FREE
DO NOT LITTER
ISSUE 1690 • DECEMBER 24 • 2019
Party In The Paddock LISA FISCHER • CONRAD SEWELL • JOSH WOLF • SLEEP TALK • EDUCATION SPECIAL
A FESTIVAL FAVOURITE SAYS GOODBYE
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2ND SHOW ADDED BY POPULAR DEMAND
FRI 6 & SAT 7 MARCH HAMER HALL RUSSELLBRAND.COM
WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL HAMER HALL RIGHTEOUSBABE.COM
2ND SHOW ADDED BY POPULAR DEMAND
SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY PLENARY, MCEC 6PM & 9PM
JACKWHITEHALL.COM
SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY HAMER HALL ILIZA.COM
JOKOY.COM
N A J 1 2 Y A D S TUE MER HALL HA TIMANDERIC.COM
FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY ATHENAEUM THEATRE
‘BRILLIANT, BRAVE, RAW AND ANALYTICAL WITHOUT FORGETTING TO BE FUNNY’ RICKY GERVAIS
JONATHANPIE.COM
BOOK NOW AT ABPRESENTS.COM.AU 3
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Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo • adapted by Nick Stafford in association with Handspring Puppet Company
ADDITIONA L MATINEES ADDED
SAT 18. JAN NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS:
THE CASANOVAS RIVER OF SNAKES AGAZILLIONANGRYMEXICANS
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ISSUE 1690
Contents WRITES GOOD (EDITOR) Tom Parker CAN SPELL (DIGITAL EDITOR) Caleb Triscari HIGHLIGHTER WIZARD (SUB EDITOR) Kate Streader EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Joshua Martin, Kate Streader, Jonti Ridley, Annie-Mei Forster LAYOUT QUEENS (GRAPHIC DESIGNERS) Erica May, Sophia Temporali MANAGING DIRECTOR Patrick Carr ADVERTISING Greg Pettinella (Advertising/Editorial) greg@beat.com.au
Page 28
Mark Stockden (Advertising/Editorial) mark@beat.com.au
Australian Rock Collective (ARC)
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE accounts@furstmedia.com.au DISTRIBUTION Free every second Wednesday to over 3,200 points around Melbourne. Along with being handed out at Train Stations. Wanna get BEAT? Email distribution@ furstmedia.com.au GIG GUIDE SUBMISSIONS now online at beat.com.au SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Ian Laidlaw CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Harris, Lewis Nixon, Sally Townsend, Andrew Friend, Rochelle Flack, Anna Madden, Dan Soderstrom, Joshua Braybrook, Tasha Strachan, James Hughes
Page 24
4 Pines Welcome to Brunswick
Page 25
Louis Theroux
Editors’ Note
TOM PARKER & CALEB TRISCARI, BEAT EDITORS
8 14 15 16-17 18-19 20-23 24 25
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The Monday after Meredith was an upwards climb with no end in sight. Tom’s eyes were painted with a glaze thicker than a bowl of Uncle Toby’s oats on a winter morning. Caleb, with only 50 per cent of his memory intact, was at risk of throwing up into the office recycling bin at any moment. Man oh man, was it worth it. Speaking of festivals, Beat 1690, our FINAL ISSUE FOR THE DECADE, is published with a heavy heart as we bid adieu to Tassie’s Party in the Paddock. 2020 is promising to be its last, but we’ve been assured it won’t be going gently. We catch up with the mastermind behind it all, Jesse Higgs, to find out why the team is moving on to greener pastures. RIP PITP. We’re also saying goodbye to Beat office gremlin Caleb who, upon being caught eating all of the communal office muesli bars, screamed “you can’t fire me, I quit!” and dramatically sashayed out the office doors for the last time. Apt. This edition also coincides with our New Year’s Special spotlighting all of the best NYE parties set to hit Melbourne as we tick over into 2020. Find Fitzroy faves Persa and The Provincial and get the lowdown on what The Boatbuilders Yard and The Local Taphouse have in store for the big occasion. Oh yeah, there’s a Rick and Morty themed NYE party too. Yes, please! On top of that, there’s our traditional Writers’ Wrap Up where we asked each of the writers for their top picks of the year… and the decade. Did your favourite albums make the cut? So yeah, that’s it. See you next decade.
News Best arts shows of 2019 60 Seconds With… Columns Party In The Paddock Melbourne’s best New Year’s events FLEA: Acid For The Children, 4 Pines Welcome to Brunswick Louis Theroux
26 27 28 29-31 32 33 34
Dead City Ruins, The Fiction First Beige, Hobo Johnson Pop Up Park Writers’ Wrap Up Best New Album Album Reviews Gig Guide
COLUMNISTS Christie Eliezer, Sose Fuamoli, Augustus Welby, Morgan Mangan, D’arcy McGregor, Sam Howard, Anna Rose CONTRIBUTORS Alexander Crowden, Dan Watt, Augustus Welby, Alex Watts, David James Young, Bronius Zumeris, Natalie Rogers, Holly Pereira, Claire Morley, Jacob Colliver, Anna Rose, Christopher Lewis, Christine Tsimbis, Eliza Booth, Ellen Pritchard, Holly Denison, James Robertson, Rhys McKenzie, Jono Coote, Jonathan Reynoso, Lexi Herbert, Luke Carlino, Marnie Vinall, Maria Glykokalamos, Meg Crawford, Scott Hudson, Tammy Walters
/BeatMag @BeatMagazine /beatTV @beatmagazine
FURST MEDIA PTY LTD. MYCELIUM STUDIOS FACTORY 1/10-12 , MORELAND RD, BRUNSWICK EAST VIC
GIVEAWAY We’re giving one lucky Beat reader the chance to win a double pass to Fatboy Slim at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Friday January 24. For more info, head to beat. com.au/win.
SELLING FAST
ON SALE NOW VIA
WWW.CORNERHOTEL.COM AND 1300 724 867
57 SWAN ST, RICHMOND, 3121 26/12 - BOXING DAY BLUES 27/12 - THE GRADE CRICKETER SELLING FAST 28/12 - THE GRADE CRICKETER 31/12 - SOUL-A-GO-GO NYE 04/01 - TALKING HEADS ‘LITTLE CREATURES’ 35 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY
08/01 - PINK SWEAT$ USA - SOLD OUT 09/01 - PINK SWEAT$ USA - SELLING FAST 10/01 - BOWIE ‘GOLDEN YEARS’ ANNIVERSARY 11/01 - MCLUSKY* UK - SOLD OUT 15/01 - MCLUSKY* UK - SELLING FAST 16/01 - ORVILLE PECK USA - SOLD OUT 17/01 - THE ANGELS + BOOM CRASH OPERA 18/01 - HOLLOW COVES SELLING FAST 21/01 - GARETH REYNOLDS USA - SELLING FAST 22/01 - GARETH REYNOLDS USA - SOLD OUT 22/01 - GARETH REYNOLDS USA - SOLD OUT 24/01 - JOHN GARCIA & THE BAND OF GOLD USA 26/01 - POP CRIMES THE SONGS OF ROWLAND S. HOWARD 29/01 - OMAR APOLLO MEX/USA 31/01 - FONTAINES D.C. IRELAND - SOLD OUT 01/02 - HORSEHEAD SELLING FAST 04/02 - JAMES SMITH SOLD OUT 08/02 - BOB MARLEY BIRTHDAY BASH 09/02 - JAKE ‘THE SNAKE’ ROBERTS WWE HALL OF FAME
14/02 15/02 17/02 -
CREED BRATTON USA - SELLING FAST OKILLY DOKILLY USA THE NECKS
18/02 20/02 21/02 -
THE NECKS TORA BYRON BAY PSEUDO ECHO
NGAIIRE
FRANK TURNER UK
14/03
04/04
AUTUMNAL PARK 35 YEARS STRONG
22/02 - THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS 23/02 - JAY SOM USA 27/02 - BRASS AGAINST USA 28/02 - LYDIA LUNCH RETROVIRUS USA 29/02 - BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME USA 06/03 - EZRA COLLECTIVE UK 11/03 - JOEP BEVING SELLING FAST SOLO PIANO CONCERTS
12/03 - FREYA RIDINGS UK 14/03 - NGAIIRE 20/03 - THINGS OF STONE & WOOD
SELLING FAST
SELLING FAST
LARKIN POE
THE HOLD STEADY
USA
16/04
USA - 24/05
30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
26/03 - THE EXPLOITED SCOTLAND 27/03 - POP WILL EAT ITSELF UK - SELLING FAST 03/04 - MARIANAS TRENCH CANADA 04/04 - FRANK TURNER UK - SELLING FAST 09/04 - WALTER TROUT USA 13/04 - THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND USA 16/04 - LARKIN POE USA - SELLING FAST 17/04 - MAD CADDIES USA - CELEBRATING 25 YEARS 19/04 - KEVIN BORICH EXPRESS 20/04 - JOHN MAYALL UK - SELLING FAST 19/05 - BIG THIEF USA 23/05 - BEN BÖHMER GERMANY - SELLING FAST 24/05 - THE HOLD STEADY USA - SELLING FAST PEOPLE’S CHOICE
13/06 - L.A. GUNS USA
PLUS HEAPS MORE AT WWW.CORNERHOTEL.COM
EZRA COLLECTIVE
BIG THIEF USA
19/05
UK - 06/03 SELLING FAST
JOEP BEVING
SOLO PIANO CONCERTS 11/03
LYDIA LUNCH RETROVIRUS USA - 28/02
ON SALE NOW VIA
WWW.NORTHCOTESOCIALCLUB.COM AND 1300 724 867 301 HIGH ST, NORTHCOTE, 3070
CEDRIC BURNSIDE USA 19/03
FLYYING COLOURS 29/02
31/12 - THE SENEGAMBIAN JAZZ BAND NYE PARTY
14/02 - VOID OF VISION
04/01 - DANIEL ELIA
20/02 - ZUHAIR
10/01 - THE EAST POINTERS CAN - SELLING FAST 1 1 / 0 1 - EXEK
AN HORSE 21/02
VOID OF VISION 14/02
18/01 - DEAD CITY RUINS 19/01 - TEX PERKINS & MATT WALKER 22/01 -‘WIND IT UP’ PRESENTS COLIN SELF RVNG |
FUCK THE FITZROY DOOM SCENE
GRACE CUMMINGS
2ND SHOW SELLING FAST
SELLING FAST
SEBADOH
THE EAST POINTERS
08/02
USA 28/01
01/02
CAN - 10/01
JUNE JONES | DIIMPA 25/01 - STREAMS OF WHISKEY 28/01 - SEBADOH USA- SELLING FAST 29/01 - SEBADOH USA- SOLD OUT 31/01 - ADRIAN EAGLE SOLD OUT 01/02 - GRACE CUMMINGS 06/02- DICK VALENTINE USA - ELECTRIC 6 08/02- FUCK THE FITZROY DOOM SCENE 09/02- MIJO BISCAN
21/02 - AN HORSE 22/02-‘DAMNATION & MALEVOLENCE’
FT NOCTURNAL GRAVES 23/02 - ALL INDIA RADIO TAS 24/02 -‘MONDAY NIGHT MASS’ WITH PLEASURE
SYMBOLS / BITUMEN / DARK WATER 29/02 - FLYYING COLOURS 12/03 - MICHAEL DUNSTAN 19/03 - CEDRIC BURNSIDE USA 27/03 - HOLLIE COL 11/04 - D.R.I. USA + HIRAX USA 07/05 - NASHVILLE PUSSY USA 08/05- CHOIRBOYS ‘6 PACK OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN’
PL US HE A PS MORE AT W W W.NOR T HCO T ESOCI A L CL UB.COM
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News
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Australian Music Prize FINAL NOMINATIONS LIST UNVEILED The prestigious and highly-coveted Australian Music Prize has revealed its list of 107 nominated albums. 40 of the country’s most admired tastemakers, retailers, media and artists will be spending their holidays narrowing down this list to just nine, which will be disclosed in January ahead of the winner’s announcement next March. These albums represent the finest in Australian music, with a truly diverse range of artists including King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Thelma Plum, POND, Dope Lemon, Alex Lahey, Jimmy Barnes, Archie Roach, Robert Forster, Daggy Man and Sarah Mary Chadwick. Previous AMP winner Sampa The Great also joins the list for her record The Return. After intensively listening to those nine shortlisted albums, the judges meet in March to discuss and select a winner of the coveted $30,000 cash prize. Find out more via the Australian Music Prize website.
Day by the Bay
Arts Centre Melbourne
Bombay Rock
Cosmic Psychos
REVEALS 2020 LINEUP
CELEBRATES GEORGE MICHAEL
CLOSES ITS DOORS
UNVEIL CASTLEMAINE GIG
Local Melbourne festival Day by the Bay, presented by 3RRR, has announced Australian rock trio Dyson Stringer Cloher as its headlining act, along with a local and culturally diverse lineup. Joining Dyson Stringer Cloher will be Ausecuma Beats, Grand Salvo, The Orbweavers, Aarti Jadu and Kushite Entertainment. Day by the Bay will be celebrating the importance of Port Phillip Bay for the second year running, so head down to Point Cook Coastal Park on Saturday March 28 for this free, family friendly festival. For more info check connectedtoportphillip.com.
A musical production dedicated to the late, great George Michael is coming to Arts Centre Melbourne next month as part of Midsumma Festival. The Rise and Fall of Saint George details the life and achievements of the singer through the perspective of the LGBTQIA+ community and will feature a handful of musical collaborators. The Rise and Fall of Saint George is a celebration of queer achievement and will run between Thursday January 23 and Friday January 24 at Hamer Hall. Get tickets via the venue website.
Without explanation, Brunswick venue Bombay Rock has abruptly announced it has ceased trading “effective immediately”, with the venue taking to social media to thank its former bands and patrons. Musicians such as Duckeye and Murderballs were still slated to perform at the venue, which only reopened late last year. Bombay Rock originally opened in the ‘70s and operated until 1991 when it was destroyed by a fire. It hosted high-profile acts such as INXS, Australian Crawl, The Angels, Cold Chisel and Skyhooks throughout its tenure.
Aussie punk rockers Cosmic Psychos are joining forces with a bunch of other legendary musicians for a one-off show, aptly named ‘Nice Day To Go To The Theatre’. Cosmic Psychos will be joined by grunge queen Adalita, rock sisters Stonefield, garage rockers Mr Teenage and punk duo Thee Cha Cha Chas for the show. The gig will serve up eight hours of non-stop rock to support Aboriginal services organization, Nalderun. Nice Day To Go To The Theatre goes down on Sunday January 26 at Theatre Royal, Castlemaine. Tickets now on sale via Oztix.
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FREE FAMILY FRIENDLY
NEW YEAR'S EVE
EDINBURGH GARDENS
TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2019
7.25pm 9.30pm 9.55pm Midnight
Coco movie screening City fireworks A Star is Born movie screening City fireworks
YARRACITY.VIC.GOV.AU/NYE
CLOSED FROM MONDAY 23 DEC – MONDAY 6 JAN
WALLY’S DOG CAFÉ
TUESDAY 7TH JAN 2020
OPEN MIC $15 jugs, free performer drink 6PM, FREE. WEDNESDAY 8TH JAN 2020
DOS DIABLOS MOBILE CANTINA
POPCORN AND ICE CREAM
WHISKY WEDNESDAYS $6 Basic, $9 Premium, $12 Cocktails 7pm, FREE. THURSDAY 9TH JAN 2020
THURSTY THURSDAYS
YARRA DOG SHOW
UNI NIGHT WITH TEQUILA SPECIALS! 7PM, FREE. FRIDAY 10TH JAN 2020
RIPLEY HOOD AND ASH JONES 6.30PM, FREE. JAIL HOUSE POP 9PM, FREE.
THURSDAY 26TH DECEMBER
SCRATCHES RECORDS: P.SMURF + JOE SNOW + SPECIAL GUESTS 8PM, $10
SATURDAY 28TH DECEMBER
HOMEBASS: GRIFF + HYPNOTECH + SHIFTEQ 8PM, $10
THURSDAY 2ND JANUARY
KICKIN THE B AT 303’ THURSDAY HAMMOND SESSIONS:
HAWKER HEIGHTS HAMMOND COMBO 8PM DOORS, $10
FRIDAY 3RD JANUARY
DRILLBIT + COCK SAFARI + EBOLA DISCO + PSYCHWARD + PERFUME 7:30PM
SATURDAY 4TH JANUARY SATURDAY 11TH JAN 2020
The fastest, hottest and most ridiculous fest of this summer returns for round 2. Catch BLIGHT
WORMS (CANBERRA) SPEW BALLOON, PISSBOLT, SANCTIONED, FORNICATADOR, CORDON
ALCOHOL NOT PERMITTED • PLEASE LEAVE GLASS AT HOME
BLEAURGH and MAGGOT BATH blasting through the summer swelter at Swamplands. 6PM. SUNDAY 12TH JAN 2020
SUNDAY EXHIBITION 4PM, FREE. $10 BLOODY MARYS! TUESDAY 14TH JAN 2020
OPEN MIC $15 jugs, free performer drink 6PM FREE
COMING UP!
Thank you! 2019 has been an incredible year for The Boîte. We turned 40 and celebrated it the only way a music organisation should: by injecting all the energy we could muster to present 95 concerts and host 93 workshops with the participation of 456 musicians and 36 choirs in 26 different venues in front of nearly 10,000 people. We would like to thank everyone who helped make this possible: our tireless staff and volunteers, our committed board, our generous patrons, donors, government and other funding bodies, our partners and co-presenters, our suppliers, our techies, our media partners, our audiences... ...and most importantly to the artists who contribute to making our landscape a diverse and interesting confluence of sounds and give us more than enough reasons to continue continue fighting for respect and inclusion, to create more opportunities for their music to be heard and to encourage more people to actively engage in the arts in one way or another. Here’s to a vibrant 2020...
boite.com.au 03 9417 3550 – events@boite.com.au
FLASHFEST: RAINBOW VOMIT AND CUM BUBBLES + CORNHOLE CRUCIFIXION + VODNIK + TRAMSTEIN + MORE 7:30PM, FREE ENTRY SUNDAY 5TH JANUARY
JOE ZREIKAT + MATT HOYNE 7PM
MONDAY 6TH JANUARY
303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT 8PM, FREE
TUESDAY 7TH JANUARY
KLUB MUK 7:30PM, FREE
WEDNESDAY 8TH JANUARY
BOHJASS + PROFESSOR PEEL + BRAE GRIMES QUINTET 7:30PM, DONATION
FRIDAY 17TH JAN 2020
BAR STOOL GHOSTS, MOOGY MORGAN BAND, D H HENRY FENTON (SYDNEY) SATURDAY 18TH JAN 2020
QUARTER STREET SATURDAY 25TH JAN 2020
THE IN THE OUT, ROUTINES MONDAY 27TH JAN 2020 AUSTRALIA DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY - SURFARAMA SWAMP FEST 3! FEAT.
INTOXICA! MR
EUGENE AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON! Doors 2pm.
HAPPY HOUR TUE-FRI 5PM-7PM $6 PINTS, $3.50 POTS, $5 WINE/BASIC SPIRITS $10 BURRITOS THURS TO SUN
facebook/swamplandsbar
THURSDAY 9TH JANUARY
SOFT TACO + LONG HOURS + ROB (CLOSE TALKERS) 8PM, $5
FRIDAY 10TH JANUARY
FLOGS + RUSKUS + LEMON DAZE 8PM
SATURDAY 11TH JANUARY
‘SUMMER BONANZA’ FEAT:
THE PINE GAP COWBOYS SHIT KICKER EP LAUNCH, BERMUDA SHADES, CAMOUFLAGE EP LAUNCH, THE WISECRACKS, DR ASPARAGUS & THE PIED PIPER, THE FEATHERHEADS, DAVE HOUSTON & SAMWISE SEIDEL, PERCY HARRISON, LINDA JOY. 7PM, $15/$10
303 HIGH ST NORTHCOTE 03 9482 4577 | 303.NET.AU FACEBOOK.COM/BAR303NOTHCOTE
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NEWS
The Naked & Famous
Alex Cameron
AusGP Sessions
Summertime Social
Wine Machine
REVEALS MELBOURNE SHOW
REVEALS HUGE 2020 LINEUP
IS TAKING OVER FED SQUARE
ADDS FIRST ARTIST TO 2020 LINEUP
Aussie indie pop singer Alex Cameron has just announced a new slate of Australian shows. The Sydney-born songwriter took out Beat’s Best New Album with his third studio record, Miami Memory back in September and will arrive as part of Brunswick Music Festival, which will also welcome the likes of Kevin Morby, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Hand Habits to Melbourne. Catch Alex Cameron at Estonian House as part of Brunswick Music Festival on Wednesday March 11. Tix via the festival website.
Melbourne’s newest live music series AusGP Sessions is set to make its debut at the Formula 1® Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2020. Over four days, AusGP Sessions will be showcasing some of the biggest Australian music acts, including homegrown global sensation Peking Duk as its headliner. Joining them will be Client Liaison, Bag Raiders, CXLOE, Tigerlily, Mashd N Kutcher, YO! MAFIA and Benson. AusGP Sessions will be available to anyone who attends the 2020 Grand Prix in Albert Park from Thursday March 12 to Sunday March 15. Find out more at grandprix.com.au.
Get ready to indulge your inner child because Summertime Social is transforming Federation Square’s Skyline Terrace into Melbourne’s biggest rooftop playground. There will be live music, dazzling views of the Melbourne skyline and a huge selection of summerinspired refreshments. The epic activation will be open all weekend and offers an abundance of nostalgic activities, including giant Jenga, alongside luxe retro caravans and a huge communal lawn. It all kicks off on Thursday January 2 and will run until Sunday April 5. Bookings can be made via the website.
Australia’s dining, drinking and dancing weekender is back in 2020 and have welcomed The Naked & Famous as the first addition to its ‘wineup’. This is a highly anticipated return for the indie electronic outfit, as it’s been three years since they touched down on Australian shores. You can expect the rest of Wine Machine’s epic ‘wineup’ in early January; the Melbourne instalment will occur on Saturday March 28 at the Rochford Estate, Yarra Valley. Tix via the festival website.
Image by Ilsa Wynne-Hoelscher
Thando, image by Michelle Grace Hunder
Sheer Mag
Russell Brand
Ali Barter
Chapel Summer Sessions
REVEALS AUSTRALIAN TOUR
ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIAN TOUR
DROPS AUSTRALIAN SUMMER DATES
REVEALS 2020 LINEUP
Renowned Philly rock’n’rollers Sheer Mag have just announced an east coast Australian tour kicking off in March 2020. The band’s second studio album A Distant Call was released back in August and was acclaimed for its earnest narrative and raw texture. Needless to say, their live performance will be a wild and emotional ride, so hold on tight. Sheer Mag’s return to Australia is proudly presented by Mistletone and their Melbourne show is TBA. Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement on the Mistletone website.
Kicking off in late February next year is Russell Brand’s all new Australian tour, Recovery Live. Brand is a comedian, actor and activist for mental health and drug rehabilitation and Recovery Live is a funny and profane exploration of personal wellbeing from a man who has truly done and seen it all. The 90-minute experience will introduce audiences to the system that saved Brand’s life. Catch Brand at Hamer Hall on Friday March 6 and Saturday March 7, tix via the Arts Centre Melbourne website.
Ali Barter is following up a big 2019 by heading back on the road this summer and banging out shows all over the east coast of Australia. Barter earned acclaim this year with the release of her second LP Hello, I’m Doing My Best, as well as her debut European and US performances. She will be ending the decade with a bang, hitting up a bunch of Melbourne venues from Saturday December 21 to Friday January 17. Grab your tickets to the shows via Barter’s website.
Chapel Summer Sessions has revealed its 2020 lineup, offering a diverse spread of musical acts set to perform a series of intimate shows across February. Returning to Chapel Off Chapel for the series is Melbourne soul superstar Thando, alongside the likes of Kyle Lionheart, Jess & Matt, Bobby Alu, and Reece Mastin. Chapel Summer Sessions runs from Saturday February 1 until Friday February 21. For tickets and more info, head to chapeloffchapel.com.au.
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The Northside’s newest place to party – and throw parties! Open to the public every Thursday and Friday night. Serving a selection of imported beers, wine and Spritz on TAP with our authentic Italian bar menu.
CLOSED JAN
Tuesday 24th Dec 8:00pm
IRISH SESSION WITH
Tuesday December 24
Dan Bourke & Cyril Moran
7pm:
DAN BURKE AND
Wednesday December 25
Closed
MARTY KELLY
Thursday December 26
Closed
RE-OPENING FEB 6TH
Have your party
AT OURS!
Friday December 27
Wednesday 25th Dec 8:00pm
Traditional Irish Music Session 8:30pm: Ezra Lee
6pm:
LOMOND ACOUSTICA
Saturday December 28
9pm:
Matt Dwyer & The Magnatones Sunday December 29
Jules Boult 6:30pm: Nick Charles 4pm:
Saturday 28th 9:30pm
Monday December 30
Closed
THE
Tuesday December 31
Closed Wednesday January 1
PRAYERBABIES
Closed Thursday January 2
(Adult-pop)
7pm:
Open Mic Night Friday January 3
Traditional Irish Music 8.30pm: Mr Alford 6pm:
Tuesday 31st Dec 9:30
Saturday January 4
NEW YEARS EVE DANCE PARTY Contact us at: ciao@olivasocial.com.au for private function enquires.
/olivasocial @olivasocial
olivasocial.com.au
THE HARMAIAX (Zydeco Cajun)
ALL GIGS ARE FREE 225 NICHOLSON STREET, BRUNSWICK EAST. PH 9380 1752
Shanakee 9pm: White Lightning 3pm:
Sunday January 5
Moonee Valley Drifters 6.30pm: Alex Burns
4pm:
Tuesday January 7
Tuesday Tribute: Adrian Whitehead plays the love songs of John Lennon The Drunken Poet 65 Peel Street (directly opposite Queen Vic Market), Phone: 03 9348 9797. www.thedrunkenpoet.com.au
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Music news that shocked Melbourne in 2019 This year was filled with surprises in the music world. Some happenings were solemn and others gleeful, yet all can be celebrated in one way or another. Take a ride with us as we unpack eight music moments that shocked Melbourne in 2019.
