Music On A Monday: Big Sound Live

Brisbane’s annual music conference, Big Sound, is back this September and bringing with it another two-night extravaganza of live music. Over the nights of the 12th and 13th, a ridiculous 120 bands will play across 12 venues in Fortitude Valley. There are many more awesome bands playing than I could write about here, so I’ve hand-picked a few that I know will impress the industry-heads and punters alike.

Battleships
This very new, but already well-formed Sydney band blew me away with their first-ever released track, In Retrospect. It’s a beautifully huge song with soaring lead vocals and reverb-heavy guitars and drums to match (something like Foals’ track Spanish Sahara). It’s sure to sound brilliant live, and if they can reach such great heights with their first release, I can’t wait to hear where they go from here.
When: Thursday 13th September at 10:30pm 
Where: Magic City | 25 Warner Street in Fortitude Valley

Geoffrey O’Connor
If you love Chris Isaak or even just Wicked Games (who doesn’t?), you’ll love Geoffrey O’Connor and his modern, yet very 80s take on soulful crooning. Listen to his track Whatever Leads Me To You to hear for yourself what I’m talking about. If the Chris Isaak comparison turns you off, that’s unfair to O’Connor, as he is no up-and-comer looking to borrow styles; he is also the leader of Australian band, Crayon Fields, who have received acclaim from Pitchfork, The Times, Time Out London and the BBC, and have toured the UK, US, Europe and Japan. Expect a polished performance from a consummate musician.
When: Thursday 13th September at 8:20pm
Where: Press Club | 339 Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizzard
The best way I can describe KG&TLW is raucous psychedelic beach-y swamp-rock. Not the most eloquent description I know, but I think it’s a little more enticing than their own: “Completely fried theremin wielding psychopaths.” The Willoughby’s Beach EP these seven lads released last year was one of my favourites; have a listen to the Black Tooth from it for a taste of them at their best. Apparently they’re a riot live and they’re stopping by Brisbane on a tour to promote the release of their debut album, 12 Bar Bruise, so you know they’ll bring something special.
When: Wednesday 12th September at 11:40pm
Where: Oh Hello | 621 Ann Street in Fortitude Valley

More acts on my to-see list: Kingswood, Oliver Tank, Split Seconds, Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes, Flume, Drunk Mums and Fishing. That’s still only a small fraction of the 120 bands playing so I’m sure some unknown world-beaters will emerge. Get amongst it!
When: 12th and 13th of September
Where: Various venues around Fortitude Valley
Cost: $75.50 for both nights or $50 for one 
TIckets: Ticketek