Hypothesis: partying with Beck, Justice and The Libertines is the most ideal way to kick a new festival off the ground. By all calculations, it turns out that reality lives up to the theory.
Sydney City Limits is Australia’s answer to the renowned Texas event that has become a cornerstone of America’s festival circuit. Like Austin City Limits, SCL is set to make its mark on the industry here at home. The event came out swinging in its inaugural year with a glittering lineup that echoed festivals past (Big Day Out, Soundwave), beckoning some big acts who haven’t been this side of the shoreline in a while (what we like to see).
Brit punk icons The Libertines, the infinitely talented Grace Jones, mastermind Beck, and French electro/indie powerhouses Justice and Phoenix all joined a rich and diverse bill of local and internationals acts. Aussie wares like Gang of Youths, Stella Donnelly, Winston Surfshirt, Alex Lahey and The Avalanches sat alongside comfortably showcasing staggering talent.
The kick-off was a one-day affair set to four stages and was peppered with boutique food, beverage and retail stalls, including The Grove VIP section, for anyone malcontent with the sweaty mosh life. While around 14,000 turned up to muzz, the Centennial Park space was easy to navigate between stages and the lines for food and drinks were spread out and moved quickly, thanks to the abundance of vendors. It was a jam-packed schedule which meant that we weren’t bored for a second. We’ll definitely be back next year.
Photos by Dani Hansen.
Thundercat
Gang of Youths
Oh Wonder
The Avalanches
Future
Ocean Alley
Grace Jones
Justice
Phoenix
Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes
Parramatta’s premiere summer festival The Plot returned this year ready to bring Plotters some of the biggest up and coming names in Australian music. Part I features Gold Fields, Indian Summer, Ocean Alley, Polographia, Tash Sultana, Ivan Ooze, Ziggy Alberts, Dylan Joel, Montaigne, Vera Blue, Elizabeth Rose, Alex Lahey, Pierce Brothers, Confidence Man, Luca Brasi, Japanese Wallpaper, Allday and The Bennies. Check the action below.
Gold Fields
Indian Summer
Ocean Alley
Polographia
Tash Sultana
Ivan Ooze
Ziggy Alberts
Dylan Joel
Montaigne
Vera Blue
Elizabeth Rose
Alex Lahey
Pierce Brothers
Confidence Man
Luca Brasi
Japanese Wallpaper
Allday
The Bennies
Photos: Teresa Pham/Howl & Echoes
As always, your Friday playlist is here and ready to kick things off for the weekend. Today we’ve got a solid mix of local and international electronic, hip hop, fuzzed-out rock and more. Enjoy!
- B Miles, Salt
We hear a lot of soulful, female-fronted electronica around here, so it takes a lot for a track to stand out. With the sentimentality of light rain on a Sunday morning, and a coquettish trip-hop sensuality, it’s easy to pay attention. I really love the contrast between the husky vocal melody and the twangy guitars. All in all, this is a unique and immersive release from the upcoming artist, who will be releasing new EP Twentyfifteen later this year. - Green Buzzard, Slow It Down Now
Newly signed to local legends I OH YOU (DMA’s, DZ Deathrays), Green Buzzard have been making serious waves through the local music industry. Admittedly I wasn’t too hot on their first single Zoo Fly, but Slow It Down Now has really put me at attention. With a hazy, lo-fi Tame Impala vibe, the jangly guitars and garage riffs fill out the atmosphere. It’s an interesting blend of styles that, while so overdone, manages to still sound totally fresh. - Life is Better Blonde, Follow Me
Follow Me, from Melbourne’s Life Is Better Blonde, is a fascinating and beautiful new release, following on from recent single Mine. Opening with the kind of piano lines that somehow feels truly heartbreaking from the very first listen, the lyrics and melody create a raw sense of real desolation and loss. One of those tracks that are fairly simple, musically, yet they say so very much. - Noire, Baby Blue
In conjunction with the news that a debut EP is on the way, Sydney trio Noire have released a heavenly new track to celebrate. Featuring sublime vocals, piercing drums and gentle guitar chords, Baby Blue is a poignant piece of dream pop, and one that has us very excited for their EP out next month of the same name. - Ocean Alley, Muddy Water
Although I would be inclined to steer clear of anything “reggae-rock”, Ocean Alley are much, much more than that. Beautifully composed, this band have created one hell of a track with Muddy Water. With a little vulnerability, a lot of talent and some serene guitar work, there is a lot going on here but pulled off with ease. - Planète, Altair
This is probably my favourite track this week. The sprawling, expansive rhythm-led atmosphere on this track has me absolutely hypnotised; I must have listened to it least twenty times this week. The Melbourne artist has quickly become one of my favourite Australian producers, paving his own way with a uniquely experimental, partially ambient style that goes totally against the grain of his peers. - Stray Echo, Concrete Daydream
This is a cool kind of throwback track from upcoming artist Stray Echo. Drawing influence from the 1980s and 1990s, the big synthy bass anchors it down, while shimmery instrumental layers and a deep, rich vocal melody lead the way. Truly embodying the idea of blending genres and decades into a fresh sounding track, Concrete Daydream is as simple as it is inviting. - Tamper, Red Sock Pugie (Foals cover)
In celebration of Foals’ fourth studio album being released today, we decided to include this slightly different cover of one of our most favourite Foals tracks. Tamper more than do Red Sock Pugie justice, turning it into a gentle, meandering number with room to breathe. It’s delicate and slow moving, soft and light, and really, really enjoyable. Well worth your time! - Big K.R.I.T, 86
It’s safe to say we’re pretty excited for OutsideIn Festival next month, so any new releases from any of those artists puts us in a VERY good mood, especially if they’re from Big K.R.I.T. Even more so, if they’re like 86. About a year on since his album Cadillactica, K.R.I.T has effortlessly recaptured the world’s attention with this single and reminded everyone just who he is and what he’s about. - AR15, Can’t See Me Again ft. Skepta, Bashy & Kano
We have had our eyes firmly planted on Skepta for a while now, and this song reaffirms our love for the Grime King. Can’t See Me Again was released as part of Alwayz Recordings Concrete Jungle mixtape, and is definitely the pick of tracks featured on the list. Featuring three of grime’s big dogs, this track is seriously cool.