The City of Melbourne has today announced the return of immersive pop-up venue Kubik as the 2019 Melbourne Music Week (MMW) Hub, as well as revealing the full 10th anniversary program – a retrospective celebration of MMW’s 10 years. Kubik will pop up in Alexandra Gardens on the banks of the Yarra River, and host local and international music acts every evening from Friday 15 November – Saturday 23 November.
Melbourne Music Week 2019 pays tribute to the past decade with a program that celebrates its most memorable successes and reflects Melbourne’s reputation as a global music city. Showcasing more than 2,200 acts across more than 1,000 events since 2010, MMW has built on each year’s successes. The 2019 event will once again be certified carbon neutral, and will work towards a zero-waste Hub for the first time.
Councillor Rohan Leppert, Chair of the Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio, said MMW is the City of Melbourne’s opportunity to celebrate the city’s thriving, world-renowned music scene.
“Music is part of the fabric of Melbourne, and for 10 years we’ve worked hard to showcase the incredible wealth of musical talent we have to offer,” Cr Leppert said.
“We’ve also transformed some of the city’s most iconic, historic and unconventional spaces into music venues – from the Argus Building, to the State Library of Victoria, St Paul’s Cathedral and ACMI."
“More than 350,000 music lovers have enjoyed what MMW has to offer over the past decade and we’re excited to get back to our roots at Kubik to celebrate MMW’s success in style.”
Kubik is an outdoor music venue unlike any other, the German-designed structure, designed by Balestra Berlin that lights up in response to music remains a MMW fan favourite since first appearing in Birrarung Marr as part of the 2011 event.
Headlining Kubik in 2019 will be Melbourne’s own international dance superstar CC:Disco! who brings her joyous Club Coco to open Hub proceedings on Friday November 15 with Raphaël Top-Secret. French electronic icon Kittin takes the reins with Jennifer Loveless and Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir on November 16 and post-techno, analogue jam master, Andy Stott will mesmerise crowds on November 20 alongside Germany’s Monolake and Robin Fox.
International headliners this year come in the form of iconic ‘Godfathers of Techno’ Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft (DAF) who will make their Australian debut in an exclusive show for MMW as they dominate Melbourne Town Hall alongside local legends Total Control and Dark Water who will expand their sound palette on the venue’s iconic Grand Organ. DAF are among the most important electronic artists of the 80s with their influence spanning a broad sonic spectrum still found in dance music today. DAF joins already announced fellow German Robert Henke who will be dazzling crowds on the other side of the river at Melbourne Recital Centre with the return of his acclaimed Lumière IIIx – a multisensory performance using powerful lasers to create a situation of total audiovisual synaesthesia.
In celebration of its 10th anniversary MMW is bringing back some of its favourite acts and returning to some of its most memorable past Hub venues. For those more melodically inclined, Sarah Mary Chadwick will embrace the famed T C Lewis Organ at the stunning St Pauls’ Cathedral on November 19. At State Library Victoria, Steve Gunn, Tiny Ruins and Grand Salvo will join forces for an exclusive performance within the hushed surrounds of the Redmond Barry Reading Room.
Family rave experts bring a kid-friendly dance fest for Big Fish Little Fish at Kubik. Melbourne Observation Wheel Music Menagerie and Sing Session all return in 2019, along with a raucous night of rock from Jack Daniel’s headlined by Stonefield and Body Type on November 18.
Opening Night on Thursday November 14 will feature an entire evening of 100+ free performances across the CBD’s most-loved live music venues, streets and laneways as Live Music Safari, Swell 5.0 / Frequency and the Songs of Melbourne busking program merge together for a huge anniversary opening party.
MMW’s Talks program will engage the minds of music industry masses and fans throughout the week. Free panels and discussions on topics including music and AI, sustainability in the industry, the psychology of music and mood and cancel culture will be explored as well as a not-to-be-missed in conversation with MMW headliners DAF and Kittin.
Those not ready to head home can kick on at a select group of official MMW after parties with Electric Indigo and Body Type – more shows to be announced. The MMW Closing Party will take place in a truly unique space, the Hamer Hall foyer, where partygoers will be invited to kick on underground until 4am. Roza Terenzimarks her return back to Australia from a hugely successful international tour joining Klasse Wrecks chief rockers Luca Lozano and Mr Ho – all bringing with them deep dug out tunes from the dirt.
From intimate encounters to headline performances, Melbourne Music Week sparks memorable moments and invites people to experience music in a different way in live music venues and unique spaces throughout Melbourne.
City of Melbourne invites young and old to join them in celebrating 10 years of Melbourne Music Week.
Visit melbourne.vic.gov.au/mmw view the full #melbournemusicweek program.
Tickets on sale Thursday 26 September at 10am.
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