Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Melbourne Festival, Finally

The Melbourne Festival is one of those annual events I steer well clear of. Everything costs way too much, I've never heard of 99% of the artists, it's elitist and ridiculous and made up entirely of artists that seem to work in some chasm between 'avant-garde' and 'classical', a chasm where only other like-minded artists hang out and there's not an audeince or a fan to be found.

Until now.

I heard yesterday that my favourite band in the whole world, Melt Banana, are playing at The Victorian Arts Centre as part of the Melbourne Festival. Melt Banana are a Japanese 'noise' band... not for the faint-hearted.

I understand that there's many festival junkies who attend these up-market shows, and will trust the festival organisers to provide blue ribbon art acts, like some Russian weirdo in a tuxedo who plays a cello out of tune for some reason. Just as much fun as seeing my favourite band will be the fun I derive looking at these regular festival-goers faces when this act comes out:



And here is a taste of them live:



I shall attend this event and provide a review, which will mainly consist of what comments I hear from the black-tie arts brigade on their way out of the theatre.

25 comments:

Mr E said...

Thanks for that,Pers.

Until now I was totally unaware that Blixa Bargeld and Yoko Ono had a daughter.

[mocksincerity]

Can't wait to see them live!

[/mocksinceriy]

Perseus said...

Are you sure you don't want to come, Mr. E? If the festival regulars bother to research the band, I may be the only one there.

squib said...

I played that first one for all of 2 seconds before my daughter asked me to turn it down and then accused me of having terrible taste in music

Mr E said...

I'd really love to come, but I have an invitation to a Dog Turd Tasting that night.

But thanks anyway............

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

then accused me of having terrible taste in music

That's got to hurt Squib.

squib said...

That's got to hurt Squib.

Yes, when it comes from someone with an Anastacia CD

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Anastacia the lost Tsarist princess or Anastacia the singing muppet?

Mr E said...

Squib,
Maybe if you started your daughter on something a little more mainstream.

squib said...

The second one

But you know maybe the Melbourne Festival organisers should line up the dead princess for next year

Mr E, are you a fan of whatever in God's name that was?

Perseus said...

I saw Einsturzende Neubauten live at The Old Greek. Beasts of Bourbon were the support. Oh my god it was a great show. My mascara was running all over my face.

Mr E said...

Mr E, are you a fan of whatever in God's name that was?

Not so much a fan, more of a "disinterested onlooker".

You should listen to it all the way through, the air conditionng duct lead break in the middle eight is just awesome!

Anonymous said...

I hope Mr E's romantic linking of Blixa Bargeld and Yoko Ono was intended as a juxtaposition of a great avant garde artist and a completely crap one, rather than an implication that both were completely crap.

Perseus said...

"...the air conditionng duct lead break in the middle eight is just awesome!

Gold.

Mr E said...

Boogey,
I meant no disrespect to either Blixa or Yoko.

Is it unreasonable to contend that if Yoko had been the intellectual driving force behind Einsturzende Neubauten, that they would sounded very much like Melt Banana? I think not.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

I'd like to see Blixa Bargeld and Anastacia team up.

The singing muppet, that is, not the dead Tsarist princess.

Mr E said...

I'd like to see Blixa Bargeld and Anastacia team up.

If only to hear what sounds she makes when hit with a length of steel pipe.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

I think we'd all like to hear that, Mr E.

Perseus said...

Got my Melt-Banana tickets! And the price was reflective of this legendary Japanese band's awesome pulling power.

Fifteen bucks.

If you're in Melbourne on October 10, this is the place to be!

patchouligirl said...

I must be one of the faint hearted. That was awful.

patchouligirl said...

They should be called Melt-Eardrums.

squib said...

the air conditionng duct lead break in the middle eight is just awesome!

I couldn't make it that far. I tried

Mr E said...

Fifteen Bucks?

The people running the Dog Turd Tasting are asking $28 a head!

I may have to reconsider this.....

Mr E said...

It is done.

Decision made!

Thank you for choosing Ticketek.


This email is to confirm tickets have been purchased for:

Event: Melt Banana & Guests
Date: Sat 10 Oct 2009 9:30PM
Venue: Forum Melbourne
154 Flinders St
Melbourne VIC 3000
Area:
Section: SGA-OVER18
Row: -
Seats: -
Price Category: Standing Room Only

Your Delivery Option is: Venue / City Box Office Collection
Your Transaction number is: 090929,33340

Your Ticketek Account number is: 10293684

Please note, only the credit card holder/owner can collect tickets. Customers must produce photo ID and the credit card used to book this transaction for identification.

Additionally, if you have purchased concession tickets you will need to present a valid concession photo ID.

IMPORTANT: customers are advised to read the information below:

Perseus said...

I'll get the first round Mr. E. Looking forward to meeting you. Though, I will be there with friends, and possibly Suicide Girl. They do not know of 'Perseus'. You know me through work. In fact, just email me.

WitchOne said...

The sound wasn't working when I tried to play it. I know it's not me so maybe the 'tube has made the decision for me.