success of 2023 album, Divided Mind, the band returns with an audacious rendition of Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues
The release continues Biilmann’s expanding presence, as marked by 50k+ monthly listeners on Spotify, Apple Music editorial playlists, and airplay for Hot Blood and Eric (Long Live The King) on over 200 stations worldwide including Double J, CMT on Foxtel, and ABC Country. Endorsements from Fender, Maton, and Badcat amplifiers further attest to his credibility and growing influence.
On this rendition of Cash’s iconic hit, we’re greeted by an indelible vocal introduction, underscored by smoky guitar chords that echo Cash’s
spirit without descending into mere mimicry. This impression solidifies as the band joins in, infusing the song with a dynamic rock edge that breathes new life into its country blues core; every guitar line and riff brims with an extra dose of push and vitality.
Biilmann’s vocal delivery is awash with swirling swagger and undeniable command, seamlessly integrating with the song’s revitalized energy. The band’s sound is raw and unrefined,
each instrument allowed the space to shimmer, creating a perfect blend of contemporary rock and blues.
It’s a potent brew, marked by an authenticity that refuses to be diluted. Meeting expectations in reinterpreting a landmark song is no small feat. But this version is not just focused; it’s skillfully designed to surpass. The arrangement is succinct yet spontaneous, the band approaching the track with a reverence that honours the original while injecting new energy and perspective.
This careful balance lets the retake resonate with long-time fans and newcomers alike, breathing new life into a beloved song and proving that great music transcends time and generation.
JB & TBT are steadily climbing the music world ranks, showcasing their distinctive rockblues blend to an ever-growing audience. This release solidifies their position as noteworthy contenders, leaving us curious about what they will offer next. VINCE LEIGH
Leila’s debut EP, Uncover, drops like a quiet bomb, sneaking up on you with its unassuming piano intros and hushed vocals, only to slap you upside the head with hooks that lodge themselves in your brain and refuse to budge.
From the moment Redemption Song kicks off, it’s clear this is no run-of-the-mill singer-songwriter looking for a way into your Spotify algorithm.
No, Leila has a grasp of melody that’s as sly as it is sharp. She’s a pop artist who’s read the playbook and decided to rewrite it in real-time, her songs moving like they’ve got somewhere important to be.
Let’s start with Redemption Song.
You think you know where it’s going—a nice piano ballad, maybe a few flourishes—and then, BOOM, the pre-chorus sneaks in, letting Leila’s voice take over. By the time the chorus hits, you’ve signed up.
It’s got that perfect mix of R&B sensibility and pop accessibility, the kind of thing that sounds deceptively simple. The bridge? More of an extension than a diversion, but it works, keeping the whole thing on track without losing the build.
No More follows, and this is where Leila flexes her range, not just vocally but emotionally. It’s another pianodriven track, but Leila knows how to work that space between melancholy and defiance. The chorus is the payoff again, this time riding on her upper register with a kind of effortless grace.
And here’s the kicker: she doesn’t oversell it.
So many artists would belt this into oblivion, but Leila knows when to pull back, and it’s that restraint that keeps the whole thing from tipping over into melodrama. Then we get to start to pulse. This track has a rhythm that’s almost tactile, a thrumming verse that lets Leila showcase her impressive vocal dexterity.
There’s a bit of country in there, sure, but not the twangy, trucker-hat kind—this is contemporary, slick, and thoroughly pop, but not in that bubblegum way.
It’s confident, like she knows she’s blending genres and doesn’t need your permission to do it.
And the groove in the chorus? It’s one of those that hits you in the gut, reaching an almost celebratory edge in its lift.
You’ll Shine When The Time’s Right slows it down, but not in a way that drags. The acoustic guitar sets the stage, but there’s a subtle rhythmic foundation that sneaks in, giving the song an expansive feel without bloating it. It’s introspective without being navel-gazing. The chorus is a stripped-back gem, letting the lyrics breathe and hit harder than they would in a more crowded arrangement.
Closing out the EP is You’re Always The First To Know, a track that somehow manages to be both intimate and sweeping.
