Sydney’s constant influx of live music goes into overdrive across the month of October, with big-tickets shows from the likes of The Weeknd and Empire of the Sun, as well as nostalgia-baiting tours that’ll satisfy anyone searching for live music over the next 31 days.
Sydney Travel Guide has rounded up some of the best concerts to see in October, ranging from old-school hip hop (Public Enemy) and modern R&B (The Weeknd) to cutting-edge pop (Empire of the Sun) and classic Aussie rock (Grinspoon). Read on to discover the best in live music this month.
1. Public Enemy
The powerful duo of Chuck D and Flava Flav have been igniting hip hop’s political edge since 1987. And they’ve been going ever since, spinning as hard as Flav’s iconic clock necklace. For their first Sydney performance in years, Public Enemy will perform an incendiary show alongside Australia’s very own A.B. Original. It’ll be a hard-hitting night of social rights activism and earth-shattering tracks like “Fight The Power” and “Don’t Believe The Hype.”
Where: Hodern Pavilion; 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021
When: Wednesday, October 9
Price: $153.05
2. Grinspoon
Stalwart Aussie rockers Grinspoon have just put on their first round of new music in over a decade, spurring them on a 49-stop nationwide tour taking them to venues they haven’t played at in over 20 years. They’ll be bringing Aussie favourites Press Club with them for a night of crunchy guitar riffs and anthemic songs like “Chemical Heart” and “Lost Control” sitting alongside new tunes from just-released album Unknown Pretenders.
Where: Metro Theatre; 624 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
When: Tuesday, October 22
Price: $129.90
3. Empire of the Sun
Australia’s most eccentric pop dup, Empire of the Sun, will be celebrating their new album with a visually spectacular show full of fascinating costumes, future-thinking production and Luke Steele’s unmistakable vocals. The elusive duo don’t often emerge from the shadows (or studio) for concerts like this so consider this a rare opportunity to catch the multi-genre mavericks as they showcase material from new album, Ask That God.
Where: Hodern Pavilion; 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021
When: Thursday, October 24
Price: $129.90
4. The Weeknd
One of the most successful pop artists of our time, The Weeknd, will finally make good on his rescheduled dates from last year, bringing his blockbuster After Hours til Dawn Tour to Sydney for two massive shows. Given the man has risen from relatively obscure R&B to world-dominating pop in such a relatively short time (since 2011), you can be sure the concert will very much be a celebration of success with hits like “The Hills,” “Blinding Lights,” and “Out of Time.” Try your hardest to get your hands on a ticket; this will be big.
Where: Accor Stadium; Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
When: Thursday, October 24
Price: $65 – $75
5. Antonio Sánchez: Birdman Live
Four time Grammy-winning composer and one of the world’s most exciting drummers, Antonio Sánchez, pulled off an incredible feat when he scored Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s BİRDMAN or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) with a propulsive soundtrack of improvisational, vintage jazz percussion. It’s been ten years since the highly regarded film swept up award season, which is why the dynamic soloist will be filing into the City Recital Hall for a celebratory performance guaranteed to get your toes tapping.
Where: City Recital Hall; 2 Angel Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
When: Thursday, October 24
Price: $65 – $75
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