DAVE McCORMACK
DAVO XMAS SHOW
It’s been a while, but Dave McCormack is reviving his acclaimed Xmas musical. Originally performed in all its sad, alcoholic glory at Ric’s Bar, Brisbane on a semi-annual basis for many years in the early 2000’s, this show promises all the missteps, inane ramblings and butchered renditions of those glory days.
Just to make sure things go completely off the rails, Dave has invited guests where he can to make the show sizzle and pop and then ultimately collapse on the way home.
A prolific and quirky icon of Australian indie pop, David McCormack is best known for fronting Brisbane band Custard throughout the ’90s, a significant enough group to have its own dedicated fanzine called Cuszine International.
As well as innumerable side projects with the lifespan of exotic butterflies, he spent the time following Custard’s breakup performing as a member of the Titanics and later as a solo performer with a backing band called the Polaroids.
His famous stage persona is self-deprecating, scruffily charming, and both boyish and world-weary. McCormack’s first band, formed in 1985, was called Who’s Gerald? Rumor has it they were named after Gerald Casale of Devo, an obvious influence on their discordant pop music and the shouted slogans of their choruses.
EMILY BARKER
Emily Barker is an award-winning Australian singer-songwriter. She had early success as the writer and performer of the theme to the hugely successful BBC/PBS Masterpiece crime drama Wallander starring Kenneth Branagh,and has since gone on to forge an acclaimed catalogue of releases.
Barker has announced her new album, Fragile as Humans, produced at storied English studio The Wool Hall by Luke Potashnick (Gabrielle Aplin, Jack Savoretti, Alberta Cross). It’s her first album for nearly four years, following A Dark Murmuration of Words, which Uncut called “…a kind of Australian equivalent of PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake”
Barker has released music and toured as a solo artist as well as with various bands and collaborations, most notably her long association with Frank Turner, and has written for TV and film, including composing the soundtrack for Jake Gavin’s lauded debut feature Hector starring Peter Mullan and Keith Allen.
“One of the most literate and probing folk albums of the year. I really love it.” Ann Powers, NPR Music
“an album of spare, striking beauty” Mojo ★★★★
“…a kind of Australian equivalent of PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake” UNCUT 8/10
“bold, direct, uncompromising” CLASH
“a high-class piece of songwriting and beautifully expressed musicianship” Americana UK 9/10
“irresistibly catchy…an album replete with nooks and crannies, light and shade” The Australian ★★★★★
“an album full of grace and danger” RnR ★★★★★
Emily Barker: 2pm – 2.50pm
Dave McCormack: 3.10pm – 4pm
Sunday Music
Bask in the sunshine and enjoy a carefully curated line-up of our best musicians every Sunday in the beautiful setting of FAC’s Front Garden.
Bring a rug and picnic or enjoy food trucks and drinks from the bar at this family-friendly event. Some chairs are provided.