THE AUSSIE BBQ LONDON 2022
COLOURS HOXTON
2-4 HOXTON SQUARE, LONDON
SUNDAY MAY 15, 2022
BUY TICKETS HERE:
www.ticketweb.uk/event/the-aussie-bbq-london-colours-hoxton-tickets/12071455
MAIN ROOM
1.20pm The Vanns
2.10pm Flowerkid
3.00pm Grace Cummings
3.50pm Sycco
4.40pm Didirri
5.30pm Shady Nasty
6.20pm Tyne-James Organ
7.10pm Little Quirks
8.00pm Alex the Astronaut
8.50pm Pist Idiots
9.40pm Alice Ivy
10.30pm Telenova
FRONT ROOM
3.00pm Harry Heart
4.00pm Merpire
5.00pm Beckah Amani
6.00pm Keli Holiday
7.00pm Caroline & Claude
8.00pm Driftwood.
9.00pm Somber Hills
10.00pm Brekky Boy
ALEX THE ASTRONAUT
An unforgettably original lyricist, the music of Australian singer/songwriter Alex the Astronaut cycles through a series of radiantly detailed slices of life. Alex documents moments of both the seemingly mundane from a haircut, a therapy session, a trip to the beach and to the supermarket to then utterly life-changing experiences as a caregiver along with the PTSD that followed and her recent diagnosis with autism. The 26-year-old artist imbues her songs with equal parts self-awareness and sensitivity, imagination and idiosyncratic humor and in its intimate exploration of post-traumatic growth, the result is a body of work affirming Alex as a truly essential songwriter, capable of transforming the way we view ourselves and the world around us.
Born in Sydney, she first started writing songs at 12, then moved to New York in 2017 to study math and physics at Long Island University. That same year, she delivered her debut EP To Whom It May Concern and its follow-up See You Soon, whose opening track “Not Worth Hiding” became an unofficial anthem of the Australian Gay Marriage referendum and earned support from Elton John on his Beats 1 radio show. In addition to releasing The Theory Of Absolutely Nothing to widespread acclaim (NPR Music, NME, The Sydney Morning Herald, OUT Magazine, The New York Times, The Guardian), Alex has since taken the stage at major festivals like Primavera Sound, The Great Escape, and Splendour in the Grass and toured Australia on a sold-out headline run.
ALICE IVY
Alice Ivy is a highly-collaborative ARIA-nominated electronic producer from Naarm, Australia. Her debut album “I’m Dreaming” was released in February 2018 and she has since performed more than 300 shows worldwide including Australian national tours with Billie Eilish, Foster The People, Flight Facilities, The Rubens, Vera Blue & The Jungle Giants, SXSW 2018, Falls Festival, Listen Out & Splendour In The Grass. Alice Ivy’s eclectic signature sound spans sample-influenced soul, hip-hop, dance and electronic pop that she brings to life live as a multi-instrumentalist. With 40 million career streams, 10 consecutive singles on high rotation at taste-making Australian radio station triple j and a reputation for explosive live performances Alice Ivy is fast becoming recognised as one of Australia’s most versatile and exhilarating artists.
Her triple j featured, ‘J Award’ and Australian Music Prize shortlisted second album, “Don’t Sleep”, containing collaborations with Thelma Plum, Ecca Vandal, Odette & Montaigne was released on July 17, 2020 and saw Alice Ivy catch nominations for ‘Best Dance Release’ and ‘Engineer Of The Year’ at the 2020 ARIA Awards. The album’s joyous summer anthem, “In My Mind” feat. Ecca Vandal was hand-picked by Apple for a global ‘Shot on iPhone’ campaign in August, 2020 and shortly after reached #1 on the Shazam Discovery Chart in the U.S. and Japan having accrued more than 120,000 Shazams globally.
BECKAH AMANI
Rising Tanzanian-born, Burundi-raised, Australian-based star Beckah Amani is set to make waves in 2022.
In 2021 Beckah won the coveted QMA Award for Emerging Artist Of The Year – and in March this year – received the APRA Professional Development Award for Popular Contemporary in her homeland of Australia.
Following Beckah’s powerful release ‘Standards’, she has since been heralded as an artist to watch by National Youth Broadcaster triple j, with her latest single ‘Lebeka Leka’ receiving instant support across the station and at press including The Guardian UK and Australia.
