WHATS ON: AUSTRALIA DAY LONG WEEKEND
By Brad Martin
Each week Brad Martin will be hand selecting the cream of the crop of gigs, parties and events in Sydney to ensure you can focus on deciding what to wear and leave the hard choices up to him.
Despite the fact that Australia day falls on a Tuesday this year, I firmly believe that a large portion of you will be using your initiative to manifest a four day weekend. As such I have selected my picks of gigs happening around Sydney to maximise your pleasure this weekend.
Londons Hot Chip has been a live staple at many festivals over the years, but this time around they get to swap the open fields for organs and acoustics, taking over the Sydney Opera House for a special set on Friday evening. Six albums in and showing no signs of slowing down, last years “Why Make Sense” continues their run as champions of Electro-pop-dance-club-house-everything else. Killer singles “Need you now” and “Huarache Lights” are just aching to be experienced live. With the Sydney Opera House venue ensuring that all things light and sound will be on point, it’ll be a rave underneath the iconic sails.
WHAT: Hot Chip (UK)
WHEN: Friday 22nd January 8pm
WHERE: Sydney Opera House
HOW MUCH: $80-$100 via Ticketek
Out from LA to perform at Melbournes Sugar Mountain Festival, Kelela will be making a stop at Oxford Arts Factory on Friday night. With her combination of Neo-soul, R&B and glitchy electronica, Kelela has earning praise from artists such as Solange and Bjork since her 2013 mixtape release Cut 4 Me, on the influential Fade to Mind label. With her debut EP Hallucinogen being released October last year, and an album in the works, Kelela is shining bright at the moment, the perfect time to catch her live.
WHAT: Kelela (LA) + Banofee
WHEN: Friday 22nd January 8pm
WHERE: Oxford Arts Factory
HOW MUCH: $39 via Moshtix
Newbie on the festival circuit, Electric Garden is making its debut at Centennial Parklands on Saturday. Featuring 13 of the biggest names in house and techno across three stages taking on extended sets it’s the latest in the trend of boutique festivals allowing acts the time to really breathe and stretch their wings. Headlined by the legendary Fatboy Slim, and also featuring heavyweights such as John Digweed, James Zabiela, Eric Morillo and Pachanga Boys. If you are feeling especially flush and wanting to do your weekend in style, you can grab the pricier Hangout or VIP garden tickets, which include exclusive sets from Pachanga Boys and Norman Jay MBE as well as classy toilets, food and drink package, table service you can make like Tom Haverford and Treat Yo’self to an epic afternoon of boogieing in the park.
WHAT: Electric Gardens Festival feat. Fatboy Slim, Eric Morillo, John Digweed, Dubfire, Pachanga Boys + More
WHEN: Saturday 23rd January 12pm
WHERE: Centennial Parklands
HOW MUCH: $140 (GA) – $275 (VIP) Via Moshtix
The dancing vibes continue on Sunday, with Sydney Queer institution Bad Dog throwing its Sugarball at the St George Sailing club. Bringing a diverse, friendly and creative crowd, Bad Dog has been taking over venues such as Tempe Jets and the Marrickville Bowlo for over 10 year now. Showing no signs of its age, resident DJ’s Ben Drayton, Steve Sonious, Annabelle Gaspar and Bill Cotsis will be providing the soundtrack to dance your whole Sunday away. Buses will be running from Sydney Park regularly during the day, and back again at the end of the night so you don’t have to stress over travel plans. If you’ve never experienced a Bad Dog before, it’s something you will want to keep on coming back to again.
WHAT: Bad Dogs Sugarball
WHEN: Sunday 24th January 3pm
WHERE: St George Sailing Club
HOW MUCH: Presale sold out, $60 on the door
If you prefer staying in the inner-west for your Sunday, House of Mince have got you covered, with their Super Open Air party taking over the Factory Theatre in Marrickville. With a line-up of killer locals playing support to DFA records artist, and tastemaker Tim Sweeny. Since launching his dance radio show “Beats in Space” over 13 years ago Tim Sweeny has amassed tens of thousands of listeners and a reputation for finding and championing the best and freshest names in dance music today. Also keeping you moving until the late evening, a raft of Sydney legends will be holding it down on the support front, Ben Fester, Preacha, Matt Vaughn and L’oasis to name just a few.
WHAT: Super Open Air feat. Tim Sweeny(US), Ben Fester & Preacha, Pony Club, Matt Vaughn + More
WHEN: Sunday 24th January 2pm
WHERE: Factory Theatre Marrickville
HOW MUCH: $26 + bf via or $30 on the door
Astral People and V Movement are bringing their epic Summer Dance Series back to the national Art School in Darlinghurst. A picturesque venue deep in the heart of the city, this Sunday the first party will be hosting house music legend Julio Bashmore from the UK, with backup from Germanys Florian Kupfer. Last year’s Summer Dance parties were a highlight of Sydneys dance calendar, with the old Darlinghurst Gaol providing a lush backdrop to dance amongst.
WHAT: Astral People and V Movement present Summer dance Series: Julio Bashmore (UK), Florian Kupfer, Andy Garvey, and EK Collective
WHEN: Sunday 24th January 3pm
WHERE: National Art School, Darlinghurst
HOW MUCH: $45 + bf via Moshtix
If you have had your fill of DJ’s and dance music, the Vic on the Park in Enmore is the place to spend your Sunday, with Hottest 100-tipped triple J favs Bad Dreems. The Adelaidian Lads will be joined by Sydney guys Polish Club, and Flowertruck to provide an afternoon of tunes. Entry is by donation, with all proceeds going to Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre, and the Vic on the Park matching each donation dollar for dollar. It’s a great cause, with great bands, and always a great Sunday vibe at the Vic.
WHAT: Bad//Dreems, Polish Club, Flowertruck
WHEN: Sunday 24th January 1pm
WHERE: Vic on the Park Enmore
HOW MUCH: Via Donation