Seymour Centre presents

Seymour Nights

Contemporary Music Series

9 Nov - 7 Dec 2024

Past Event

Seymour Centre's contemporary music program, Seymour Nights, returns for another season with live performances from some of the most vibrant voices and artists in Australian music.

Championing local artists and new sounds, performances will take place in the Seymour Courtyard, with a diverse repertoire of new music for visitors to enjoy. 

Explore the full program below for Seymour Nights at Seymour Centre. Come for a show, stay for the music.

The Morrisons

Sydney's bluegrass darlings The Morrisons tell Australian stories steeped in the sound of folk and old-time music. The 7- piece band have supported the likes of Nathanial Rateliff & The Nightsweats (US), Marlon Williams (NZ), Kitty, Daisy & Lewis (US), and Lake Street Dive (US), received a Golden Guitar nomination and won an Australian Songwriters Award.

Set Times

4:35pm - 5:25pm
6pm - 6:45pm

Huck Hastings

In late 2019 Sydney-based singer-songwriter Huck Hastings burst back onto the local music scene with a new single (and sound). After a period spent writing, ‘Hey Babe?’ and its accompanying music video marked the beginning of a new and invigorating direction for this exciting young songwriter. Upon its release ‘Hey Babe?’ was promptly added to rotation on FBi Radio and earned him a slot as their Independent Artist of the Week.

In March of 2021 Hastings released his debut full-length offering in Cheers To Progress and penned his first publishing deal with Gaga publishing. The album was featured in lists on NME and Junkee, had over 800k streams and sold out its first run of vinyl.

In the year since it’s release Hastings has been anything but quiet, serving up multiple singles with his two side-projects Hacky Sack and Hollow States (both placing in FBi Radio’s most played of 2021), a music video for his single ‘The Clincher’ - premiered on Triple J unearthed - and live performances opening up tours for The Buoys, Andy Bull, Bec Sandridge and Hachiku.

In February of 2023 Huck was selected by Troye Sivan and Lucas Keller as one of 14 songwriters to take part APRA's Pride Songhubs, where he spent a week writing alongside nationally revered and internationally acclaimed songwriters and producers - Completing co-writes with Montaigne, Vetta Borne, Flowerkid, Charley, Alex The Astronaut, Luca George and June Jones.

His latest offering is an experiment in a new sonic direction. 'Hold It Against Me,' a hypnotic blend of trip-hop, lo-fi, and jazz, weaving silky vocals into an immersive, captivating dreamscape.

Set Times

4:05pm - 4:50pm

 

Jamaica Moana

Jamaica Moana, the non-binary rapper, is a Sydney-based Artist & songwriter of Māori (Ngāpuhi/Tainui) and Samoan descent.

As a multidisciplinary artist, she balances her professional career as a rapper & artist whilst being a leader & resident commentator of the Australian vogueing/ballroom community, along with being the founder of The West Ball.

Jamaica has toured with artists including Cakes da Killa, JUNGLEPUSSY and Ngaiire, along with being a featured in season 1 of Heartbreak High.

The end of 2024 sees Jamaica work towards the release of her debut EP - Bud & Deni, which was premiered at this year’s Big Sound with a full live band, a full house and rave reviews.

Set Times

5:25pm - 6:10pm

Alex the Astronaut

An unforgettably original lyricist, the music of Australian singer/songwriter Alex the Astronaut cycles through a series of radiantly detailed slices of life. Alex documents moments of both the seemingly mundane - from a haircut, a therapy session, a trip to the beach and to the supermarket - to the utterly life-changing - experiences as a caregiver along with the PTSD that followed and their diagnosis with autism.

Alex imbues their songs with equal parts self-awareness and sensitivity, imagination and idiosyncratic humour and in its intimate exploration of post-traumatic growth, Alex cements themself as a truly essential songwriter capable of transforming the way we view ourselves and the world around us.

