Smith's Alternative

06/09/2026

Shanty this Wednesday, 6.30pm, free

You'll need a good excuse if you don't make it to shanties this week. Our monthly session starts at 6.30 this Wednesday at Smith's Alternative. Singing, stomping and lots of fun for all. All welcome.

06/09/2026

Sunday at Smith’s, 6th Sep 2026

12pm Canberra English Session (free session)

4pm 1996 and All That (sold-out)

4.30pm Dancing Room Only (bog band practice, free)

7pm Open Mic Comedy
$5, www.smithsalternative.com/events/smith-s-open-mic-comedy-102329
35/100 tickets remaining

05/09/2026

Tonight at 9pm, The Den Hanrahan Collective and Mick Daley Duo
$20/15, www.smithsalternative.com/events/den-hanrahan-103260

Get ready for a double bill featuring Mick Daley of The Re-mains and the Den Hanrahan Collective.

From raw, road-worn country rock and roll to soulful grooves to stories of the road, this is a night for anyone who likes their music honest, loud and full of feeling. Two bands. One night. No bu****it. Just great music.

04/09/2026

Chronic Bass & Stonebird - Local double bill up in the bar
Sunday September 20, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
$15/10, www.smithsalternative.com/events/chronic-bass-stonebird-103537

Mansell Bass’ solo improvised bass & Chris Thwaite (drums/percussion) and Fiona Bolton (keys/vocals) duo
Chronic Bass brings together the raw expressiveness of solo double bass with cutting-edge electronic improvisation, blending classical technique with modern technology in real-time. Drawing on 25 years of musical experience and research into digital creativity, this project explores the intersection of live performance and experimental sound-making. Expect unfiltered performances—no overdubs, no safety net—where every moment is spontaneous and unrepeatable.

Stonebird was formed as a duo over the last six months by Chris Thwaite (drums/percussion) and Fiona Bolton (keys/vocals) who have played together in a number of projects over the last 25 years. Both appreciate jazz-adjacent tunes, polyrhythms, a filmic/atmospheric sensibility and solving mysteries. Stonebird is already known for (expanding quickly) allowing their music to adapt with guest performers and for their random and yet relevant facts in banter.

04/09/2026

The Fuelers Ride Again!
Sunday September 20, 4pm - 6pm
$20/15, www.smithsalternative.com/events/the-fuelers-ride-again!-103528

“People have been asking us, will you ever play again? Now, we’ve heard the call and so we are casting aside walkers and wheelchairs to ride across the Smiths prairie plains once more!”

AI Overview        

The Fuelers are a long-running Canberra-based alt-country, rockabilly, and dieselbilly band known for their theatrical live shows, sexy dance moves and “char-grilled racing tunes”.

Formed in Canberra around 1973.

Genre/Sound: A unique blend of country, rockabilly, swing, disco and cabaret—often self-described as “deep-fried dieselbilly” and “cereal box cowboy” music.

Theatrical Lore: The band members operate within the fictional lore of “Fueler County,” inspired by nitro-fuelled drag cars and romance novels.

Key Members: Features Caltex Star (double bass), Blindboy Murray (telecaster guitar), Thingamy Bob (drums), and Wyatt Trasche (pedal steel).

Local Staple: Frequently play local Canberra venues like Smith’s Alternative, R&B’s Glovebox and the Baso alongside regional festival appearances and occasional international touring.

04/09/2026

Canberra Standard Time - Back by popular demand!
Saturday September 12, 9pm - 11pm
$20/15, www.smithsalternative.com/events/canberra-standard-time-103472

After the huge success at their debut last month, your favourite Canberra jazz band returns to the stage.

Join us for some late night jazz as Canberra Standard Time plays a curated list of timeless jazz tunes, with a few originals snuck in.

You won’t want to miss this lineup of top-tier local musicians with Tom Priest on saxophone, Simon Halabi on piano/vocals, Muhamed Mehmedbasic on bass and Mark Levers on drums.

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

Today at Smith’s, Wed 2nd Sep 2026

12.30pm Smith’s Scribblers lunchtime life drawing
$10/15

12.30pm Crafternoon (free)

4pm Old Timey Wednesday music session (free)

6.30pm FLESH Q***r Life Drawing (sold out)

7pm Django Jam (free)

7pm Geoff’s Jazz - Somesh Putcha Quintet
The Music of John Coltrane
$30/20, www.smithsalternative.com/events/geoff-s-jazz-presents-102461

01/09/2026

Hoolahan ‘Bay of Chance’ Album Launch
with special guest Nick Craft
Saturday October 24, 6pm - 8pm
$25/20, www.smithsalternative.com/events/hoolahan-103328

Sydney band Hoolahan may have played infrequently over the years, yet they remain the cosmic North Star of the local indie rock scene – guiding the way with their thrilling guitar interplay and unimpeachable melodic compass.

Their third studio album BAY OF CHANCE – released on Wayne Connolly’s Scenic Drive Records – is a beautiful parade of sophisticated songs and lyrical laments that ring with hope in times of uncertainty.

The album came together over a series of writing and recording sessions, with songwriters David Orszaczky andTim Kevin swapping ideas via post and in-person. Canberra natives and lifelong friends with an enduring musical chemistry, David and Tim allowed the songs to develop and fall into place – compiling the keepers from a range of new material developed since their last full-length release Casuarina (2017).

The result is a gentle landing – an unhurried collection of songs selected for mood and flow that showcases their upbeat melodic guitar roots as well as venturing into more dreamlike, reflective and cinematic territory.

Opening the evening is Canberra-based stalwart Nick Craft (ex-Sidewinder). Nick’s gorgeous 2018 solo album Minerva remains an under-stated treasure of intimate, confessional songwriting.

01/09/2026

Den Hanrahan Collective & Mick Daley Duo
Saturday September 5, 9pm - 11pm
$20/15, www.smithsalternative.com/events/den-hanrahan-103260

Get ready for a double bill featuring Mick Daley of The Re-mains and the Den Hanrahan Collective.

From raw, road-worn country rock and roll to soulful grooves to stories of the road, this is a night for anyone who likes their music honest, loud and full of feeling. Two bands. One night. No bu****it. Just great music.