A legion of huge Aussie and international musos are heading to this year’s Melbourne Writers Festival to share their wisdom nuggets about the magical connection between music and literature.
US party-metal monster and master of life-advice Andrew W.K. and US singer-songwriter Neko Case will join local legends such as Sarah Blasko, Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, The Church frontman Steve Kilbey and more in this year’s program of discussions, coaching sessions and performances, centred around the theme of ‘A Matter of Life and Death’.
Artistic Director Marieke Hardy explains: “Music sustains us in bleak moments and brings joy in brilliant ones. Our musical program is centred on words and songs that form the soundtrack to our lives and make us glad to just be here”.
In addition to highlights such as Andrew W.K.’s ‘positivity coaching session’, Paul Kelly setting poetry to music in a segment dubbed’Other People’s Words’, Jimmy Barnes journeying through his Musical Memory with a stack of 7” records, and musical performances by gay and lesbian youth chorus shOUT Choir, child soldier-turned-rap icon Fablice Manirakiza, soul singer Mojo Juju, and a DJ set authored by literary legend Andy Griffiths, music and songwriting will also figure heavily in the festival’s ‘Duets’ series.
Curated by SLAM and Bakehouse founder Helen Marcou, the ‘Duets’ series of the program will feature “established and emerging Australian musicians are pairing off for live stream performances and conversations about craft, lyrics and creative practice”.
The dynamic duos in question include Paul Dempsey and Julia Jacklin, Sarah Blasko and Ryan Downey, Glenn Richards and Ainslie Wills, Kate Ceberano and Kaiit, David Bridie and Alice Skye, Mojo Juju and Joel Ma, Rob Snarski and Romy Vager, and Jen Cloher with Miss Blanks.
“From 24 August to 2 September we’ll be engaging the city in words, music and performance. We’re thrilled for people to see musicians they love talk about the books and music that move them,” Hardy says.
You can peep the full program for the 2018 Melbourne Writers Festival right here.
2018 Melbourne Writers Festival
Tickets on sale from 9am, Friday 20th July‘
Friday, 24th August – Sunday, 2nd September
Assorted Venues, Melbourne
Tickets: Official Website
