Concrete Playground

Ok, so there are lots of people in the band, they are from Townsville (so hot right now no pun intended), people say they are Christians, they were  featured on JJJ unearthed, they are signed to Spunk (the eponymous Aus Indie label who put out records by Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire, Holly Throsby etc). Those are some details. 

The Middle East's music is drop dead beautiful, with Jordan Ireland's vocals (akin to Belle And Sebastian, or Sufjan) over lovely instrumentation that can go from whimperingly picked guitar to all-out sing along with crashing cymbals and horns in just one song.

Their debut EP Recordings Of The Middle East was originally self released a couple of years ago but is now being reissued by Spunk who are keeping details hazy. This ungoogleable band developed a fair amount of hype without even a live show, but have since notched up a few on their belts to much acclaim, including a spot at this year's Splendour.

Luckily for those who haven't seen them they have announced their debut headline tour down the coast and are stopping in at Manning Bar. Join in with the kids (the show is all ages), and get swept away. It should be a very nice evening of music. Supporting are Dragging Pianos (also from Townsville) and Sydney's Jonathan Boulet.