Alex's 2022 sophomore album, 'How to Grow A Sunflower Underwater', explored Alex's revelation about how trauma can help connect people. Along with magnifying their sense of empathy, Alex was inspired to embrace a new level of emotional transparency on the album understanding that they needed to continue being vulnerable if they wanted to make something that contributed to the world. These efforts have paid off, with Alex undertaking a 13-date Australia tour in celebration of the release. HTGASU peaked at #47 on the ARIA charts, was nominated for 2 ARIA awards, and placed in NME's 25 Best Australian Albums of 2022.

Set Times

4:35pm - 5:20pm

 

Kiri

Kiri ~ angel and enigma; Kiri’s charming, cheeky tunes are as warm and gritty as the artist herself. Boldly honest and crushingly raw - Kiri’s songwriting is compelling, wise, and immensely relatable.

Her work is an exploration of the micro and macro self; weaving small thoughts into folk-ish ballads then bringing them into thoughtful, electronic realms. Kiri’s eclectic influences are heard in her joining of traditional jazz harmony with experimental production, trombones and quasi-choral vocal arrangements, tied together in her confessional lyrics and emotive deluges.

Between intimate whispers and soul-trembling cries, an audience member of Kiri’s will be pulled in lifted up and brought back down again and again and repeat.

Set Times

5:50pm - 6:15pm
6:40pm - 7:10pm

Lily Guerrero

Lily Guerrero is a key player in the Sydney Latin scene. She was born in Montreal Canada and raised in Sydney Australia by her Chilean parents.

Lily developed her interest in dance and song from a young age. She is now a versatile performer: she sings, dances, and plays Cajon, Guitar, and Charango.

Bringing her folklore touch to a range of cover material and original compositions.

Set Times

4:05pm - 4:50pm 
5:25 - 6:10pm

Midnight Tea Party

Hailing from Sydney’s Inner West and Blue Mountains, Midnight Tea Party is a high-octane fusion of balkan brass with dubstep, rock and jazz. Now in their 12th year together as a band, their dynamic live sets are packed with irresistible energy, musical flair and party vibes.

"Midnight Tea Party dance through an infectious concoction of rock, gypsy and dub to craft a sound that belongs entirely to themselves.” Happy Mag

Since the release of their album Massilia in 2018 Midnight Tea Party have played festivals such as Woodford Folk Festival, Bellingen Winter Music and Gumball as well as touring up and down the east coast of Australia.

The quintet released their third EP “Electro Bazaar'' in early 2023. From the wonky, circus like intro of the title track to the mesmerising sound of the Greek “tsoura” on Monsieur Ouzo, the dubbed out sounds of Hatter’s Hideout and the final assault of Glitterworm, this EP showcases the high energy, dance vibes that the group is renowned for, as well as the ingenuity of the band members and their mastery of the instruments.

Saxophone and Keyboard Ross Harrington
Trumpet Rob Campbell
Guitar Julian Curwin 
Brass Tom Wade 
Drums Mick Stuart

Set Times

4:40pm - 5:10pm
5:30pm - 6:30pm

Alana Wilkinson

Award-winning songwriter and folk-pop-punk poet Alana Wilkinson continues to emerge as one of the most loved artists on the Australian scene.

Combining delicate melodies with disarmingly insightful vignettes about the human condition, Wilkinson is a smiling assassin. Her songs skewer ex-lovers, would-be suitors, ridiculous social norms and the absurd challenges of a suburban upbringing in a merciless, yet strangely affectionate way, leaving audiences feeling like they’re sitting in her living room, chatting about life over a steaming cuppa.

2024 has already made a memorable mark for Wilkinson - standing ovations at Woodford Folk Festival, completing two Festival of Small Halls circuits, touring theaters with Aussie rock legend Ross Wilson, performing an official showcase at Folk Alliance International in the US and of course, the highly anticipated release of her debut album Half Time Oranges.

Since 2018 Alana has turned heads with extensive tours and a string of triumphant major festival appearances showcasing her wit, humour and insightful social commentary. Backed up by successively sold out headline shows and wonderfully received support spots for the likes of Daryl Braithwaite, Ben Lee, Tim Freedman and Fanny Lumsden, Alana has enchanted diverse audiences across Australia.

