These are the best Sydney gigs to catch in August

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These are the best Sydney gigs to catch in August

By James Jennings

This month’s top five gig recommendations include dancefloor mavens from a range of eras, a great band with a dodgy name, a folk doctor, and a rapper who’s probably way more into the movie Titanic than most.

Ministry of Sound: Testament (90s session)

Overseas Passenger Terminal, August 5

Using the potent drug of nostalgia to lure in middle-aged ex-clubbers and possibly younger folk who missed rave’s halcyon days, iconic dance institution Ministry of Sound is throwing a big ’90s-themed party sure to cause a sudden spike in glow stick sales.

Dantiez Saunderson, Kevin Saunderson and Ann Saunderson of Inner City.

Dantiez Saunderson, Kevin Saunderson and Ann Saunderson of Inner City.

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Headliners include Orbital’s Phil Hartnoll, Tall Paul, Inner City, Barbara Tucker, John Ferris and Kate Monroe, with the event’s rather sensible 4pm to midnight run time sure to please those whose dance-till-dawn days are long behind them.

If millennial nostalgia is more your bag, there’s a 00s Session on Sunday, August 6 from 2-10pm, with featured acts including Digitalism, Freq Nasty, Stanton Warriors, Bang Gang Deejays, Kid Kenobi and the rather unappetising-sounding Bloody Beetroots.

Comfortable shoes recommended, especially for punters with bad knees.

Thandi Phoenix

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The Lansdowne, August 6

Thandi Phoenix’s music will pull you to the dancefloor, like a tractor beam.

Thandi Phoenix’s music will pull you to the dancefloor, like a tractor beam.

For those after a more modern take on dance music, South-African Australian singer-songwriter Thandi Phoenix is ready to unleash a slew of club-friendly bangers at the Lansdowne from her recently released EP Rebirth.

Phoenix’s latest music proves that it’s possible to dance the blues away, arriving as it does after a period of upheaval for the singer, involving loss of family, a break-up and parting ways with a major label, which has seen her transition into being a self-managed independent artist.

She has a reputation for electric live shows full of music designed to pull you to the dancefloor like a tractor beam. This is a chance to see one of the country’s most promising new artists in a reasonably intimate setting where the party vibes will be flowing thick and fast.

Grievous Bodily Calm

Phoenix Central Park, August 15, The Vanguard, August 16

Iffy band name aside, Perth-based instrumental band Grievous Bodily Calm are a treat for those with adventurous ears, creating a tasty concoction that throws IDM (intelligent dance music, for those not au fait with niche music genre acronyms), funk, improvisational jazz and beat music into the melting pot.

Grievous Bodily Calm are Alex Reid, Josiah Padmanabham, Matthew McGlynn, Zac Grafton and Thomas Manson.

Grievous Bodily Calm are Alex Reid, Josiah Padmanabham, Matthew McGlynn, Zac Grafton and Thomas Manson.

Grievous Bodily Calm’s talent has not gone unnoticed, with the five-piece having previously supported the likes of Tame Impala, The Avalanches, Hiatus Kaiyote, Beach House and Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke – all artists that paint an accurate picture of the band’s diverse influences.

There are plenty of opportunities this month to see the Calm (as nobody likely calls them, although it’s surely better than “the Grieves”), with two shows at Phoenix Central Park on August 15 (free entry is allocated via ballot) and a gig the following night at The Vanguard.

Gordi

City Recital Hall, August 26

Gordi (who is also a doctor) swaps a surgical mask for the mic this month.

Gordi (who is also a doctor) swaps a surgical mask for the mic this month.Credit: Jess Gleeson

When she’s not moonlighting as a doctor, Sophie Payten is releasing gorgeous folktronica under the stage name “Gordi” (a childhood nickname pulled out of thin air by her brother).

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So far, this year has seen the stethoscope and surgical mask swapped out for a mic more often than not, with Gordi supporting ’00s-folk godfather Bon Iver on his Australian tour in February, as well as dropping both a new single (Broke Scene) and cover of a Violent Soho song (Covered in Chrome) to celebrate Mushroom’s 50th anniversary.

If you feel like balancing out the hushed, gentle folk with some uptempo alternative rock, Payten’s equally talented partner Alex Lahey will also be playing tunes from her excellent new album The Answer Is Always Yes at Crowbar Sydney on Friday, August 18.

J.I.D

Enmore Theatre, August 28-29

Arrested Development, Outkast, Goodie Mob, Migos, EarthGang and, yes, even Kris Kross: Atlanta has been a hotbed of hip hop talent for decades now, with J.I.D the latest Atlantan rapper to join that celebrated list.

J.I.D might be best known for featuring on an Imagine Dragons record, but his own albums are worth hearing live.

J.I.D might be best known for featuring on an Imagine Dragons record, but his own albums are worth hearing live.Credit: David KA

Although he’s part of a rap supergroup with the truly exceptional name Zoink Gang, J.I.D has found fame via a solo career, with his biggest moment thus far being featured on the Imagine Dragon’s song Enemy, which has clocked up well over a billion streams.

While he’s no doubt been enjoying that Imagine Dragons money, the man born Destin Choice Route has found time for a couple of shows at the Enmore Theatre to showcase songs from his celebrated albums The Forever Story and DiCaprio 2 (yes, named after J.I.D’s favourite actor).

Which musicians are you looking forward to seeing this month? Some old school Australian acts (Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes, Ian Moss, the Superjesus, James Reyne with Ella Hooper), or maybe a newer local artist (Salarymen, Jack Ladder, Teenage Dads)? Or perhaps Madchester legends Inspiral Carpets, UK electronic duo Autechre, alt-metallers Evanescence or country singer Luke Combs? Let us know in the comments!

Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.

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