Winter’s best live music

Here are 15 must-see gigs, from Splendour sideshows to local legends on tour. By Joe Rivers

Methyl Ethel

Influenced by present-day heroes like Tame Impala as much as icons like David Bowie and the Cure, Perth art-rockers Methyl Ethel are earning rave reviews for latest album Triage. Following a top five spot in Triple J’s Hottest 100 for the ever-popular ‘Ubu’, the album is an artistic leap forward. Frontman Jake Webb has described Triage as being “about love, about mental health, about people and relationships.” Sounds like there’ll be something for everyone then. à Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown 2042. 02 9550 3666. www.enmoretheatre.com.au. 7.45pm. $55. Sat Jun 22.

John Grant

With his caramel baritone, exquisite taste in knitwear and devastating lyrics, singersongwriter John Grant has truly transcended his former group, the Czars. The last few years have seen him break away from country-rock to incorporate dizzying electronics into his work to impressive effect. This will be Grant’s first visit to these shores in over three years and, incredibly, he’s never played Sydney before. à Metro Theatre, 624 George St, Sydney 2000. 02 9550 3666. www.metrotheatre.com.au. 7pm. $59-$69. Sat Jun 22.

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

The prolific Melbourne psych stalwarts released five full-length albums in 2017 alone – but they never skimp on quality. The recently released Fishing for Fishies, a record that includes songs about vegetarianism and sustainable living, is potentially their best record yet: a heady cocktail of stomping glam-rock, 1970s AOR and good old-fashioned boogie. Expect manic energy, stellar guitar work and an undeniably great night out. à Roundhouse, University of New South Wales, Anzac Pde, Kensington 2052. 02 9385 1000. www.arc.unsw.edu.au/roundhouse. 7pm. $80.65. Jul 5-6.

Foals

Foals’ latest project is perhaps their most ambitious yet. Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost is an album in two halves – part one was released in March with the concluding part following later in the year – which the Oxford quartet co-produced themselves. It features waves of guitar as you’d expect, but also ramps up the complexity, with new ideas fizzing at every turn. Foals are clearly reaching for the stars, so get set for an intense and cathartic experience. à Hordern Pavilion, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park 2021. 02 9921 5333. www.playbillvenues.com.au. 8pm. $84.90-$109.90. Wed Jul 17.

Dave

Londoner David Omoregie might be barely out of his teens, but he’s already a bona fide star in his homeland. His debut album, Psychodrama, is an accomplished work, marrying UK grime with nakedly candid lyrics, where Dave opens up about his struggles with mental health and racial abuse. In particular, the track ‘Black’ is a powerful meditation on what it means to be a young black man in the world right now.

Psychodrama hit the top of the UK album charts in March, so it’s a good idea to get to know him now before he goes stratospheric. à Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown 2042. 02 9550 3666. www.enmoretheatre.com.au. 8pm. $54.90. Thu Jul 18.

Little Simz

Given the hype surrounding her latest album,

Grey Area, you’d be forgiven for assuming it was Little Simz’s debut release. The London MC has been putting out mixtapes and records for nearly a decade now. It’s easy to see why Grey

Area – her third studio album – has grabbed the attention of fans and critics alike: Little Simz has an incredible flow and uses her raspy voice to great effect, plus she’s noticeably matured as a lyricist. Music bible NME called the album “the best rap record of the year so far”. à Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville 2204. 02 9550 3666. www.factorytheatre.com.au. 8pm. $49.90. Thu Jul 18.

Local Natives

Los Angeles’ answer to Vampire Weekend are heading to Australia for Splendour in the Grass and in support of fourth album, Violet Street, which, in a move sure to delight Local Natives diehards, sees the band return to the gorgeous harmonies and luxuriant instrumentation they were best known for. Head to their sideshow gig to bask in a bit of Silver Lake sunshine for one night in winter. à Oxford Art Factory, 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010. 02 9332 3711. www.oxfordartfactory.com. 8pm. $59.90. Fri Jul 19.

SZA

After years on the margins, American singersongwriter SZA blew up with the release of 2017 debut album Ctrl, which showcased modern-day R’n’B and a willingness to borrow from other genres. Ctrl led to an appearance on the Black Panther soundtrack and ‘Power Is Power’ – SZA’s collaboration with the Weeknd and Travis Scott, from the soundtrack for the final series of Game of Thrones. Her name is everywhere, so you’d better catch her while she’s here. à Hordern Pavilion, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park 2021. 02 9921 5333. www.playbillvenues.com.au. 8pm. $132.45-$234.20. Fri Jul 19.

