Michelle Xen

Artist name: Michelle Xen

Your role/instrument: These are my songs and I perform them with my live band Michelle Xen + The Neon Wild

What can the community expect from your performance at SpringFlare? Neon Glitter Kaleidoscope Bass Synth Wall of Crazytown Antics. Includes pop song vocal madness, costumes changes, keytar, big drums, touchscreen bass and 1000% energy.

Do you think the G20 Cultural Celebrations will help to promote local talent and live music long term? I would venture that most funded events that have great support for artists and access for people to see cultural events translate into greater long-term benefits for everyone involved! I am impressed by the calibre of the programming of the G20 and it will be our pleasure to perform.

What world leader (past or current) would you most like to meet and why? Cleopatra then Hilary Clinton. Get some perspective on women in politics.

Is there a political component to any of your music? Yes. As an artist I am very interested in the importance of civil liberties in terms of expression, critique and political engagement. I think writing songs that have a political and personal dimension is a holy grail for me at the moment! My next EP is called DYNAMIC$ OF DI$OBEDIENCE after all…

Can music actually usher in change on a global level? Music revolutionaries are artists with powerful and informed voices. No one silver bullet will change the world, so I think music is part of a bigger revolution. It can play the role of emotional translator and certainly has the power to bring together diverse people in huge numbers and remember we are just humans seeking goodness mostly.

When and where are you performing as part of G20 Cultural Celebrations? Spring Flare Colour Festival, 3pm, Sunday 26 October at the Riverstage.