With live music well on the way back in Sydney and the lockout laws being gradually eased (along with Freda’s getting a later licence – hooray!), it’s boding to be a positive and regenerative time for our city’s music scene once again. Vivid has just come to the end of another successful year, with some magical nights of music, and the Lansdowne’s historical doors have been prised open for another 90 years of merriment.
All that in mind, it’s as good a time as any to remind ourselves of the great little venues we’ve got floating around, and to introduce a few of the uninitiated among you to a few proper party spots (the legal ones, anyway). There are a few old faithfuls still powering away, along with the new kids on the block.
1. Freda’s
107-109 Regent St, Chippendale
A hop and a skip down the road from the Lord Gladstone Hotel and White Rabbit Gallery is Freda’s, which has fast become one of Sydney’s finest little cultural spaces. Tucked in an unassuming alley in Chippendale, the open underground gallery-styled design has hosted many an exhibition from new and emerging artists. Its greatest asset is its versatile approach to music, though – mid-week slow tempo vibes make it perfect for a chill-out, while the traditional party nights see a slew of locals and internationals laying down anything and everything. The cocktails aren’t half-bad, and they’re now open past midnight!
2. Goodbar
11a Oxford St, Paddington
Another on the list of resurgent reopenings, the Peoples Club team has been steadily booking a fantastic string of artists since the Oxford Street underground playground swung its doors open again late last year. Up top you’ll find a dimly lit cocktail bar soundtracked with the best local talent, while its underground hosts top-notch local and international DJs. They’ve even set up a special weekly Wednesday night boogie.
3. Hotel Harry (Harpoon Harry)
40-44 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills
Fresh off the back of yet another wildly successful and entertaining Vivid showcase, Kali Picnic shows she’s not slowing down with her direction of the music program at the Surry Hills venue. With a funky booth bistro packed with tasty North American cuisine on the ground floor, a quick walk upstairs reveals an intimate dancefloor with wood-panelled seating redolent of its 105-year history.
4. Club 77
77 William St, Darlinghurst
Simple, sweaty and strong on the sleaze, 77 is a Darlinghurst institution. While it’s eased off a little on the sauciness since its reopening, recent bookings have suggested a resurgence in its ranks. If you like dark and nondescript spaces that make up in music quality, this is your bag.
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This week’s playlist
Dawit Eklund and Mikael Seifu’s split EP Psycho Animus / Tuff Ruff – I love when a split has such different appeal. ‘Psycho Animus’ draws comparison to resonant bass and warm organ tones of early ’90s deep house, on a Larry Heard tip. The flip is as well balanced a merger of East African melody and vocal with Western dance rhythms as you’ll find.
Recommended
FRIDAY JUNE 30
Florian Kupfer
Club 77
SATURDAY JULY 1
Freda & Jackson, Taridas & Comfort Club
The Flinders Bar
FRIDAY JULY 7
Leo James, Cop Envy
Club 77
SATURDAY JULY 15
Mad Racket DJs, Baron Castle vs Dave Stuart
The Bunk3r
T. Williams
Chinese Laundry
