Canberra music thingy compiled by Allan Sko
BMA has lovingly gathered together some of the best and brightest music happenings the fair city of Canberra (and surrounds) has to offer.
Read on below, and get on out!
WHO: Darren Hanlon w Special Guest Kankawa Nagarra
WHAT: Nineteen Years of Christmas
WHEN: Fri, 13 Dec, 7pm
WHERE: The Street Theatre
It wouldn’t be Xmas without a Darren Hanlon Chrimbo show, with 2024 marking its 19th (!) year. To celebrate, Hanlon embarks on a 19-show jaunt across Australia, spreading his beloved informal Hanlon-Solo cheer, exploring his ever-growing catalogue of narrative songs.
This year is extra spesch, as he brings with him dear friend and musical collaborator, Kankawa Nagarra.
78 yr-old Nagarra is a Walmatjarri Elder, teacher, mentor, human rights and environmental advocate. Born in the traditional lands of the Gooniyandi and Walmatjarri peoples of north WA, she sings Aboriginal Australian blues, country, and gospel, and writes songs of empathy toward the struggles she sees around her. Tickets are $39/$35 + bf via The Street Theatre
WHO: One Night in HEAVEN
WHAT: A SpringOUT Special Event
WHEN: Sat, 30 Nov, 8pm-5am
WHERE: The Vault, Dairy Road
YOU remember Heaven Nightclub, right? Of course you do; it was a beloved Canberra institution between 1993 – 2001.
Well, bust out yer best hypercolours, coz SpringOUT are reigniting your favourite ‘90s Dance Anthems via the smooth skills of DJ YA-YA, JUST WAYNE and many more.
Drag performances, live music, and tippity-top vibes will play across The Vault’s multi-space area, with plenty o’ room to groove. Tickets are $55/$44 + bf via Humanitix 🌈
WHO: Bec Taylor and The Lyrebirds
WHAT: A Folking Good Time
WHEN: Fri, 22nd Nov, 6.30pm
WHERE: Smith’s Alternative
This springtime the Lyrebirds are heading on a mini-tour of the coast, valley and plains, finishing with a Canberra show with Sydney 3-piece folk band Bower at Smith’s Alternative.
Six-piece Bec Taylor and the Lyrebirds deliver the “sound of what folk music did next” (Dancing About Architecture) with alt-folk-country music, rich instrumentation, and heartfelt lyrics. Beloved for their dynamic melodies, acclaimed album Limbs & All. Guitars, keyboard, drums, bass, mandolin, cello and four-part harmonies…The only thing missing is YOU! Tickets are $30/$25 via Smith’s Alt
WHO: The Taxpayers
WHAT: Experimental DIY Genre-Bending Punk
WHEN: Fri, 29 Nov, 7.30pm
WHERE: Live at The Polo
Folk ‘Til Ya Punk Records are the crew behind Hobart’s long running folk-punk festival HOBOFOPO. Now they’re proudly presenting The Taxpayers to Oz.
The long-running experimental DIY genre-bending punk band started in Portland, Oregon in 2007. They have made a dream comeback in 2024 after an 8-year hiatus, selling out shows across the USA and Canada, and seeing their Spotify stats jump from 500k monthly listeners to a cool 1mil.
Their Canberra/Ngunnawal/Ngambri show will see them joined by beloved locals, A Commoner’s Revolt and Scrambled on support. Tickets are $30+bf via Humanitix
WHO: Paco Lara with Special Guest Angelica Casado
WHAT: Captivating Flamenco
WHEN: Sat, 23 Nov, 6.30pm
WHERE: Smith’s Alternative
Paco Lara, the virtuoso Spanish flamenco guitarist with a 30 year career, returns to Canberra brandishing fiery compositions from his The Andalusian Guitar and Duende LPs. His success with The Andalusian Guitar show-selling out Sydney Opera House and Adelaide Guitar Festival (2021 & 2023)- and his 40-concert Duende tour place Lara at the top of the Australian musical scene.
The Spanish ambassador to Australia, Lara presents flamenco guitar in all its authenticity and culture, proudly representing his hometown, Jerez, Spain by embodying the unmistakable style of the region. Be transported to the south of Spain via the captivating sound of genuine Flamenco Ándale! Tickets are $40/$30 via Smith’s Alt