LIVE WIRE – Sydney Live Music Guide August 25th

At The Mac on Thursday 25^th the truly unique and infectious (musically, not virally) Conscious Pilots are back as they continue their August residency at the legendary Surry Hills pub. Also on Thursday, and only metres from that venue, Popfrenzy are hosting Ohio indie artists Times New Viking when they play the mighty Tone on Wentworth Avenue on Thursday – get ready for fuzz! On Friday 26^th, Finn brother offspring Liam Finn is proving he’s a killer music maker in his own right at Oxford Art Factory as he tours his new album, Fomo all month. Also on Friday, Australia’s new piano man Andy Bull is launching his new E.P. Phantom Pains at GoodGod Small Club – anyone who hasn’t checked out this guy’s amazing voice and pitch-perfect songwriting is in for a treat. Saturday 27^th finds one of hip hop’s biggest names Big Boi of OutKast back in town, this time at the relatively cosy (by his standards) Enmore Theatre in Newtown. That same night, the very hardworking and always on form Diesel is playing at The Basement. Sunday 28^th finds ARIA Awards winning Aussie a capella group Idea Of North launching their latest album at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville – a must for any choral and jazz fans.Tuesday 30^th finds one of Australia’s top jazz acts, the Andrew Robson Trio playing at the wonderful 505 on Cleveland St, Surry Hills – look out for local  legend Hamish Stuart on drums. Paddington’s Oxford Art Factory has U.S. MC Theophilus London performing on Wednesday 31^st as he visits the country for Big Boi supports. This will be the rapper’s first time in Australia, so make him feel welcome! Polo Club are in support. Also on Wednesday, local indie juggernaughts Deep Sea Arcade are playing a free gig at Bondi’s Beach Road Hotel – these kinds of gigs are getting rarer and rarer for one of Sydney’s finest groups, so no excuses! Back at 505 and ARIA Award winning jazz group Baecastuff are playing on Thursday 1^st, a very rare appearance from an amazing and all-star Australian band. Also on Thursday, Melbourne songstress Owl Eyes is back in town to play at GoodGod Small Club. Her recently reformed live band are getting warm reviews, so worth heading down to the intimate Liverpool St venue. Thursday also finds camp synth-pop five piece Architecture In Helsinki play the Metro in Sydney’s CBD – anyone interested better get in quick to avoid disappointment. Also at the Metro, Friday 2^nd finds enduring punk rockers Frenzal Rhomb in concert for what will surely be an all-out show. Teenage Bottlerocket and Totally Unicorn are in support. The quirky Camelot Lounge in Marrickville hosts Sydney singer Lucie Thorne, also on Friday 2^nd, as she launches her Bonfires In Silver City album tour. With an all-star band of Aussie session players, this girl is not holding back – definitely worth a look. Saturday 3^rd sees one of the highlights of the month at the Basement in Circular Quay: U.S. soul legend Syl Johnson is in the country and playing with Australia’s own contemporary soul legends The Bamboos as his backing band. This is surely a one-off so soul fans get on down!