Former Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning. Credit: Cybele Malinowski Fanning Dempsey National Park Enmore Theatre, October 12 When they decided to make music together, former Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning and Something for Kate’s Paul Dempsey could quite easily have knocked out a dozen songs sounding like a combination of those two successful bands. However, the pair has instead favoured artistic exploration on new album The Deluge .

While they haven’t exactly set fire to their guitars, Fanning and Dempsey have pulled out an array of synthesisers for the ’80s-leaning collection, which acts as a fine showcase for each artist’s songwriting. It’s also a safe bet Powderfinger and Something for Kate diehards get a chance to hear the odd beloved classic. Herbie Hancock rockin’ the keytar.

Credit: Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times Herbie Hancock Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, October 11 and 12 City Recital Hall, October 16 Few artists have traversed decades and genres with as much skill, invention and culture-shifting impact as 84-year-old jazz musician, bandleader and composer Herbie Hancock. From playing piano in the Miles Davis Quintet in the 1960s to recording jazz-funk-electro classic Head Hunters in 1973 and influencing hip-hop culture with 1983’s breakdancing anthem Rockit , Hancock has achieved enough to be dubbed “living legend” several times over.

Grammy Award-winner Hancock will be joined on stage by a group master musicians as he pulls o.