There’s a pulse beneath the acoustic framework, as if the song is pushing you along
THU 3 OCTOBER
Toby Mobbs w/ Gia Ransome & Joel William Harrison
The Albury singer-songwriter hits Canberra to celebrate his second album In Between The Words 7pm, $13.30 via OzTix
THE BASO
Buddhadatta (JPN)
Get ready for the return of Japanese punk monks Buddhadatta with supports B.C. and The Black Owl Quartet. 7pm, $20 + b/f via TryBooking
POT BELLY BAR
FRI 4 OCTOBER
[School Holidays Film Screening] Babe (35mm)
Orphaned Babe finds himself on the Hoggett Farm, where he is adopted into a community of talking animals. To avoid ending up as dinner, the young pig must prove himself worthy of something greater. 1pm, $12/10 via NFSA
ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
Vinyl Lounge
Vinyl lovers rejoice! Bring your treasured vinyl records and hear what else is spinning on the NFSA turntables at our monthly listening party. Music from all genres and decades welcome, as are your favourite music stories. 5:30pm, $5 via NFSA
THEATRETTE, NFSA
Stokesy
Head down for a Friday evening with solo artist Stokesy and friends. 6pm, free entry
GEORGE HARCOURT INN
Goldner String Quartet
Join Goldner String Quartet as they share their Innermost Thoughts. With a career spanning almost 30 years, the quartet has decided to hang up their bows, but not before sharing some of their favourite works. 6pm, $45/$35 conc, 16&U free FOUR WINDS CONCERTS, BERMAGUI
[Comedy] Ray O'Leary - Your Laughter Is Just Making Me Stronger
Deadpan delivery and an iconic grey suit are paired with sharp wit and awkward bravado. 7pm, $35.70 + bf via venue
THE STREET THEATRE
DICE Midnight Zoo LP Tour
Announcing their biggest venues yet across Australia & New Zealand, the AU/NZ leg of the DICE tour will make its way around a mix of regional towns and capital cities. 7pm, $45.40 via OzTix
THE BASO
[Film Screening] In the Mood for Love
Neighbours Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen suspect their spouses are having an affair. They forge a pact to keep their relationship platonic, but emotions simmer beneath the surface. This drama was nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes. 7pm, $16/12 via NFSA
ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
DJ Paisa Salsa Night
On the first Friday of every month, Old Canberra Inn hosts a night for you to get your grooves ready in order to hit the dance floor! 8pm, free entry
OLD CANBERRA INN
Cold Irons Bound w/ The King Hits
Melbourne’s Cold Irons Bound have been likened to Tom Petty jamming with Teenage Fanclub. CIB make a long overdue Canberra stop on the back of their acclaimed record, No Place I Can’t Find You. 8:30pm, $15 via venue/$20 on the door SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE
SAT 5 OCTOBER
[Film Screening]
Princess Mononoke
Warrior Ashitaka meets a woman raised by wolves. Blending elements of fantasy and Japanese history, Princess Mononoke elevated Studio Ghibli to the world stage and is regarded as one of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s great works. 1pm, tickets $16/12 via NFSA
ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
Dean Haitani
With his unique finger style and soulful earthy vocals, Dean Haitani draws inspiration from blues & roots music, and his love of funk and old school R&B rhythms. 2pm, free entry
OLD CANBERRA INN
Glenn Hughes Performs
Classic Deep Purple Live
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the album Burn, the former bassist and singer of Deep Purple, known to millions as The Voice of Rock, will perform songs from the legendary rock album. 7pm, $81.55 via OzTix
THE BASO
Witchskull ResidencyVast Electric Dark Witchskull celebrate their 10th anniversary this October with a 4 show residency performing each of their 4 LPs in their entirety over 4 separate Saturdays. 7pm, $20 via OzTix
THE BASO
Hyperdog (EU) w/ Herald
Hyperdog is an egg punk band from Linz, Austria heading out on their first ever tour of Australia. Their music blends punk with various influences, resulting in a weird mixture of '80s hardcore punk with Joy Division. 7pm, $15+bf via Humanitix
SHADOWS NIGHT CLUB
Jazz Haus: Pat Powell
The Jazz Haus Canberra and Tuggeranong Arts Centre are delighted to present one of Australia’s most accomplished yet hidden vocal talents, Jamaican singer Pat Powell. 7pm, $45/$38 via TicketTailor
