Wesley Anne Thursday 12 January
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Issue N o 1558
Contents 10
News
16
Industry
18
Arts Guide
20
Punk & Hardcore Metal Charts
22
Electronic Beat Eats All Ages
24
Dinosaur Jr
26
Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza
27
Wominjeka Festival Weekend in the Gardens
28
Fulton Street Thando
29
Half Moon Run Edd Kuepper
Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza Page. 26
Editor’s Note
Office Manager: Lizzie Dynon Accounts Receivable: Accounts@furstmedia.com.au Distribution: Free every Wednesday to over 2000 points around Melbourne. Wanna get BEAT? Email distribution@beat.com.au Contributing Photographers: Mary Boukouvalas, Ben Gunzburg, Anna Kanci, Charles Newbury, Tony Proudfoot, Laura May Grogan, David Harris, Emily Day, Lucinda Goodwin, Dan Soderstrom, Zo Damage, Lee Easton Senior Contributor: Patrick Emery
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Gig Guide
40
Coming soon
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Senior Photographer: Ian Laidlaw Columnists: Joe Hansen, Peter Hodgson, Michael Cusack, Chloe Turner, Christie Eliezer, Julia Sansone Contributors: Kelsey Berry, Graham Blackley, Gloria Brancatisano, Chris Bright, Avrille BylockCollard, Alexander Crowden, Emma Gawd, Chris Girdler, Joe Hansen, Nick Hilton, Peter Hodgson, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Cassandra Kiely, Nick Mason, Krystal Maynard, Paul McBride, Adam Norris, Leigh Salter, Sisqo Taras, Tamara Vogl, Dan Watt, Augustus Welby, Alex Watts,
NEXT WEEK
+ THE VULGAR BORN
TUESDAY JANUARY 17 - 8.30PM - FREE ENTRY
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- ALL AGES SHOW - WITH HARBOURS, THE SCORE, STUCK OUT 8.30PM - $7+BF:
THE OH BALTERS
+ HUGH FUCHSEN & SAUCE, SAUCE, SAUCE, HILLS HOIST FRIDAY JANUARY 13 - 8.30PM - $28+BF:
MOOSE BLOOD(UK) + HARBOURS
SATURDAY JANUARY 14 - 8.30PM - $10
JOSH AUBRY & THE SMOKES +THE CROOKEDS, YEAH DON’T
JAZZ PARTY+ DJ CHINABONE PURPLE DUCK
+ REKTEST
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18 - 8.30PM - $10
THE VELVET ADDICTION THE VULGAR BORN
www.furstmedia.com.au © 2016 Furst Media Pty Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the consent of the copyright holder.
JAZZ PARTY MONDAYS IN JAN 28/1 ARTHUR PENN & THE FUNKY TEN
THURSDAY JANUARY 19 - 8.30PM - $7+BF
10/2 AS IT IS (UK)
+ MATHEW COLIN, JACK PELLOW, ZOE FOX
11/2 AS IT IS (UK) AA MATINEE
NICHOLAS COSTELLO
FRIDAY JANUARY 20 - 2PM - ENTRY VIP EXPERIENCE $35+BF, VIA OZTIX $12+BF
NARLY- ALL AGES SHOW -
+ DEX, BOY GRADUATE, SPECIAL GUESTS 8.00PM - $15:
MALESH P + FLEXX, DENG TEBIR, JUICE
CARE, COPE & DRAG, BATZ DJ’S
BEATS, ZOE K
SUNDAY JANUARY 15 - 8.30PM - $8+BF
SATURDAY JANUARY 21 - 8.30PM - $8
+ KARATE BOOGALOO + LANEOUS (SOLO)
+ THE HEDONISTIC PLEASURES, SPLENDIDID, WHOPPIE CAT
COLOURFIELDS
David James Young, Bronius Zumeris, Simone Ubaldi, Natalie Rogers, James Di Fabrizio, Tex Miller, Matilda Edwards, Lee Spencer Michaelsen, Joe Hansen, Bel Ryan, Izzy Tolhurst, Isabelle Oderberg, Holly Pereira, Nathan Quattruci, Ryan Najelski, Julia Sansone, Christine Tsimbis, Joanne Brookfield, Claire Varley, Lee Parker, Alex Pink, Benjamin Potter, Michael Cusack, Asha Collins.
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COMING SOON
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34
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Social
Well, we’re back at it again for another year. Let’s bloody do this thing shall we? We’re kicking things off in fine form by bringing you the latest from world-renowned rockers Dinosaur Jr., sitting down with J Mascis off the back of their latest album. With another year comes another slew of first-rate events, festivals and shows to get along to, and we’re already off to a roaring start. Victoria’s greatest celebration of queer arts and culture, Midsumma Festival, kicks off this week with a bunch of parties and shows to check out. The Book of Mormon is around the corner too, and I for one can’t wait. On the music front, we’re already racing out of the gate. Shimmerlands has just kicked off its live music series, and it’s only going to get even better from here. Also: shout-out to GL for providing me with the best New Year’s Eve soundtrack a punter could ever hope for. Their set at the Curtin had me boogying like no tomorrow (albeit, as my head can attest – there was indeed a tomorrow and it involved many hours of sleeping). Here’s to a ripper year filled with more shows than either you or I know what to do with.
Publisher: Furst Media Pty Ltd. Editor: James Di Fabrizio Music Editor: Bel Ryan Sub Editor: Gloria Brancatisano Editorial Assistants: Cassie Hedger, Jess Zanoni, Tom Parker, Jacob Colliver, Jen Park, Julia Sansone, Jade Ebinger, Asha Collins Managing Director: Patrick Carr Beat Art Director: Michael Cusack
Reviews
@flowerpants84
With James Di Fabrizio
30
MAGIC IS HAPPENING
3/3 SQUARE SOUNDS FESTIVAL 4/3 SQUARE SOUNDS FESTIVAL 11/3 STORM THE SKY PRESALE TIX AVAILABLE THRU OZTIX.COM.AU
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9
News
News City Calm Down
To take over Shimmerlands Before they head back into the studio, City Calm Down will be doing a huge open air show at Melbourne’s newest summer hang-out. 2016 was a watershed year for the group, who set off on their largest national tour to date and won over crowds at major festivals. Catch them at Shimmerlands, University of Melbourne, on Sunday February 5 in their biggest headline show yet.
Greyhound Hotel Says farewell
The Greyhound Hotel will close its doors for good with management citing “recent unforeseen circumstances” as a reason for the venue’s closure, while thanking both staff, promoters, performers and punters for their support over the years. Recently, a petition was started to protect the GH from imminent demolition, with developers looking to replace the famous hotel with an eight-storey apartment complex. The GH is widely considered one of Melbourne’s premier gay destinations, home to acclaimed cabaret and drag shows.
Millington
Launches new EP UK born and Melbourne-based singer/songwriter Millington is releasing his debut EP Being at Bella Union on Saturday January 21. Millington’s debut single of the same name induced an emotional response, as he delved into an honest recap of what it’s like songwriting and performing. Promising a night of soulful pop textures and grooves, doors for Millington open at 8pm. Tickets are available online from the Bella Union website for $10, or $15 at the door.
Cinema at The ‘G Catch a film on holy ground
Sit back and enjoy some top-notch movies on the hallowed grounds of the MCG with the return of Cinema at the ‘G. Instead of kicking a footy, you’ll be catching the likes of Lion and Sully at one of the world’s most spectacular openair cinemas. Arrive early to enjoy dinner and a drink at the ‘G’s selected food outlets. Pack a blanket and a pillow before getting down to the MCG on Friday February 24 and Saturday February 25.
Sugar Mountain
Team up with Wrangler for a good cause Due to the success of Wrangler’s denim swap at Sugar Mountain last year, Wrangler have announced its return to Sugar Mountain 2017. Punters are encouraged to bring their pre-loved yet still wearable jeans, shorts or skirts to swap for new Wrangler threads. All proceeds from The Exchange Project will go towards a community-based organisation Launch Housing, who work with thousands of homeless people a year. Set in the Victorian College of the Arts, Sugar Mountain will take place on Saturday January 21. Tickets and more information available online.
Give It Back
Host a survival day benefit
Hollow Everdaze
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As an offering of respect and in order to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Australia, the Tote Hotel are hosting the fundraising event GIVE IT BACK on January 25. The lineup of this special survival day benefit concert will include Pony Face, Hollow Everdaze, Howl at the Moon, The Closet Straights and Will Coyote. Entry includes a $10 donation, with all proceeds being donated to The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA). Doors open at 7pm. For more information visit the GIVE IT BACK Facebook event.
FREE
JAN 14 JAN 16
JAN 17 JAN 19
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FREE
JAN 21
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JAN 15
JAN 18 JAN 20
7/12/2016 9:03 AM
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11
News
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Added to Laneway Festival lineup
As Laneway draws ever closer, another powerful addition has been added to the lineup. Psych rockers King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard will be getting down at Laneway fresh from tearing up the country with their namesake festival, Gizzfest. They’ll be taking to the stage armed with brand new material, recently releasing a brand new track from their forthcoming album, Flying Microtonal Banana. Laneway Festival goes down on Saturday January 28 at Footscray Community Arts Centre And The River’s Edge.
Hollie Smith
Roo Panes
Rounding out 2016 with her new single Poor On Poor, New Zealand gem Hollie Smith has announced she’ll be returning to Australia in March to celebrate. Hollie’s 2016 album Water Or Gold, received a large amount of critical acclaim peaking at #1 on the New Zealand charts, before spending three weeks in the top ten. The album boasts rich sounds of jazz and soul, while dabbling in the realms of rock and blues. Hollie Smith will be playing at the Caravan Music Club on Friday March 10 and Port Fairy Folk Festival on Saturday March 11 and Sunday March 12. Tickets and more information available from Hollie Smith’s website.
UK artist Roo Panes is set to make his Australian debut this March as he headlines shows around the country. Inspired by the natural beauty of Dorset’s open spaces and those of the UK’s magnificent Lake District, Roo Panes has developed his own soulful and unique style which has seen him receive over 90 million plays on Spotify. His debut album Little Giant received high praise and his new single Paperweights explores themes of freedom and risk. Roo Panes is playing at The Toff in Town on Wednesday March 15 and at the Port Fairy Folk Festival from Friday March 10 – Sunday March 12. Tickets are available via Frontier Touring.
Returns to Australia
Makes Aussie debut
Wax’o Paradiso
TUE 10/01
OPEN MIC NIGHT SOUL NIGHT WED 11/01
WITH GUEST DJS THU 12/01
STEVE SMART PRESENTS:
A NIGHT OF POETRY & SPOKEN WORD FRI 13/01
THE IN THE OUT
STU THOMAS (SOLO) SAT 14/01
TEX NAPALM NA TRIO RIPLEY HOOD DUO TUE 17/01
OPEN MIC HAPPY HOUR 5-7PM MON-FRI 744 HIGH ST, THORNBURY Band Bookings and venue hire: clubtagomago@gmail.com
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Section 8
The Waifs
Get ready to slip, slop and slap, because Section 8 is importing tonnes of sand into their humble digs as they transform into an inner-city beach for their Urban Oasis party series. As well as tonnes of sand, there’ll be beach umbrellas on deck too, as well as some top-notch DJs spinning summer vibes courtesy of Wax’o Paradiso, alongside recent Battle 8 winners One Puf. Capping it off comes sets from Cumbia Massive and Melbourne tastemakers Good Manners. Get tropical down at Section 8 from Thursday January 8 – Sunday January 15. For more information head to the Section 8 Facebook page.
To celebrate 25 years of The Waifs, the band are gearing up for a huge national tour, releasing their 14 track studio album Ironbark, as well as 11 bonus tracks making a total of 25 songs for 25 years. From Tuesday January 10, The Waifs will be giving away one free downloadable bonus song each week until the official album release on Friday March 3. If that wasn’t enough, Ironbark will be made available to fans at a discounted price from their website and some retailers as a way to say thanks. For more details on ticket and album bundles, head to The Waifs website.
Is turning into a pop-up beach
Celebrate 25 years
Camp Cope
Join forces with Alex Lahey Melbourne trio Camp Cope are planning a party for their nearest and dearest before they hit the stage at Laneway Festival this summer. Joined by the highly acclaimed Alex Lahey and RVG, this day event is sure to combine upbeat and brooding tunes covering an array of genres. With a first in best dressed policy, it all gets started on Sunday January 15 at the Old Bar from 2pm. Tickets available at the door for $5.
TICKETS
ON SALE
NOW!
The 2017 line-up includes: 30/70 AUSTRALIA • 9Bach WALES • A Guy Called Gerald UK • Ana Tijoux CHILE • Archie Roach AUSTRALIA • Bebel Gilberto BRAZIL • Brushy One String JAMAICA • Carabosse – Exodus of Forgotten Peoples FRANCE • D.D Dumbo AUSTRALIA • The East Pointers CANADA • Emir Kusturica & The No Smoking Orchestra SERBIA • Hanoi Masters VIETNAM • The Hot 8 Brass Band USA • Inna Modja MALI • L-FRESH The LION AUSTRALIA • La Mambanegra COLOMBIA • Lamine Sonko & The African Intelligence SENEGAL/AUSTRALIA • Mercedes Peón SPAIN • Nattali Rize JAMAICA/AUSTRALIA • Nhatty Man & Gara ETHIOPIA/AUSTRALIA • Oki Dub Ainu Band JAPAN • Philip Glass Ensemble USA • Rich Medina USA • The Soil SOUTH AFRICA • The Specials UK • Sudha Ragunathan INDIA • Tangents AUSTRALIA • The Waifs AUSTRALIA • Warsaw Village Band POLAND • William Crighton AUSTRALIA and many more! Plus: Taste the World, The Planet Talks, Global Village, KidZone, visual arts, street theatre and more.
10–13 MARCH 2017 BOTANIC PARK ADELAIDE WOMADELAIDE.COM.AU
SEE WEB SIT FOR LINE E -UP
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13
Industry
Things We Hear
Lifelines
Engaged: The Bennies’ guitarist Julien “Jules” Rozenbergs and Melbourne band The Sugarcanes’ singer and guitarist Lucy Wilson. Recovering: US rapper Troy Ave after being shot in the arm and grazed on his head while in his red Maserati car at a road junction in Brooklyn, New York. Ave is still on bail for allegedly shooting into a crowd at a TI gig in New York last May which left one person dead and four injured. Jailed: Liverpool, UK DJ Wayne Evans, 39, for 12 months for illegally downloading the official UK Top 40 hits every week and uploading it to various torrent sites, with prosecutors claiming this swindled artists of a £1 million. Died: Johnny Dick, 73, drummer with Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, Doug Parkinson In Focus, Fanny Adams, Wild Cherries, the John Paul Young Allstars and the Stevie Wright Band. Died: Radiohead leader Thom Yorke’s former partner, visual artist and university lecturer, Dr Rachel Owen, 48, from cancer. Their split in August 2015 heavily influenced Radiohead’s album A Moon Shaped Pool. Died: Frank Murray, long time manager of The Pogues, 66, heart attack. Died: US jazz drummer Alphonse Mouzon, 66, cancer. He was with Weather Report, released solo albums and guested on albums by Les McCann, Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd, Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis and Roberta Flack. Died: Bruce Begley of Sydney alt-rock bands The Honeys and Flicker. The Honeys lasted briefly in the late ‘80s issuing debut album Goddess through Waterfront, before reuniting in 2008 for a second album Star Baby, Died: Alan Williams, the first manager of The Beatles, 66, who got them bookings in Hamburg where they sharpened their skills. He later founded the Jacaranda Club in Liverpool. Died: Darwin-born Newcastle-based country singer Auriel Andrew, 69. She worked with the likes of Jimmy Little and Chad Morgan, and last year toured with the cast of indigenous country doco and tour Buried Country. She was awarded Lifetime Achievement by the Deadlys in 2008. Died: Samantha Aulton, 46, former singer with Hunter Valley band Crimson Tide, after a 16 year battle with breast cancer. She trained as a counsellor to help others with cancer and wrote a book about her life and battle.
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Peking Duk
Will Australia be one of the places where U2 play special concerts to mark the 30th anniversary of The Joshua Tree? They start in America, including Bonnaroo Festival. Also coming this year is Songs of Experience which follows 2014’s Songs of Innocence, which they gave away for free via iTunes. Is the Queensland Government planning to dump or delay the second part of its lockout laws due to kick in on Wednesday February 1? Will the Fleet Foxes’ next record be titled Ylajili after a character from Hunger, a Norwegian novel written by Knut Hamsun and published in 1890. The artwork takes the form of a photo by Japanese photographer Hiroshi Hamaya. As per a cryptic video, expect a KLF reunion mid-year. During his set at NZ’s Rhythms & Vines festival Chance The Rapper announced he wanted to move there “in the next 15 years…” At a press conference at Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, Amanda Palmer opined that the presidency of Donald Trump “would make punk rock great again.” The Jezabels may be touring following keyboard player Heather Shannon’s treatment for ovarian cancer. But recording sessions will be based around her recovery. They’ll write new music soon but don’t know when recording will start. Pearl Jam‘s Eddie Vedder donated a $10,000 Christmas present cheque to a single mother’s family of six in need after reading about how they were close to getting evicted from their home. The band also gave $70,000 towards the medical bills of a man who saved Vedder from drowning in Hawaii seven years ago, when they found he’d been in a boating accident and almost lost his leg.
Got some industry news we should know about? Email Christie Eliezer celiezer@netspace.net.au
US, UK, Music Markets Grew In 2016
The US and UK music markets grew in 2016, mostly due to the fast growth of streaming and to a lesser extent vinyl, while CD sales continued to freefall and downloads were a disaster. America grew by 4.9%, said analytical firm BuzzAngle Music. Subscription services grew 124.3% from 2015, with US consumers streaming 191.36 billion times. Audio streams through subscriptions grew 82.6% – from 137.29 billion in 2015 to 250.73 billion in 2016. Streaming grew by 68% to 45 billion in the UK, said the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), allowing the music business to grow by 1.5% to a retail value of £1 billion (A$1.7 billion), Vinyl sales were up by 25.9% to 7.19 million in America where it is 4% of album sales. In the UK they were up 53% to 3.2 million – the highest in 25 years.