Friendly Fires

Friendly Fires rose to prominence at the end of the last decade thanks to their intoxicating blend of indie and dance, turning guitar anthems into pulsing, jerky freakouts. Now, making a welcome return after a three-year break to work on extra-curricular projects, the English trio are heading to Australia to share their angular riffs, extra synth stabs and more polyrhythms than you can shake a (drum) stick at. Metro Theatre, 624 George St, Sydney 2000. 02 9550 3666. www.metrotheatre.com.au. 8pm. $69.90. Mon Jul 22.

Childish Gambino

You could almost hear the collective sigh of disappointment when Childish Gambino cancelled his Opera House dates back in October 2018. He promised to return, and he’s remained true to his word, coming to Sydney mere days after his headline slot at Splendour. This is arguably the most anticipated gig of the year and because of Donald Glover’s incredible range of projects, it’s impossible to know when (or even if) there’ll be another chance to see him performing crowd favourites ‘Redbone’ and ‘This Is America’ in the flesh. à Qudos Bank Arena, 19 Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park 2127. 02 8765 4321. www.qudosbankarena.com.au. 7.30pm. $122.15$417.50. Wed Jul 24.

James Blake

Assume Form, James Blake’s fourth album released earlier this year, demonstrates that he’s still pushing forward. Blake has augmented his brand of experimental electronic soul with further forays deep into hip hop and contributions from alternative flamenco artist Rosalía. He also collaborated with Beyoncé on Lemonade, and if you’ve been touched by the hand of Queen Bey, you’re clearly doing something right. à Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown 2042. 02 9550 3666. www.enmoretheatre.com.au. 8pm. $84.90-$109.90. Jul 23-24.

Kian

Castlemaine teenager Kian might not be a household name yet, but Triple J Unearthed followers will recognise his potential (he won the 2018 title). His best-known song, ‘Waiting’, reached the top 20 in 2018’s Hottest 100, which was the first song he ever wrote at the age of 14. Now aged 16, the Victorian hip-hop and indiepop singer is using his shining melodies and easy vocals to give the impression of an artist fully in control of his destiny. à Oxford Art Factory, 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010. 02 9332 3711. www. oxfordartfactory.com. 8pm. $26.43. Sat Jul 27.

Alvvays

These Google-savvy Canadians hark back to the golden age of DIY indie, with spirals of distortion topped by sugar-sweet melodies. What sets them apart from other shoegaze revivalists is the quality of their songs – you get the impression they’re a band truly in love with the three-minute pop song, from the girl groups of the ’60s all the way to the chart toppers of the present day. You’ll be buried in an avalanche of guitar effects but you’ll also be humming the tunes from Antisocialites for weeks. à Metro Theatre, 624 George St, Sydney 2000. 02 9550 3666. www. metrotheatre.com.au. 8pm. $44.90. Thu Aug 1.

Fleetwood Mac

Do you really need an explanation of why you should go and see genuine musical legends Fleetwood Mac? Over 100 million records sold. ‘Go Your Own Way.’ ‘The Chain.’ ‘Don’t Stop.’ ‘Big Love.’ We love them. You love them. Your mum loves them. Your dad loves them. Everyone loves them. Who cares that the most expensive tickets are as much as a week’s rent? For extra Antipodean pride, Neil Finn is stepping into the shoes of the ousted Lindsey Buckingham. à Qudos Bank Arena, 19 Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park 2127. 02 8765 4321. www. qudosbankarena.com.au. 8pm. $173.05-$509.15. Aug 15, 17, 27 & 29.

Hilltop Hoods

They are known to sell out arenas with their memorable performances featuring live orchestras and choirs, and now is your chance to be awestruck by the Aussie hip-hop dynamo that is the Hilltop Hoods. They’ll be stopping in Sydney as part of the global tour for their eighth studio album, The Great Expanse. Special guests include up-and-coming UK grime artist Shadow, widely regarded DJ Nino Brown, and critically acclaimed Australian hip-hop and R’n’B artist Mojo Juju. ■ à Qudos Bank Arena, Olympic Blvd, Sydney Olympic Park 2127. 132 849. premier. ticketek.com.au. 7.30pm. $91.60. Sat Aug 31.