TUGGERANONG ARTS
CENTRE
[Film Screening] Metropolis
| Canberra Art Biennial
Freder Frederson joins working-class leader Maria to oppose class divides and unite Metropolis. This screening of Fritz Lang's silent sci-fi masterpiece complements Bronte Cormican-Jones' Canberra Art Biennial commission Of line, of light. 7pm, $16/12 via NFSA
ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
Middle Kids
7:30pm, $69.90 via Moshtix
UC REFECTORY
SUN 6 OCTOBER
[Film Screening] The Perfect Candidate Maryam surprises her community by standing for local council in a small town in Saudi Arabia. From Haifaa Al-Mansour (Wadjda), The Perfect Candidate is a heartfelt and compelling
drama about Maryam’s journey to win votes and change minds. 1pm, $16/12 via NFSA
ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
Panel: On Light and Architecture
| Canberra Art Biennial
Neon expert David Cooper and architect Savita Gaonkar join artist Bronte Cormican-Jones for a conversation on light and architecture. Presented alongside Of line, of light at the NFSA, Cormican-Jones' new work for Canberra Art Biennial. 3pm, free, bookings via NFSA
THEATRETTE, NFSA ACTON
Dean Haitani
With his unique finger style and soulful earthy vocals, Dean Haitani draws inspiration from blues & roots music, and his love of funk and old school R&B rhythms. 4pm, free entry
DICKSON TAPHOUSE
Phil Coleman
Phil Coleman performs songs which cover a range of styles, including country, blues, and jazz. 4pm, free entry
OLD CANBERRA INN Songs and Stories by The Bushwackers
Join Dobe Newton & Roger Corbett of The Bushwackers for an intimate evening of songs, stories, and humour. This upclose performance features their unique blend of Aussie folk and personal tales. 7pm, tickets $35 via venue
SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE
MON 7 OCTOBER
[Film + Talk]
Cumbia + Diaspora
A screening of the awardwinning film I'm No Longer Here, introduced by DJ and academic, Moses Iten. 6:30pm, free registration via Humanitix
HAYDON ALLEN LECTURE
THEATRE, ANU
TUE 8 OCTOBER
[School Holidays Film Screening] Peter Rabbit
This contemporary adaptation brought Beatrix Potter’s beloved characters to a new generation. Includes animations by Oz studio Animal Logic, live-action scenes filmed in Sydney, and
voices by Margot Robbie and Elizabeth Debicki. 1pm, tickets
Based on the true story of Anne McDonald, this award-winning Australian film explores disability rights and offers a moving testimony to the power of the human spirit. 6pm, $8 via NFSA ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
Rimmy Grasa Southbound Tour w/ Life Sentence, Onryo, and Rodenticide
Sunshine Coast QLD hardcore band Rimmy Grasa are stopping into the capital for their Southbound tour, bringing with them a tough line-up of hardcore acts. 7pm, $18.40 via OzTix
THE ABYSS BAR, THE BASO [Comedy] Damian Callinan –Double Feature
A surprise discovery of his mother’s 1946 diary leads three-time MICF Most Outstanding Show nominee, Damian Callinan, on a cinematic, romantic romp through post-war Oz. 7pm, $30/$20 via Trybooking FUN TIME PONY
Dept of Rock - 2024 Battle of the Bands - Heat 2
The fun and friendly event showcases amateur musos who work in the Federal Govt public sector. Heats run on Tuesday nights in October, 7pm, $20/$10 via venue SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE
WED 9 OCTOBER
[School Holidays Film Screening] Red Dog [35mm]
Aussie kelpie Koko stars as Red in this family film about a stray dog who wins the hearts of a mining community. Inspired by a true story, Red Dog is an awardwinning feature full of stunning cinematography and laconic ‘70s Oz humour. 1pm, $12/10 via NFSA
ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
[Film Screening] The Thing + Panel | Science. Art. Film. At a research station in Antarctica, a rescued dog reveals itself as a monstrous creature that shapeshifts into its victim's replicas. Followed by a discussion unpacking what we learn through the study of ice. 6pm, free, bookings via NFSA ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
The Noosh
The Noosh is a scratch night game show running every second Wednesday of the month at Fun Time Pony. It's burlesque, drag, poetry, comedy, music and more battling it out for prizes, Nooshy glory, and more! 7pm, $10 via OzTix, $15 on the door
