Today marks the kick off date for BIGSOUND 2014‘s live roster, and though the speaker panel line up and the live is the biggest and best we’ve seen in BIGSOUND history, it’s the incredible line up of live music on off that makes BIGSOUND such an exciting event.
Every year musos travel to sunny Brisbane, pack out venues throughout the city and put of some of the best live shows you’ll see all year. However the sheer amount of what’s on and the decisions to pick who to see can be a little overwhelming, so we’ve put together a list of seven acts we’re most excited about, that you can’t miss over the next two days.
Milwaukee Banks
Where? Oh Hello (Triple J Unearthed Stage)
When? 9:50pm, Thursday
Why? What is left to say about Milwaukee Banks that we haven’t already said? The Melbourne based hip hop duo will be playing on Thursday night at The Triple J Unearthed stage at Oh Hello. Having played around Melbourne over the past few months, this will be their first Brisbane show. Sophisticated, high quality production, classy lyrical flow and hooks you can get lost in, these guys are the exciting future of Australian hip hop.
Hits
Where? New Globe Theatre
When? 9:40pm Thursday
Why? HITS are a Brissy locals. Having recently released their second album HIKIKOMORI, these guys know how to do rock n roll the right way. Last year The Courier Mail voted their song ‘Take Your Pills’ as one of the top 50 best Queensland songs ever written, just as good a reason as ever to party like a local.
Blank Realm
Where? New Globe Theatre
When? 11:20pm Wednesday
Why? Formed in Brisbane almost 10 years ago, Blank Realm consists of three siblings, Daniel, Luke and Sarah Spencer, and their ‘spiritual brother’ Luke Walsh. Earlier this year the four piece released their latest LP Grassed In via Bedroom Suck Records, an incredible underground pop masterpiece, these guys are one of Australia’s most important (but overlooked) bands of the last decade. Time to get familiar.
Bad//Dreems
Where? JBL live stage
When? 9:40pm Wednesday
Why? Some say good old Aussie rock and roll is dead, but spend 10 minutes with these guys and you’ll know that’s not the case. The Adelaide locals have been doing the rounds of late, producing killer singles, and putting on massive record store shows and supporting the Preatures, Bad//Dreems are fighting the good fight. Check ’em out when they tear the JBL stage a new one.
Kingswood
Where? JBL live stage
When? 11:20pm Wednesday
Why? Do you really need a reason to see Kingswood in action? As our Tone Deaf writer stated “after their knockout Splendour in the Grass performance and the recent release of their debut album, Microscopic Wars, the Melbourne four piece, band featuring vocalist Fergus Linacre, guitarist Alex Laska, bassist Mango Hunter and drummer Justin Debrincat have gone from strength to strength.” If classy but still loose rock n roll is you vibe, missing these guys would be a crime.
Lower Spectrum
Where? The Brightside
When? 9pm Wednesday
Why? Chill electronic bedroom producers are everywhere right now, and thought they’re nice and all, sometimes you just need something that shakes your core, Perth (via Melbourne) producer Lower Specturm aka Ned Beckley will do that to you. Textured, atmospheric and explosive, Beckley is one of the most underrated producers in Australia- be sure to catch him before he becomes huge.
Voyager
Where? The Crowbar
When? 11:30pm Thursday
Why? Having released five full-length albums and performed shows throughout North America, Europe and Asia with the likes of Devin Townsend, Children Of Bodom, Soilwork, Nightwish, Epica and Orphaned Land and at festivals such as ProgPower USA and Hammersonic Festival (Indonesia), Perth prog rockers Voyager are the real deal. Merging pop sensibility with modern progressive rock, if there’s only one prog band you see this year, make it Voyager.