BREKKY BOY
“Few greater joys exist than hearing something that surprises the hell out of you – like music did when you were 16. Brekky Boy does that.” – John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald.
Montreux Jazz Award nominees Brekky Boy are a piano-driven powerhouse jazz rock trio hailing from Sydney, Australia. Drawing on artists such as Tigran Hamasyan, GoGo Penguin, Robert Glasper & The Bad Plus, the instrumental outfit has carved out an invigorating original sound that incorporates elements of jazz, rock, minimalist & folk. This combined with a captivating live show has established Brekky Boy as one of the most exciting young acts to watch in the Australian jazz/instrumental scene.
With three studio EP’s under their belt, the trio has been recognised internationally, featuring on ‘Best of The Listening Room’ Sofar Sounds in 2021. The project was hand-picked by the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation to compete in the 2019 Montreux Talent Awards as well as forming the official Montreux Jazz Festival House Band. Brekky Boy has also supported Blue Note artist Ambrose Akinmusire at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2019. Other notable festival appearances include Wellington Jazz Festival NZ, Woodford Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Mullum Music Festival, Wide Open Space Festival, Queenstown Jazz Festival NZ & venues in Japan/South-East Asia.
The line-up, comprised of pianist/band-leader Taylor Davis and recent additions Alex Hirlian (winner of the prestigious National Jazz Awards 2018 for drums) and Ryan Hurst (bass) are releasing a new record due in April 2022. Brekky Boy are touring Europe this spring 2022 including performances at jazzahead!, Germany and Tallinn Music Week, Estonia.
FLOWERKID
Confessional and clear-minded, flowerkid has always drawn on his most intimate observations to craft music well beyond his years. Whether the voice memo melodies he’d record as a teenager or the tracks that fill his soaring debut EP Everyone Has A Breaking Point, this has long been the sound of necessity.
Growing up in western Sydney, Flynn first fell into music after his aunt gifted him an old Yamaha keyboard. It revealed a natural obsession as he quickly began teaching himself to write and produce fledgling tracks while hidden away in his teen bedroom.
In 2021, flowerkid returned with a revelatory debut EP that’s the natural culmination of his years of introspection and art-making.
With the lead singles ‘It’s Happening Again feat. KUČKA’ and ‘Vodka Orange Juice’, we find flowerkid in typical form — deftly pivoting between genres and frames of mind in the pursuit of healing. Brittle one moment and bitter the next, Flynn is anything but timid as he leads the listener through the pain and the beauty of his coming of age. Written in one sitting from inside a caravan parked by the coastline, “Vodka Orange Juice” sifts through the emotional toll of justifying one’s transness to those too threatened by what they can’t understand. By the time he first got to the final chorus, Flynn was in tears. “It was hugely cathartic writing this song,” he reveals, “I hope when other people are listening to this, they feel the same way. If you feel like you aren’t accepted for who you are, please know that you are loved.” Flynn felt a similar kinship when working with like-minded LA-based artist KUČKA. Paired with a pulsing, neon-soaked video, their stunning collaboration has already garnered richly deserved acclaim from triple j, BBC Radio 1 and Apple Music’s Zane Lowe.
GRACE CUMMINGS
Grace Cummings is a folk musician influenced by 20th century poets and luminaries, from Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan to Brett Whitely and Van Gogh. Her songwriting is intensely personal and reflects a strong connection to the Australian landscape.
In her short career, Grace has been invited to support Weyes Blood, Evan Dando, J Mascis, the Allah-Lahs, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Springtime.
Her debut album, Refuge Cove, was released through Flightless Records (King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard). Her sophomore album, Storm Queen, was released worldwide via indie powerhouse ATO Records and in 2021 to worldwide critical acclaim, including a 4-star lead review in MOJO.
“[A] soon-to-be-iconic voice.” – Rolling Stone
“Exquisite, desolate, beautiful.” – Your Music Radar
LITTLE QUIRKS
Australian sisters Abbey and Mia Toole have played music with their cousin Jaymi since they were just kids. Their humble busker beginnings quickly evolved into a fully-fledged teenage touring band, the trio discovering a knack for effortless folk pop songwriting that unashamedly brings catchy melodies and pounding rhythms to the fore.
