Despite having toured all over the world, including performances on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ and ‘The Late Late Show with James Corden’, Australian indie rock band Middle Kids have yet to do a show in western Sydney.
However, lead vocalist Hannah Joy is no stranger to the area, having only recently made her acting debut as singer-songwriter Joy in Heath Davis’ 2023 Christmas flick, ‘Christmess’, filmed primarily in Campbelltown.
“Heath just sent me a message saying he liked our band, and when he wrote that part it just kind of made sense to try and get someone like me with a music background in there,” she said.
“It was kind of wild, because I’ve never acted before, and the whole time I was like, ‘I’m not sure about this’, but… it ended up being a really wonderful experience. I really loved doing it, and it was very much out of my comfort zone.”
Though her performance and the film overall received rave reviews, Joy said she’s not planning on furthering her acting career any time soon, instead focusing on releasing music and touring.
But, her stint in the area has only made her more excited to play in western Sydney for the first time.
“We’re a Sydney band, so we love playing in Sydney, and it feels really exciting to be playing in a different part of Sydney, because we’re usually in the city or the inner west,” she said.
“Sydney is such a big, vibrant city, and playing shows is always such a special way to be able to see different parts of the world and the city, so we’re really stoked to be out there.”
Middle Kids will be performing at Sydney Coliseum as part of GIG60, the venue’s celebration of 60 years in the community. The band is part of Total Icons night on Friday, September 27, headlined by Boy & Bear, and opened by recent ‘Australian Idol’ winner Dylan Wright.
“We’re stoked to be a part of the bill and playing that kind of venue,” she said.
“I like those venues that have a lot of character and vibe, and so I think it’s going to be a wonderful night.”
Though she can’t guarantee what will be on the setlist, Joy said she’s planning on bringing something a little bit different to the table at the show.
“Because it is essentially a hometown show, I think we’re feeling excited to also play some deeper cuts, and have a variety of dynamics and vibes with well-known songs, but also take a moment to play some more obscure stuff. I feel like you feel more empowered at a hometown show to try new things,” she said.
As for the night as a whole, Joy said fans are in for a whole lot of good music, and good vibes.
Middle Kids will be on at Sydney Coliseum at West HQ on Friday, September 27 as part of GIG60, Total Icons. Tickets are $60. For more information or to book, visit http://www.sydneycoliseum.com.au.
Cassidy Pearce
Cassidy Pearce is a news and entertainment journalist with The Western Weekender. A graduate of the University of Technology Sydney, she has previously worked with Good Morning Macarthur and joined the Weekender in 2022.