Navigating the SXSW Sydney music offerings is like being at a giant festival. Performances are spread over a number of venues in the inner west and part of the fun is discovering how many cool music venues are within walking distance of each other. There is such a wide variety of offerings, it’s important to have the app to plan your musical journey.
Although not strictly music related, I began my day with a podcast in the ICC. This is the hub of SXSW Sydney, with partner lounges, coffee bars, free Tim Tams, Happy Hours, Keynote speakers and more. Across at Tumbalong Park there are free family events and plenty of food trucks and bars. The Better Than Yesterday podcast with Osher Günsberg had Member for Wentworth Allegra Spender as special guest. The insightful conversation included navigating the Canberra political landscape, balancing work and private life, and being a good listener to the constituents.
From there it was over to the packed Lord Gladstone Hotel for a selection of artists from Impressed Recordings. First on the bill was Juice Webster with her folk-flavoured pop songs. Haunting and introspective, her tunes echo connectedness and courage.
Next up, Melbourne trio Loose Content took to the stage. Originally formed in Byron Bay, close friends MiLLa (bass and vocals) Sam Sanders (guitars) and Aquila Porter (drums & BV’s) have a driving pop punk sound that is infectious and lively. They cite influences as diverse as The Police, Talking Heads and Courtney Barnett. This is a band to see live.
Liminal are an experimental psych-rock band based in Lismore. Their warped sounds take you on a journey of introspection and shoe gaze. Check out their latest album WHITE DOTS, which has been getting coverage from the Rage programmes.
The band currently consists of River Glass on vocals and guitar, Oscar Myles on guitar and synth, Tom Peter on bass, and Alako Myles on drums.
RINSE is the solo project of the prolific Naarm/Melbourne-via-Meanjin/Brisbane artist Joe Agius. He also collaborates with Australian artist Hatchie. The music has a catchy pop-punk sound that harks back to early Cure and My Bloody Valentine. Recent releases include “Kiss Me (Kill Me)” ft Hatchie and “Stranger” ft Caroline Lovegrow, which have both had great reviews.
Over at UTS Underground, Brisbane’s Full Flower Moon Band took to the stage for Rolling Stone House. Front woman and songwriter Kate “Babyshakes” Dillon, is all about subverting expectations and offering a new reality. Just hard hitting rock and roll to get the party started.
Just a couple of blocks down Broadway at Kyiv Social, The Warner Music Showcase was in full swing. Perth rapper Chiseko weaves stories of introspection and heartbreak with a combination of rap, house and dance music. Making waves already, his infectious style had the crowd entranced.
Japanese neo-soul singer Nao Yoshioka is a rising star that is performing in Australia for the first time for SXSW Sydney. Originally from Osaka, she is now based in Tokyo. She broke into the soul scene in New York in 2009, before releasing her single “Make the Change.” She has an engaging, yet humble approach to her music. Her single “Where I am Supposed to Be” is an anthem to anyone who is looking for a place to belong. Simply beautiful and uplifting song from her younger self to herself now.
Back at the Landsdowne Hotel, we were treated to an intimate performance from Beckah Amani. For those that saw her supporting Jorja Smith the previous night at the ICC Theatre, this was a chance to relive the magic. Her songs are powerful stories of belonging and justice.
For something completely different, the self-described “Gaysian Empress of Sydney,” Dyan Tai (he/they) makes electronic hyper-pop music fused with Beijing opera and traditional Southeast Asian soundscapes. Squeezed into a room upstairs at the Sneaky Possum, the outrageously dressed Dyan had the room singing along to songs such as “Ni Hao” and “Let’s Get Bubble Tea.” With little more than a laptop and a mirrored key-tar, it’s Dyan’s personality that shines up the room.
Across the road, squeezed into the basement den of The Chippo, Melbourne post punk /alt rockers Sex Mask gave a performance equal to any of the early punk rock bands. Described as foreshadowed flashes of a past life yet to be lived, there are real flashes of Bloc Party meets Sex Pistols. “Part Taoist riddle, part lone gun-man manifesto”. Whatever that means, it was powerful and energetic. The sweaty, shirtless, tattooed singer taunts and beckons the crowd, while the drummer and guitarist try to keep control. Check out the singles “How To Be Cool at Parties” and “Birds.” As they say in the classics, do yourself a favour.
To round off the evening, Sydney musical collective, GODTET played in the glorious Phoenix Central Park Main Room. Recognised for their improvised hypnotic performances, this was no exception. The band is the brainchild of David “Godriguez” Rodriguez, known for his work with Sampa the Great. Andrew Bruce on keys (Ngaiire) Jan Bangma on Bass (Boy and Bear), drummer Tully Ryan and Dom Kirk on Percussion. The audience draped along the winding staircase around the performers in the round. The underground ambient vibe was reminiscent of a gentle spring morning awakening, with long periods of quiet sound, punctuated with moments of passion. The improvised jazz sounds lulled the audience into an alternate world of introspection. A beautifully haunting way to complete the evening’s entertainment.
Of course there were still other parties going on into the evening; The Laneway Festival Party and The Abercrombie After Hours to name just two, but for now that was enough for this writer.
South by southwest SYDNEY.
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Until 20th October – tickets and more information here
