If there is one musical event which has come to encapsulate Summer in Australia, there’s no argument that it’s the Big Day Out
– the 2010 edition of which has now sold out around the country,
despite a lineup born out of a recycling bin. But in Sydney, there is a
parallel force for our Summer, full of original and often awe-inspiring energy, coming to signify the season for many: Sydney Festival. “This is Our City in Summer,” indeed.
After the resounding successes that were the 2008 and 2009 festivals
(the former debuting the huge task that is “Festival First Night”, to
be headlined in 2010 by Al Green),
some were surprised to see a new Director take the helm. But Lindy
Hume, who unveiled her debut program at the Seymour Centre on Wednesday
morning (with a slight degree of nervousness, I might add), has truly
blown everyone away with one of the most impressive and diverse
festivals Sydney has ever seen.
As she noted on the outset, they weren’t going for a signifying
theme this year, rather programming what they thought would be the most
interesting, noting themes as they appeared. Hume stated, and rightly
so, “(just) as Festivals should be, Sydney Festival 2010 is expansive
and generous – the theatre program is a wonderfully wild ride, and the
music is an eclectic and often joyous celebration of life.” Making the
outcome even more impressive, as Mayor Clover Moore pointed out, to
have done this in the middle of the “Global Financial Crisis” – well,
there may as well haven’t been one!
And now, without further or do… here’s six events we’re intensely looking forward to…
VENUE // Forecourt, Sydney Opera House
WHEN // January 28 at 8.30 – Gates open at 7pm
An all-star line-up of over 20 rock and folk icons, actors and punk
rockers performing pirate ballads, sea songs and chanteys at the Opera
House Forecourt!? Need I say more? And just have a look at the already
announced lineup!
A Hal Willner production featuring Marianne Faithfull / David
Johansen (New York Dolls) / Tim Robbins / Gavin Friday / Baby Gramps /
David Thomas / Norma Waterson / Sarah Blasko / Katy Steele (Little
Birdy) / Glenn Richards (Augie March) / plus more to be announced!
Wholly unique, Rogue’s Gallery was conceived by actor Johnny Depp and director Gore Verbinski on the set of Pirates of the Caribbean, and has been successfully showcased in the UK and Ireland.
VENUE // City Recital Hall // Beck’s Festival Bar
WHEN // January 11, 12 at 9.30pm // 13th at 8pm with The Middle East
In 2006, I had the opportunity to witness a then little known band called Grizzly Bear, supporting TV on the Radio
at the illustrious Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver. Musically
electrifying are the first words that come to mind in memory of the
performance, as they performed tracks off the incredible Yellow House LP (of which I was unfamiliar at the time).
It thus goes without saying that I am remarkably excited to see this
band once again 3 years later, as they tour one of the albums of the
year, Veckatimest
for their first Australian expedition. Their show at the Beck’s
Festival Bar will also feature one of our favourite Australian bands of
late – The Middle East.
VENUE // Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay
WHEN // January 8, 11, 12, 14-16 at 8pm & January 10 at 5pm
Lindy Hume had the following warning for the press junket that had
gathered at the Seymour Centre: those who attended this spectacular
production of Hamlet
should not sit towards the front of the venue, unless they wish to be
covered in mud. It’s clear that Berlin’s Schaubühne production of
Shakespeare’s classic play will be neither for the faint of heart, nor
the illiterate – with the performance completely in German, with
English surtitles.
We can’t wait!
VENUE // Museum of Contemporary Art
WHEN // December 10 – April 11 10am-5pm daily (closed Christmas Day)
On the visual arts side of things, it’s always fantastic to see a new exhibit at the MCA, and the exhibit by Olafur Eliasson will prove no exception. Take your time: Olafur Eliasson
is the first large-scale exhibition of works by the Danish/Icelandic
artist presented in Australia, and while running concurrently with the
Sydney Festival, the installation will remain in place for months
after. From light-filled environments to walk-in kaleidoscopes, it will
be a must see.
VENUE // The Famous Spiegeltent
WHEN // January 10, 12, 13 at 7pm
Returning to the music side of the festival, Patrick Watson from Montreal will be setting the Famous Spiegeltent on fire with his intensely raved about live performance. Much like Bon Iver
in 2009, this will be the gig of the festival that you will kick
yourself for missing once you discover post-festival how talented this
guy is. We’ll be there.
Piano? Check. Banjo? Check. Immense Talent? Triple Check.
VENUE // Streets of Sydney
WHEN // January 9 – 2pm to 11pm – FREE!
Finally, the hallmark of the festival, and latest “Sydney Tradition” – Festival First Night,
will be once again taking over the Streets of Sydney – bigger and
better than ever, with an illustrious headliner to be found in Al Green
(also playing the State Theatre) and an anticipated crowd of 700,000
people. Also performing: Australia’s own super-collective of Indigenous
singers and musicians, The Black Arm Band with Hidden Republic; New York’s favourite little big band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; those very cool funksters of Tokyo, Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro; and the soul and blues Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears.
Get into the city early, and let’s just hope you’re not in a rush to get home!
And there’s plenty more where all that came from – Camera Obscura, The Books, Laura Marling, John Cale and The Handsome Family are amongst the other gigs we’re incredibly excited about. On the theatre side of things, Six Characters in Search of an Author and Optimism also fill us with immense anticipation… We can’t wait! Bring on January!
Keep an eye on our Gig Guide for a featured list of events- but in the meantime, head over to the Sydney Festival Website!
Tickets to just about all the events go on sale Monday, November 9th.
As always, they will fly out the door fast, so jump on fast and avoid
disappointment!
