Year after year, the live music programs at twin open-air concert series Twilight at Taronga and Melbourne Zoo Twilights have reached far and wide, bringing a diverse range of Australian and international acts to pop up stages set on the grounds of these famous destinations.
Last year saw the concert series bring in the likes of Courtney Barnett and Birds of Tokyo, setting them against Sydney’s postcard-perfect harbour views and Melbourne’s spacious Royal Park. This year, the organisers have kicked it up more than a few notches, announcing what is without a doubt their biggest program yet, with expected highlights being Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos, a comeback from none other than Killing Heidi, and unstoppable Canadian duo Tegan and Sara.
Between Friday 27th January and Saturday 11th March, both zoos will have their live programs up and running, with a few performances exclusive to each city. All events will be ticketed with all proceeds heading straight to each zoos’ tireless conservation work. For Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, the funds will help champion Wildlife Witness, their first global community action tool dedicated to the conservation of 10 critical species over the next 10 years, a program which involves fighting against illegal wildlife trade. For Melbourne Zoo, Twilight will help fight the extinction of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot among others, an initiative which is part of a five-year plan and is currently in it’s third year.
Much loved Brisbane band george will continue the strong contingent of reunion shows heading to Twilight, while music fans will be ecstatic to see the original lineup of Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons hit the stage alongside The Sports. Also on the 2017 lineup are Ball Park Music, performing on the same night as The Jungle Giants; triple J Hottest 100 winners The Rubens making their series debut; Pennsylvania powerhouse Kurt Vile, making his welcome return after cruising around Australia earlier this year with Fall Festival; Twilight favourites Björn Again, who sold out all shows last year; Canadian singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright; and The Living End, with the trio doing something a bit different this time around, calling upon a string quartet for a special stripped back show called “Twangin at Twilight”.
Sydney is getting a sizable exclusive show from a reformed Jet on Thursday 16th February, who will be performing with some “special guests” yet to be announced. Also sticking just to the harbour city will be Kasey Chambers supported by Thelma Plum, as well as legendary Scottish rockers Teenage Fanclub and the jazzy James Morrison Big Band.
Though Melbourne music lovers shouldn’t sigh just yet, they’ll be getting some epic exclusives from Warpaint, Paul Dempsey, Aussie icons Hoodoo Gurus, and UK legends The Specials.
Tickets to either location include free same-day entry to the zoo, so it’s recommended to rock up early and make a day of it before settling down to picnic rugs and gourmet hampers (with fully compostable packaging and food made on-site where possible).
Twilight at Targona Presented by ANZ
Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman
Tickets on sale from 9am Tuesday 25th October
twilightattaronga.org.au
Friday 27th January
Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos
Kev Carmody
Saturday 28th January
Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons
The Sports
Friday 3rd February
The Rubens
Bec Sandridge
Saturday 4th February
Killing Heidi
Abbe May
Friday 10th February
Kasey Chambers
Thelma Plum
Saturday 11th February
Ball Park Music
The Jungle Giants
Thursday 16th February
Jet + special guests
Friday 17th February
george
Felix Riebl (The Cat Empire)
Jack Carty
Saturday 18th February
James Morrison Big Band
Friday 24th February
Björn Again
Friday 25th February
Björn Again
Friday 3rd March
Kurt Vile
Mick Turner
Saturday 4th March
The Living End presents “Twangin at Twilight” + special guests
Gabriella Cohen
Thursday 9th March
Tegan and Sara + special guests
Friday 10th March
Teenage Fanclub
The Goon Sax
Saturday 11th March
Martha Wainwright
Oh Pep!
Melbourne Zoo Twilights
Elliott Ave, Parkville
Tickets on sale from 9am Tuesday 25th October
zootwilights.org.au
Friday 27th January
Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons
The Sports
Saturday 28th January
Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos
Kev Carmody
Friday 3rd February
Hoodoo Gurus + special guests
Saturday 4th February
The Rubens
Bec Sandridge
Friday 10th February
Ball Park Music
The Jungle Giants
Saturday 11th February
Björn Again
Friday 17th February
Paul Dempsey
Melody Pool
Saturday 18th February
george
Felix Riebl (The Cat Empire)
Friday 24th February
Warpaint
Big Thief
Saturday 25th February
Killing Heidi
Abbe May
Friday 3rd March
The Living End presents “Twangin at Twilight” + special guests
Gabriella Cohen
Saturday 4th March
Kurt Vile
Mick Turner
Wednesday 8th March
Tegan and Sara + special guests
Friday 10th March
Martha Wainwright
Margaret Glaspy
Saturday 11th March
The Specials + special guests
Feature image supplied and credited to Maclay Heriot.
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