Greyhound Closes…
Mystery still surrounds the sudden closure of the Greyhound in St. Kilda. Hotel management refuted reports in mainstream media that it was due to making way for an eight-storey apartment block. Instead they attributed it to recent developments outside their control while Karina Harcourt of CWK Hotels said it had not been making money because of the costs of the productions it put on.
…The Eureka Returning To Live Music …
The Eureka Hotel in Geelong has abandoned being a weekly nightclub because of falling numbers in clubbers, and has reverted to becoming the live music venue it was between the ‘70s and ‘80s. Its manager Mario Gregorio says it is aiming to showcase major acts such as Peking Duk in May.
…And New Owners For Theatre Royal
Theatre Royal in Castlemaine has relaunched under new owners Campbell Hynam-Smith, Andrea Distefano, Jono Hill, Felicity Cripps and Tim Heath who refurbished it. Heath’s band The Basics played there on New Year’s Eve. The new team helped the previous owner run the place and intend to make it a high profile live entertainment venue.
Fans With Disabilities Bullied At Music Events
Alarming figures showed that 12.5% of music fans with learning disabilities polled in a survey complained of being refused entry to a music gig, festival or concert. Many said they’d been bullied by other patrons, nearly half felt worried about asking venue staff for help and 55.6% would go to more gigs if venues were more sympathetic. The survey, of 300 between the ages of 18 and 35, was done in the UK by the charity Mencap. It said 29.2% suffered abuse from members of the public. Mencap urged more venues to be more sympathetic and asked for more people to join its Sidekick scheme, where members of the public volunteer to spend time with people with learning disabilities at events like music concerts.
Falls Facing Legal Hassles?
Fairfax Media reported that Falls promoters could be facing legal action over the stampede incident at the Lorne event. Maurice Blackburn Lawyers confirmed it was acting for two patrons. Maddens Lawyers is talking to others who were injured or traumatised about a class action, blaming the positioning of the tent exits as a cause. In the meantime, Tasmanian Police confirmed that their investigations through personal moshpit footage from other punters found that five women were sexually assaulted at the Marion Bay festival. They’re encouraging others, who came from overseas or the rest of Australia to contact them. “It’s clear to us that there have been other offences committed, said Detective Inspector Steve Burk. Falls co-promoter Paul Piticco released a statement that said in part, “We are deeply saddened and disturbed.” He added, “Like everyone else we are disgusted and angry that some people feel they can inappropriately touch others without their consent. We would like to see the conversation turn from telling our women and girls to be on guard and vigilant, to telling our boys and men to have some respect and stop taking these liberties.”
UK Music Magazines Close
EDM star Deadmaus aka Joel Zimmerman has previously gone to court to protect infringement of his name and logo. But in the latest, he’s protecting his pet cat’s brand. In 2010, he adopted the black and white moggy Meowingtons. It’s become a viral hit, with its own Twitter handle, been on Deadmaus album artwork and the DJ superstar launched Meowingtons headphones, the first designed for cats. When he tried to trademark the name in 2015 he discovered a Florida online business selling cat-themed apparel and gifts had beaten him to the punch in 2014. He’s asking a court to revoke its trademark.
Long time UK music magazines Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog Rock have closed after their publisher Team Rock went bankrupt. Metal acts began a crowd-funding campaign, raising £78,000 (A$133, 592) in five days, and benefit concert for the 75 staffers who lost their jobs. Meanwhile over in America, Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter has bought Spin, Vibe and Stereogum to become the world’s largest music publisher brand. The deal expands the company’s online audience to 45 million readers a month, strengthening its reach among social media savvy millennials who value listening to music digitally and live experiences in equal measure. Its move into video last year delivers 100 million video views monthly.
New Funding For St. Kilda Film Festival
Amin Brings Back Love Live Music
Deadmaus Files To Protect Cat’s Trademark
Victoria’s Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley confirmed funding for the St Kilda Film Festival to 2018. Produced by the City of Port Phillip, it draws over 12,000 people to venues in and around St Kilda to see screenings of Australia’s top 100 short films as well (with $50,000 worth of prizes) as the SoundKILDA music video program and shorts by filmmakers under 21 years old. It also includes an extensive professional development program for emerging filmmakers that includes forums, workshops and talks covering all aspects and fields, from screenwriting to sound design, producing and performance. Once the festival wraps up by the sea it mounts a Victorian tour, taking in regional and outer metropolitan areas from June through to August. Expressions of interest are open from venues and organisations wishing to be part of the 2017 tour.
Radio Adelaide Stops ABC Name Change
Community radio station Radio Adelaide has successfully put an injunction on the ABC from using the name ABC Radio Adelaide. This month the national broadcaster planned an Australian rebrand of its stations, using their cities in their new names. On Thursday December 1, the ABC sent a letter to the station about its plans saying “We don’t anticipate this will cause confusion.” Angry feedback from the station’s listeners (which used the name since 2003) saw management call in their lawyers. Just who will use the name will be decided in court in April. It is reminiscent of a stoush when Melbourne’s dance station Kiss FM objected to Australian Radio Network rebranding its MIX stations KIIS FM.
After the success of the first Love Live Music – 60 Second Film Competition, the Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN) is bringing it back this year. It’s part of a national initiative to focus on the importance of Australian contemporary live music. It calls for filmmakers and musicians to collaborate on a 60 second film that is centred around one of the following themes: (1) Imagine life without live Australian music, (2) What I love about live Australian music and (3) What live Australian music means to me. The ten finalists will be screened at St Kilda Film Festival’s SoundKILDA event, where the winner and runner up will be announced and awarded cash and in-kind prizes. Submissions are open until Friday March 31 at the AMIN website.
Between The Devil, And The Blues
Melbourne’s Geoff Achison & The Souldiggers led the finalists for the 2017 Australian Blues Music Awards with four gongs. They’re up for album, song, group and artist of the year categories. Hurricane Hearn and Blues Arcadia three each, and Claude Hay and Justin Yap Band two each.
Cowell Profits Down 32%
Forget your debts, spare a thought for TV and music impresario Simon Cowell whose latest company profits for Simco slumped by a third from £27 million to £18 million. It’s attributed to “lower licensing income” from shows including Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor and America’s Got Talent, and the 32% drop in profit is a result of “the phasing of record releases” (read: not selling as well).
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Arts Guide
Beat’s Pick Beat’s Pick Theatre Pick of the Week
Rodney Rude Midsumma Festival
On Air: 40 Years of 3RRR
One Mna Show
A dent omnite nam raturia quamet quae pres molupienest am re, quo consentiur, sequasi maximenda voloriaecum a idellestion rae es et volor After dazzlingpremier sell-outqueer shows Berlin, London, Victoria’s artsinand culture festival is Paris and is set to glitter back forGlastonbury, 2017, bringingBriefs a loaded program with it. bomb thisMelbourne week. Letwill yourbeglamorous ForMelbourne three weeks, home to over and130 idiotic host Shivannah guideencompassing you through Midsumma Festival events, visual a arts, jaw-dropping, performance,eye-popping film, parties, evening sports, talksof and extravagant birdbath boylesque, social events. Make sure you checktoo-close-forout their three key comfort tricks, Carnival, valiant aerial acrobatics,Pride eventsyo-yo Midsumma the Midsumma irreverent interludes drag It’s March and new-artand partyshow-stopping Midsumma Horizon. artistes. Loadedin with dollop Christmas all happening venuesa and spacesofacross Melbourne cheer, Briefs January is the15 -most from Sunday Sundayoutrageously February 5. entertaining way to kick off the party season. Wednesday December 14 - Sunday December 18 at Arts Centre Melbourne. eat laccupt asperis prae qui ut anditatum explabo rersped eost, vendis et eossunt occum quatium res soloris estrunt ioribus explatur et res que sumqui inciend antio. Est aut volupta quisitat adi odis dolorer rovitat ecaborum, utam nis eos modit, es sim quas a volent haritas inctatet fugiate ratur? Faceat laccupt asperis prae qui ut anditatum explabo rersped eost, vendis et eossunt occum quatium res soloris estrunt ioribus explatur et res que sumqui inciend antio. Est aut volupta quisitat adi odis dolorer rovitat ecaborum, utam nis eos modit, es sim quas a volent haritas inctatet fugiate ratur?
Comedy
Got some arts news we should know about? Email James Di Fabrizio james@beat.com.au.
Opens after dark
Kick the weekend off right when The State Library transforms into an afterhours pop-up bar, showcasing the stellar exhibition On Air: 40 Years of 3RRR with exclusive late night access alongside DJs, vinyl, drinks, and food on the Mr Tulk terrace. It’s a dose of music and art that makes for a very enticing evening. Catch it Friday January 13 and Friday 20.
Journey of a Thousand Smiles
Sunday’s Roast
A Bigger Splash
Aggrieved by the endlessly contemptible treatment of refugees and asylum seekers in offshore detention, it was the belief in her fellow Australians and their generosity of spirit that launched Jessica Hackett on an epic journey. See the remaking of this story at The Butterfly Club from Wednesday January 18 Sunday January 22.
Sunday’s Roast is the story of a family coming together, testing old relationships and discovering new ones. As Felicity Campbell prepares her home for the incoming flood of her grown-up children and their partners, she discovers she has tested positive for a pregnancy. An exploration of sexuality and family dynamics, the comedy-drama is set to take over La Mama from Wednesday January 18 - Sunday January 19.
Luca Guadagnino’s latest work comes to Shimmerlands this week for a healthy dose of open-air cinema. A dark comedy drama with a psychologically thrilling edge, the film stars Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes and Dakota Johnson. The story follows a rock star and her filmmaker boyfriend holiday on the Italian island of Pantelleria – interrupted by an unexpected visitor and his daughter. Saturday January 14 at Shimmerlands, University of Melbourne.
Janis: Little Girl Blue
Born Yesterday
Twelfth Night
Melbourne Theatre Company is ready to get things started for 2017 with their first production of the season, Born Yesterday. The ever-green Broadway comedy will dive headfirst into the dark side of politics, complete with glamorous 1940s style. See it at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner from Saturday January 14.
Shakespeare’s classic comedy will be brought to life in the Botanic Gardens with Twelfth Night, considered one of his greatest masterpieces. Pack a picnic and get down to experience a familyfriendly tale for Shakespeare fans young and old. Catch it from Tuesday - Sunday throughout the week.
A story of determination
Family drama with feeling
George’s Bar
Cinema under the stars
George’s Comedy is back for another year of laughs. Get down to their first event for the year with Ben Russell as MC alongside Perri Cassie, Geoff Setty, Glen Zen, Anna Spark and the first contestants of their ‘Are You Funnier Than George’ competition. Thursday January 12, 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy. All for the price of free.
Comedy
Thursday Comedy
It’s a ‘Big Name Special’ at Thursday Comedy this week. You know the drill. Let’s just say you’ll be disappointed if you miss out on this mystery lineup with surprise guests. Get in on some secret laughs Thursday January 12 on 120 Exhibition St, CBD.
Rochester Comedy
Rochester Comedy is bringing out the big guns to kick things off, featuring Nick Cody, Anne Edmonds, Xavier Michelides, Juan Vesuvius and more. Thursday January 19, 202 Johnston St, Fitzroy
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An inside look at the legendary Janis Joplin Oscar-nominated documentarian Amy Berg looks at the inimitable Janis Joplin and her meteroic rise to fame, unearthing her story for the first time on film through archival footage and revealing interviews with friends – painting a portrait of one of the most influential figures in rock and roll. Catch it throughout the week at ACMI.
Kicks off MTC’s season
Shakespeare in the park
With Joe Hansen
Charts
Punk/Hardcore
Bowie, Legacy 2LP
Heartland Records Top Ten 1. Peace Trail LP, Neil Young 2. Third World Pyramid LP, Brian Jonestown 3. Tri Repetae 2LP, Autechre 4. Until The Hunter LP, Hope Sandoval 5. Legacy 2LP, David Bowie 6. The Spoils 12”, Massive Attack 7. Memories Of Rock Box Set, Rainbow 8. 2112 - Deluxe 3LP, Rush 9. Honeymoon In Red LP, Lydia Lunch 10. Miss Sharon Jones 2LP, Soundtrack
With Peter Hodgson
Metal
Art By Ben Brown
Welcome back to a new year of punk rock and related news, reviews, trash talking and more. It’s exciting to be going into 2017 with what I’m sure will be a great year of new bands and records. Let’s do this. Visual artists and musicians Ben Brown and Steve Cohen are presenting an art exhibition this January-February showcasing their respective works. Known for his time in influential punk band Hellmenn, Ben Brown’s artwork has been used on countless iconic album covers and posters, used extensively by Waterfront Records and more recently bands such as Clowns and Frenzal Rhomb. Steve Cohen is known for his role as guitarist in both Flour and Cut Sick and has provided art for many bands, numerous on Poison City Records and label merchandise, plus runs his own screen-printing business Too Far Gone. Opening night is on Friday January 20 at the RVCA Corner Gallery on Wellington St, Collingwood.
Cosmic Psychos
The Bendigo Hotel is having a birthday party. To make up for talk of birthdays past, they’ll have seven years of birthdays wrapped into one crazy weekend. They’ve asked mates old and new to help out and have confirmed Cosmic Psychos will play at The Bendi for the very first time on Friday January 27. There’s also a very rare pub show from Bodyjar on Saturday January 28 and an explosive Sunday sesh with the one and only Fireballs on Sunday January 29. LSDOOM will record and film a live album at the Bendigo on Thursday January 12, joined by Electric Mud and Dowser. Then on Friday January 13 catch Unbound with Morte Lenta, Internal Rot, Tactical Attack and Religious Observance. And psychobilly legends Nekromantix are at the Bendigo on Saturday January 14.
Amrap Metro Top Ten 1. Double Standards, Flangipanis 2. Hidle Ho, Pow! Negro 3. Glow, I Heart Hiroshima 4. Already Home, Alex The Astronaut 5. Rattlesnake, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard 6. Hunk With A Hunch,Velociraptor 7. Hanging Hearts, Sun Sap 8. Ementha-Papaguneray (Turtle Song), Emily Wurramara 9. We’re Too Far Away (My Other Future My Other Youth), Craig Hallsworth 10. Parallel & Repeat, Seavera
Air 100% Independent Albums Top Ten
Nekromantix
Folk punks Ramshackle Glory, the latest project of prolific folk punk icon Pat the Bunny, have released what is to be their final album. Entitled One Last Big Job, the album is available from Get Better records and on the band’s Bandcamp page. Pop/skate punks The Lillingtons have announced the upcoming release of their first album since 2006. Yet to be titled, the record is due for release in mid-2017. Their 1999 album Death by Television still gets very regular spins on my stereo, definitely worth checking out if you’re into fast melodic skate punk, similar to guitarist and vocalist Kody Templeman’s subsequent band Teenage Bottlerocket.
Baby Animals are hitting the road again to celebrate 25 years since the release of their One Word single. Catch them at the Corner Hotel with Palace Of The King and Dallas Crane on Saturday February 18. Tickets available from the venue’s website. Brisbane alien metallers Aversions Crown have released their brand new song The Soulless Acolyte. “The Soulless Acoloyte is one of my favourite tracks off the album, and another big piece of the Xenocide puzzle to decipher,” vocalist Mark Poida says. “The dudes ripped it on this song; the drums shred and it totally slams.” New album Xenocide will be released on Friday January 20 via Nuclear Blast.
1. Our Christmas Wish, The Ten Tenors 2. This Is Acting, Sia 3. Skeleton Tree, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 4. 1000 Forms Of Fear, Sia 5. Animal, Big Scary 6. Camp Cope, Camp Cope 7. Diplomatic Immunity, Client Liaison 8. Rising With The Sun, The Cat Empire 9. Aussie Christmas With Bucko and Champs, Bucko & Champs 10. Every Night The Same Dream, Ball Park Music
Shazam Australia Top Ten 1. Love$ick, Mura Masa Feat. A$AP Rocky 2. I Feel It Coming, The Weeknd Feat. Daft Punk 3. Drinkee, Sofi Tukker 4. Rockabye, Clean Bandit 5. Fresh Eyes, Andy Grammer 6. Play That Song, Train 7. I Don’t Wanna Live Forever, Zayn & Taylor Swift 8. Call On Me, Starley 9. Chameleon, PNAU 10. Capsize, FRENSHIP & Emily Warren
Beat’s Top Ten Songs About Dinosaurs 1. Jurassic Park Theme Song, John Williams 2. Walk the Dinosaur, Was (Not Was) 3. Feel The Pain, Dinosaur Jr 4. The Dinosaur Song, Johnny Cash 5. Dinosaur, Ke$ha 6. Dinosaurs Will Die, NOFX 7. Dinosaur, Yves Klein Blue 8. Shhh!!! If You’re Quiet I’ll Show You A Dinosaur, The Fall Of Troy 9. Velociraptor!, Kasabian 10. Brontosaurus, The Move
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Sleater-Kinney (photo by Ian Laidlaw)
Sleater-Kinney have announced the release of their first live album. Recorded in Paris in February 2015 at La Cigale, the recording is from their reunion tour following the release of acclaimed comeback album No Cities To Love. The band has announced several pre-order packages for the album, available on CD, LP and cassette formats from Sub Pop. The band has released a preview stream of a recording of track Surface Envy. Mid ‘90s Gold Coast skate punks Blister have announced two reformation shows at Brisbane’s Crowbar. Featuring future Frenzal Rhomb and Mindsnare drummer Gordy Forman, the band played numerous tours and festivals, including Big Day Out and Warped Tour. At the time of writing both shows have sold out, however rumour has it that more shows and a possible tour are not out of the question. Watch this space. Olympia WA’s RVIVR have announced the release of a new 7” to accompany their upcoming national tour. Featuring two new tracks, the 7” will be put out via One Brick Today. RVIVR plays The Old Bar on Tuesday February 7, The Tote on Friday February 10, plus a secret location in Footscray on Wednesday February 8.