With a DIY mindset that would rival any act, Little Quirks are a breath of fresh, unbridled joy, determined to keep the music fun at all times. Their live shows are explosive and powerful – a smile inducing experience for the masses. An epic family gathering by anyone’s standards.
PIST IDIOTS
Flying out of Western Sydney at full throttle, Pist Idiots have been launching their brand of sweaty, heavy rock n roll for packed rounds around the country.
With a love of kebabs and brews, Jack, Joe, Jono and Thom are here to bring the good times through the language of pub rock.
Pist Idiots have been on an unstoppable trajectory, with the boys going from strength to strength after the release of their debut album Idiocracy.
SHADY NASTY
Shady Nasty are a Sydney-based trio. Their forthcoming EP ‘CLUBSMOKE’ is a meditation on vlogging, gymming, clubbing and clout. Both ecstasy and emptiness are felt through sonic and visual homages to EDM and influencerdom in their harbour city home. As the blur between the group’s online and offline worlds intensifies, so too does their relationship to these accelerated cultures. As entranced as it is disconnected, CLUBSMOKE remains inseparable from these hyper-stimulating worlds. Coupled with a raucous live show, the trio create a compelling niche at the boundaries of alternative punk and contemporary hip-hop.
SYCCO
Sycco is 19 year old Sash McLeod, an Australian singer/writer/producer for whom 2020 was a breakout year, thanks to her colourful, pop-infused neo-soul, standout voice and droll turn of phrase.
“My Ways” is the latest in a string of consistently impressive singles (Peacemaker, Nicotine Dribble and Germs) that have won the charismatic artist praise from Billboard, Cool Hunting, Atwood Magazine, Lyrical Lemonade, NME, Ones to Watch, triple j (winning a Level Up grant and scoring an Unearthed Artist of the Year nom), and more. Gracing the cover of Spotify Australia’s New Music Friday and the popular Front Left playlist multiple times, as well as being named Apple Music’s New Artist of the Week, Sycco is quickly establishing herself as one of Australia’s most promising and popular new artists, beloved by fans, media and her contemporaries alike.
Sycco debuted at #29 in triple j’s Hottest 100 with Dribble, making her the highest ranked new local artist in this year’s poll. Her first ever national tour, comprising 12 shows in three cities, sold out in less than 24 hours.
TELENOVA
Emerging from the shadows of 2021 as one of Australia’s brightest new discoveries, Telenova’s slick musicianship, vivid aesthetics and the right touch of self awareness brought a sense of joy and intrigue to all who encountered the Melbourne three piece’s lauded debut EP Tranquilize.
Anchored by cult favourite single Bones (Triple J Hottest 100 #91), a renowned live show and major media support across the world (Triple J, BBC, Apple 1, Vogue, NME), Telenova have found a passionate audience for their rich brand of pop and surreal visual world, all helmed by enigmatic frontwoman Angeline Armstrong.
Now, Why Do I Keep You?, the self-assured next move from Telenova. A sophisticated, driving slice of modern nostalgia, Why Do I Keep You? impacts instantly, evoking the spirit of classic 90’s melancholic guitar pop with a distinct contemporary feel. Intensely personal in nature, Why Do I Keep You? details letting go of someone you loved and adored, coming to the realisation that that person is bent on their own destruction – “I kissed the ground before you, I cut my eyes out for you, restless, blinded by my love…oh why do I keep you?”
Why Do I Keep You? is accompanied by Telenova’s most realised visuals yet – a stunning eclectic bazaar that sets the trio in their own colourful universe, full of clever movement, tongue-in-cheek references and playful energy. Once again entirely conceived and self directed by Angeline, the Why Do I Keep You? music video also features choreography from Zoe Marsh (Gretta Ray, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard).
THE VANNS
The VANNS are a true powerhouse of modern-day Australian rock & roll, best described as, “four mates playing their instruments loud & live”. Touring more-or-less non-stop since 2015, they have certainly exceeded recent expectations, selling out every capital city they’ve visited and showing no signs of stopping.
