You read right; headline Australian dates for DOMi & JD Beck, Blondshell, AJ Tracey, Faye Webster, Steve Lacy and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, all touring in January and February 2024.
Laneway Festival 2024 is gearing up to be a huge showcase of global musical talent, featuring a remarkable lineup of established international artists and emerging voices poised to define the next era of music. But if you’re itching for a tantalising teaser of Laneway Festival before the main event, we’ve got you covered with the announcement of an exciting series of sideshows.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
The sideshows are set to include electrifying performances by AJ Tracey, d4vd, Paris Texas, DOMi & JD Beck, Steve Lacy, Faye Webster, Hemlocke Springs, and more. Plus, additional tickets are now available for RAYE’s headline shows. Here’s the lowdown on these unmissable gigs:
AJ Tracey Presented by Handsome Tours, Astral People & triple j
AJ Tracey, hailing from Ladbroke Grove, has swiftly risen to become a British rap icon, all while maintaining his status as an independent artist. His journey from early mixtapes to his sophomore album, “Flu Game,” has been marked by a distinctive and eclectic flow that effortlessly traverses various musical styles, from UK garage and grime to trap, R&B, and Caribbean soca music influenced by his Trinidadian roots. With a stellar list of collaborators, including Stormzy, Dave, T-Pain, Kehlani, Headie One, and more, AJ Tracey’s music continues to captivate a global audience. His sideshow announcement comes just in time for the release of highly anticipated new music.
DATES:
- Friday, Feb 2, 2024 – Sydney Enmore Theatre (All ages)
- Thursday, Feb 8, 2024 – Melbourne Forum (18+)
Ticket info here.
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Paris Texas Presented by Laneway Presents, Handsome Tours & Astral People
Paris Texas, the audacious duo from Los Angeles, inject a fusion of rap and rock energy into their music, resulting in an explosive and unpredictable sound. Whether it’s the serrated ‘ahead’ or the pulsing ‘trying to kill me,’ their commitment to raw, unfiltered expression sets them apart as a vital voice in today’s music scene. Drawing inspiration from LA’s legendary hip-hop collective Odd Future, Paris Texas is a must-see for fans of Brockhampton, Kenny Mason, and King Krule. Witness the chaos and creativity that defines their music.
DATES:
- Thursday, Feb 1, 2024 – Sydney Oxford Art Factory
- Thursday, Feb 8, 2024 – Melbourne Night Cat
Ticket info here.
DOMi & JD Beck Presented by Laneway Presents, Handsome Tours & Astral People
DOMi & JD Beck’s music revels in harmonic complexity, rhythmic versatility, and speed. DOMi brings the sounds of ’70s jazz fusion and the vibrant blips of 2000s Pokémon soundtracks, while JD adds an electronic touch to the drums, channeling IDM and boom bap. Their acclaimed debut album, “NOT TiGHT,” released on Anderson .Paak’s APESHIT label in partnership with Blue Note Records, earned them two Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist. Don’t miss their unique blend of musical magic.
DATES:
- Friday, Feb 2, 2024 – Brunswick Heads Brunswick Picture House
- Friday, Feb 9, 2024 – Sydney Factory Theatre
- Sunday, Feb 11, 2024 – Melbourne Corner Hotel
Ticket info here.
d4vd Presented by Handsome Tours & triple j
d4vd, also known as David Burke, emerged as a visionary artist with a penchant for rap and indie music, thanks to his early days exploring internet wormholes and creating Fortnite videos on YouTube. His viral indie pop song, ‘Romantic Homicide,’ recorded entirely on his iPhone, caught the attention of Darkroom Records, the same label that signed Billie Eilish in her teens. With his debut EP, “Petals To Thorns,” d4vd established himself as a genre-defying newcomer, and now he’s on his way to Australia after supporting SZA on her North American tour.
DATES:
- Friday, Feb 2, 2024 – Sydney – Liberty Hall
- Thursday, Feb 8, 2024 – Melbourne – Croxton Bandroom
Ticket info here.
Hemlocke Springs Presented by Laneway Presents & Handsome Tours
Hemlocke Springs, the 24-year-old North Carolinian, is making waves in the alt-pop scene. Her unexpected detour from studying bioinformatics at Dartmouth led to viral TikTok hits like ‘gimme all ur love’ and ‘girlfriend.’ Her 2023 track ‘sever the blight’ showcases her experimental ambition, earning praise from Grimes and Bella Hadid. With a slot at Pitchfork Music Festival Berlin and her debut EP “going…going…GONE!” out in the world, Hemlocke Springs is a rising star in the making.
DATES:
- Friday, Feb 2, 2024 – Melbourne – Night Cat
- Wednesday, Feb 7, 2024 – Sydney – Oxford Art Factory
Ticket info here.
