Overview
Have you ever dreamed of belting out 'Bulls on Parade' onstage with a full band behind you? What about a local classic like 'I Touch Myself'? Well, you now have the chance to do just that thanks to The Duke of Enmore's twice-monthly Live Band Karaoke.
Odd Culture Group's perfectly grimy Sydney pub has enlisted the help of previous Frankie's mainstays Boner Contention to bring all of your dreams of performing in a band to life twice a month, taking place on Wednesdays from 8pm.
The idea comes from Odd Culture's Entertainment Manager Sabrina Medcalf, who managed the now-closed beloved underground pizza joint for six years. Not content to let this beloved karaoke tradition die, Medcalf decided to bring Boner Contention over for a Duke-style version of the regular sing-alongs.
"We all thought it would be a massive loss to the community if we left this eight-year-strong karaoke event to die," said Medcalf. "Seeing as my connection to Frankie's was so strong, the choice to carry the legacy over to The Duke was a no-brainer, of course, with a few changes and shakeups to call it our own."
The playlist of songs that you can pull from for the Live Band Karaoke is available on Spotify, with plenty of heavy hitters including 'Bad Reputation', 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Chop Suey!', 'Just a Girl', 'Highway to Hell' and 'Fight for Your Right'. There are also plenty of local favourites, with hits from the likes of The Living End, Grinspoon, Spiderbait and Rose Tattoo ready and waiting for your live reinterpretation.
Plus, it's not just the microphones that will be available for a takeover from the general public. If you fancy yourself somewhat of a drummer or guitarist, you can also opt to jump on your instrument of choice for your favourite song — and yes, 'Sweet Child O' Mine' is on the list for anyone wanting to bust out that classic guitar solo. Duets are also encouraged, and even full bands are welcome to take over the entire stage for a song.
"If you ever wanted the opportunity to get the feeling of fronting a band this is it," says Furnace and the Fundamentals' Digby Robinson. "These guys are world class!"
If you want to head along, the dates for the rest of the year are as follows: September 6 and 20; October 11 and 25; November 1, 15 and 29; and December 6 and 20.
Live Band Karaoke is on twice a month on Wednesdays at The Duke of Enmore, 148 Enmore Road, Enmore. For information on all of the pub's events, head to the venue's website.