Melbourne International Arts Festival is back for another year and, as always, the program is jam-packed with tantalising events, ranging from live music performances from some of the world’s most renowned artists to immersive art installations, theatre productions and exhibitions. The festival highlights Melbourne’s standing as a cultural hub for music and the arts by showcasing a breadth of talent and art forms. The festival program is extensive to say the least, which may leave you feeling overwhelmed when faced with deciding what to see and do, so we’ve combed through the options for you and narrowed it down to our absolute can’t-miss top picks.
The The
Legendary post-punk outfit The The return to Melbourne for the first time in almost three decades for this year’s Melbourne Festival. Born in Britain during Margaret Thatcher’s reign, The The served as a post-punk staple of the era through forward-thinking efforts such as Infected in 1986 and 1989’s Soul Mining. Over the years, The The played host to a plethora of industry heavyweights including Johnny Marr, Jools Holland and JG Thirwell, with frontman Matt Johnson serving as the band’s defining member amongst a rotating cast of guests. Johnson, the brains, face and voice of The The, will be performing a slew of hits from the band’s catalogue, with many to be played live for the first time in 20 years.
1000 Doors
From the minds behind House of Mirrors, Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney, comes 1000 Doors; a seemingly never-ending series of doors, passageways, screens and portraits set to open your mind and fuel your intrigue. A labyrinth of endless possibility and curiosity, there’s no telling what’s behind each door without pulling the handle and stepping through. Much like its predecessor House of Mirrors, 1000 Doors toys with your perception to ensure you leave with a new outlook than the one you entered with. The installation will make its world premiere at the festival and offers an exciting experience for all ages.
Fire Gardens
Setting the Royal Botanic Gardens on fire with giant spheres of flames, French fire alchemists Compagnie Caabosse will give a new look to the iconic space for the evening. From flickering flames reflecting on the water to dancing shadows washing over the expansive sea of flora, Fire Gardens will transform the Botanic Gardens into a mesmerising display of one of nature’s most powerful elements. Fire Gardens evokes a sensory experience not to be missed and whether you choose to witness it by wandering the grounds or pulling up a picnic blanket and soaking in the view, the installation will surely leave you awestruck.
Nils Frahm
On the back of his latest album, All Melody, Berlin composer and pianist Nils Frahm makes his first Australian appearance since his sold-out Melbourne Festival debut in 2014. Frahm is famed for his ability to create textural, orchestral synth soundscapes that take the audience on an aural journey, displaying his immense skill and unique sound in the process. After selling out his initial Melbourne Festival performance this year, Frahm recently announced a second appearance for those who missed out the first time around. He’ll be in the country promoting All Melody, a critically acclaimed body of work set to be enhanced in a live setting.
16 Lovers Lane
Brisbane-based outfit The Go-Betweens’ seminal album 16 Lovers Lane will be revisited in full, 30 years after its release, with many of the original band members reuniting for the performance. The album contains some of the band’s most beloved tracks, such as ‘Streets of Your Town’ and ‘Clouds’, and served as the last album we heard from The Go-Betweens before they disbanded. With the blessing of frontman Robert Forster, drummer Lindy Morrison, bassist John Willsteed and multi-instrumentalist Amanda Brown will hit the stage with a huge lineup of special guests including Dan Kelly, Danny Widdicombe, Luke Peacock, Jen Cloher, Paul Kelly, Laura Jean, and many more.
Lexicon
250 years since Philip Astley devised the inaugural circus ring, paving the way for the modern circus as we know it, contemporary circus company NoFit brings a unique exploration of the circus’ past, present and future with Lexicon. By melding tradition and history with contemporary ideas, Lexicon offers a series of performances unlike anything you’ve seen before. Integrating humour and music into the art of circus performance while displaying a range of unfathomable physical talents, Lexicon will leave you mesmerised and utterly entertained.
100 Keyboards
Experimental multi-instrumentalist Asuna’s landmark work 100 Keyboards provides a unique experience in which the same key is played simultaneously on 100 plastic keyboards to create a meditative yet eerie harmony. In a performance which lies somewhere between performance art and live music, Asuna creates a textured wave of sound set to wash over those in attendance, creating a mysteriously atmospheric harmony through the most seemingly simple method. Asuna’s past works have involved everything from kazoos to popping candy, with this latest work set to be yet another eclectic experience.
Flight
Flight offers a theatre production meets live diorama performance in which viewers are seated in private booths in front of a window containing tiny figures which ‘come to life’ to enact a tale before your eyes. An adaption of Caroline Brother’s novel Hinterland, Flight follows two orphaned brothers on a European road trip in search of the ultimate destination; somewhere to call home. Watch the brothers battle treacherous land and dangerous characters in meticulously finely detailed sets. Vox Motus’ Flight offers both an incredible tale and a unique viewing experience with a memorable effect.
Find out more about Flight here.
