LIVE WIRE – Sydney Live Music Guide May 5th

Norwegian electro rockers Datarock are back in town, this time playing at Oxford Art Factory on Thursday 5^th. A rare chance to catch this hilarious and imaginative band in a smaller setting, having played the likes of Cochella Festival elsewhere in the world. Local Sydney troubador Edoardo Santoni launching his debut E.P. at The Basement in Circular Quay to much anticipation. Also on Thursday, latin rockers Watussi are hosting a tribute to celebrated world music pioneer Manu Chao at Notes in Newtown. ARIA and Triple J heroine Megan Washington is touring with her eponymous band in May, with Sydney folks scoring a Metro show on Friday 6^th. Indie geniuses Deep Sea Arcade are in tow for the tour dates before they launch off on their U.K. tour, making for a very special line up for Aussie music fans in general. Also on Friday, U.S. hip hop duo and one hit wonders House of Pain are playing the Manning Bar at University of Sydney. The crowd is sure to be rough and ready but the 90s nostalgia will be worth it. Chicago DJ James Curd is leading this week’s Adult Disco at the Civic Underground in the city – another in a long line of classy, Future Classic nights, providing the hippest new left of field electronic line ups. Saturday 7^th is the day. Monday 9^th greets us with two heavyweight international treats in the form of as-indie-as-it-gets New Yorkers The Drums at the Metro’s Transit Lounge and very alternative, in-a-worl-of-their-own electronic duo Unkle at Sydney Opera House. Which ever one you go with, it’s bound to be a winner (although the latter might be a tad less über-trendy). On Tuesday 10^th the Metro also plays host to radar detectee and moustache man Darwin Deez as he returns to the country for the Groovin’ The Moo festival tour. The Big British Sound extravaganza is back on Thursday 12^th, this time at the Gaelic Club in Surry Hills. Ball Park Music and Strange Talk head the line up for the Ben Sherman event. Thursday also finds romantic shreddess Romy heading this week’s installment of drop at the Beach Rd Hotel in Bondi Beach, where she is supported by the funky all-girl Alphamama and Loulou & Bentley. Friday 13^th finds Blue King Brown at Waves Nightclub in Towradgi, near Woolongong as part of their Worldwize national tour, as well as Perth band (Perth, Scotland) Alestorm bring their curiously described folk/power metal to the Manning Bar at Sydney University. Pseudo-cabaret singer and one of the New York Post’s 10 Artists To Know In 2011, Emma Dean is launching her new single and video clip at The Basement on Saturday 14^th. Still at The Basement, The Cat Empire, after 10 years together, are celebrating by playing all their old regular spots around the country, with Sunday 15^th finding them back at the classic Circular Quay venue.