LIVE WIRE – Sydney Live Music Guide July 26th
This Thursday July 26th rock’n’roll journeyman Jack White will be performing a Splendour in the Grass sideshow at the Hordern Pavillion. In case you haven’t heard of him he once played in a wee band called The White Stripes and has since become a hurricane force of rock music forming The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather. On this particular night though he’ll be focused on his debut solo album Blunderbuss. Also here for Splendour in the Grass is reformed American grunge group The Afghan Whigs. The group broke up in 2001 but have since reformed to reignite a bit of nostalgia within all of us. Reports of their latest shows since the reformation have been nothing but glowing and often gone to the extent of saying they are now a better live band than they ever were. You can judge for yourself at the Factory Theatre.
On Friday July 27th The Standard will feature an uplifting night of feel good music when it hosts New Zealand reggae group House of Shem who are embarking on their first Australian headlining tour. With two albums under their belts and another on the way these Aotearoans mix sunshine reggae music, with its customary laid back skanks, lazy horn lines and blissful bottom end, with soulful R’n’B vocals making this gig a must for reggae music fans. Across town Youth Group singer and guitarist Toby Martin will be stepping out on his own as he plays a headline show at the Vanguard to honour the release of his debut solo album Love’s Shadow. Some of you might remember that Toby Martin sang a cover of Alphaville’s song Forever Young with Youth Group and that song went on to win an ARIA as well as get used on heaps of TV ads and shows. Martin will be supported on the night by Magnetic Heads.
On Saturday July 28th handsome French electronic-pop producer Yuksek will be performing material from his two albums at the Oxford Art Factory. The classically trained pianist tried his hand at DJing and producing electronic music a few years and hasn’t looked back as he’s provided us with some of the catchiest dance music around crammed with upbeat rhythms and playful vocal hooks. Support on the night will be Rufus.
Finally on Sunday July 29th there’s a fascinating show on at Camelot Lounge as Mexican born solo harpist Victor Valdés will be performing a series of traditional Mexican love song interpretations. The charismatic musician has travelled the world giving performances but has settled here in Sydney where he regularly gives mesmerising performances to grateful audiences. This is a wonderful opportunity to check out a marvellous staple of Sydney’s music scene.
