It’s a Tuesday night in Canberra’s deepest darkest winter. Parliament will be sitting, but the audience at Smith’s will not. Two quintessentially Aussie bands join forces to drive the cold out of our flesh, the darkness out of our hearts, and the hrythm into our souls.

True to their namesake, Scroggin play an eclectic, high-energy mix of delightful morsels both savory and sweet. Well-rooted in Bluegrass standards, they also branch into Celtic Folk, Australiana, and Western Swing, with a sprinkling of Country songs for more sombre moments. Scroggin embrace the contradictions of traditional music in the new age, playing country music for city folk, and old fashioned songs for the modern world.

A little bit rock ‘n’ roll, a little bit bluegrass, and mostly country, Canberra three-piece The Calum Stenning Band returns to Smith’s Alternative, coming in hot with country jams that will melt mamaw’s face off and give papaw the ‘itis. 

Background imagery courtesy Imogen Wall.