The Best Things to See at the 2013 Brisbane Festival

September might as well be called Bristember, because it is the best month of the year to be living in Brisbane. Spring has arrived - people are heading outdoors again – and there is that feeling of optimism about the months ahead; blue skies, beach trips and everything nice that Spring and Summer bring.

Alongside events like the Brisbane Fringe Festival, the Brisbane Writers Festival and BIGSOUND; the Brisbane Festival (arguably the biggest of the bunch) hypes everything that is great about Brisbane, and injects a healthy dose of outsider culture into the mix to create a program of events that has something for everyone.

Without further ado, here are our picks of what to see at the Brisbane Festival, this year.

Beach Fossils

This indie-fuzz, buzz band are responsible for several sun-drenched jams that are perfect for the change of season. Emotive and affecting despite the lo-fidelity production, Beach Fossils are capable of creating dreamy sound scapes and reverb drenched drivers.

Likened to fellow emotive groovers, Real Estate, Wild Nothing and DIIV, Beach Fossils bring their own flavour to guitar pop; catch their show – it is reportedly an amazing dance party experience.

Dick Diver

Dick Diver have managed to carve out a nice home for themselves amidst the increasingly popular 'genre' of jangly-guitar pop. Adored by fans across Australia, Dick Diver have established themselves as a band with longevity ever since their second album, Calendar Days was released earlier this year.

Their sound has been hailed as quintessentially Australian and their demeanour, charming. This is their first Brisbane show since 2011, catch them live in case they aren't back for another few years.

A Western

This has been described as in your face, ramshackle-y rambunctious remake of the classic Western. A Western is the brainchild of Gemma Paintin and James Stenhouse, two UK-based artists who make up the production company, Action Hero.

You wont see Clint Eastwood in this production, but you will see an interesting spin on the archetypes and tropes commonly found in cult western cinema.

30 Cecil Street

A heart wrenching tribute to memories lost and good times ending; 30 Cecil Street is an original piece of dance-theatre that acts as a funeral song for a long ruined theatre, after which this production is named.

Created by UK artist, Dan Canham, 30 Cecil Street is a haunting affair, thoughtfully crafted and beautifully displayed. A must see for those pining for days past.

Hello My Name Is

This performance requires a degree of audience participation, but don't worry, it's all in a non-threatening, casual way. If you are in the mood to connect with strangers (nothing suss), then be a part of this award winning piece of participatory theatre.

Hello My Name Is is original theatre at its best, a show that "reminds us how to engage with, and celebrate, the act of living (and conga lines)".

Fight the Landlord

Fight the Landlord gives a look at how Generation Y lives in China. Described as Chinese absurdism at its best, this is some quick thinking theatre, full to the brim with wry humour and thoughtful social commentary.

Don't ask me about the Panda suits, I have no idea either. Just watch the show and find out.

Psycho Beach Party

Psychi Beach Party is all about Chicklet, a Gidgetesque nerd with a dream to surf. If that premise isn't enough to pique your interest, don't worry; I barely scratched the surface. This production has sold out across Australia thanks to the gender-bending cast, the sixties surf soundtrack, the hilarious take on inadvertent homo-erotic cinema, golden age Hollywood glitz and perverse tendencies of its characters.

Of all the must-see productions, this one is must-see times 10.

Doku Rai

Doku Rai is a world first. A production between Australian and Timor-Leste artists, about a tale of two brothers, dealing with issues relating to colonialism, religion and violence – backed by visual and musical aides; Doku Rai is the most unique piece of performance art on the Brisbane Festival Program. Not only is it a powerful example of cross-culture collaboration and an emotive piece of theatre, it's also just an incredibly fun ride.

Honorable Mentions

The musical stylings of The Basics, Fear of a Brown Planet and the Stormie Mills Project.

WIN TICKETS TO BRISBANE FESTIVAL

Concrete Playground readers have the chance to win a special night out thanks to Brisbane Festival. One lucky reader will win two tickets to see URBAN on Saturday, September 14 at 9.30pm and two $30 Festival Flavours vouchers to use at 5ifth Element for a pre-show feast.

Here after sell-out seasons from Columbia to Paris, URBAN is a high-energy circus show that tells a story of the streets. Through dance, music and acrobatics, Circolumbia reveal the real joys and violence the young artists grew up around.

Brisbane Festival has paired up with 19 great restaurants to offer some mighty fine wine and dine deals for the duration of the festival. Audiences can tuck into a Festival Flavours dish and a beverage for just $30 from September 7 to 28.

For your chance to win, be subscribed to the Brisbane Concrete Playground newsletter and email your name, address and phone number to [email protected] with 'Brisbane Festival' in the headline by Tuesday, September 10. Winner will be drawn at random.