Parramatta’s largest festival, Parramatta Nights is set to bounce back in a big way in 2022. Taking place from 17 March to 23 April, the festival will breathe life back into Parramatta’s autumn nights with a stacked line-up of music, food, art, rollerskating and more, providing the best excuse ever to let loose on the Parramatta streets.
For music lovers like us, it’s hard to not be amazed by the stellar collection of live performances on offer from Parramatta Nights 2022, but with so many quality acts offering such a diverse array of sounds, it could be a little overwhelming trying to avoid missing out on an act that is truly can’t miss.
To help you fight off the FOMO and make sure you’re there when Parramatta Nights hits its peak, we’ve put together this list of six acts you should not miss when Parramatta Nights 2022 hits.
Sister Nancy (Jamaica) and Legal Shot Sound (France)
When/where: Erby Block Party, Sunday 20 March.
Seminal dancehall singer and deejay Sister Nancy’s place in musical history is undeniable. A veteran of the Reggae scene since the ‘70s, Sister Nancy will perform with French rub-a-dub superstar Legal Shot Sound as the headliner act of the Erby Place Block Party on Sunday 20 March. This is an absolute must for anyone who wants to bust a move in the company of Jamaican musical royalty. Trust us, when ‘Bam Bam’ drops, you’ll know you’ve made the right choice.
Northeast Party House
When/where: Eat Street Rooftop, Street Festival, Sunday 27 March
Northeast Party House need no introduction to Aussie music lovers, with the much loved Melbourne electro band’s extensive list of party-starting hits, having dominated the triple j airwaves and festival grounds for the best part of the last decade. See Northeast Party House bring their energetic live show to Parramatta Nights at Eat Street Rooftop on Sunday 27 March, armed with hits like ‘Calypso Beach’, ‘Magnify, ‘Dominos’ and maybe, just maybe that ‘Redbone’ cover.
Jesswar
When/where: Erby Block Party, Saturday 26 March.
Fijian-Aussie rapper Jesswar will bring her unique brand of hip-hop to the Erby Street Block Party on Saturday 26 March, headlining a night consisting of all female and non-binary artists. A dynamic live performer, Jesswar is set to have the block party popping as she tears through the likes of ‘Medusa’, ‘BAD LIKE RIRI’, ‘Venom’ and ‘Front Row Hustle’. Speaking from experience, catching Jesswar live is an absolute time to be alive.
Emma Donovan & The Putbacks
When/where: Justice Stage, Sunday 27 March
Emma Donavan & The Putbacks are one of the hottest names in the Aussie festival circuit right now with their blend of soul and funky rhythms winning fans across Australia with each dazzling live display. Featuring proud indigenous woman Emma Donovan’s powerhouse vocals and bruisingly honest songwriting backed by The Putback’s world-class instrumentation, Emma Donavan & The Putbacks blew us away when we caught them live last and we know they’ll do the same to you. Study up on ‘My Goodness’, ‘Dawn’, ‘Don’t Give Up On Me’ and prepare yourself to feel the passion, the heart and the soul of Australia, filtered through the performer’s mutual love of the genre’s greats. Hit up the Justice Stage on Sunday 27 March and you’ll know.
Pist Idiots
When/where: Justice Stage, Saturday 26 March
Punk rockers Pist Idiots will bring songs from their acclaimed debut album Idiocracy and their earlier works to Parramatta Nights, delivering heartwrenching relatability, one impassioned belter at a time. Writers of songs that stir up romance, nostalgia, sadness and hope with unflinching honesty, this band of modern storytellers named after the most Aussie of slang terms are a surefire bet to supply some of the biggest singalongs of the Parramatta Nights festival. Get familiar with ‘99 Bottles’, ‘Juliette’, ‘Leave It At That’, ‘Idiocracy’ and ‘’She Yells Jack’ and then get ready to belt out your best ‘Fuck Off’ loud into the Parramatta Night. This is gonna be a time.
Briggs
When/where: Ngana Birrung, Erby Place, Sunday 3 April
Indigenous rap icon and the man we’d love to see elected as PM, Briggs brings his unfuckwithable charisma, flow and message to the Parramatta Nights First Nations Hip Hop Festival Ngana Birrung on 3 April and the presence of the man behind ‘Bad Apples’, ‘The Children Came Back’, ‘Here’ and ‘2016 Golden Era Cypher’ should bring considerable focus to what shapes to be an absolute highlight of the Parramatta Nights lineup. Expect big vibes and unfiltered truth bombs aplenty as Briggs serves up the hits and brings eyes to the stacked lineup featuring JK-47, Miiesha, DENNI, Soju Gang DJ and Jannawi Dance Clan.
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