Eddy Current Suppression Ring
Cherry Bar
Chris Wilson
Tool
REVEALS NEW ADDRESS
BLUES LEGEND PASSES AWAY
REVEALS FIRST ALBUM IN 13 YEARS
When Melbourne learnt that Cherry Bar would move from its AC/DC Lane haunt, jaws dropped citywide.A Melbourne institution, the beloved watering hole is largely responsible for the gig and party culture that decorates the city today. The end of it’s AC/DC would not sound the end of Cherry though, as the venue would eventually announce their relocation to a certain residence formerly known as Boney. As of Thursday December 12, she’s now reopened, so let’s get this party rolling.
On Thursday January 17, the news that legendary Melbourne blues musician Chris Wilson had passed saddened the music world, both on local and international scales. Renowned for his solo career, Wilson also collaborated with the likes of Paul Kelly, Hunters & Collectors, Harem Scarem and Sole Twisters throughout his career. Wilson had released his most recent studio, Chris Wilson, in 2018 to critical acclaim and also featured in a 2018 documentary made by Chris Franklin, titled Chris Wilson’s Live at the Continental. This was a huge loss.
Woah, when legendary rockers Tool revealed that they would release their first album in 13 years, the world literally stood still. Fear Inoculum was released on Friday August 30 and what eventuated was a stadium-sized record that had punters foaming at the mouth and flocking back to the arena. The band would go on to tease (because that’s what you do now) and announce an Australian tour for 2020. This will take them to Rod Laver Arena on Saturday February 22. Get around it.
My Chemical Romance
Andrew ‘Greedy’ Smith
New Order
ARE BACK
MENTAL AS ANYTHING COFOUNDER DIES
REVEAL MELBOURNE RETURN
Stephen ‘The Ghost’ Walker
DROPS NEW ALBUM DETAILS On Thursday November 21, beloved but recently silent Melbourne garage rockers Eddy Current Suppression Ring announced a surprise return to the music scene with a forthcoming album and brand new single. Reported by Double J, the album would be called All In Good Time and was their first album since 2010’s Rush To Relax. The last time the band had appeared in any sort of public space was when they headlined Golden Plains in 2016.
Yep, you read it correctly. The band who were the soundtrack to everyone’s emotional adolescence during the early 2000s announced their return this year. Thursday October 31 was the day and the band would announce an exclusive Melbourne show soon after for Download Festival in March 2020. Here they will play alongside the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Deftones, Ministry and more. On Friday December 20 they would play their first show since 2012 at The Shrine in Los Angeles. Yeah boi.
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Andrew ‘Greedy’ Smith, founding member of Aussie group Mental As Anything, passed away aged 63 on Monday December 3. On a national tour at the time, this came as a huge surprise and stands as one of the most tragic losses Australian music has incurred in the past decade. He was the only original member of Mental As Anything still touring with the group and had songwriting credits on some of the band’s greatest hits including ‘Live It Up’. RIP Greedy.
New wave kings New Order announced that they’d be returning to Australia on Tuesday October 8, a huge shock to music fans across the country. Saturday March 14 is the date that they’ll be dropping into Sidney Myer Music Bowl, bringing with them all their seminal hits such as ‘Blue Monday’, ‘True Faith’, ‘Plastic’, ‘Bizarre Love’ and ‘Ecstasy’. The band formed from the dissolution of Joy Division and pivoted completely with their sound, dousing their songwriting with ethereal synthesisers rather than buzzsaw guitars. Yes, please.
3RRR RADIO PRESENTER DIES On Wednesday July 3, the music industry mourned the passing of one, Stephen ‘The Ghost’ Walker, a radio trailblazer and personality, a legend. Prior to this day, Walker had endured a long battle with multiple sclerosis and a short one with cancer. He was a volunteer at 3RRR for 37 years and was its program manager for 14 years; he also hosted a number of shows including Skull Cave, From The Bunker, Survival Talkback and Ghost in the Machine. He will be missed.
WERRIBEE CITY CENTRE
10 JAN – 2 FEB A FREE WYNDHAM CITY EVENT
PETE MURRAY
EUROGLIDERS
Friday 10 Jan, 5.30pm – 10pm
Friday 17 Jan, 5.30pm – 10pm
Supported by Tom Richardson, Michelle Gardiner and DJ Raas Masters.
Supported by Absolutely 80s, MADZ GOT RICH and DJ Raas Masters.
ARC
THE BLACK SORROWS
Friday 24 Jan, 5.30pm – 10pm
Friday 31 Jan, 5.30pm – 10pm
Supported by Aggie & The Blue Velvet Band, Lewis Pidutti and DJ Raas Masters.
Supported by The Mixx, Fast Love and DJ Raas Masters.
SEE THE FULL PROGRAM AT WYNDHAM.VIC.GOV.AU/POPUPPARK
werribeecitycentre
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ARTS GUIDE
The Best of the Arts in 2019 T’S BEA CKS I P TOP
Solaris
Rite of Spring
MALTHOUSE THEATRE
STATE THEATRE
From its opening minute to its climax, Solaris is a work of uncertainty. Adapted from Stanisław Lem’s 1961 novel, you may know Solaris by its cinematic adaptations: Andrei Tarkovsky’s lauded 1972 film or the Steven Soderbergh-directed, George Clooney-starring 2002 version. But this play requires no prior knowledge. As directed by Matthew Lutton from a script by David Greig, it is intense, frightening and riveting all on its own. Like each of the play’s impeccable performances, it’s deeply human, multifaceted work. Confronted with their grief, the limitations of memory or something new and unfathomable, these characters still try to exert their strength, even if they’re on the brink of crying, screaming or swearing. The play’s clever ambiguity leaves it open and speculative for those on the stage and in the audience. But while it may be an exercise in the unknown, it’s certain that Solaris is a must-see in every way.
The cyclical nature and precarious balance between life and death have always been at the centre of Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. When it was first performed in 1913, it made audiences so uncomfortable—with its fearless atonality and truly disruptive sense of harmony—that it caused what might be the only riot in the history of classical music. Over 100 years later, the composition itself remains hellish, startling, and jarring as ever. Consequently, the challenge of any contemporary adaptation becomes this: How can one retain the visceral shock of the original? Yang Liping’s adaptation of this certified classic from the ‘Western Canon’ proves how powerful re-appropriation can be when filtered through a fresh cultural lens. There’s a powerful sense of vitality when it’s done right. Rite of Spring executes it with a cogent boldness of vision that’s rarely seen on stage. BY JAMES DI FABRIZIO
BY MATT MAIDA
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Dylan Moran: Dr Cosmos
Lazarus
The Nico Project
HAMER HALL
PLAYHOUSE
PLAYHOUSE
The hard-drinking comedian is a time-honoured trope for a reason. So when someone quits boozing, there’s sometimes a misplaced concern they’ll be less funny. Happily, Irish comedian Dylan Moran puts paid to that notion. To the contrary, since giving up the sauce, Moran is in peak form. This was the sort of show where patrons were reduced to wheezing like Muttley because they couldn’t laugh any harder. That said, he’s still endearingly dishevelled, wandering on stage with hair only marginally better brushed than Robert Smith’s. Moran reminds us that being human is funny in and of itself, and laughter is pretty much the antidote for everything.
Unlike the original myth of Lazarus, David Bowie will not be resurrected anytime soon. So, it’s the job of the musical, Lazarus, to continue his breathtaking legacy. The musical is by no means conventional in its storytelling and you’ll probably be left scratching your head in confusion by the end. However, this vagueness only lends itself to the absurd mystique of the whole production. It gives an interesting insight into the man himself, as many of the facets of alcoholism and alienation would have been relatable to Bowie during his life. Lazarus serves as an invigorating blast of superb musical fun and continues to further the Starman’s musical message.
Given the broad scope and fascinating life Nico led, it’s an incredibly bold move to create such an avant-garde portrayal of her life. Although, those familiar with the performer will see it as a perfect fit. The Nico Project plays out as if it were a recording session for her second solo album, The Marble Index. Nico (Maxine Peake) addresses the audience as she battles her inner demons in the pursuit to create something real and pure. Along the way, we’re given glimpses of the struggles she faces — not only as an artist wanting to be understood but as a woman wanting to be heard.
BY MEG CRAWFORD
BY JAMES ROBERTSON
BY CHRIS SWAN
14
Q&AS
60 Seconds With... Danny Walsh Banned
Martika
For those who aren’t across your music, how would you describe Danny Walsh Banned in under 40 words? According to www.walshipedia.banned, for over a decade now, Melbourne-based outfit Danny Walsh Banned have been tearing apart the Victorian live music scene with their blistering concoction of psych, swamp-rock, country, blues and vintage rock’n’roll sounds. Tell us about your new single, ‘Rakin’ It In’. What is the story behind it? What inspired it? I think the idea came from a chat with a lovely homeless gentleman I used to see sometimes by the Yarra during my lunch breaks. The chorus and chord progression came together simultaneously a few years back when playing guitar for my daughter when she was a little baby. You’ve got a new album on the horizon too. Tell us more about this. This will be our triumphant third album, once again committed to tape by Nao Anzai at Soundpark and features glorious guest appearances by Chris Altmann, Kat Mear (Cash Savage), Luis Poblete (Quarter Street) along with a horn section of Charlie Woods (The Teskey Brothers) and Anna Gordon (Ogopogo) who blast the little baby bejesus out of this single. Happy Christmas! Are there any bands or musicians that stand out as particular influences for you? Hmmm everything from Jimmy “Duck” Holmes to Don Walker, Joni Mitchell to Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O, The Saints to The Stones, some bush poetry and those wonderful old songs Mick Coates plays on his Monday night radio show.
How would you describe Martika in under 40 words? As an artist I’m not afraid to take risks and like to venture into the weirder side of life. My music will always have a message for my listeners and I’m not scared to share my stories. I’m all about inclusion! I firmly believe that we all should be able to express ourselves openly in whatever way makes us happy. Tell us about your debut single, ‘How Did I Get Here’. ‘How Did I Get Here’ tackles the complexities of turning a passion into a career. This song explores the emotional journey of an artist that lost feeling of being at a crossroads in life. I found myself reflecting on my life and where I was, thinking that music should have brought me success at this point – and was it all worth it? With a gentle yet driving percussion that percolates underneath a constant, melodic bassline, fans of Aurora and Massive Attack will love the music’s incisive style. What can we expect from your upcoming show at The Toff? This upcoming show is going to be slightly stripped back to give my audience that more intimate experience. Come to my show and you can expect something entertaining and amazing, yet a show that makes you feel equal and at home – a family. What’s next for Martika? Next year is going to be a big one – we have many exciting things planned for the future. It starts with my second single release early in the year, accompanied by my first music video. I’ll continue to write my music and bend rules and expectations.
Danny Walsh Banned’s new single ‘Rakin’ It In’ is out now via Bandcamp. The band will launch the track at The Spotted Mallard on Sunday February 9. Head to the Danny Walsh Banned Facebook page for more info.
Martika performs at The Toff in Town on Saturday December 28. Grab tix via Eventbrite and keep up to date with Martika via her Facebook page, ‘Martika Maree’.
Shock Octopus
Bridget Allan
For those who aren’t across your music, how would you describe Shock Octopus in under 40 words? Existential art rock. Some people sing about love and break-ups, we sing about life, death, existence and catastrophe. We’ve been around for ten years and have aged like a fine wine. Where once we were loud and explosive, these days we are more mellow and contemplative. Tell us about your new single, ‘No Easy Way Down’. What is the story behind it? What inspired it? The song is about climate change from the perspective of a polar bear. The Arctic is where global warming is most dramatic – fitting for a dramatic song. What was once king of the Arctic is now just another victim of human ‘progress’. Why is climate change an important cause to you and why are you using music to voice your concerns? The band is a motley mix of working environmentalists and Buddhists. Saving the world and impermanence are our shtick and what is more existential than the looming threat of climate change? Besides, they always tell you to write about what you know… All sales from the single will be donated to Extinction Rebellion Australia. What is your connection to this foundation? Michael from the band is pretty active within Extinction Rebellion. We’ve always been a grassroots kind of band, so we really resonate with the grassroots people power that is Extinction Rebellion. What’s next for Shock Octopus? We are currently in the (home) studio, recording for an upcoming album. We are also planning a video or two. We can’t get some of these new songs out of our head, which bodes well. Shock Octopus’s new single ‘No Easy Way Down’ is out now via Bandcamp. Keep up with gigs and new releases via the band’s Facebook page.
When did you first start making music and what led you there? I started making music from around ten years old, thanks to my family. I was inspired by great songs I heard and was curious to see if I had the skill to create my own. Tell us about your new album, Nihilism. What is the story behind it? What inspired it? It’s an emotional journey through the ups and downs of the last year of my life. I feel like I have changed a significant amount from 16 to 17 years old. How would you describe your sound and how did you come to it? My band and I make a sort of indie rock music with jazz elements; the lyrics are like selfdeprecating poetry. It’s a three-piece of myself playing guitar and singing, Marlon Cini on bass and Jake Hammill on drums and synth. There is a greater message behind your music, tell us more about your activism efforts? I do weekly beach cleans at my local beach to encourage people to see how much plastic is being littered and created unnecessarily, also I am hoping I inspire people to act, and throw away plastic at the beach when they see it! The band and I also love to do charity gigs like recent Oxfam fundraisers, Sea Shepherd Ocean Defence Festival in October and the Paddle Out in January to save the Western Port Bay from AGL’s gas plans. Give Bridget Allan’s new album Nihilism a spin via streaming services when it comes out late December. Keep up to date with Allan via her Facebook page and through her Linktree, linktr.ee/bridgetamusic.
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COLUMNS
Turning heads Punk
Metal
Electronic
WITH AUGUSTUS WELBY
WITH ANNA ROSE & ALEX SIEVERS
WITH SAM HOWARD
WITH JAMES LYNCH
Honey 2 Honey
The music find of 2019 The final Turning Heads column of the year is devoted to my find of the year: Honey 2 Honey. You half expect to hear “…Shaggy!” bellowed over the synth bass notes that open ‘Tone of Voice’, the debut single from Honey 2 Honey. The likeness quickly fades, however, as the quartet of Canberra and Sydney musicians showcase their unique brand of dub and avant-garde-infused pop melancholia. Honey 2 Honey emerged as if in a dream. Unless you’re closely acquainted with Canberra’s electronic scene – where songwriter Rory Stenning continues to make music under the Raus moniker – the band were likely complete unknowns when Chapter Music issued their debut single in February 2019. ‘Tone of Voice’ and the follow-up single, ‘Under the Hangar’, seem born of a file exchange between Arthur Russell, Saâda Bonaire and Anna Domino. They’ve got groove, curious and often humorously deployed synth melodies, and shuffle with emotion. Stenning sings in a staid baritone and his lyrics aren’t presented in a conventional storytelling manner, but he’s an affecting and captivating front person. Chapter Music released the band’s fourtrack EP, A Taste Of, in April. Joining Stenning on the release are drummer Luke KeananBrown, guitarist Daryl Prondoso and Del Lumanta on keys and electronics. “The record means a lot to me because it was the first record that I made something that actually felt like it went right,” says Stenning. “Not really while making it, but after everybody else got involved. “Eight months on, I’m obviously feeling pretty happy about the whole thing.” A Taste Of might run for just 24 minutes, but no other Australian release has suffused my 2019 experience to such a degree. I’m not alone, either – Honey 2 Honey’s music tends to have personal resonance for listeners. “I guess I have always had the sense that people like the band – in its earlier and more current phase – and we have always stood somewhat separately to what’s been going on around us.” Stenning says. “We always had a few very enthusiastic supporters and we have struggled to describe ourselves from the get go.” Another appealing facet of Honey 2 Honey – who’ve chiselled down to a trio with the departure of Keanan-Brown – is their seeming disinterest in attaining omnipresence. They have a temperate social media presence and you don’t see their name listed on every second gig poster. Intentional or otherwise, this helps maintain a sense of mystery and lets the music do the talking. If you haven’t already, give A Taste Of a spin this holiday season.
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Aldous Harding
Lune
Seb Wildblood
This year in music, as told by local punks
The best of Aussie metal in 2019
The best electronic releases this year
It’s been a huge year for punk music, especially in Melbourne. It’s also been a transformative one, with more diversity and innovation across the entire scene. That makes it pretty hard to succinctly condense what punk was this year. So instead, we’ve asked five members of local punk bands to tell us what releases they loved in 2019.
Ah, Christmas! Food, fires, gifts, parties, more fires, and if you’re in the biz, listicles! The month of December is as much affiliated with twinkly lights and a bearded bloke as it is with the industry looking back and making a big ol’ list of what was hot and what was not – it’s our way of chiselling out who was naughty and who was nice, if you will. The thing about listicles, though, is they can be incredibly boring when 1) you’re just talking about a bunch of albums, and 2) when you’re trying to tackle almost an entire year’s worth of metal music on your own. Reminiscing the good stuff is always more fun with a mate (and can trigger some pretty fun debates), so I had a chat with my buddy Alex Sievers, Editor of killyourstereo.com, and we knuckled down to create a list featuring a little bit of everything, from the best breakout band to the best music video, even the best live act; featuring Australians only. We know there are more metal bands out there doing amazing things who could have been mentioned here, but this is not at all an exhaustive list, so please, don’t come at me, bro! Instead, remember we’ve got another 12 months ahead of us to make metal more awesome, so, as always, I’ll have my ear to the ground and hope that you, too, will do your bit to keep the scene rolling. Metal Christmas, one and all!
2019 has been an absolute screamer of a year for electronic releases. With the term “electronic” covering at least 100 sub-genres, narrowing this list down to just four of the very best is undeniably challenging. But after much consideration, here they are.
ACACIA COATES (PINCH POINTS, SLUSH, SUNFRUITS) Lizzo – Cuz I Love You
Lizzo’s music uses themes of self-love and empowerment to smash damaging norms and attitudes associated with beauty standards, gender roles and more. This ethos of challenging problematic social thinking feels very punk to me – Lizzo’s message is just delivered through feel-good pop anthems instead of noisy pessimistic ones. JAKE ROBERTSON (AUSMUTEANTS, ALIEN NOSEJOB, HIEROPHANTS, ETC) Cereal Killer – The Beginning and End of Cereal Killer
OK, so what do Cereal Killer have outside of a dumb name and an even dumber Bandcamp bio? RIFFS! and TUNES! Filled to the absolute brim with tempo changes, guitar harmonies, Ulrich-esque drumfills and ‘fuck you mum and dad’ vocals. This record is a mix of punk, hardcore, NWOBHM and thrash. Lazy Lumpy and The Dumpers comparisons can go jump in the lake, this record absolutely slays. Bummer they’re dead.
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2019 Best Breakout Band: Lune
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Honourable Mention: Southeast Desert Metal
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2019 Best Live Act: Pagan
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Honourable Mention: Hellions
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2019 Best Independent EP: The Gloom In The Corner — Flesh & Bones
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Honourable Mention: Locus — Locus
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2019 Best Debut Album: Thornhill — The Dark Pool
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Honourable Mention: Gravemind — Conduit
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2019 Best New Release: The Beautiful Monument — I’m The Reaper
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Honourable Mentions: Northlane — Alien; Darkcell — Darkcell
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2019 Best New Single: 生 Conform 死 — ‘Luxury Letdown’
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Honourable Mentions: The Amity Affliction — ‘All My Friends Are Dead’; Shady Nasty — ‘Get Buff’
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2019 Best Video: alt. — ‘insubordinate.’
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Honourable Mentions: Windwaker — ‘The Stitch’; Life Pilot — ‘Dark, Dark, Goose’
ZOE MONK (U-BAHN, EGGY, THE OPALS) Aldous Harding – Designer
It’s on everyone’s end of year lists, and deservedly so. It would be in my end of the decade list if I had one. The song structures are conventional, but entirely challenging at the same time. Each song moves linearly, as it builds towards its end, though keeps you on your toes as different instrumentation jumps in and out unexpectedly. The perfect balance between methodical and organic. BILL TWYFORD (DISCO JUNK) Pinch Points – Moving Parts
Pinch Points’ monstrous debut LP is the kind of record that makes you question your perception of music. The flowing and crushing riffs that pile on top of the scathing critiques of the modern machine and the band itself blend into one of the most electrifying experiences of the decade. GRACE GIBSON (FUTURE SUCK) Ill Globo – Check The Odds
I can’t go past Ill Globo’s Check The Odds. The entire ten minutes is scuzzy, heavy, rock’n’roll madness that hooks you in with the stop-start freak show of a song ‘Make Up’ and spits you out at the other end with the aggressive hooks in ‘Good Work’. All bangers, no clangers.
Seb Wildblood – sketches of transition This is how it usually goes: lo-fi house producer releases bangers and then makes it big. Producer becomes a key player in the dance music scene and quickly recognises the outrageous demand for 4x4, headbanging darker tracks. Producer follows suite and adapts their style. Wildblood’s sketches of transition is not one of these cases. His ten-track release spans ambient, emotional deep house and broken beat, offering a more introspective selection, fitting for the dance floor or a moment in solitude. As someone who suffers from anxiety, Wildblood’s intention for the record is to help people feel encapsulated by the present – something he’s done exceptionally well with this one. Every single Mood Hut release The Mood Hut label is so densely intertwined that the whole label must be mentioned – it’s made up of genius individuals, duos and crews all working together under the one umbrella. CZ Wang & Neo Image released ‘Just Off Wave’, arguably the best track of the year, then CZ Wang partnered with Joli B to produce ‘People Plus’. Regularfantasy released Anyways… who then joined Void Mirror as Ciao to produce Gemini Month. The label reflects the incredibly supportive scene of Vancouver – where collectives work together rather than compete. Grant Turismo – Expert Sleeper Another label that must be mentioned is the Melbourne collective, Tape Leisure. Grant Turismo’s ‘Eshays in Laneway’ off Expert Sleeper hasn’t been out long, but has already had a huge impact globally. The timeless house track has been discovered by Polyphony Digital, a subsidiary of Sony, who’ve asked to use the track for the game lobby of the favourite car game, Gran Turismo, and it’s already been remixed into some cheeky Snoop Dogg beats. The rest of the EP will be released on December 30 – and is 100 per cent worth a listen. Floating Points – Crush Floaty P knows what’s up – always has, always will. His releases are like a Star Wars film – we all sit on the edge of our seat until we get to experience it. Crush is a conceptual album that’s a bit darker than his previous releases. It’s raw, it’s chaotic and as Floaty says, is “some of the most obtuse, strange and difficult music of my life”.
Industry
Hip Hop
Beat Eats
WITH CHRISTIE ELIEZER
WITH SOSE FUAMOLI
BY D’ARCY MCGREGOR
LIVE MUSIC DECEMBER FRIDAY 27TH DECEMBER
Billie Eilish
Kanye West
Kombucha
Six ways the music industry survived 2019
Three hip hop albums that defined the decade
Biggest food and bev trends of the decade
MUSIC REVENUE CONTINUES TO BALLOON
Hip hop culture is all about change and as we’ve seen major players in the genre release some career-defining records over the past decade, we’ve also seen major left turns in artistry. There’s been an emergence of a new wave of artists moving the goalposts when it comes to what is deemed commercially popular music. Here’s three albums that defined hip hop this decade.
KOMBUCHA
Contemporary live music accounted for over half of total revenue for live performance in 2019 at $1.09 billion – a 32 per cent increase on the previous year, according to Live Performance Australia. Promoters and venues continued to make global lists for their performance. Frontier pacted with AEG and Chugg Entertainment to fend off Live Nation, leaving independent promoters developing worry lines. NSW fell from top spot, due to lockouts and festival legislation, to third spot behind a gleeful Victoria and Queensland. Music festivals headed towards the 1 million attendance mark, generating over $102 million from ticket sales. GET TO THE CHORUS, STUPID
Tik Tok’s Chinese background was twoedged: it was accused by American paranoids of being a spy, while the Hong Kong riots saw the social media app distance itself from Beijing bullies. But Tik Tok, now downloaded 1 billion times, shaped 2019 pop music by making tracks shorter and catchier. STREET AND GREET
After Tones and I earned more money than your average banana republic, buskers around the country learned to flee A&R people bolting towards them toting a record contract on the proviso they change and make a daft video. TECH AND TREAT
Aussie music tech continued to flourish, if finalists of BIGSOUND’s BIGTECH were any indication. They included a real-time music analytics app, a live music and DJ booking marketplace, online tour management tool and music education platform. There was also a Spotify-integrated tablature website, event hire aggregator, technologist management, VR video creator and even a new musical instrument. WHAT ABOUT YOUR SISTERS
Women in music became more visible in every aspect of the industry, spearheaded by the Australian Women in Music Awards celebrating the past and the future. Billie Eilish gained 7.8 million subscribers on her official channel while Taylor Swift’s video for ‘ME!’, her LGBTQIA+ tribute, claimed the second-biggest 24-hour music video debut in YouTube history by a solo artist, with more than 65 million views. PART OF THE UNION
NSW learnt to come together when working through parliamentary committees; they then got positive outcomes to lockouts, harsh festival penalties, sniffer dogs and strip searches. They’ll even get a roundtable to push for more changes next year.
Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) I mean, this one has to be a must-include on any Best Of list. The fifth record by Kanye West easily remains one of his best. Dramatic, textured and boasting some of the best production and guest features on a record with his name attached, MBDTF is a pinnacle of most hip hop heads’ collection. Incorporating elements of horror with neon brightness and the type of pomp West’s previous albums had boasted, the album just had everything happening for it at the right time. Bringing indie and rap worlds together, it was a record that could have Bon Iver, Rick Ross and Jay Z feature without it being weird. Rihanna – ANTI (2016) Fast forward a few years, and we get Rihanna’s eighth record, ANTI. Exemplary of her songwriting strength and nous as a collaborator, the album saw Rihanna explore more of a hip hop/soul fusion that differed to her previous club-leaning efforts. Minimalist production, poignant lyricism and darker shades of arrangement puts ANTI out there as one of Rihanna’s more mature records – thematically and in structure – but man, did it have some bangers. Remember ‘Kiss It Better’, ‘Desperado’, ‘Needed Me’ and of course, ‘Work’? Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly (2015) It wouldn’t be a Best Of feature without Kung Fu Kenny. The Compton rapper turned the genre on its head in 2015 with the release of his third studio album, To Pimp A Butterfly. The sheer musical scope of this album put it leagues ahead of any other hip hop release of that year. Not meant to be digested easily, TPAB took aim at politics, identity, race and religion – sure, not uncommon territory for rappers to explore, but the way Kendrick did it was poetic. While Kendrick’s follow up record DAMN. would nab him the Pulitzer, TPAB is a shining example of not just his talent as a lyricist and rapper, but the innovation Kendrick has as a visionary.
