LIVE WIRE – Sydney Live Music Guide August 4th

The Mac in Surry Hills and Thursday 4^th sees local mob, The Conscious Pilots, starting their August residency with a bang. If ‘aviational jazz-hop’ is your bag, then these guys are definitely the only ones pedaling it so head on down – it’s free entry, so there’s almost no excuse not to check it out. French electro pop siren Yelle is in town for Splendour, and her sideshow is at Oxford Art Factory on Saturday 6^th – fans of her stuff are sure to have a blast. TZU MC Joelistics is taking his solo show on the road and the Sandringham Hotel in Newtown is the place to catch him on Saturday – anyone who is yet to experience the hugely expanded upstairs performance space is in for a treat. On Tuesday 9^th Sydney-based guitarist Simon Paparo is performing with his group The Drifting at The Basement in Circular Quay. Past supporting roles for the likes of Bertie Blackman and Wolfmother suggest this could be a great show – Drew Harris is in support. Wednesday 10^th sees a wonderful new residency taking place at The Mac in the form of the Bayou Band. Featuring members of local world music favourites Declan Kelly and Watussi, the band are celebrating the music of New Orleans with a dedicated rhythm and blues revue – think The Meters, Dr. John, John Cleary, etc – entry is free of charge as usual. Back at The Basement and virtuosic fusion guitarist Carl Orr is returning to the country for a rare performance on Thursday 11^th. Orr has made a career out of collaborations with the likes of Billy Cobham and Steely Dan, so the chops are sure to be flying. The wonderful Arabesk are in support. Friday 12^th finds disco obsessive Donny Benet releasing his debut album Don’t Hold Back at GoodGod Small Club on Liverpool St in Sydney’s CBD. Kirin J Callinan and Collarbones are in support at the intimately hip venue. The Gaelic Club in Surry Hills has Perth indie four piece The Panda Band on Saturday 13^th as they continue their touring their fantastic gospel/psychedelic indie up and down the east coast – a list of impressive supports and a trail of warm accolades suggests these guys are worth a look. Also on Saturday, The Basement has Australia’s answer to David Bowie, rock legend Jeff Duff launching his new record Fragile Spaceman to much anticipation. Ever eclectic and eccentric, a Jeff Duff show is always good value. On Saturday at the Manning Bar in the University of Sydney grounds, Aussie legends Regurgitator are coming to town for their Annual Sail tour, with Disasteradio in support. Live appearances from the ‘Gurg are few and far between these days, so don’t miss out!