Thursday was another jam packed day of local and international music at SXSW Sydney.
Opening the day is Ila Barker, a singer / songwriter from Winnipeg, Canada. Her gentle introspective folk songs come a place of recovering from an abusive relationship. She played songs from her latest album “Fool Under Water.” Her songs are of hope and courage and were a beautiful uplifting way to start the day.
Heading to the opposite musical spectrum, Melbourne trio NPCEDE combine dark 80s industrial elements with modern electronic, noise, rap and pop influences. Brothers Victor and Roy Moore, and childhood friend Zac Hellyer have a high intensity that is electric to watch. The lead singer destroys a violin string against his guitar, smashes the microphone against his head and prances into the crowd like a caged tiger. If you like your music dark, heavy, and industrial, this is the one for you.
Smooth soul and funk is the best way to describe local Sydney artist Don West. His incredibly captivating stage presence meant that it was standing room only at the Landsdowne Hotel. This guy knows cool and knows how to work a crowd. His charismatic charm seemingly knows no bounds.
Originally from across the ditch, New Zealand punk rock band Bakers Eddy gave an energetic and electrifying performance in the UTS Underground Bar. Now based in Melbourne, these are the guys that know how to get a party started. Just pure indie / alternative rock, reminding me of Green Day or The Strokes. Rock and Roll!
Upstairs in the Loft, Adelaide six-piece band, Coldwave have a precise yet chaotic format to their music. Described as post punk, their sound is an unusual collection of guitars, keys, drums and trumpet. They featured their double single “Ants” and “Italia ’06” to an appreciative audience.
Seoul dnb artist 404 played at the eclectic Knox Street Bar. His infectious energy was felt throughout the room. While it was a relatively short set, it was enough to know that this guy has a talent. Genuine old school drum and bass energy that could have gone all night. He finished off in the crowd taking off his shoes….
The Abercrombie Hotel hosted the Taiwan Beats Showcase with emerging artists YenTing Lo, Scattered Purgatory, Andr and I’mdifficult. Each artist was talented in their own ways, with different styles of music.
Scattered Purgatory is a duo that focus mainly on bending guitar sounds through digital manipulation. There were some tracks with vocals, but mostly it was a way of distorting sounds to create new an interesting vibrations, Formed in Taipei, Taiwan in 2013, with Lu Li-Yang and Lu Jiachi, Scattered Purgatory is a name derived from a Taoist ritual which expiates the souls of the innocent from a state in between life and death and then finally, release. They have captured this psychedelic influence skilfully. Shoe gaze for the masses.
In contrast, Andr plays light and cute songs that are easy to listen and dance to. After a couple of early technical issues, she settled into the groove, with a guest drummer and guitarist. She featured her singles “I Don’t Lose Sleep Anymore” and “Her” from her forthcoming album Shhh, It’s Under My Bed. A young artist, with a load of talent and I’m sure that we’ll hear more of her in the future. You can’t help bt like her infectious energy.
Closing the Taiwan showcase, four-piece band I’mdifficult bought six synthesisers with them to complement their guitar and drum sounds. Opening with the eclectic “2020”, the singer answers the phone and has a distorted conversation. What follows is a series of experimental tracks in English and Taiwanese that are entertaining, light and danceable. Would be great seeing this band on a big stage with full sound setup.
From the cesspool of Hunan, China, emerged Berlin Psycho Nurses, an unashamedly post-punk rock band. Crammed into the basement of the Chippo Hotel the band tore through their set like an old-school rock band. Their songs capture teen angst and growing up. Influences of The Ramones, Wall of Voodoo and Arctic Monkeys. A hot and sweaty mess.
Finishing up at the alleyway basement bar of the Agincourt Hotel, Wet Kiss, led by Brenno O and a band of crazily dressed musicians preened and crooned to a thirsty audience. The band has supported Amyl and the Sniffers and have just been announced at Golden Plains 2025 alongside PJ Harvey. What a way to end the night!
SXSW Sydney runs until October 20th.
Check out more information here