Aversions Crown
Chasing Ghosts have overseen an unrivalled end to 2016, riding a wave of exceptional praise for sophomore album I Am Jimmy Kyle, applause from triple j and triple j Unearthed, reverence in the halls of local and regional broadcasters and culminating at a stunning #8 on the killyourstereo.com reader poll, there is no better time to double down and take the music across the country again. October’s release of I Am Jimmy Kyle has been a glorious revelation in song writing, lead tracks Jane Doe and Anthem For Bastards, Liars & Cheats were met with rapturous applause, a glorious symptom from working alongside producer Andrew Newfeld (Comeback Kid) and help from the likes of Milly Tizzard, Doyle Perez (D At Sea) and Marcel Gadacz (Dream On Dreamer). Joining the foray will be Sydney grunge revivalists The Dead Love, fresh from the carnage of their own tour. Catch them at The Workers Club in Fitzroy on Friday February 17.
BEAT.COM.AU
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Columns With Ravi O’Lee
WIth Michael Cusack
Electronic
Beat Eats
WIth Indiana Ewen
All Ages
Traumer
This Friday January 13 sees French underground producer/ DJ Traumer stopping by Platform One for a DJ set. Known for his take on driven minimal tech-house, he released three records last year on his own label Gettraum, each perfectly illustrating his evolving skill and maturity as a producer and selector. Backing up Traumer is Mickey Nox (Green Fetish Records), Sundelin (Stable Music), Matt Radovich (Stable Music), Johan Elgstrom (Bounce Audio), Sly Faux (Stable Music), Sarantis (Konnekt’d), Scott Freedman (Mahala), Louay (For The Record Label), Steph Yeah - Karlisle (The Breakfast Club) and Acid Safari (Stable Music). Even if Traumer misses his flight, that’s one hell of a party.
2017 is here, so let’s take a bite out of some of the tastiest, booziest, and downright sweetest culinary offerings our city has to offer. Get ready to slip, slop and slap, because Section 8 is importing tonnes of sand into their humble digs as they transform into an inner-city beach for their Urban Oasis party series. As well as tonnes of sand, there’ll be beach umbrellas on deck too, as well as some top-notch DJs dishing out those summer vibes courtesy of Wax’o Paradiso. Capping it off comes sets from Cumbia Massive and Melbourne tastemakers Good Manners. Get that trusty zinc stripe across your nose and hit it up for a good time. Shit’s getting tropical down at Section 8 from Thursday January 8 to Sunday January 15.
Local haunt and purveyors of all that is tasty, The B.East, are taking inspiration from India in a spectacularly delicious collision of east-meets-west food and booze. Their ‘Beasts of Bollywood’ special will be delivering the goods with dirty mango lassi, masala chai sours and Indian summer bourbons from the bar, as well as samosa stuffed sliders with chickpea relish. Pro tip: get stuck into the lamb kofta loaded fries with melted cheese and chives. I’m getting hungry just writing this. Capping it off, special guests The Fifths will be pumping out the jams. Good music and good food –does it get any better? It’s all happening Saturday January 14.
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If you’re looking for something a bit more chill, another great option for this week is Sunset Sounds down at Central Park in Malvern East. From 6pm on Sunday January 15 you can enjoy the sweet, jazzy tunes of Fem and the Hep in addition to Fulton Street. Take a picnic blanket, your favourite snacks and your pals for free fun times. There’s even more to be found south of the river, with the Chapel Off Chapel Summer Sessions now in full swing. On Saturday January 14 the amazing Thando will be laying down the R&B flavoured electronic beats. Her mesmerising voice is sure to get you in the right mood for the weekend. Doors are at 8pm and tickets are on sale through the venue. Benny Walker
John Jammin Collins
Sunday January 15 brings us to the third installment of Piknic Electronik’s 2017 program, promising to be a journey from past to present with Undergound Resistance’s John Jammin Collins out of Detroit. From his beginnings in ‘86, DJing alongside Jeff Mills at Cheeks in Detroit, Collins has remained a don of the scene he helped create as an artist, producer, manager and booking coordinator with Underground Resistance. His soulful techno and house selections are the perfect match for a summer Sunday arvo, so get down to Sidney Myer Music Bowl from 2pm. Local selection support comes from old mate Matt Radovich and Rambl.
The first week of 2017 is an absolute corker for all ages gigs. To start the party, New York’s metalcore heavyweights Every Time I Die will tear Arrow On Swanston a new one on Thursday January 12. Tickets on sale via Destroy All Lines. Support comes from letlive and Counterparts. On the same day, you can also pop down to The Evelyn in Fitzroy. Moose Blood will be bringing the noise all the way from the UK, alongside Harbours, Set The Score and Stuck Out. Tickets via Oztix. Nip down at 2pm for a nice and early start. Alexisonfire are in town for UNIFY, but will also be stopping in Melbourne for a sneaky headline show. It’s happening at Festival Hall on Tuesday January 17.
Fulton Street
Mary Velo
On Saturday January 14, Bunker’s Open Air series is back, and headlining the first of 2017 is Berlin based Mary Velo. No longer at Brunswick’s notorious and legally troubled Railway Hotel, hosting duties have been given to the Gasometer Hotel and their awesome two storey bandroom – complete with retractable roof. Once known for primarily being a punk/hardcore venue, we’re starting to see more parties being hosted at the Gaso thanks to their new owners and massive sound system. Velo’s dark and moody techno will be backed up by locals Chiara Kickdrum, DJ Kiti, Harold, Adrian Bell, Jake McDonald and Reuben Slade. It kicks off at 3pm.
Every Time I Die
As far as questions I want answered this year, there’s one that I’d really love to have settled. Who cooks up the best snag in Melbourne? Luckily, Prahran Market’s Sausage Fest is back with their ‘Battle Of The Butchers’ to sort it out once and for all, where butchers and poulterers will face off in a BBQ showdown to end all showdowns. As you might expect, it’s going to sizzle in a year that’s meatier than ever before. Judge for yourself when it takes over Prahran Market Harvest Hall on Sunday January 29.
Another great option for the week is the Wominjeka Festival going down at Footscray Community Arts Centre from Saturday January 14 to Saturday January 21. The celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture includes music from Frank Yamma, Gawurra, Benny Walker and more. There’s also a stack of workshops and art exhibitions to check out. Head to the Footscray Community Arts Centre website for the full program. While we’re on the subject of arts, NGV Friday Nights have been cooking up some ripper gigs this summer. On Friday January 13 indie legends I Heart Hiroshima are taking the reins and treating you all to a rare all ages show. Potter along for some live music, delicious food and an after-hours squiz of their current exhibition. Doors are at 6pm, tickets via the NGV website.
Cover Story
Dinosaur Jr. By Patrick Emery
In May 1989 Dinosaur Jr. toured Australia for the first time. For the cult American indie-hardcore band, it was a time of upheaval. Earlier in the year bass player Lou Barlow, increasingly frustrated with the stifling behaviour of guitarist and principal songwriter J Mascis, had voiced his displeasure to his band mate. Mascis responded by exiling Barlow from Dinosaur Jr. With an Australian tour booked, Dinosaur Jr. recruited Donna Dresch, founder of the Chainsaw fanzine and record label and bassist with girl punk band Team Dresch. Mascis didn’t know Dresch personally, but she came highly recommended. “It was interesting playing with Donna,” Mascis recalls, in his measured Massachusetts drawl. “We didn’t really know her, so we were getting to know her on the tour and trying to figure out if it was going to work or not. She was playing really well. It was weird trying to incorporate someone new into the band.” Dresch’s tenure didn’t last long, and by the early ‘90s Murph had also left. By the mid ‘90s Dinosaur Jr. was a band in name only, with Mascis handpicking musicians for tours and recording sessions. When it was announced in 2005 that Mascis, Barlow and Murph would be not only reforming for a few shows, but also releasing a new album, it took almost everyone by surprise. Mascis, indeed, hardly expected the reformation of the trio to last longer than the initially scheduled shows. “I thought maybe it would last a week,” Mascis says. “We had a TV show and one show booked. I wasn’t really sure, even for those two things. We took it really slow. One thing would seem to go OK, so we’d do another thing, and we’d keep going like that. I guess it’s still going like that.” Mascis, Barlow and Murph released a new album, Beyond, in 2007 and, buoyed by the positive critical and popular reaction and the truce between Mascis and Barlow, two more albums in the next five years, Farm in 2009 and I Bet on Sky in 2012. The release of a new album, Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not, in 2016 has confirmed that Dinosaur Jr. has lost none of its original creative spark. “It’s
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good if it can stand up [against Dinosaur Jr.’s older material], but it’s hard to say,” Mascis says. “You don’t know who’s going to judge it. It’s more about ‘This is where we are at the moment, and these are the songs we have now.’ Hopefully it’s good. We try our best. That’s about all we can do.” Mascis now divides his creative time between various musical pursuits, ranging from his solo and acoustic shows, noise rock in Heavy Blanket, the heavy guitar of Sweet Apple (featuring members of Cobra Verde) and playing drums in stoner-rock band Witch. For a Dinosaur Jr. record, Mascis says he sits down and deliberately writes songs that are potential Dinosaur Jr. records. “When I sit down to write, I try to write the songs for that album we’re doing at the time, for Dinosaur Jr. It’s not too hard to get in the zone to write for Dinosaur Jr. But it can take a while to come up with some songs.” Mascis’ relationship with Barlow remains cool, but constructive. The logistics of recording have been improved with Barlow returning to live on the east coast after some years living in California. Barlow contributes two songs, including the mellow album closer Left/Right to Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not. “We’ve always had a good musical relationship,” Mascis says. “We write our respective songs pretty much alone. There were some songs Lou had in the past that I worked on more to make them sound more Dinosaur-esque, but not lately.” In 2015 Dinosaur Jr. celebrated its 30th anniversary with a run of shows at the Bowery
Ballroom and a cast of guest performers, including Bob Mould, Henry Rollins and Charles Bradley. “When Henry sang with us one night, that was a highlight, and playing with guys from Negative Approach was a highlight as well,” Mascis says. “And we played with Bob Mould – I played drums on a Husker Du song and Lou played bass. That was really good. Also, it was great playing with Charles Bradley because that was so hard and put us out of our comfort zone.” Mascis describes the dynamic within Dinosaur Jr. as “fine,” though he concedes the band members don’t mix much when they’re on tour. “We all have our own ways to cope on tour. I see Murph once in a while, but I don’t see Lou much.” Mascis doesn’t “have a plan for a new album right now, but it seems like a possibility.” One of Mascis’ guitar heroes, Neil Young, is still going strong in his ‘60s. I ask Mascis if he’s inspired by Young’s longevity and ongoing creativity. “Oh sure, yeah,” Mascis says. “Of all those older guys he seems to be most on the ball, doing better music than a lot of them these days.” The same might be said for Dinosaur Jr.
“We took it really slow. One thing would seem to go OK, so we’d do another thing, and we’d keep going like that. I guess it’s still going like that.”
Dinosaur Jr. will play The Croxton Bandroom on Friday January 20 and Saturday January 21. Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not is out now via Jagjaguwar/Inertia
Arts Feature
Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA By Meg Crawford
To say that Cirque du Soleil’s shows are elaborate production numbers understates their magnitude. For every show, the Quebecoise-based circus phenomenon builds an elaborate microcosmos beneath the big top, transporting patrons to fantastic realms where gasps are guaranteed. While Kooza, the company’s latest show to hit Oz, returns to the meat and bones of circus with a focus on acrobatics and clowning – it’s no less a behemoth. With 35 road cases and 3,500 costume pieces for the show’s 50 international performers, including wigs, shoes and props, Kooza is still every bit a Cirque du Soleil juggernaut. Jason Brass, Head of Wardrobe for Kooza, is the man who keeps the visual and artistic integrity of it all in check. Brass has been involved in theatre since he was in his teens and was always more interested in what was happening behind the scenes, as opposed to traipsing the boards. When starting out in his career, Brass worked with some small regional companies in opera and ballet, but serendipity intervened. He was working in Sarasota at the Asolo Theatre Festival when an old pal he hadn’t seen for a decade strolled in, hitting him up for a position at Cirque du Soleil as a wardrobe assistant, albeit six months later. Almost 17 years have elapsed since. Now, as the Head of Costume for Kooza, Brass’ role sounds like a logistic nightmare. It takes three full-time staff, including Brass, and four local staff in each city to keep wardrobe ticking over and they need to hit the ground running. “When we bring a show to a new city, because we pack it dirty from the last city, it takes 28 loads of laundry just to do the set up,” Brass says. It also requires a willingness to roll up the sleeves. “Everything in a circus changes daily,” he reflects. “Typically, we come in early mornings and start ironing and pressing and steaming the costumes and checking everything over, 26 BEAT.COM.AU
to get the show ready. But every day can be a new challenge, there’s no consistency in what we do. If one of my employees is out, I’ll step in and do the ironing and styling on the wigs.” Not only do the costumes need to look schmick, they also need to be safe. “We design the costumes to make sure that the artist is functional and safe,” Brass says. “We have great tricks of the trade. For instance, some of our buttons aren’t buttons, they’re silicon pieces that won’t injure the artist. Everyday we’ll go in and check costumes to make sure beads or rhinestones aren’t falling off, and to catch anything that could become a hazard.” By the sounds of it, Brass’ only real bugbear is the palaver involved in shipping some of the costumes in and out of the country. “There’s a paperwork nightmare in bringing feathers and leathers into different countries,” he says. Kooza’s costumes, which are the brainchildren of costume designer Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt, draw influence from inspirations as diverse as Alice in Wonderland through to Mad Max. “You’re not going to see the rough and dirty Mad Max, but you will see some slight mohawks in the wigs,” Brass says. The costumes are painstakingly made. For instance, all shoes are custom made, the fabric involved starts off-white and is dyed or sublimated onsite at Cirque du Soleil’s HQ, and about 300 measurements are taken of each performer’s body in order to nail the fit of his or her costume. That said, the technology involved is getting crazy high tech. For example, the company used to take plaster casts of performers’ heads to make hats, which was about a four-hour process. Even Brass marvels. “Now, we are able to do it digitally: we put little electrodes on their face and scan their whole head.”
“Everything in a circus changes daily.” Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA runs at The Big Top, Flemington Racecourse, from Friday January 20 through to Sunday March 12.
Interviews
Wominjeka Festival Celebrating the rich wonder and diversity of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, Wominjeka Festival is back with its typical abundance of artistic flair. For Associate Producer – and performer in last year’s festival – Brett Lee, the crafting of the incredible week-long event has been a rewarding and interesting experience. “It gives a different angle to what you’re looking for,” Lee says of the position. “You’re not just trying to find a musician – you want to find an artist that can work with kids and can deliver an interesting program. Not just for a one-set kind of thing, you’re looking for an artist that can run a workshop for a whole day.” After enjoying his time in the 2016 Wominjeka Festival, Lee began working at the Footscray Community Arts Centre, before becoming Associate Producer on the current festival’s roster. Together with Lydia Fairhall, Head Programmer and one half of contemporary folk/pop duo Tigerlilly, Lee has assisted in weaving an exciting array of creative workshops, art, music, movement, performance and film. Specifically, Lee has been instrumental in the School Holiday Arts Program, which contains workshops from the likes of Ilbijerri Theatre Company – Australia’s longest running Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre Company – and Circus Oz’s BLACKflip, featuring Indigenous circus trainers teaching children the skills and fun involved in the circus world. With so much on offer, Lee can’t pinpoint what he’s most excited for. He’s looking forward to Little Wominjeka Klub, which contains the legendary reggae-fusion stylings of the Bart Willoughby Band
Scribe at Wominjeka
and country/rock/reggae group The Stray Blacks. He mentions Scribe, a project for emerging artists that holds a wide variety of showings, storytelling and readings. Over the course of the event, you’ll find acclaimed performance artist Jack Sheppard delivering his story of Indigenous life and culture through movement and poetry in The Honouring, writer Hannah Donnelly reading passages from and discussing her work, and artist Miliwanga Wurrben presenting her Dreaming story behind her painting. Finally, there’s the Laneway Festival-partnered Terrain 2017, which includes rising stars from our local area such as Alice Skye. “There’s so many different countries in Australia,” Lee says. “Our mob are so diverse within that, so it’s pretty different for every clan, you know, what their issues and what their focus is on. It’s always interesting to hear that variety in an event like this, where we’ve got Gawurra from Arnhem Land, and Leah Flanagan, who’s also based up north, and Frank Yamma, who’s from WA, and Yorta Yorta man Benny Walker who’s from here. It’s
Frank Yamma
Alice Skye
really cool to see that diversity within our mob.” Beginning his own musical journey at the age of 20, Lee understands the power of music, and an event like Wominjeka Festival which nurtures this talent. His love for his craft has only grown since. The festival has personally aided him with experience and passion, and continues to provide a truly integral opportunity for all. “I was 20 when I started playing music,” Lee says. “I used to be an athlete before that. When I stopped training, that was the first thing I did started playing a ukulele and teaching myself how to play music. “I guess culture and expression of language and family is one of the focuses of the festival, and what it really strives to provide access for the community to.”
“It’s really fascinating. We had Lionel Richie at A Day on The Green, and the amount of 20-yearolds in the audience was unbelievable,” says event promoter and Roundhouse Entertainment’s Mick Newton. “Same with Fleetwood Mac, I was really staggered. There were heaps of people well under 30. Maybe it’s because those artists still get played on the radio, maybe they’re getting it from their parents. But a good song is a good song at the end of the day. And Lionel Ritchie, Farnham, all those bands, Fleetwood Mac, they’ve written unbelievably good songs, and they’re incredible when they play live.” The surprise of Newton at this phenomena comes from the fact the event was original started with an older audience, and older artists missing out on spots at events like Big Day Out in mind. “It was about presenting slightly older artists in a different way, in a way that’d appeal to people who wanted to see them,” he says. “That audience doesn’t necessarily want to go out to a pub or a club and wait til 11 at night to see an artist come on.” Though, with the successful format of A Day on the Green tied to a winery environment, the kinds of venues possible to be used for the shows were rather
Wominjeka Festival runs from Saturday January 14 - Saturday January 21 at Footscray Community Arts Centre.
