Full disclosure: If you didn’t already know Tone Deaf is a Melbourne based music website. And perhaps that means something to you if you buy into the Sydney/Melbourne rivalry that is apparently fought over so vehemently in bars and exploited by many a media organisation for clickbait.
But at the heart of it the debate is pretty banal. One city is good because of these points and the other because of those. Both are different and both have had their fair share of problems in the last year (Think Melbourne’s Palace Theatre and Sydney’s new curfew laws).
But if we’ve proven anything from our guides to Perth and Brisbane (and the Australian music scene in general) there’s something unique about each city worth celebrating and fighting for that outweighs any trivial cross-city rivalries.
Sydney is of course no different. It boasts a broad range of brilliant music venues, a few of which you can read about below, and that’s without even mentioning the country’s greatest icon in the Sydney Opera House.
The third busiest opera company in the world might be the most obvious jewel in the city’s crown, but there are a host of acts, festivals and record stores that have contributed to this city’s music history.
After all this metropolis is the original home of the Big Day Out, which up until recently was the country’s biggest touring music festival. After it debuted in Sydney in 1992 it expanded to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth the following year.
Then of course there is the long list of now iconic bands and musicians that have originated from the city, which points to Sydney’s importance in Australian music history.
A quick name drop that includes Johnny O’Keefe, Billy Thorpe, The Easybeats, John Paul Young, AC/DC, Midnight Oil, INXS, Icehouse, The Dvinyls, The Church and Hoodoo Gurus amongst many others affirms the notion that Sydney’s music scene has the ability to breed legends.
Although anyone with a basic knowledge of Australian music could tell you as much, but what are the venues playing host to the next crop? Who exactly is the next crop? And what makes Sydney’s music scene worth visiting?
We’ve picked our 11 best things that any music fan should do in Australia’s most famous city.
Experience Vivid To Have Your Eyes Dazzled And Ears Delighted
Sydney may already be known for its beauty but no other event exploits this successfully in the same way that Vivid does. Simply put, Sydney never looks more incredible than when this festival is on. With several light installations and projections the event transforms the city for around 19 days between May and June every year. While its selection of panels and talks are undoubtedly interesting its past selection of acts, which has included the likes of St.Vincent, Anna Calvi, Kraftwerk, Bobby Womack, Karl Hyde and Sufjan Stevens, separates it from any other music festival in the country.
See The Best Of Sydney’s Arts Scene At Oxford Art Factory
38-46 Oxford St
So what exactly is an art factory? This venue’s ambiguous name provides the broad palette of arts that you expect it would. At its simple best OAF has a comfortable bar that is free entry, while next door in the main room some of the best local and international acts are playing to a packed room of devotees. The glass cube in-between these two rooms, known as the heart of the OAF, provides a space for unique art demonstrations, while the Gallery bar provides exhibitions throughout the year. As one of the city’s coolest establishments it does a pretty darn good job at catering for just about anyone who has an interest in the arts, or even just a cold beer.
Hit Up Red Eye Records For The Best New Releases In Town
143 York St.
Conveniently located in the centre of Sydney fans of indie and Australian music can’t go past Red Eye Records. Not only does it host in store gigs, have a good selection of vinyl, but they also sell DVDs, books and CDs. Sydney’s largest independent music store since 1981 imports from around the world, stocks plenty of new releases and also has a well rounded selection of local goods.
Go For The Americana Food And Stay For The Music At Goodgod Small Club
53-55 Liverpool St.
Is there any other bar in the world that looks like a cross between a Flintstones building and a 1960s nightclub? We doubt it. Goodgod is unique and memorable in its aesthetics with a cocktail menu that is good enough to make you forget it come the morning after. The Americana inspired menu isn’t bad either.Although its solid selection of local acts and DJs and infrequent internationals is ultimately the reason for its inclusion here.
Hear Rainbow Chan Live In Her Hometown
This Hong Kong born singer-songwriter is one the country’s most innovative and intriguing acts currently doing the rounds. As we described in our profile of the artist she sounds like “kaleidoscopic RnB tinged with syrupy oriental infections”. Last year’s Long Vacation EP evidences this statement the best and left us wanting for a full length effort.
Hunt For Vinyl And Then Reward Yourself With A Drink At Mojo Record Bar
73 York St.
Combining music and alcohol isn’t exactly a new revelation, but Mojo brings the two together in a way that allows vinyl hunters to dig until their hearts content and than go quench their thirst without having to lag their prized haul all the way down the street. While the records are for sale out the front, music and drinks can be found out the back.
Witness The City’s Biggest Shows At The Enmore Theatre
118-132 Enmore Rd
It might be an old venue with seating that looks like it would be better suited for mellow gigs and theatre performances, but the Enmore has been the host of some of Sydney’s biggest shows. Coldplay, QOTSA, The Dandy Warhols, Modest Mouse, Kings Of Leon and Foals have all played here in the past amongst numerous others. Needless to say The Enmore Theatre has been used for various different types of performances in the past. If it’s noteworthy chances are it’s going down here.
Witness The Punk Ferocity Of Bloods In The Flesh
MC, Dirk and Sweetie brought their debut EP, Golden Fang, into the world last year with a thrash of garage pop and punk that was impossible to deny. The three-piece put on one hell of a live show too. There ability to translate the energy of their EP into a live show is undoubtedly at the core of why Bloods are one of Sydney’s most exciting young bands.
Shop Up At The Home Of Heavy Metal In Utopia Records
511 Kent St.
Metal and Sydney’s sunny weather may not seem like a good match, but fans of the genre have found a haven in this establishment. Utopia provides all the best metal related CDs, vinyl, DVDs, merchandise, books and memorabilia. They don’t call it Australia’s home of metal for over 35 years for nothing.
Catch A Local Gig At The Hi-Fi
122 Lang Rd
No longer just an institution to Melbourne’s music scene, The Hi-Fi has spread to Sydney and Brisbane in recent years to provide these metropolises with a reliable destination for live music. Formerly known as the Forum in Sydney The Hi-Fi is more known for providing quality rock performances than anything else. Come festival season you can bet you’ll be coming here for a number of sideshows.
See Gang Of Youths At One Of Their Local Gigs
We’ve already heard three pretty sublime tracks from this outfit so far. Their infectious debut ‘Evangelists’, ballad ‘Riverlands’ and more recently ‘Poison Of Drum’ have proven Gang Of Youths know a thing or two about putting together an alternative rock number. Their debut album is said to be almost complete and we’re banking on it to live up to the hype.
