Splendour in the Grass sideshows
Sydney goes Splendour in the Grass sideshow mad. Here's what's on and when
Wednesday 30
Trip hop veteran Tricky makes his 2008 comeback with new album Knowle West Boy. He'll wow The Metro crowd with a mixed bag of hits dating back to the glory days of Massive Attack and the universally doted Maxinquaye. Bravo!
Thursday 31
Ex-Test Icicle Devonte Hynes returns to Australia as Lightspeed Champion. His alt. indie sounds are set to transform Oxford Art Factory from brash to intimate for one night only, with catchy ballads including ‘Stay the Fuck Away From Me' and ‘Hooker Song'. That charming young thing!
The Music's return to Australia has been long awaited as we nursed their debut and sweet synth rock sounds. Absence, however, has only made the heart grow fonder and the band stronger. See what kind of Strength In Numbers the band has when they hit The Metro stage.
Friday 1
Are they not men? Well? Devo return to Sydney to headline the Splendour Fest and man a few sideshows along the way. It's been a good decade since the inventors of electro pop toured our shores, but rest assured they're just as kooky and awesome as ever.
Saturday 2
Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust gave a pop sensibility to Sigur Rós glacial beauty and it's going to be a stunning gig for those with tickets. The sell out performance sees Sydney lads Pivot step up to support the Icelandic monoliths. We say it's a perfect match: Sigur Rós sing in Hopelandic and Pivot? Well, they don't sing at all.
Monday 4
Cold War Kids made so many friends last time around that they're coming back for more ahead of their new album Loyalty to Loyalty. Expect a smattering of the old and a whole lot of new says the band. Either way, get ready for a night of charged guitar and piano pounding indie rock.
Vampire Weekend's debut record arrived in Australia one week and the next, they sold out The Metro. It's amazing what a little bit of pop rock does to us Sydneysiders. Ticket holders will be privy to an evening of Oxford-esque guitar pop from a bunch of well-mannered Brits.
Tuesday 5
Still high on the success of Cease to Begin, Band of Horses bring their triumph to Oz along with newest addition to the band guitarist Tyler Ramsey for a couple of shows along the East Coast this August. Carolina soft rock - the best kind of rock music.
You've heard Laura Marling warble with The Mystery Jets and she sings like a little Lily Allen. And while she may be young in age, the songstress' profound lyrics and vocal tributes are not unlike Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Kate Bush. Catch her while you can at The Factory.
The boys next door who asked us to dance to Joy Division return to Aus for another string of sell out shows. After touring the UK, Japan, Europe and the US, The Wombats return to do Sydney all over again.
Tokyo Police Club hit Australia for the first time ever. Ever. It's no wonder the Oxford Art Factory folk are presenting it.
Wednesday 6
London based hipsters New Young Pony Club return to Australia this August for two special shows in Sydney and Melbourne. And yes: they can give you what you want. They can make you ice cream, you could be a sweet team melting in your vice dreams, sport.
The Fratellis are purveyors of the world's finest indie pop. You hopefully got tickets for the Scot superstars before they sold out or you'll be at home threatening yourself with a Chelsea Dagger, no doubt.
Friday 8
British India do a victory lap of Australia in the name of their hit second album Thieves. The Melbourne boys do hypnotic indie rock with a charming edge.
Finished making your strawberry outfit yet? Don't disappoint Elton John's besties Pnau when they hit The Enmore stage. Child prodigies Operator Please step up to form the odd couple that is the night's line-up: a quirky Aus music extravaganza.
Saturday 9
Australia's finest homegrown hip hop takes stage for a cracking nights of breaks and beats. Lyrics Born, J-Live and DJ MC Blu come together with their lyrics, kicks and live band momentum. Boom.
Masked, gyrate inducing and whiskey swigging Canadian duo, MSTRKRFT hit up the Metro with their new wave sounds. Sydney's electro loving patronage cash in on the freewheeling fun times. Hey, any excuse for a party.