By Jacob Colliver
A Weekend In The Gardens Perhaps what best distinguishes A Weekend In The Gardens, the inaugural three-day event from the brains behind the sensational A Day on the Green, from other outdoor music events, is its effortless way of combining brilliant musicians, good food and drink, into an event where everyone can enjoy themselves.
“Our mob are so diverse... it’s always interesting to hear that variety in an event like this.”
“It was about presenting slightly older artists in a different way, in a way that’d appeal to people who wanted to see them.” restricted. But when the ex-agent and his team were approached about putting on shows at the Royal Botanic Gardens, the idea of A Weekend in the Gardens was born. “I can’t count the amount of times we’ve said no to venues that were quite good, but weren’t wineries. The gardens, it’s too good to say no to. The Royal Botanic Gardens are iconic. “The idea of doing three shows in a row isn’t something we usually do, there are a lot of advantages in that. It was too good an idea to pass up. If we didn’t do it, someone else would’ve. I live around the corner from the botanic gardens, and it’s such a beautiful spot.” The three-day event boasts a hugely impressive lineup, featuring the likes of Icehouse, Boy and Bear, San Cisco, and of course, John Farnham. “The group we’ve got together is a little bit different each night, and the lineups are strong in their own right,” says Newton. “Any of those bills would do well in any atmosphere in Melbourne. But putting them in the garden will add something above the inherent bill. It will attract people to each of the nights, on top of how good the acts are.” More than music, a major component of the
event is The Eatery, a mass area on site filled with some of the best food and drink you can find. Featuring Ladro, Jardin Tan, Burn City Smokers, and The Royale Brothers, to name a few, the event will also feature a cocktail bar inspired by native plants, elegantly complementing the gardens. “Music, food and wine go hand in hand,” says Newton. “Everyone eats and drinks and listens to music everyday. Have a BBQ at home, you’ve got food, booze, music; at dinner parties, you’ve got music. Food is such an important part of [the event].” Australia’s summer festival scene has become smaller in recent times, but A Weekend in the Gardens is bucking the trend and starting afresh. Although Newton’s promotional success has been organic, it’s anything but effortless. “It’s a lot of work to put it on, but when you see it happening, when people are there enjoying it, you’ve got a really nice day in a winery, and people are enjoying the show, of course that’s the best part.”
A Weekend In The Gardens will transform the Royal Botanic Gardens from Friday March 10 until Sunday March 12.
By Claire Varley
BEAT.COM.AU
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Interviews
Fulton Street Those who can’t do, teach... Or so the old adage goes, in any case. Certainly it doesn’t apply in the case of Shannen Wick, lead singer of seven-piece soul titans Fulton Street. In addition to her commitments with the band, Wick also happens to moonlight at a school, working as an instructor in Indonesian, and though maintaining that balance does sometimes prove difficult, it certainly goes a long way to proving that she is as much a doer as she is a teacher. “You’ve got really late nights and then you’ve got really early starts the next morning,” Wick says. “That can be such a struggle. But you know, it’s the best of both worlds. It’s like leading a double life.” Given her powerful singing voice and broad technical knowledge, it’s rather surprising that Wick hasn’t elected to teach, y’know, music. But she argues that keeping work and pleasure separate is important: a good way of compartmentalising her life and avoiding the clash between what she loves and what pays the bills. “When I was working at this school last year, one of the guys, he was in a band. And I’d say to him, ‘I find it interesting that you don’t teach music.’ And he’d always say, ‘Nah, music is just for me.’ I get that now. ’Cause teaching can be pretty exhausting. It’s nice to have the music outside of school.” That’s not to say that Wick plans to keep those two plates spinning at the same time indefinitely mind you, and she has always harboured the dream of making music full-time. But she’s a realist as well, and she understands that embarking on a career as a musician comes with its own distinct trials and tribulations. “I think if we could make it work [playing] more frequently, then yeah we definitely would do that,” she says. “But I was having this conversation with someone recently: sometimes you’ve got a tonne
“...We’re all kind of juggling different careers and pathways. We make the best with what we’ve got.” of gigs then nothing for a bit. It’s all about finding balance. If we could do that more frequently…” She pauses. Thinks. “But we’re all kind of juggling different careers and pathways. We make the best with what we’ve got.” Luckily, Wick has a host of co-conspirators by her side. Though one might imagine that scheduling gigs for a seven-piece group – a seven-piece group in which all the members work full time, no less – would be some kind of logistical hell, Wick finds the process is made so much easier thanks to the eagerness of her bandmates. “The boys are pretty good. They’re really responsive. They love playing gigs. They’re my yes men,” she laughs. “When I tell them, ‘Gig on this date,’ they’re always like, ‘We’re in.’ They’re just a great bunch to work with. They’re really reliable. I don’t have too many issues in trying to organise them.” Thank God Wick has found her people then, particularly given the Fulton Street lineup doesn’t even always stop at seven. The group’s membership can sometimes swell to the size of a small militia outfit, and they are unafraid to overcrowd the stage when they can.
“People always go, ‘How do you manage seven people?’ And it’s like, it’s not just the seven of us. We’ve got two or three extra players, and we often add two or more horns depending on what the event is. I think our single launch was 17 people onstage or something. It gets pretty crazy.” As a result of that same craziness, during a Fulton Street show the stage frequently becomes a kind of danger zone, with injuries and accidents abounding. But, as they always say, pain is the name of the game, and Fulton Street’s joyous, infectious strand of soul rock has enough love in it to far outweigh the bloodshed that sometimes goes down onstage. Well, most of the time. “I don’t how many times I’ve bashed someone in the back onstage,” Wick laughs. “I think it was our first gig ever and I was dancing and I just turned and went ‘whack,’ right across my bandmate’s face. He never forgave me.”
Fulton Street will play Cherry Bar on Thursday January 12 and Sunset Sounds, Malvern on Sunday January 15 with Fem and the Hep.
By Joseph Earp
Thando Five years ago, Thando was a budding young artist who had just moved from Canberra to Melbourne in grand pursuit of a music career. With a slew of achievements behind her, it’s easy to say she’s succeeded. As a well-recognised name in the Melbourne nu-soul scene, she’s performed in several bands and musicals, receiving rave reviews for her performances in The Color Purple and Dreamgirls thanks to her incredible voice and passionate style of performing. Her rise to the top has largely been an intuitive venture as she manages both herself as a band and a performer. “Booking gigs and trying to find a divide between being the artist and the manager has always been tough for me,” she says. “Every time everything went well, I thought it was a fluke and I hadn’t done anything in particular that would have made me a good manager. But thinking on it, when I look back at all I’ve achieved with my band over the last three years, it’s been through self-management. It shows that the hustle and the hard work I’ve put into it has been paying off. I am capable of managing and I don’t just have to be the singer. I can take control of what happens with the band.” This revelation is fairly new, coming from a meeting Thando had with Peking Duk’s manager at Bigsound last year. It revealed that Thando’s style of management was more professional than she first gave herself credit for, and her thought process in preparing for a show, in this instance her last show at Chapel Off Chapel, reveals how switched on as businesswoman and performer she is. “At first I was like ‘There’s 250 seats in that theatre – I’m not going to sell 250 seats. I mean I’m
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“It’ll be really good for people to see me as not just a singer and a frontwoman of this fun band.” happy to give it a go if it doesn’t cost me anything, if it wasn’t something that was going to put me out of pocket,” she says. “There were no venue fees, all publicity sorted in house, all we had to do was push the show on social media. It was close to a sellout in the end. And because of the success of last year’s show we were invited to come back again for a second year.” “What’s fantastic about doing a show here is that it’s a beautiful space, quite intimate but quite showy as well. I really like being able to play around with my live show, not just play a set and be done with it, it’s very interactive. You can see all the audience’s faces and reactions from the stage. The band and I have written the show as more of a performance piece as opposed to playing a bunch of songs like we would at the pub or at The Evelyn where people are there to have a good time and get fucked up.” Passion shines through as one of the driving forces for keeping Thando in the music industry. She’s recently left her 9-to-5 job to focus on her music career, freeing up 40 hours in a week to write
music for the band and manage the back end. Her upcoming journey to Melbourne is in the spotlight as she speaks of a touching performance that reflects upon that part of her identity. “There’s two different sets,” she says. “The first set is going to start with something I haven’t done in Melbourne before. When I was in Canberra, writing songs and playing – I would accompany myself on keys. After I came to Melbourne, I found myself surrounded by so many talented musicians so I decided I aint’ gonna do that shit no more. But with this new show I’ve decided I want to take it back to the essence of ‘me’, revisit the reason I decided to be a performer in the first place. “I’m starting the set accompanying myself on the grand piano, and I’ve never done that. I’m a little scared, but I think it’ll be really good for people to see me as not just a singer and a frontwoman of this fun band, but to know I write my own songs. I write my own lyrics. I’m behind the material that people hear on stage.” By Thomas Brand
Thando will play Chapel Off Chapel on Saturday January 14.
Interviews
Half Moon Run Chatting with Conner Molander from Half Moon Run is an odd occasion. Not because of anything overtly peculiar, but at the time of talking the focus of our interview – the ethos of the band, the development of their touring lifestyles – wouldn’t actually be experienced by Australian audiences for many months. It’s a long gestation period, which really means that their sophomore album, Sun Leads Me On, has plenty of time to entrench itself in your inner playlist (and those indie rock harmonies, my my my). Once you’re familiar with that, then you get the pleasure of seeing these guys rock out live. “The first time that we jammed together as a band,” Molander recalls, “I’d had a lot of jams before that, and what tends to happen is that people want to show the others how good they are. They start playing loud and at each other. But the first Half Moon Run jam was different. Everyone was very quiet, listening to each other. Dev [Portielje] opened up singing for the first time, and we were all blown away, he’s such a good singer. Like, where did this come from? Within 20 minutes of us walking in the door, we were all singing harmonies together. It was the first thing that we did together.” It led to their critically acclaimed debut, Dark Eyes back in 2012. Since then, the Canadian quartet have enjoyed sold out shows across the world, and have joined the adventures of bands like Mumford & Sons and Of Monsters and Men. Across the years, the band have been candid about the struggles they’ve surmounted, and have embraced the necessity of needing to challenge themselves. “Our approach to songwriting changes with every song. I think the differences between the two albums have a lot to do with the way they were recorded. Dark Eyes is a bit smokier, because we were
“It’s the responsibility of the artist to reinvent their process every time, otherwise it’s not creative.” learning, we didn’t have as much high fidelity going on. It’s really song by song, and it has to be that way. If there’s ever a process that you discover and start relying on, then people are going to be able to tell that you’re not really creating anything. You’re just using a bag of old tricks. It’s the responsibility of the artist to reinvent their process every time, otherwise it’s not creative. “We’re still a band that learns through obstacles,” Molander continues. “In some ways that’s the only way you can learn. If everything is going great, where is the change, what are you going to learn? We talk about this as a band a lot. A way to reframe it is to accept the greater peaks and valleys, all as being part of a good life. When things start going bad you can step back from it and start using it as a learning stage. That’s fuel. It’s conflict, but it doesn’t have to sucker-punch you so bad.” For a young band, Half Moon Run broke through the glamour of life on the road nice and early. Not that Molander and the gang are loathe to
leave the frozen Canadian wastes (“I find winter in Montreal to be pretty shit, to be honest,” he laughs), but the realities of bruised egos, absent families and friends, coupled with physical and creative exhaustion were concerns they had to address in short order. Yes, it has taken talent and perseverance. But it doesn’t hurt to have a dose of luck on your side. “On one hand, I feel really fortunate where music is my career. That’s what I’ve always wanted, and it took a lot of things, but one of the big things is luck, especially in this day and age. But on the other hand, I think it’s important not to dwell on it too much, and just keep on thinking about the next thing, to be a normal person as much as you can. I don’t spend much time thinking or reflecting about the grandiose aspects of it. I find it more important to focus on being normal.”
Half Moon Run will play Corner Hotel on Thursday January 12 with The Franklin Electric.
By Adam Norris
Ed Kuepper Ed Kuepper isn’t particularly disposed to analysing his legacy. But maybe he doesn’t need to be. After all, there are people out there willing to do that for him: the discography of the celebrated musician, a player who has contributed to bands as diverse as The Saints and Laughing Clowns, has been lauded as one of the most celebrated in contemporary Australian music history, and he is an endlessly canonised creator. So no, in conversation, Kuepper keeps his answers considered, and whenever possible avoids making grand, sweeping statements about his legacy or the nature of his art. When probed about whether or not his approach to performing has altered over the some 40 years since he began playing – particularly whether or not it’s gotten easier over time – Kuepper bucks giving an easy answer. “It’s hard to say,” he muses. “It kinda depends on so many variables. Some aspects get easier over time, and other aspects stay pretty much the same as they always have. I guess I don’t sort of focus on the difficulties. Not much point. Some things you really can’t do much about.” Part of Kuepper’s somewhat guarded nature evidently also comes from the high regard with which he considers music: all music, that is, not only his own. To hear the man talk about playing live is to hear a scientist talk about the extremity of space, or the endless whorls of hard maths and calculus – something that is mysterious even when quantified. For instance, when probed on whether or not he manages to be fully in the moment while playing, or if he remains aware of the audience there to watch him, Kuepper speaks of a hesitancy to pitch his camp on either of those two sides, and remains invested in the mysterious alchemy of his art. “I think you have to find a kind of position where both of those things are possible. To actually play the sort of music
“You build something up ... then before you play it you deconstruct it to see what the kind of core is” that I play, it does sort of involve a pretty singular sort of focus. But at the same time you can’t ignore the audience in the process because they are there, and they are there to see you. So you have to engage them. If you fail to do that it doesn’t work. But on the other hand you need to focus on what you’re doing. So it’s a balancing act really.” That’s not to imply that the musician gets overly swept up in the more esoteric nature of what he does for a living. He is, and always has been, a pragmatist. That’s evident across his discography, and is the key to his impressive work ethic: there’s a reason he has managed to churn out an album pretty much every other year since the mid-’80s. For him, the songs are important, but they’re not some kind of alien structure, or pages torn from his diary: they’re real world objects. “I don’t kind of get too caught up in the personal aspect [of the songs],” he says. “I don’t get overwhelmed by the sort of personal nature of any of that stuff … It’s more about how to actually perform the songs so that they are unique to that night, and in a way trying to push them in a way that they haven’t been pushed before.”
Ultimately then Kuepper never really considers his work done. His discography is an ever-changing one, and even if you think you know an Ed Kuepper song, Kuepper himself doesn’t. For him, nothing is written in stone, and his entire body of work is one ever-shifting piece of transient art. “I think it’s important to not expect that once a song is recorded that that’s the definitive version,” he says. “I kind of work in an opposite way. You build something up – you kind of construct an arrangement around a song – and then before you play it you deconstruct it to see what the kind of core is. Sometimes it changes quite significantly if you’ve been playing it for a long period of time. You find nuances that weren’t apparent when you first started. So it’s always a kind of exploration in a way.”
Ed Kuepper will play at Howler on Saturday January 14.
By Joseph Earp
BEAT.COM.AU 29
Reviews
Album of the Week (Independent)
Singles With Lachlan Kanoniuk I haven’t reviewed any singles since last year! #LOL (Migos)
Single of the Week:
Migos
T-Shirt (Independent) A woozy, relatively subdued taste from Migos’s upcoming Culture, T-Shirt marries impossible cool with eerie detachment, refining the ATL trio’s sprawling influence of recent years, continuing with purpose on the path of their own carving. The Migos are playing chess while other acts have gone all in on checkers.
King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard
Nuclear Fusion (Flightless/Remote Control) Reeling in the barrelling majesty of Nonagon Infinity, the Gizz keep it chill on Nuclear Fusion, splitting the atom with meticulous tactic rather than dropping an A-bomb. Breezy, and a bit beautiful.
Nine Inch Nails
Burning Bright (Field On Fire) (Independent)
A meandering experiment that doesn’t really do much in its swirl of white noise, but I guess we’re listening in the context of setting up substantial happenings in the NIN world in 2017. Not memorable, but not entirely worthless.
The xx
Say Something Loving (Young Turks/Remote Control)
A touch overwrought, even by The xx’s standards. Self-parody without the fun. Let loose, The xx! Wear some funny hats! Or something!
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Swim Tean
Holiday Swim Team’s debut, Holiday, is a fitting soundtrack with which to banish the dismal fog of twenty-sixteen.
9.0
And who couldn’t use a smidgen of ‘90s lo-fi indie pop about now, amirite? Holiday is an exuberant affair infused with bold self-reliance, bruised romanticism, and a palpable sense of frustration. The EP benefits from the energetic live recording as it captures the band’s tentative first steps, shaping their sound and aesthetic. It’s an authentic representation, the group happy in the odd bung note. The most important thing here is to be true to your school. Writing and vocal duties are distributed among band members, this gives the EP a stylistic diversity and means you can never be sure which direction you’re about to be pulled. One minute it’s the dreamy Should’ve Just Said So, the next we are kicked to the kerb with brattish punk force like Blinkers, Current State. However, there is a golden reverb-drenched hue that gives all the tracks on Holiday a sense of commonality. By George Hyde
Reviews
Albums
I See You
8.0
Cold Chisel
The Live Tapes Vol 3
8.0
With I See You, The xx come soaring back into our collective consciousness with their first album in almost five years.There’s a great mix of the calm, reflective xx of old, and a new, more upbeat sound which permeates through the whole album, and showcases just what Jamie xx was talking about when he said this album was going to be “more outward-looking, open and expansive.” Lead single On Hold is probably the best example of this upbeat sound, and breaks new territory for the English trio. Complete with a drum machine and fantastic chorus, I was able to dance to an xx track for probably the first time ever (disregarding my interpretive dance efforts to Heart Skipped A Beat).However one danceable track does not an album make, and the more traditional xx way of doing things is still very present on this album. Performance is a standout track which has quickly made its way onto my mental list of ‘really depressing songs’ and showcases Romy Madley Croft’s outstanding vocals. Overall this album is everything it should be. Doing some of the old stuff The xx are so very good at, combined with a new direction which they already seem to have the hang of, I See You is a very early nomination for album of the year and it’s going to take something great to knock it off.
