Sydney’s Twilight at Taronga and Melbourne’s Zoo Twilights are returning for for 2018, bringing a stack of upcoming and legendary artists to Taronga Zoo and Melbourne Zoo. The huge lineup boasts both local and international acts and promises to be a stellar concert series off the back of last years successful events. With such a massive range of acts announced across the two cities, we’ve compiled a list of eight acts that you can’t miss.
Dan Sultan
Taronga Zoo (Sydney) – Saturday 3rd February
Melbourne blues and roots heavyweight Dan Sultan has had a massive year, with third album Killer peaking at five in the ARIA charts. Performing with Australian music royalty Paul Kelly and touring in support of Midnight Oil are just a few of Dan Sultan’s stellar achievements, cementing him as one of Australia’s most prolific songwriters. Supported by Melbourne’s The Teskey Brothers, audiences can expect a night of banging blues hooks packed with Sultan’s signature emotional themes.
Tickets to this show can be purchased here.
Cloud Control and Julia Jacklin
Taronga Zoo (Sydney) – Saturday 17th February
For fans of the Blue Mountains indie rock outfit Cloud Control, this year’s’ return with album Zone has been a long time coming. Four years after their second album, Zone showed a more mature Cloud Control after losing bass player Jeremy Kelshlaw, yet the trio is proving to still bring their signature pop energy to audiences following their appearance at Wollongong’s Last Frost festival this year.
Fellow Blue Mountains musician Julia Jacklin has proved to be one of Australia’s most noteworthy break-out stars of the past year. Her debut album Don’t Let the Kids Win reached international critical acclaim, and saw her play some of the world’s biggest festivals. Selling out shows in Australia and abroad, Jacklin knows how to turn out a crowd and her Twilight at Taronga set should prove a perfect soundtrack as the sun sets over Mosman.
Tickets to this show can be purchased here.
Electric Lady Presents – Montaigne, Tired Lion and Sloan Peterson
Taronga Zoo (Sydney) – Saturday 3rd March
Fresh of the back of monumental celebrations of female talent in Sydney and Melbourne, the Electric Lady movement is bringing the best of Australian female artists to Taronga Zoo. Montaigne is a must see for lovers of over the top, vocal heavy productions. Her unique voice and operatic pop arrangements saw her debut album Glorious Heights peak at number four in the ARIA Charts and score her two tracks in last years Triple J Hottest 100. Audiences should expect flawless vocals and a commanding stage presence from the Sydney based songwriter.
Joining Montaigne are Perth rockers Tired Lion, whose guitar heavy tracks led them from Triple J Unearthed gems to National treasures. Sloan Peterson completes the bill, citing a love of 1950s pop mixed with modern grunge as her defining style.
Tickets to this show can be purchased here.
The Lemonheads and Jebediah
Taronga Zoo (Sydney) – Thursday 1st March
If you loved the 90’s, then this is the concert for you. It would be a crime to miss American alt-rockers The Lemonheads, whose unpredictable set list will keep audiences on their toes. Their punk inspired sound amassed fans since their inception in 1986, and fans can expect frontman Evan Dando to pull out the classics as well as more obscure picks from the Lemonheads back catalogue.
Joining the bill are the Perth four piece Jebediah, who captured the hearts of Australian with their early singles in the late 90s. For those who were teens in the late 90s, Jebediah’s 20th anniversary tour was a nostalgia fuelled romp, and Twilight at Taronga is sure to bring that same energy to the zoo.
Tickets to this show can be purchased here.
Neil and Liam Finn
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th February (Sydney) and Saturday 24th February (Melbourne)
After four packed nights at the Sydney Opera House in 2016, a return from Crowded House frontman Neil Finn was always on the horizon. One year later, Finn is back with new album Out of Silence, co-produced by his son Liam Finn. No Australian (or Kiwi) has to be told why Neil Finn is a must see, after a legendary career with Crowded House, several solo ventures, and a collaboration with Paul Kelly, Finn hardly needs introduction. Audiences should expect tracks off the new album along with Crowded House and Split Enz classics.
Tickets for this show are available here for Sydney and here for Melbourne.
Cut Copy
Melbourne, Saturday 27th January
Melbourne electronic band Cut Copy made waves internationally with their ambient dance tunes. Following the success of latest album Haiku from Zero, the band are playing Melbourne Zoos opening weekend, and are expected to bring their tried and true timeless pop songs to crowds. Fans new and old shouldn’t miss the chance to see Cut Copy at their first Zoo Twilight performance.
Tickets for this show are available here.
Grizzly Bear
Melbourne, Friday 9th March
Brooklyn rock band Grizzly Bear have gained a dedicated fan-base through their mix of emotional lyrics and technical prowess. Their new album Painted Ruins was released in September to international acclaim, and the band has consistently delivered the hits, most notable being 00’s indie classic “Two Weeks”. Frontman Ed Droste’s talent shines through on the new record, and if you’re looking for a showcase of someone of the US’ best musical talent, look no further than Grizzly Bear.
Tickets for this show are available here.
Ben Folds
Melbourne, Friday 16th February
Ben Folds‘ Zoo Twilight set will definitely be one to remember. Consisting of two acts, the first of which will be a culmination of Folds greatest hits. Known for his skill with creating high energy performances with just a piano, fans and novices alike will likely be charmed by this set. The second act will bring Folds famous Paper Plains Request set, which sees audience members write song request onto paper planes, which they then throw to the stage for Ben to randomly chose. This is bound to be a concert experience like no other, any savvy Melbournians should be quick to snap up tickets.
Tickets to this show are available here.
——–
For more information about Twilight at Taronga, taking place at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo from the 2nd of February to the 17th of March, and to see the full lineup visit the website here.
For more information about Zoo Twilight, taking place at Melbourne Zoo from the 26th of January to the 10th of March, and to see the full lineup visit the website here.
———-
