Victoria's premier industry conference Melbourne Music Week is lifting the veil on its plans for its 2015 event, revealing its 2015 flagship venue along with its all-Melburnian opening-night line-up led by local synth-pop legends Gypsy & The Cat.
This year, MMW will set up its base of operations in the disused basement and adjacent rooms in the historic former Royal Women's Hospital on Swanston Street, and it carries an added air of accomplishment as the space will form the event's first-ever carbon-neutral flagship venue. In addition, the venue will be brought to life by an array of inspired installations and programming, including "labyrinthine music event" Swell, a multi-sensory, immersive experience that takes over 12 of the former Royal Women's Hospital's rooms "with secret one-off performances that redefine the way punters experience live music".
Joining Gypsy & The Cat for the event's opening celebrations this November will be eclectic outfit The Harpoons — featuring the stunning vocals of Bec Rigby, the synergistic talents of brothers Henry & Jack Madin, and familiar face/wonky-pop hero Martin King — and local supergroup-of-sorts Dorsal Fins, still freshly riding the wave of hype that rose underneath them in the wake of their killer performance at Brisbane's recent BIGSOUND event.
"We are committed to ensuring local musicians are a key part of Melbourne Music Week and our all-Melbourne opening night is sure to complement the transformation of this impressive space," Arts Melbourne chairperson and city councillor Rohan Leppert said in a statement.
This year's Melbourne Music Week events take place from 13-20 November across Melbourne city. For more information, see the Melbourne Music Week website.