The release of Chisel’s third, and arguably best, studio album, East, heralded the band’s evolution from Adelaide boogie-blues outfit to hard-edge rock’n’roll band. It was this incarnation of Cold Chisel that graced the stage of the Manly Vale Hotel on Saturday June 7, 1980. The setlist ranges across the band’s three studio albums. There’s the obligatory rendition of the already well-loved Khe Sanh, plus a few lesser known gems from the eponymous debut album: Home and Brokenhearted, Juliet and the epic One Long Day. Breakfast at Sweethearts is Chisel in its cashstrapped Kings Cross guise, from the bleary-eyed title track to the speed-addled Conversations, Merry Go-Round and the set-closing Goodbye (Astrid Goodbye). From East comes Cheap Wine in all its narcotic and alcoholic glory, Standing On the Outside, Choirgirl, Never Before, Star Hotel, Tomorrow, My Turn to Cry and Rising Sun. There’s a rarely heard take on Shakin’ All Over (more The Who than Normie Rowe) and a cover of Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door that surpasses the version featured on Swingshift, released the next year. Sometimes it’s cool to bag Cold Chisel as a bogan band, but if you take the time to listen, you’ll realise Cold Chisel were a kickarse rock’n’roll band with a killer set of songs.
By Nathan Quattrucci
By Patrick Emery
Why would the Stones release another album after 11 years, and risk the band’s legacy? Because the Stones still care about the blues. Blue & Lonesome is the Rolling Stones’ Zen album, the recording that sends the band back to where it all began: to the dirty blues of the American south. Along the way the Stones check in on Howlin’ Wolf (Commit a Crime), Willie Dixon (Just Like I Treat You, I Can’t Quit You Baby), Buddy Johnson (Just Your Fool), Little Walter (Blue and Lonesome, I Gotta Go, Hate to See You Go) and then some. Close your eyes and listen to Mick Jagger’s harp and you can visualise him in his stovepipe pants in Chicago 1966, shuffling James Brown style across the stage. Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood are a couple of eager kids with £10 guitars sitting in front of the parents’ turntable learning the licks of the great Delta blues masters. Charlie Watts, as simple and elegant as ever keeps the beat, always there, never in the way. Forget the pomp and ceremony and garish colours of the Stones’ live set. The Rolling Stones are still a blues band at heart, all under the spell of a masterful innovator. By Patrick Emery
Peace Trail
Tim Evans
Wretched Wings
8.0
6.0
Unlike most artists his age, Neil Young has a lot to show in terms of new material output in the 2010s alone. Not all of it’s great, given – in fact, some of it is flat out bizarre – but it’s also brought us such fascinating ventures as a 30-minute Crazy Horse song and a covers LP recorded entirely within a 1940s recording booth (2014’s A Letter Home). You have to hand it to the man: He’s certainly not done. He even confesses as such less than ten minutes into his 37th album – “I can’t stop workin’,” he sings. “Cause I like to work.” Fair enough. Peace Trail is intended as a more stripped back, acoustic effort; more in line with his ‘70s material than the louder and more experimental LPs of late. Unfortunately, that comes at a price – there is a lifelessness to more than a couple of songs on this album, while the rambling nature of songs like My New Robot and My Pledge threaten to derail the thing entirely. Still, time should at least be made for cuts like the aforementioned Can’t Stop Workin’ and the entertainingly unsubtle John Oaks. Young’s grumpy ballet lives on. By David James Young
(Cilvage Music / Caroline Australia)
Blue & Lonesome
8.0
Neil Young
(Ever/Never Records)
(Polydor)
The Rolling Stones
(Reprise)
(Universal Music Australia)
(Young Turks / Remote Control)
The xx
Vitalic
Voyager
7.5
Anyone familiar with Tim Evans’ work with Sea Scouts, Bird Blobs and Degreaser will be well versed in his particular brand of fetid psych-swamp nastiness, a style that can be traced back to the ‘80s and Australia’s rock underground. This time, accompanied by his finger-picked acoustic guitar, Wretched Wings embraces another direction, while retaining much of his familiar grim aesthetics. With titles like Rotting Spring and Dark Fire, early on, listeners are reminded of Swans leader Michael Gira’s, acoustic work, while later tracks are reminiscent of Townes Van Zandt. The sparse arrangements reside in all-consuming reverb and are littered with the occasional guitar overdub or simplistic ad-hoc percussion and all this gives the record a lived-in feel. As the record progresses, Evan’s voice shifts between haunted, bluesy and downtrodden, to something better described as ethereal-country. Some of the later songs are imbued with a surprising sense of hope and lightness with Long Long Time and the final track Mornin’ Train borrowing a ‘60s folk vibe proving that Evan’s can do just about anything. While the strains of melancholy remain in his songwriting, with this new release, Evans offers hope where before there was none.
Another degustation of boundary-bending electronica from dance chef Arbez-Nicolas, AKA Vitalic. There’s some interesting, hipdipping, foot-stepping fare between the lively amuse-bouche of opening track, El Viage and the syrupy celestial chillaxing of the last track, Don’t Leave Me Now. Waiting for the Stars (featuring David Shaw and The Beat) is the chart-friendly single with its Bowie-esque ennui and chic groove. Levitation is steady trance-tech with an urgent wail and insect tics. It’s hard to top it in the tracks that follow. Use It Or Lose It shimmies back in the direction of the dance charts; probably the track you’ll hear pouring from an open window at the lights one Saturday night in the thick of summer. Lightspeed is more interesting, with a nod to Lipps Inc’s melodic ‘80s ear-worm, Funky Town, above some sharp dystopic synth-decay and pulsing house. Eternity is the epic equivalent of a slow-cooked turducken: a stellar, extra-terrestrial voyage towards a jaunty drop, which eventually leads to the succulent oily juices seeping from the roasted monsteregg. There’s a palate-cleanser in Nozomi’s deep-house style and the darkly-humorous Sweet Cigarette is a nocturnal traipse to compliment the meal before dessert. Sounding a bit like Moroder, Cerrone, Lime, Spacer and Gino Soccio, Vitalic’s Voyager is a retro-futuristic cosmic disco of a meal deal.
By Luke Fussell
By Jack Latimore
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Profiles
Chelsea Bleach
Who are we chatting to? Prani, and I’m a guitarist. You lot have an EP coming out shortly. Could you tell us more about it? Our debut EP, Decent Connections is about the connections between people, and with the world around us. Our first single Public Safety deals with the idea that women, non-binary and visibly queer people are often treated like our bodies are public property. Do you prefer playing live or in the studio? We wouldn’t love being in a band nearly as much if we couldn’t play in front of a crowd of friends and have a good time.. What’s your opinion on women in music as it stands today? As a band made up of women and non-binary people, we try not to concern ourselves with this question. Instead of trying to push into a punk scene dominated by men, our band and our friends’ bands sort of created our own scene. I think the underground queer scene in Melbourne is thriving right now. The mainstream will catch on eventually. If you could pick three bands for a dream lineup, who would they be and why? Rihanna, because she is the epitome of a badarse who does what she wants and is proud of herself. Sleater-Kinney because they were an important influence for us and allowed us to see that rock wasn’t just for men. No Doubt because their music was fab.
Music
Chelsea Bleach will launch Decent Connections at the Tote on Friday January 20.
chelseableach.bandcamp.com
Bullhorn
What’s the band name and what do you ‘do’ in the band? Bullhorn. I play Sousaphone (giant tuba that you wear) and manage the band. What do you reckon people will say you sound like? We draw from lot of different genres including funk, reggae, breaks, drum & bass, soul, metal, any genre, we’ll take the elements we love and make it into something rad. What do you love about making music? Making people dance and seeing that energy and excitement on people’s faces when they love a tune. What do you hate about the music industry? Money. I love my job and my life. But the music industry in Australia is hard. There’s no minimum wage or strong union. If you could travel back in time and show one of your musical heroes your stuff, who would it be and why? If we’re going back in time I’d want to go right back, to Bach, Vivaldi or Handel. Show them modern music and see what they thought. If you could assassinate one person or band from popular music, who would it be and why? Maybe Simon Fuller, for creating American Idol and the whole Idol franchise. It’s made the pop genre even more formulaic and boring. What can a punter expect from your live show? Dancing, lots of dancing. What’ve you got to sell CD-wise? Two albums, self titled and Players/Sounds. And our new single, Uphill. bullhornmusic.com.au
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Gravel Pit
G’day Gravel Pit, what brought you all together? Initially the band was myself (Rivals, keys/electronics) and Martino (drums). We were hanging out at the now defunct Harvest festival watching Fuck Buttons. I was looking for a drummer and asked him to write with me. After a few singles and an EP we realised we wanted a vocalist. We both only ever had one person in mind and that was Adam from the now defunct Hira Hira. Who are the main inspirations behind your sound? We all love acts that are electronic or experimental acts that perform live. Health, Holy Fuck, PVT, Seakae, Liars, Battles. Got any new releases on the horizon? We have a single that we may release very shortly but other than that we will have a new EP out mid-year. Done any ripper gigs lately? We just played our ‘office Christmas party’ with our pals in Totally Unicorn, Gay Paris and Sorcery. It was nuts. The venue was at capacity super early and people lined up for hours. High fives and hugs were aplenty. What’s a piece of equipment that’s essential to Gravel Pit’s sound? We all use a stupid amount of gear, but I would say Martino on drums is our essential piece of kit. I played solo for years and it never came together live until I had a drummer. Your lineup recently expanded, how has that changed the band’s dynamic? It changed dramatically. The songs initially were written by myself, now we all write together in a room from scratch and build songs up from jams. Got any pre-gig rituals? Anxiety, pizza and alcohol.
Music
Gravel Pit will play Old Bar on Thursday January 19 and The Reverence on Friday January 20.
facebook.com/hellogravelpit
Music
Twisted Bingo
Comedy
Bullhorn will play Workers Club on Saturday January 14.
Describe this bingo night as though I come from another planet? This is a stupid fucking question and I refuse to waste the word count on it. What have been some of your favourite unorthodox number calls? Dan’s mind is perverse. I don’t know what’s going on in there. I don’t want to know. Every time he draws out 69 (the sex number guys) he offers a free jug to any two people who’ll perform the ‘69 challenge’ by simulating the act in front of the stage. Oddly enough, most people have proven willing to sacrifice their dignity to save $15. One couple did it while standing up. Impressive, really. Is it true you have a shoe fetish? For context: during the latter rounds when Dan is generally too drunk to control basic motor neuron functions, let alone come up with decent rhymes, he resorts to aligning every number that ends with ‘two’ with ‘shoe’, and implies that for some reason I like to fuck them. It was funny at first, but it’s still happening.
Twisted Bingo goes down at Ferdydurke every Monday from 8pm.
Music
Live Photo by Ian Laidlaw
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
Modern Baseball 170 Russell, Friday January 6
One year on from their set at the Corner, it was a huge jump for Modern Baseball to 170 Russell. Foxtrot started off the evening with an adequate set, but there wasn’t much to write home about. Their drummer gave it a hell of a go though and his fills gave the band technical precision that didn’t seem to make it on the drawing board for their lead singer. Hometown darlings Camp Cope saw the first real reaction from the crowd, with screams of adoration pushing the volume to its peak. Lead singer/guitarist Georgia Maq laughed as the audience sang the words back to her, clearly still struck anyone cares enough. Her vocals shone and managed to cover the fact the other two members struggled to fill the stage presence quota. Maybe it’s nerves, but as the stages get larger, another guitarist to add melody and personality wouldn’t go astray. Still, it was a performance that gave merit to the praise that’s been heaped on them. With only an understated banner to embellish their set, Modern Baseball kicked straight into Wedding Singer. Immediately the crowd, who’d been stationary so far save for singalongs, launched into the air. Although they looked like they’re off to an all night Dungeons and Dragons sesh, Mobo made it feel like they were everyone’s new best friends. The crowd begged for a shoey, but singer Brandon Lukens shut them down quickly, “For someone who’s recovering from a heavy alcohol addiction, that’s not that cool guys.” Amazingly the crowd stopped immediately, showing that the peer pressure mentality has clearly been overtaken by genuine respect and adoration. Cuts from their latest record were well received, but favourites like Pothole and Fine, Great were incomparable in their enthusiasm. A slightly reworked intro to Tears Over Beers saw huge grins on stage and off, a testament to the fact that anything they do is instantly beloved. The undisputed highlight of the evening was a diehard fan’s giant sign with a request to play Your Graduation. As she’s pulled from the crowd and handed a guitar, the roar from the entire venue was gigantic. A few missed notes and timing errors hardly mattered as she hugged her newfound friends in the band and everyone cheered in appreciation. That’s two shows of this double bill Australia’s had in a year, so let’s make this an annual tradition shall we? By Jonty Simmons Highlight: Audience member Paris smashing it during Your Grad. Lowlight: Foxtrot’s warbled singing. Crowd Favourite: I reckon you know what it is.
Photo by Michael Woods
Falls Festival
Lorne, Wednesday December 28- Saturday December 31 Spit Syndicate put on one of the best sets of the festival. The Sydney hip hop duo’s energy was as high as the ceiling of the tent they performed in, and they captivated the muggy and sluggish crowd. Client Liaison followed, their euphoric dance tracks drawing a much larger crowd, dressed in shimmering gold for the “All Gold Everything” theme. The humidity hit fever-pitch on day two, but you almost forgot when Gretta Ray’s gorgeous vocals drifted throughout the festival grounds. The 18-year-old triple j Unearthed High Winner was right at home amongst the more seasoned acts, and her set was only enhanced by the simplicity of her and her guitar. AlunaGeorge’s voice travelled all the way, up the hill, to the back of the crowd, strong and captivating. On the other hand, Illy’s vocals let him down. Unsurprisingly, Papercuts and Catch 22 went down well, before a bit of a time out and scatter. Far and away the highlight of the festival, Childish Gambino made his way on stage dripping with his breed of cool and sex that no one else came close to matching. Entering to Me and Your Mama, Gambino - AKA Donald Glover - danced across the stage, expertly combining his new funk sound with his traditional, heavy rap material. Olympia combined solid riffs, and an excellent collaboration between the vocalists to produce a punchy and powerful performance. The Jezabels were great. Growing from a ridiculously small crowd at the beginning to one
AlunaGeorge
Corner Hotel, Friday January 6 Fortunes were up first. Conor McCabe’s honey-smooth vocals were the clear highlight, the frontman strutting the stage, bouncing gently on his toes, doing his best to stimulate the crowd. Producer Barnaby Matthews manned a modest station, each instrumental detail a result of his electronic wizardry. That seemed to be the idea, anyway. It was so difficult to detect just how much input Matthews actually had throughout the set. On this occasion, at least, Matthews appeared wholly unengaged with his craft, mostly just grooving along, going through the motions, lips pursed on the rim of a Melbourne Bitter tinny. It was as if a random ticket-holder had been pulled onto the stage and decided to make the best of it. Though they sweat in oppressive heat, the Corner crowd was absolutely electric for AlunaGeorge, relishing their slick fusion of R&B and synthpop. Perhaps most notably, frontwoman Aluna Francis was perfectly powerful and charming from start to finish. Put simply, she slayed. Not even a mid-song power fault was enough to derail Francis. As both drums and keyboard abandoned her, she persevered, leading the crowd deeper and deeper into the song. She seemed untouchable and, when the
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reaching far up the sloping hill of the stage by the time they got to Pleasure Drive. Frontwoman Hayley Mary owns her awkward dancing, singlehandedly entertaining the masses. Jamie T sure knows how to divide a crowd. With many truly uninterested by his indie rock hip hop concoction, he gave a shout out to the ‘haters’ before exploding with a set that made me smile and groove from start to finish, even including his own New Year’s countdown at 7.40pm, ‘cause he could. The Avalanches stepped up their game for the New Year set, wooing the crowd with their hits before a relaxed countdown to 2017. Tkay Maidza was a flawless follow on, her first hour of 2017 spent ensuring the dancefloor didn’t lose traction. Music festivals like Falls – seemingly taking place in a bubble of solitude – have inherent value to music lovers, musicians, and locals. We here in Victoria need to protect this precious gift we have in the form of the original Falls Festival. Be kind, be safe, don’t be a blockhead. By Claire Varley
Highlight: Childish Gambino. Lowlight: People being crushed in a stampede probably has to be it, right? My other lowlight was that the coffee in the VIP tent was the worst I’ve ever had. Crowd favourite: Working 18-hour shifts driving the shuttle bus to our campsite and back, David the Busdriver was the real MVP of the festival. Excellent banter and A+ service. Hail to the bus driver man.
problem was eventually resolved, she proved as much. The sassy gem Not Above Love brimmed with sweet nostalgia for ‘90s chart-toppers, the delectable textbook pop tune an obvious standout. Few could go past I Remember, even Francis herself savoured the moment, genuinely overcome with emotion to hear each lyric loudly and lovingly returned to the stage, courtesy of the enthusiastic crowd. This event seemed to light a fire under Francis, whose command of the crowd ascended to a new level. Barring the power fault, in terms of execution, it was difficult to find a fault in this set from AlunaGeorge. On the whole, the accomplished band boasted faithful, expert recreations of the studio work, with new life breathed into certain tracks, courtesy of the live setting. Song for song, the set was full of fun, punchy electro-pop. “Have a wonderful 2017,” wished Francis, before departing from the stage. A fitting farewell, for she had ensured, at least, that the year had begun in spectacular fashion. By Nick Mason Highlight: Francis’ talents as a natural performer. Such a powerful presence. Lowlight: The weather ensured it was an uncomfortably sweaty affair. Crowd Favourite: I’m In Control.
