Top 10 concerts in 2018: Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, The Killers and more

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Top 10 concerts in 2018: Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, The Killers and more

By Craig Mathieson
Updated

The way we listen to recorded music may keep changing, as the record player gave way to the CD player which gave way to the streaming service, but live music remains a familiar (and thrilling) experience: a venue, an audience, a sound system and an artist intertwined for the length of a gig. Australia's concert market remains strong, and 2018 already promises a full calendar of shows.

With acknowledgment to veteran touring acts such as Foo Fighters and Pink who are preceded by their fine reputations, here are the 10 tickets for the year that have the potential to deliver a memorable performance.

PARAMORE

Paramore: Touchstone.

Paramore: Touchstone.Credit: Live Nation

They've lost (and regained) band members and explored emo-rock and pop-punk before alighting on their current taste for busy 1980s flexing pop that references new wave exuberance and Afro-pop textures, but Paramore – and especially vocalist Hayley Williams – have remained a touchstone for successive generations of teens. The band, and their original fans, are older and according to 2017's After Laughter album wiser.

Melbourne: February 8, Rod Laver Arena, $81.35-$119.90, ticketek.com.au
Sydney: February 9, Qudos Bank Arena, $81.40-$122.50, ticketek.com.au
Brisbane: February 12, Riverstage, $101.74 - $254.66

THE WAR ON DRUGS

The War On Drugs band.

The War On Drugs band.

The road to the horizon 1980s classic rock that one-time Philadelphia musician Adam Granduciel revisits for The War on Drugs' sounds time-worn but majestic on the alternative band's fourth album, 2017's A Deeper Understanding. The Springsteen comparisons will never disappear, but Granduciel – and his studio and stage collaborators – are making momentum and melancholy into their own uplifting sound.

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Melbourne: February 13 and 14, Forum Theatre, $79.77, ticketmaster.com.au
Sydney: February 6 and 7, Enmore Theatre, $79.15, ticketek.com.au

THE NATIONAL

On last year's album Sleep Well Beast, which reached No. 2 on the Australian charts, The National allowed the furious edge and fearless peaks of their live sets to seep into the five-piece's studio sound. There are still moments when Matt Berninger's signature baritone sounds like it's delivering a confession from a Wim Wenders movie, but the likes of I'll Destroy You are sonically audacious and bode well for the American alternative band's tour.

Melbourne: March 1, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, $99.76, ticketmaster.com.au
Sydney: February 21 and 22, Opera House Forecourt, $129, sydneyoperahouse.com
Brisbane: February 27, Riverstage, $97.41, ticketmaster.com.au

KAMASI WASHINGTON

US musician Kamasi Washington.

US musician Kamasi Washington.

Having previously toured Australia as support to Kendrick Lamar, whose acclaimed album To Pimp a Butterfly he was a crucial collaborator on, the Los Angeles jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader returns with a 10-piece group and rightful acclaim as one of the artists drawing jazz back towards the centre of popular music. With last September's Harmony of Difference EP as the latest studio set, expect a live set that uses his recorded work as a template for exploration.

Melbourne: March 9, Forum Theatre, $79.90, ticketmaster.com.au
Sydney: March 13, Opera House Concert Hall, $39-$69, sydneyoperahouse.com
Brisbane: March 14, The Triffid, $69.90, oztix.com.au

PERFUME GENIUS

On his fourth album, last May's No Shape, Perfume Genius' Mike Hadreas sounds like the welcome link between Kate Bush's beguiling breadth and Rufus Wainwright's theatrical devotion. A chronicler of the gay male experience, whether in anguish or now contemplation, the Seattle-based singer-songwriter has become an increasingly extroverted live performer to match the palette of new show-stoppers like Slip Away and Just Like Love.

Perth: February 28, Perth Festival, $36-$80, perthfestival.com.au
Brisbane: March 6, The Zoo, $49, oztix.com.au
Melbourne: March 9, Melbourne Recital Centre, $79.77, melbournerecital.com.au
Sydney: March 2, Factory Theatre, $52.20, factorytheatre.com.au

DUA LIPA

Dua Lipa.