In 2023 Alana's song 'Dream Big', written for her son in the NICU, won the renowned Roddy Read Songwriting Award and 2024 sees her nominated for the ‘People’s Choice’ award in the Australian Folk Music Awards.

Alana Wilkinson in all her sunshiny glory, is always one to watch.

Set Times

4:35pm - 5:15pm
6:40pm - 7:10pm

 

Tennyson King

Tennyson King is an award-winning, nomadic, folk musician from Hong Kong and Canada with a charismatic stage personality and magnetic energy. Pairing songs written in English, Mandarin and Cantonese with kick drum, Zhongruan, electric and acoustic guitar, he captivates audiences with positivity, interactive songs, and playful stories of life on the road. A restorative sound that brings crowds to their feet; folk-rock infused with earthy roots, pop, and subtle psychedelic ear candy.

He recently released collaborations with Lindi Ortega, Skye Wallace & Kim Yang (Australia) while taking to the road with tours in Canada, Taiwan, Japan and the United Kingdom. Since the start of 2024 he has performed at Jade Music Festival, Springtide Music Festival, NXNE, Khatsahlano Street Party and Glastonbury Music Festival. This 2024 Australia tour marks his 5th tour down under and will see Tennyson performing at Airlie Beach Music Festival during a 3-month tour from Melbourne up to North Queensland.

Tennyson King's music is like a warm hug for your soul. With his smooth vocals, rhythmic guitar, and the heartbeat of his kick drum, he brings together the best of both his Chinese and Canadian roots to create a truly special experience.

Set Times

5:45pm - 6:25pm
6:40pm - 7:10pm

Free event. No tickets or registration required.

Iron Ramen is our wonderful food truck vendor for Seymour Nights featuring a menu of mouthwatering Japanese street food including Ramen, Karaage Chicken & Japanese Curry. Iron Ramen is Coeliac Australia Accredited and is suitable for those following a gluten-free diet. 

Dates
Sat 9 Nov
Sun 10 Nov
Sat 16 Nov
Sun 24 Nov
Sat 30 Nov
Sat 7 Dec

There will also be an outdoor bar serving drinks throughout the events. 

Free event. No tickets or registration required.

Iron Ramen is our wonderful food truck vendor for Seymour Nights featuring a menu of mouthwatering Japanese street food including Ramen, Karaage Chicken & Japanese Curry. Iron Ramen is Coeliac Australia Accredited and is suitable for those following a gluten-free diet. 

Dates
Sat 9 Nov
Sun 10 Nov
Sat 16 Nov
Sun 24 Nov
Sat 30 Nov
Sat 7 Dec

There will also be an outdoor bar serving drinks throughout the events. 

The Morrisons

Sydney's bluegrass darlings The Morrisons tell Australian stories steeped in the sound of folk and old-time music. The 7- piece band have supported the likes of Nathanial Rateliff & The Nightsweats (US), Marlon Williams (NZ), Kitty, Daisy & Lewis (US), and Lake Street Dive (US), received a Golden Guitar nomination and won an Australian Songwriters Award.

Set Times

4:35pm - 5:25pm
6pm - 6:45pm

Huck Hastings

In late 2019 Sydney-based singer-songwriter Huck Hastings burst back onto the local music scene with a new single (and sound). After a period spent writing, ‘Hey Babe?’ and its accompanying music video marked the beginning of a new and invigorating direction for this exciting young songwriter. Upon its release ‘Hey Babe?’ was promptly added to rotation on FBi Radio and earned him a slot as their Independent Artist of the Week.

In March of 2021 Hastings released his debut full-length offering in Cheers To Progress and penned his first publishing deal with Gaga publishing. The album was featured in lists on NME and Junkee, had over 800k streams and sold out its first run of vinyl.

