Canberra Gig Guide

07/12/2023

ARIA-king Genesis Owusu's playing his biggest hometown show at UC Refectory this Saturday, and rock gods You Am I are sweeping through The Basement on Thursday night - and that's just the start of an epic week of live music in the capital.

Legendary Australian rock outfit You Am I is embarking on its first headline tour in over three years. They'll be…

30/11/2023

Still recovering from Spilt Milk? We’ve got you covered. Help sideway blow out its birthday candles, welcome Carb on Carb to the capital or take it easy with NeonHoney at the Dickson Taphouse.

New Zealand power duo Carb On Carb are back in the country this week. They'll be sharing new and old…

23/11/2023

The city stops for Spilt Milk this Saturday but if festivals aren't your thing, relax. There's still plenty of live music across the capital ... and it's in the Gig Guide!

Spilt Milk is back for another year with an exceptional lineup of local and international talent. Budjerah, Cub Sport, The…

16/11/2023

Get some rest because this week’s a big one! There are stacked line-ups across Canberra at all the big venues showcasing local heroes and future stars. Wherever you are in the capital, we’ve got you covered.

Doom rock heavyweights Witchskull are set for a huge homecoming this weekend. They'll be celebrating the launch of their latest…

09/11/2023

Variety’s the name of the game this week, with drag, cabaret and comedy (from a First Nations perspective), alongside folk and pop, and even a Metallica tribute to ensure there’s justice for all.

On Friday night, Smith's Alternative will host the latest instalment of Too Deadly Night. It's a chance to catch drag,…

02/11/2023

Where do we start this week? With tributes to Queen, the Big O or David Bowie? With modern jazz or frenetic post-punk? Seriously, there’s something for everyone and it’s all live and on your doorstep, so get out there!

Founding member of Throwing Muses and all-around musical innovator Kristin Hersh will be in town this week as part of…

26/10/2023

There’s no excuse to stay home this weekend. Listen local with SAFIA, hit UC Hub for Illy and Didirri, and the release party for a promising up-and-coming artist, Taylor Swift (she could really go places)!

Loveable indie-pop four-piece Archie will celebrate the release of their new single 'Lowtide' this weekend. You can catch them throwing…

25/10/2023

Canberra's Hugh Withycombe moved to a small town in England to learn the rare craft he now practises in his Braddon workshop. 🎻

When Canberran Hugh Withycombe had his first brush with a cello in primary school, he had no clue he'd be…

19/10/2023

Cover your ears, this is going to get loud! Hometown heroes Sonic Reducer hit sideway on Saturday night to launch their new single with a suitably unsubtle support cast. There's a stack of live music, so get out there! 🎸

sideway's free entry noise and experimental music show Noise Night will take over the East Row bar on Thursday night.…

12/10/2023

Blast to the past with a mall concert at Belco tomorrow, and there are (at least) 20 good reasons to catch Thirsty Merc on Sunday. Or help Smith’s celebrate its 200th Varietal - and that’s just the beginning. Check out the Gig Guide and start planning!

In a twist no one had on their 2020s bingo card, shopping mall concerts are making a comeback! Thelma Plum…

11/10/2023

Vince Jones has won three ARIA awards, released 22 albums, and this Saturday he'll be in Canberra with the rest of the quintet. 🎺

In the heart of 1960s Wollongong, a young boy grew up in a music-filled home. Keyed in to his father's…

05/10/2023

Your guide to live music in the ACT for this week has arrived! With a range of genres, sounds and vibes, there's something to suit every taste - check out the guide 🎸

sideway's weekly local band night is back with another stacked lineup. Thursday night will see The Burley Griffin, Nissan Unstoppable…

28/09/2023

The Gig Guide is in! Get to know your local legends at Floriade and NightFest (there’s heaps to hear so make some time), or hit the Dickson Taphouse, the Old Canberra Inn and Pot Belly Bar for locals on the cusp of greatness!

sideway's weekly band night returns on Thursday with a stacked lineup of underground music heroes. Braidwood singer-songwriter Lily Morris will…

21/09/2023

If you missed Johnny Cash live, Tex Perkins is the next best thing. He brings The Man in Black to the Canberra Theatre this Sunday, and there’s a stack of new music to wrap your ears around as well in the Gig Guide. Check it out!

Acclaimed folk diviner Leah Senior will perform songs from her latest record, The Music I Make at Smith's Alternative on…

14/09/2023

Post punk and emo? Yep. Surf, psych and indie rock? Sure. We’ve even got dance-punk and stacks more. Whatever gets you moving, it’s in the Gig Guide.

Burntout Bookings and UC Live have teamed up to populate the lineup of SeaPsych Fest with half a dozen of…

04/09/2023

Canberra's expo of vintage guitars is back after 10 years! 🎸

After more than a decade away, the National Vintage Guitar Expo is back, so string up your guitars and bootlaces…

31/08/2023

Your guide to live music in Canberra this week has arrived! Check out the best local gigs, where all tastes have been catered for 🎸🎷

Friday night will see Space Party bringing their Earth v Space Part 1 EP Launch to Belconnen with support from…

26/08/2023

Love it live? Get to Abyss Bar for a big Friday night before you help psych-tinged garage rock trio The Narcissists launch a new EP on Saturday. There’s plenty on offer whatever you’re into. Check out the Gig Guide and start planning! 🎸

One of the world's most successful musical entrepreneurs, Murray The Original Red Wiggle, is heading to town this week. Fruit…

21/08/2023

We’ve got tickets to give away to a concert of rock ‘n’ roll classics, but... before we do, how well do you know your '60s rock 'n' roll? 🎸 Take our quiz.