Dua Lipa.Credit: Nicole Elphick

One of the strongest new voices – complete with a honey and smoke authority – in pop music, the 22-year-old singer and songwriter steps out from opening arena shows for Bruno Mars to showcase her impressive self-titled debut album. Born in London to parents who emigrated from Albania, Lipa had four top 10 singles in Britain last year, with the tropical house-tinged manifesto New Rules also a hit here. Witness what one billion Spotify plays sounds like.

Melbourne: March 12, Palais Theatre, $69.90, ticketmaster.com.au
Sydney: March 21, Big Top, Luna Park, $69.90, ticketmaster.com.au

BIG BOI

Hip-hop artist Big Boi.

Hip-hop artist Big Boi.

If Atlanta is now the undisputed creative fulcrum of hip-hop, then Big Boi must be close to earning the status of godfather to the scene. Since the conscious uncoupling (and profitable live reformation) of Outkast, 42-year-old Antwan Patton has furthered his feel for dexterous verses and sometimes surreal wordplay. His 2017 album, Boomiverse, is a funk sample-based celebration that recalled his 2010 solo breakthrough Sir Lucious Left Foot – he rarely sounds his age.

Melbourne: Tuesday, March 13, 170 Russell, $71.58, moshtix.com.au
Sydney: Wednesday, March 14, Metro Theatre, $72.50, ticketek.com.au

HARRY STYLES

Harry Styles: Teen idol.

Harry Styles: Teen idol.Credit: AAP

Not since Justin Timberlake flew the 'N Sync coop has a boy band's talismanic pop star figure made such a smooth transition into their solo career. Still only 23 and with his supporting role in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk behind him, Styles now has an eclectic solo album to his name, a self-titled long player that evokes autumnal '70s pop and rock star strut alike. What won't change? The ludicrously natural star power.

Perth: April 21, Perth Arena, $101.75-152.65, ticketek.com.au
Melbourne: April 24, Hisense Arena, $99.90-$149.90, ticketek.com.au
Sydney: April 27, Qudos Bank Arena, $99.90-$149.90, ticketek.com.au
Brisbane: April 28, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, $99.90-$149.90, ticketek.com.au

THE KILLERS

The Killers.

The Killers.

While it's highly unlikely that Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt will repeat his post-AFL Grand Final performance of Mr Brightside, The Killers brief visit last September was a reminder that they are one of the few enduring arena rock-sized acts for Millennials. Befitting a band from Las Vegas, Brandon Flowers and co. don't do subtlety, deploying thundering synths and panoramic choruses from 2004's Hot Fuss to recent chart topping album Wonderful Wonderful.

Brisbane. April 27, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, $89.90-$149.90, ticketek.com.au
Melbourne: May 4, 5 and 6, Hisense Arena, $89.90-$149.90, ticketek.com.au
Sydney: Saturday, April 28, Qudos Bank Arena, $89.90-$149.90, ticketek.com.au
Perth: May 1, Perth Arena, $92.65 - $152.65, ticketek.com.au
Adelaide: May 8, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, $89.90-$149.90, ticketek.com.au

TAYLOR SWIFT

Taylor Swift: Celebratory.

Taylor Swift: Celebratory.Credit: Evan Agostini

With a turning point album in Reputation to her name, where she twists her persona into knowing self-calculation and further co-opts the rhythmic impetus and defiant celebration of hip-hop into her music, Taylor Swift is at a turning point in her career. Expect a world tour that will be well-versed in weaving together the contradictory and the celebratory by the time she reaches Australia. Stadiums will be no barrier to her new persona.

Perth: October19, Optus Stadium, $107.10 - $208.99 , ticketmaster.com.au
Melbourne: Friday, October 26, Etihad Stadium, $152.63-$254.58, ticketmaster.com.au
Sydney: Friday, November 2, ANZ Stadium, $104.40-$257.35, ticketek.com.au
Brisbane: November 6, The Gabba, $105.93 - 207.88, ticketmaster.com.au

Quoted ticket prices do not include booking fees, VIP packages, and any other ancillary charges, or indicate availability.

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