In the year since it’s release Hastings has been anything but quiet, serving up multiple singles with his two side-projects Hacky Sack and Hollow States (both placing in FBi Radio’s most played of 2021), a music video for his single ‘The Clincher’ - premiered on Triple J unearthed - and live performances opening up tours for The Buoys, Andy Bull, Bec Sandridge and Hachiku.

In February of 2023 Huck was selected by Troye Sivan and Lucas Keller as one of 14 songwriters to take part APRA's Pride Songhubs, where he spent a week writing alongside nationally revered and internationally acclaimed songwriters and producers - Completing co-writes with Montaigne, Vetta Borne, Flowerkid, Charley, Alex The Astronaut, Luca George and June Jones.

His latest offering is an experiment in a new sonic direction. 'Hold It Against Me,' a hypnotic blend of trip-hop, lo-fi, and jazz, weaving silky vocals into an immersive, captivating dreamscape.

Set Times

4:05pm - 4:50pm

 

Jamaica Moana

Jamaica Moana, the non-binary rapper, is a Sydney-based Artist & songwriter of Māori (Ngāpuhi/Tainui) and Samoan descent.

As a multidisciplinary artist, she balances her professional career as a rapper & artist whilst being a leader & resident commentator of the Australian vogueing/ballroom community, along with being the founder of The West Ball.

Jamaica has toured with artists including Cakes da Killa, JUNGLEPUSSY and Ngaiire, along with being a featured in season 1 of Heartbreak High.

The end of 2024 sees Jamaica work towards the release of her debut EP - Bud & Deni, which was premiered at this year’s Big Sound with a full live band, a full house and rave reviews.

Set Times

5:25pm - 6:10pm

Alex the Astronaut

An unforgettably original lyricist, the music of Australian singer/songwriter Alex the Astronaut cycles through a series of radiantly detailed slices of life. Alex documents moments of both the seemingly mundane - from a haircut, a therapy session, a trip to the beach and to the supermarket - to the utterly life-changing - experiences as a caregiver along with the PTSD that followed and their diagnosis with autism.

Alex imbues their songs with equal parts self-awareness and sensitivity, imagination and idiosyncratic humour and in its intimate exploration of post-traumatic growth, Alex cements themself as a truly essential songwriter capable of transforming the way we view ourselves and the world around us.

Alex's 2022 sophomore album, 'How to Grow A Sunflower Underwater', explored Alex's revelation about how trauma can help connect people. Along with magnifying their sense of empathy, Alex was inspired to embrace a new level of emotional transparency on the album understanding that they needed to continue being vulnerable if they wanted to make something that contributed to the world. These efforts have paid off, with Alex undertaking a 13-date Australia tour in celebration of the release. HTGASU peaked at #47 on the ARIA charts, was nominated for 2 ARIA awards, and placed in NME's 25 Best Australian Albums of 2022.

Set Times

4:35pm - 5:20pm

 

Kiri

Kiri ~ angel and enigma; Kiri’s charming, cheeky tunes are as warm and gritty as the artist herself. Boldly honest and crushingly raw - Kiri’s songwriting is compelling, wise, and immensely relatable.

Her work is an exploration of the micro and macro self; weaving small thoughts into folk-ish ballads then bringing them into thoughtful, electronic realms. Kiri’s eclectic influences are heard in her joining of traditional jazz harmony with experimental production, trombones and quasi-choral vocal arrangements, tied together in her confessional lyrics and emotive deluges.

Between intimate whispers and soul-trembling cries, an audience member of Kiri’s will be pulled in lifted up and brought back down again and again and repeat.

Set Times

5:50pm - 6:15pm
6:40pm - 7:10pm

Lily Guerrero

Lily Guerrero is a key player in the Sydney Latin scene. She was born in Montreal Canada and raised in Sydney Australia by her Chilean parents.

Lily developed her interest in dance and song from a young age. She is now a versatile performer: she sings, dances, and plays Cajon, Guitar, and Charango.

Bringing her folklore touch to a range of cover material and original compositions.

