seen live

Its the 25th anniversary of the Rubiks Cube Rubix Cuba: an 80's commercial fad crossed with a communist stalwart. A contradiction. Whilst appearing happy on the outside and in their music, Rubix Cuba are a deep and melancholy band (not that you'd guess it) with songs from the heart...which they wear on their shirtsleeves!! The Rubix Cubans bring a ball of energy to any stage and are bouncy, photogenic and annoyingly catchy.

Over 20 years on, as their legendary status has grown, most people are aware that Strange Tenants were the pre-eminent Australian SKA band of the 1980s. What is often overlooked today, however, is that at their peak, they were one of the most popular and successful live bands of any style. In the early 1980s, hundreds, sometimes thousands of fans - referred to by the music press as "the Tenants' army" - swarmed to their gigs up and down the east coast of Australia. Strange Tenants also did national tours with international acts such as U2, Style Council and UB40.

Glenn Richards is singer and songwriter for Australian band Augie March. He has released one solo EP as G A Richards and the Dark Satanic Mills Bros.

Phoenix, ashes, you know the story. Formerly members of Melbourne art-pop weirdos Psuche, Oscar Thorne and Martin King continue their former bands' sonic voraciousness (drum machines, synthesizers, children’s toys and Thorn’s tape loop experimentation), but add a swishy, concise pop sensibility and some hot new beats into the mix. The result: joy x1million.