Overview
Spectrum Now Festival is back. And this time, they’re creating an undercover, vintage circus themed venue right in the middle of the city – and have hired some of the best curators in town to sort out the music program: Paul Piticco and Jessica Ducrou of Secret Sounds (Splendour, Falls).
Headlining the 11-day gig extravaganza, which is happening between March 3 and 13, and will be taking place in a 2500-capacity Big Top in The Domain, are Scottish post-punk legends The Jesus and Mary Chain. They’ll be playing their seminal debut album Psychocandy in full on Saturday, March 5 as part of a ‘festival-within-the-festival’ called Divine Times, presented by Popfrenzy in collaboration with Yours and Owls. Also on the bill are Seekae, lo-fi poppers U.S. Girls (US), Canada’s Alvvays and Sydney’s favourite multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Boulet.
Just announced, Aussie legends Something for Kate will be playing a greatest hits show on March 12 for the festival. Another one to get your tix-buying mitts on is Perth’s Birds of Tokyo, scheduled for Friday, March 11. They’ve been busy working towards their new album, but will take an evening off recording to deliver some of their classics, including ‘Lanterns’, ‘Anchor’ and more recent hit, ‘I Go With You Anywhere’. Plus, Missy Higgins is playing Closing Night in the Big Top in the Domain following her hugely popular sold-out shows at Twilight at Taronga.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, March 6, jetting in from the US are Arizona-based rockers Calexico, who’ll be supported by Augie March. The day following, Monday, March 7, catch Canada’s post-rockers Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Then, on Thursday, March 10, watch RocKwiz Live, featuring a slew of talent and personality, including Julia Zemiro and Brian Nankervis, RocKwiz Orkestra, James Black (Mondo Rock), Peter Luscombe (Paul Kelly), Mark Ferrie (Models), Ashley Naylor (Even) and Vika and Linda Bull. And if a dance party is more your scene, you'll want to catch Hot Dub Time Machine back from his world tour and bringing you decades of hits on March 4.
For those who want to make the music themselves, head to the Marie's Crisis festival bar for a good ol' fashioned New York City-style musical theatre singalong. What good is sitting alone in your room?
Line yourself up for tickets at the Spectrum Now site.