You think you remember when rock was young, right? We'll see about that. At the end of this rock 'n'…

16/08/2023

American post-hardcore heroes La Dispute make their long-awaited return to the capital, Canberra Symphony Orchestra explores music inspired by the magic of winter, and alt-rock group FeverPitch launch their debut EP. There's something for everyone. 🎸 🎺

American post-hardcore heroes La Dispute will be making their long-awaited return to the capital early next week. You can catch…

10/08/2023

Wondering which gigs in Canberra to head along to this week? We've got you covered! All tastes are catered for in this week's Gig Guide. Check it out 🎸🎷

It's set to be a big week for post-punk fans with two of the most intriguing bands in the country…

05/08/2023

Wil Allen from The Dalmatians Music returned to Cannes to showcase the band's international award-winning music video 'Far Away Man'. Here's what he had to say.

Over the past year, Canberra band The Dalmatians have blitzed the international film festival circuit with the music video for…

04/08/2023

The Prawn Stars will be at The Street Theatre tonight, and propulsive dream pop duo Grazer are marking the release of their new single 'Annihilation' at sideway on Sunday. It's all in this week's Gig Guide. 🎸

Eight-time Golden Guitar winner F***y Lumsden is hitting the road with her band The Prawn Stars. They'll be performing songs…

27/07/2023

UC Live are kicking off the new semester with a massive O-Week party, and there's plenty happening on Canberra's jazz scene. Check out this week's Gig Guide. 🎸

UC Live are celebrating the start of a new semester with their massive O-Week party on Saturday night. triple j…

20/07/2023

Beloved music facilitators Milestone Entertainment are putting on one last show, and Bird Fest will be taking over Blackbird.Canberra in the city on Saturday night with a stacked line-up of local talent. Don't miss out on the hottest events in the capital in this week's Gig Guide.

Beloved music facilitators Milestone Entertainment are set to step back from the scene, though not before putting on one last…

13/07/2023

From a very special 20th anniversary show from folk heroes The Waifs to an intimate show from powerhouse singer-songwriter Dami Im, there's lots happening in Canberra this week for music lovers. Check out the Gig Guide for more details.

Australian folk music heroes The Waifs are currently on their Up All Night 20th anniversary tour. They'll be performing a…

12/07/2023

Take a look inside Darling Street Studios, the studio giving Canberra musicians a space to create their best work.

Strolling down a long Canberra driveway, the last thing you would expect to find next to a motorcycle shop is…

06/07/2023

Live at the Polo’s the place to be on Saturday night with a full roster to celebrate Burntout Bookings’s second birthday, but if you like to live on other musical edges, you’ll be at Ainslie Arts Centre for Ainslie Salon: Midpoint.

The Australian Youth Orchestra will return to the nation's capital this weekend to present 'Ngapa William Cooper'. Born out of…

04/07/2023

Fresh from a TV appearance, Narooma musician Jakob Poyner is coming to Canberra this weekend.

An appearance on television in a national singing competition is a big deal for anyone. For Narooma musician Jakob Poyner,…

29/06/2023

You’re spoiled for choice this week… Gia Ransome plays at The Shaking Hand and there’s Mario Kart at Smith's Alternative, Radiohead gets a reboot at Gorman Arts Centre and there’s the best of rock at the Canberra Southern Cross Club. Decisions, decisions…

Mario Kart Live will be out and about on tour this week, including a stop in the nation's capital. On…

25/06/2023

A Canberra-based singer and composer, Sia Ahmad talks music, identity and much more ahead of her new album launch.

When award-winning Canberra-based singer and composer Sia Ahmad launches her new album double checks against the corner at the Uncharted…

23/06/2023

It doesn’t get bigger than Dark Side of the Moon, especially when it’s reimagined by legends like Darren Middleton, Mark Wilson, Davey Lane and Kram. And there’s plenty more to wrap your ears around this week in the Gig Guide.

Melbourne-based jazz guitarist Harry Tinney will be making a pit stop in his hometown this week as he gets ready…

15/06/2023

Where do you start this week? There are packed nights at Live at the Polo, The Basement Canberra and sideway, Henry Rollins is at Llewellyn Hall, or settle in for Sunday sessions at Dickson Taphouse or the Old Canberra Inn… there’s no excuse for staying at home (even if it is freezing).

Renowned jazz singer Lucy Ridge and her band The Derby Widows will join forces with Brass Knuckle Brass Band this…

13/06/2023

What does hip-hop and boxing have in common? We sit down with rapper Ike Pluto following his second international trip as one of Australia’s finest gloved champions. 🥊

There's a lot of crossover between the worlds of hip-hop and boxing. They require absolute commitment from one's mind and…

08/06/2023

There’s no rest for the wicked at The Shaking Hand this week - get loud on Friday night with Box Dye and plenty more. And Thornhill brings their ‘Dressed to Kill’ tour to UC Hub on Sunday with a heap of support acts.

The Shaking Hand's Shake Appeal is set to continue this week as Burntout Bookings provide the soundtrack to your Thursday…

05/06/2023

Huge news for a local Canberra band!

01/06/2023

The Shaking Hand and UC Refrectory are the places to be this week for huge nights, big shows and new music. But if you look hard enough, there’s stacks of nostalgia in this weeks Gig Guide (and even an Oscar-winning gladiator).

The Shaking Hand is gearing up for a busy first week of June. Weekly band night Shake Appeal will see…