The Middle East – Townsville ex-pats who won the world over a decade ago with their indie folk rock hits Blood and The Darkest Side before abruptly disbanding soon after their album I Want That You Are Always Happy was released – will reform for a special show in Sydney this year.
The band will headline indie label Spunk Records‘ 20th anniversary celebrations at the Joan Sutherland Theatre in Sydney during Vivid LIVE in May.
According to the Vivid website:
“After years of whispers, solo projects and one-off collaborations with each other, the full band have now re-grouped in honour of Spunk Records’ illustrious history that has brought Australia the likes of Arcade Fire, Aldous Harding and Vivid LIVE alumni Sufjan Stevens, Bill Callahan, Antony & the Johnsons, Bat For Lashes and Tiny Ruins.
The band will be joined on the Friday night by Machine Translations, performing their beloved album Happy in full, and a double act featuring Jack Ladder and Holly Throsby. Saturday’s show will feature label mates The Ocean Party playing their last ever show, plus Emma Russack performing songs from her intriguing new album, Winter Blues.
Founded by Aaron Curnow in 1999, Spunk established itself as one of Australia’s premiere indie labels, releasing music from such acts as Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, Joanna Newsom, ANOHNI, Mogwai, and Bonnie “Prince” Billy, in addition to countless local favourites. Twentieth anniversary reissues of Spunk classics will be available on the night.”
General public tickets go on sale this Friday, 22 March. For more information visit the Vivid web site.
Watch: The Middle East – Blood
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