Variously described as Garage Cabaret, Gypsy Punk, and Gangster Jazz, Waiting for Guinness has been playing the Sydney pub/club scene for years. They may be one of the best dressed too. The band features up to seven pieces including banjo, trumpet, saxophone, trombone, accordion, guitaron (Mexican bass), flute, guitars and drums.

In the tradition of artists such as Tom Waits, Calexico and The Pogues, Waiting for Guinness take their nourishment from ‘old music’ and hot-wire the styles of Berlin Cabaret, Mariachi, Vaudeville, Spaghetti Western and Swing-Jazz into their own surreal vision.

In concert, Waiting for Guinness’ spontaneous and anarchic performances are truly engaging. The theatrical element is as strong as ever, harking back to their busking origins. A fan once said “WFG make old music sound new somehow,” and they may have a point. The band are not traditionalists trying to re-create the past, but write contemporary and original music influenced by the styles they love. 

Tix are $20 +bf presale and $25 on the door.