Originally consumed in China over 2000 years ago, in Melbourne it’s known for gracing the shelves of hipster cafes. Some love it, others hate it, but either way there’s no denying it’s one of the biggest trends in the Western world this decade. AVOCADO
Someone took the little green fruit, chucked it on some toast, and everyone’s heads exploded. Thus, started the movement of putting avocado on everything. MACARONS
These little French delights went from being expensive and found at little boutique dessert shops at their height of popularity to hitting rock bottom when being served up at McCafé. FRIED CHICKEN
The decade started with the love of the southern fried chicken and has ended with the craze of KFC – Korean fried chicken. With new places popping up all over the place, such as Pelicana, SamSam and Hot Star, it’s no wonder we all love our deep-fried chicken. GIN
Gin, it’s arguably Melbourne’s most popular bar drink. With so many boutique distilleries around Victoria, it’s dealer’s choice and innovators like Four Pillars have started revolutionising the alcohol, masterminding new flavours. FOOD TRUCKS
What made run-of-the-mill food great? Sticking it in a truck. As a catering idea it’s pure genius and when you get a restaurant you love on wheels – well that’s ideal. CAULIFLOWER
Remember when cauliflower was a substitute for everything? Rice, fried chicken, hell even steaks. Yeah, I’m glad that’s over. SPRITZ
The Christmas drink of choice for a few years in a row, this delicious bitter-orange refreshment was the last craze before gin took over. Pop-up bars, tents at the Australian Open, all that jazz. Now, it’s pretty much on every bar’s menu.
STEPH BITTER FRANK BELL
9PM
10PM
SATURDAY 28TH DECEMBER
VINYL EYES
9-3PM
SUNDAY 29TH DECEMBER
OPEN DECKS ALL DAY LONG TUESDAY 31ST DECEMBER
CITZEN.COM + LUKE LUICE + TUFF DISCO 8-1AM
WEDNESDAY 1ST JANUARY
DOUBLE EM + VINYL DJ FRIDAY 3RD JANUARY
DOGGEREL
9PM
SATURDAY 4TH JANUARY
DEADLY APPLE JOHNS 9PM
CRUMB
10PM
SUNDAY 5TH JANUARY
JUSTINE WAHLIN
5PM
WEEKLY SPECIALS MONDAY HAPPY HOUR 10PM - 1AM $6 JAMESON $4 POTS $8 PINTS $6 WINE
TUESDAY $10 PIZZA
WEDNESDAY $10 BURGER & FRIES
THURSDAY $10 PINTS & $1 BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS OR VEG CAULIFLOWER
FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR 4PM - 6PM
LATTE ART
It started with love hearts and leaves and now it’s swans and, in some case, an actual face – not to mention that machine that prints actual photos into the cappuccino foam.
KITCHEN OPEN LATE EVERYDAY TILL 11PM
GLUTEN FREE
Personally, I love gluten – but I can actually digest it – this movement of avoiding gluten, even if you’re not intolerant, has resulted in food masterminds crafting amazing gluten free food for those who are intolerant. It’s a wild world out there.
THE THORNBURY LOCAL 635 HIGH ST, THORNBURY 3071 TEL: (03) 9495 0341 INFO@THETHORNBURYLOCAL.COM
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COVER STORY
Goodbye Party In The Paddock Since 2013, Party In The Paddock has become one of Australia’s premier festivals, celebrating music both established and emerging, bold and adventurous. This is not just a festival, this is a community, but in 2020, PITP says goodbye. BY GRETA BRERETON
What would the Australian summer be without music festivals? As soon as December hits, we’re overwhelmed with a bevvy of topnotch events, from Falls to Laneway, Meredith to Beyond The Valley, Rainbow Serpent to Strawberry Fields. One such festival that’s earned itself a prized place among some of the country’s best is Tasmania’s Party In The Paddock. For the past eight years, locals and interstate punters alike have been making the pilgrimage to the state’s north for the multi-day event – but that’s about to change. The team have announced that next year’s PITP will be the last. It’s been a labour of love for creative director Jesse Higgs and the rest of the Vibestown Productions crew, who are still processing their decision to wrap things up for good. “It’s bittersweet,” Higgs sighs. “It’s obviously been a massive part of our lives. PITP has been this runaway rollercoaster ride that we’ve just had to strap onto for dear life.” While the end of PITP is a sad blow for everyone, it’s an especially significant farewell for Higgs. Originating as his 21st birthday blowout, Higgs has been the festival’s mastermind from the start. “I was actually smoking hash for the first time in Germany, with my partner at the time,” laughs the Burns Creek local. “I just had this epiphany that I wanted to start a festival. “The next day I sent out a message to my
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friends and sure enough, a couple of months after that we had the first one.” With no experience or accreditations under his belt, Higgs had launched himself straight into the deep end. Faced with shutdown threats from the council and paddock overcrowding, he and the crew had no choice but to hit the ground running. “There were so many things to learn,” Higgs recalls. “Being from Tasmania as well, none of us really had any mentors. We just literally had to figure it out as we went along. “In the process we’ve learnt so much. We learnt responsibility; caring and creating an environment and atmosphere for other people. We’ve done this off-road course in event management at the PITP university – and this is our graduation year.” It might seem like a lot of effort for a birthday party, but Higgs’ desire to start his own music festival goes deeper than just wanting an excuse for a massive piss-up. “A big incentive for me was the fact that I was in a local band at the time,” he explains. “There were so many amazing, talented people that were all popping up, but there was no stage space for anyone to perform on other than a pub. “I was very passionate about building a pathway for emerging artists. It’s always been a big part of our ethos to have emerging artists from all around the country, not just Tassie. It is about developing our own hierarchy and
creating our own justice and building our own stage. I’m really big on that; build your own stage.” Without PITP, Higgs is aware that a hole will again emerge in Tasmania’s live music scene. While he’s confident that events like Dark Mofo, Panama and Falls will help to fill this gap, he and the Vibestown crew don’t plan on leaving it gaping for long. “There’s lots of room for us to provide that youth culture with an outlet of creativity and music growth and development, but I also think that it’ll be interesting to see what crops up,” he explains. “I think our passion for events, doing it right, will lure us into putting on something that’s hopefully going to supersede it.” Nothing could ever really replace PITP though, or its unmatched creativity, uniqueness and diversity. Starting off as a small, grassroots event means that a certain vibe has carried throughout the festival’s lifespan. They’ve drawn in some big-name musicians and growing crowds, but maintained a sense of community that can sometimes get lost in big commercial events. “There is a bit of a disconnect between some of these big festivals and their audiences,” Higgs says. “At the end of the day, we’re just people that love music and love hanging out with our friends.” He and the whole Vibestown team have achieved more than any of them thought
possible, and it’s a ride they’re all stepping off with a great sense of accomplishment and pride. “To have this thing refine me personally, and the close team at hand, and to see how much growth, development and maturity has come from this wild ruckus party – which turned into a very well run, nationallyacclaimed music and arts festival – that’s been a massive blowout. “To say that I’m proud of everyone involved would be an understatement.” To celebrate their final year, the team are going all out. They’ve already programmed a stellar lineup featuring Matt Corby, Hermitude and Dune Rats, and are also hoping to welcome back a few special guests. “We’ve put out an open invite to all these acts, and we’ve had some really great responses,” says Higgs excitedly. “We’ve also had so many punters be like, ‘Oh wow, I can’t miss the last one’ or say, ‘Oh my god, I haven’t been yet, but I better get to the last one’. “I kind of hope that ripples through the country. I feel like that natural energy swell is what’s going to make it the biggest yet.” Party In The Paddock goes down in Tasmania’s White Hills, from Thursday February 6 to Saturday February 8. Grab your tickets and check out the full lineup at the festival website, partyinthepaddockfestival.com.au.
FEATURES
Eight memorable moments of Party In The Paddock Over the past eight years, Party in the Paddock has gone from just that – a 500-capacity birthday bash – to a mainstay of the Aussie festival scene. Sadly, this year marks the final PITP, so we’re looking back at some of the best memories from the festival through the years. WITH JESSE HIGGS, PITP FOUNDER
2015
2013-14
2016
Humble beginnings, happiness and hay bales
A mini Woodstock, but with Violent Soho and that Dune Rats and Jinja Safari destructive moshpit
The first few years of Party in the Paddock were all about mates, local music and art, Tassie summer afternoon sunshine, BYO alcohol, happiness and hay bales. The stage was full of local gold, including Tassie favourites; Luca Brasi, Christopher Coleman, Jed Appleton, Younger Dryas and many more. 2013-14 saw interstate headliners including the likes of Sticky Fingers, Kingswood, Stonefield, The Vasco Era and Kingfisher. A memorable highlight was the Sticky Finger vs Kingswood on-stage stoush...
In the space of one year, PITP went from 1900 people to between 4000-5000. It felt like a mini Woodstock, with an emergency fence snip in order to fit the unexpected droves of Paddockers. Our calm little festival turned into marvellous mayhem, with our biggest lineup to date, featuring The Beautiful Girls, Jinja Safari, Allday, The Smith Street Band and Dune Rats. Key highlights from this year; Dune Rats too intoxicated to sing ‘Dalai Lama, Big Banana, Marijuana’ and Pepa Knight crowd surfing his Sitar during Jinja Safari’s set.
2017
2017 Tash Sultana at sunset
A Sticky hiatus
We’ve always kept an eye out for rising talent, but none of us could have guessed just how quickly Tash Sultana would become an international superstar. When we booked her back in early-mid 2016, Tash had only just posted the yet-to-be viral sensation that was ‘Jungle’ live from her bedroom. By the time the festival came around in 2017, we almost had to move her to the top of the bill. Tash did not disappoint. 8pm, Main Stage, sunset slot, 7,500 spellbound Paddockers – the hype was real, special stuff.
After locking in Sticky Fingers as the 2017 headliner, we were as shocked as anyone to see what unfolded between the band and Thelma Plum. After receiving some pretty serious external noise with demands for us to drop them as our headliner, we were feeling the pressure. After deep discussions with their management, it became apparent that they wanted Paddock to be the final show before their indefinite hiatus. With a new record PITP crowd of over 7,500, the atmosphere was electric, with thousands of Sticky fans from all around the country coming to witness their potential swan song.
2016 saw the move of the Main Stage into the neighbouring amphitheatre paddock, with stellar sets from Spiderbait, The Preatures, British India, Tkay Maidza, Vallis Alps, Bad// Dreems, Tired Lion and The Bennies. But it was Violent Soho who stole the show that year with an intensified set at the peak of their Hungry Ghost fever. With a chorus of “Hell fuck yeah” the PITP moshpit reached a whole new level of fuck yeah... with nothing left of the hay bales at the front of the stage but dust and straw.
2018
2017 The birth of Vibestown The festival within a festival, Vibestown is the physical heart of PITP, officially sprouting in 2016 but not taking full effect until the following year. Almost becoming PITP’s rumpus room, entertainment deluxe, Vibestown became the new home for jumping castles, mechanical bulls, comedy (Matt Okine, Gen Fricker, Aunty Donna, etc.), poetry, Talk in the Paddock, The Goodtimes Church and other interactive art/performances.
2019
Grouplove and double rainbows
Yungblud’s onstage engagement
For 2018, we reached out to one of our favourite bands in the world, Grouplove, and they said yes! And so did Australia... to samesex marriage. At about 5pm on the Saturday, for the first time ever, it rained at PITP. It threatened to take down the whole festival. Thankfully, the rain stopped, and a perfect double rainbow appeared above the main stage. The show went on without a hitch from that point on, with brilliant sets from Ball Park Music, Grouplove and The Avalanches to wrap up 2018.
One of the partners of a long-time PITP punter reached out to us in the lead up to the event, announcing that she was planning on proposing to her partner during Yungblud’s set. As YB cranked into his main hit ‘I Love You, Will You Marry Me’, the magic moment unravelled in front of thousands of very stunned and emotionally-charged people. As far as memorable moments go, this one was right up there and you can catch it all via video on our Facebook page.
Party In The Paddock goes down in Tasmania’s White Hills, from Thursday February 6 to Saturday February 8. Grab your tickets and check out the full lineup at the festival website, partyinthepaddockfestival.com.au.
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Melbourne’s best NYE parties Perseverance NYE House Party
NYE Soul-A-Go-Go
Raleigh Williams
Tell us a bit about the history of your event. Persa has thrown a NYE house party three years running now. We just know how it is – everyone agrees nothing’s better than a house party, but good luck getting a mate to host it, right? We decided we’d take one for the team and volunteer our place! How does your New Year’s event stand out from the crowd? We have a great late night vibe every weekend as it is and our NYE party is the same good times – on a bigger scale. It’s the place to hit for laidback, no fuss, straight up party vibes. We’ve got our resident DJs, a packed dancefloor and cheap drinks. And for this NYE? Throw in giant Jenga, card games and photobooths. Tell us a bit about the food and drink spread. Fuel up before it all kicks off with a BBQ in the beer garden and toasties at the bar all night. What’s the perfect beverage to sound the beginning of 2020? Vodka Red Bull? It’s the Persa drink of choice. Describe your event in five words. NO FRILLS HOUSE PARTY FUN.
Tell us a bit about the history of your event. Soul-A-Go-Go is Melbourne’s premier soul and funk night with, PBS 106.7FM’s DJs spinning the finest and rarest 45s to a thriving dance floor on the first Saturday of every month. How does your New Year’s event stand out from the crowd? Soul-A-Go-Go has been running for over 11 years, so we’ve got the experience in delivering the hottest tunes for your dance floor moves. Is there a particular theme to your event? Soul-A-Go-Go is always about the best soul and funk for a thriving dance night, but for New Year’s Eve we’re taking it up a notch! Dress up in your best ‘60s/’70s-inspired threads and you’ll go in the running to win a double pass to every Soul-A-Go-Go in 2020. PBS’s own style icon, Richie 1250, will be handing out the prizes. Will there be any live music on the night? Joining us on the lineup is deep funk, raw soul, organ jazz trio, Cookin’ On 3 Burners with special guest vocalists thando and Raleigh Williams. On top of that there will be an all-star lineup of PBS DJs including Vince Peach, Miss Goldie, Pierre Baroni, Richie 1250 and Sugar D. What’s your 2020 New Year’s resolution? More soul. More funk. More 45s!
Hit up Perseverance for your NYE with free entry all night. Find out more at the venue website.
Celebrate your NYE at The Corner with PBS 106.7FM’s Soul-A-Go-Go party. Grab your tickets via the venue website.
THEPERSEVERANCE.COM
CORNERHOTEL.COM
The Boatbuilders Yard NYE Party
Provincial Hotel NYE Rooftop Romp
Tell us a bit about the history of your event. With a location likes ours on the Yarra River with gorgeous city views and an expansive outdoor beer garden, we’d be crazy not to throw a NYE party every year! How does your New Year’s event stand out from the crowd? It really comes down to being an expansive outdoor venue. Being able to dance the night away under the stars and easily see the fireworks from all directions. Tell us a bit about the food and drink spread. What’s a party without party food? We take the food component of our party very seriously as we want our guests to be pleasantly surprised with the quality! A couple of items we have on the menu this year include the seared tuna san choy bau, spiced calamari and the halloumi burgers. What’s the perfect beverage to sound the beginning of 2020? Whatever feels celebratory to you! Or maybe a glass of water, depending how hard you’ve hit the all-inclusive drinks. Describe your event in five words. The. Best. Party. In. South Wharf!
Tell us a bit about the history of your event. Like dropping the first ball at midnight in Times Square in 1908 to signify the start of the New Year, we’re making the Provincial rooftop countdown a NYE tradition. This is our second year running this event – we had such great time last year we decided to do it all over again. How does your New Year’s event stand out from the crowd? Our venue already has an excellent party vibe on the weekends and public holidays, so the event will be taking that to the next level (excuse the roof pun). Limited tickets with a view of the fireworks, delicious drinks and bottomless canapés, you can’t really go wrong. Is there a particular theme to your event? Our NYE is intrinsically Melbourne, a summer party on a rooftop bar with great tunes, great drinks and good friends. Tell us a bit about the food and drink spread. We will be serving an aperitif cocktail on entry, the drinks will be flowing for four hours, with bottomless canapés then a glass of bubbly to see in the New Year – it’s bad luck not to, right? Will there be any live music on the night? We have our world-famous DJs playing throughout the day and night. Beats kick off from 4pm with two vinyl sets, then we move into the club on the ground floor for all the bangers you could imagine.
Hit up The Boatbuilders Yard for NYE when the celebrations kick off from 8pm. First release tickets are sold out but grab your second release tickets now via the venue website.
Hit up the Provincial Hotel for your NYE when their NYE Rooftop Romp kicks off from 8pm. First release tickets are sold out but you can grab second release for $140pp via the venue website.
THEBOATBUILDERSYARD.COM.AU
PROVINCIALHOTEL.COM.AU
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TRAVEL THROUGH TIME AND SPACE AT THE HAWKA $7 Basics + $8 Pints all night Rick and Morty Themed Trivia + DJ’s 10pm - 3am Book your food & drink package today w w w.thehaw thorn.com
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NEW YEAR’S SPECIAL
Rick and Morty’s NYE Multiverse Party
How does your New Year’s event stand out from the crowd? We’re pretty sure we’re the only event in town that will take you on a journey through time and space, expect trips to different galaxies – pizza universe, anyone? Tell us a bit about the food and drink spread. You’ll get bottomless pizza from 7-11pm for $20pp. Or take advantage of the Pickle Rick package which includes two hours of bottomless drinks for $50, including pizza and drinks such as the Rick and Morty-themed Wubba Lubba Dub Dub lager, Hungry For Apples cider and The Sanchez Pale. There will also be flavoured soju, wines and Mr. Meeseeks and Purple Morty cocktail jars included. We’ve got something for everyone. Will there be any live music on the night? DJ Scooter is bringing the party tunes with a side of cheese all night. Some secret extraterrestrial guests will be making an appearance also. What’s your 2020 New Year’s resolution? Get schwifty or die tryin’. Describe your event in five words. Wubba Lubba Dub Dub *burrrrpppp*. Check out Rick and Morty’s NYE Multiverse Party at The Hawthorn Hotel. It’s free entry but $20 will get you bottomless pizza and $50 will get you bottomless pizza and drinks for two hours. Find out more via The Hawthorn Hotel’s website.
European Bier Café NYE Masquerade Party
How does your New Year’s event stand out from the crowd? You will struggle to find a better deal than our NYE package. With a seven-hour beverage package for only $150 on NYE, how could you miss that? Is there a particular theme to your event? Who doesn’t love a masquerade party? Tell us a bit about the food and drink spread. As we mentioned, it’s a seven-hour beverage package with 15 different types of beer and cider available, in addition to wines and selected spirits. We’ll also be keeping you fed with canapes and pizzas throughout the night. Will there be any live music on the night? Is it even a party without a DJ? What’s the perfect beverage to sound the beginning of 2020? A delicious ,mouth-watering bier, of course! A final word? Get your glad rags on, pop on a mask and get ready for a night full of mystery and good vibes. And that’s just the start. Hit up European Bier Café’s NYE Masquerade Party when it kicks off from 7pm. Grab your tix via the venue website.
THEHAWTHORN.COM
EUROPEANBIERCAFE.COM.AU
Hopscotch NYE Night Garden Festival
NYC, NYE at The Local Taphouse
How does your New Year’s event stand out from the crowd? Perched on the banks of the Yarra River, Hopscotch is the ultimate destination for a NYE event. What drinks will be on offer? There are eight different tap beers to choose from as well as wines, spirits, plus a pop up Pimm’s punch bar. What more could you ask for? Will there be any live music on the night? Of course! DJs all night long. What’s the perfect beverage to sound the beginning of 2020? You can’t go past a beer! What’s your 2020 New Year’s resolution? Drink more beer. What else do you have in store on the night? $185pp will get a four-hour drink and food package, from 8pm. There will be roving nibbles kicking off with chilli peanuts. Then some larger bites will be on offer, such as a pork banh mi with chilli mayo and pickled carrot as well as a charcoal prawn bao with yuzu mayo and pickled cabbage. And that’s just the start – the food will keep coming out, with options such as fresh oysters, three cheese empanadas, miso vegetable spring rolls and more. There will also be sweets later on. Celebrate your NYE at Hopscotch with their NYE Night Garden Festival. It kicks off at 8pm. First and second release tickets are now sold out, grab third release tickets for $185pp via the venue website. HOPSCOTCHMELBOURNE.COM.AU
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How does your New Year’s event stand out from the crowd? Transporting the crowd to a far-away place, it’s NYE, NYC style! On the night, we will have all inclusive drinks and roaming food, DJs, hype man and live graffiti to help get your count down on. We’ve also got our beautiful open air rooftop, so this will be a treat! Is there a particular theme to your event? Think ‘80s New York City club party culture. If rave cave is your thing, then bring your dancing shoes. Tell us a bit about the food and drink spread. We’re offering an all inclusive package for only $125, which includes craft beer and wine, a grazing table on arrival, roaming canapes and substantial food items. You will not go hungry! Our beer taps will be a curated selection of great craft beer and beautiful wines – red, white and sparkling. Will there be any live music on the night? The roof terrace will become a street-hip-hop-funk-soul-party and inside will be a rave cave with smoke machines and lasers. DJ Funky J will be laying down some heat alongside our very own hype man, Desmond Maze. Describe your event in five words. Funk, street, rave, NYC, party! Get down with the funk at The Local Taphouse when NYC, NYE kicks off from 8pm. Grab your tickets via the venue website. THELOCAL.COM.AU
NEW YEAR’S SPECIAL
Khokolat Bar NYE All White Party
Lûmé New Year’s Block Party
Tell us a bit about the history of your event. Located on Melbourne CBD’s iconic Hardware Lane, Khokolat Bar has been running its annual NYE celebration for ten years strong. How does your New Year’s event stand out from the crowd? If you are looking for a fun, friendly party atmosphere to bring in the New Year, this is for you. Open from 9pm till 5am, this is sure to be one hell of a celebration! Is there a particular theme to your event? For NYE, we’re throwing an All White Party! Be part of the night – dress in white! Tell us a bit about the food and drink spread. Khokolat Bar is providing free beer, wine and champagne from 9-10:30pm and complimentary finger food from 9-11pm. VIP Booth packages are also available! Will there be any live music on the night? NYE at Khokolat Bar will be hosting some of Melbourne’s best DJs playing a mix of R&B, hip hop and dancehall.
Tell us a bit about the history of your event. Lûmé is throwing a party to finish 2019 like a boss. We’ve got a live DJ from Istanbul spinning Motown Soul and golden age hip hop. The NYE event is a nod to the venue’s former life as a burlesque club. How does your New Year’s event stand out from the crowd? Guests will be capping off 2019 in style. Alongside a DJ, when midnight strikes, guests will be able to peek the fireworks through Lûmé’s glass atrium. Tell us a bit about the food and drink spread. There’ll be Ketel One Peach & Orange blossoms topped up with Capi Soda and Orlando Marzo’s creation, the Tiny Martini, will be on offer. He was crowned world’s best bartender at the 2018 World Class Bartender of the Year competition, so this will be a treat. There will also be champagne, prosecco, beer, wine and non-alcoholic options available. Food options include pomme dauphines with sea succulent relish and smoked trout roe as well as oyster escabeche, smoked chicken and pickles on focaccia. And that’s just the start. Will there be any live music on the night? Yes! DJ Berkay Mete from Istanbul will be spinning tunes. What’s the perfect beverage to sound the beginning of 2020? A crisp glass of champagne, of course. Describe your event in five words. Ditch the formality, fun-dining.
Celebrate NYE at Khokolat Bar for their All White Party kicking off from 9pm. Grab your tickets via the venue website.
Celebrate your NYE at the Lûmé Block Party in South Melbourne. It all kicks off at 6pm, grab your tickets via the event website.