Led by Jimmy Vann (lead vocals – rhythm guitar) and Cameron Little (lead guitar – vocals – keys), performing live is the true home of The VANNS. The rhythmic backbone consists of Tom Switlek (bass – backing vocals) & Andrew “Banjo” Banovich (drums – vocals). The rhythm outfit have played together since they first picked up their instruments and together they form the raw yet polished sounds that are selling out venues like The Forum and Metro Theatre Sydney, time and time again.
Doubling as triple j’s Feature Album in November 2019 upon its release, The VANNS’ debut ‘Through The Walls’ was a true demonstration of their storytelling and songwriting abilities maturing. Under the guidance of Holy Holy’s “Guitar Messiah” Oscar Dawson producing, the record truly came alive. With huge songs such as ‘Mother,’ ‘Deranged’ and ‘Fake Friends’ delivering on their stadium filling sound, ‘Jules Said’ acts as a counterbalance with its raw honesty, whilst the emotional slow-build ‘Chelsea’ has developed an almost cult-like following amongst fans. This success saw The VANNS arrive with their first triple j Like A Version. Tackling Bon Iver’s ‘Hey, Ma’ standing on its own whilst doing the original justice, with 4.3 million streams across platforms to date.
Starting off in the trenches, opening for the likes of Ocean Alley and Catfish & The Bottlemen, The VANNS have found themselves being main stage staples at festivals like Big Pineapple, Party In The Paddock, and Yours & Owls. The band’s tenacity has garnered them global attention too, seeing them ink a deal with the prestigious Paradigm Talent Agency and join the likes of Billie Eilish, The 1975, Amyl & The Sniffers, Tkay Maidza, and more on the agency’s roster.
The VANNS closed out 2021 with two huge new tracks, ‘Red Light’ and ‘Feels Good Now’, recorded in Byron Bay and produced by Chris Collins (Gang Of Youths, Skegss, Ruby Fields), landing at at #167 and #129 respectively on the triple j Hottest 200.
The VANNS hit 2022 with new recordings in the works, a sold-out tour (their biggest shows to date), a support run with The Wombats, and invitations to play big name festivals both at home and overseas.
TYNE-JAMES ORGAN
Twenty-five-year-old Organ first gained national Australian attention in late 2017 with the release of the single, ‘Watch You Go,’ a detailed account of the death of his father, Rikki, in 2016. It was a song that was equally flowing with grief and joy, as Organ, a kid from the raw, Northern suburbs of the former steel city Wollongong, pursued not only his dreams to become a professional musician, but his desire to achieve catharsis and find meaning in his father’s untimely passing.
From there he pivoted with his follow up – the upbeat rocker, ‘Graceful,’ and with it showed off the next huge step in his artistic development. The single saw him aim big – going for a huge, rockier sound, while continuing to focus on the delicacy of his lyricism. Again, championed by triple j, ‘Graceful’ proved to be a major turning point in his fledgling career, leading to sold out national solo tours, support slots for big name acts like Jake Bugg, Lime Cordiale, and Middle Kids.
In 2019, Organ released his debut EP, Persevere, spearheaded by the barnstorming single ‘Something New.’ By now Organ had grown from the surfer-songwriter from the NSW South Coast, into a fully-formed frontman with swagger, a voice as powerful in its deeper register as its highest falsetto, and three songs that had burned bright in high rotation on national radio for 18 months. That all culminated in a massive Splendour In The Grass festival set that featured a packed tent of fans singing back at him in full force in a truly triumphant moment. Across all 12 songs of his debut album Necessary Evil, Organ goes to new lengths as both an artist and a man.
The follow-up single to ‘Hold Me Back,’ ‘Not Ready For Love’ was again a hit upon release. A song acknowledging the grief of a lost love, it was washed in a celebratory collection of chords that distracted from the heartbreak at its core. Through layers of bashing drums and slick guitar lines though, was a voice fried with emotion and anguish. It cut so deep that it ended up being his most successful international single to date, and even earned the attention of BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders, saying, “…he’s got such a sick voice, like he’s just woken up after a three-day bender with Mick Jagger and Ozzy Osbourne”. The album Necessary Evil landed Tyne a spot in the Hottest 100 for Sunday Suit, one of the best Like A Versions for 2021, a national TV performance on NYE, and huge sold out shows in 2022.