In the lead up to the longest night of the year, Sydney is calling on the finest names in art, entertainment, music, drinking and dining for a 12-day festival, Sydney Solstice.
From June 8 to June 20, the city will be lit up over four zones surrounding the CBD, Darling Harbour, Oxford Street and Newtown with over 80 events and performances.
Tone Deaf is set to celebrate the Sydney Solstice with the inaugural Tone Deaf Live Series. Featuring seven performances from a bunch of the finest names in Australian music. Whether your tipple of choice is good ol’ fashion meat-and-potatoes rock’n’roll or an evening of serene Jazz, there’s something that caters to all. Check out everything going on below.
Friday, June 11th, 7 pm
Jazzy K + special guests
Rocklily, The Star
Jazzy K will be bringing her soul-indebted electronic pop to the Rocklily. Earlier this year, Jazzy K met 12-time Grammy Award-winning producer Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds by chance during a trip to Los Angeles. Together, the pair penned the swaggering single ‘Trap House.’
Saturday, June 12th, 6 pm
Thandi Phoenix + special guests
Rocklily, The Star
Thandi Phoenix captured global attention with her contribution to Rudimental‘s 2018 track, ‘My Way’, back in 2019. Since then, she’s released her excellent self-titled debut EP and a slew of striking singles. Thandi will be joined by soul musician Lana Rita and G Wizard for a free show at Rocklily on Saturday, June 12th.
Sunday, June 13th, 7pm
Mike Champion + special guests
Rocklily, The Star
Mike Champion and his band have carved out a reputation as a truly dynamic live act. Champion brings funk influences to his irreverent brand of R&B and neo-soul. Johnny Boy will close out the free performance with a DJ set to take you into the thick of the night.
Friday, June 18th, 6 pm
Weird Assembly + special guests
Saxophonist David Weird has been cutting his teeth professionally for over three decades. With the help of his band the Weird Assembly a free evening of sumptuous jazz and blues will take over Rock Lily. With support from Dom Helson and K-Note.
Saturday, June 19th, 7 pm
DJ G-Wizard + special guests
Sydney’s DJ G-Wizard boasts one of the most impressive official remix repertoires in the game, with collaborations with the likes of J-Lo, Pitbull, Robin Thicke, Travis Barker, Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Sean Paul & Yolanda Be Cool, up his sleeve. He’s so competent at his craft that his taste-making skills have earned him a spot on the airwaves, with G-Wizard Radio broadcast every Friday on The Edge.
Saturday, June 19th
Ruby Fields, Pist Idiots, Adam Newling + Brown Snake — $40.80
Ruby Fields, Pist Idiots, Adam Newling and Brown Snake will join forces on a show at Rock Lily on Saturday, June 19th.
Ruby Fields is undoubtedly one of the most cherished acts in the Australian music scene. Since the release of her debut single ‘I Want’ at just seventeen, she’s dominated Australia’s consciousness. In the years since, she’s soundtracked adolescence in all its messy glory with a slew of cracking releases, her debut Your Dad’s Opinion For Dinner in 2018, and Permanent Hermit – with the song “Dinosaurs” making it to the top ten of triple j’s Hottest 100 for that year.
Joining the fold are the Pist Idiots, with their irresistible pub rock wiles. The band released their debut album, Ticker, in 2019 and have been riding a high since. Their latest single, ‘Juliette’, is a testament to their versatility as a band — a kernel of romance amongst all the sweaty, call-to-arms singalongs.
They’ll be joined by folk-rock troubadour Adam Newling, and Brown Snake.
Tickets for the show will set you back $40.80, and are on sale now.
A percentage of proceeds from each ticket sale will be donated to Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Womens Legal Centre.
Sunday, June 20th, 7pm
Karen Lee Andrews + special guests
Karen Lee Andrews voice is an anomaly, a push-pull between mellifluous elegance and guttural power. Andrews’ found her voice in church halls, performing gospel hymns in her youth. She’s since released two albums and an EP, crystallising her singular Oceanic Blues sound.
