All the cool kids are raving about Bjork and Andrew Bird and Joanna Newsom being on the Sydney Festival line-up (all of which is super cool, of course) but why is anyone neglecting to mention that Mice Parade are on there as well? I think I’m going to explode with joy.

And The National, have made their long awaited announcement for their Sydney dates with an entirely unexpected twist: they’re playing the City Recital Hall. If you’ve not hit a classical gig in the city you may not have been there, but it’s situated just off Martin Place and is entirely not where I could imagine seeing these guys play. They’re being supported by Clogs, which Guan is pretty chuffed about. I might venture to one of their other gigs as well just to see them in a standard rock venue still, despite being very intrigued by the City Recital Hall setting…

Low are also appearing, which I’d be interested in catching. Battles are returning, which is a joy (local band Pivot are also supporting)