KBAR.COM.AU
OBEE.COM.AU/LUME/E/BLOCK-PARTY
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FEATURES
REVIEW
Acid For The Children Love them or loathe them, Red Hot Chili Peppers have had an undeniable impact on the world of rock music. BY GRETA BRERETON
The group have been pioneers of the punk/ funk/alt rock scene since the early ‘80s, taking LA’s grimy musical underworld by storm. Just a couple of kooky kids with dreams of playing something real, the foursome garnered just as much attention for their wild personalities as for their game-changing sound. In 2004 Anthony Kiedis gave us a glimpse into his brilliant, musical mind with his autobiography, Scar Tissue, and now, over a decade later, Flea is doing the same. It’s an autobiography many RHCP fans have been waiting for; a dissection of the life and times of the legendary, and downright crazy, bass player. Flea, born Michael Balzary, is arguably the quirkiest guy in the group, and his musicianship is unparalleled. His book provides a real sense of reader-to-author connection, affording fans the privilege to know him on an intimate, personal level. Acid For The Children takes the rules of writing and throws them out the window. Stylistically, it’s wild; peppered with font changes, caps-locked words, italicised
segments, random symbols and a lack of adherence to correct grammar and punctuation. It’s unflinchingly Flea-like in its originality and disregard for structural norm, which only adds to its allure. Following the rollercoaster of the rocker’s writing is a large part of the journey, and it compellingly leads you from one life-chapter to the next, in no particular order. It’s also just brilliantly written. The prose is profoundly poetic, and his way with words is captivating. At times his writing is a scrawling, spiralling mess of rampant thoughts, and at other’s it’s a moving, reflective and wholeheartedly vulnerable display of intimacy. In the book, Flea reveals his long-time love of literature, and it’s clear this appreciation for language has transferred into his own personal writing style. Unlike Scar Tissue, Acid For The Children is more of a deep-dive into the bassist’s childhood and formative years than it is a RHCP exposé. We follow a young Michael
Balzary from his home country of Australia – and home city of Melbourne – to the suburbs of New York, where he spends much of his youth. Fraught family relationships see his parents separate and his mum take up with another man. His boyhood is characterised by volatility and loneliness. This turbulent dynamic continues as Flea and the rest of his family (mother, stepfather and sister) move to LA, but the scenery, characters and colour of his life is forever changed by the City of Angels. From shooting hoops with friends to playing trumpet at school, shyness with girls to cruising the streets stoned, and discovering rock music to meeting his long-time best pal, brother and closest friend, Anthony Kiedis; Flea unveils it all. Up to around the age of 19, he leaves no stone unturned in the retelling of his development as a musician, artist, outsider and human being. Well, except for one. Throughout the novel there’s barely any mention of RHCP, and a limited amount of page space dedicated to his relationship with Anthony Kiedis. This isn’t due to a lack
of significance they played in his life, and whenever he does reference either it’s all heartfelt, admiring prose – but it’s clear that the story he’s trying to tell is the one that predates the RHCP. It’s the story of his life, as Michael Balzary, the weird, thoughtful, outsider-kid – not the story of Flea, the bassist in a world-renowned rock band. Frankly, the decision to go in such a direction is what makes Acid For The Children so fascinating. It’s unpicking the stitches of his punk-rock persona and giving us a thorough examination of the person behind it. The one who loves jazz, played the trumpet in school, was never good with girls and always felt like a stray dog. The one who has gone from nothing to everything, from invisibility to cult status, from ‘loser’ to ‘rock star’. It goes to show that you can’t judge someone without knowing their full story, and I, for one, am grateful it was a story he decided to share with us.
waste going to landfill.” With regards to energy generation on site, they identified two primary sources: solar and anaerobic digestion. “One of the largest components of our waste to landfill stream is organic waste,” says Ellis. “Organic waste streams like the ones we generate also have very high calorific value, which means that they can be converted into energy via a process called anaerobic digestion. We are working with a technology provider of anaerobic digestion to create a unique solution that should have application beyond our business.” 4 Pines Welcome to Brunswick also seeks to be a town hall of sorts for the local community. In line with this aim, they’re inviting local artists to paint murals at the venue. “We want Welcome to Brunswick to be a place that nurtures local artists and offer them a space to create something of their own,” says Ellis. “We want the venue to be a voice for Brunswick and this is our way of doing that. We will be rotating the walls throughout the
year, much like a gallery would.” A range of food trucks will set-up shop on site each day. This has been a great culinary model at WTT and ensures variety for the new 450-capacity venue. “In curating the food truck experience we wanted to make sure there was something for everyone and that it benefitted the community,” Ellis says. “Alongside Mr Burger and a BBQ skewer menu from the Brunswick Mess Hall kitchen, some of Melbourne’s favourite food trucks will be engaging with a new community and helping us meet our sustainability commitment by using 100 per cent compostable packaging. “We always want to make sure there are vegetarian and vegan options and that we give the space for small business to grow and give them the support to do so.”
Acid For The Children is out now through Hachette.
4 Pines Welcome to Brunswick 4 Pines Welcome to Brunswick – Brunswick’s biggest beer garden – launched at the end of November. BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
The site is very close to a sibling venue the Brunswick Mess Hall which, along with Welcome to Thornbury and Little Mess, falls under the Welcome To Group banner. It’s co-owned by 100 Burgers who operate Mr Burger, The Prince Alfred, The Mint, Belles Hot Chicken, Natural History, Murmur Piano Bar and Hightail. But more significantly, WTB was created in partnership with 4 Pines Brewing Company and the venue will soon house an operational brewery. “We partnered with 4 Pines because we met their crew and immediately hit it off,” says venue manger Cat Ellis. “We then found that there were countless synergies in our thinking and attitudes towards all sorts of things – the way we treat staff and customers, our lack of corporate stiffness, our philosophies on sustainability and ethics and many other areas. And the fact that they are probably the best brewers in Australia certainly helped.” The closest analogue to Welcome to Brunswick is 3070’s Welcome to Thornbury. People familiar with WTT will notice many
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similarities, but also some key distinctions. “With a brewery tucked up our sleeve, the venue is undoubtedly beer focused,” says Ellis. “In the lead up to the venue’s opening, our team crafted a listed of summer cocktails made using different 4 Pines beers that help showcase the features and complexities of many of the core range. “Our commitment to sustainability, waste management and community engagement means that throughout our calendar year, the bottom line of our events will always be about bringing people together and ensuring they have the best experience they can, while working with us to create a better future.” Sustainability is a key focus at 4PWTB. Care has been taken during construction to reduce the venue’s carbon footprint and make it as eco-friendly as possible. “We don’t want to be part of a business that is costing the planet, which meant we had to find solutions to some existing problems,” Ellis says. “The two main problems requiring multi-faceted solutions were sourcing of noncarbon generative power and eliminating
4 Pines Welcome to Brunswick is now open at 1 Frith Street, Brunswick Wednesday to Sunday until late. Find out more via the WTB website, welcometobrunswick.com.au.
FEATURES
Louis Theroux Here’s how one man single-handedly redefined ‘the interview’. BY FERGUS NEAL
The self-described ‘socially awkward nerd’ is the nerd that your inner nerd aspires to be. Louis Theroux first rose to prominence in 1994 as the brainchild of Michael Moore when Moore first gave him a presenter role on his satirical television series, TV Nation. Working alongside Moore was the spark Theroux needed to pursue the documentary format he would later master, spawning beloved BBC documentaries including Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends, When Louis Met…, and several BBC Specials. These early documentaries are some of Theroux’s most memorable and feature his exploration of American subcultures such as survivalists, black nationalists, white supremacists, and porn stars. It is here where we begin to see his interview technique come to fruition as he subtly exposes contradictory elements of seriously-held beliefs, advocated by his subjects. The seemingly important qualities for being an interviewer might include astute confidence and unwavering journalistic intention, but Theroux has managed to crack open the most enigmatic groups in recent society by utilising a different tactic. His unassuming nature lends him the ability to switch between navigating the power plays of neo-Nazis and then exquisitely reading psychological subtexts inside the Church of Scientology. Playing dumb like a social genius Louis Theroux is a genius at playing dumb, often utilising silence to reveal a person’s
true character. If you’ve ever seen Louis and the Nazis, African Hunting Holiday or Louis Theroux: Gambling in Las Vegas, there is an economy of words which enables his subjects to ‘paint in the gaps’ and, at the end of the piece, what is left is a decorated canvas with a distinct caricature at the centre. Rather than have Theroux tell us who these people are, he lets the subjects do that themselves. For instance, the long pauses that proceed statements made by subjects in Louis Theroux: Law and Disorder in Johannesburg causes a similar pause for the audience and allows moments to reverberate with greater impact. Holding back words is a well-known interview technique, but Theroux can carry it more effectively through the subject being unable to read whether he is on their side or not – whereas it is clear to the audience watching at home. Which takes us to his next technique. Poker face When watching Theroux, you will notice that he rarely conveys emotion – he comes across as an objective witness rather than being there to pass judgement. This is especially apparent in Louis Theroux: Behind Bars where Theroux finds himself in cells and jail yards. The prison guards are enormously outnumbered and the prisoners could send Theroux flailing at their will. But Theroux can stay calm and discuss ‘prison code’: where a particular prisoner likens the prospect of Theroux getting bashed if he returns.
Similarly, in Louis Theroux’s Hunting Holiday, Theroux doesn’t show any sign of emotion when a South African hunter gets in his face about the hunting industry, even after the cameraman is pushed aside, he doesn’t budge. This blankness, performed concurrently with silence, makes him unreadable to his subjects and allows audiences to perceive that they are viewing the situation unfiltered and without bias. Don’t threaten me with a good time Theroux ensures that his subjects feel as if they are the ones in control. He does this through sending messages of passivity: the raised eyebrows and lowered hands are a feature of Theroux’s work that send the message: ‘I’m not a threat to you.’ This allows him to ask the questions and have the subject feel as if they’re in control of the narrative, they feel unthreatened and express themselves more freely when they perceive control. For instance, in Louis Theroux: Miami Mega Jail, Theroux speaks to the inmates with his hands lowered, softly spoken, and often with raised eyebrows. Perhaps, more poignantly in The Most Hated Family In America, he interviews members of the Westboro Baptist Church and his passiveness allows him to be dominated. Where perhaps another interviewer might stand up for themselves, Theroux lets himself be berated because he knows their words are the strokes of a paintbrush which dance across the canvas with new colours and character insights.
Please like me A classic Louis Theroux moment, that perhaps gets to the crux of his success, occurs in When Louis Met… The Hamiltons. Neil Hamilton is a former Tory MP and both him and his wife are high up in conservative circles. Since that documentary aired in 2001, Neil Hamilton has run as a member for UKIP. The documentary is filmed during a turbulent time for the couple and starts to run off the rails. A particularly awkward exchange involves a drunk Christine Hamilton who, at her admission, ‘flirts outrageously’ with Theroux. Mrs Hamilton has her arm around Theroux and we see him blush, before Mr Hamilton walks into the room and the scene goes from classic to iconic Theroux. His nervousness in this precarious situation is where his likeability comes from; we see ourselves in him. He is not an FM breakfast host who reacts to situations by pushing a fart button. Theroux puts the human into human interactions – he doesn’t shy away from awkwardness or social blips, which is what makes him such a powerful interviewer and auteur of the human experience. Louis Theroux brings Louis Theroux Without Limits to Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday January 19 for a 1pm matinee show and a 6pm show. Tickets via Ticketmaster.
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FEATURES
Dead City Ruins Dead City Ruins have been playing classic Aussie pub rock for over a decade, slowly chipping away at their rising reputation. BY ANNA ROSE
World domination is, of course, on the cards, but according to guitarist Tommy Cain, it comes in time, and Dead City Ruins are quite happy staking their claim little by little. Right now, Dead City Ruins’ focus is at home, embarking on a national regional and city tour that they’ll be executing in two parts. By the time they play their hometown show at Northcote Social Club in January, Dead City Ruins will have performed in Geelong, Hobart, Newcastle, Gold Coast and Canberra among other locations. Cain complains about the heat of the day, but there’s a happy sweat and a wallowing sweat, and Dead City Ruins exercise nothing but the former when they take to the stage. A decade of true Aussie rock is the recipe for success according to Cain, who is taking each day as it comes. “We try and maintain something resembling modesty,” he says. “Focus on being at home and a little of Europe, get those shows as good as they can be before we turn our attention elsewhere.” Over a decade and there is still so much for Dead City Ruins to explore, locally and internationally, across their next ten year
stretch. To maintain the fervour for touring and travel, it’s about having a simple approach. “It’s about the day to day operations,” Cain says. “As far as touring, if it takes ten years for us to get to more places, that’s just the way it’s going to be. We love what we do and we want to do it well.” That ardent love for their music is evident from a Dead City Ruins live show. Aussie rock has a certain patriotism for letting loose the way these guys do. “People really enjoy that, that Australian rock‘n’roll culture,” says Cain. “A lot of people at the end of the day want to let loose. “Some might go home, watch Netflix, that’s it, but then some people might go up the pub and come see us and be like, ‘Wow, this is totally different from my everyday life’. They just want to get into it and have a good time – that’s what it’s all about.” And that’s why it’s important for Dead City Ruins to get out on tour to all the country’s little nooks and crannies, to spread that sense of release to as many people as possible. Pub rock, it’s not just for the city dwellers. The difference in reception and mannerisms
between the city and the country, Cain says, is not without its differences. “The city is the city, you know? It’s always a little tougher and you’ve gotta bring your A-game. The country is a little more loose and they definitely get into it more. Theirs is a culture that anything goes, you know?” The Hot Way To Live tour extends right into next year and to the end of the summer. Some of the locations Dead City Ruins will visit are often overlooked, but Cain is excited to get out to them. “Oh, we definitely want to rock it,” he says, “Really getting into to it all for better or
for worse. After that, the day by day process continues – next year will only bring a little more music, a little more touring, and a lot more global domination.”
we’re trying to make it a bit more futuristic, to live in 1980, I guess! Maybe that’s our vision, to actually take it back in time and slowly come into… we’ll never make it to 2019, we’ll always be stuck in the good old days.” From a compilation of old demos, The Fiction found themselves playing shows again last year. Moving into a member’s garage to fine tune the songs they’d been performing, those fast sessions resulted in Ramona, an album which has piqued the interest of longlasting fans here and abroad, and of course, caused Griffiths to scratch at that old itch. There’s evidently still a market for that 1970s punk, with The Fiction planning on a return to Japan and already with another album in the works. And, of course, there’s their Melbourne comeback show coming up. With friends and family who will naturally come along and support The Fiction and live with them in the good old days, Griffiths says the band would absolutely be pleased if young
whippersnappers got on the bandwagon and into what they’re trying to achieve. “We did this one gig last year where there were a lot of younger people there. They were definitely into what we were doing. “Seeing them, well, most bands like us who play gigs are like old people ghost towns – people out to reminisce and have a good time. That’s great, but it’s also great to see the young people come out and be really into the music that marked our youth, live like we did when we were younger. “The gigs [can be] harder, but it’s a challenge the band want to try and tackle. You can’t imagine.”
Dead City Ruins come to the Northcote Social Club as part of their Hot Way To Live tour on Saturday January 18. Grab your tickets via the venue website.
The Fiction Short, fast, loud. On April 30, 1978 at a benefit for a street press fanzine known as Pulp, The Fiction played their first gig. They were the Melbourne punk scene’s fastest rising act, their tenure as tumultuous as their lineup, reputation, and opportunities. BY ANNA ROSE
By November 1978, The Fiction were done, and disappeared as quickly as they had existed. Though The Fiction made a short impression on the Australian underground, performing shows and cementing themselves in the cult memory, each of its members going on to focus on different things, the itch was never lost among them. Now, more than 40 years since their inception, The Fiction are back. Though it’s four decades since the original lineup played together, The Fiction, according to guitarist and primary songwriter, Rob Griffiths, are stuck in a bubble of bliss. The band’s latest album, Ramona captures the very essence of late 1970s punk, a sound which is as gnarly, gritty and as imperfect as anything that would have been released in the genre’s heyday. For Griffiths, it seems he’s quite happy to be stuck in a time warp of sorts. “The idea I have when I’m writing songs is, I’m trying to
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imagine being in the ‘70s,” he says. “I tried to imagine when I was writing this album, we were exactly where we once were. “It’s good for the band – it’s one of those irritating things that we weren’t really a punk band, we had a lot of harmony and other good things happening, so we stripped it all back. “We started again and stripped it all back to 1979 – a bit like Life on Mars, that TV show – we were trying to step back.” In many ways, The Fiction have picked up where they left off, retaining the element of a cult and being an underground band. Apart from the obvious, in that The Fiction would probably like to be a band for more than just a few months this time around, Griffiths attests there’s a few things they’d like to do differently this time around. “Travel is one big thing,” he says. “We came together and did some gigs and never thought anything of it – then last year we toured Japan. It was like nothing I’d ever imagined. “I think with our new record now, I guess
Ramona is out now on streaming services. The Fiction will launch the album at The Spotted Mallard on Saturday December 28. Free entry.
FEATURES
First Beige Brisbane’s First Beige produce technically proficient dance music utilising live instrumentation and vintage gear. BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
The six-piece band released two singles this year – ‘Details’ in March and ‘Desire’ in August – before dropping the Mirrors EP in late November. More than 2017’s Press! and 2018’s double a-side, Vivid / Images, the new EP matches bandleader David Versace’s vision for the band. “It’s just so good to have it out,” he says. “It’s been back and forth with everything, but that feeling when it first comes out it’s like,‘Oh, it’s done, that’s it, I can’t touch it any longer’. “I always try to make sure we’re constantly reinventing and making stuff interesting and constantly switching it up. I’d like to be as diverse as possible. I think [Mirrors] really represents us right now and what we’re into.” Mirrors was mixed and produced by Sampology, one of First Beige’s Brisbane forerunners. It’s a contrast to the band’s previous releases, which were more or less micromanaged by Versace. “It’s always just been recorded in my room with some cheap gear, a little interface and some keyboards and instruments,” he says. “But I just really wanted to explore different avenues, since we’re starting to get out of Brisbane a bit more and take it a bit
more seriously. “Working with Sampo was awesome because he has crazy knowledge of how to produce music, like, more than I imagined. He just walked in and he has so much gear, so much knowledge. It’s good because he takes his own little creative direction as well, which I really dig. He knows what we’re going for so it’s really cool bouncing ideas together.” In another example of Versace opening up his practice, the release was co-written with synth player Oscar Borschmann. “Oscar is also a really great writer,” says Versace. “That ‘Oscars Car’ track, the last track on the album, we’ve had that for so long – he wrote that like two years ago. But we thought, ‘Let’s beef it up’, so we took it to Sampo and re-tracked the drums and bass and stuff and he made it really special.” There are six members of the First Beige live band – Versace, Borschmann, drummer Jasper Gundersen, bass player Julia Beiers, guitarist Cain Robertson and Troy Doolan on guitar, flute and percussion – but the project was founded as a vehicle for Versace’s songwriting. The expansion into a six-piece band has
altered his projections for where he can take the First Beige sound. “I’m always open to collab-ing and everyone in the band is such a great musician,” Versace says. “I always want to make sure I’m not just taking full creative control all the time, but I do lead it, in a way. But it always changes through recording and writing. “The way that my band members play influences the way I write. Jasper drums in such a unique way, but I catch myself programming a drum beat and programming it as how he would play. And same with pretty much everyone. “Julia has such a unique way of playing bass and I always gravitate to playing a way that she would play, like a more simpler groove. It’s weird – it’s kind of a subconscious thing. I thought that was really cool, rather than just doing what I think.”
First Beige were a hit at BIGSOUND 2019 and they’re joining the likes of Matt Corby, Confidence Man and Jack River at next year’s Party In The Paddock – the Tasmania festival’s final-ever instalment. “Party In The Paddock’s probably one of our biggest [festivals] so far. I’m very keen. I think I heard that we’re doing a really late night set, midnight or something. I think that’s going to be perfect for us, because everyone will be super cooked. That’s, in a way, the best type of crowd for dancey stuff – people who just want to have so much fun.”
opera about the typical but melancholic stories of the average citizen and ‘Subaru Crosstrek XV’ a wholesome, albeit comedic, ode to the car of the same name – not endorsed by Subaru. “I don’t think [the success of the last album] really effected my songwriting,” says Lopes. “The Rise was written in 2016, The Fall was mostly written in 2017. I keep my lyric-writing separate to the rest, like I’ll write a whole bunch but play around with chords and arrangements in a separate space” The Fall of Hobo Johnson has done little to live up to the name. With Hobo Johnson now making appearances on national TV and spending most of the year touring, he has proven himself to be more than a one-hitwonder. “I think my favourite part [of the success] is festivals. Being backstage and having all
these big names behind the scenes with you just validates the process and makes you feel like you’re part of the community.” Hobo Johnson will be finishing his year at Beyond The Valley before delivering performances in Adelaide and Melbourne. With seven band members, including the underused Keytar – “We used it on one song last tour, but we’ve worked out how to incorporate it more into our set” – he’s set to bring his charisma and new tracks to Australia.
First Beige come to Party In The Paddock when it goes down in Tasmania’s White Hills from Thursday February 6 to Saturday February 8. Grab your tickets and check out the full lineup at the festival website, partyinthepaddockfestival.com.au.
Hobo Johnson Frank Lopes Jr., aka Hobo Johnson, released his debut album, The Rise of Hobo Johnson in November 2017. Despite featuring tracks that have now been played in the millions, in November 2017 The Rise of Hobo Johnson flopped. BY SCOTT HUDSON
“The album came out and nothing happened. I honestly was going to leave music and take an internship at the [Sacramento] Kings,” says Lopes, “Then we dropped ‘Peach Scone’ a few months later.” ‘Peach Scone’ was an unexpected golden ticket. After submitting a live rendition to NPR’s annual Tiny Desk Contest, the video went viral. Despite losing the competition, Hobo Johnson and The Lovemakers (the group of merry men who follow him across the globe) were still invited on the show. The rise of Hobo Johnson truly began and with it, came the comments and critiques. “I think people misunderstood what I was saying, but that’s how it’s going to be; there’s a lot of negativity in the world and you just have to ignore it and keep going,” Lopes says. “Before ‘Peach Scone’ blew up, we would only really play in Sacramento or the Bay Area, San Francisco. In Sacramento, we could play to maybe 300 people, but only 30 would show up in the Bay Area, so we only really
played in Sacramento. We didn’t tour, we didn’t know how to tour.” From living in his car at 19 whilst trying to make it as a musician to touring the world with the Lovemakers, Lopes’ life, and Hobo Johnson, have each gone through some changes in the last year. The Lovemakers were six players strong when they performed to a packed Corner Hotel in Melbourne in January this year, after playing Falls Festival a few days prior. “I used to play around in Sacramento, that’s where I met the band and, over time, we grew. We have seven in the band – we’ve added a trumpet – now, but I think we will continue to grow as we find new people. As long as we are still touring, and can pay for it” This year produced the aptly named sequel to his debut project: The Fall of Hobo Johnson. The tracklist is filled with his signature charisma, but shows huge strides in production and songwriting, with singles ‘Typical Story’ presenting as a pseudo-rock-
Catch Hobo Johnson at Beyond The Valley (sold out) from Saturday December 28 – Wednesday January 1 and at 170 Russell on Sunday January 5 (sold out).
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FEATURES
Australian Rock Collective (ARC) Music legends unite to perform at Werribee’s Pop Up Park. BY TAMMY WALTERS
Darren Middleton, Kram, Davey Lane and Mark Wilson have all been major players in carving out the jagged path of rock music in Australia through their solo and band musical contributions, Powderfinger, Spiderbait, The Wrights, You Am I and Jet, respectively. This year, the foursome announced their supergroup formation to the world, the Australian Rock Collective (ARC), and together they have already imprinted more footprints in the rock music corridor, but Middleton says the project has been slow cooking for quite some time. “I put the band together because a friend of mine was doing something in Brazil for the World Cup soccer and asked if I wanted to put something together to bring over, so I called Kram up and Davey [Lane] and Mark Wilson and it didn’t take too much arm twisting to get them to South America [laughs]. “We got back from that trip and went, ‘Oh geez, we’ve known each other for years, but this is a really good band’ and we just kind of carried it on from there. It’s actually been about four and half, five years since I put that little group together but it’s only this year that we’ve gone public.” Their announcement coincided with this year’s 50 years of Abbey Road celebrations which saw ARC play a series of shows around the nation. It wasn’t the standard tribute show gimmick with the classic mop-top wigs and Sgt. Pepper’s uniforms. The group became at one with The Beatles, learning each and every detail of the album and playing it the way a true musician should. “When you have to dive in and do them justice, it’s such a well of inspiration, detail and the arrangements are really incredible! We spent a lot of time getting it how we felt it needed to be and still treated it the way an artist should treat something which is a homage but with your own kind of character in there as well,” Middleton explains. “It was a project we had spoken about for a little while, and to be honest, had been a bit disgruntled with the way these things have happened in the past. We wanted to do it the way a band would do this, so no one is reading off of charts, there’s no superstar – there’s the whole band and everyone is equally a part of it. It was fucking amazing.” It was also amazing for the audience and critics, who, thanks to their high demand, convinced the gents to add an additional tour run for 2020. This isn’t the only project ARC have up their sleeves. They do have more record tributes on their agenda but for the most part ARC have become the cover
band of Australia on steroids, celebrating their favourite Australian and New Zealand artists, including their own acts, as part of their live shows. “We pick a bunch of songs from ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, etc, all Australian and New Zealand artists, and we take the same ethos that we’ve given The Beatles. But the songs we choose for the ARC setlist – there’s always a reason for them. We had known the people in the bands, or we still know the bands or their songs that have really rubbed off or inspired members of the band. We also play some of our own band’s songs which makes it a little bit special!” With such a high calibre lineup of members, could some original tracks be in the cards for ARC? “We were in the studio about a year and a half ago and have started putting down songs but the hard thing with this band is that everyone is pretty fucking busy! That is the plan at some point,” he says. “I’d say in 2020 we’ll get our act together and get some originals together because we genuinely love each other and we work incredibly well as a group of people.” On Friday January 24, ARC will perform when Werribee City Centre’s Pop Up Park returns to Station Place. Alongside a landmark performance from the aforementioned music legends as part of the Friday Night Live program, there will also be an outdoor cinema featuring screenings of Aladdin, Toy Story 4, Dumbo and Wonder Park across the Saturdays of January and into February. Sunday Funday will kick off from Sunday January 12 and will envelope Station Place with food and performers harking from Mexico, Asia and Ireland across three different events. Outside of that, Friday Night Live will also welcome the likes of Pete Murray on Friday January 10, Eurogliders on Friday January 17 and The Black Sorrows on Friday January 31 as part of what is a stellar music program.
ARC
Pop Up Park, image by Indie Lane
ARC perform at Werribee’s free Pop Up Park on Friday January 24. Find out more about the Pop Up Park via the Wyndham City website, wyndham.vic.gov.au.