Music Photo by Shaina Glenny
Jamie T
The Croxton, Thursday January 5 After hearing of underwhelming shows on his last tour, punters could be forgiven for entering with slight trepidation, but those fears were quickly cast aside. Jamie T moved commandingly around the stage and used that traditional British rockstar arrogance to get the crowd dancing in no time. Opening with crowd favourite Power Over Men, the set started with maximum energy from the band, and crowd members who five minutes ago were trying to keep arms length apart (it was bloody hot in there) took no time to bunch up and start jiving. Even though you could excuse the band for taking breaks between songs, they powered on through and kept the energy levels high and the people moving. Special shout out to the heat tolerance of Jamie T. Long sleeve shirt and jeans under stage lights on a 30+ degree day (and from England) is a hell of an achievement. Towards the middle of the set, things calmed down and slower tunes were bought out to shine. Don’t You Find was an absolute highlight, with the live version taking the song to new heights, bringing an atmospheric almost industrial Lorde-esque sound. Shivers. With the crooning and swaying part of the gig out of the way, the energy level was turned back up. Punters belted out Shiela in unison and the heat was once again forgotten as the sea of dancing humanity kicked back into gear. As the main set came to an end with Sticks and Stones and Rabbit Hole, it didn’t take long at all for the crowd to chant for an encore, to which Jamie and crew happily obliged. They finished at their most energetic with an extended version of Zombie, sending the crowd home happy (and sweaty) as can be. By Nathan Quattrucci
Highlight: Don’t You Find live version. Lowlight: Minor technical bumps and the really sweaty dude next to me. Crowd Favourite: Zombie.
Beyond The Valley
Photos by Michael Woods
Lardner Park, Wednesday December 28 – Sunday January 1 As a musical microcosm, Beyond The Valley exemplified the inherent passion and thrill within supporters of the industry that will never, ever die. In many ways, enthusiasts have potentially been tested in this past year, be it through the closing of live music venues, the relentless cancellation of long-standing festivals and the passing of several beloved musical icons. Punters are a resilient lot, and even after a fierce lash of weather there was nothing but the purity of celebration come Saturday December 31. The downpour of two days prior had left not a dent in the surrounds and the minds of those that inhabited it. From atop a lush green rise rolled a rich swathe of tent-coated hills, pumping with energy from the glorious sunshine. Vera Blue’s intoxicating vibes pulsed from the main stage, transporting the crowd to her powerful, surreal landscape. Later, Emma Louise blew her fans away with her incredible vocal stylings and Highasakite graced our presence - all the way from Norway - to provide their sweet pop ambience. Over at the dance tent - a haven for those after a gorgeous audiovisual treat of lasers and screens - MSTRKRFT carved a thumping path of power with their trademark electricity. The Central Park stage bought the delight of groovy, fast-rising local talent. A forest of refreshing hoses and a tapestry of interweaving sculptures and shade-cloths provided a rainbow-coloured playground for the ecstatic grown-ups. An inflatable church gave impromptu ceremonies to elated couples, and the (non-legally-bound) newlyweds danced down the aisle to a procession of new glitter-coated friends and a Speedoclad “Priest” with Flashdance... What A Feeling. “God isn’t fuckin’ around today,” he said with a wide smile, taking photographs for his grateful and giggling companions. As the sun set over the fields, the landscape burst into gorgeous ropes of amber light, shimmering beyond the vibrant blue florescence of the main stage. Droves of attendees regrouped into a humongous animated collective, ready to power through until the early hours. Carl Craig proved his legendary status with an invigorating mix of genre, and sneaking in Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) pulled a thunderous singalong reception from the crowd. Safia delivered a tremendous energy, including a Stairway To Heaven-tinged version of Counting Sheep. With midnight
ticking tantalisingly close, Roland Tings detonated the countdown by launching pounding beats and gigantic beach-ball-like balloons into an ecstatic crowd, while Sticky Fingers simultaneously opened the New Year with streams of confetti bellowing forth. Beyond The Valley was a great time, but also a message to the universe from the fans of live music in 2016: we are relentless, and we shall see you next year for another round of musical magic. By Jacob Colliver
Photo by Dave Harris
Hælos
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
Howler, Wednesday January 4
Parquet Courts
Shimmerlands - University Of Melbourne, Thursday January 5 “You need a higher education to understand this music,” joked Ausmuteants guitarist Jake Robinson, “Lucky we’re doing this at a university.” The Geelong punks then proceeded to blister through tracks about extreme apathy and the cathartic power of having sex with cops. Robinson’s quip was one of several bits of banter from the DIY-minded lineup that seemed equal parts thrilled and bemused to be playing in the courtyard of Victoria’s Most Prestigious University. Terry’s square-dance jangle sound has evolved some darker post-punk elements since the release of last year’s excellent Talk About Terry EP. Which makes sense considering the band’s vintage (Constant Mongrel, Total Control, Eastlink). But most punters clearly weren’t ready for laconic Al Montfordisms buried in a muddy wall of feedback and it felt like the crowd were just standing around killing time between lectures. Tyrannamen used sheer force to push through the mud with vocalist Nic Imfeld bleeding his heart and jolting his limbs about like a Woodstock-era Joe Cocker. At times they locked together with the garage soul energy of Royal
Headache (on a good day) but they’ve got that extra pub-rock stomp to get the blood pumping. A glitchy, self-aware monologue introduced Parquet Courts over the loudspeaker, announcing that, yes, we were now in Brooklyn art-rock territory. They opened with Dust from their latest, critically adored LP Human Performance. A song that assures us we’re all inhaling air-grot and also gives co-lead Austin Brown a chance to show off his John Cale organ-work and his Lou Reed feedback squeals. Unfortunately Brown’s amp drowned out the guitar interplay between himself and Andrew Savage, which is one of the things that make the band great. That said, it sounded more balanced in the middle of the crowd. And from there the standout moments (like the midset “one… two.. three” into garage-stomper Borrowed Time) felt extra charged – like they truly deserve their title as one of most exciting bands in the scene. It also must be said that they also played for a generous amount of time, and that Austin had enough rock’n’roll swagger to wear sunglasses at night. Respect. By Sam West
The good-vibes bar was set high early as Christopher Port brokein the growing crowd with a track of warm swelling synths, tight garage, two-step and soulful vocal samples. The enthusiasm seemed to reverberate around the room as the set progressed and was very well-deserved. Port’s set had a spontaneous feel to it, and the surging bass and percussive breakdowns made good use of Howler’s system. Top stuff. Next up was, Yeo, who not only was clearly enjoying himself, but managed to pull off a damn classy performance, have a lot of fun and charm the shit out of the crowd too. Complete with ripping keytar solo, Yeo dropped his cover of Japanese Wallpaper’s Forces. How did he manage to make that look cool? Accompanied by bold visuals and a live-drummer switching between the kit and his triggers, there was plenty of positive response for Yeo and his playful, energetic work. It was a controlled and pitchperfect performance and judging by the gathering of social media snappers at the edge of the stage, there are many who know Yeo is a popstar waiting to happen. Hælos took the stage right on time and seemed to barely put a foot wrong in. Press for the band will speak of their trip-hop lineage, and while that genre-tag is sometimes a reference to a certain amount of experimentality, what Hælos do is far more pop-driven with impeccable attention to detail. The vocals didn’t always harmonise, sometimes they avoided each other, giving space for the introspective content to stand alone. But this is emotional music writ-large and for every quieter moment there was something epic on its way. Seemingly playing each track off their 2016 debut, Full Circle, early single, Pray was a driving highlight with the choir-like call and response of dual vocals. Judging by the chit-chat in the crowd, the Londoners were well represented by expats and as the set rounded out, all in attendance seemed dosed with the right amount of cathartic-euphoria. By Luke Fussell Highlight: The overflowing positive response to every act. Lowlight: Having to leave the womb-like comfort of the bandroom at Howler. Crowd Favourite: Yeo’s keytar solo might have started a revolution.
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Gig GuideGigs Featured
Gig Guide This Week Wednesday 11 Jan Hip Hop & R&B Mellowdíasthump - Feat: Geezy + Cazeaux O.S.L.O. + Skomes Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.
Every Time I Die
170 Russell The band with more lives than Kenny is rolling into town on Wednesday January 11. Everytime I Die will be busting heads open with noise at 170 Russell as part of their Australian tour. Doors at 7.30pm, tickets via Moshtix.
Bloom
The Workers Club She’s indie/pop with soul and she’s bringing her live band to The Workers Club for the launch her new single Bitter Sweet. With some great supporting acts, get in the door from 8:30pm for only $7. It’s happening Wednesday January 11.
Wine, Whiskey, Women: Emily Daye and A Rotting Mind
The Drunken Poet Discover some of our fine city’s female talent with locals: folk-pop Emily Daye; and alt-rock duo A Rotting Mind for some wine and whiskey at The Drunken Poet Wednesday January 11. Free entry as always and doors from 8pm.
The Woodland Hunters
The Retreat Local favourites The Woodland Hunters are ready to take to The Retreat Front Bar, showing off some new tracks from their forthcoming debut album Let’s Fall Apart. It’s going to be a night of gritty and hearty guitar driven songs. It all gets going from 8pm on Wednesday January 11.
Half Moon Run
Corner Hotel Half Moon Run is set to eclipse Melbourne with a ripper performance when they hit Corner Hotel on Thursday January 12. The Canadian indie rockers are known for their echoing, transcendent layers of sound, inflected with pop and folk influences. Doors at 8pm, tickets via Eventbrite.
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Indie, Rock, Pop, Metal, Punk & Covers Bad Moon Born + The Credits Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $5.00. Bloom + Tempus Sun + James Clarke + Jamo Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $7.00. Coq Roq - Feat: Mr Moonshine + Agent 86 + More Lucky Coq, Windsor. 8:30pm. Dead Planet 1964 + Wilder Genes + Phlo + Yukumbabe Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. $5.00. Deep Scene + Black Bats + Boy Parts Old Bar, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $7.00. Don Bosco + Baptism Of Uzi + Euphoriacs Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. Every Time I Die + Letlive + Counterparts + In Trenches 170 Russell, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $57.50. High Finance Last Chance Rock And Roll Bar, North Melbourne. 7:30pm. $5.00. Open Mic Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 6:00pm. Poppongene + 808S & Greatest Hits + Doona Waves Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $10.00. Rubix Radio On Kissfm Rubix Warehouse, Brunswick. 8:30pm. So Fresh - Feat: George Ikon + Change Le Disque Carlton Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. The Velvet Addiction + The Vulgar Born Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10.00. The Woodland Hunters Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm.
Jazz, Soul, Funk, Latin & World Music Bohjass 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. Emily Williams Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $25.00. Heavy Rotation - Feat: Cosi & Wallace Belleville, Melbourne. 6:00pm. Sofala + Dhana Bhutan + Fancesca Gonzales Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. Soul Night Tago Mago, Thornbury. 6:30pm. Take Five #2 - Feat: Prequel Section 8, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. The Stretchropolitans Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $18.00.
House, Electro, Trance & Club Nights Revolver Wednesdays Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm.
Acoustic/Country/Blues/ Folk Georgia Ginnivan Open Studio, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10.00. Open Mic Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm. Open Mic Night Ascot Vale Hotel, Ascot Vale. 8:00pm. Tim O’Brien Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $33.00. Wine Whiskey Women - Feat: A Rioting Mind + Emily Daye Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm.
Thursday 12 Jan Hip Hop & R&B No Frills Thursdays Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. Sauce - Feat: Father + Henok + Jarman + More Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm.
Jazz, Soul, Funk, Latin & World Music Dan Bolton Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $20.00. Dr Crask & His Swingin’ Elixir 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. Easy Browns Truckstop Chicken Jam Band + Sunnyside + Bosco Sash Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. Fulton Street + Dj Vince Peach + Dj Pierre Baroni Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10.00. Midnight Express - Feat: Prequel + Edd Fisher Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00Pm. Miss Jessica Young Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $25.00. Sam Anning Sextet Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $20.00. Sol É Alma Quintetto + Terrasur Open Studio, Northcote. 8:00pm. Timbalero Thursday La Di Da, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $10.00.
Indie, Rock, Pop, Metal, Punk & Covers Amanda Palmer Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. Animal Arcade + Jesters For Kings + Freak & The Fat Cats Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 7:00pm. Black Jesus + Enzyme + Unbound + More Last Chance Rock And Roll Bar, North Melbourne. 8:00pm. $10.00. Clowns The Loft, Warrnambool. 7:00pm. Half Moon Run + The Franklin Electric Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. $52.41. Lovision + Figrhed Beats + Real Love + More Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 7:30pm. $7.00. Lsdoom + Electric Mud + Dowser Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. Married Man + Popolice Tramway Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. Max Chillen & The Kerbside Collective + Ferla + White Vans Old Bar, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $8.00. Moose Blood (Aa) + Harbours + The Score + Stuck Out Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 2:00Pm. $33.00. Oh Yay! Thursday Greenwood Loft, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. Oscar Key Sung Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $15.00. Provenance + Spartak Shimmerlands Outdoor Auditorium, Parkville. 5:00pm. Resident Thursdays - Feat: Dj Shadow Pier Live, Frankston. 9:00pm. Staunchfest - Feat: Brad Pot + Department + More Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $10.00. The Braves Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm. The Evening Cast + Pork Belmont + Old Feather + Run Rabbit Run Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. The Oh Balters + Hugh Fuchsen & Sauce Sauce Sauce + Hills Hoist Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $12.00. Throwback Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. Trash Talk + Father Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.
Truly Holy + Hearing + Pure Moods + Steph Brett Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $8.00. Wasted N Wounded Baha Tacos & Tapas Bar, Rye. 8:00pm. Well Known + Glovy + Secret Birds Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 8:30pm. Your Local The Irish (Knox O’zone), Wantirna South. 7:00pm. Zól Bálint + Ju Ca + Nico Niquo Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $5.00.
House, Electro, Trance & Club Nights 3181 Thursdays & Familia - Feat: Autosea + Yannim + Sean Grimes + More Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm. Disco Volante Onesixone, Prahran. 8:00pm. Dj Adam Ayres The B.East, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. Found Heads - Feat: Clever Austin Vs Laneous + More Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. Glory Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 9:00pm. Urban Oasis - Section 8 Beach Party Feat: Wax’o Paradiso Section 8, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm. We Are Your Friends Carlton Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.
Acoustic/Country/Blues/ Folk Alister Turrill Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. Four In The Morning Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm. Isaac De Heer Charles Weston Hotel, Brunswick. 6:30Pm.
Friday 13 Jan House, Electro, Trance & Club Nights Ciroq Fridays Cq, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. Darius Syrossian + Mike Callander + Safari + More Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 10:00Pm. Elephant In The Room Carlton Club, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00Pm. Fabulous Fridays - Feat: Various Djs Co., Southbank. 9:30pm. $20.00. Formation - Feat: Donny & Friends + One Puf + More Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. Luck Truck Friday Downstairs - Feat: 99 Prblmz + Congo Tardis #1 + Little League Bounce Club Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. Poprocks - Feat: Dr Phil Smith Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. The Disco Onesixone, Prahran. 8:00pm. The Emerson Club Fridays The Emerson, South Yarra. 3:00Pm. Traumer Platform One, Melbourne. 10:00pm. $21.89. Urban Oasis - Section 8 Beach Party Feat: One Puf Djs + Polat + More Section 8, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm.
Indie, Rock, Pop, Metal, Punk & Covers A Gazillion Angry Mexicans + Baberaham Lincoln + Wet Love Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 7:00pm. Ac/Dshe Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm. $18.00.
Wed 11th January
WINE, WHISKEY, WOMEN:
Emily Daye & A Rioting Mind Thurs 12th January 8pm: Four in the Morning 8pm:
Fri 13th January 6pm: Traditional Irish Music Session
Miss Whiskey 3pm: The Tipplers 9pm: Paulie Bignell Sun 15th January 4pm: Sime Nugent 6.30pm: Pony Face Duo Tues 17th January Weekly Trivia $75 BAR VOUCHER UP FOR GRABS 8.30pm: Sat 14th January
The Drunken Poet, 65 Peel Street (directly opposite Queen Vic Market), Phone: 03 9348 9797. www.thedrunkenpoet.com.au
Featured Gigs
Gig Guide
Staunchfest
Barely Standing Prince Public Bar, St Kilda. 9:00pm. Black Aces + The Casanovas + The Bitter Sweethearts Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13.00. Blue Heat Red Eagle + Luke Watt The Loft, Warrnambool. 7:00pm. Bullhorn + Dave Orr Band Sooki Lounge, Belgrave. 8:00pm. $10.00. Captain Spalding Customs House Hotel, Williamstown. 9:30pm. Chillers + Tony Dork + Scraggers + The Hemusans Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $5.00. Daryl Braithwaite Band Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads. 9:30pm. $28.60. David Huxtable Inkerman Hotel, Balaclava. 8:00pm. Down For The Count Ascot Vale Hotel, Ascot Vale. 8:00pm. Einsteins Toyboys + Made In Purple Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. $10.00. Elliott Smith ‘Either/Or’ 20Th Anniversary - Feat: Sarah Mary Chadwick + Jack Parsons + Christopher Coleman Collective + More Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. $20.89. Fourteen Nights At Sea + So You Like Machines + Psychic 5 Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. $8.00. Gamer + Crypt Vapour + Sned + Kungfuepilepsy Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $10.00. Hang Out - Feat: Donny & Friends Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 6:00pm. Hey Hey It’s Friday - Feat: Astro Boys Royal Hotel , Essendon. 10:00pm. Horace Bones Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 1:00Am. $10.00. Kim Salmon + Dj Adalita Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:30pm. La Danse Macabre + Brunswick Massive Resident Djs Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. Lunatics On Pogosticks + Trillionayers Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00. Mercury Sky + Oolluu + Tell Amarosa + Anember Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $12.00. Mezz Live Chelsea Heights Hotel, Chelsea Heights. 5:30pm. Moose Blood + Harbours Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $33.00. Phil Para Band Baha Tacos & Tapas Bar, Rye. 8:00pm. Richie 1250 & The Brides Of Christ + Plague Doctor Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 9:00pm. Sinks + Dyl Thomas + Joe Snow + More Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $14.30. Slippy Mane X Lalic Shimmerlands Outdoor Auditorium, Parkville. 5:00pm. The Grogans + Jungle Breed + Cracker La Touf + Twinpines Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. The In The Out + Stu Thomas Tago Mago, Thornbury. 6:30pm. The Nicoteenagers + Seasloth + The Hadron Kaleidoscopes + Primm Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. Tim Smyth & Holy Trash + The Diecasts + The Controllers Pier Live, Frankston. 8:00pm. $12.00. Ub40 Hamer Hall (Arts Centre Melbourne), Southbank. 7:30pm. $99.00. Unbound + Morte Lenta + Internal Rot + More Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. Unify Gathering - Feat: Alexisonfire + Letlive + Every Time I Die + Northlane + More Unify Festival Site, 12:00am. $199.00. Vacations + Dom Kelly + Slowcoaching + Brunga’s Band Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $5.00. Water Bear + Gods + Sophisticated Dingo John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. $8.00. Weekender Bowie Special - Feat: Steve Wide + Fee B-Squared Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00Pm. $10.00.
