The contemporary music program – co-curated by Artistic Associates Tom Supple and Hannah Fox – begins on the first weekend of the Festival with Antony and the Johnsons performing Swanlights. Originally commissioned by New York’s Museum of Modern Art, Swanlights is a transcendental work that sees the sublime vocals of Antony backed by a 44-piece orchestra and an unforgettable visual aesthetic.
The Festival will play host to some of the world’s most legendary and seminal musicians with a sweep of Australian premieres including one of the true icons of alternative music, Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore, complimented onstage at Hamer Hall by an ensemble including harp and violin. Fellow Sonic Youth bandmate and one of the world’s greatest guitarists, Lee Ranaldo will bring his powerful and ever-changing live show to The Hi-Fi. Abrasive, wild and fiercely independent, minimalist punk provocateurs Shellac will descend on Melbourne for two rare live appearances at the Hi-Fi. Returning to Melbourne for their first Australian shows since their 1993 tour. Other musical highlights include THEESatisfaction, Big Freedia & The Divas, Puro Instinct and Billy Bragg celebrating the legacy of Woody Guthrie.