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RAYE Presented by Laneway Presents, Handsome Tours & triple j
RAYE, the 25-year-old South Londoner, is in high demand and for a good reason. Her debut album, “My 21st Century Blues,” released as an independent artist, showcased her refusal to be confined to a single genre. The viral hit ‘Escapism.’ ft. 070Shake has garnered over 540 million streams, making RAYE an international sensation. Additional tickets have been released for her headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne, so grab them while you can.
DATES:
- Wednesday, 31 Jan 2024 – Sydney – Enmore Theatre
- Thursday, 1 Feb 2024 – Melbourne – Forum
Ticket info here.
Blondshell Presented by Frontier Touring and Penny Drop
The alt-rock scene has witnessed the birth of a star in the form of Blondshell, an LA artist whose self-titled debut album has earned critical acclaim and catapulted her into the musical stratosphere. She left an indelible mark at this year’s SXSW, graced The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with a mesmerizing performance of her song ‘Salad,’ and embarked on sold-out shows worldwide.
Her candid debut album, a journey through early adulthood marked by raw honesty, has been compared to “the Cranberries’ angst and Depeche Mode’s shiny edges” (The Guardian). Blondshell’s Deluxe Edition adds three new tracks to her repertoire, including ‘Street Rat,’ a dreamy grunge ballad that has become a live favorite.
For her Australian debut, Blondshell will be joined by local indie-rockers, The Belair Lip Bombs. Their debut album, “Lush Life,” creates an immersive experience that explores longing, growth, and the pursuit of a more vibrant existence.
DATES:
- Friday, Feb 9, 2024 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne, VIC (18+)
- Sunday, Feb 11, 2024 – Oxford Art Factory, Gadigal Land/Sydney, NSW (18+)
Faye Webster Presented by Frontier Touring and Penny Drop
Faye Webster’s music is a testament to capturing emotions in their rawest form. The 25-year-old Atlanta songwriter is known for her poignant albums that seem to encapsulate emotions in real-time. Her latest album, “I Know I’m Funny haha,” masterfully balances classic country stoicism and modern-day emotional depths, drawing inspiration from the lap-steel singer-songwriter pop of the 1970s and the audacious personalities of her city’s rap and R&B community.
In recent years, Faye Webster’s profile has soared, with appearances at festivals and theatres across the world, earning accolades from renowned artists like Wilco and Tyler The Creator. She has also released two new singles, ‘But Not Kiss’ and ‘Lifetime,’ offering a glimpse of what’s to come in her forthcoming full-length album.
DATES:
- Wednesday, Jan 31, 2024 – The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne, VIC (18+)
- Thursday, Feb 1, 2024 – Metro Theatre, Sydney, NSW (18+)
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Steve Lacy Presented by Frontier Touring, Penny Drop & Sydney Opera House
Steve Lacy, the Grammy award-winning artist and one of Time Magazine’s Most Influential People, is set to return to Sydney as part of the Gemini Rights album tour. Known for his multi-talented musical prowess, Lacy’s album “Gemini Rights” (2022) garnered critical acclaim and secured four Grammy nominations, including a win for Best Progressive R&B album.
With over 27 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Lacy has established himself as a true cultural force. He rose to prominence as a member of Californian band The Internet, contributing to their acclaimed album “Ego Death.” Lacy has also worked with a diverse range of artists, including Tyler, the Creator, Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, and more.
Returning to Australia after a successful 2022 tour, Steve Lacy’s shows are in high demand, with past events selling out and venues being upgraded to accommodate his dedicated fan base.
DATES:
- Wednesday, Jan 31, 2024 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW (All Ages)
- Thursday, Feb 1, 2024 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW (All Ages)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra Presented by Frontier Touring and Penny Drop
V, the latest album from Unknown Mortal Orchestra, presents an exciting evolution in the discography of the band. Frontman Ruban Nielson’s keen musical ear captures the essence of blue skies, beachside cocktail bars, and hotel pools, all while delving into deeper, darker themes lurking beneath the surface.
As the first double album in UMO’s discography, V showcases Nielson’s sun-drenched masterpiece, drawing inspiration from the 70s rock and 80s pop of his childhood, along with explorations of love, loss, and his Hawaiian heritage. The album exudes creativity and artistic expression, transcending trends and pushing UMO to new creative heights.
After a sold-out tour in 2018, UMO has continued to tour the world and has recently performed a Tiny Desk Concert for NPR. They return to Australia after successful shows in the US, Europe, and South America, ready to deliver an otherworldly and transcendent live performance.
DATES:
- Wednesday, Jan 30, 2024 – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney, NSW (All Ages)
- Thursday, Feb 1, 2024 – Odeon Theatre, Hobart, TAS
- Friday, Feb 9, 2024 – Forum Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC (18+)
These incredible artists are also set to grace the stage at Laneway Festival 2024. For more information about the festival, visit lanewayfestival.com.