Set Times

4:05pm - 4:50pm 
5:25 - 6:10pm

Midnight Tea Party

Hailing from Sydney’s Inner West and Blue Mountains, Midnight Tea Party is a high-octane fusion of balkan brass with dubstep, rock and jazz. Now in their 12th year together as a band, their dynamic live sets are packed with irresistible energy, musical flair and party vibes.

"Midnight Tea Party dance through an infectious concoction of rock, gypsy and dub to craft a sound that belongs entirely to themselves.” Happy Mag

Since the release of their album Massilia in 2018 Midnight Tea Party have played festivals such as Woodford Folk Festival, Bellingen Winter Music and Gumball as well as touring up and down the east coast of Australia.

The quintet released their third EP “Electro Bazaar'' in early 2023. From the wonky, circus like intro of the title track to the mesmerising sound of the Greek “tsoura” on Monsieur Ouzo, the dubbed out sounds of Hatter’s Hideout and the final assault of Glitterworm, this EP showcases the high energy, dance vibes that the group is renowned for, as well as the ingenuity of the band members and their mastery of the instruments.

Saxophone and Keyboard Ross Harrington
Trumpet Rob Campbell
Guitar Julian Curwin 
Brass Tom Wade 
Drums Mick Stuart

Set Times

4:40pm - 5:10pm
5:30pm - 6:30pm

Alana Wilkinson

Award-winning songwriter and folk-pop-punk poet Alana Wilkinson continues to emerge as one of the most loved artists on the Australian scene.

Combining delicate melodies with disarmingly insightful vignettes about the human condition, Wilkinson is a smiling assassin. Her songs skewer ex-lovers, would-be suitors, ridiculous social norms and the absurd challenges of a suburban upbringing in a merciless, yet strangely affectionate way, leaving audiences feeling like they’re sitting in her living room, chatting about life over a steaming cuppa.

2024 has already made a memorable mark for Wilkinson - standing ovations at Woodford Folk Festival, completing two Festival of Small Halls circuits, touring theaters with Aussie rock legend Ross Wilson, performing an official showcase at Folk Alliance International in the US and of course, the highly anticipated release of her debut album Half Time Oranges.

Since 2018 Alana has turned heads with extensive tours and a string of triumphant major festival appearances showcasing her wit, humour and insightful social commentary. Backed up by successively sold out headline shows and wonderfully received support spots for the likes of Daryl Braithwaite, Ben Lee, Tim Freedman and Fanny Lumsden, Alana has enchanted diverse audiences across Australia.

In 2023 Alana's song 'Dream Big', written for her son in the NICU, won the renowned Roddy Read Songwriting Award and 2024 sees her nominated for the ‘People’s Choice’ award in the Australian Folk Music Awards.

Alana Wilkinson in all her sunshiny glory, is always one to watch.

Set Times

4:35pm - 5:15pm
6:40pm - 7:10pm

 

Tennyson King

Tennyson King is an award-winning, nomadic, folk musician from Hong Kong and Canada with a charismatic stage personality and magnetic energy. Pairing songs written in English, Mandarin and Cantonese with kick drum, Zhongruan, electric and acoustic guitar, he captivates audiences with positivity, interactive songs, and playful stories of life on the road. A restorative sound that brings crowds to their feet; folk-rock infused with earthy roots, pop, and subtle psychedelic ear candy.

He recently released collaborations with Lindi Ortega, Skye Wallace & Kim Yang (Australia) while taking to the road with tours in Canada, Taiwan, Japan and the United Kingdom. Since the start of 2024 he has performed at Jade Music Festival, Springtide Music Festival, NXNE, Khatsahlano Street Party and Glastonbury Music Festival. This 2024 Australia tour marks his 5th tour down under and will see Tennyson performing at Airlie Beach Music Festival during a 3-month tour from Melbourne up to North Queensland.

Tennyson King's music is like a warm hug for your soul. With his smooth vocals, rhythmic guitar, and the heartbeat of his kick drum, he brings together the best of both his Chinese and Canadian roots to create a truly special experience.

Set Times

5:45pm - 6:25pm
6:40pm - 7:10pm