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Civic are about to return to the road here in their native Australia, playing a run of headlining shows around the place in support of their excellent third album Chrome Dipped. They’ll be joined by artsy Adelaide sextet Coldwave as support for all shows, as well as an exciting and ecclectic mix of local acts on each bill. Ahead of the tour, the band’s lead guitarist and co-founder Lewis Hodgson shared his five favourite gigs from across Civic’s career thus far, exclusively for Music Feeds.

Civic – ‘Chrome Dipped’

While I sit here thinking of what our top five shows are, I’m reminded of how long we’ve been going. All the hundreds of shows and venues, plus thousands of people that have come to our shows – good and bad. I’m grateful for such a bizarre experience. Some of the worst shows are the best stories, or are at least the most memorable. That said, I will keep it light here – because really, we’ve not played too many bad gigs. Playing Manchester Psych Fest to literally one person in a giant pink room was definitely strange, but I wouldn’t even say that was “bad”.

1. Vera Festival, Groningen NLD, 9/9/23

Playing Vera is always a treat. Its like this oasis in the middle of a desert of touring. They really like to accommodate you: Beds, food, clothes washing facilities and beer. Everyone is super friendly, and it’s community run too. The locals keep this venue running through the sheer love of it. The history of this place is impressive, to say the least. Basically any sick band I can think of has played here. We’re talking Joy Division, the Sex Pistols, The Gun Club, The Cramps, Dead Moon (25 times, I was told) and Nirvana – to about 80 people, as the legend goes. The well-documented history of this place is overwhelming. We had played there twice before in the basement, which is a late night chaotic dungeon affair. That was very fun. However, this was the first time we played the main room. It sounded great and we packed it out – which is a crazy feeling.

2. The Night Cat, Fitzroy AUS, 17/5/18

This was our launch for our first EP, New Vietnam. This was ambitious for us, as we had only been a band for just under a year and it’s a 500-cap room roughly. We stacked the line up with friends like Tyranamen, Sweet Whirl and Vanilla Poppers. We pasted up giant posters of the the EP artwork on the front of The Night Cat, which was up for months before the gig. I believe you have to pay for that spot now, but back then it was free. We didn’t use Instagram or Facebook, but we managed to sell it out the old-fashioned way – with posters, hype and local radio.

3. Nice Day To Go To The Club @ Port Noarlunga Football Club, Port Noarlunga South AUS, 22/2/25

This one just went off. For those who don’t know, it’s a football field converted into a two-stage music festival. Perfect day. We had friends like These New South Whales, Clamm, Drunk Mums and Antenna, there so it was all on from the start. Fitzy [AKA radio presenter and media personality Ryan Fitzgerald] puts it on annually – and, as it turns out, he’s now also a friend. Good set, good crowd and beers on tap in the “artist area” – which was the footy club’s locker room. I got to meet Tumbleweed, and I absolutely talked [guitarist] Lenny Curley’s ear off. He was pretty good natured about it.

4. Gonerfest 20, Memphis USA, 28/8/23

This was my first time playing Gonerfest with Civic, and it was our first show of our first US tour. It was at a new venue – for me, anyway – rather then spread throughout different Memphis venues and locations. I did miss the old set-up, but we still had such a sick time. The line-up was stacked. Osees, Mummies, Gories, Chubby and the Gang and Poison Ruin, plus Australian friends like 1-800-MIKEY, TV Repairmann, Vintage Crop, Lothario and C.O.F.F.I.N. Really good way to start a tour.

5. Binic Folks Blues Festival, Binic FRA, 26/6/25

This was the most recent gig we’ve played. It was the end of a very long tour, so it maybe holds a bit more weight because of that reason. It was a really good crowd; they reminded me of Big Day Out crowds with people crowdsurfing all the way back to the mixing desk in the tent. Great sound for a line check, too. It was located next to a beach, in the centre of a small French coastal town. Starting to realise a pattern in having a good show is having friends there, too. This time it was Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice, Party Dozen, Program, Kirin J Callinan and Hot Tubs Time Machine. We ate mussels with a side of French fries after our set, and I was happy the tour was done.