With Ruth O’Brien and, to a lesser extent, Allan Sko
Hello lovers of all things Canberra music! Has this town got a scrumptious menu of listening delight for you this month.
If you’re looking for a way to get your music fix in a one-day hit, head over to the Canberra Live Music Festival on 26 May at the Harmonie German Club. Presented by Better Music, 2410 Records, The Filthy Darlings and The Green Room, this day is serving up some of Canberra’s best musical acts including The Chesterfield Band, Sugar³, Muddy Wolfe, Wesley and The Crushers, Powder Blue, Like Foxes and Moonhowler. Tickets are just $10 and can be bought online via trybooking.com
It would appear 26 May is a big day in Canberra events, with the Reconciliation Day Eve Concert happening from 6:30pm at the Canberra Theatre. Acts at this year’s concert include Briggs, Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project, Alice Skye and Emily Wurramara. Come and be part of this important event that honours the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum. Tickets are available on the Canberra Theatre Centre website.
Moving forward into June and we have a slew of fantastic acts to help us keep warm on these chilly winter nights. Aussie favourites Karnivool will be playing a show at the new Manning Clark Hall at ANU’s Kambri Precinct on 1 June at 8pm. Originally only scheduled to play a couple of shows in SA and WA, the band booked in a national tour after these shows quickly sold out. With fan loyalty like that, this show is bound to sell out too. Tix available from Moshtix.
Jazz great Herbie Hancock comes to town on 7 June! This 14-time Grammy winner has collaborated with everyone from Joni Mitchell to Kendrick Lamar and has a career and respect that transcends generations. Herbie’s show is at the Canberra Theatre at 8pm and tickets are available via their website.
If dance and electronic music is more your thing, head over to the UC Hub on 6 June at 9:30pm to party with the one and only, Nina Las Vegas. This skilled DJ, producer, record-label owner and all-round music tastemaker is one not to be missed! Tickets are sold via OzTix.
June will also see couple of tribute nights coming to The Basement. On 8 June, local musicians will take the stage for Grease! Party. Presented by mentoring initiative, Signal Creative, the night will be a chance to sing along to all your favourites from the original soundtrack and help Signal raise money for young female artists in remote and regional areas of Australia. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased via oztix.com.au
To keep the tributes going, 15 June is 80s night! The Basement has seen a very successful run of tribute concerts, of which this one is sure to be no exception. Come and witness some of Canberra’s best musical talent transform into Toto, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Queen, Icehouse and many more. Tickets on sale via moshtix.com.au for just $25.
And we might as well finish with a bang!
Ahead of their forthcoming single, Take You Out, Canberra legends Moaning Lisa (featuring beloved former BMA Editor Hayden Fritzlaff no less) are excited to announce a short run of very intimate headline shows on the East Coast, appearances at Splendour in The Grass and Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival and, most pertinently, a Transit Bar show on Saturday, 6 July.
Moaning Lisa were last heard on their cracking second EP, Do You Know Enough, which was beloved by critics and punters alike. Solidifying their mark with the anthemic Carrie (I Want A Girl), second and third singles, Good and Comfortable saw the band showcase their ability to produce woozy harmonies with soaring guitars, and each single garnered an add to triple j.
With Take You Out we see a seething grunge-pop band facing the feelings of isolation and yearning in a world of Tinder and quick-swipe culture.
Take You Out is out 30 May; the show again is at Transit Bar on Saturday, 6 July with able support from Plastic Plants (the band, not the office accoutrement).
This is just a sweet taster of all the fabulous music events rocking the capital. For more options check the gig guide at bmamag.com
Until next month!