Pop Up Park, image by Indie Lane
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Writers’ Wrap Up 2019 2019 has come and gone like a buzzsaw Lumpy and the Dumpers track – rapid, fleeting, but oh so memorable. So without further ado, here’s our traditional rundown of all the best stuff of the year, with a spicy twist to account for the decade’s closure. What was your favourite album and song of the last ten years… yeah, that’s a toughie. Name: Tom Parker, Editor Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Aldous Harding – Designer 2. Cate Le Bon – Reward 3. Big Thief – U.F.O.F. 4. Possible Humans – Everybody Split 5. Vanishing Twin – The Age of Immunology 6. Toro y Moi – Outer Peace 7. Swazi Gold – Jehovah’s Whispers 8. Surprise Chef – All News Is Good News 9. House Deposit – Reward For Effort 10. Digitalism – JPEG Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Aldous Harding – ‘The Barrel’ 2. Big Thief – ‘Cattails’ 3. Cate Le Bon – ‘Home to You’ 4. Vanishing Twin – ‘Cryonic Suspension May Save Your Life’ 5. Cool Sounds – ‘Around And Down’ Top Five Gigs of the Year: 1. DJ Koze at Meredith 2. Four Tet at Golden Plains 3. Thee Oh Sees at The Croxton Top movie/TV show of 2019: Stranger Things, season three Favourite album of the decade: Twerps – Twerps Favourite song of the decade: The War on Drugs – ‘Red Eyes’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: One Year being shut down. Travesty. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Ty Segall Name: Caleb Triscari, Digital Editor Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Lana Del Ray – Norman Fucking Rockwell! 2. The National – I Am Easy To Find 3. Julia Jacklin – Crushing 4. Angie McMahon – Salt 5. Bon Iver – i,i 6. The New Pornographers – In The Morse Code of Break Lights 7. The Japanese House – Good At Falling 8. Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising 9. Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? 10. Aldous Harding – Designer Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Sharon Van Etten – ‘Seventeen’ 2. Laura Stevenson – ‘Living Room, NY’ 3. The National – ‘Oblivions’ 4. Aldous Harding – ‘The Barrel’ 5. Japanese Breakfast – ‘Essentially’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. CHVRCHES at Spilt Milk 2. Julia Jacklin at The Forum 3. Roisin Murphy at Meredith Top movie/TV show of 2019: The Other Two, season one Favourite album of the decade: The Jezabels – Prisoner
Favourite song of the decade: Bon Iver – ‘Holocene’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Katy Perry being sued by nuns over owning a former convent. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: C’mooooon Lana Del Rey Name: Kate Streader, Sub Editor Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Julia Jacklin – Crushing 2. Vanishing Twin – Age of Immunology 3. Amyl and The Sniffers – Amyl and The Sniffers 4. Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising 5. Cate Le Bon – Reward 6. Aldous Harding – Designer 7. The Comet Is Coming – Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep Mystery 8. Sun Kil Moon – I Also Want To Die in New Orleans 9. Sui Zhen – Losing, Linda 10. Sharon Van Etten – Remind Me Tomorrow Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Big Thief – ‘Not’ 2. Tropical Fuck Storm – ‘Who’s My Eugene?’ 3. Julia Jacklin – ‘Turn Me Down’ 4. Sun Kil Moon – ‘Couch Potato’ 5. Wand – ‘Thin Air’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis at Hamer Hall 2. Kurt Vile at The Forum 3. Kirin J Callinan at The Croxton Top movie/TV show of 2019: The Nightingale Favourite album of the decade: Mitski – Be The Cowboy Favourite song of the decade: Kirin J Callinan – ‘Embracism’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Everything Morrissey did and said One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Kate Bush Name: Alex Watts Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Sharon Van Etten – Remind Me Tomorrow 2. Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising 3. Gang Starr – One of the Best Yet 4. Little Brother – May the Lord Watch 5. Julia Jacklin – Crushing 6. Sampa the Great – The Return 7. Rapsody – Eve 8. Aldous Harding – Designer 9. Jamila Woods – LEGACY! LEGACY! 10. Gena Rose Bruce – Can’t Make You Love Me Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Sharon Van Etten – ‘Seventeen’ 2. Sampa the Great – ‘Final Form’ 3. Julia Jacklin – ‘Body’ 4. Lizzo – ‘Juice’ 5. Billie Eilish – ‘bad guy’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Iggy Pop – Festival Hall
2. Sharon Van Etten – Hamer Hall 3. Fleetwood Mac – Rod Laver Arena Top movie/TV show of 2019: Us Favourite album of the decade: Dunno Favourite song of the decade: Dunno Biggest music controversy of the decade: Dunno One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Bikini Kill Name: Ashley Diamantis Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Tyler, The Creator – IGOR 2. FKA twigs – Magdalene 3. Lana Del Rey – Norman Fucking Rockwell! 4. No Rome – Crying in the Prettiest Places 5. Solange – When I Get Home 6. Roland Tings – Salt Water 7. Marina – Love + Fear 8. Charli XCX – Charli 9. Maggie Rogers – Heard It In A Past Life 10. Wiki – OOFIE Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. The Garden – ‘Thy Mission’ 2. The 1975 – ‘Frail State of Mind’ 3. Grimes – ‘So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth’ 4. FKA twigs – ‘home with you’ 5. Tyler, The Creator – ‘NEW MAGIC WAND’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. The 1975 at Margaret Court Arena 2. Tyler, The Creator at Beyond The Valley (still anticipated) 3. FKA twigs at Dark Mofo Top movie/TV show of 2019: Pose Favourite album of the decade: Lorde – Melodrama Favourite song of the decade: Sky Ferreira – ‘Sad Dream’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Kanye West vs. Taylor Swift One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Tyler, The Creator Name: Augustus Welby Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Ghosteen 2. Purple Mountains – Purple Mountains 3. Cate Le Bon – Reward 4. Bill Callahan – Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest 5. Kate Tempest –The Book of Traps and Lessons 6. Ferla – It’s Personal 7. Sarathy Korwar – More Arriving 8. Jenny Hval – The Practice of Love 9. FKA twigs – Magdalene 10. Sui Zhen – Losing, Linda Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Perfume Genius – ‘Eye In The Wall’ 2. Rapsody – ‘Ibtihaj’ 3. Sampa the Great – ‘OMG’ 4. Dave – ‘Black’ 5. Honey 2 Honey – ‘Under the Hangar’
Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Cate Le Bon at the Croxton Bandroom 2. Jack Ladder at Artheater, Cologne 3. Cash Savage & the Last Drinks at the 3RRR Performance Space Top movie/TV show of 2019: Aretha Franklin: Amazing Grace Favourite album of the decade: Fiona Apple – The Idler Wheel… Favourite song of the decade: Alex Cameron – ‘Take Care of Business’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Kanye Maga One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: R.E.M. Name: Bronius Zumeris Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Broken Social Scene – Lets Try The After Vol 2 2. Stephen Cummings – Life Moves On 3. Steve Earle – Guy 4. Marianne Faithfull – Negative Capability 5. Foals – Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Vol 2 6. Dave Graney & The Mistly – Zippa Dee Doo 7. The National – I Am Easy To Find 8. Pet Shop Boys – Agenda 9. Sun Kil Moon – I Also Want to Die in New Orleans 10. Swans – Leaving Meaning Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Dave Graney & The Mistly – ‘Gloria Grahame’ 2. Elbow – ‘Weightless’ 3. Karen O – ‘Anti-Lullaby’ 4. Lana Del Rey – ‘Cinnamon Girl’ 5. The Specials – ‘10 Commandments’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Black Cab at Northcote Social Club 2. Bryan Ferry at Margaret Court Arena 3. Huxton Creepers at The Curtin Top movie/TV show of 2019: Joker Favourite album of the decade: The National – High Violet Favourite song of the decade: Karl Hyde & Brian Eno – ‘Lilac’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Not a controversy, just the loss of too many iconic musicians. Bowie, Cohen, Reed, Savage, Smith, Vega, for starters. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Talking Heads Name: Claire Morley Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Taylor Swift – Lover 2. Ariana Grande – thank u, next 3. Denzel Curry – ZUU 4. Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride 5. Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? 6. Miley Cyrus – SHE IS COMING 7. Solange – When I Get Home 8. The National – I Am Easy To Find
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WRITER’S WRAP UP
9. Tyler, The Creator – IGOR 10. Methyl Ethel – Triage Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Taylor Swift – ‘Lover’ 2. Ariana Grande – ‘7 rings’ 3. The Bennies – ‘Waiting For Dave’ 4. Denzel Curry – ‘RICKY’ 5. Miley Cyrus – ‘The Most’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Arctic Monkeys at Rod Laver Arena 2. Greta Van Fleet at The Forum 3. Boy & Bear at The Forum Top TV show of 2019: Fleabag Favourite album of the decade: The National – High Violet Favourite song of the decade: The National – ‘Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: The rise of streaming services, and the question of whether they fairly compensate artists. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Taylor Swift, man. Though Kanye tried to convert us all in 2019, TS won me over. Name: Dan Watt Top Five Albums of the Year: 1. Foals – Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 1 2. FIDLAR – Almost Free 3. Baroness – Gold & Grey 4. Clinic – Wheeltappers and Shunters 5. Beirut – Gallipoli Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Foals – ‘Exits’ 2. FIDLAR – ‘Can’t You See’ 3. Baroness – ‘Tourniquet’ 4. Clinic – ‘Laughing Cavalier’ 5. Beirut – ‘We Never Lived Here’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Vasco Era at The Corner 2. DJ Boring at Revolver Upstairs 3. Joyce Manor at The Corner Top movie/TV show of 2019: The Righteous Gemstones Favourite album of the decade: Protomartyr – The Agent Intellect Favourite song of the decade: friendships – ‘Big Farm In The Sky’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Courtney Barnett’s 2013 Like A Version of ‘Black Skinhead’ – an example of someone so ‘woke’ they fell asleep. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Bongripper! Name: David James Young Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. FONTAINES D.C. – Dogrel 2. 100 gecs – 1000 gecs 3. Brittany Howard – Jaime 4. Copeland – Blushing 5. Great Grandpa – Four of Arrows 6. Totally Unicorn – Sorry 7. Slipknot – We Are Not Your Kind 8. Better Oblivion Community Center – Better 9. Oblivion Community Center 10. American Football – American Football 11. Clairo – Immunity Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus – ‘Old Town Road [Remix]’ 2. blink-182 – ‘Darkside’ 3. EGOISM – ‘Enemies’ 4. Post Malone – ‘Circles’ 5. Goo Goo Dolls – ‘Miracle Pill’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. IDLES at The Lansdowne 2. Childish Gambino at Qudos Bank Arena 3. The Flaming Lips at Sydney Opera House Top movie/TV show of 2019: Crazy ExGirlfriend
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Favourite album of the decade: Fiona Apple – The Idler Wheel... Favourite song of the decade: Future Islands – ‘Seasons (Waiting On You)’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: That shit reggae band from Sydney. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Great Grandpa Name: Eddy Lim Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Angie McMahon – Salt 2. Julia Jacklin – Crushing 3. Big Thief – U.F.O.F. 4. Jay Som – Anak Ko 5. Long Beard – Means to Me 6. 30/70 – Fluid Motion 7. Gang Starr – One of the Best Yet 8. Little Simz – Grey Area 9. Rachael & Vilray – Rachael & Vilray 10. Vulture Street Tape Gang – Mature Themes for Childish People Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Cory Wong – ‘Companion Pass’ 2. Wilsen – ‘Ruiner’ 3. Foals – ‘Neptune’ 4. Tiana Khasi – ‘Georgia’s Track’ 5. WAAX – ‘FU’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Foals – Margaret Court Arena 2. Alvvays – Corner Hotel 3. Phoebe Bridgers – Croxton Bandroom Top movie/TV show of 2019: El Camino Favourite album of the decade: Julien Baker – Sprained Ankle Favourite song of the decade: Julien Baker – ‘Good News’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Something Kanye West, go ahead and pick for yourself. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: A boygenius tour (with each member also having a set of their own). Name: Eliza Booth Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Foals – Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 1 2. BENEE – FIRE ON MARZZ 3. Lizzo – Cuz I Love You 4. POND – Tasmania 5. Anderson .Paak – Ventura 6. Pixies – Beneath the Eyrie 7. Toro y Moi – Outer Peace 8. LEISURE – Twister 9. Friendly Fires – Inflorescent 10. Goldlink – Diaspora Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Foals – ‘On the Luna’ 2. Genesis Owusu – ‘WUTD’ 3. Lizzo – ‘Juice’ 4. BENEE – ‘Wishful Thinking’ 5. Spacey Jane – ‘Good for You’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. BENEE at The Workers Club 2. Northeast Party House at The Forum 3. Horsehunter at The Tote Top movie/TV show of 2019: Looking for Alaska Favourite album of the decade: Tame Impala – Currents Favourite song of the decade: Foals – ‘My Number’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Katy Perry vs Flame lawsuit. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Garbage Name: Fergus Neal Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Aldous Harding – Designer
2. Stella Donnelly – Beware of the Dogs 3. Liam Gallagher – Why Me? Why Not. 4. Carla Geneve – Carla Geneve 5. Milky Chance – Mind the Moon 6. Two People – First Body 7. Jess Ribeiro – LOVE HATE 8. Julia Jacklin – Crushing 9. Gena Rose Bruce – Can’t Make You Love Me 10. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – Fishing For Fishies Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Banoffee – ‘Tennis Fan’ 2. Liam Gallagher – ‘Once’ 3. Julia Jacklin – ‘Don’t Know How To Keep Loving You’ 4. Tame Impala – ‘It Might Be Time’ 5. Two People – ‘Dream Steppin’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Didirri at 170 Russell 2. Marlon Williams at Zoo Twilights 3. Dylan Moran at Hamer Hall Top movie/TV show of 2019: The Australian Dream Favourite album of the decade: Arctic Monkeys – AM Favourite song of the decade: Lorde – ‘Tennis Court’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Not enough cowbell solos. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Banoffee Name: Greta Brereton Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Bon Iver – i,i 2. Angie McMahon – Salt 3. Maggie Rogers – Heard It In A Past Life 4. Denzel Curry – ZUU 5. Mansionair – Shadowboxer 6. Loyle Carner – Not Waving, But Drowning 7. Matt Maeson – Bank On The Funeral 8. Still Woozy – Lately 9. Local Natives – Violet Street 10. Georgia Maq – Pleaser Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Goth Babe – ‘Sometimes’ 2. Yoke Lore – ‘Dead Ringer’ 3. Khruangbin & Leon Bridges – ‘Texas Sun’ 4. Northeast Party House – ‘Dominos’ 5. FIDLAR – ‘By Myself’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Glass Animals at Prince Bandroom 2. Red Hot Chili Peppers at Rod Laver Arena 3. Watching my Indonesian friend and her band perform at a little bar in Lombok – she’s so small but has the most powerful voice. Indonesia’s own Ariana Grande. Top movie/TV show of 2019: Sex Education Favourite album of the decade: Tourist History by Two Door Cinema Club, Odesza’s In Return, Frank Ocean’s Channel ORANGE and anything from The Wombats. Favourite song of the decade: This is literally an impossible question; I genuinely don’t think I can choose. Biggest music controversy of the decade: The number of sexual abuse allegations that have come to light and how these have been handled. We’ve still got a long way to go in stamping this out in the first place. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Goth Babe Name: Holly Denison Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. N.Y.C.K. – Wild Streak 2. Taylor Swift – Lover 3. Bastille – Doom Days 4. Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
5. Hilltop Hoods – The Great Expanse 6. Thelma Plum – Better in Blak 7. Holy Holy – My Own Pool of Light 8. Dyson Stringer Cloher – Dyson Stringer Cloher 9. Lucianblomkamp – Motto 10. James Arthur – YOU Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Billie Eilish – ‘bad guy’ 2. Sam Smith – ‘How Do You Sleep?’ 3. N.Y.C.K. – ‘All the Birds’ 4. Bastille – ‘Joy’ 5. Katy Perry – ‘Never Really Over’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Melbourne Music Week: Kllo, Baths, Lucianblomkamp + Lonelyspeck 2. Festival X 3. Groovin’ the Moo in Bendigo Top movie/TV show of 2019: Alita: Battle Angel Favourite album of the decade: The Wombats – This Modern Glitch Favourite song of the decade: The Wombats – ‘Techno Fan’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Wil Wagner and Georgia McDonald. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Baths Name: Jacob Colliver Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. The Crooked Fiddle Band – Another Subtle Atom Bomb 2. Freddie Gibbs / Madlib – Bandana 3. Flying Lotus – Flamagra 4. black midi – Schlagenheim 5. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Infest The Rats’ Nest 6. American Football – American Football (LP3) 7. 65daysofstatic – replicr, 2019 8. Kate Tempest – The Book Of Traps And Lessons 9. The Comet Is Coming – Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery 10. Bad Religion – Age Of Unreason Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Fat White Family – ‘Tastes Good With Money’ 2. Devin Townsend – ‘Genesis’ 3. China Bowls – ‘Before I Knew You’ 4. Miles Brown – ‘Shudder Speed’ 5. DZ Deathrays, Briggs, Jesswar & Trials – ‘Front Row Hustle’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Penny Arcade Expo 2019 at Melbourne Exhibition Centre 2. Tom Walker – Very Very at ACMI 3. Demi Lardner – Ditch Witch 800 at Greek Centre Top movie/TV show of 2019: I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson Favourite album of the decade: Tom Waits – Bad As Me Favourite song of the decade: Either Mister Lies – ‘False Astronomy’ or Willis Earl Beal – ‘Evening’s Kiss’. Biggest music controversy of the decade: The death of many Aussie festivals signalled a disruption to the golden live-music era – Summadayze and Homebake in 2012, Future Music Festival and Soundwave in 2015, and of course, Big Day Out in 2014 (to name a few). One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Tom Waits, but it’ll never happen, so Maximum the Hormone. Name: James Lynch Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Kevin Morby – Oh My God 2. Gamjee – Legacy Project
WRITER’S WRAP UP
3. Hierophants – Spitting Out Moonlight 4. Cate Le Bon – Reward 5. Hand Habits – Placeholder 6. Hobsons Bay Coast Guard – Hobsons Bay Coast Guard 7. Ty Segall – First Taste 8. House Deposit – Reward For Effort 9. Gonzo – Do It Better Again 10. Alex Cameron – Miami Memory Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Gamjee – ‘A Painter’ 2. Eggy – ‘Bar Fred’ 3. Kevin Morby – ‘Hail Mary’ 4. Terrible Signal – ‘Look in the Water’ 5. Cool Sounds – ‘Around and Down’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. The Ocean Party at Boogie 13 2. The Stroppies at The Curtin 3. Me Channel at The Retreat Front Bar Top movie/TV show of 2019: The End of the F***ing World, season two Favourite album of the decade: Ty Segall – Manipulator Favourite song of the decade: Parquet Courts – ‘Total Football’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Eggy EP launch at Nighthawks. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Wand Name: Jonathan Reynoso Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. black midi – Schlagenheim 2. Tyler, The Creator – IGOR 3. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Infest the Rats’ Nest 4. Thee Oh Sees – Face Stabber 5. Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising 6. Little Simz – GREY Area 7. BROCKHAMPTON – GINGER 8. Denzel Curry – ZUU 9. Flying Lotus – Flamagra 10. FKA twigs – Magdalene Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. black midi – ‘953’ 2. Weyes Blood – ‘Movies’ 3. Tyler, The Creator – ‘A BOY IS A GUN*’ 4. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – ‘Planet B’ 5. BROCKHAMPTON – ‘BOY BYE’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Devo at Desert Daze Music Festival 2. Tyler, The Creator at Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 3. Khruangbin at Desert Daze Music Festival Top movie/TV show of 2019: Jojo Rabbit Favourite album of the decade: Frank Ocean – Blonde Favourite song of the decade: Tame Impala – ‘Apocalypse Dreams’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Kanye West being a Donald Trump supporter. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Not sure, I don’t live in Australia! Name: Leland Tan Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Loyle Carner – Not Waving, But Drowning 2. Tourist – Wild 3. Lana Del Ray – Norman Fucking Rockwell! 4. Flume – Hi, This Is Flume 5. Jenny Hval – The Practice of Love 6. Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride 7. Max Cooper – Yearning for the Infinite 8. IDK – Is He Real? 9. BROCKHAMPTON – GINGER 10. James Blake – Assume Form
Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Peggy Gou – ‘Starry Night’ 2. Choker – ‘Lucky’ 3. slenderbodies – ‘take you home’ 4. Stil & Bense – ‘One in a Million (Lunar Plane Remix)’ 5. Ben Böhmer, Nils Hoffmann, Malou – ‘Breathing (Extended Mix)’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Laneway Fremantle 2. Boiler Room x Sugar Mountain 3. Gerd Janson at Brown Alley Top movie/TV show of 2019: Parasite Favourite album of the decade: Frank Ocean – Channel ORANGE Favourite song of the decade: Flume + The Notorious B.I.G – ‘Juicy Insane’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Separating art from artist – Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, XXXTentacion One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Frank Ocean Name: Sam Howard Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Tunnelvisions – Channel Tropico 2. Loods – Steel City Dance Discs, Volume 11 3. Jura Soundsystem – Monster Skies 4. Loure – Avenues 5. Floating Points – Crush 6. Ed Longo & Applied Arts Ensemble – The Other Fantasy 7. Axel Boman – Le New Life 8. Young Marco – Bahasa 9. Mildlife – How Long Does It Take? 10. Local Artist – Touch Tone Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Seb Wildblood – ‘amelia’ 2. CZ Wang & Neo Image – ‘Just Off Wave’ 3. Grant Turismo – ‘Eshays in Laneway’ 4. Love Deluxe – ‘Souvenir’ feat. dip in the pool 5. Drugface – ‘In The Clouds’ (Beat Escape’s ‘Spaced Out’ Mix) Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Tornado Wallace at Inner Varnika Festival 2. Seb Wildblood at Dance Flaws 3. Regular Fantasy at A Weekend With Top movie/TV show of 2019: N/A Favourite album of the decade: Cut Copy Presents: Oceans Apart Favourite song of the decade: Bruce Trail – ‘Bridgework’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: When H&M tried to claim Harvey Sutherland’s track – a big mistake when the Melbourne legend is a music lawyer. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Nu Guinea’s full band Name: Scott Hudson Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Thelma Plum – Better in Blak 2. Ari Lennox – Shea Butter Baby 3. Little Simz – GREY Area 4. Stella Donnelly – Beware of the Dogs 5. Angie McMahon – Salt 6. Jordan Rakei – Origin 7. Montaigne – Complex 8. Kilns – You Can Bet Your House On Me 9. Winston Surfshirt – Apple Crumble 10. Meg Mac – HOPE Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Joji – ‘Sanctuary’ 2. DZ Deathrays, Jesswar, Briggs & Trials – ‘Front Row Hustle’ 3. Saint Lane – ‘Compliment My Shirt’ 4. Greta Stanley – ‘Pour’ 5. Angie McMahon – ‘Pasta’
Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Hobo Johson at The Corner 2. Sampa the Great at Zoo Twilights 3. K.Flay at Howler Top movie/TV show of 2019: End of The F**cking World, season two Favourite album of the decade: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther in Lightness Favourite song of the decade: Moses Sumney – ‘Plastic’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: N/A One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Moses Sumney Name: Sosefina Fuamoli Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Mark Ronson – Late Night Feelings 2. Brittany Howard – Jaime 3. Flying Lotus – Flamagra 4. Little Simz – GREY Area 5. James Blake – Assume Form 6. FKA twigs – Magdalene 7. Sampa the Great – The Return 8. Tyler, The Creator – IGOR 9. Jamila Woods – LEGACY! LEGACY! 10. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Ghosteen Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Mark Ronson – ‘Don’t Leave Me Lonely’ ft. Yebba 2. Glass Animals – ‘Tokyo Drifting’ ft. Denzel Curry 3. ROSALIA – ‘Con Altura’ 4. Sampa the Great – ‘Final Form’ 5. FKA twigs – ‘Cellophane’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Sampa the Great at The Forum 2. FKA twigs at Dark Mofo 3. Glass Animals at Prince Bandroom Top movie/TV show of 2019: Big Mouth Favourite album of the decade: Frank Ocean – Channel ORANGE Favourite song of the decade: Frank Ocean – ‘Novocane’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Fyre Festival One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Rage Against the Machine Name: Tammy Walters Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Lana Del Rey – Norman Fucking Rockwell! 2. FKA twigs – Magdalene 3. Tool – Fear Inoculum 4. Thom Yorke – Anima 5. The Raconteurs – Help Us Stranger 6. Vampire Weekend – Father Of The Bride 7. Tyler, The Creator – IGOR 8. Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? 9. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Infest The Rats’ Nest 10. Olympia – Flamingo Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Thom Yorke, Flea, Wynton Marsalis – ‘Daily Battles’ (Motherless Brooklyn Soundtrack) 2. Lana Del Rey – ‘Fuck It I Love You’ 3. Billie Eilish – ‘everything i wanted’ 4. Vampire Weekend – ‘Harmony Hall’ 5. Thelma Plum – ‘Better In Blak’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Arctic Monkeys at Rod Laver Arena 2. John Mayer at Rod Laver Arena 3. Red Hot Chilli Peppers at Rod Laver Arena Top movie/TV show of 2019: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood/Mr Robot Favourite album of the decade: Car Seat Headrest – Teens Of Denial Favourite song of the decade: Violent Soho –
‘Covered In Chrome’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Leaving Neverland documentary. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Radiohead Name: Tobias Handke Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. Julia Jacklin – Crushing 2. Lewis Capaldi – Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent 3. Rapsody – Eve 4. CZARFACE – CZARFACE Meets Ghostface 5. mxmtoon – the masquerade 6. Sampa the Great – The Return 7. Nilufer Yanya – Miss Universe 8. Denzel Curry – ZUU 9. Bruce Springsteen – Western Stars 10. Little Simz – GREY Area Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. Lil Nas X – ‘Old Town Road (Remix)’ ft. Billy Ray Cyrus 2. Julia Jacklin – ‘Body’ 3. Angel Olsen – ‘Lark’ 4. The Highwomen – ‘Highwomen’ 5. Summer Walker – ‘Come Thru’ (ft. Usher) Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Eagles at Rod Laver Arena 2. Arctic Monkeys at Rod Laver Arena 3. Little Simz at The Corner Top movie/TV show of 2019: Midsommar/ Barry Favourite album of the decade: Kanye West – My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy Favourite song of the decade: Robyn – ‘Dancing On My Own’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: Kanye West. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Bruce Springsteen Name: Will Brewster Top Ten Albums of the Year: 1. James Blake – Assume Form 2. Young Thug – So Much Fun 3. FKA twigs – Magdalene 4. Jacques Greene – Dawn Chorus 5. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Bandana 6. Solange – When I Get Home 7. Floating Points – Crush 8. Holy Holy – My Own Pool Of Light 9. Faye Webster – Atlanta Millionaires Club 10. Thom Yorke – ANIMA Top Five Songs of the Year: 1. James Blake – ‘Can’t Believe The Way We Flow’ 2. Bonobo – ‘Linked’ 3. Holy Holy – ‘Teach Me About Dying’ 4. Earthgang – ‘Proud Of U’ ft. Young Thug 5. Sampa the Great – ‘Freedom’ Top Three Gigs of the Year: 1. Sunday night at Splendour In The Grass with Matt Corby, James Blake and SZA 2. Peggy Gou at Let Them Eat Cake 3. Iggy Pop at Festival Hall Top movie/TV show of 2019: Super niche answer, but Jungle’s guest programmer episode on Rage in August was absolutely bonkers. Favourite album of the decade: Jamie xx – In Colour Favourite song of the decade: Frank Ocean – ‘Pyramids’ Biggest music controversy of the decade: 2018 Kanye was pretty dicey, although Kids See Ghosts is still a killer album. One artist/band tour Australia needs in 2020: Far-fetched, but can you imagine if D’Angelo did a 20th anniversary tour for Voodoo? Sheesh!
