PROGRAM GUIDE : Woofers and Doofers

Ever been disappearing through the smoke rings of your mind? Or watched that Scorsese documentary about Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue? Back when Bob was in his flowery-hat era and was having a blast onstage with Joan Baez and the gang? Then you’re a woofer for sure. New Rampant Optimism Roadshow is some of Australia’s best songwriters and one rock legend from the US channelling that same rollicking revue-style energy. Ned Collette, Thalia Zedek, Mick Turner (Dirty Three) Chris Abrahams (The Necks) Plus Leah Senior Michael Beach and more.

Listen to ‘Circle the Drain’. Listen to ‘Cool’. Listen to ‘Shotgun’. Listen to ‘M’. Do you feel a poignant kind of sadness? Did you get a little wistful tingle down your spine? Then you’re a emo-tinged woofer who’s ready for Soccer Mommy—Nashville’s grunge-pop queen. A sullen rock god. Someone who writes songs so darn powerful they’ll have you texting your no-good woofer ex.

Ripple Effect Band, Spike Fuck, Antenna, The Vovos... Day Tipper has a lot of great stuff for woofers. But let’s take a moment to appreciate DIIV. They started as Brooklyn’s best indie rock band and evolved into Brooklyn’s best shoegaze band. Their songs shimmer and swoon. They hit the spot for anyone’s who’s ever stomped of a fuzz pedal or waded too deep in an ocean of reverb.

“And I’ll never be (never be). Anything (anything). Other than a caged bird swinging from a chain swing, whistlin’ for my payseed, spinning like a carousel ride.” Just one perfect lyric (of many) from the new Ryan Davis song ‘New Threats From the Soul’. Delivered with his droll Louisville twang. Ned Collette (from the extended woofer-verse) plays piano on this track too. Ryan’s sure to perform it as part of the Chapter End of an Era party at Day Tripper. One for the woofer poets and cosmic slackers with penchant for country.

The barometric pressure just dropped. Tropical Fuck Storm are coming. Formed by Gareth Liddiard and Fiona Kitschin after their legendary art rock band The Drones went on hiatus in 2016. Armed with soaring harmonies and Talking Heads-style funk that’s nested in snarling, stuttering guitar-play. And, of course, those frantic narratives that voice our collective unease. This is acerbic, anarchic rock played with groove. They’ll be playing from their new album Fairyland Codex in their final hometown show before heading off to tour the US and Europe. Get down for the excellent Gut Health and Mess Esque in support too.

Do you already know what dub techno is? You’re almost certainly a doofer. If you don’t, it’s a dank and hypnotic genre that fused techno and house with dubby minimalism a few years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Dominican singer Tikiman (aka Paul St. Hilaire) was at the forefront with Rhythm & Sound. He's taken things in even spacier directions with Tikiman Vol. 1 (his first release in 20 years). DJ, label owner and radio programmer Richard Akingbehin has also been a key torchbearer with sets that emphasise techno’s roots in Caribbean Sound System culture. They’re teaming up at Day Tripper, ready to bring the slow-burn funk. Check out key track is ‘Faith (featuring René Löwe)’.

First Frequency is more than a doof. It’s a vibration of Country. Kalaji will be building sonic dreamscapes and Brother Nelson is doing spoken word. That said, two of the continent’s most exciting DJs are also on the bill, ready to bring the party. RONA. typically leads by example behind the decks. The Kaytetye producer/DJ is known for throwing down high-octane, melodic bangers and letting the beat move through her. ‘Burn it’ her single with KYE last year, was a struck match of a track. An undeniable house song that also worked as collective expression of rage. Gunai/Kurnai and Yorta Yorta artist DJ PGZ will be filling the hall with techno and global club styles honouring the Black and Brown pioneers of club music.

A carnival. A collective. A movement. A rising force in the global electronic music underground. The name "Nyege Nyege" is derived from the Luganda word "ekinyegenyege," which means “irresistible urge to dance”. And this is the exact urge they tickle. Founded in 2014, the annual Nyege Nyege Festival, held in Jinja, Uganda has remained a seminal space for ‘afro-galactic’ electronic music and queer expression, despite consistent attempts from religious conservatives to shut it down. They’ve announced five incredible artists for RISING : Kampire, MC Yallah, DJ Travella, Lady Hash and Hemedi. Playing in the first week for free down Howey Place, every night Thu 5—Sun 8 June at Night Trade. On the Saturday they'll be doing a day party at Day Tripper too.

Ecstasy expands Marcus Whale’s bass-heavy epic album from 2024 into a choreographic investigation of rave's reckless abandon. On closing night he transforms The Substation into CLUB ECSTASY—a club-night of live performance and music. The full lineup is yet to be announced. But expect an energy befitting the name.

A rave-inspired dance work you can rave along to. A realm, where music fans become victims to their passions. Where societal mores and political structures get temporarily pulverised by the bpm. And where the shuffle and spin is the only way to win, again and again and again.