FUN TIME PONY
Gang Gang ComedyEdan McGovern
Stand-up comedy with Edan McGovern and local supports. 7:30pm, $20 via Humanitix, $25 on the door
GANG GANG CAFE
THU 10 OCTOBER
Signor Baffo
There’s chaos in the kitchen when Baffo’s left in charge! Signor Baffo’s Restaurant is an interactive children’s show aimed at five to eight year olds. Shows at 11am & 2pm, $20 - $90 via TicketTailor
TUGGERANONG ARTS CENTRE
Operation Karma:
Suck It Australian Tour
Mark your calendars and get down to Smith's for a buzzing, femme punk night with Operation Karma, Sertra, and Aiday! 6:30pm, $15/$10 via venue
SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE
Rhapsody Of Fire
Get ready for an epic first as the Italian symphonic power metal 30-year legends head down under for the first time ever! 7pm, $79.90 via Oztix
THE BASO
[Comedy] Laura Johnston –That’s… Brave (Edinburgh Fringe Edition)
In March of 2024, Laura Johnston sold out her first solo show twice at the Canberra Comedy Festival. In August of 2024, she took that show to the largest arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe. And now… she’s HERE! 7pm, $25/$20 via Canberra Ticketing
THE COURTYARD STUDIO, CANBERRA THEATRE
[Comedy] Maddy Weeks –Never Gonna Die
The award-winning comedian and aspiring cult leader brings their hilarious and heartfelt solo hour. A wild ride through their life awaits. 8:30pm, $25/$22 via venue
THE COURTYARD STUDIO, CANBERRA THEATRE
FRI 11 OCTOBER
[Comedy] Andrew Hansen – Everyone Else is Wrong
The world is doomed, right? Wrong! Because the songwriter and star of The Chaser’s War On Everything and Australian Epic is here to solve all its problems. 6:30pm, $35 + bf via venue THE COURTYARD STUDIO, CANBERRA THEATRE
Frenzal Rhomb A Man’s Not A Camel 25th Anniversary Tour
Frenzal Rhomb announce a run of Australian shows in October to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their majestic, iconic, exalted LP, A Man’s Not A Camel. 7pm, $58.95 via Oztix THE BASO
[NFSA Restores] The Cars That Ate Paris | 50th Anniversary
Arthur wakes up in Paris after a car accident, where he senses that things are not quite right. An Australian New Wave classic, The Cars... helped establish Director Peter Weir on the global stage. 7pm, $16/12 via NFSA ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
[Comedy] Neel KolhatkarDirty Flirty 30
Neel Kolhatkar turned 30 and with it comes a host of new jokes about the crazy world we’re living in. 7:30pm, $47.50 + bf via venue
THE STREET THEATRE
[Comedy] An Intimate Evening with Tabitha Booth (Starring Frankie McNair)
Heavily medicated lounge singer
Tabitha Booth debuts her new show in Canberra for an intimate evening of unhinged comedy like no other. Starring comedian Frankie McNair (Thank God You’re Here, Just For Laughs Sydney TV Gala). 8pm, $29.95/ $26.95 via Canberra Ticketing THE COURTYARD STUDIO, CANBERRA THEATRE
Last Call
Last Call blend their sound of soulful vocals and surprising solos & riffs that will have you reminiscing on an old flame. 8pm, free entry
OLD CANBERRA INN
Sneaky Jeremiah
Sneaky Jeremiah are a Canberrabased feel-good, good time band delivering soul, blues, R&B, anthems, Americana, and classic rock. 8pm, free entry
DICKSON TAPHOUSE
SAT 12 OCTOBER
[Play] The Inheritance
Performed in two parts and inspired by E. M. Forster’s beloved novel Howard’s End, The Inheritance is an epic examination of survival, healing, class divide, and what it means to call a place home. 7:30pm, $30-$50
ACT HUB
Cello Playing and Artistry
As part of TAC’s Saturday Salon series, join David Pereira for a unique, interactive examination of the inner and outer games of the cello. 2pm, $38/$32 via TicketTailor
TUGGERANONG
ARTS CENTRE
Crossbenchers
The Crossbenchers are a four piece Canberra band doing lounge, blues, R&B, originals, and covers. From Chuck Berry to Frank Sinatra, from Ray Charles to The Doors. 2pm, free entry
OLD CANBERRA INN
[Comedy] Paul McDermott + 1 present – REDUX
Controversial, bleak, and hilarious – Join Paul + 1 (Paul Plus One) for a delightfully dark journey towards the light. 5pm, $35/$30 via Canberra Ticketing THE COURTYARD STUDIO, CANBERRA THEATRE
ANU Latin Market + Carnival
Fresh, tasty Latin American food, ice-cold brews, and live performances of Latino music. 5pm, free!
