How good is it to be an Adelaidian right now? No longer is Adelaide the city skipped by the big acts; we, a UNESCO-certified city of music, are playing host to so many wonderful Aussie and international musicians. September, as you’d imagine, doesn’t slow down after a massive end to the winter blues in August.
City Calm Down, Vera Blue and Montaigne are amongst the home-grown talent sliding through town during this, the sunny start of spring, while Bring Me The Horizon and A$AP Ferg are just a couple of the big international names set to run riot as the month progresses.
First, though, let’s get a little weird with The Gooch Palms. The Los Angeles-adopted Aussies are back in the land of pleasure to share with us their sophomore LP ‘Introverted Extroverts’. The last time these guys were in Adelaide, touring with the unholy triumvirate (Dune Rats, DZ Deathrays and Violent Soho), the crowd fell in crazy, stupid love with the quirky Newcastle natives, so Thursday 1st of September at Jive might just be the perfect way to kick off this month in music.
Also very much worth a mention is Boo Seeka; the Sydney duo hits ‘Cable Kidz’ at Fat Controller on the 1st for those with less inclination to get all bruised up in a mosh pit.
Two huge nights are to follow with Mosquito Coast and City Calm Down keeping the party going at Rocket Bar and The Gov respectively. After winning Triple J’s coveted ‘Unearthed High’ competition in 2015, Mosquito Coast’s Naomi Robinson and Conor Barton have found a fan base wherever they’ve travelled. Their sun kissed brand of indie pop has hit a once-empty spot in the hearts of many and Rocket Bar on Friday night should provide the perfect atmosphere for these two to strut their stuff.
Saturday sees City Calm Down back in town by popular demand for the second time this year as the Melbourne ensemble embarks on its biggest headline tour yet. The baritone-driven four-piece brings its debut LP ‘In A Restless House’ yet again because, for those of us who saw them rock the roof off Fat Controller in April, once was certainly not enough.
Friday 9th and Saturday 10th are set to be marathon nights at Fat Controller with Just A Gent kicking off your weekend for ‘All You Can Eat’, followed by Kilter taking over the basement the following evening. Why bother going home?
Everybody’s favourite folkstress—yeah, folkstress, I’m trying it out—Vera Blue is set to mesmerise the masses at Jive on Thursday 15th September. With a growing cult following and substantial circulation on the airwaves, particularly featuring on Illy’s track ‘Papercuts’, as well as a live show that has been described as an “extraordinary experience” (TheMusic.com.au), Vera Blue is not one you want to miss.
Alternative rock giants, the boys from Bring Me The Horizon are set to bring us to our knees with a bone-shaking exhibition of their fifth and latest album ‘That’s The Spirit’. These guys love us so much they promised us a tour despite being a headline act on the cancelled Soundwave bill. So, give the UK natives a warm welcome back to Radelaide and grab yourselves a ticket for their 20th September Entertainment Centre blockbuster!
It’s time for us to fall in love with Montaigne all over again on Friday 23rd as she breezes into Fat Controller with her triumphant new album ‘Glorious Heights’. This is definitely my pick of the month; if you see one gig in September, make it this one.
Harlem’s own A$AP Ferg is set to take over The Gov for the Adelaide leg of his Listen Out sideshows on Wednesday 28th September. Ferg has well and truly made a name for himself since his 2012 emergence, supporting the likes of Rihanna and Drake as well as headline tours for adoring fans around the globe. For Ferg, this is a pretty intimate show, so get in quick – yet another eclectic musician seeing the geographical significance of our fair city!
Adelaide’s youngest hip-hop son Allday is hitting HQ the following night—Thursday 29th—on his ‘Sides’ single tour. He’ll be appearing with UV Boi and Tyne-James Organ in one of the venue’s final live shows.
Last, but definitely not least, September will be capped off with The Delta Riggs and their ‘Active Galactic’ album tour on Friday 30th at The Gov. These boys are known to give an incredible live performance and, celebrating the August release of this, their third studio album, this show is bound to be no exception. Anyone who was lucky enough to witness the Riggs in action at Fat Controller in June would testify to the electricity these crazy cats bring to the stage.
There always seem to be too many acts to name when putting this guide together, but here’s to another month of vivacious vibes and seamless sounds in the city of Adelaide. Get out and experience the madness!
Image: CNN