This is Bat Massive on 16th August; a nocturnal festival celebrating art, music and the creatures that own the night.
As the bats take flight overhead, celebrated projection artist Yandell Walton’s large-scale projections will envelop the heritage buildings of Abbotsford Convent, while Georgian choir Gorani sing traditional lore beneath the crossing creatures.
From acclaimed theremin composer Miles Brown to synthwave powerhouse Simona Castricum, the evening unfolds as a nocturnal assembly with special bat crossings, immersive projections and live performances.
Presented by Abbotsford Convent, Wildlife Victoria and 3RRR, Bat Massive (and its full package experience Bat Massive XL) explore human and non-human experiences in exile while celebrating the beauty and ecological significance of Melbourne’s native bat population. The unique experience offers participants the chance to observe the grey-headed flying fox colony from the river before joining the evening festivities as dusk descends upon the convent, with every ticket supporting the crucial work of Wildlife Victoria.
Bat Massive + Bat Massive XL
- Where: Yarra Bend Park (tour), Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford (festival)
- When: Saturday 16 August, 3pm tour, 5pm festival
- Tickets: here
Check out our gig guide here.
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Bat Massive XL
Imagine you’re paddling silently down the Yarra as thousands of grey-headed flying foxes wake above your head.
Then, as dusk settles over Melbourne, you’re transported back to Abbotsford Convent where electronic beats pulse through heritage buildings and projections dance across heritage walls. Bat Massive XL (an optional add-on to your Bat Massive ticket) adds an afternoon canoe expedition through Melbourne’s bat colony to this nocturnal festival celebrating art, music and the creatures that own the night.
The canoe tour component runs from 3pm to 5:30pm, guided by founders of Microbats Melbourne, Up the Creek and Mappa Outdoor. This collective of bat enthusiasts, carers and experts fosters deeper understanding and appreciation for the significant role bats play in maintaining ecosystem health. Participants learn about the origins of grey-headed flying foxes while attuning their senses to the natural environment before taking to the river.
The experience begins at Abbotsford Convent, where guests receive transport to a nearby boat launch point. Paddling through the colony as the bats wake for their night of flight, participants observe the creatures more closely while engaging in discussions about urban wildlife, ecology and conservation. The tour includes all equipment, boats, life jackets, dry bags and Nocs binoculars for closer bat observation.
Music lineup and performances
Upon returning to Abbotsford Convent at sundown, Bat Massive begins its celebration of music, art and bats. The evening features an impressive lineup spanning live performances and DJ sets:
Live performances:
- Miles Brown
- Simona Castricum
- Ai Yamamoto
- Nikodimos
- Rita Bass
DJ sets:
- Colette
- Mothafunk (3RRR)
- DJ General Feelings
- Luqman (Area 3000)
- DJ Friday (PBS FM)
- Gorani
The diverse lineup showcases Melbourne’s vibrant electronic music scene alongside experimental and ambient sounds. Acclaimed theremin composer Miles Brown conjures electromagnetic fields and elevated sonic landscapes, while Simona Castricum fuses her signature post-punk instincts with synth-heavy intensity as a defining voice in Melbourne’s underground scene. Japanese-born sound artist Ai Yamamoto’s ambient textures will ring through the convent’s iconic Sacred Heart Courtyard at dusk, creating immersive soundscapes that complement the nocturnal atmosphere.
Charismatic multi-instrumentalist Nikodimos brings his innovative approach to live electronic music, while producer Rita Bass rounds out the live performance programme. DJ sets span multiple electronic genres, with Chicago-born 3RRR host Mothafunk representing underground sounds alongside Syrian-Lebanese DJ Luqman from Area 3000. DJ Friday from PBS FM and General Feelings deliver their acclaimed selections, while Colette completes the electronic music programming.
The incredible Georgian choir Gorani adds a traditional highlight to the evening, singing customary lore as the bats cross overhead at sunset. Unmissable.
Immersive arts and experiences
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A large-scale immersive piece by celebrated projection artist Yandell Walton will envelop the convent, exploring time and impermanence in relation to the environment. The visual installation transforms the heritage architecture into a canvas for contemporary digital art, creating an atmospheric backdrop for the evening’s festivities.
Visitors can also experience Julaymba, a transformative mixed reality created by studio Phoria and guided by Eastern Kuku Yalanji Elder Richard Burchill. This immersive experience unites ecology, stewardship and storytelling through the dense rainforest canopies of the Daintree, bridging the physical and digital worlds while connecting urban bat conservation with broader environmental themes.
Writer Tee Mitchell contributes a feature essay exploring how bats’ entangled existence with humans can teach lessons about survival, kinship and adaptation, adding intellectual depth to the evening’s programming.
The festival moves through special guided tours and bat crossings, punctuated by sound and light installations throughout the convent grounds. Pop-up bars operated by Collingwood’s brilliant Runner Up provide refreshments, while community food and beverage providores offer feasts celebrating local flavours.
Conservation and community impact
Planning for Bat Massive has carefully considered the welfare of local wildlife and bat populations. Outdoor sound and light levels have been carefully curated to ensure comfort and enjoyment for all participants, both terrestrial and airborne. The event demonstrates how cultural programming can coexist respectfully with native wildlife habitats.
Bat Massive supports Wildlife Victoria’s ongoing commitment to rescuing and protecting native bats through a portion of ticket proceeds. It’s an interesting collaboration, offering a model for environmentally conscious cultural programming.
The event takes place across multiple venues within the Abbotsford Convent precinct, including the Magdalen Laundry and Industrial School spaces. The historic architecture provides a dramatic backdrop for the evening’s festivities, with the contrast between heritage buildings and contemporary art creating one of the most unique atmospheres you’ll ever experience at a Melbourne event.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Abbotsford Convent.