The Workers Club Get ready for intensity at the hands of Brad Pot, Department, Woo Who and Cakefight for Staunchfest at The Workers Club. The bands are all currently caged and starved, so you don’t want to miss when they’re unleashed from 7.30pm. Entry $10 on Thursday January 12.
LSDOOM
The Bendigo Try something a little different this Thursday January 12 with a live recording – destined to lead you to immediate fame and fortune. Practice your best cheers and warm up those clapping hands for the recording of a live album by LSDOOM. Enjoy Electric Mud and Dowser before your vocal debut. From 8pm.
Sinks
The Workers Club It’s raw hip hop and Sinks is about to bring Cold Fury to the masses this Friday January 13. For the launch of the new single, Sinks will bring a gaggle of contemporaries onstage for a special live performance. Doors 8.30pm and tickets $12 (presale).
Black Aces
Cherry Bar Black Aces are back from icky Europe and the stinky UK to bring you an evening of hard rock with their pals The Casanovas and The Bitter Sweethearts on Friday January 13. Come and remind them why Melbourne rules from 8pm for an obvious $13.
Mercury Sky
The Reverence Hotel Mercury Sky will be tugging at your heart strings this Friday January 13 as they show of their new single SleepDreamWake. Ready to make their mark on Australia’s progressive scene, Mercury Sky will transport you to another planet at The Reverence Hotel from 8pm. $10 for pre-sale tickets or $12 at the door.
Kim Salmon
The Retreat Go get punk’d this Friday January 13 as acclaimed musician and songwriter Kim Salmon gets smashing at The Retreat. Having written for bands such as The Scientists, the Beasts of Bourbon, The Business and SALMON, this musical genius and his blend of punk, garage, rock, folk and electro can be tracked down from 9.30pm.
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Hip Hop & R&B Bright Lights Big City - Feat: Dj Rcee + Kahlua + Dj Shook + Dj Angel Jay Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. Dj’s Chips & Salad Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick. 9:00pm. Faktory Fridays - Feat: Damion De Silva + K Dee + Durmy Khokolat Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. Metro Boomin 170 Russell, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. Play Fridays Cushion, St Kilda. 9:00pm. Shoop - Feat: Dj Peril Hoo Haa, Windsor. 9:30pm. The Bon Ton Rhythms Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm.
Jazz, Soul, Funk, Latin & World Music Bridgette & Bob Sedergreen Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $25.00. Cannonball Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $25.00. Dance Party- Disco Inferno Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $5.00. Funkalleros Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. Global Safari - Feat: Dj Eddie Mac Belleville, Melbourne. 6:00pm. Henry Manetta & The Adam Rudegeair Trio Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $20.00. Lady Day - Tribute To Billie Holiday Feat: Rebecca Mendoza Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $28.00. Maia Von Lekow The B.East, Brunswick East. 10:00Pm. Sleazy Listening - Feat: Arks + Richard Kelly + Hysteric + K Hoop Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 5:00pm. Sol Nation Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:00pm. Steady Coolin’ Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick. 6:00pm. The Core Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $20.00. The Fox Soundtrack - Feat: Ellie Young + Josie Smart + More Fox Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. What The Funk Fridays Purple Emerald, Northcote. 9:00pm.
Acoustic/Country/Blues/ Folk Chris Wilson Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 5:15pm. Gibberish Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. Hollie Joyce Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10.00. Meg Delos + Grace King + Deshith Gamage + Amanda J Bier 303, Northcote. 8:30pm. Miss Whiskey Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:30pm. Pierce Brothers + Josh Cashman + Little Georgia Grand Hotel Mornington, Mornington. 7:00pm. Scott Boyd Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. $15.00. Screaming Honkies + Dj Mermaid Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. Sharon Shannon Band Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $35.00. Traditional Irish Music Session Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 6:00pm. Zerafina Zara & Alleged Associates Smokehouse 101, Maidstone. 7:00pm.
Saturday 14 Jan Hip Hop & R&B Khokolat Koated Saturdays - Feat: Damion De Silva + K Dee + Durmy + Timos Khokolat Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. Rhythm Nation Saturdays - Feat: Dj Timos + Dj Kahlua + Dj Ange M & Andy Pala Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $10.00. Tkay Maidza + Mashd N Kutcher + Passerine Australian Open Live Stage, 7:00pm.
Jazz, Soul, Funk, Latin & World Music All Day Fritz Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 10:00am. $20.00. All Day Fritz Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 11:15Am. $20.00. All Day Fritz Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 12:30pm. $20.00. Beasts Of Bollywood - Feat: The Fifths The B.East, Brunswick East. 2:00pm. Bullhorn + Dave Orr Band + Ayxnmd Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $17.85. Feelin’ Groovy - The Simon & Garfunkel Project Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $23.00. Movement 9 (Music Of Amy Winehouse) Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $30.00. Movement 9 (Music Of Amy Winehouse) Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $30.00. Rhythm Of Africa - Feat: Musiki Manjaro Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee. 4:30pm. $32.50. Rita Satch Band Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $28.00. Steve Sedergreen Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $25.00. Thando Chapel Off Chapel, Prahran. 8:00pm. $15.00. The Fox Soundtrack - Feat: Ellie Young + Josie Smart + More Fox Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. The Foxymorons Open Studio, Northcote. 2:00pm. $5.00. The Immortal Horns Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. The Wikimen Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm.
House, Electro, Trance & Club Nights Audioporn Saturdays Onesixone, Prahran. 9:00pm. $15.00. Bunker Open Air - Feat: Mary Velo Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 3:00pm. $30.00. Cq Saturdays Cq, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. Cushion Saturdays Cushion, St Kilda. 9:00pm. Dj Lazer Ferrari Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick. 9:00pm. Electric Dreams - Feat: Various Djs Co., Southbank. 9:00pm. $20.00. Hello - Feat: Dj Mark John + Dj Arlen De Silva + Dj Peter Mac + More Gh Hotel, St Kilda. 9:00pm. Hoo Haa Saturdays - Feat: Dj Boogie Hoo Haa, Windsor. 10:00Pm. Jank Facques Carlton Club, Melbourne Cbd. 12:05Am. Levels Platform One, Melbourne. 8:00pm. Lost Weekend - Feat: Mount Liberation Unlimited Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. Pony Saturdays La Di Da, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. Seven Saturday Discotheque Seven Nightclub, South Melbourne. 10:00pm. $20.00. Textile Saturdays - Feat: Kodiak Kid + D’fro + Jens Beamin Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. The Emerson Club Saturdays The Emerson, South Yarra. 9:00pm. The House Defrost - Feat: Andee Frost Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. The Late Show - Feat: Galo + Rex + Ransom + More Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 10:00pm. Tomas Ford’s Crap Music Rave Party Bella Union Bar, Carlton. 9:00pm. $18.00. Tramp Saturdays Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. Urban Oasis - Section 8 Beach Party Feat: Cumbia Massive Section 8, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm.
Featured Gigs
Gig Guide
Indie, Rock, Pop, Metal, Punk & Covers
Metal for Melbourne
Corner Hotel It’s time to turn up the heat from the ‘80s heavy music scene, when legends reunite for a mixed metal bill of epic proportions. On Saturday January 14 Metal for Melbourne takes over Corner Hotel, featuring sets from Hobb’s Angel of Death, Ion Drive, Mass Confusion, Nothing Sacred, Abramelin, Bengal Tiger and more. Kicks off 4pm, tickets from Eventbrite.
Swim Team
The Old Bar Those cuties from Swim Team have cooked up their first EP and are launching it with a shindig at The Old Bar on Saturday January 14. Joining them are garage babes Lazertits, Parsnip, Heat Wave and the marvellous DJ Bone Soup. Take a dip from 8.30pm for $10.
We Lost The Sea
Northcote Social Club We Lost The Sea are telling stories without using words. The prog outfit are known for creating an all-encompassing atmosphere, allowing their music to speak in crushing waves. This is one you don’t want to miss. Nip down to Northcote Social Club on Saturday January 14. Tickets via Eventbrite, doors 8.30pm.
Lagerstein
Cherry Bar All the way from ‘little Deutschland’ in Brisbane Lagerstein are bringing their pirate metal to Cherry Bar on Saturday January 14. With stowaways Atomic Riot, Ablaze and Skarlet set to walk the plank from 8pm, $20 tickets (parrots and/or small primates accepted if travelling onshoulder).
All We Need + The Attention Seekers + Social Skills Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 8:00pm. Bang - Feat: Ghosts Of Pandora + Falling Infinite + Distracted By Pink Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $15.00. Barry Tones Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 9:00pm. Batpiss Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $12.75. Bitterfruitt Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:00pm. Brooke Powers + Wahe + Perno Inferno + More Shimmerlands Outdoor Auditorium, Parkville. 1:00pm. Clowns Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 2:00Am. Coach Bombay + Lady Tropicalia + Manila Rice + More John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. Coffin’ Up 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. Cosa Nostra Last Chance Rock And Roll Bar, North Melbourne. 8:30pm. $5.00. Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $10.00. Cut The Kite Strings + Sex Pills + Deep Scene Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. David Bowie Tribute Night - Feat: Dj Nathan Jones + Tigers On Vaseline Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $10.00. Ed Kuepper Howler, Brunswick. 8:00pm. $33.00. Frankston Waterfront Festival Pier Promenade, Frankston. 11:00Am. Ghosts Of Now + So You Like Machines Old Bar, Fitzroy. 4:00pm. Girls Rock! Melbourne Showcase Bella Union Bar, Carlton. 2:00Pm. Hexdebt + Lunatics On Pogosticks + Cosmic Kahuna John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 3:00pm. Josh Aubry + The Crookeds Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10.00. Junior Fiction + Tam Vantage + Crystal Myth + Culte Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. $8.00. Lagerstein + Atomic Riot + Ablaze + Skarlet Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $20.00. Lloyd Cole Hamer Hall (Arts Centre Melbourne), Southbank. 8:00pm. $65.00. Masses + Cable Ties + Morte Lenta + Yarbles Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. Metal For Melbourne - Feat: Hobbs Angel Of Death + Nothing Sacred + Abramelin + More Corner Hotel, Richmond. 3:00pm. $25.00. Nekromantix + Doubleblack + Udder Ubductees + More Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. Orange Tuxedo Ascot Vale Hotel, Ascot Vale. 8:00pm. Rock N Riot Inkerman Hotel, Balaclava. 8:00pm. Ronnie Charles Slick Lix Band Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm. $18.00. Saturdays Rock - Feat: Riffinery Royal Hotel, Essendon. 10:00pm. Sex Grimes + Myrtle Place + Slick 46 + More Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. Shadows At Bay + King Stag + Snakeskin Ally + Alternate Monday Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 7:30pm. $6.00. Slowly Slowly + Lincoln Le Fevre Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 5:00pm. Swim Team + Lazertits + Parsnip + Heat Wave Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10.00. The Australian Bon Jovi Show Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. $25.00. The Dandy Jonestown Massacre Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:30pm. Unify Gathering - Feat: Alexisonfire + Letlive + Every Time I Die + Northlane + More Unify Festival Site, 12:00am. $199.00. Waco Social Club Prince Public Bar, St Kilda. 8:00pm. We Lost The Sea + The Crooked Fiddle Band + Dear Plastic Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $17.74.
Acoustic/Country/Blues/ Folk Bart Willoughby Band Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:30pm. $10.00. Charles Maimarosia Open Studio, Northcote. 5:00pm. $8.00. Craig Woodward & Friends Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 4:00pm. Dj Fee Fee Star Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. Gary Gray Tago Mago, Thornbury. 6:30pm. Lucie Thorne Trio Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. Paulie Bignell + The Tipplers Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 3:00pm. Peter Vadiveloo Farouk’s Olive, Thornbury. 5:00pm. Pierce Brothers + Josh Cashman + Little Georgia Westernport Hotel, San Remo. 7:00pm. Selki & The Comets Charles Weston Hotel, Brunswick. 6:30pm. Sharon Shannon Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:00pm. $35.00. Spoonful Union Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. Teresa Dixon Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. Tex Napalm Trio + Ripley Hood Duo Tago Mago, Thornbury. 8:00pm. The Nudgels Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. Tinsley Waterhouse Band Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. Zoë Fox Duo Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick. 5:00pm.
Sunday 15 Jan House, Electro, Trance & Club Nights Anyway - Feat: Various Artists Bottom End, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $25.00. Cushion Sundays Cushion, St Kilda. 9:00pm. Jungle Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00Am. $15.00. Piknic Electronik - Feat: John Jammin’ Collins + Matt Radovich + Rambl Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne. 2:00pm. $15.00. Rooftop Sundays The Emerson, South Yarra. 12:00pm. Technologica In Town - Feat: Sunshine + Edgework + Kate Ashton + More Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. $20.00. The Sunday Set - Feat: Dj Andyblack + Mr Weir Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm. Urban Oasis - Section 8 Beach Party Feat: Kllo + Planète + Christopher Port + More Section 8, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm.
Indie, Rock, Pop, Metal, Punk & Covers A Blonde Moment Ascot Vale Hotel, Ascot Vale. 8:00pm. Abbey Howlett Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 4:30pm. Bench Press + Bad Vision + Mandek Penha Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $8.00. Bob Starkie Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 3:00pm. $23.00. Colourfields + Karate Boogaloo + Laneous Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10.00. Dan Dinnen Trio Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 4:00pm. Ed Kuepper & Mark Dawson Satellite Lounge, Wheelers Hill. 3:00pm. $30.00. Frankston Waterfront Festival Pier Promenade, Frankston. 11:00am. Glorious North Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. Honey Badgers + Dogood + The Only Boys + Dave O’Connor Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 6:00pm. $10.00. Hownowmer + Ute Root + Deep Scene Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 5:00pm. Inxsive Torquay Hotel, Torquay. 2:00pm. $23.50.
Jam At Musicland Sundays Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. Mental As Anything + Splurge Acoustic Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 2:30pm. $33.00. Mighty Boys + Lazertits + Only Boys + Dj King Choonga Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 2:30pm. Moonlight Broadcast + The Cornersmiths + Paul McManus Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm. Reece Mastin + Taylor Sheridan Chapel Off Chapel, Prahran. 7:30pm. $35.00. Semi Fiction + Scoot Molly + Polykite Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. Shiver Canyon + The Lost Fridays + Gemma Tully & The Thornbirds + Mdeline Tsali Workers Club, Fitzroy. 1:00pm. $7.15. Sienna Wild + Cash + King Groaker Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. Splendidid + Environments + Swamp Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5.00. The Forgotten Ghost + The Smirks + The Sticking Place Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 3:30pm. The Scrapes Last Chance Rock And Roll Bar, North Melbourne. 7:30pm. Unify Gathering - Feat: Alexisonfire + Letlive + Every Time I Die + Northlane + More Unify Festival Site, 12:00am. $199.00. Wax On Wax Off Lucky Coq, Windsor. 7:00pm. Will Brown Inkerman Hotel, Balaclava. 4:00pm. Zlatna + Batts + Niine Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $10.00.
Jazz, Soul, Funk, Latin & World Music After Hours Cabaret Club Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $30.00. Ben Christensen Open Studio, Northcote. 2:00Pm. Fouk Brown Alley, Melbourne Cbd. 1:00pm. $20.00. Hue Blanes Trio Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $18.00. Java Reggae - Feat: Bazaman + Maxx R + Marco I-Rie Vibe Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. Moreland City Soul Revue Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. Rat Child Open Studio, Northcote. 5:00pm. $5.00. The Foxymorons + Gunno/Becker/ Irwin-Ray 303, Northcote. 7:30pm. The Hornstars Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm.
Hip Hop & R&B Bangers & Mash Penny Black, Brunswick. 2:00pm. Oveous Howler, Brunswick. 7:00pm. $12.00.
Acoustic/Country/Blues/ Folk Andy Phillips & The Cadillac Walk Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 2:00pm. $5.00. Brooke Russell + Ben Franz Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. Elwood Blues Club Prince Public Bar, St Kilda. 5:00pm. Mckenna Faith Band + Amy Nelson Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 3:00pm.
Level 1/402 Chapel St, South Yarra
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Featured Gigs
Bart Willoughby Band
The Reverence Hotel Having been dubbed the tip of the spear in the modern indigenous songline, Bart Willoughby Band are ready to party their way through the opening night of Wominjeka with their bold reggae sounds at the Reverence Hotel this Saturday January 14. They’ll be joined by The Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance raising funds, it’s all happening at 8.30pm for a simple $10.
Bench Press
The Old Bar Working out on weekends sucks, but for Bench Press we’ll make an exception. Get sweaty to snarling Aussie punk, thanks to the blokes chucking one hell of a residency. Just $8 at 8.30pm on Sunday January 15. Bad Vision and Mandek Penha are supporting.
