Five Vivid Music Gigs That Need Your Attention

The third and last sect of Vivid Sydney, kicking off tonight and running until 8 June, is Vivid Music.

At the core of this program is the commitment to present the public with a fresh, contemporary look at music in this era — with an array of local and international acts performing at venues big and small, Vivid Music aims to be the spearhead of contemporary music. Heralded by Modulations at Carriageworks and Sydney Opera House's Vivid LIVE program, iconic artists like Morrissey, TV On The Radio, Sufjan Stevens and Bill Callahan are all slated in to perform. It goes without saying that these shows will be spectacular to catch, but Vivid LIVE shows aside, we put together a list of five smaller but no less amazing Vivid Music gigs to check out.

If you need a hand on Vivid Light and Vivid Ideas events to check out over the next couple of weeks, head here and here. Check out the theGuide and The Music App for details on dates and where to buy tickets. 

soul of sydney

If you lived in the disco/soul era — and even if you didn't — this gig is something that's so unique you probably won't want to miss it. Soul Of Sydney will be Sydney's best showcase of the funk and soul talent we have right Down Under, with Melbourne's 19-piece The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra at its helm. There's no doubt in our minds that an ensemble this big playing Afro-beat, influenced by hip hop, soul and tribal rhythms will be nothing short of a dance floor drug. At a secret venue that will only be announced to ticket holders, the show on Sunday, 24 May will run from 1pm to 10pm, with a few of radio's coolest soul DJs joining the party, such as Meem from 2SER and Stephen Ferris from FBI Radio.

new wave sound: music for double bass

We think double basses don't get the love they deserve, and we miss the days you could casually say "go on, take the bass for a walk". New Wave Sound: Music For Double Bass brings back that appreciation for the mighty double bass, through the performances of two works composed by double bassist Elsen Price and composer Andrew Batt-Rawden. Performed at the Seymour Centre this Thursday, 28 May, you'll be treated to pretty impressive bass techniques and improvisation, with Marcus Holden on mandolin and James Walker on visual effects. 

i oh you @ goodgod small club

The I Oh You label is responsible for some of Australia's biggest indie bands, Snakadactal, DZ Deathrays and Violent Soho to name a couple, borne out of a huge house party four Melbourne housemates threw back in 2009. The same four housemates are throwing another rager called Ain't No Queen Of Mine at Goodgod this Friday, 5 June, complete with live performances from local heroes and other up and comers like Spod, Bloods and Chief Havoc, as well as DJ sets from King O.P.P., Pasito (which is Shane from DZ Deathrays) and Palms. We reckon this gig is a good one to get to if you want to beat the bandwagon and get to these acts before they make it big. 

Bloods

fractured fantasy

The next best thing to seeing Daft Punk live is, of course, seeing a Daft Punk tribute show. Fractured Fantasy is a themed three-parter held at The Rocks' Argyle, the first of which offers a futuristic night of Daft Punk-influenced music this weekend, celebrating the lighting production and altogether amazing spectacle that constitutes a Daft Punk show. Fractured Fantasy is also hosting a Wonderland week from Monday, 25 May to Sunday, 31 May with, you guessed it, Alice In Wonderland-costumed DJs, giant toadstools, bunnies and maybe even a painted rose or two. Vivid's last week will see Fractured Fantasy host a Star Wars weel, complete with intergalactic cocktails and light saber capoeira shows. 

Check out how the Argyle celebrated Vivid last year below.

carmada @ oxford art factory

The DJ duo haven't been around for very long at all, but they've made sent waves of dubstep at Splendour In The Grass, Listen Out and Stereosonic and wrapped their fingers around a #1 album on iTunes. Signed to Skrillex's LA label OWSLA, Drew Carmody and Max Armata — hence the portmanteau Carmada — are ones to watch, and they're heading to the Oxford Art Factory for three gigs in a row starting Thursday, 28 May.