Splendour in the Grass Sydney Sideshows Announced

Bummed that you missed out on Splendour In The Grass tix? Luckily, Secret Sounds, the guys behind the Byron Bay music festival, have announced a stellar line-up of Sydney sideshow gigs in July and August. Get in quick - it's anticipated that tickets will literally self destruct like a mission impossible audio tape if you wait too long. Okay, that may be an exaggeration, but you get the gist - book now or forever miss out.

Tickets go on sale on at 9am on Friday, May 4.

THE AFGHAN WIGS

In Australia for the first time, the recently reformed Wigs are one of the most acclaimed alternative bands of the early '90s. They'll be at The Factory Theatre on July 26 with material from across their back catalogue including Congregation and Gentlemen.

BAND OF SKULLS

Also playing at The Factory, the UK trio Band Of Skulls will be back on July 27, fresh from performances at Coachella, a UK tour and a mass of North American shows. This will be the first taste of their new album Sweet Sour, live for Australian audiences.

COMMUNION: Michael Kiwanuka with Ben Howard

London label Communion is presenting a series of special Splendour sideshows featuring artists Michael Kiwanuka, Ben Howard and Australia’s Tim Hart. As the brainchild of Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons, this show on July 24 at The Factory Theatre is part of Communion's first fully curated tour.

DJANGO DJANGO

On August 1 at Sydney's Oxford Art Factory, art-rockers Django Django will be joined by The Cast of Cheers for their first performance down under. No doubt they'll be the happiest, clappiest East Londoners in town following the buzz they created at South By Southwest recently.

HOWLER with ZULU WINTER

From both sides of the Atlantic - Howler from Minneapolis and Zulu Winter from the UK - come two indie rock bands with a strong following from fellow artists like Arcade Fire and the Kaiser Chiefs. They play Oxford Art Factory on July 25.

FRIENDS

After blazing out of Bushwick in 2011 with singles ‘I’m His Girl’, ‘Friend Crush’ and a reputation for turning live gigs into spontaneous DIY parties, Brooklyn’s Friends will be coming to Australia for the first time, playing at The Standard on July 26.

ELECTRIC GUEST

Electric Guest have been working with the likes of  Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley, Gorillaz, The Black Keys, U2) to produce their debut album Mondo. They'll be bringing their seamless fusion of Motown, indie rock and '60s French pop to Oxford Art Factory on July 31.

FATHER JOHN MISTY

Having departed Fleet Foxes in 2011, Joshua Tillman celebrates the release of his debut album Fear Fun under the new moniker of Father John Misty. Come and experience the playful melancholy and soulful musings at Oxford Art Factory on July 27.

YOUTH LAGOON

Youth Lagoon, the moniker of 22-year-old Trevor Powers, return with a full band for an intimate gig on July 28 at The Factory Theatre.