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BEST ALBUMS OF 2019
Albums & Singles BEST ALBUM OF 2019
9.5
ANGIE MCMAHON
Salt
Melburnian singer-songwriter Angie McMahon has been turning heads for what seems like an eternity. Following a scattered release of highly-praised singles over the last several years, McMahon’s long-awaited debut album Salt similarly follows in the same vein and runs close to a faultless delivery. Bruce Springsteen, Lianne La Havas and Big Thief number among McMahon’s numerous influences, sonically reflected in her own brand of heartfelt folk-rock. Much of her sound revolves around the adroit use of dynamics, rendering each track to ebb and flow with McMahon’s forthright lyrics. While Salt is primarily driven by deft guitarwork and a tight rhythm section, it’s McMahon’s stunning vocal performance that unequivocally captures the spotlight. Her voice rises and falls like a gathering storm on slow-burner ‘And I Am A Woman’, then finally erupts in rolling thunder nearing its frustrated, howling conclusion. Of similar flavour is ‘Mood Song’, a powerful number that summons a rising crescendo of horns that crest over the peak of McMahon’s penultimate refrain. Her stunning vocal range takes notes from k.d. lang, Florence Welch and Lucy Rose, with a timbre that sporadically oscillates between husky intimacy and cathartic clamour. McMahon’s collection of songs could easily find themselves in a proverbial issue of Chicken Soup for the Soul. From the lethargic drawl of ‘Pasta’ to the soul-crushing lament of ‘Soon’, it’s remarkably easy to find yourself in McMahon’s strikingly relatable lyrics. Success has been a long time coming for Angie McMahon, and Salt simply cements that notion into reality. Label: AWAL Recordings BY EDDY LIM
INTERNATIONAL SINGLES OF THE YEAR – WITH AUGUSTUS WELBY
CATE LE BON
PERFUME GENIUS
KATE TEMPEST
FKA TWIGS
Daylight Matters
Eye in the Wall
Firesmoke
Cellophane
On the first single from the 2019 highlight, Reward, Cate Le Bon underlines her commitment to gradual evolution. The crinkly strangeness of 2016’s Crab Day is still in effect, but ‘Daylight Matters’ is a carefully sax-swaddled alt-pop number about being in love and coming to terms with absence. The Welsh performer’s voice is effervescent despite the isolation she’s enduring, singing “I love you, I love you, I love you, but you’re not here,” in a manner that evokes both regret and resolve.
After the fortified pop melody, maximalist elegance and beautifully carved lyricism of 2017’s No Shape, Mike Hadreas returned this year to honour an apparent commitment to keep breaking boundaries. ‘Eye in the Wall’ comes from The Sun Still Burns Here, Hadreas’ collaboration with the YC dance company. Over the course of nine minutes, he conducts a physical, lusty and empowering dance song. “I’m full of nothing but love,” sings Hadreas, mirroring the thoughts of his doting followers.
Kate Tempest’s work has never been a hammer to the brain, but the lifting tone of ‘Firesmoke’ is something of a novelty. It’s an incredibly generous love song, though not too schmaltzy for Tempest’s poetic flair to shine through. “Your body is home to rare gods/I kneel at their temple,” she says, her words dripping with devotion. “I’m blown to bits.” Tempest is a more than competent rapper, but her flow here is characterised by emotion rather than rhythmic precision.
Label: Matador Records
Label: Fiction Records/Caroline
In the years separating 2015’s M3LL155X EP from this year’s Magdalene, FKA twigs collaborated with Oneohtrix Point Never and appeared on A$AP Rocky’s ‘Fukk Sleep’. Magdalene’s first single, ‘Cellophane’, shows shades of both ventures, sounding accessibly open but legitimately daring. It’s built on piano chords that steadily warp and degrade as twigs’ lead vocals gain urgency. The British performer’s talents as a producer, sound manipulator and dancer can steer attention away from her voice, but ‘Cellophane’ highlights its skin-piercing resonance.
Label: Mexican Summer/Rocket Label: Young Turks
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BEST ALBUMS OF 2019
9
FERLA
It’s Personal
The title of Ferla’s debut album indicates the emotional excavation contained within. Giuliano Ferla launched the project in 2015, untying himself from the bush operatics of Twin Beasts to adopt a synth-laden sound he termed “guilt pop”. Things haven’t changed much on It’s Personal, which starts off trying to quell desire. “Don’t want for just a little while,” the singer proposes on opener, ‘Don’t Want’. It’s more of a vignette than a song, establishing the mise en scène for the events ahead. ‘I’m Fine’ is a spruce but brooding number fit for ‘80s pop radio. There’s been a breakup and he’s figuring out how to cope (the subtext being, really, he’s not coping at all). ‘Unconditional Love’ steps away from playlist-friendly indie pop to display the band’s off-kilter strengths. The record culminates with two slower and more sensual compositions, which is the band’s forte. ‘Out of Style’ is a filmic soft-rock number begging to be paired with melodramatic visuals. Penultimate track, ‘Flying Solo’, acts as a précis of the band’s catalogue so far. The breakup doesn’t hurt because of some prurient obsession – it’s the loss of connection that really stings. It’s Personal mightn’t arrive at a satisfying resolution, but when a quaking heart produces such high-class songwriting, there’s really nothing to complain about.
9
JULIA JACKLIN
9
Crushing
Many of Julia Jacklin’s songs take place in cars. She writes on the road and it shows, particularly in her new record Crushing. In album opener ‘Body’, Jacklin sings about the taxi ride home after breaking up with a long-term partner at an airport: “Eyes on the driver, hands in my lap, heading to the city to get my body back.” The automotive motif makes sense for a breakup album – getting out of a relationship can feel like stretching out when you get home after spending all day cooped up: your legs become legs again; your heart becomes yours again. While nothing on Crushing will crush you quite like the timeless truth of her last album’s title track, you might find yourself mentally storing some of these new songs away, to be queued up in future emotional scenarios. ’Don’t Know How To Keep Loving You’ and ‘Comfort’ seem especially fitting for when you’re broken. But the real revelation of the album is the first track, which both encapsulates the themes of the album and somehow feels totally separate from it. ‘Body’ is beautifully unnerving and unique, the soundtrack to a high-production Australian crime drama, and shows Jacklin’s muscle for beat-by-beat storytelling – one she would do well to flex more in her flowering music career. Label: Liberation Records
Label: Independent
BY JESSE PARIS-JOURDAN
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
TRAM COPS
California Way
On California Way, the third album from Melbourne bedroom-pop purveyors Tram Cops, Michael Vince Moin sounds wideeyed and energised for the first time in a while. While his previous releases have been marked by a sort of introspective melancholy, California Way instantly feels sunnier. Opening with the gleaming title track, the result of working with Gab Strum of Japanese Wallpaper and Simon Lam of Kllo is immediately noticeable. While the track is still anchored by Moin’s signature lo-fi warbles and idiosyncratic charm, his soundscapes are now backed by jittering beats and bubbling synthesisers. This new collaboration has left a profound effect on the Tram Cops sound. Where previous releases, 2018’s even in my dreams and not forever, felt like a peek into Moin’s intricately crafted universe, California Way expands outwards; emerging like the sun to immerse us in its light. As the album continues on, this shift in atmosphere is hard to miss. ‘The Door’ opens with an understated ebb that hints at something more sombre, but Moin’s melodies are fluid and warming while ‘Love is All Around’ and ‘Happy as Can Be’ heighten the mood with their buoyant grooves and effortless hooks. It’s these moments where California Way succeeds most – its ability to perfectly balance its compelling emotion with Moin’s mesmerising pop smarts means the entire listen never fails to feel transcendent.
9
WAAX
Big Grief
Good things come to those who wait, and for fans of Brisbane punk quintet WAAX, Big Grief is well worth the patience. The band’s debut album follows on from EPs Holy Sick (2015) and Wild & Weak (2017), and cements WAAX as a trailblazing act in both the Australian music and punk scenes. Launching with the title track, Big Grief wastes no time setting the tone for the 12-track collection of gut-punching drums, anthemic choruses, driving guitars and buzzing bass lines as it explores the chameleonic state of grief. ‘Labrador’ steps up the animalistic energy projected almost solely from Maz DeVita’s intense vocal gravel and carries across to the Magic Dirt-reminiscent ‘No Apology’ and single ‘FU’. After a powerful first quarter, the light and shade dynamic takes shape with ‘History’ and ‘Changing Face’ offering a brief interval to the hard-hitting head bangers. The acoustic ‘Changing Face’, in particular, allows vulnerability to filter through the chaos and underscores the diversity of the punk project. ‘Fade’ jets WAAX back into their element before the album winds down with ‘Last Week’ and the first half of ‘I.D.K.W.I.F.L’ before building to a big finish. For a debut album,Big Grief encompasses the four years of hard labour WAAX have applied to making their sound tight, crisp and fresh, and then magnifies it exponentially. Label: Dew Process BY TAMMY WALTERS
Label: Independent JAMES LYNCH
EDITOR’S PICK OF 2019
HOUSE DEPOSIT
Reward for Effort Harnessing the janglepop splendours of The Goon Sax, Chook Race, Twerps and others who have gone before them, local faves House Deposit have delivered a splendidly honest debut record, Reward for Effort.
Largely sunny on top, there’s a poignancy and actuality underneath that juxtaposes the oftuncontrived jangle-pop handbook of bygone times. House Deposit champion the hurt of the past year to deliver something real and sudden. Sure, the album has its wily moments – like on ‘Ikea Dreaming’ – but there are more forthright attempts to depict sorrow, like on ‘City Strain’, where the band lays things on the line behind a belligerent Sam Lyons. It’s a classic post-punk track with saxophone flutters that explores the mental struggle that comes with living in a boisterous city. Maybe it’s time we all got away for a bit.
Behind a Louis Forster and Riley Joneslike vocal chemistry, lead singer Meaghan Weiley and Lyons channel the conversation of two pals just trying to navigate their worries. This is consolidated on album closer, ‘House Deposit’, an unravelling seven-minute pop charm that sees the two singers concurrently voice their queries for the future. Reward for Effort is an endearing journey that will resonate strongly with Melburnians far and wide. Dive in, you’ll be better for it. Label: Independent BY TOM PARKER
33
GIGS & EVENTS
Gig & Events Guide WEDNESDAY 25 DEC
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK 303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE. THE ANNUAL JAMES BROWN XMAS PARTY FEAT: KARATE BOOGALOO, DJ CHRIS GILL, MISS GOLDIE, MIKE GURRIERI, SHIO, PIERRE BARONI, REX The Curtin. Carlton. 8pm. FREE.
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL SECTION 8'S ORPHAN'S XMAS FEAT: MR PITIFUL, JOHAN ELGSTROM, KING DELICIOUS Section 8. Melbourne. 2pm. FREE. THE BREAKFAST CLUB’S ANNUAL 24 HOUR CHRISTMAS BALL Radar Bar & Nightclub. . 10pm. $25.00 - 40.
THURSDAY 26 DEC
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK 303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE. THAT GOLD STREET SOUND, MAYFIELD Cherry Bar. Melbourne. 8pm. $12.37. THURSDAYS FEAT: SANARATIO, DR CONDIMENTS, GREG SHER Bodriggy Brewing Company. Abbotsford. 5pm. FREE.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL STRANGE RIVER, FLISS DART, HPK, ELIZA JOAN The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 1pm. $10. THE FLOCK, TILLY VICKERS-WILLIS, THE COLBY'S The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8pm. $8.
LIPSYNCHRONISED 2: BOXING GAY SLAYYYYYY FEAT: ASH FLANDERS, MAX THE DRAG QUEEN, KAREN FROM FINANCE Yah Yah's. Fitzroy. 8pm. FREE. BOXING DAY BENEFIT FOR ST MARY'S HOUSE OF WELCOME FEAT: OVERTIME, JOE TERROR, HOUSE DEPOSIT, EL TEE, AL MATCOTT Old Bar. Fitzroy. 4pm. $10. BOXING DAY BEVERAGES FEAT: NOT BADD, LEMON DAZE, WARDENS, WASHED UP WIZARDS, CUSTARD BRAIN, SNAKE VALLEY Evelyn Hotel. Brunswick. 6pm. $15.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES BOXING DAY BLUES, GEOFF ACHISON, GEOFF ACHISON & THE SOULDIGGERS, GEORGE & FENN WILSON, SHANNON BOURNE Corner Hotel. Richmond. 7.30pm. $25.41. EL GUAPO, TILLERMAN PETE Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 8.30pm. FREE.
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL TILT SHIFT - BOXING DAY BASH FEAT: T-REK, STOCKHOLM SYNDROME, MUTANT DANCE, ROBBIE RYAN, BIGMAC, JAZZ, MORE Section 8. Melbourne. 3pm. FREE. BOXING DAY BATTLE - EATMUSIC VS EAT THE BEAT Pawn & Co.. Prahran. 9pm. BOXING DAY BASH FEAT: DJ BANJO, WALLA C, LIXXXTRADO, CARLUA Ferdydurke. Melbourne. 7pm. FREE. BOXING DAY NIGHT FEAT: FURIOUS FRANK, BEX, HANDLE SOUNDSYSTEM, DJ LIFE, LE O NY, MORE Revolver Upstairs. Prahran. 10pm. FREE. BODACIOUS BOXING DAY BOOGIE FEAT: SAM DUNK, BENNY HELPS, TODDEE, LEEZY, GOAT ROPE, MR. JOHNSON Lucky Coq. Windsor. 7pm. SWEATBOXING DAY FEAT: PJENNÉ, EMELYNE, POST PERCY, ROY MILLS, DJ MUM, GAY ROBERTO, PUBLIC HOUSING, EARNEST Grace Darling Hotel.
Collingwood. 5pm. $10. GUERNS FEAT: KOVAC, MAXWELL S, KOVAC, ORGANISED NOISE New Guernica. Melbourne. 10pm. FREE.
HIP HOP, R&B, POP BOXING DAY NIGHT Laundry Bar. Fitzroy. 9pm. $15. LAUNDRY THURSDAYS FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Laundry Bar. Fitzroy. 10pm. FREE. BOXING DAY BASH FEAT: DEMAZIE, AURORA, STYLEGRACE, KUDOH, KASE Khokolat Bar. Melbourne. 9.30pm.
FRIDAY 27 DEC
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES THE BERGY SELTZER PRESENTS - A NIGHT OF SINGER SONGWRITERS FEAT: WAMALA, NACHO LASIDA, THE IRON SENTINEL, SUNG LOH The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 7pm. FREE. FRANK BELL The Thornbury Local. Thornbury. 10pm. STEPH BITTER The Thornbury Local. Thornbury. 9pm. DELLA HARRIS Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm. FREE. MADI LEEDS Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 6pm. FREE. THE FOUR SCOOPS Bar Open. Fitzroy. 6.30pm. FREE. EZRA LEE The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 8.30pm. FREE. TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 6pm. FREE. KERRYN FIELDS, WILLIAM ALEXANDER Gem Bar. Collingwood. 7pm. FREE. HARPER BLOOM, KINNON Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 7.30pm. $10.00 - 15. SHAUNA TONY AND CO Brothers Public House. Fitzroy. 8pm. FREE.
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK
303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE. BIGGUS GIGGUS FEAT: KANDALINI, HONEYBONE, NUMBAT, SAPPHIRE STREET, POLITE SKELETONS, HANNAH POTTER The Tote Hotel. Collingwood. 7pm. $10. DJ LADY BLADES Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 9pm. FREE. LADY SOUL - THE SONGS OF ARETHA FRANKLIN FEAT: NINA FERRO Caravan Music Club. Bentleigh East. 8pm. $23. NUTBUSH - DISCO DANCE PARTY Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 9pm. $10. PAUL WILLIAMSON'S HAMMOND COMBO Uptown Jazz Café. Fitzroy. 8.30pm. MANDZJÉR, ROSARIO DE MARCO Open Studio. Northcote. 8pm. THE TAMARA KULDIN QUARTET Lido Jazz Room. Hawthorn. 8pm. $20.00 - 25. THE ROB BURKE QUARTET: THE MUSIC OF STAN GETZ Gasometer Hotel. Collingwood. 8pm. $25. COACHELLA BOLLYWOOD PARTY '19 Brown Alley. Melbourne. 9pm. $11.58.
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL SCRATCHES RECORDS SHOW FEAT: P.SMURF, JOE SNOW, MORE Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. $10. TEMPERANCE FRIDAYS FEAT: ADAM TRACE, NICK VAN WILDER, DJ T.P.C Temperance Hotel. South Yarra. 8pm. FREE. CLUB 6-9 WITH LEE & CASS The Tote Hotel. Collingwood. 6pm. FREE. BADSVILLE - FITZROY'S WORST DANCE PARTY Old Bar. Fitzroy. 8.30pm. FREE. BANG BANG FEAT: AARTI JADU, LORI, EMELYNE KHOR Ferdydurke. Melbourne. 7pm. FREE. COCO POCO LOCO PRESENTS: A WHITE XXXMAS PARTY Radar Bar & Nightclub. . 8.30pm. $22.19 - 30.63. 70'S & 80'S DISCO FEVER NIGHT Sooki Lounge. Belgrave. 8pm. $11.25. ORIGINS II FEAT: STEVIE STRAFFORD, THORUVIUM, RAGNAR, SEAN GRIMES, JEDIDIAH, MOE ALOHA Revolver Upstairs. Prahran. 11.30pm. FREE.
LIVE MUSIC. FRESH BEER. PROPER SOUND. IN JANUARY
GOODSPORT
& FRIENDS
ALL DAY L ATIN BBQ - BEERS BREWED ON SITE
245 JOHNSTON ST. ABBOTSFORD 3067
34
GIGS & EVENTS
AUTO-MASH DJS The Rainbow Hotel. Fitzroy. 9pm. FREE. FORMATION FEAT: DONNY Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. FREE. INTERFACE FEAT: MOOPIE, MTLDA, DJ MUM, NENAGH, ZJOSO, COMMON NOCTURNE Gasometer Hotel. Collingwood. 5pm. $10.00 - 15. HAUSWERK The Carlton Club. Melbourne. 5pm. FREE. TOKYO LOVE HOTEL New Guernica. Melbourne. 10pm. $15. KRAFTY KUTS + FREESTYLERS Brown Alley. Melbourne. 10pm. $30. ONESEVENFOUR FEAT: CAMO & KROOKED, DIMENSION, CALYX & TEEBEE, CYANTIFIC, MAKOTO, GLXY, MC FAVA 170 Russell. Melbourne. 10pm. $75.77 - 96.22.
HIP HOP, R&B, POP SCRATCHES RECORDS SHOW FEAT: P.SMURF, JOE SNOW, MORE Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. $10. POPROCKS FEAT: DR PHIL The Toff In Town. Melbourne. 10pm. FREE. LAUNDRY FRIDAYS FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Laundry Bar. Fitzroy. 9pm. FREE. INFINITY FRIDAY'S Co.. Southbank. 9.30pm. $22.19. RNB FRIDAYS - 2019 RAP UP PARTY Co.. Southbank. 9.30pm. $22.19. POP TILL YOU DROP The Carlton Club. Melbourne. 9pm. FREE. CHILADELPHIA FRIDAYS New Guernica. Melbourne. 4pm. FREE.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL ELUSIVE, KIDS IN CONTROL, LUCID, STAND TALL The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8pm. $12.25. SOPHISTICATED DINGO Yah Yah's. Fitzroy. 11.30pm. $10. THE SMOKES Yah Yah's. Fitzroy. 8pm. $13.25. NIR TSFATY Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm. FREE. BABY & THE KICKS, CLAP FOR ALASKA Post Office Hotel. Coburg. 8pm. FREE. BADSVILLE - FITZROY'S WORST DANCE PARTY Old Bar. Fitzroy. 8.30pm. FREE. SOUNDS LIKE ‘OASIS’ Evelyn Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm. $11.25. WE GOT YOU: BUSHFIRE RELIEF BENEFIT SHOW FEAT: DESECRATOR, HARLOTT, HYBRID NIGHTMARES, INTERNAL NIGHTMARE, BUNYIP, AWOL,
SHREDDER Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 6pm. $15. SANDY DISH, CALVIN CLONE, KAZ GARAZ The B.East. Brunswick East. 8pm. FREE. MAKE EMO GREAT AGAIN - THE LIVE BAND EDITION FEAT: THE FIOR, IN VANITY, THE MOTION BELOW Stay Gold. Brunswick. 7.30pm. $10. DYLAN BEAST, GOOD COMPANY Spotted Mallard. Brunswick. 7pm. FREE. PAPER TAPIR The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar. North Melbourne. 6pm. FREE. THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY BAND Inkerman Hotel. St Kilda East. 8pm. FREE. BRONZE, HOLLOW DECEMBER, VALLEY OF THE VULTURES Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 8pm. FREE. FAREWELL 2019 WITH FAD & A BOOGIE FAD Gallery. Melbourne. 8pm. FREE. CAPTAIN SPALDING BAND Customs House Hotel. Williamstown. 8pm. FREE.
SATURDAY 28 DEC
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK VINYL EYES The Thornbury Local. Thornbury. 9pm. 303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE. THE BLACK SORROWS Caravan Music Club. Bentleigh East. 8pm. $33. THE MYSTIC CHARMERS Bar Open. Fitzroy. 6.30pm. FREE. SLOW GRIND FEVER #78 FEAT: DJ RICHIE1250, BRUCE MILNE, DJ CHINA BONE, LADY LOVE POTION Bar Open. Fitzroy. 10pm. $12. THE MARK FITZGIBBON TRIO Uptown Jazz Café. Fitzroy. 8pm. SARITA MCHARG Open Studio. Northcote. 2.30pm. NAMA RANGACHARI COLLECTIVE, AIDAN EFRON TRIO Open Studio. Northcote. 5.30pm. $5. HORNSTARS + AFRO DIMENSION Open Studio. Northcote. 7.30pm. $12. SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER FEAT: MZRIZK, EDD FISHER, FAIRBANKS, JETHRO Night Cat. Fitzroy. 9pm. $7.07 - 12.48. THE CONNIE LANSBERG QUARTET Classic Southside. Elsternwick. 8pm. $20.00 - 25. DISCO INFERNO Royal Hotel (Mornington). Mornington. 8pm. FREE. BOBAN MARKOVIC ORKESTAR Max Watt's (Melbourne). . 8pm. $76.50.
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBASS FEAT: GRIFF, HYPNOTECH, SHIFTEQ Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. $10. #LETSHOUSE SATURDAYS FEAT: ADAM TRACE, MARCUS KNIGHT, GARRY SHEBA Temperance Hotel. South Yarra. 5pm. FREE. GOLD HAUS SUMMER DAY PARTY FEAT: MARLI, PETEZA, MISTRAL MEN, WILLEM, MARLEY SWAIN, TOM WALPOLE Section 8. Melbourne. 4pm. FREE. PAWN SATURDAYS Pawn & Co.. Prahran. 8pm. JAZZ, DJ EARL GREY, ONES, FROU FROU, TAPE LEISURE, FROTH WHITLAM Ferdydurke. Melbourne. 7pm. FREE. DJ A-MAN Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 9pm. FREE. DJ TROPICAL BREEZE Charles Weston Hotel. Brunswick. 9pm. FREE. DJ JNETT + HORATIO LUNA, MIX'D INTENTIONS, BABALU, GIO GARCIA The Toff In Town. Melbourne. 11pm. SOOKI SATURDAYS Sooki Lounge. Belgrave. 6pm. RISE & VIBE FEAT: SUNSHINE, ANYO, JAVI HORLEY, CONOR CRIMMIN, SPINN OD, HELOCO, JB JACKSON, CHADAS BEECH, TORY ALLEN Revolver Upstairs. Prahran. 7am. FREE. TEXTILE FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. NEED4BASS - DRUM'N'BASS NIGHT FEAT: LA-TO, WOG, COMMANDER RAY, BACTERIAL BLEND, DEMU Loop Project Space & Bar. Melbourne. 10pm. $10. ELECTRIC DREAMS Co.. Southbank. 9pm. $22.19. EAT THE BEAT FEAT: CHRISS MATTÒ, ETWAS, MATTEO FREYRIE, ANDREA GUADALUPI, MATT RADOVICH, MORE New Guernica. Melbourne. 10pm. $15.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL SUFFER FEST 2019 FEAT: EXCARNATE, BREAK THROUGH, WARPATH, BLOOD ON MY HANDS, BELLIGERENT, COLD BLOOD, MORE The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 4pm. $17.35. MURMURMUR + FAN GIRL Yah Yah's. Fitzroy. 8pm. $10. KAKU, DEAD BEFORE BREAKFAST, ELECTRIC DOG Whole Lotta Love. Brunswick East. 7pm. $10. KRAMPUS' AFTERMATH: HAIR OF THE REINDEER FEAT: MALICHOR, MANIAXE,
SCAPHIS, VOIDFALL, EROTESIS The Tote Hotel. Collingwood. 7pm. $15. ROT TV, SMOOCH The Tote Hotel. Collingwood. 5pm. FREE. FOREIGN/NATIONAL FEAT: PRETTYTHING, CONVENIENCE STORE Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 3pm. FREE. THE PRAYERBABIES The Lomond Hotel. Brunswick East. 9.30pm. FREE. POWER SLAVE, ODYSSEY, HOLY DIVER Evelyn Hotel. Brunswick. 7pm. $15. MURDER ONE: A NIGHT FOR LEMMY Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 3pm. FREE. THE SALVATION ARMY DISASTER APPEAL FUNDRAISER: ROCK NIGHT FEAT: SOUND PIRATES, ELECTRIC EXPERIENCE, PARADISE FLATS Young Street Supper Club. Frankston. 8pm. FREE. THE PEPTIDES, THE FICTION, EKRANOPLANS, DJ MIKE MULLHOLLAND Spotted Mallard. Brunswick. 7pm. FREE. IRIS, DECOLONISER, AARON ROWANBELL The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar. North Melbourne. 3pm. FREE. EARL GREY'S BREAKFAST TEA, CALICO SUNDAY, ELIZA JOAN & THE RENEGADES Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 8pm. FREE. NATHAN DETROIT Gem Bar. Collingwood. 8pm. FREE.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES MORNING BEAR Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm. FREE. NICK O'MARA, VAN WALKER Post Office Hotel. Coburg. 9pm. FREE. RUM FOR LEGBA, JESS PARKER & THE TROUBLED WATERS, JIM NIGHTSHADE, THE EYEBALLERS Old Bar. Fitzroy. 7.30pm. $10. THE MAN FROM ATLANTIS Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 5pm. FREE. BEN J. CARTER Charles Weston Hotel. Brunswick. 6.30pm. FREE. MATT DWYER & THE MAGNATONES The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 9pm. FREE. KRAKEN FOLK SESSION The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 3pm. PRESIDENT ROOTS Union Hotel Brunswick. Brunswick. 5pm. TRAINWRECK TRIO The Rainbow Hotel. Fitzroy. 9.30pm. FREE. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90. THE MAN FROM ATLANTIS Duke Of Edinburgh Hotel. VIC. 5pm. FREE.
