The Sydney summer is much hyped and for good reason – it's a season that ensures longer daylight hours for sand-adjacent reclining, balmy evenings fragranced with salty ocean air, and an increased capacity for socialising and general hedonism. It also brings with it some of the best local and international music artists for the ultimate warm weather soundtrack. From Solange to Marlon Williams, these are our must-see summer gigs (because you can never plan too early).
Solange
Our obsession with Solange knows no apparent limits, growing stronger with every live performance we’re lucky enough to catch. Following the release of her fourth studio album When I Get Home (a celebration of her hometown of Houston, Texas), the singer-songwriter has announced a four-day residency with the Sydney Opera House from January 27-31. Tickets are on sale Friday, August 23 - you know what to do.
Hatchie
“I kind of realised that it was really helping me to put my feelings out there, and to deal with negative thoughts by putting them in a song and getting over them.” We’ve been obsessed with Hatchie since she first appeared in our ‘Privacy’ issue, and come January 1, 2020, you’ll find us front and centre at her Field Day performance in The Domain. Get your passes from August 27.
Paul Kelly feat. Marlon Williams and Courtney Barnett
Hear us out. It wouldn’t be Christmas unless Australian national treasure Paul Kelly was belting out ‘Who’s gonna make the gravy?’ in an outdoor amphitheatre somewhere, and lucky for us this year he’s bringing along RUSSH favourites Marlon Williams and Courtney Barnett for his December 14 Sydney performance. A very merry Christmas indeed.
Elton John
Thanks to Rocketman Elton’s made his way back into our record rotation (not that he ever really left), and this summer we’ll be taking our nearest and dearest to his universally acclaimed live show. He’ll be at the International Convention Centre on December 23 – we’ll be the ones scream-singing Bennie and the Jets from the stalls.
Fairgrounds Festival
What do DMA's, Meg Mac, Julia Jacklin and The Lemonheads have in common? We’ll be front row for them, live at Berry's Fairgrounds Festival. Aussie throwbacks and international favourites are a chill time on December 6 and 7. Say no more to a quintessential summer weekend of pop-up restaurants, record fairs and a festival pool.
Fingers crossed ...
For sideshows – the sweet, silver lining of festival season for those that can’t quite bring themselves to commit to multi-day music extravaganzas. We’ve got our eyes peeled for Tyler the Creator, Cub Sport, Methyl Ethel, Confidence Man, Vampire Weekend, Thelma Plum, Gflip (OK we’ll stop).
From top: @saintrecords; @sydneyoperahouse; RUSSH Issue 82, PHOTOGRAPHY Kitty Callaghan; Courtney Barnett, PHOTOGRAPHY Noah van der Veer; RUSSH Issue 87, PHOTOGRAPHY Adrian Price; @paulkellyofficial; @eltonsfabworld; @rockanderollmadonna; @fairgroundsfestival; @dmasmusic; @juliajacklin; @k_for_days.
