This month, Sydney’s nightlife and music scene are turning things up majorly, which means you’ll want to clear your schedule and plot these epic gigs into your calendar.
Without lockout laws and Sydney’s biggest annual party on the horizon (Mardi Gras, duh), you’re in for a whole heap of late-night DJ showdowns, bushfire relief gigs, rooftop Sunday sessions, underground parties and even a festival on top of an extinct volcano.
Here’s every gig you need to check out this February.
Bootleg Rascal
the beery
Made up of a bunch of Sydney-based party starters, Bootleg Rascal is doing the rounds on a 15-date national tour across metro and regional areas and part of this means they’ll be descending on Terrigal’s iconic Florida Beach Bar (otherwise known as The Beery).
You can also expect a sling of emerging artists to play throughout the night, and, in between sets, a whole heap of crowd participation-based games and activities like “Wheel of Misfortune”, “Pin the Toupee on Trump” and “Yeah Nah Or Nah Yeah”.
When: Friday 7 February, 7pm Where: The Beery, Terrigal
Inner West Bushfire Relief 2020
vic on the park
Over 100 businesses, artists, ceramicists, jewellers, bakers, illustrators, musicians and DJs are locked to come together for a mammoth bushfire appeal at Vic on the Park. Hot on the line-up is drapper (drummer and rapper) Dobby, Sydney femme-strong Okenyo, Pirra, Glo and a whole heap more. To make things even better, Vic On The Park is also dog-friendly so you can bring the whole furry crew too. All proceeds from this bushfire relief fundraiser will be directed to Neil Morris’ Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities, Firesticks Alliance Network and the animal heroes at WIRES.
When: Saturday 8 February Where: Vic On The Park, Marrickville
Jameson Rounds At The Royal Curated By The Rubens
the royal
The summer months mean two things. A whole lot of beach time and then, of course, the iconic Jameson Rounds at The Royal. If you’re around the east, this whiskey and live music series (which is absolutely free) brings a whole heap of musical talent to Bondi Road. In its next takeover, the line up has been handpicked by Aussie alt-rockers The Rubens (who will also do a DJ set) You’ll hear from fierce songwriter Jaguar Jonze, soul and funk collective Boomchild, Western Sydney’s soul queen Rebecca Hatch and singer-songwriter legend GraceOnMute.
When: Sunday 9 February Where: The Royal, Bondi
Northeast Party House
coogee pavilion
Wherever Northeast Party House are, you’ll find us. These guys (who are about to drop a fresh new album at the end of the month) are climbing the stairs to Coogee Pavilion’s rooftop to throw down a vibe so good, you’ll never want to leave. The sextet is known to spin anthems worthy of club dance floors and festival fields, so you’ll probably want to rest-up or have a proper disco nap.. This one’s part of Merivale’s See Sound summer sessions which means you’re also in for $8 pints and $15 jugs of Furphy.
When: Sunday 9 February Where: Coogee Pavilion, Coogee Beach
Party Like It’s 1999
soda factory
For a mid-week jukebox party, round up your best workmates and hit the dancefloor hard at Soda. In the ultimate 90s tribute night, you’ll be privy to live 90s classics (think Oasis, Spice Girls, Snoop Dogg, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Hanson); you’ll get to battle it out in an actual Nintendo 64 Mario Kart tournament, $12 Nerd candy cocktails, two-for-one burgers, and $5 house drinks from 5pm until 7pm.
When: Thursday 13 February Where: The Soda Factory, Surry Hills
ILLENIUM
hordern pavilion
He’s (just casually) collab’d with Skrillex, Fatman Scoop and Michael Angelakos and now, ILLENIUM, also known as Jacob Stanczak, is bringing his eclectic dubstep to the Hordern. You’ve seen this guy perform at Coachella and Lollapalooza but this Aussie return is set to be one of his biggest showdowns yet, right off the back of his chart-topping album Ascend. To make things even better, Rash Bandicoot will be kicking tunes from 6pm, with Lucille Croft, William Black, Enschway and Dabin.
When: Saturday 15 February Where: Hordern Pavilion, Entertainment Quarter
RENEGADE Presents VSK
oxford underground
If you know anything about anything, you’ll know RENEGADE know how to throw a damn good party. Now, this crew is bringing VSK down under to make his Australian debut so block out your calendars, it’ll be a biggie. VSK (or Francesco Visconti if you’rea close mate), is an Italian techno DJ and producer who completely owns hard, dark and industrial sounds worthy of your ears. On the supporting acts is B-Man, Overexpired and Viking.
When: Saturday 15 February Where: Oxford Underground, Darlinghurst
Electric Gardens Festival
centennial park
Electric Gardens Festival is pulling out all the stops for its fifth anniversary. Expect a revival of the (almost) lost glory days of outdoor music festivals. Spanning the fields of Centennial Park, you’ll find three mammoth stages headlined by the likes of Craig David (who’s bringing back his widely-praised TS5 show), Armand Van Helden, DJ EZ, Berlin duo Pan-Pot and absolute deep house and indie juggernaut Nora En Pure.
When: Saturday 22 February Where: Centennial Park
Fat White Family
the factory theatre
Off the back of some pretty rave reviews for their surprise third album, Serf’s Up, British band Fat White Family are set to bring their chaotic, riotous live show to Marrickville. Their brand of lo-fi art rock is all about controversy, fused with punk and synthpop and social commentary. And their live act is meant to be real, raw rock n roll too (they’re known for getting naked on stage).
When: Friday 28 February, 8pm Where: The Factory Theatre, Marrickville
Inland Sea Of Sound
Mount Panorama
If you’ve got time to skrrt yourself out of Sydney this month, then keep your eye on Inland Sea Of Sound. Located in around Bathurst Region, the Inland Sea of Sound is a music, arts and culture festival you won’t want to miss. Why? Because Missy Higgins, Killing Heidi and Thando are casually locked in to perform. If you haven’t heard of this festival before, it’s pretty major due to the emphasis on all things sustainability and respect for the local Wiradyuri people. It also takes place on the summit of Wahluu—Mount Panorama (yes, it is home to the Bathurst 1000 but did you also know it is an extinct volcano).
When: Friday 28 and Saturday 29 February Where: Mount Panorama, Bathurst
Blackout
lansdowne hotel
If you didn’t score a ticket to the official Mardi Gras after-party—fear not. The Lansdowne is the only place you’ll need to make sure you and your mates flock to after the parade.. This party will take place over two levels and will kick on until the AM with hosts Nana Miss Koori and Felicia Foxx. On the DJ line-up is an opening set from Charlie Villas, GLDSPK, DJ Delight, Double D, FARNOZZ and Latifa Tee. A portion (20 per cent) of online ticket sales go directly to Koori Radio for community projects too.
When: Saturday 29 February Where: Lansdowne Hotel, Camperdown
See what else Sydney has to offer after dark in our Things To Do section.
Design credit: Kate Mason