Museum Music

Museum Music

By Chris Mineral

“BATTS Planetarium Visual Experience” at Scienceworks was a great event. 

Playing music from her album The Grand Tour, inspired in part by the sounds of the universe recorded by NASA, the audio/visual showed a journey through the universe had the terrific vibe. 

All sessions had the “Full House” sign out. The event was part of the Party Beyond x Due West Arts Festival at Scienceworks. This disco dance party was held on Saturday, November 16. 

Also performing after dark at the museum were Sui Zhen, DJ Manchild, SHOUSE, MAI, Nuestro Planeta, Rara Zulu and Mike Gurrieri.

BATTS will be travelling in March to Austin, Texas for the SXSW Music Festival. 210 artists from 36 countries will descend upon Austin for one of the world’s premier music festivals.

Sui Zhen 

Also appearing will be Sui Zhen in the electronic section. Sui Zhen’s latest album furthers her explorations of the electronic pop genre with dreamlike 1980s’ ambiances and is entitled Losing Linda (Dot Dash/ Remote Control Records). 

It has been garnering great reviews and is extending her Japanese 80s production skills. Being A Woman is one of the cool and unassuming standout tracks on the album. Losing Linda is the result of work that Sui Zhen did at an artist in residence gig at Sapporo, Japan in 2018. 

This is the third album from Sui Zhen following on from 2012 debut Two Seas, and 2015’s Secretly Susan. Tracy Thorn would be one influence here. 

This year Munich’s Public Possession featured her track Drive on one of their EPs. That would be the M-zailka Passing Looks EP. Side A is devoted to Sui Zhen, with an original mix and a dub mix of Drive. Drive is the perfect track to play in the car on a summer’s night. Museum aficionado Sui Zhen’s Drive is awesome electronic technique and kudos to Martin and Valentino (aka Public Possession).

Night market

Melbourne’s brightest, original and all-time favourite night market returns to Queen Victoria Market (QVM) for its biggest summer season so far. 

This is your chance to explore street food stalls, great shopping and superb live music entertainment. Gin Springs Bar will be happening, with your chance to sip refreshing fruit cocktails. There is also a pop-up volleyball court.

Last summer one of the highlights was Even performing songs from their Satin Returns album. Check the QVM website for musical updates. 

QVM has been operating since 1878, and has an old-world charm that makes it one of the most popular markets in Melbourne and a tourist attraction of the highest magnitude.

Treat yourself to a delightful Wednesday evening this summer at QVM Summer Night Markets.

Even

Even will be performing their 20th Anniversary Christmas show on Monday, December 23 at The Spotted Mallard. Keeping the yearly tradition of XMAS EVEN shows alive, the band will deck the halls of the Spotted Mallard with special guests Minibikes and DJ Rich – Spanning Time – Moffat.

Even’s Satin Returns is available on coloured vinyl at all the best record stores in the CBD. They will also be performing with Icehouse at the Zoo Twilights on January 25.
Celebrating its 20th year, XMAS EVEN is now a certified staple in the live music calendar, guaranteed to be a splendid close to the end of year for many music lovers in the city. 

Cherry Bar

In exciting news The Cherry Bar has announced that it will be reopening at the iconic rock and roll site that held Pony/Boney on 68 Little Collins St just near Exhibition St. The bar will re-open in December after Cherryfying the venue. 

Sunday, December 8 sees the return of the Sunday Arvo Blues Sessions and this edition will feature Heinous Hounds.

Ballit Narrin Festival

The Ballit Narrin Festival returns again to the Treasury Gardens on January 26. This is a free outdoor music, dance and cultural festival celebrating First Nations’ culture and language. Run by Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation, this is one of Victoria’s largest First Nations’ cultural festivals. 

Mojo Juju, Stiff Gins, Djirri Djirri and Brothers in Arms were some of the stellar performers who graced the stage in the 2019 edition.

There will be a Welcome to Country and smoke ceremony, art stalls, craft and cultural workshops and dance performances – all in Melbourne CBD’s Treasury Gardens.

Penny Ikinger and Baby 8

Penny Ikinger and Baby 8 have combined to create a double-A-side, seven-inch single featuring The Divinyls’ Boys In Town covered by Ikinger (previously only available on the Japanese edition of her Tokyo album). 

Baby 8 have recorded Laughing Up A Storm written by Katie Dixon. They will be playing at The Old Bar on Sunday, December 8 to launch this vinyl gem presented by Fantastic Mess Records. Also playing on the night will be Plaster of Paris.

Courtney Barnett

Courtney Barnett performed a great version of Charcoal Lane with Paul Kelly during her MTV Unplugged Show that was aired on November 17. After playing at the Milk Records Christmas Party in December, Barnett will be touring the USA on a solo tour in January/February 2020 at theatres across the States with support from Hachiku, who has Shark Attack out on Milk Records

Sarah Mary Chadwick

Sarah Mary Chadwick will be performing at the Rice Is Nice Christmas Party happening on Sunday, December 8 at the Curtin Hotel. Also performing on the night will be SPOD, and local shoegaze legends Lowlife and new wave hit maker Spike Vincent.

Blues Train

The Blues Train, Queenscliff’s unique musical experience will be happening on Saturday, December 14 and there are some seats still available. This Blues Train will feature George Kamikawa, hailing from Japan and Melbourne resident for more than 10 years, Greenhatch Blues, Sammy Owens Blues Band and Safari Motel. There are cool spaces in the train carriages, dedicated to each musician. 

It has been a great year so far for Greenhatch Blues, warming up basements, recording some awesome music and playing some great shows around the CBD.

Gigs

onesevenfour - 170 Russell St, Friday, December 27

Blackbear - 170 Russell St, Wednesday, January 8

Jon Hopkins - Forum Theatre, Saturday, January 4

Roisin Murphy - Forum Theatre, December 15

George Thorogood & The Destroyers - Forum Theatre, January 20

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March 20th, 2024 - Evan Mulholland
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