Go backstage with The Music and receive FREE:

  • Exclusive members-only editorial, charts
  • Our subscriber-only newsletter
  • Members only competitions to win tickets, experiences and more
  • Access to our street press archives
  • First access to our exclusive limited edition vinyl variants

Thank you for being a part of our community! Enter your email address as verification and you'll be taken backstage right away.

Please ensure that you provide a valid email address.

Event Focus: A Very Badlands Christmas

Staff Writer

You know Christmas is approaching when shopping centres role out over-played versions of carols songs months out from the day.

It's not all corny melodies and cringe-worthy choruses, though, as Badlands unleashes a massive Christmas party with the likes of Hideous Sun Demon, Shit Narnia and more this Saturday, Dec 3.

We had some of the talent on the bill give us their favourite festive tunes.

Steven Aaron Hughes, Usurper Of Modern Medicine

Well at the risk of sounding like a complete Scrooge, I think Christmas is a ridiculous tradition that is used to offset our lack of familial and community connection throughout the rest of the year, wrapped up in the inappropriate Christian snow culture and Coca-Cola mascots. Bah humbug.
So if I can’t choose Kevin Bloody Wilson - Hey Santa Claus and have to choose something serious, you can’t go past Lennon/Plastic Ono Band's Happy Xmas (War Is Over) for trying to portray an actual conscious message into the silly season. Epic tune.
Close runner ups are Cocteau Twins - Frosty the Snowman (as bizarre as it is to hear Liz Fraser sing in a real language, she totally fits the part) and Can - Silent Night (Krautrock and Christmas is a theme that is dying to be explored in greater detail then what these legends did for whatever reason back in the day, what the fuck).

Sam Scherr, Macho Men

Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade. Fuckin' doi.

This song actually makes Christmas seem fun, instead of a major drag. Honourable mention to Fairytale Of New York by the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl for depicting Christmas as a major drag.

Tristan Hull, King Of The Travellers

At the risk of being predictable, I have to go with Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues. In the space of about four minutes, it captures all the love, tenderness, bitterness and resentment you feel towards those close to you over the holidays. It’s hands down the best Christmas song written to date, and after countless listens still packs the same punch as the first time I heard it.

Check out theGuide for all the info on A Very Badlands Christmas.