Hearts (of the discerning kind) were set a-flutter with news that All Tomorrow’s Parties will make its Australian debut in January 2009, and now the first acts have been revealed.

In addition to the already announced headliner and curator Nick Cave (who’ll be bringing his Bad Seeds), a host of agenda-setting talent will be gracing ATP. Cave’s discerning ear has led him to recruit Brisbane stalwarts The Saints, masters of expansive psych-rock Spiritualized, blues maverick James Blood Ulmer, experimental noisemakers Fuck Buttons and The Go-Betweens troubadour Robert Forster.

The Saints performance will bring together original members Ed Kuepper, Chris Bailey and Ivor Hay, while Kuepper will breathe life back into a past project, Laughing Clowns, just for ATP. Not to be outdone, Silver Apples, M Gira, Afrirampo, Harmonia, Bridezilla and The Necks round out the various bills.

VICTORIA
Friday 9 & Saturday 10 January, Mt Buller

All Tomorrow’s Parties will be setting up camp at the picturesque Mount Buller Alpine Resort, only a short road-trip away from Melbourne. It stretches over a full weekend, taking in three stages and over 30 bands. Of ATP’s three Australian stop-offs, this one is the true – œfestival’. On sale now.

Victoria line-up: NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS, THE SAINTS, SPIRITUALIZED, FUCK BUTTONS, HARMONIA, THE NECKS, LAUGHING CLOWNS, ROBERT FORSTER, JAMES BLOOD ULMER, M GIRA, PRIMITIVE CALCULATORS, AFRIRAMPO, SILVER APPLES, BRIDEZILLA, ROWLAND S. HOWARD, THE STABS

SYDNEY
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 January, Cockatoo Island

All those with fingers crossed for Cockatoo Island, your wishes have been heeded. The peerless heritage site in Sydney Harbour will host ATP in conjunction with Sydney Festival. The one-day program will debut on 17 January, then repeat on 18 January. On sale 10 November.

Sydney line-up: NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS, THE SAINTS, SPIRITUALIZED, ROBERT FORSTER, SILVER APPLES, M GIRA, FUCK BUTTONS, JAMES BLOOD ULMER, AFRIRAMPO, HARMONIA, BRIDEZILLA, THE NECKS, LAUGHING CLOWNS

BRISBANE
12-16 January, Brisbane Powerhouse and Riverstage

Brisbane will be treated to a series of “one night stands” between 12 and 16 January at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Full line-ups are yet to be finalised, but Fuck Buttons, Afrirampo and Harmonia are already locked in. Just as exciting is news that ATP will stage an afternoon/evening mini-festival at Brisbane Riverstage featuring Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Spiritualized, Robert Forster, James Blood Ulmer and others. On sale 13 October.