The AU Picks: The 5 Splendour Sideshows you can't miss…

With Splendour sideshows set to hit the country TOMORROW with the Spin Off Festival in Adelaide, we thought we’d take a look at 5 sideshows we don’t reckon you should miss….

5. BAND OF SKULLS

One of my personal favourite sets and sideshows of the 2010 Splendour, the rock band are one of the few to be taking their show to all capital cities when they arrive – in fact I daresay they’re the only international act doing it. They’re not a band to miss. Check them out at one of these shows – and with Sydney band The Laurels in tote at three of them, those are double bill not to be missed. So our deepest condolences if the show you wanted to attend has sold out.

SATURDAY, JULY 21 – SPIN OFF FESTIVAL, ADELAIDE
Tickets available from moshtix.com.au
LIMITED TICKETS AVAILBLE

SUNDAY JULY 22 – THE CORNER HOTEL, MELBOURNE
With Special Guests The Laurels
Tickets on sale NOW from: cornerhotel.com or ph: 03 9427 9198
SELLING FAST

MONDAY JULY 23 – THE BAKERY, PERTH
With Special Guests The Love Junkies
SOLD OUT

THURSDAY JULY 26 – THE CORNER HOTEL, MELBOURNE
With Special Guests The Laurels
SOLD OUT

FRIDAY JULY 27 – THE FACTORY THEATRE, SYDNEY
With Special Guests The Laurels
SOLD OUT

4. FRIENDS with HOWLER and ZULU WINTER

For those not going to Splendour, this triple bill will be a mini festival to warm your weary hearts. We’ve had the opportunity to see all three bands overseas in the last few months and were impressed with all three – particularly Friends, who hold headlining duties. Check out our interview at SXSW with Zulu Winter here, Howler at The Great Escape here. As for Friends, they’ll be there for you, and hopefully you’ll see them there… then.

TUESDAY JULY 24 – THE CORNER HOTEL, MELBOURNE
Tickets from: cornerhotel.com or ph: 03 9427 9198

WEDNESDAY JULY 25 – OXFORD ART FACTORY, SYDNEY
Tickets from: oxfordartfactory.com or ph: 1300 GET TIX (438 849)

3. JACK WHITE

At SXSW, Jack treated the crowd to not one but TWO sets at his intimate show (read about it here), one with an all girl band and one with an all guy band. Both were sets that incorporated tracks from The White Stripes, The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs/Saboteurs and of course his new solo album… and then some. Apparently at most of his shows he decides the same day whether he’ll play with his all girl or all guy band – so you’ll be in for a treat AND a surprise when he comes to Sydney and Melbourne!

THE DATES:
Jul 25, 2012 – Festival Hall, Melbourne – All Ages (Licensed/Unlicensed)
Jul 26, 2012 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney – All Ages

2. METRIC

Fans of the band needn’t be reminded of the greatness of Metric, and most of the tickets to their sideshows have run out the door. With new album Synthetica to promote, you can expect a good mix of songs new and old from Emily Haines and her crew. Plus, now with Gold Fields coming along for the ride, you have no excuse to miss this one.

SYDNEY – SELLING FAST!
Thursday 26 July
The HiFi
with Gold Fields
Limited tickets still available via: handsometours.com, Moshtix.com.au,
TheHiFi.com.au or by phoning 1300THEHIFI

MELBOURNE – SOLD OUT!
Friday 27 July
Billboard
with Gold Fields

BYRON BAY – SOLD OUT!
Sunday 29 July
Splendour in the Grass

1. DJANGO DJANGO with THE CAST OF CHEERS

It seems the public are pretty savvy on this fact, as both Melbourne and the first Sydney show have sold out, with a second Sydney show on sale now for the Oxford Art Factory on August 2nd. You can read more about my opinion of the band here, but basically what makes their show so impressive is that they take their percussion up to another level, making for one hell for a show.

TUESDAY JULY 31 – THE CORNER HOTEL, MELBOURNE
SOLD OUT

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1 – OXFORD ART FACTORY, SYDNEY
SOLD OUT

THURSDAY AUGUST 2 – OXFORD ART FACTORY, SYDNEY
Tickets from: oxfordartfactory.com or ph:1300 GET TIX (438 849)
LIMITED TICKETS AVAILBLE

Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.