UNIVERSITY AVENUE, ANU
Witchskull Residency -
A Coven’s Will Witchskull celebrate their 10th anniversary this October with a 4 show residency performing each of their 4 LPs in their entirety over 4 separate Saturdays. Featuring support Voodoo Acid Space Kings. 7pm, $20 via OzTix
THE ABYSS BAR, THE BASO
Jack Biilmann & The Black Tide - Folsom Prison Blues
Following their wildly successful 2023 Divided Mind album release, Jack Biilmann & The Black Tide are back on the touring circuit with a ripping arrangement of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues. 7pm, $20 via OzTix THE BASO
Ronan ApcarIndustrial Revolutions
Ronan Apcar presents edgy and modern music about all things machines in a solo piano gig like you've never seen before. 8pm, $25/$20 via venue
SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE [Comedy] Chris Marlton –Eggplants and Cigarettes
Chris Marlton’s delicious new comedy Eggplants and Cigarettes is coming to Canberra for one night only. 8:45pm, $25/$22 via Canberra Ticketing
THE COURTYARD STUDIO, CANBERRA THEATRE
SUN 13 OCTOBER
FILM + MUSIC: Samba + Latin Folk + Afro-Brazilian Documentary
An afternoon of Latin American music and culture bringing together, film, performance, and live music for a unique afternoon! 12pm, $25 via Humanitix
LIVE @ THE POLO [Film Screening]
12 Angry Men
12 jurors hold the life of an 18-yearold man accused of murder in their hands. Sidney Lumet’s feature directorial debut has long been considered a classic and one of the most compelling courtroom dramas in cinema history. 1pm, $16/12 via NFSA
ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
Bella Groove - Biophilia
Come be part of a live album recording with Bella Groove! 4pm, $20/$15 via venue
SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE
Divine Devilles
Two well-travelled souls with a suitcase full of songs, a heart on their collective sleeve, and a love of that sweet, swinging, shuffling, place where jazz and blues meet. 4pm, free entry
OLD CANBERRA INN
Braydon Poacher
Braydon Poacher has an eclectic mix of covers that span over a variety of genres for everybody to enjoy. 4pm, free entry
DICKSON TAPHOUSE
Body / Building Workshop
| Canberra Art Biennial
An inclusive movement workshop exploring the potential of the body as a moving sculpture. Presented alongside Of line, of light at the NFSA, the Canberra Art Biennial commission from artist Bronte Cormican-Jones. 6pm, free, bookings via NFSA
MEDIATHEQUE, NFSA ACTON
Melody PoolChanging Single Tour
Australian singer-songwriter
Melody Pool embarks on her debut international headline tour to celebrate the release of Changing, the second single from her forthcoming and much anticipated third studio album. 7pm, $25 via venue
SMITHS ALTERNATIVE
TUE 15 OCTOBER
Dept of Rock 2024 Battle of the Bands - Heat 3
A fun and friendly competition to showcase amateur musos who work in the ACT & Federal Govt public sector. Heats are on Tuesday nights in October. 7pm, $20/$10 via venue
SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE BAND ROOM
THU 17 OCTOBER
KOYO (USA) - Live in Australia w/ Secret World
Following the release of their 2023 LP Would You Miss It? Koyo has hit the USA multiple times, and enjoyed trips to Japan and the UK/Europe. Now, they are in Australia for the first time. 7pm, $40.30 via OzTix
THE BASO
Brad Cox
Celebrated Australian singersongwriter Brad Cox is filling his huge Mack truck full of tricks and hitting the road for a tour unlike anything his fans have seen before. He’d love for everyone to come along for the ride! 7:30pm, $79.90 via Moshtix
UC LAWNS
ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE
FRI 18 OCTOBER
Jam Baxter w/ Sammy B-Side - Rare Lizard Tour
Jam Baxter (UK) will be making a long awaited and triumphant return to Australia this October, having released seven full studio albums and grown a staggering twelve feet since his last visit in 2015. 7pm, $45.40 via OzTix THE BASO
Tiger Australian Tour w/ Scrambled, Bad Patella
Neon Rock pioneers Tiger are embarking on their first ever Australian tour, with special guests Scrambled & Bad Patella. 7pm, $18.40 via OzTix THE BASO
DJ Pactman
Blending genres from soul, hip-hop, and funk, Pactman has solidified himself as one of the most entertaining DJs to dance to in town! 7pm, free entry OLD CANBERRA INN
Daniel Champagne
This leading light in acoustic music brings his dynamite live show back to audiences this Spring! 7:30pm, $35 + bf via venue THE STREET THEATRE
Live at the NFSA
| Robin Fox: Triptych
The award-winning audiovisual experience from Australian artist and composer Robin Fox. Lose yourself in simultaneous sound and light as Fox crafts an immersive blend of live electronic music and laser projections. 7:30pm, $60/45 via NFSA
ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
Bondi Cigars
@ The Zeppelin Room
Bondi Cigars have built a solid reputation as one of the best live acts in the country. With guest support Divine Devilles. 8pm, $27/$30 via CBS, $35 at the door
HARMONIE GERMAN CLUB
SAT 19 OCTOBER
Eden Plenty
Eden Plenty is one of Australia's most beautiful original voices, with his talent matched only by his love of creating and sharing music. 2pm, free entry
OLD CANBERRA INN
Stonefest 2024
Canberra's renowned music festival sallies forth with an impressive line-up—including MAY-A, Teenage Dads, Mansionair and many more— across an epic double-stage on the UC Lawns. From 3:30pm, $49 - $99 via Moshtix
UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA
Mixed Bill Madness VI
Mixed Bill Madness is excited to be back for the sixth show with Melbourne Noir Rock band Velvet Parade, the stoner psych of Voodoo Acid Space Kings, and Grinchcore merchants, Krampus. 6pm, $20 via venue
SMITHS ALTERNATIVE
Witchskull ResidencyDriftwood Cross
Witchskull celebrate their 10th anniversary this October with a 4 show residency performing each of their 4 LPs in their entirety. 7pm, $20 via OzTix
THE BASO
Smith’s@Belco
ft Vince Jones
Belco Arts and Smith’s Alternative are delighted to present Vince Jones! Hop on in for an intimate evening of music with Australia’s National Treasure and his world class band. 7pm, tickets $50/$45 + bf via venue
THE THEATRE, BELCONNEN ARTS CENTRE
Live at the NFSA
| Robin Fox: Triptych
The award-winning audiovisual experience from Australian artist and composer Robin Fox. Lose yourself in simultaneous sound and light as Fox crafts an immersive blend of live electronic music and laser projections. 8pm, $60/45 via NFSA
ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
SUN 20 OCTOBER
Book Club at the NFSA | The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson + Discussion
Henry Lawson’s story has been extensively adapted, critiqued and reinterpreted. Sue Brooks’ short film explores the portrayal of women, while Leah Purcell AM invites audiences to see the story through First Nations and feminist lenses. 1pm, tickets $20/18 via NFSA
ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
CBS October Blues Jam
hosted by The Johnny Reynolds Band
Our host band delivers a highly engaging funky, bluesy atmospheric rock show that amazes all who attend. Followed by some of the finest musicians in the region, jamming together for a fabulous afternoon of live music. 1pm, CBS members $10 / General $15 / kids under 16 free HARMONIE GERMAN CLUB
EVIL in Canberra #4
EVIL stands for Experimental Vs Improvised Live and features Lucas Abela, Belter, Urethra Vortex, and FUKNO Vs JoSh Shipton. 4pm, $20/$15 via venue
SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE
Gia Ransome
Gia Ransome is a singer/ songwriter and, with her band, will make you feel like you're living a great romance in an old school dive bar. Described as a marriage between Nick Cave and Lana Del Rey, expect an experience of suave, bluesy rock. 4pm, free entry
OLD CANBERRA INN
Moondog
Moondog performs solo and as front man of the Moondog Blues Band. He is a master of the blues harmonica and a formidable guitarist, singer and songwriter. 4pm, free entry
DICKSON TAPHOUSE
Semantics - I Feel It All At Once Australian Tour
Brisbane indie-punk quartet
Semantics make their return for 2024 with the delivery of I Feel It All At Once, their muchanticipated sophomore album released via SideOne Dummy Records. 5pm, $18.40 via OzTix
THE BASO
TUE 22 OCTOBER
Dept of Rock 2024 Battle of the Bands - Heat 4
A fun and friendly competition that showcases amateur musos working in the ACT & Federal Govt public sector. Heats run on Tuesday nights through October. 7pm, $20/$10 via venue SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE
THU 24 OCTOBER
Eureka Stockade + Discussion
Chips Rafferty stars as Peter Lalor in this retelling of the legendary 1854 mining rebellion. Followed by a discussion with award-winning historian, broadcaster and author Dr Clare Wright OAM, in conversation with Stephen Romei. 6pm, $20/$17 via NFSA
ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
Chemistry in the Pub
Local scientists get on stage and share light-hearted and fascinating stories of research. 6:30pm, $25 /$15 via venue
SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE
CB Ghost & Pinky Ring
Described as “Oasis meets Jack Johnson with Chris Cornell feels” by Scenestr magazine, CB Ghost is an original beast (or ghost, if you will). 7pm, $18.40 via OzTix
THE BASO
FRI 25 OCTOBER
Lakeside at 5:
The Leisa Keen Trio
A smooth blend of well known jazz and pop tunes with their own jazz treatment. 5:30pm, entry by donation on the door
TUGGERANONG ARTS CENTRE
