For all the festival announcements that have appeared on FasterLouder over the past few months, there was genuine shock at just how good a line-up this year’s Melbourne Festival had put together .
Artists such as Sinead O’Connor, John Cale and Rickie Lee Jones will perform specially conceived shows to match the themes of mortality and spirituality that run throughout the festival’s program.
Music from The Knife will also accompany a stunning light and visual production that centres on a world as seen through the eyes of Charles Darwin.
Of most interest to everyone at FasterLouder though was the collection of artists who will feature as part of the Becks Festival Bar.
Japan’s Boredoms, America’s indie-rock icons Low, Dead Meadow and the entertaining alter-ego of The Bronx, Mariachi El Bronx, were all named on a line-up that spans over seven nights.
The Festival Bar will also showcase an impressive array of local performers, with The Drones, Eagle & The Worm and the ubiquitous Pikelet among those who will take to the Forum Theatre.
Given the spread of talent, the Festival has offered an early bird ticket deal for those wanting to catch multiple shows. Purchasing tickets to 6 or more festival events will prompt a discount of 20%, while buying tickets to 3, 4 or 5 events will save 15%.
The early bird offer closes on Tuesday, March 31st, with tickets to Boredoms, Low, Mariachi El Bronx and The Drones almost all snapped up.
Beck’s Festival Bar schedule:
Saturday 9 October – Boredoms (Japan), Kes Band (Australia), Bum Creek (Australia)
Thursday 14 October – Dead Meadow (USA), Stigmata (Sri Lanka), Blarke Bayer / Black Widow (Australia)
Friday 15 October – Sage Francis with special guest B. Dolan (USA), Dexter (Australia), Horrorshow (Australia)
Saturday 16 October – Dengue Fever (Cambodia / USA), The Break (Australia), Johnnie and The Johnnie Johnnies (Australia)
Thursday 21 October – Low (USA), Pikelet (Australia), Ponzu Island (Australia)
Friday 22 October – The Drones (Australia), P.K.14 (China), The Twerps (Australia)
Saturday 23 October – Mariachi El Bronx (USA), Eagle & The Worm (Australia), The Ukeladies (Australia)
Festival Bar gigs are just $20!
The Melbourne International Arts Festival runs over 16 days, from 8 to 23 October.
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