Geoff Achison
Sanaratio
Boxing Day Blues
Ezra Lee
P.Smurf & Joe Snow
BODRIGGY BREWING CO.
THE CORNER
THE DRUNKEN POET
BAR 303
Bodriggy have invited jazz rock masters Sanaratio to treat you to a truly unique musical experience on Thursday December 26. Supported by Dr. Condiments, this gig is gearing up to be a memorable end to the decade. It’s free and kicks off at 5pm.
Join Geoff Achison & The Souldiggers, George and Fenn Wilson, Shannon Bourne and Kerri Simpson for Boxing Day Blues at The Corner. Don’t miss this gathering of some of Melbourne’s top blues and roots acts, it’s happening on Thursday December 26 from 7:30pm. Tickets via the venue website.
Australia’s wildest piano-playing singer, Ezra Lee, is set to take over The Drunken Poet on Friday December 27 for a night of rumbling boogie-woogie, low down blues and untamed rockabilly. Dance off your Christmas dinner at his free 8.30pm show.
On Friday December 27 at 8pm, two of the finest MCs to bless the mic, P.Smurf & Joe Snow, will be bouncing into Bar 303 as a part of their Fresh to Death tour. Grab your $10 pre-sale tix through IWannaTicket.
35
GIGS & EVENTS
HIP HOP, R&B, POP
HIP HOP, R&B, POP
MARTIKA MAREE, LHĒON, CHEV The Toff In Town. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $14.35. FEELING GOOD AS HELL PARTY Stay Gold. Brunswick. 9pm. $10. TEXTILE FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. LAUNDRY SATURDAYS Laundry Bar. Fitzroy. 9pm. FREE. LIGHT - OLD SCHOOL RNB NIGHT Co.. Southbank. 9pm. $22.19. COCOLOCO CLUB La Di Da. Melbourne. 9.30pm. $10.00 - 20. KHOKOLAT SATURDAYS, DURMY, DAMION DE SILVA Khokolat Bar. Melbourne. 9.30pm.
SUNDAY SERVICE FEAT: KK, 10YRWAR, DJ R3DBIRD, MG BLAKK Morris Jones. Windsor. 4pm. FREE. POTENTIAL FEAT: JUXTA NEGRO, SIMMER TOWN Section 8. Melbourne. 5pm. FREE. SRIRACHA - END OF YEAR PARTY FEAT: JERRY C, CHRSTN DEAN, JADE ZOE, MAC MAYOR, SWERV, PATO, NAY NAY The Penny Black. Brunswick. 3pm. MOTHERSHIP Co.. Southbank. 10pm. $15. GUNNA 170 Russell. Melbourne. 8.30pm. $51.23 - 72.70.
SUNDAY 29 DEC
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL MELBOURNE RECORD CLUB PRESENTS - BYO VINYL DAY The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 5pm. FREE. OPEN DECKS ALL DAY The Thornbury Local. Thornbury. 12pm. SEB ZITO Revolver Upstairs. Prahran. 8pm. $25.
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK 303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE. ROSARIO DE MARCO Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm. FREE. DEBORAH CONWAY & WILLY ZYGIER FEAT: NINA FERRO Caravan Music Club. Bentleigh East. 2.30pm. $27. QUEEN OF HEARTS MARIACHI Bar Open. Fitzroy. 6pm. FREE. SUNDAY SMALLGOODS FEAT: HDSNJMSJR, NORTH POLLARD, GSM Bodriggy Brewing Company. Abbotsford. 2pm. FREE. BANDIDAS, ELENI TZAROS Open Studio. Northcote. 5.30pm. $10. JOHN HENDERSON Open Studio. Northcote. 2.30pm. THE BORNSTEIN ULTIMATUM Pause Bar. Balaclava. 4.30pm. FREE.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL CLOSER TO NOWHERE, PARALLAX, FRUITY LEXIA The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 1pm. $15. BOATS, GREAT EARTHQUAKE The Tote Hotel. Collingwood. 4.30pm. FREE. LIQUID DISTRICT, CONCRETE, WILD CITY Old Bar. Fitzroy. 6.30pm. $8. THE PIANO MEN – THE SONGS OF ELTON JOHN & BILLY JOEL FEAT: SUPERBAND Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 6pm. $30. FLYING DUTCHMAN FEAT: HIGH AS HELL, SOUTH BOUND SNAKE CHARMERS, RED PERIL Evelyn Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm. $10. SPIDERBAIT Grand Hotel Mornington. Melbourne. 8pm. LOWLINE, TIMOTHY WOLF, RICK STEWARD Bar Open. Fitzroy. 8pm. $10. THE RIGHT BROTHERS Young Street Supper Club. Frankston. 7.30pm. FREE. BAREFOOT SPACEMEN, PSILOVIBIN, GABRIELLE DI MAURO Grace Darling Hotel. Collingwood. 4pm. FREE. ROSS & THE WILD BOYS Gem Bar. Collingwood. 7.30pm. FREE.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES YZZY JADE, JOHNNY COSTIN, SINEAD B-C The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 7.30pm. $10. SUNDAY SESSION, LUKE JOSEPH, JACK & JORDAN, TOMMY RANDO Temperance Hotel. South Yarra. 2pm. FREE. THE BONE FOLDERS, 245T, SHELBY LIM Whole Lotta Love. Brunswick East. 8pm. FREE.
ROSARIO DE MARCO Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm. FREE. ELIZA MITCHEN, DAMN WILLIAMS, MILL Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 7.30pm. FREE. HARPER BLOOM + PENNY BOHAN Old Bar. Fitzroy. 3pm. FREE. MORNING BEAR Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 4pm. FREE. JAZMINE MARY Charles Weston Hotel. Brunswick. 4pm. FREE. PHIL PARA & BAND Cherry Bar. Melbourne. 8.30pm. FREE. JULES BOULT The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 4pm. FREE. NICK CHARLES The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 6.30pm. FREE. VICTORIANA GATE Union Hotel Brunswick. Brunswick. 5pm. JEMMA NICOLE Union Hotel Brunswick. Brunswick. 3.30pm. HARMANIAX The Rainbow Hotel. Fitzroy. 4pm. FREE. PASKALIA & APOLLONIA, PADDY MONTGOMERY, TOM KENDALL Open Studio. Northcote. 5.30pm. $10. HEINOUS HOUNDS BLUES BAND Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 3pm. FREE. GEOFF ACHISON Royal Hotel (Mornington). Mornington. 3pm. FREE. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90.
MONDAY 30 DEC
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK 303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE.
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL NIEUW MONDAYS The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 12pm. $3. DJS TIL LATE Evelyn Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm. FREE.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES
TUESDAY 31 DEC
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL 2020 VISION Lucky Coq. Windsor. 7pm. FREE. NYE AT THORNBURY LOCAL FEAT: CITIZEN.COM, LUKE LUICE, TUFF DISCO The Thornbury Local. Thornbury. 8pm. FREE. NYE AT MORRIS JONES FEAT: DJ OCKY, KELVIN, TOMMY OHHHH Morris Jones. Windsor. 4pm. FREE. NEW YEAR'S EVE AT TEMPERANCE HOTEL Temperance Hotel. South Yarra. 7pm. $70. NYE AT THE RETREAT FEAT: SWEAT DREAMS DJS, DJ JEFF LEPPARD Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 1pm. FREE. NEW YEARS EVE AT THE PAWN SHOP Pawn & Co.. Prahran. 10pm. DJ MANCHILD & FRIENDS - NEW YEARS DISCO SOUL PARTY, DJ BIGRIG, DJ RELAXATIVE The Curtin. Carlton. 8pm. FREE. 20/20 VISION FEAT: TURBO THOT, DJ SPELL, KAÏRA CUVÉE, CREY & DELLA Ferdydurke. Melbourne. 6pm. FREE. NEW YEAR'S EVE WAREHOUSE PARTY Rubix Warehouse. Brunswick. 9pm. $35. NYE AT THE FOX HOTEL The Fox Hotel. Collingwood. 6pm. NEW YEAR'S EVE FEAT: DJ SHIVA, BOUNCE The Elephant and Wheelbarrow. Melbourne. 10pm. FREE. WAX’O PARADISO X NUESTRO PLANETA NYE 2020 FEAT: WAX'O PARADISO, EDD FISHER, DJ SIMON TK, NUESTRO PLANETA DJS, TEK2, LADY OF LEXTON Gasometer Hotel. Collingwood. 9pm. $16.30. LOVE NYE FEAT: TIGERLILY, JEREMIH, COMBO, ESG, HORIZON, ORKESTRATED, SHORT ROUND, TYRON HAPI, YROR?, YO! MAFIA, MORE Co.. Southbank. 9pm. $48.56 - 64.39. NYE FIESTA 2020 The Emerson. South Yarra. 8pm. $59.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL
THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90.
THE BERGY DOES NEW YEARS The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 4pm. FREE. NONG ON - 2020 FEAT: JOANNE, CABLE TIES, SLEEP D, BIG YAWN, FOSSEY, NIASHA, MORE The Tote Hotel.
Image by James Rowe
End of 2019 Party
Adam Trace
WAMALA
Earl Grey’s Breakfast Tea
FAD GALLERY
TEMPERANCE HOTEL
THE BERGY SELTZER
HOTEL ESPLANADE
Celebrate the year that was at FAD Gallery. There will be music, drinks and the kind of festive cheer that makes you feel right at home, so get down for a little pre-NYE end of year party. It’s all going down on Friday December 27. Entry is free.
Come and party away the end of the decade at Temperance Fridays with top DJs Adam Trace, DJ T.P.C and Nick Van Wilder. These DJs will be spinning funk, disco, R&B, Latin house and reggae all night. It all goes down on Friday December 27 from 8pm. Free entry.
To celebrate Melbourne’s abundance of local talent, The Bergy Seltzer is hosting a bi-montly local singer songwriter night, kicking off on Friday December 27. Showcasing talented local artists in an intimate and unique venue, this gig will soothe your soul into a much needed weekend groove. It kicks off from 7.30pm, free entry.
Earl Grey’s Breakfast Tea will bring their unique blend of punk, rock, garage, alternative and a touch of psychedelia to The Espy basement on Saturday December 28. Joining this bombastic band are special guests Calico Sunday and Eliza Joan & The Renegades. Get there at 8pm. It’s free.
36
GIGS & EVENTS
Collingwood. 2pm. $59. NYE PARTY, KAHLUA BREEZE, DISCO CON QUESO DJS Old Bar. Fitzroy. 7.30pm. $17.35. COXY & THE ROXY BOYS - NEW YEARS EVE PARTY Caravan Music Club. Bentleigh East. 8pm. $30. PAGAN, GARLIC NUN, TRUE BELIEVER, PLOVERS, THE DAGGAR Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 7pm. $42.59. NYE AT THE SPOTTED MALLARD FEAT: PONY FACE, ROUTINES, THE PINK TILES, THEE CHA CHA CHAS Spotted Mallard. Brunswick. 7pm. $22.74. MUSICLAND NEW YEARS EVE 2019 FEAT: BON JOVI FOREVER, THE AUSTRALIAN FOREIGNER SHOW, HARD ROCKERZ MusicLand Fawkner Music Complex. Fawkner. 7.30pm. $35.00 - 38. NEW YEARS EVE 80'S PARTY FEAT: 80'S ENUFF, The Missing Gorilla Bar. VIC. 7pm. $45. NYE AT THE ESPY FEAT: KINGSWOOD, YACHT CLUB DJS, MATT RADOVICH, DJ DAN WATT, EASTBOUND BUZZ, EMILIA Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 6pm. $48.55 - 182.24. NYE FIESTA 2020 The Emerson. South Yarra. 8pm. $59. RAW BRIT - NEW YEARS EVE Yarraville Club. Yarraville. 8.40pm. $30. NYE - BACKYARD BREW Royal Hotel (Mornington). Mornington. 8pm. FREE. NEW YEARS EVE FEAT: RADIO CHAOS Matthew Flinders Hotel. Chadstone. 8pm. $29.60. RATS, TATTS N' PINUPS FEAT: THE KIERON MCDONALD COMBO Chelsea Heights Hotel. Aspendale Gardens. 10am. FREE. NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY FEAT: JACK HOWARD WITH THE LONG LOST BROTHERS & A SISTER, DALICADOS The Fyrefly. St Kilda. 7.30pm. $34.70.
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK 303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE. MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA 2019 NYE EXTRAVAGANZA, THE CALEDONIAN CASTAWAYS Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 7.30pm. $50. THE SENEGAMBIAN JAZZ BAND (NYE PARTY), ROYALTY NOISE, POOKIE, Z RETRO TRIO Northcote Social Club. Northcote. 7.30pm. $28.60. BUTTERFUNKED - NEW YEARS EVE
PARTY Evelyn Hotel. Brunswick. 8.30pm. $10. DJ MR SHARP - BAR OPEN NEW YEAR'S EVE Bar Open. Fitzroy. 10pm. FREE. NYE AT NHT FEAT: HDSNJMSJR, GSM The Toff In Town. Melbourne. 10pm. FREE. WE ARE FAMILY: OPEN STUDIO NEW YEARS EVE DISCO FEAT: DJ BOSAK Open Studio. Northcote. 8pm. $25. NIGHT CAT LATIN NEW YEAR PARTY FEAT: QUARTER STREET, CLAUDIA OSEGUEDA, MARCELO LA GRECA, STEFANIA SERNA Night Cat. Fitzroy. 9pm. $28.73 - 50.39. BAD HAWAIIAN SHIRT NYE FEAT: GROOVE 67 Inkerman Hotel. St Kilda East. 6pm. FREE. NEW YEAR'S EVE Bar Oussou. Brunswick. 10pm. CLUB 54 BAND - 2019 NEW YEARS EVE PARTY 24 Moons. Northcote. 8pm. $35.00 - 60. SOUL-A-GO-GO NYE FEAT: COOKIN’ ON 3 BURNERS, THANDO, RALEIGH WILLIAMS, VINCE PEACH, MISS GOLDIE, PIERRE BARONI, RICHIE 1250, DJ SUGAR D Corner Hotel. Richmond. 9pm. $40.00 - 45.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES NEW YEARS EVE DANCE PARTY FEAT: HARMANIAX The Lomond Hotel. Brunswick East. 9.30pm. FREE. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90. NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY FEAT: JACK HOWARD WITH THE LONG LOST BROTHERS & A SISTER, DALICADOS The Fyrefly. St Kilda. 7.30pm. $34.70.
HIP HOP, R&B, POP LIL BAO WOW Globe Alley. Melbourne. 4pm. FREE. NO SCRUBS: 90'S AND 00'S NYE PARTY Wool Exchange. Geelong. 9pm. $20. NEW YEAR'S EVE WAREHOUSE PARTY Rubix Warehouse. Brunswick. 9pm. $35. NYE AT LAUNDRY Laundry Bar. Fitzroy. 9pm. KHOKOLAT NEW YEAR'S EVE Khokolat Bar. Melbourne. 9pm. $35. BROWN ALLEY: NEW YEARS EVE Brown Alley. Melbourne. 9pm.
CLASSICAL
HIP HOP, R&B, POP
NEW YEAR'S EVE 2019 GALA CONCERT FEAT: MARINA PRIOR, SILVIE PALADINO, AUSTRALIAN POPS ORCHESTRA Hamer Hall (Arts Centre Melbourne). Melbourne. 2pm. $70.00 - 139.
RIZKY'S BLOCK PARTY - NYD 2020 FEAT: MZRIZK, DEAN ZEPHERIN, SHIO, MIKE GURRIERI, DJ CHRIS GILL, SENSIBLE J, WES Section 8. Melbourne. 3pm. FREE.
WEDNESDAY 01 JAN
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL DOUBLE EM, VINYL DJ The Thornbury Local. Thornbury. 8pm. RIZKY'S BLOCK PARTY - NYD 2020 FEAT: MZRIZK, DEAN ZEPHERIN, SHIO, MIKE GURRIERI, DJ CHRIS GILL, SENSIBLE J, WES Section 8. Melbourne. 3pm. FREE. NYDN FEAT: MADY MOODA, JACOB SCRUTON, BENNY CAM, CLOSE BROTHERS, MISTRAL MEN, MORE Revolver Upstairs. Prahran. 10pm. NYE AT THE FOX HOTEL The Fox Hotel. Collingwood. 6pm. CLOSET Gasometer Hotel. Collingwood. 2pm. DIRTY DAYS FEAT: ORKESTRATED, TRAVLOS, T-REK, HOLMES JOHN, ZAC DEPETRO, MORE Brown Alley. Melbourne. 10pm. DAY ONE - NEW YEARS DAY 2020 FEAT: ORKESTRATED, SHORT ROUND, DUANE BARTOLO, TRAVLOS, ZAC DEPETRO, MORE Royal Melbourne Hotel. Melbourne. 12pm. $35.00 - 55. MEMORY LANE VOL. 4 - NYD AFTERPARTY FEAT: TV ROCK, JOHN COURSE, CHLOE WILSON, PAULO MASIE, CHRISTIAN BELVEDERE, ANDY MURPHY Prince Bandroom. St Kilda. 10pm. $28.60. LET THEM EAT CAKE NYD 2020 FEAT: CINTHIE, DENIS SULTA, HAAI-, HARVEY SUTHERLAND, HONEY DIJON, JON HOPKINS, MORE Brown Alley. Melbourne. 11am. $159.39 - 169.61.
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES MICK THOMAS' ROVING COMMISSION Caravan Music Club. Bentleigh East. 2pm. $30. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90.
THURSDAY 02 JAN
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK 303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE. HAWKER HEIGHTS HAMMOND COMBO Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. $10. LIVE MUSIC THURSDAY FEAT: MR CLIFF, PERON Temperance Hotel. South Yarra. 5pm. FREE. THE BEAN PROJECT Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm. FREE. MAX TEAKLE TRIO Charles Weston Hotel. Brunswick. 6.30pm. FREE. FULTON STREET, VINCE PEACH Cherry Bar. Melbourne. 8pm. $10. KABOOBIE Bar Open. Fitzroy. 7pm. FREE. THURSDAYS FEAT: GOODSPORT, ADRIANA Bodriggy Brewing Company. Abbotsford. 5pm. FREE.
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL DJS TIL LATE Morris Jones. Windsor. 8pm. FREE. BABALU FEAT: GIO GARCIA, MIKE STEVA, CHRIS NG Section 8. Melbourne. 5pm. FREE. NYE AT THE FOX HOTEL The Fox Hotel. Collingwood. 6pm.
303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE.
Power Slave
Hudson James Jr
BYO Vinyl Night
Boats
THE EVELYN HOTEL
BODRIGGY BREWING CO.
THE BERGY SELTZER
THE TOTE
Melbourne’s best Iron Maiden tribute band Power Slave will be back at The Evelyn Hotel on Saturday December 28 for their second annual end of year heavy metal party! The gig will feature Odyssey and Holy Diver. Doors are at 7pm, $15 entry.
Hudson James Jr and support acts GSM and North Pollard will round off a crazy 2019 at Bodriggy’s Sunday Smallgoods on December 29. Free from 2pm, this gig is sure to liven up your last few hours of freedom before Monday morning comes.
Have you ever wanted the chance to play some of your favourite tracks at your local? Well, here’s your chance. Grab your treasured records and make your way to The Bergy Seltzer on Sunday December 29 to vicariously live out your DJ dreams. It’s happening from 5pm and it’s free.
Indie Melbourne treasure Boats round out their Front Bar residency at The Tote on Sunday December 29. Joined by Great Earthquake and some surprise guests, the gig is set to be a blast. It kicks off at 4.30pm and the best part is that it’s totally free.
37
GIGS & EVENTS
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES EAMONN CONOR The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8pm. $10. VANDERAA Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm. FREE. OPEN MIC NIGHT The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 7pm. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL THE COLBY'S Sooki Lounge. Belgrave. 8.30pm. $11.25. MERAKI MINDS Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 8pm. FREE. YUNGBLUD Forum Melbourne. Melbourne. 7.30pm.
HIP HOP, R&B, POP THROWBACK FEAT: MATT RADOVICH, EZRA HARVEY, ILRESPONCE, B-TWO, AYNA, NAM Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. FREE. LAUNDRY THURSDAYS FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Laundry Bar. Fitzroy. 10pm. FREE.
FRIDAY 03 JAN
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES DOGGEREL The Thornbury Local. Thornbury. 9pm. THE VICTIM'S BALL, CHARLIE LANE, KEITH BAKER, DJ MAIKI The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8.30pm. $14.30. THE 'JOHNNY CAN'T DANCE' CAJUN BAND Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 6pm. FREE. THE FOUR SCOOPS Bar Open. Fitzroy. 6.30pm. FREE. MR. ALFORD The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 8.30pm. FREE. TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 6pm. FREE. LACHLAN BRYAN & THE WILDES, MATT JOE GOW, THE WEEPING WILLOWS, THE LUKE SINCLAIR SET, JEB
CARDWELL BAND, KATIE BATES Spotted Mallard. Brunswick. 6pm. $17.64. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90.
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK 303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE. SHOTA'S JAZZ TRIO Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm. FREE. IMMY OWUSU, MEDICATED LOVE, HALF N HALF Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm. FREE. CHOCCY FEST 2 FEAT: CHOCCY SALAD, Y A R A, REDSPENCER, GREY MANTIS, DANIKA SMITH, FARM, THE TERRIFYING LOWS, RAMBLIN' GOLD Old Bar. Fitzroy. 4pm. $10. DJ FUNK MCRUMP Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 9pm. FREE. DR HERNÁNDEZ The B.East. Brunswick East. 8pm. FREE. GOOD MORNING KAOS, GABRIELLE DI MAURO Open Studio. Northcote. 9pm. $10. LEWIS CAPALDI Festival Hall. West Melbourne. 8pm. $69.90.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL DRILLBIT, COCK SAFARI, EBOLA DISCO, PSYCHWARD, PERFUME Bar 303. Northcote. 7.30pm. THE VICTIM'S BALL, CHARLIE LANE, KEITH BAKER, DJ MAIKI The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8.30pm. $14.30. EXCUSE FOR AN EXIT, ALL WE NEED, A NEW WAY HOME, REPEAT SCRIPT Whole Lotta Love. Brunswick East. 8pm. $15. THIS IS NOT A PHASE MUM, THE BLACKTIDES Evelyn Hotel. Brunswick. 8.30pm. $11.25. RUBY FIELDS, LOSER Grand Hotel Mornington. Melbourne. 8pm. GARLIC NUN Cherry Bar. Melbourne. 11.30pm. FREE. DEXY OSCILLATOR, FOREVER RENTER, KILL BELL Bar Open. Fitzroy. 8pm. $10. CONVENIENCE STORE + MAJAK DOOR, FRANCO COZZO, MOUSEATOUILLE Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 8pm. $10. RICH WEBB BAND The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 8.30pm. FREE.
DANCING IN THE DARK - A BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN DANCE PARTY Stay Gold. Brunswick. 11pm. COMEBACK KID, REACTIONS, YEAR OF THE RAT, OUTRIGHT HC, BORN FREE Stay Gold. Brunswick. 8pm. $35. PROG IN THE HILLS CHAPTER 2 FEAT: CIRRUS CROWN, TERRESTRIALS, MYRIAD DRONE, BLACK SEA OF TREES Sooki Lounge. Belgrave. 8pm. $14.30. LAZY SIDEKICK The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar. North Melbourne. 6pm. FREE. ALI BARTER, BAKERS EDDY Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 8.30pm. $22.50. SCRAGGERS, SHOVE The Fitzroy Pinnacle. Fitzroy North. 8pm. FREE. CONVENIENCE STORE, MAJAK DOOR, FRANCO COZZO, MOUSEATOUILLE Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 8pm. $10.
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL DJS TIL LATE Morris Jones. Windsor. 8pm. FREE. TEMPERANCE FRIDAYS FEAT: ADAM TRACE, NICK VAN WILDER, DJ T.P.C Temperance Hotel. South Yarra. 8pm. FREE. MOTION:THEORY FEAT: BUSHWACKA!, WEBBER, JULES DAVID, KATHARINE, BEN ABRAHAMS Radar Bar & Nightclub. . 8pm. $15. AUTO-MASH DJS The Rainbow Hotel. Fitzroy. 9pm. FREE. FORMATION FEAT: DONNY Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. FREE.
