Hughster’s March Gig Guide

 Tuesday 6^th March: Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain – Opera House – $89

These are the men and women accredited with making the uke cool, with their renditions of popular music a youtube phenomenon. For the past 25 years, the Ukulele Orchestra have toured the globe, but their visit in March will be their first time down under.

Friday 9^th March: Real Estate – The Standard – $42 + bf

One of last year’s buzz bands, Real Estate bring their sunny surf-pop to the Standard. Last year’s 13^th most blogged artist on hypem.com will be joined by two hugely talented Australian bands, Melbourne’s Twerps and locals SURES.

Friday 16^th March: Astral People (Collarbones, Wintercoats, Rainbow Chan) –Beach Road – Free

A free gig at last! Friday 16^th will be a night of slow jams and chilled experimental pop. Rainbow Chan’s exploits saw her win FBi’s Northern Lights Competition along with Oliver Tank.

Saturday 17^th March: Secret Garden Festival – TBA – Sold Out

For those of you going, I’ll see you there. For the rest of you who weren’t quick enough…there’s always next year. Sorry, but I had to rub it in.

Friday 23^rd March: Snakadaktal – Oxford Art Factory – $12 + bf

Possibly the youngest band in the world, Snakadaktal, will be wowing Sydneysiders with their talent over two nights (23/24 March). Of course, everyone knows the first gig is always the best.

Wednesday 28^th March: Bombay Bicycle Club – Oxford Art Factory – $45 + bf

Britain’s brilliant Bombay Bicycle Club (try saying that one out loud) kick off their first ever Australian tour in support of their latest release A Different Kind of Fix.

Saturday 31^st March: Oscar + Martin – Goodgod Small Club – $12 + bf

(Rain&Hale favourite Oscar + Martin) + (Rain&Hale favourite Goodgod Small Club) + ($12) + (Saturday Night) = See you there.

Hughster’s Gig Guide

Wednesday 26th October: Ball Park Music – Beach Road Hotel Bondi – Free 

Brisbane’s Ball Park Music create tunes to make you smile. You just can’t but help liking the six cheerful, indie kids who have been on the cusp of blowing up. They have played alongside the likes of Cloud Control, Boy and Bear and Hungry Kids of Hungary, as well as appearing at the Big Day Out, Falls and Good Vibes festivals. There time has now arrived with the recent release of their debut LP “Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs”. As part of their album tour, they will be dropping in on the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi this Wednesday to set the fun-dial to 10 (whatever that means). A nice support line-up includes Northeast Party House and The Jungle Giants.

Thursday 27th October: Pluto Jonze – Oxford Art Factory – $10 

Pluto Jonze has developed his own, unique brand of pop music which he’s been showcasing since he won the 2009 Tropfest Music Award at just 22. Since then, he’s been busy writing and producing which culminated in the release of his debut EP in May this year. He’ll be joined by his 3-piece backing band in line with the release of his single “Plastic Bag in a Hurricane”. Speaking of up and coming performers, his supports Toucan and Tim Fitz are both dynamic acts in their own right, both flying the flag for the future of pop music. They both have fresh EPs in the pipeline, so expect a night full of brand spanking new tunes.

Saturday 29th October: Jamie Hutchings/Wintercoats/Oliver Tank – The Gate Presents (secret location in Pymble) – Donation

The Gate is a concept designed to bring great music to the suburbs of Sydney (where so much talent is hidden away). Aside from their regular events at Pablo & Rusty’s in Epping, they also put on pop-up gigs in various suburband backyards. This particular event will showcase the considerable talents of three talented troubadours. Sydney song-writer veteran Jamie Hutchings, Melbourne’s dream-pop wiz Wintercoats, and recent winner of the FBi Northern Lights competition, Oliver Tank, will be providing a smorgasbord of experimental music bound to delight.

For the diary:

Thursday 24th November: Matt Corby – Oxford Art Factory – $15.30 

Don’t do what I did and judge Matt Corby just because he was on Australian Idol. He’s better than that. Much better. A friend of mine made me listen to some of his stuff a little while ago and I was instantly hooked. Matt could be Australia’s answer to Jeff Buckley, so strong are his vocals. Get along to the OAF next month, you might be able tell people “I told you so”.

Who is Hughster? Check out his and other r&h guest bloggers profiles at our ‘Fair Weather Friends’ page.

Hughster’s gig guide

Tuesday 20th:Stranger than Paradise – Flinders Hotel – Free

Ambient live music is in abundance at Darlinghurst’s Flinders Hotel, with Wintercoats and James Domeyko bringing your ears some tuneage. Make sure to shoot down a pickleback or five for a Tuesday night bonanza!

Wednesday 21st:Leader Cheetah – Beach Road Hotel Bondi – Free

Adelaide’s Leader Cheetah will be bringing their alternative country ruminations to Bondi Beach on Wednesday. Their recently released LP “Lotus Skies” has put them in the spotlight and big things are expected of the four lads after recent tours with Gomez and the Middle East. If you needed more convincing to drag yourself out on a school night, they’re being joined by psychedelic folk outfit Belles Will Ring. It’s free too.

Saturday 24th:The Gate @ Pablo’s – Pablo & Rusty’s Ryde – $12+bf presale

Who said there was no music culture in the suburbs? The Gate has put together another stellar line-up of experimental musicians, headlined by Sydney beat-maker Guerre. Albatross, Rainbow Chan, Option Command combined with DJ sets from Marcus Whale (of Collarbones fame), Lexy Savvides and Loopsnake complete the all-star cast.

For the diary:

Wednesday 7^thDecember: Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Oxford Arts Factory – $28.70

This Portland based, New Zealand founded band will be gracing our shores for the first time at the end of the year. They combine break-beats with muffled 70s pop/psychedelia to give them a completely original sound. This will be one of the gigs of the summer, guaranteed.