Spiderbait - Black Betty 20th Anniversary Tour
Spiderbait hit the road with their Black Betty 20th Anniversary Tour playing an extensive run of shows to celebrate the double-decade of seminal 2004 album, Tonight Alright. 6:30pm, $84.90 - $104.90 via Moshtix
UC REFECTORY
KHAN w/
Treebeard and Lost Coast
Spending the last eight months working on their upcoming 4th album and armed with a new bass player, the Melbournebased trio are eager to take their prog brand of heavy psychedelic rock back to their fave venues. 7pm, $24.50 via OzTix
THE BASO
Mucho Sonar - Flight of the Bandido Tour w/ Pilots Of Baalbek & Rawrus Tongue Newcastle’s six-piece, facemelting, horn-infused punk rock band Mucho Sonar hit the road once again to promote new live album Live At Punkfest, their fifth earsplitting release to date. 7pm, $23.44 via OzTix
THE BASO
Andrew Farriss (INXS)Something Stronger Tour w/ guest Dana Hassall
Join Andrew Farriss AM, legendary songwriter and co-founder of INXS, on his Something Stronger tour with special guest Dana Hassall. 7:30pm, $37.63 via Humanitix
LIVE AT THE POLO
Jeff Lang - More Life Album Launch w/ band and guest William Crighton
Jeff Lang launches his new album More Life with his band, plus support singer-songwriter William Crighton. 7:30pm, $45/$42 conc + bf via venue
THE STREET THEATRE
Adventure St
The four-piece rock band delves into many genres and sound; bongos, bass, electric drums, djembe, trumpet, harmonica and mind melting guitar solos with flavours of jazz, blues and psychedelia. 8pm, free entry DICKSON TAPHOUSE
Cult Classics with Venus Mantrap | Eyes Wide Shut Slip on your mask and join Venus Mantrap for the best Halloween screening in town, starring Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. This surreal and suspenseful ‘90s classic explores desire, intimacy, and the shadows of Manhattan's upper echelons. 8pm, $16/14 via NFSA ARC CINEMA, NFSA ACTON
SAT 26 OCTOBER
Celebrate Gungahlin Festival
Celebrating the culture and community spirit of Gungahlin’s people, community groups, artists, and businesses. There will be live music and dance, stalls, delicious food, artist activations and fun for the whole family. 11am, free GUNGAHLIN TOWN SQ.
Braydon Poacher
Braydon Poacher has an eclectic mix of covers that span over a variety of genres for everybody to enjoy! 2pm, free entry
OLD CANBERRA INN
Live at Lanyon 2024
This family-friendly event is perfect for music lovers of all ages. The evening kicks off with a performance by the talented ACT Instrumental Music Program Senior Jazz Band, followed by a rich musical program from the CSO, featuring works by Mozart, The Beatles, Bach, and more. 5pm, $40/$45 + bf via Humanitix.
LANYON HOMESTEAD
Magic Rob Universe Album Launch
Magic Rob Universe have a brand new album out called Live at Smith's Alternative. This is the band’s second album and their first live recording. There are powerful songs on the album and familiar tunes the audiences of past shows will adore. 5:30pm, $15/$10, or $25 with CD!
SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE
Witchskull Residency -
The Serpent Tide
Witchskull celebrate their 10th anniversary this October with a 4 show residency performing each of their 4 LPs in their entirety over 4 separate Saturdays. Featuring support Bengal Tigers. 7pm, $20 via OzTix
THE ABYSS BAR, THE BASO Emoween Canberra 2024
The spookiest and saddest time of the year. 7pm, tickets $39.70 via OzTix.
THE BASO [Comedy]
Luke Heggie – Grogan
These are the tribulations of someone just trying to stay alive until he’s dead, while attempting to remain a man of the people. The people aren’t really honouring their end of the bargain. 7pm, $30 via Trybooking FUN TIME PONY
Halloween Howlers 3
A spooktacular night of halloween howling featuring Fabulous Contraption, Slowbeard, Dead Lazarus, and Katrina Maree. 7pm, $15, POT BELLY BAR,
Diesel - Bootleg
Melancholy Tour 2024
Showcasing tracks from his ARIA chart-topping album, Bootleg Melancholy. 7:30pm, $89.70 - $99.90 (VIP $166.20) + bf via venue
THE STREET THEATRE
SUN 27 OCTOBER
Inez Hargaden
Inez Hargaden is an Irish singer-songwriter from County Cavan. She draws from folk, pop, rock, and jazz to commonly reflect on the joys and tribulations of life. 4pm, free entry
OLD CANBERRA INN
Katie Noonan & Karin Schaupp - Songs Of The Southern Skies Vol 2
Returning to their acclaimed Southern Skies catalogue - this time focusing on some of our finest female artists. 7pm, $65$69 + bf via venue
THE STREET THEATRE
Georgia Mooney
Fresh off the back of a huge tour with Kate Miller-Heidke, Georgia Mooney (All Our Exes Live in Texas) brings her captivating new music to Canberra. Think Kate Bush meets Joni Mitchell. With special guest Alyx Dennison. 7pm, $30 via venue
SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE
