The Red Bull Music Weekender returns to Sydney in September with another outstanding catalogue of artists and events to celebrate its second year. This week I’m taking its catalogue apart a little to give you an idea of what to expect and enjoy!
Indigenous reggae-rock legends No Fixed Address have reunited the original lineup and joined fellow Indigenous Australian outfit Coloured Stone, the two bands rekindling the powerful grooves and socially-conscious lyricism that catapulted them into the public consciousness in the 1980s. Redfern’s 107 Projects will host the iconic groups on Friday August 31 in what promises to be a very special, spirited evening.
Following Gigi Masin’s 2016 appearance at the inaugural Talk To The Sea, which found him nestled in the seaside scenery of Bradley’s Head with band Gaussian Curve, Japanese ambient producer Midori Takada will unfold her minimal percussive journeys among the ruined fortifications of Sydney Harbour National Park’s Middle Head. The location adds a new layer of experience to these events, distinct of the nightclub or industrial surrounds we might normally expect: sounds entwine with the natural surroundings, and rhythms and frequencies develop uninterrupted and acoustically unconstrained. You might call it part-field recording! Talk To The Sea takes place on Friday September 1.
Personal favourite Peven Everett brings his quartet to a secret open-air location on Saturday September 2. As far as this writer is concerned, Peven is without equal. He’s a multi-instrumentalist, has a stunning set of pipes and a fantastic ear for a sultry groove, and can roll up R&B, soul, house, hip hop and jazz into one special package. Expect a lot of love and sweat at this one as you shake up those jazzy bones. Local support will be provided by Melbourne mainstays J’Nett and CC:Disco and the extended house licks and riffs of The Posse.
Making (quite remarkably) his first visit to Australian shores is New York maestro DJ Tony Humphries. Aside from his famous Kiss-FM mixes of the ’80s and ’90s, which became crucial points of reference to thousands of listeners (and no doubt converted a fair few to house music’s charms), it was his residency at New Jersey’s now-famed Zanzibar club and Ministry of Sound that firmly etched the man into the annals of house music’s history. He’ll be sitting down with RBMA’s Lorna Clarkson for a chat on Saturday September 2 before heading down to Marrickville Bowling Club to headline Mad Racket that night!
The Red Bull Music Academy Weekender goes down at various locations around Sydney, from Friday September 8 to Monday September 11.
