LIVE WIRE – Sydney Live Music Guide Jan 13th

Rising stars and Toto appreciators Gypsy and the Cat play what is sure to be a packed Oxford Art Factory gig Thursday Jan 13th for the launch of their debut album, Gilgamesh. Not too far away in King’s Cross, Sydney synth duo Bright Young Things play the cosy yet hip Melt Bar to launch their debut E.P. Australian A Capella champions The Idea of North play The Basement in Circular Quay with the inimitable Vince Jones and his band – sure to be swinging. L.A. legends and masters in art of Tex-Mex Los Lobos have returned to our shores, they play Enmore Theatre Friday night. Also on Friday, Californian noise-punk rockers Thee Oh Sees play the fabulous Red Rattler in Marrickville as part of their Warm Slime Australian tour. This year’s Jazzgroove Festival is now on, and Friday sees Dutch saxophonist Kris Wanders perform live, with support from The Drip Hards st the Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills. Saturday is a real conflict of choice, with three enticing options laid out on a platter for us. Aussie rock legends You Am I play Manly Fisho’s; Philadelphia’s own surf-blues-rap-hipster G. Love teams up with Aussie producer Plutonic for the live performance of their Moonshine Lemonade project at Enmore Theatre; and the Jazzgroove Festival offers another gem, with Dereb the Ambassador performing with his stellar local band at the Excelsior Hotel. The self-described “gypsy deathcore” seven-piece from Melbourne, The Barons of Tang, take the Annandale Hotel by storm on Sunday night – think pirates. Tuesday the 18^th finds Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Holly Miranda in the middle of her series of shows at The Famous Spiegeltent as a part of this year’s Sydney Festival activities. Canadian artist Chris Assaad brings his rooty folk-rock to a refreshed Sandringham Hotel in Newtown on Wednesday 20^th, where he showcases his latest album, Glory Fire. Aussie singer-songwriter icon Paul Kelly performs the first of his A – Z Shows at City Recital Hall in Angel Place on Thurs 20^th, with repeat performances on the 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd. Electronic trio and phonetic spellers Seekae perform at Tone in Surry Hills on Thursday where they preview their album TSFP (The Sound of Trees Falling on People).  Fri 21^st has Perth five-piece Boom! Bap! Pow! perform their R&B soul at Raval – get there early to nab a luxurious antique armchair or two. Saturday 22^nd sees favourites of the late J Dilla, Guilty Simpson and Phat Kat, perform at Tone for what promises to be a hidden gem amongst the January buzz so far. Seekae return here for a supporting DJ set. Local smoothie Ray Mann plays with his trio at Melt, also on Saturday – a must see for those not familiar. Sunday the 23^rd finds drum & bass legend Andy C play for the Ram Records Summer Boat Party. The venue is (you guessed it) a boat – Bella Vista Boat to be specific (details through Ram Records website).