I thought I’d share some of notes on the bands worth seeing if you can! They love dancers (although the venues don’t always – check out my notes on venues). If the band you want to find out more about is not here, drop me a line and I’ll see what I can find out.
Al Davey's Groovers
| Date | Time | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 1 Aug 2026 | 2:00pm–5:00pm | Freeway Hotel🌐 | $15 |
| Sat 5 Sept 2026 | Freeway Hotel🌐 | ||
| Sat 3 Oct 2026 | Freeway Hotel🌐 |
Andrew Dickeson's Blue Rhythm Band
This band model themselves on Count Basie so expect a range of tempos from slow to fast during the evening. Andrew often invites guest along (e.g. Kate Wadie) to join the band which makes it a fantastic evening event.
Members: Andrew Dickenson (Drummer)
| Date | Time | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 22 Aug 2026 | Pratton Park Bowling Club🌐 | ||
| Sat 26 Sept 2026 | Pratton Park Bowling Club🌐 | ||
| Sat 24 Oct 2026 | Pratton Park Bowling Club🌐 |
Andrew Scott's Dance Band
No upcoming gigs listed.
Band TBC
A place holder for bands due to play at Government House. Style is unknown and can vary depending upon the band.
No upcoming gigs listed.
Beachside Big Band 🌐
I saw the Beachside Big Band at Lazybones on 26-May-26. It is a 20-piece brass band with strings for base. They play classic tunes and an occasional swing track (although, it feels as though they play them unswung)! Not great to dance swing to although many older folk like to sit and watch.
No upcoming gigs listed.
Bob Henderson Jazz Band
| Date | Time | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 15 Aug 2026 | Freeway Hotel🌐 | ||
| Sat 19 Sept 2026 | Freeway Hotel🌐 | ||
| Sat 17 Oct 2026 | Freeway Hotel🌐 |
Bonnie Kay and the Sweet Patooties 🌐
No upcoming gigs listed.
Chasing the Moon 🌐
When I saw them on 2-Nov-25 in Wollongong, they played some classing swing and then moved into gypsy jazz with some Latin thrown in.
Members: Kathy Bluff (Vocalist), Paul Burjan (Sax & Flute), John Blenkhorn (Guitar), Garry Steel (Piano Accordion), Merv Sequiera (Double Base), Mike Quigley (Drummer)
| Date | Time | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 31 July 2026 | 6:00pm | Polish Club🌐 | |
| Sat 8 Aug 2026 | 8:00pm | Leichhardt Bowling Club🌐 | $35 + Booking Fee |
| Thu 10 Sept 2026 | 8:00pm | Django @ Camelot🌐 | $35 + booking fee pre, $40 door |
Corrective Services NSW Band
No upcoming gigs listed.
Dan Barnett's Big Band
| Date | Time | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 2 Aug 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | Unity Hall🌐 | $20 |
| Sun 6 Sept 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | Unity Hall🌐 | $20 |
| Sun 4 Oct 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | Unity Hall🌐 | $20 |
DC3 & the High Flyers 🌐
When I saw them (17-Aug-25, 19-Oct-25, 19-Apr-26), they played a range of music including some great swing pieces. They love having dancers join in the fun and actively encourage audience engagement. I don't think you'll go wrong at one of their gigs if you're into Lindy Hop and Swing. Play every 3rd Sunday at the Royal Randwick Golf Club and sometimes elsewhere – check below.
Members: Darryle Chute (Piano), Lachlan Anderson (Tenor Sax), Phil Langshaw (Bass), John Honig (Drums)
| Date | Time | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 16 Aug 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | Randwick Golf Club🌐 | |
| Thu 3 Sept 2026 | 7:00pm–9:00pm | Phoenix Hotel Woollahra🌐 | |
| Sun 4 Oct 2026 | 2:00pm–4:00pm | Backyard Jazz🌐 | |
| Sun 25 Oct 2026 | 3:00pm | Dolphin House Randwick🌐 |
Geoff Power's Jazz Band
| Date | Time | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8 Aug 2026 | Freeway Hotel🌐 | ||
| Sat 12 Sept 2026 | Freeway Hotel🌐 | ||
| Sat 10 Oct 2026 | Freeway Hotel🌐 |
George Washingmachine
No upcoming gigs listed.
Jazz@theHouse
Band still to be confirmed.
No upcoming gigs listed.
King Creole Band
No upcoming gigs listed.
Mortal Blow Big Band
An excellent treat is to dance to Mortal Blow – apparently, they only play at the Marrickville Bolo four times a year and when they do it seems like all the great dancers from around Sydney come to join in. Don't miss it!
Members: Over 17 band members!
No upcoming gigs listed.
NSW Police Band
The NSW Police Band is a five-piece band who enjoy having dancers come and dance along to the tracks that they play (on one occasion, they even changed their set to be more danceable music when they saw people dance!). Always a good atmosphere and music to enjoy. My personal favourite of the bands that play at Government House.
No upcoming gigs listed.
Queen Porter Stomp
Styles of dance to be confirmed.
Members: Crystal Barreca (Vocals, Guitar, Ukulele) Louise Horwood (Trumpet, Vocals) Rose Foster (Trombone, Vocals) Julian Curwin (Banjo) Alex Masso (Drums) Matt Lamb (Double Bass)
No upcoming gigs listed.
Queenie & The Cavaliers
It's a rare that I want to dance to every song that a band plays, well Queenie and The Cavaliers hit that mark for me. They love having dancers around as well… their recent gig at Palmers was excellent although they play all over Sydney.
No upcoming gigs listed.
Royal Australian Air Force Band
A band of 6 pieces with an excellent, young female signer. A wide range of Jazz with around 1 in 3 being easy to dance swing to. Play a mixture of temps from slow to fast. Worth making the trip to, especially on a beautiful day in Sydney (and they all are!).
| Date | Time | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 4 Oct 2026 | 12:00pm–3:00pm | Government House🌐 | free |
Royal Australian Army Band
While the music that the Royal Australian Navy Band is great to sit and listen to or have a picnic to, this band of five/six instruments plays later Jazz that is challenging to dance to. On a couple of occasions, there has been one tack that is danceable per set (so three per event).
| Date | Time | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 6 Sept 2026 | 12:00pm–3:00pm | Government House🌐 | free |
Simon's Jazz Trio
No upcoming gigs listed.
Slide McBride
No upcoming gigs listed.
Swing West Jazz Orchestra
No upcoming gigs listed.
The Aston Martinis 🌐
Lovely, classic Swing and Lindy music to dance the night away. A range of tempos and the band love having dancers join in the fun. Worth travelling across Sydney for.
Members: Sara O'Connor (Vocalist)
| Date | Time | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 26 July 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | Surfboat Brewery🌐 | |
| Sun 2 Aug 2026 | 4:30pm–7:30pm | Collaroy Beach Club🌐 | |
| Fri 7 Aug 2026 | 7:30pm–11:00pm | Granville Diggers🌐 |
The Faculties
No upcoming gigs listed.
The Milkshakes
No upcoming gigs listed.
The Pocket Trio
I've heard reports that the songs were good to dance to and some were a little faster.
No upcoming gigs listed.
The Roslyns
Members: 7 piece band
No upcoming gigs listed.
The Rougettes
No upcoming gigs listed.
Tipsey & The Tonics
| Date | Time | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 2 Aug 2026 | 2:00pm–5:00pm | The Old Fitzroy Hotel🌐 |
Wes Pudsey Radium Club Duo
No upcoming gigs listed.