RiotACT Gig Guide (26 February – 3 March)

Jess Green AKA Pheno is set to support Canadian indie rockers The New Pornographers this Friday. Photo: Liam Cairns, Capital Beets.

The world’s most important band, Cry Club make their Canberra return this week. Their latest single ‘Robert Smith’ was one of the more unexpected left-turns of 2019, maligning Morrissey’s fall from grace and eschewing conventional harmonic and rhythmic structures. It’s the kind of song that makes you say, “Um, what?” in the best way possible. Catch them alongside Neko Pink and Peach Lane this Friday at Transit.

Vancouver indie rock legends The New Pornographers stop in at the Canberra Theatre this week. It marks a rare trip to our shores for this acclaimed band and an even rarer opportunity to see them in the nation’s capital. Support from local art-pop artist Pheno is a welcome surprise in the opening slot.

Another world-conquering act hitting Canberra this week is Hot Chip. They’re arguably the most successful British pop band of the 21st Century, and it’s hard to argue the point when their catalogue boasts floor-fillers like ‘Boy From School’, ‘One Life Stand’, and recent bop ‘Melody of Love’. We caught up with Al Doyle from the band to talk about curry, Netflix and life as a middle-aged rockstar.

Though not strictly a gig, the NFSA is hosting CLIPPED.TV this Friday, premiering music videos from a host of local artists. It’s a chance to get a sneak peak at what’s to come creatively from Canberra’s musicians in 2020.

Wednesday 26th

• Wednesday Lunchtime Concert @ Wesley Music Centre, 12:40 pm
• Sing For Your Supper @ George Harcourt Inn, 6:30 pm
• The Ocelots @ Smith’s Alternative, 7:00 pm

Thursday 27th

• Jason Hart @ National Press Club, 6:00 pm
• Kim Churchill Early Show @ Smith’s Alternative, 7:00 pm
• Busby Marou @ The Basement, 7:00 pm
• Alyssa Edwards – The Supreme Tour @ UC Refectory, 8:00 pm
• Jess Spahr @ Transit Bar, 8:00 pm
• Kim Churchill @ Smith’s Alternative, 9:30 pm
• CHRUNCHY – Vessel and Friends @ sideway, 10:00 pm.

Friday 28th

• Ryan David @ Town Centre Vikings, 4:00 pm
• Dan Millane @ Badger & Co, 4:30 pm
• Leisa Keen @ National Press Club, 6:00 pm
• CLIPPED.TV Music Video Premiers @ NFSA, 6:00 pm
• Tash Eloise @ Chisolm Vikings, 7:00 pm
• The New Pornographers @ Canberra Theatre Centre, 7:30 pm
• The Wolfe Brothers @ Harmonie German Club, 7:30 pm
• The Murlocs @ Kambri, 7:30 pm
• A Walk In Rio @ Wesley Music Centre, 7:30 pm
• Canberra Uncut: Swift Peaks, The Burleigh Highs, Danny Pratt, Groovy Daughter @ sideway, 8:00 pm
• Cry Club, Neko Pink, Peach Lane @ Transit Bar, 8:00 pm
• Dog Trumpet @ Polish White Eagle Club, 8:00 pm
• Third Party Duo @ Lanyon Vikings, 9:00 pm
• FEEL ft Marlo @ Fiction, 9:00 pm
• Something Like This @ Hellenic Club Woden, 9:00 pm
• Kim Churchill @ Smith’s Alternative, 9:30 pm
• Quix @ Mr Wolf, 10:00 pm.

Saturday 29th

• The Ultimate Tribute Show @ The Basement, 12:00 pm
• OXJAM @ Smith’s Alternative, 3:00 pm
• Music By The River 2020 @ Queen Elizabeth II Park, 5:00 pm
• Grace Petrie @ Smith’s Alternative, 7:00 pm
• Something Like This @ Erindale Vikings, 7:30 pm
• Flash Anthem, Cold Sleep, Black Heart, Trace @ Polish White Eagle Club, 8:00 pm
• FIRE AID 2020 @ Transit Bar, 8:00 pm
• Party On @ Hellenic Club Woden, 9:00 pm
• Sideway 1st Birthday @ sideway, 10:00 pm.

Sunday 1st

• John Harkins @ Beyond Q, 9:30 am
• Sunday Jazz Jam @ Smith’s Alternative, 1:00 pm
• Artsong @ Wesley Music Centre, 3:00 pm
• Michael Lemmer @ Beyond Q, 4:00 pm
• Joseph Tawadros Quintet @ The Street Theatre, 4:00 pm
• Hot Chip @ Kambri, 6:00 pm.

Monday 2nd

• Lunchulele @ Smith’s Alternative, 12:30 pm

Tuesday 3rd

• Lunch Time Sing Fling @ Smith’s Alternative, 12:00 pm
• Jazz On The Rocks: Key Grip Duo @ Molly, 7:00 pm.