TUE 29 OCTOBER
[Comedy] Podcast Live
Recording: Cy Fahey & Marky Worthington
Marky Worthigton is hosting his first live podcast recording with special guest Cy Fahey. Crowd based segments planned with general live chat and chaos to ensue. 7pm, free, reservations required via OzTix
THE BASO
WED 30 OCTOBER
John and the Locals
With the vocal stylings of John Chamling Rai. 7pm, tickets $70 + bf via OzTix
THE BASO
THU 31 OCTOBER
CSO Down South: Homage to Heritage
CSO Down South closes its 2024 chamber series with a presentation piano works which pays homage to heritage, exploring familial connections in works by Dvorak, Suk, and Mendelssohn. 6pm, $38/$32 via TicketTailor
TUGGERANONG
ARTS CENTRE
Horror TropefestCanberra's Spookiest
Film Festival
Get ready for a hair-raising night as we invite you to Horror Tropefest, the ultimate horror film festival! Filmmakers, embrace the spirit of Halloween and create your own bonechilling masterpiece using classic horror tropes. 7pm, $15/$10 via venue
SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE
Deathbeds -
Dead Name Music Video
Deathbeds invite you to be apart of a live music video they are shooting for their new upcoming single, Dead Name. Joining the party are supports Post Human, st. sinner, Born2Lose, Flesh, and Saltwater. 7pm, free, reservations required via OzTix
THE BASO
Halloween Shrek Rave
DJs playing Shrek hits & party bangers all night long to bring out your inner ogre! 8pm, from $35 via FIXR
UC REFECTORY
FRI 1 NOVEMBER
Dream Evil (SWE) + Bridear (JP)
Swedish heavy metal legends Dream Evil are back in support of their brand-new album, Metal Gods. 7pm, $63.25 via OzTix
THE BASO
Dylan Wright -
Get A Little Lost Tour
Shadows Night Club is super excited to host Australian Idol winner for 2024, Dylan Wright. 7pm, $35 + bf Oztix
SHADOWS NIGHT CLUB
Quivers - Oyster Cuts
Australian Album Tour
Quivers, founded in Tasmania and now of Melbourne / Naarm, have a third release of cathartic jangle-damaged pop, Oyster Cuts, coming out via beloved US label Merge Records. 7pm, $20+bf via Humanitix
LIVE AT THE POLO
Drop It Like It's Hot: 90s + 00s Hip Hop & RnB Party
Round up Ms Jackson and Jenny from the Block and Let’s Get It Started with a night of 90s + 00s Hip Hop and RnB classics! We’ll have you Jumpin’ Jumpin’ In Da Club. 7pm, $19.90 via OzTix
THE BASO
Ensemble OffspringNgarra-Burria
Multi-movement work
Dreamscapes is an exploration of what can be recovered from dreams in the form of stories and melodies. 7:30pm, $35 + bf via venue
THE STREET THEATRE
DJ Paisa Salsa Night
First Friday of every month, Old Canberra Inn is hosting a Salsa Night so get your Salsa grooves ready and hit that dance floor! 8pm, free entry
In The Wake of Halloween take a step six feet deep into the macabre. A blood spilling event bringing together death metal, thrash, and burlesque in an immersive night of dark entertainment. 7pm, tickets $18.40 via OzTix
THE BASO
Boo!
A trick or treat comedy
Get ready for a spooktacular show this Halloween! Join Lightbulb Improv for a night of tricks and treats, where supernatural powers collide with hilarious chaos. These quick-witted performers will conjure up ghostly guffaws to lift your spirits. Shows at 2pm, 6:30pm & 8:20pm, $39/$29 via Canberra Ticketing CANBERRA THEATRE
SUN 3 NOVEMBER
Divine Devilles
Two well-travelled souls, each with a suitcase full of songs and a love of that sweet, swinging, shuffling, grooving place where jazz & blues meet. 4pm, free DICKSON TAPHOUSE
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Band of the Long Weekend Tour w/ Dwarves Australia, are you ready for some more from Me First and the Gimme Gimmes? After last year’s blitzkrieg tour, punk rock's premier cover band are back with new album ¡Blow It… At Madison’s Quinceañera! and are ready to do it all again! 5pm, $79.90 via OzTix
THE BASO
TUE 5 NOVEMBER
Colleen Doran
Signing and Q&A
Best-selling, multi-award winning US cartoonist Colleen Doran will be taking a break from adapting Terry Pratchett's Good Omens to drop into Impact Comics and meet fans. This is Colleen's only appearance while in Australia. 5pm, free via Humanitix
IMPACT COMICS
Periphery - The Wildfire Australian Tour w/ Reliqa & Crooked Royals
Washington D.C's Periphery has just announced their headline show in Canberra this November while they are in the country for the Monolith Festival. 7pm, $79.90 via OzTix
THE BASO
WED 6 NOVEMBER
Sienna Skies - The Hardest Part Tour w/ Of Virtue (USA) & Clay J Gladstone
Sienna Skies are bringing a new headline set to eight dates across the country, to support their latest single The Hardest Part with a live performance that dots the map of their illustrious career as one of Australia’s leading live acts. 7pm, $35.20 via OzTix
