Concrete Playground

When you possess a singing voice as endearing (and idiosynchratic) as the ringleader of Kes Band, Karl Scullins, it seems almost criminal to release an instrumental record. And yet, the orchestration of Kes Band II, the eponymous group's second album, is so beautiful, you forget to miss it. Luckily for Sydney, it's being launched this Friday evening at Spectrum.

A kind of musical grouping based in Melbourne, the numbers making up Kes Band fluctuate as much as the direction of their sound. For this record, the band was comprised of a number of musicians, all adding their own element to what is shaping up to be the dreamiest album of the year. It's the kind of LP that wanders all over you, up and down the hall and back again, over and over. The more traditional folk rock/ sea shanty take on the first record Kes Band is there but feels more malleable this time, swaying and swooning out of a darker, more ethereal place that makes sense when critics place them in the same parentheses as The Dirty Three.

Catch them live before they whittle down to a three piece that intends to make a "party" record next year (and make sure you see them then, too). Supporting acts on Friday are The Icypoles from Melbourne and Ela Stiles from Songs. Tickets available now.

Image: Lewis Boyes