Gig Guide Michael Gabriel & The Quixotics + Trevor Bryan Cotton Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm. Michelle Gardiner Customs House Hotel, Williamstown. 3:00pm. Missy Higgins + Archie Roach + Ben Abrahams Australian Open Live Stage, 7:00pm. Nick & Elliot + Eleonora Marino + Ted Dempsey Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 7:00pm. Pat Bruce & The Bacchanalians + Mr Alford Country + Lucy Lorraine Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 3:00pm. Pauly Bignal & Thornbury Two Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. Pony Face + Sime Nugent Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 4:00pm. Rachel Caddy Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 5:00pm. Sharon Shannon Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:00pm. $35.00. Sunday Sessions - Feat: Various Artists Lucky Coq, Windsor. 4:00pm. The Hack Ensemble Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick. 5:00pm. The Weeping Willows Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. Ultrafox Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 5:30pm.
The Bendigo Hotel Melbourne trio Semi Fiction are set to kick off their year full swing at The Bendigo Sunday January 15. With supports Scoot Molly and Polykite from 6.30pm for zero dollars you’ll get your Sunday fill of our local talent – true story.
Pony Face
The Drunken Poet Bringing their heartbreaking and haunting rock’n’roll to The Drunken Poet on Sunday January 15 is Melbourne duo Pony Face. They’ve got a stack of new material for your listening pleasure, so bring your holy water and Sunday best, from 5pm.
Moonlight Broadcast
The Brunswick Hotel It’s going to be a strumming good night this Sunday January 15 as three of Melbourne’s soulful bands share the stage. The folksy tunes of Moonlight Broadcast, country vibes of The Cornersmiths and return of Paul McManus will leave you begging for more. Doors open at 7pm at the Brunswick Hotel. Entry is free.
Sharon Shannon
Spotted Mallard Having toured with the likes of Bono, Adam Clayton and Sinead O’Connor to name a few, Irish superstar and 4 times platinum artist Sharon Shannon is ready to wow the masses at Spotted Mallard this Sunday January 15. Sharon’s eclectic mix of reggae, country, Native American and dance music can be experienced from 8pm. Tickets can be found online for $35.
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Alexisonfire
Festival Hall - Tuesday January 17 Canadian post-hardcore icons Alexisonfire are returning to Australia this summer for a series of national all ages shows along with a slot at UNIFY Festival. The band recently revealed a killer support lineup including The Getaway Plan, the recently reformed Behind Crimson Eyes and The Dirty Nil. Recognised as one of the most influential Canadian bands to date, Alexisonfire return to Australia for the first time since their 2012 appearance on which they celebrated their 10th anniversary. Five years on and they are bringing more energy to the stage than ever. You can see Alexisonfire and their ripper supports at Festival Hall on Tuesday January 17. Tickets can be found via Ticketmaster.
Monday 16 Jan House, Electro, Trance & Club Nights Call It In - Feat: Instant Peterson + Dylan Michael Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. Struggle Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. The Breakfast Club Onesixone, Prahran. 8:00pm. The Monday Bone Machine - Feat: T-Rek Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.
Semi Fiction
Gigs of the Week
Indie, Rock, Pop, Metal, Punk & Covers Birds Of Tokyo + The Belligerents + Rival Fire Australian Open Live Stage, 7:00pm. Cherry Jam Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 6:30pm. Intrinsic Light + Spasmoslop + Octave Pussy + More Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. $8.00. Lanks Hawthorn Arts Centre, Hawthorn. 8:00pm. $25.00. Monday Night Mass - Feat: Teeth & Tongue + Jade Imagine + Astral Skulls Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:00pm.
Jazz, Soul, Funk, Latin & World Music 303 Yarra Banks Jam Night 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. Barney Mcall Asio Band Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $20.00. Bertrand Belin + Delux Alliance Francaise De Melbourne, 51 Grey St. 6:00pm. $50.00. Jazz Party + Dj Chinabone Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. Lady Midnight Open Studio, Northcote. 8:00pm.
Acoustic/Country/Blues/ Folk Charles Jenkins Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm.
Tuesday 17 Jan House, Electro, Trance & Club Nights Carriage 252 - Feat: Reznik Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. Oasis Tuesdays Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.
Mighty Boys
Grace Darling Hotel - Sunday January 15 What could be better than a sweet Sunday gig to top off the weekend, we hear you say? Well, how’s about a sweet and free gig, with snacks? If that tickles your fancy, your best bet is to check out the Grace Darling Hotel on Sunday January 15. A slew of class acts, and let’s be honest, top blokes and babes, will be easing that pain of returning to work on the morrow. Mighty Boys will be joined by Lazertits, Only Boys and King Choonga on the wax to coast you into the eve. Get yourself there at 3pm to take advantage of barbecued goods and good times.
Indie, Rock, Pop, Metal, Punk & Covers Alexisonfire + The Dirty Nil Festival Hall, West Melbourne. 8:00pm. $75.90. Flying Bison + Children Of The Sun + Kaz Garaz Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $8.00. Freddy Fuddpucker + Berkeley Hunts + Craig Coburn Old Bar, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $7.00. Inn House + Defects + The Marks Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. Make It Up Club Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. Open Mic Tago Mago, Thornbury. 6:30pm. Open Mic Nite Inkerman Hotel, Balaclava. 7:30pm. Purple Duck + Rektest Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. Superband + Cookin On 3 Burners + Abbey Stone Australian Open Live Stage, 7:00pm. The Limiñanas + The Pink Tiles Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:00pm. $21.94. Them Rumblin’ Bones Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. Tom Tom Tuesday - Feat: Dj Infinity Blade + Kandere + Various Asses + Xeno Genesis Howler, Brunswick. 8:00pm. Uncomfortable Science - Feat: Lachlan Mitchell Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. Xeno Genesis + Glovv + Callan + Dj Whiskey Houston Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $10.00.
Hip Hop & R&B Brunswick Beats Republic Railway Hotel, Brunswick. 6:00pm. Gallery - Feat: Azzy + Midflite + Mzrizk Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.
Jazz, Soul, Funk, Latin & World Music Anna’s Go-Go Academy Bella Union Bar, Carlton. 6:30pm. $10.00. Milonga Bella Union Bar, Carlton. 8:00pm. $10.00. Transient Tuesday - Feat: Keller + Ball + Murphy Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $18.00.
Acoustic/Country/Blues/ Folk Irish Session Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 8:00pm. Lithium (Nirvana Unplugged Tribute) Tramway Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. Rosie Burgess Trio Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm.
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Featured Gigs
Gig Guide
Coming Soon
Fem and The Hep
Central Park The City of Stonington has brought back Sunset Sounds for 2017 and with it some classic Aussie artists. This Sunday January 15 will see the likes of Fem Belling, supported by Fulton Street ready to charm the residents of Stonnington with their vibrant and uplifting sounds. It’s all happening at Central Park, Malvern East at 6pm. Entry is a sunny free.
Roesy
Long Play Award winning Irish/Aussie musician Roesy is prepped and rearing to go this year with an Australian tour that will see him at Long Play this Sunday January 15. His smooth melodies are sure to have your toes tingling and your arms swaying. It all gets going at 7.30pm and tickets can be found online for a rosy $20.
Jazz Party
The Evelyn Hotel Get your groove on every Monday this January as Jazz Party bring their toetapping tunes to The Evelyn. Rotating a roster of some of Melbourne’s finest musos and featuring DJ Chinabone, get there at 8pm this Monday January 16 for all the action. Entry is free.
Teeth & Tongue
Northcote Social Club Northcote Social Club are famous for their huge Monday Night Mass gigs, and there aren’t too many better ways to kick off your week. On Monday January 16 Teeth & Tongue will be providing the tunes, alongside Jade Imagine and Astral Skulls. Entry is free, so treat yourself. Doors 8pm.
Purple Duck
The Evelyn Let Bone Soup blow you away as they present Purple Duck, the best MC in the world. Joined by a stack of awesome supports including Woo Who, The Nugs, Rektest, Magnetix and the Burnt Sausages, Purple Duck will be at the Evelyn every Tuesday in January. Doors are at 8.30pm and with free entry, it’s going to be a quacking good night.
42 BEAT.COM.AU
Urban Spread Feat. The Jezabels And Alex Lahey The Wool Exchange January 19, Chelsea Heights Hotel January 20, Jan Village Green Hotel January 21 Dinosaur Jr The Croxton January 20 Airbourne Trak Lounge Friday January 20 Stick To Your Guns Corner Hotel January 20 Woodlock Howler January 21 Sugar Mountain Feat. Blood Orange, Pantha Du Prince, Big Scary, My Disco And More Vca January 21 PJ Harvey Sidney Myer Music Bowl January 21 Millington Bella Union January 21 Puscifer Plenary, Melbourne Convention Centre And Exhibition Centre(Aa) January 22 Sunset Sounds Feat. Deborah Conway, Willy Zygier And More Victoria Gardens, Malvern Gardens And Central Park January 8, 15 & 22 Refused & Sick Of It All Prince Bandroom January 24 Baby Animals The Corner February 24 Passenger Sidney Myer Music Bowl January 25 Give It Back Feat. Pony Face, Hollow Everdaze, Howl At The Moon, The Closet Straights And Will Coyote The Tote Hotel January 25 White Lung Northcote Social Club January 25 Z-Trip Laundry Bar January 26 Electric Gardens Festival Feat. Eric Prydz, Mark Knight, Hernan Catteneo And More. Moonee Valley Racecourse January 26 Beechworth Music Festival Feat. Stonefield, Gabriella Cohen, Tracy Mcneil And More Madman’s Gully Amphitheatre Beechworth January 27, 28 Drunk Mums & The Pin Heads Howler January 27 Strangers The Workers Club January 28 The Bats Northcote Social Club January 28 Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Sidney Myer Music Bowl January 27, 28 Rainbow Serpent Festival Feat. Astrix, Andhim, Guy J And More Lexton, Victoria January 27 – 30 Melbourne Ska Orchestra Shimmerlands Melbourne University January 28 Laneway Festival Feat. Tame Impala, The Julie Ruin, White Lung, Julia Jacklin And More Footscray Community Arts Centre January 28 Panic! At The Disco Festival Hall January 28 Pierce Brothers The Corner Hotel January 28 The Cat Empire & Xavier Rudd North Gardens, Ballarat January 29 Nothing Northcote Social Club January 29 George Martin Tribute Show Feat. Deborah Conway, Dan Kelly And Ella Thompson The Athenaeum February 1 Winterbourne Sooki Lounge February 2 Bruce Springsteen Aami Park February 2, 4 Yalukit Wilum Ngargee O’donnell Gardens February 4 Simple Minds & The B-52’S A Day On The Green February 4, Margaret Court Arena February 7 King Parrot, Clowns & Batpiss Singing Bird Studios February 5 Gabrella Cohen Summer Sundays At Ngv February 5 Periphery 170 Russell February 5 Bring Me The Horizon Margaret Court Arena February 5, 6 Opeth 170 Russell February 7, 8 The B-52’S & Simple Minds Margaret Court Arena February 7 James Taylor Rod Laver Arena February 8 I Know Leopard Gasometer February 8 Party In The Paddock Feat. Sticky Fingers, Hermitude, The Smith Street Band, Tash Sultana And More Burns Creek - Tasmania February 10 -12 Heads Of Charm Bar 12 February 10 Sunnyboys The Croxton February 10 The Menzingers The Reverence Hotel February 10 Like Royals Musicland Fawkner February 10 My Disco Howler February 10 Fractangular Gathering Festival Feat.
Melbourne Ska Orchestra Buckland Tasmania February 10 -12 Sir David Attenborough The Plenary February 11 Ali Barter Summer Sundays At Ngv February 12 Hands Like Houses The Corner Hotel February 12 D.R.I Bendigo Hotel February 12 Lost At Sea Feat. Camp Cope, The Nation Blue, Loose Tooth And More. The Victoria Star February 12 St Kilda Festival Feat. Phia, Georgia Mulligan, Smoke Rings, David Spry And More St Kilda February 12 Guns N’ Roses Mcg February 14 Bliss N Eso 170 Russell February 15 Evan Klar The Gasometer February 17 Jakubi The Corner Hotel February 17 Harts 170 Russell February 17 Riverboats Music Festival Feat. Paul Kelly, Charlie Owen, Hoodoo Gurus And More Echuca-Moama February 17 –19 Tiger Army Prince Bandroom February 17 Thrash, Blast And Grind Festival Feat. King Parrot, Tasmanics Psycroptic, Revocation And More Max Watts February 17 Mother’s Cake The Evelyn February 17 The Great Australian Beer Festival Feat. The Potebelleez, Richard Clapton, Reuben Stone And More Geelong Racecourse February 18 Blackalicious Belleville February 18 Appice Brothers Max Watts February 18, The Croxton February 19 Moreland And Arbuckle Caravan Music Club February 18, Spotted Mallard February 19, Prince Bandroom February 20 Neurosis Croxton February 18 Suzi Quatro Hamer Hall February 18 Mat Mchugh Memo Music Hall February 18 Emma Russack Summer Sundays At Ngv February 19 DESCENDENTS 170 Russell February 20 Explosions In The Sky Melbourne Recital Centre February 20, 21 Nuclear Assault Max Watt’s February 22 Kid Ink Prince Bandroom February 23 Methyl Ethel Howler February 23 Yellowcard Max Watt’s February 23, 24, 25 Pvt Ngv February 24 Warpaint Melbourne Zoo February 24 Big Thief Northcote Social Club February 28, Melbourne Zoo February 24 Timberwolf Grace Darling Hotel February 25 Camp Cope Summer Sundays At Ngv February 25 Animals As Leaders 170 Russell February 28 Pixies Margaret Court Arena March 4 Killswitch Engage 170 Russell March 5, 7 Brunswick Music Festival Feat. Aziza Brahim And Hot Brass Band Brunswick March 5 - 19 Tinie Tempah Prince Bandroom March 7 Sublime With Rome 170 Russell March 8 Don Henley Rod Laver Arena March 8 Tegan & Sara Melbourne Zoo March 8 Nathanial Ratecliffe & The Night Sweats And C.W Stoneking Seaworks March 9 Babylon Festival Feat. Claude Vonstroke, Joris Voorn, Lee Burridge, Magda, Carl Cox And More Northern Grampians March 10 – 13 Port Fairy Folk Festival Feat. Paul Kelly, Charlie Owen, The Warsaw Village Band And More Port Fairy March 10 – 13 A Festival Called Panama Feat. Big Scary, Emma Louise, Ngaiire, Julia Jacklin And More Lone Star Valley, Tasmania March 10 - 12 Justin Bieber Etihad Stadium March 10 Dead Letter Circus Max Watt’s March 10 Martha Wainwright Melbourne Zoo March 10 James Vincent Mcmorrow Recital Centre March 10 A Weekend In The Gardens Feat. John Farnham, Boy & Bear, San Cisco And More Royal Botanic Gardens March 10 – 12
Hollie Smith Caravan Music Club March 10 Chain And The Gang The Tote Saturday March 11 Golden Plains Festival Feat. Neil Finn & The Specials, Nicolas Jaar, Chain & The Gang And More The Sup March 11 – March 13 Katy Steele Northcote Social Club March 11 The Damned 170 Russel March 12 Frightened Rabbit Corner Hotel March 12 TEENAGE FANCLUB The Corner March 13 Meshuggah 170 Russell March 15 Willie Watson Melbourne Recital Centre March 15 Roo Panes The Toff In Town March 15 Dori Freeman Northcote Social Club March 16 Violent Femmes Hamer Hall March 16 Adele Etihad Stadium March 18 Little Big Town Hamer Hall March 22 Kingswood Sookie Lounge March 23, 170 Russell March 24 The Hills Are Alive Feat. Cloud Control, Dope Lemon, Remi, Northeast Party House And More South Gippsland March 24 – 26 Jack Carty Bella Union March 25 Balance & Composure Arrow On Swanston March 25, Corner Hotel March 26 Holly Throsby Northcote Social Club March 26 By The Meadow Festival Banoffee, Jaala, The Pretty Littles And More. Bambra March 31 – April 2 Shady Cottage Feat. Sex On Toast, Wax’o Paradiso, Planete, Sunbeam Sound Machine And More North Blackwood March 31 – April 2 Illy Festival Hall April 1 I Prevail Corner Hotel April 1, Arrow On Swanston April 2 Dixie Chicks Rod Laver Arena April 1 Bec Sandridge Northcote Social Club April 1 Parcels The Gasometer Hotel April 1 The Peninsula Picnic Feat. Cat Empire, Bob Evans, Harrison Storm And More Mornington Racecourse April 1 Blondie And Cyndi Lauper Rod Laver Arena April 6, A Day On The Green April 8 Shapeshifter 170 Russel April 7 Windhand & Cough Corner Hotel April 7 Snarky Puppy Melbourne Recital Centre April 8 Bonnie Raitt Hamer Hall April 10 Mary J. Blige Hamer Hall April 12 Bluesfest Feat. Neil Young, Barry Gibb, Santana And More Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm April 13 – April 17 Turin Brakes Northcote Social Club April 13 Boogie Feat Cosmic Psychos, Strand Of Oaks, Tyrannamen And More. Bruzzy’s Farm Tallarook April 14 - 16 The Strumbellas Northcote Social Club April 16 Patti Smith Hamer Hall April 16 Michael Kiwanuka The Corner April 18 Andrew Bird Melbourne Recital Centre April 18 GALLANT The Corner April 17 Corinne Bailey Rae 170 Russell April 19 The Lumineers State Theatre April 19 St Paul & The Broken Bones 170 Russell April 20 The Best Of The Eagles Palms At Crown April 21 Carl Cox Shed 14 April 23 Black Stone Cherry The Corner Sunday April 23 Helmet 170 Russell April 28 James Reyne Memo Music Hall April 28 The Whitlams Hamer Hall April 29 Hans Zimmer Rod Laver Arena May 4
RUMOURS Big Sean, The Offspring, Slowdive
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