The excitement of the holiday period is over, and now we are left with the dissatisfaction that is returning to our normal routines. With work slowly starting up again, ruining any possibility of spending all day at the beach eating decadent leftovers and fresh summer fruit without the knowledge of what day it is, you’re forgiven if you’re in a less than content mood. However, while you get back into the swing of things, it’s important to remember that it is still summer, and that means plenty of exciting gigs and festivals to go to in order to assist with the back to work blues.

January

We’re almost halfway through January already (what the f*#k!), and while some of us may still be coming down from the music festivals we trekked to over the new year like Falls and Lost Paradise, there are a few gigs going down in the next few weeks to keep that festival high going. Californian rockers The Growlers will be hitting the Metro Theatre on January 18, while youth Michigan band GRETA VAN FLEET will grace the Enmore Theatre stage on January 29 and 30.

February

Packed full of massive acts, the shortest month of the year is no doubt going to be your busiest gig wise. Starting off the month is Haiku Hands on February 1, who take to the Oxford Art Factory stage to maintain the summer high you’ve got going from January’s gigs. Laneway Festival comes to Sydney on February 3, with massive artists such as Gang of Youths, Rex Orange County and What So Not playing at the SCA in Rozelle. As if that wasn’t enough, hold on to your seats because indie pop queen Lily Allen touches down on February 4 for two massive shows at the Enmore. It’s safe to predict that hits like LDN and F*#K You will be getting a bit of a resurgence around this time.

Next up, KWAME embarks on his Clouds tour at Oxford Arts on February 9, and then back your festival bags again because it’s time to head to Mountain Sounds on February 15 and 16. We’re talking Angus and Julia Stone, Courtney Barnett, Riton and Kahlo, Middle Kids, Yungblud, and so many more festival staples it’ll have you loading up the car and driving to the Central Coast in no time. If you’re up for something a bit more mysterious, Secret Garden 2019 is on from February 22 to 24. This is the last year that the festival will be running, so to send the beloved event out with a bang,.

March

You better keep those electrolytes up and the coffee flowing, as March continues the amazing run of live music Sydney is getting in 2019. To start, the goddamn ARCTIC MONKEYS will be playing Qudos Bank Arena on March 1 and 2, touring their new album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (and of course some of their beloved favourites). If you have any energy after such a massive tour, then the likes of Julia Jacklin will be gracing the Metro stage on the 15th, Slumberjack on the 16th at the Enmore and then the Smith Street Band on the 30th, just to keep your thirst for live music satiated, you animals.

Enjoy the music, ladies and gentlemen.