LIVE WIRE – Sydney Live Music Guide June 2nd

British pop siren Natasha Khan (a.k.a. Bat For Lashes) continues Pavlovic’s curation at Vivid LIVE on Friday 3^rd with her performance at the Concert Hall to a no doubt packed crowd. Friday also sees the latest installment of the First Friday Reggae Sessions at the Town Hall Hotel in Newtown, this time with Addison Road and Frieda’s Boss featuring on the bill. One of the more interesting acts to grace the Opera House stage for this year’s Vivid festival are Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. 8 of the 9 players are sons of legendary Sun Ra Arkestra trumpeter Phil Cohran and the band are a go-to favourite for the likes of Mos Def, Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys and Gorillaz. They play on Saturday 4^th at the Opera Theatre. Sunday 5^th and Canadian ‘80s house outfit Azari And III promise to bring the house down in The Studio of the Opera House, with filmmaker, musician, photographer and producer Chris Cunningham putting on a multimedia show for the first time in Australia in the Opera Theatre next door. Monday 6^th sees singer-songwriter Tim Bowen showcase his material fresh off the back of a European tour at The Basement in Circular Quay, and Aussie Hammond master Tim Neal playing with his band at the wonderful 505 on Clevelands St, Surry Hills. Legendary ‘80s indie rockers The Falling Joys are back in the Sydney for the firest time in 15 years, playing at Oxford Art Factory on Friday 10^th with Momos and Gloomchasers in support. That same night Super Furry Animals member Gruff Rhys plays solo at the Excelsior Hotel in Glebe – sure to be a solid  show from the eccentric singer. Tone in Surry Hills features all-girl indie pop trio Beaufields who are backed up by [ME], Aural Window and Mercury Sky amongst others. Still at tone, Saturday 11^th promises to be an interesting night, with Japanese soloist drummer Tatsuya Toshida performing as Ruins-Alone with a host of mad-cap acts in support, including Darth Vegas and Captain Kickarse & The Awesomes to name a couple. Waves Nightclub in Woolloongong features Aussie hip hop powerhouse Illy with special guests as he rides the acclaim of his The Chase record, promising a fine show for skip-hop fans.