HIP HOP, R&B, POP POPROCKS FEAT: DR PHIL The Toff In Town. Melbourne. 10pm. FREE. LAUNDRY FRIDAYS FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Laundry Bar. Fitzroy. 9pm. FREE. KILL COLLECTIVE SHOW FEAT: CARTER, SIN SANTOS, CHUX, SXINT P Gasometer Hotel. Collingwood. 7.30pm. $18.35. INFINITY FRIDAY'S Co.. Southbank. 9.30pm. $22.19. RNB FRIDAYS Co.. Southbank. 9.30pm. $22.19.
SATURDAY 04 JAN
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES AMY POLLOCK BAND FEAT: CONNOR HARRY-BLACK The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 9pm. FREE. CRUMB The Thornbury Local. Thornbury. 10pm. THE DEADLY APPLE-JOHNS The Thornbury Local. Thornbury. 8pm. FREE. BASIA BULAT Wesley Anne. Northcote. 8pm. $28.60. HANNE KAH The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 9pm. THE CEILI ALL-STARS The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 3pm. DUNCAN PHILLIPS, NATHAN SEECKTS, GREAT AUNT, GARETH LEACH, RICK HART TRIO Spotted Mallard. Brunswick. 12.30pm. $17.64. BEN MASTWYK & THE MILLIONS, SEAN MCMAHON, FREYA JOSEPHINE HOLLICK, ROSE ZITA FALKO, BROOKE RUSSELL & THE CANYON CALLERS, LITTLE WISE Spotted Mallard. Brunswick. 6pm. $17.64. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90.
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK 303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE. TRIO AGOGO Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm. FREE. GOLDEN HOUR Evelyn Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm. $10. DJ MURPH Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 9pm. FREE. DJ BAMA LAMA Charles Weston Hotel. Brunswick. 9pm. FREE. JOYING Charles Weston Hotel. Brunswick. 6.30pm. THE JAIMZ PROJECT Bar Open. Fitzroy. 6.30pm. FREE. SUMMER LATIN PARTY, GABRIELLE DI MAURO Open Studio. Northcote. 8.30pm. LHĒON FEAT: SKŸE, MEIWA Open Studio. Northcote. 5pm. $10. SQUID NEBULA Night Cat. Fitzroy. 11.30pm. $7.07. MR. WOODNOTE Night Cat. Fitzroy. 9pm. $12.48. THE BEAN PROJECT Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 5pm. FREE.
Harmaniax
New Year’s Eve
Hanne Kah
Daniel Elia
LOMOND HOTEL
TEMPERANCE HOTEL
THE DRUNKEN POET
THE BERGY SELTZER
A very special Scottish Hogmanay night to remember is coming to the Lomond Hotel on Tuesday December 31. The Harmaniax are a bunch of worldly musos based in Melbourne and will be kicking off 2020 with a bang. Doors are at 9.30pm, it’s free.
The Temperance Hotel is ringing in the new year with some of the best DJs Melbourne has to offer! For no cover charge, you can dance away your troubles from 9pm ‘til late. Alternatively, indulge in a VIP cocktail party with live jazz and fancy refreshments for just $70pp. This will be a treat.
Hanne Kah and her band are bringing their transcendent German folk to The Drunken Poet on Saturday January 4 for their debut Australian tour. Kah released the first single, ‘Come On’, from her forthcoming album in the summer of 2018 and will be celebrating with a run of east coast dates. There’s no cover charge for the 9pm gig.
Hip hop wizard Daniel Elia is bringing his vivid lyricism, incredible energy and relentless flow to the Northcote Social Club stage for his THAMANIYA album launch on Saturday January 4. He’ll be bringing along special guests Jaal, Rara Zulu and Banta for an unforgettable gig with an 8.30pm start. Tickets are $10 from the venue’s website.
38
GIGS & EVENTS
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL FLASHFEST FEAT: VODNIK, CORNHOLE CRUCIFIXION, TRAMSTEIN, MORE Bar 303. Northcote. 7.30pm. FREE. DJS TIL LATE Morris Jones. Windsor. 8pm. FREE. IVY TRIP, EL LOBO LOCO'S ELECTRODUB EXPERIMENT, HOUG The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 1pm. $10. #LETSHOUSE SATURDAYS FEAT: ADAM TRACE, MARCUS KNIGHT, GARRY SHEBA Temperance Hotel. South Yarra. 5pm. FREE. LHĒON FEAT: SKŸE, MEIWA Open Studio. Northcote. 5pm. $10. TEXTILE FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. PRODUKTVE FEAT: REJINALD, EKINSPLIF, FACELESS, ROWAN RENNIE, CONNOR WALL Loop Project Space & Bar. Melbourne. 8pm. CHEWIN' THE FAT FIRST BIRTHDAY BONANZA FEAT: LUSH LIFE, INGRID, DON GLORI, JAZZ, CHEWIN' CREW Gasometer Hotel. Collingwood. 5pm. $13.25. ELECTRIC DREAMS Co.. Southbank. 9pm. $22.19. EAT THE BEAT FEAT: ETWAS, MATTEO FREYRIE, ANDREA GUADALUPI, FRANCESCO LO TAURO, GAV WHITEHOUSE, MORE New Guernica. Melbourne. 10pm. $15.00 - 20. JON HOPKINS Forum Melbourne. Melbourne. 8pm. THE D.O.T 2020 FEAT: BREAK, COKI, D DOUBLE E, KINGS OF THE ROLLERS, MC INJA, LENZMAN, MUNGOS HIFI, EVA LAZARUS, PINCH, SHY FX, STAMINA MC The Timber Yard. Port Melbourne. 6pm. $105.53 - 141.40.
35 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY, JARROW, ZOE FOX, GIRL FRIDAY, THE KNAVE, LUCY DWYER Corner Hotel. Richmond. 8.30pm. $25.41. PUTRESCENT SEEPAGE, PISSRASH, NEMBUTOLIK, EMPTY GESTURE, MORTUARY SICKNESS Bar Open. Fitzroy. 8.30pm. FREE. RHYSICS, TALI MAHONEY, RV288 The B.East. Brunswick East. 9pm. FREE. TAKING BACK SATURDAY: EMO & POP PUNK NIGHT Stay Gold. Brunswick. 11pm. $35. BEN SMITH BAND The Rainbow Hotel. Fitzroy. 9.30pm. FREE. OBSIDIAN MONOLITH, ARMATA, VOIDFALL, EMPEROR MOTH The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar. North Melbourne. 8pm. $10. FORKLIFT ASSASSINS, MONGREL, ONCE WERE LOST, JUSTICIERO The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar. North Melbourne. 2pm. FREE. DEE WIRE & THE MODERN AGE, TINA GROWLS, SCARES Grace Darling Hotel. Collingwood. 8pm. BIG LEAGUE, GO GET MUM, ROMERO Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 8.30pm. FREE.
HIP HOP, R&B, POP DJ MURPH Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 9pm. FREE. TEXTILE FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. LAUNDRY SATURDAYS Laundry Bar. Fitzroy. 9pm. FREE. LIGHT - OLD SCHOOL RNB NIGHT Co.. Southbank. 10pm. $22.19. COCOLOCO CLUB La Di Da. Melbourne. 9.30pm. $10.00 - 20.
SUNDAY 05 JAN
ROCK, PUNK, METAL THE QUARTERS, DUMB WHALES, THE DIECASTS, LOWE The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8.30pm. $5. TEAM VOM, MIRACLE MILE, BILLY CART, PIXY STYX The Tote Hotel. Collingwood. 7pm. FREE. DEAD, MACROS, FOREVER FILTHY, HERCULES & THE BRICKS The Tote Hotel. Collingwood. 8pm. GARLIC NUN Cherry Bar. Melbourne. 11.30pm. FREE. TALKING HEADS - 'LITTLE CREATURES'
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES JUSTINE WAHLIN The Thornbury Local. Thornbury. 5pm. JOE ZREIKAT, MATT HOYNE Bar 303. Northcote. 7pm. SUNDAY SESSION, LUKE JOSEPH, JACK & JORDAN, TOMMY RANDO Temperance Hotel. South Yarra. 2pm. FREE. HUGO RACE & MICHELANGELO RUSSO
Post Office Hotel. Coburg. 4.30pm. FREE. DAVE HOLMES GANG Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 4pm. FREE. HEINOUS HOUND BLUES BAND Cherry Bar. Melbourne. 5pm. FREE. DINGO RADIO - SONGS OF KERRYN TOLHURST Caravan Music Club. Bentleigh East. 2.30pm. $23.50. MOONEE VALLEY DRIFTERS The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 4pm. SUGAR BOOT The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 4pm. THE FRINGE DWELLERS The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 6.30pm. FREE. RAISED BY EAGLES, JAMES ELLIS & THE JEALOUS GUYS, GEORGIA STATE LINE Spotted Mallard. Brunswick. 3.30pm. $17.64. JIMI HOCKING'S BLUES MACHINE The Rainbow Hotel. Fitzroy. 4pm. FREE. OPEN MIC & JAM NIGHT, JAM COLLECTIVE MusicLand Fawkner Music Complex. Fawkner. 7pm. FREE. THREE KINGS Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 3pm. FREE. BASIA BULAT Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 7.30pm. $27.50. JIMMI CARR BAND, NOOK, GOOD MORNING KAOS The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 7pm. $8.85. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90. THE BORNSTEIN ULTIMATUM Pause Bar. Balaclava. 4.30pm. FREE.
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK 303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE. DARN MATTER, SAPPHIRE STREET, CHOCCY SALAD The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 1pm. $10. HELEN CATANCHIN Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm. FREE. THE OFFCUTS Bar Open. Fitzroy. 6pm. FREE. SUNDAY SMALLGOODS FEAT: COFI, DR CONDIMENTS, GREETINGS Bodriggy Brewing Company. Abbotsford. 2pm. FREE. ALEX BURNS The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 6.30pm. FREE. JIMMI CARR BAND, NOOK, GOOD MORNING KAOS The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 7pm. $8.85. THE BORNSTEIN ULTIMATUM Pause Bar. Balaclava. 4.30pm. FREE.
HIP HOP, R&B, POP SUNDAY SERVICE FEAT: KK, 10YRWAR, DJ R3DBIRD, MG BLAKK Morris Jones. Windsor. 4pm. FREE. HACHIKU, SUNFRUITS Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 3pm. FREE. KILLER HERTZ Evelyn Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm. $5. MOTHERSHIP Co.. Southbank. 10pm. $15. HOBO JOHNSON & THE LOVEMAKERS 170 Russell. Melbourne. 8pm. $64.90.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL SHEPPARTON AIRPLANE, JACKSON REID BRIGGS & THE HEATERS, ROLLINGSHITSHOW, KNT The Tote Hotel. Collingwood. 5pm. $10. MATT MURRAY & THE DURRY BUSTERS, UNLUCKY, FAIRTRADE NARCOTICS, CLAIM The Toff In Town. Melbourne. 7.30pm. GOTHAM BLACK & WHITE FUNDRAISER FEAT: STONETHROAT, THE GECKO COLLECTIVE, GEIKOWSKI, DLFN ASLT Sooki Lounge. Belgrave. 8.30pm. $5. OPEN MIC & JAM NIGHT, JAM COLLECTIVE MusicLand Fawkner Music Complex. Fawkner. 7pm. FREE. MOONSHINE JAM BAND Gem Bar. Collingwood. 7pm. FREE. JIMMI CARR BAND, NOOK, GOOD MORNING KAOS The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 7pm. $8.85.
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL FISH SLAPPA, GALLAGATH, LONG HOURS Bar Open. Fitzroy. 8pm. FREE. HONEY DIJON Revolver Upstairs. Prahran. 7pm. DAYDREAMS Gasometer Hotel. Collingwood. 12pm. FREE.
MONDAY 06 JAN
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK 303 YARRA BANKS JAM NIGHT Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. FREE.
Oasis
Squid Nebula
Justine Wahlin
Klub M.U.K
Program
THE NIGHT CAT
THORNBURY LOCAL
BAR 303
THE GASOMETER
Catch Squid Nebula on Saturday January 4 as they return to The Night Cat to kick off the new year the only way they know how. Enjoy an amalgamation of disco, jazz and reggae while you dance the night away. Entry is $5+bf from the venue’s website and it all kicks off at 11.30pm.
Award-winning Sydney musician Justine Wahlin will be flying into the Thornbury Local on Sunday January 5 to perform her recent release ‘A Pair of Dreamers’. Wahlin’s solo performance will journey through lyrical landscapes and explore the ethereal. Doors are at 5pm and it’s free.
The Melbourne Ukulele Kollective, M.U.K, is set to takeover Bar 303 with open arms on Tuesday January 7. These ukers of all ages are on a crusade to bring the greatest glory to the humblest of instruments and put music back into the hands and hearts of the people. All ukers are welcome to get up and do their thing at this free 7pm gig.
Program are headed to The Gasometer Hotel to launch their successful debut album Show Me on Friday January 10. They’ll be joined Martin Frawley Band, Empat Lima & Tracksuit for an absolutely banging 8pm show. Tickets are $10 from the venue’s site.
39
GIGS & EVENTS
JAZZ PARTY The Curtin. Carlton. 8pm. FREE. PIANO ATMOSFERIX Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6.30pm. FREE.
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL NIEUW MONDAYS The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 12pm. $3. DJS TIL LATE Evelyn Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm. FREE.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL CLAIRE BIRCHALL, BANISH, SHEEPIES Old Bar. Fitzroy. 7.30pm. $8. MONDAY NIGHT MASS FEAT: QUIVERS, EAGLEMONT, ALEXANDER BIGGS Northcote Social Club. Northcote. 8pm. FREE.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES BACKWOOD CREATURES Labour in Vain. Fitzroy. 5pm. FREE. HEAVY SLEEVES Open Studio. Northcote. 8pm. OPEN MIC NITE Inkerman Hotel. St Kilda East. 7.30pm. FREE. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90.
TUESDAY 07 JAN
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES OPEN MIC Swamplands Bar. Thornbury. 6pm. FREE. KLUB MUK Bar 303. Northcote. 7.30pm. FREE. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90. MILKY CHANCE Festival Hall. West Melbourne. 8pm. $79.90.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL SPARKLE MOTION, MIRACLE MILE,
APOLLO HOUSE The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8pm. $5. MATT BOURKE & THE DELUSIONAL DRUNKS, BILLY BARKER & THE SELFESTEEMS, THE THING FROM SPRING The Tote Hotel. Collingwood. 8pm. FREE. FOREVER RENTER, BELLHOP, HEIR TRAFFIC Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 7pm. FREE. TUESDAY TRIBUTE: JOHN LENNON FEAT: ADRIAN WHITEHEAD, The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 8pm. FREE. BOOKER BROOKS FEAT: STOOKE, RYO MONTGOMERY & BRODEN TYRELL Open Studio. Northcote. 8pm. $5. VAMPIRE WEEKEND Forum Melbourne. Melbourne. 7pm.
HIP HOP, R&B, POP LIL BAO WOW Globe Alley. Melbourne. 4pm. FREE.
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK JAZZ NIGHT - JOHN BADGERY, MATT O'BRIEN, ROBBIE FINCH Compass Pizza. Brunswick East. 7pm. FREE. BOOKER BROOKS FEAT: STOOKE, RYO MONTGOMERY & BRODEN TYRELL Open Studio. Northcote. 8pm. $5. NOW. HERE. THIS FEAT: HDSNJMSJR, GSM The Toff In Town. Melbourne. 9pm. FREE.
WEDNESDAY 08 JAN
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK BOHJASS, PROFESSOR PEEL, BRAE GRIMES QUINTET Bar 303. Northcote. 7.30pm. REAL GOOD COMPANY, FAIRTRADE NARCOTICS, SOCIAL STREET DUO The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8.30pm. $12.45.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES WHISKEY WEDNESDAYS Swamplands Bar. Thornbury. 8pm. FREE.
COQ ROQ: UNPLUGGED Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. FREE. ELEPHANT SESSIONS Spotted Mallard. Brunswick. 7pm. $23.77. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90.
THURSDAY 09 JAN
HIP HOP, R&B, POP THROWBACK FEAT: MATT RADOVICH, EZRA HARVEY, ILRESPONCE, B-TWO, AYNA, NAM Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. FREE.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL SOFT TACO, ROB, LONG HOURS Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. $5.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES THURSTY THURSDAYS UNI NIGHT FEAT: OLIVER NORTHAM & THE ELSEWHERES, MORE Swamplands Bar. Thornbury. 7pm. FREE. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90.
FRIDAY 10 JAN
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL FORMATION FEAT: DONNY Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. FREE. SYSTEM UNKNOWN: WAX POETS FEAT: HAWK I, LEGO, C:1, STORMN NORM Red Betty. Brunswick. 7pm. FREE.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL FLOGS, RUSKUS, LEMON DAZE Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. JAIL HOUSE POP Swamplands Bar. Thornbury. 9pm. FREE. PROGRAM, EMPAT LIMA, TRACKSUIT, MARTIN FRAWLEY BAND Gasometer
Coley Brown
Hotel. Collingwood. 6pm. $10.
HIP HOP, R&B, POP SYSTEM UNKNOWN: WAX POETS FEAT: HAWK I, LEGO, C:1, STORMN NORM Red Betty. Brunswick. 7pm. FREE.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES RIPLEY HOOD + ASH JONES Swamplands Bar. Thornbury. 6.30pm. FREE. THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90.
SATURDAY 11 JAN
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL TEXTILE FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. PLASTIC DREAMS: 24 HOURS FEAT: OK EG, FREDA & JACKSON, PJENNÉ, MILLU, TURNER STREET SOUND, LOIF, MORE Radar Bar & Nightclub. . 11.59pm. $20.
HIP HOP, R&B, POP TEXTILE FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL SUMMER BONANZA FEAT: THE PINE GAP COWBOYS, BERMUDA SHADES, CAMOUFLAGE, THE WISECRACKS, DR ASPARAGUS & THE PIED PIPER, DAVE HOUSTON & SAMWISE SEIDEL, PERCY HARRISON, LINDA JOY, THE FEATHERHEADS Bar 303. Northcote. 7pm. $10.00 - 15. SUMMER SPEEDFEST 2 FEAT: BLIGHT WORMS, SPEW BALLOON, PISSBOLT, SANCTIONED, FORNICATADOR, CORDON BLEAURGH, MAGGOT BATH Swamplands Bar. Thornbury. 6pm. FREE. PROGRAM, EMPAT LIMA, TRACKSUIT, MARTIN FRAWLEY BAND Gasometer Hotel. Collingwood. 6pm. $10.
Sanctioned
Ripley Hood & Ash Jones
Mac DeMarco
The Middle East
Summer Speedfest 2
SWAMPLANDS
FESTIVAL HALL
THE FORUM
SWAMPLANDS
On Friday January 10, Swamplands will be treated to the dark and romantic music of Ripley Hood & Ash Jones from 6.30pm. A singer and piano combination, the duo explore the more obscure works of the past for a truly intriguing show. This one’s free.
The king of weird Mac DeMarco is making his return Down Under and he’s bringing psych-rockers POND and Japanese bubblegum punks CHAI along for the ride. It’s going to be a doozy. Get in on the action at Festival Hall on Saturday January 11 from 6pm. Grab your tix via Chugg Entertainment.
For a night of pure enchantment, head to The Forum to catch beloved indie folk-rock troubadours The Middle East on Saturday January 11. This show will be a one-off reformation of the band, so grab your tickets today through The Forum’s website. Doors are at 7.30pm.
Head on down to Swamplands on Saturday January 11 for the fastest, hottest and most ridiculous fest of this summer. Catch Blight Worms, Spew Balloon, Pissbolt, Sanctioned and loads more for this belter of a night. It’s free!
40
GIGS & EVENTS
SCARECROW - THE MELLENCAMP SHOW Mulwala Water Ski Club. VIC. 9.30pm. FREE.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES THE CHOIR OF MAN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 2pm. $89.90.
SUNDAY 12 JAN
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES MAL WEBB & KYLIE MORRIGAN Bar 303. Northcote. 3pm. THE BORNSTEIN ULTIMATUM Pause Bar. Balaclava. 4.30pm. FREE.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL HARD ROCK LIVE BAND KARAOKE Blue Moon Karaoke Bar. Melbourne. 8pm. FREE.
TUESDAY 14 JAN
ROCK, PUNK, METAL THE GUITAR LAB Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES OPEN MIC Swamplands Bar. Thornbury. 6pm. FREE.
WEDNESDAY 15 JAN
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES COQ ROQ: UNPLUGGED Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. FREE. TANYA RANSOM The Drunken Poet. West Melbourne. 9pm. FREE.
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK BOHJASS, BEN CARR QUARTET, OSCAR FRANCE BAND Bar 303. Northcote. 7.30pm.
THURSDAY 16 JAN
HIP HOP, R&B, POP THROWBACK FEAT: MATT RADOVICH, EZRA HARVEY, ILRESPONCE, B-TWO, AYNA, NAM Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. FREE.
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK ORGANIX, JARED BAUM Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. JACKIE BORNSTEIN: FROM PARIS TO BRAZIL Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 8.30pm. $30.
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL LOUISE TERRA, ROLES, DYADON Cafe Gummo. Thornbury. 7.30pm. FREE.
FRIDAY 17 JAN
ELECTRONIC, EXPERIMENTAL FORMATION FEAT: DONNY Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm. FREE.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL ORION HAZE, JADE ALICE, FREEBOOTER REPUBLIC Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. $10. X-GENZ FEAT: The Missing Gorilla Bar. VIC. 6pm. FREE.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES BAR STOOL GHOSTS, MOOGY MORGAN BAND, DH HENRY FENTON Swamplands Bar. Thornbury. 9pm. FREE.
CLASSICAL CATS The National Theatre (Melbourne). St Kilda. 7.30pm. $33.00 - 49.50 .
SATURDAY 18 JAN
HIP HOP, R&B, POP TEXTILE FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Lucky Coq. Windsor. 9pm.
ROCK, PUNK, METAL TSAR GREEN, 10 DOLLARS, DISTRACTED BY PINK, PETE HACHEL Bar 303. Northcote. 7pm. $10. BILLIAM'S BIRTHDAY BASH FEAT: DISCO JUNK, THEE CHA CHA CHAS, ILL GLOBO, MOTH, HEARTS & ROCKETS, TRAGIC CARPET, CB RADIO, RV228 Cactus Room. Thornbury. 4pm. $10.
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK
For the full gig guide head to beat.com.au/gig-guide
QUARTER STREET Swamplands Bar. Thornbury. 9pm. FREE.
Touring
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES FREYA JOSEPHINE HOLLICK, MR. TEENAGE, RUBEN NEESON Old Bar. Fitzroy. 8pm. $12.00 - 15.
CLASSICAL CHAOS & CHASMS: MUSIC OF THE FRENCH BAROQUE Abbotsford Convent Oratory. VIC. 6pm. $25. CATS The National Theatre (Melbourne). St Kilda. 7.30pm. $33.00 - 49.50 .
SUNDAY 19 JAN
JAZZ, GLOBAL, SOUL/ FUNK CLUNK ORCHESTRA Bar 303. Northcote. 3.30pm. FREE. SPEAKEASY JAM SESSION, ADAM RUDEGEAIR & HOUSE BAND Red Betty. Brunswick. 6pm. FREE. THE BORNSTEIN ULTIMATUM Pause Bar. Balaclava. 4.30pm. FREE.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES TANYA RANSOM Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm. FREE. THE BORNSTEIN ULTIMATUM Pause Bar. Balaclava. 4.30pm. FREE.
CLASSICAL CHAOS & CHASMS: MUSIC OF THE FRENCH BAROQUE Abbotsford Convent Oratory. VIC. 2pm. $25. CATS The National Theatre (Melbourne). St Kilda. 7.30pm. $33.00 - 49.50 .
MONDAY 20 JAN
CLASSICAL CATS The National Theatre (Melbourne). St Kilda. 7.30pm. $33.00 - 49.50 .
TUESDAY 21 JAN
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY/ FOLK, BLUES COSMIC WRANGLER Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm.
ALI BARTER THE SENEGAMBIAN JAZZ BAND NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB DECEMBER 11 YUNGBLUD THE FORUM JANUARY 2 ALI BARTER THE ESPY JANUARY 3 JON HOPKINS THE FORUM JANUARY 4 DANIEL ELIA NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB JANUARY 4 HOBO JOHNSON 170 RUSSELL JANUARY 5 JAZZ PARTY THE CURTIN JANUARY 6 VAMPIRE WEEKEND THE FORUM JANUARY 7 MILKY CHANCE FESTIVAL HALL JANUARY 7 LIZZO THE FORUM JANUARY 8 OF MONSTERS AND MEN THE FORUM JANUARY 10 THE EAST POINTERS NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB JANUARY 10 MAC DEMARCO FESTIVAL HALL JANUARY 11 THE MIDDLE EAST THE FORUM JANUARY 11 TOUCH SENSITIVE THE ESPY JANUARY 11 KIM CHURCHILL WESLEY ANNE JANUARY 15, 16 & 17 THE GROWLERS THE CROXTON JANUARY 16 ORVILLE PECK THE CORNER JANUARY 16 THE ANGELS THE CORNER JANUARY 17 PRIVATE FUNCTION HOWLER JANUARY 17 TEX PERKINS NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB JANUARY 19 HOUSE DEPOSIT NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB JANUARY JANUARY 20 HOLLY HERNDON MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE JANUARY 21 AMANDA PALMER HAMER HALL JANUARY 22 WAFIA 170 RUSSELL JANUARY 23 U-BAHN NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB JANUARY 23 FATBOY SLIM SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL JANUARY 24 SUNNYSIDE HOWLER JANUARY 24 FLYING LOTUS THE FORUM JANUARY 25 LAST DINOSAURS THE ESPY JANUARY 26 FONTAINES D.C. THE CORNER JANUARY 31 ADRIAN EAGLE NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB JANUARY 31
41
BACKSTAGE
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42
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