Still one of the best intimate venues in Sydney for live music is The Vanguard in Newtown. Walk through the doors and you feel like you have stepped back in time.

With a 1920’s interior, this purpose built live music venue brings out the crisp sounds. With an elegant and stylish restaurant of which the menu includes an eclectic mix of soul food and modern Australian cooking; this is the place for a great night. The Vanguard plays host to big acts from Australia and around the world. But what I really love is the way it supports our local musicians.

The Vanguard is situated at 42 King Street, Newtown, a cosmopolitan neighbourhood where professors and students, the upwardly mobile and the down at heel, gay and straight, migrant and middle class, wealth and welfare, suits and spikes share a successful experiment in the new globalism. Newtown is the impact point where the University of Sydney collides with the University of Life.

Some of the gigs coming up at The Vanguard include Mama Kin in the 28th October, Urban Gypsies on the 29th October, Ava Torch and The Boybirds on the 3rd November and Aaron Harvie from Masterchef presents Food that Rocks: South of the border on the 9th November 2010.

Two Flat Whites scrambled down to The Vanguard at Newtown last week to catch Andy Bull live. Newtown is such a vibrant place with plenty of wonderful people, cafes, pubs & shops. The Vanguard itself is one of the best venues for live gigs in Sydney. As soon as you step inside, you feel like you’re in another world. Just imagine stepping into Paris in the 1930’s, style, sophistication & class.

Whether you plan to stay for dinner, drop in for the show or wander down with friends for a few drinks, The Vanguard has it all. Fine food, fantastic atmosphere, the best music gigs at your front door, the ultimate experience, with something for everyone. Andy Bull was the main attraction, an awesome young singer & songwriter from Sydney. Two Flat Whites had the pleasure in interviewing Andy not too long ago, you can check out the interview here . Andy had a couple of very talented guys performing on the night with him. Leroy Lee & Brian Campeau.

Leroy Lee kicked things off. He is a young singer/ guitarist from Sydney. His sounds are smooth & set the scene for a cool night. Leroy has travelled America, tours around the pub scene in Australia & is currently recording his debut album with producer Melvin Tree. With a rowdy, rough ‘round the edges vocal technique and a charm immediately evident, Brian Campeau , who followed Leroy, wins crowds over, playing his own abusive style of guitar whilst singing songs of philosophy using high soaring vocals.

When Andy Bull stepped onto the stage the crowd was ripe & roared with emotion. He decided to treat us with a solo show playing all his favourites, belting the piano, while telling a few stories along the way. His presence was amazing & the audience were listening & watching the energy & apocryphal musical display. The night at The Vanguard was electric, do yourself a favour & see a live gig!

Article written by Garry Schofield

Article written by Tiger Bennett.

It was cold, dark and windy. Friends and I were walking aimlessly down King Street Newtown. We were looking for a warm meal, good old fashioned hospitality and music to blow our minds.

We looked up and there stood an establishment called ‘The Vanguard’. Signs displayed outside the venue saying “Diesel playing tonight!”

We walked up the short staircase and there stood a smiling face. “You’re here to see Diesel”, said the young lass. I looked around the room, set out in a 1920’s style feel. The smell of sizzling steak and roasted potatoes. A bar that stretched from one side of the room to the other. People laughing and sipping there cocktails and ales.

As we took our seats and enjoyed our warm meals, we drank and sat enjoying each others company. We were waiting in anticipation for the main act. A man that is as true blue as they come, a man that has talent oozing out of his every pore.

Diesel, Diesel, Diesel, the chant around the room was building. The noise becoming deafening and then out from behind the curtain stood Diesel.

As I sat listening to his wonderful skills on the guitar and singing from the bottom of his lungs. There stood on a stage a true entertainer. A man that just had everyone in the club listening to every word! He played for hours, using a magnitude of guitars. Playing and singing an eclectic a ray of songs.

The Vanguard was awesome! The food was brilliant. The service was unbelievable and the environment was warm and friendly. And if you haven’t had the pleasure in seeing Diesel play live, do yourself a favour and catch one of his many gigs around the burbs of Sydney! Tell them Two Flat Whites sent you………….

The Vanguard is situated at 42 King Street, Newtown.