Perth Festival Announces Enormous 2013 Program

Jonathan Holloway is an English theatre director and playwright; this is his second year as the Artistic Director of the Perth International Arts Festival. Here is our sum-up of this massive program. From the existentialist playwright of our time, to Bollywood, to 1,600 light blubs, to Sex And The City… Confused...Read On!

Music

The Perth Festival is, year in-year out, a great display of some of some of the world's most exciting contemporary music. In 2013 it looks like the West Australian capital will be treated to one of the finest line-ups that the city has ever been privy to. Pretty much every night in February sees the city hosting incredible bands from all around the world and across any number of different styles.

The line-up, in order of appearance, looks a little something like this.

Maceo Parker, Norman Blake & Joe Pernice, Dirty Beaches, Dead Can Dance, Archie Roach, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Deer Tick, Two Gallants, Stars, David Lynch Presents Chrysta Bell, Father John Misty, Future Classic, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Jens Lekman, Sleepy Sun, How To Dress Well, Axolotl, Jose James, Hiatus Kaiyote, The Raah Project, Tim Rogers and The Bamboos, Phronesis, Soul Rebels, Cat Power, James Carter Organ Trio, The Tallest Man on Earth, Buke & Gase, Antibalas

CAT POWER:

Chan Marshall has, over the years, developed into one of indie music's most celebrated songwriters and performers, and while she has caused plenty of chatter about odd behaviour during live shows in the pasy, every chance one gets to see Cat Power perform ought to be cherished. She plays two shows as a part of Perth Festival in 2013 with her new band and a great new record by the name of Sun to draw tracks from.

GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR:

In one of the most hotly anticipated tours in years, these Canadians make their way to Australia for the first time in 2013 and will be making the most of their time here, with an appearance at the All Tomorrow's Parties curated event in Melbourne, club shows across the country and now, an appearance at the Perth Festival. Godspeed You! Black Emperor have a lot to live up to in the eyes of their Australian fans, but we're pretty confident they'll be okay.

DAVID LYNCH PRESENTS CHRYSTA BELL:

We'd like to think you know who David Lynch is, well he has taken a young Texan woman named Chrysta Bell under his wing and made her his new project, getting her exquisite music out to the world. Comparisons to Nico are widespread, but we'll get a chance to really find out for ourselves when she hits Australia for Perth Festival in the New Year.

MACKLEMORE AND RYAN LEWIS:

Another Aussie debut, this time for indie hip hop guru Macklemore and his producer buddy Ryan Lewis. Together they have set the hip hop world alight, their The Heist LP hitting the number two spot on the US charts upon its release, and they bring their full live show, replete with a horn-heavy backing band, down to Australia to be a part of the Perth Festival in 2013.

DEAD CAN DANCE:

They've trickled out word of their first Australian shows in a very long time over the past couple of months and now Dead Can Dance bring their gorgeously ambient, boundary pushing brand of fusion music over to the west coast of the country. They play the Perth Concert Hall in what promises to be something very special for fans of the act hungry to finally see them perform once more.

MACEO PARKER:

You can't have an opening night party without dancing, and if you want to dance then you'd be wise to call in the big guns. Maceo Parker is a master of funk, soul and jazz and past visits have proven that he and his hot shot band can put on a show like few others. You'll need comfortable shoes and a carefree attitude, but it'll be well worth it. Everyone from James Brown to Parliament to Prince have used him as a vital weapon in their bands and you'll see exactly why when you witness him performing live.

NORMAN BLAKE AND JOE PERNICE:

It just so happens that Norman Blake – the Glasgow born founder of legendary Scottish indie rockers Teenage Fanclub – and Joe Pernice – the Massachusetts bred former leader of the Scud Mountain Boys and, more recently, The Pernice Brothers – are next door neighbours in Canada, a country foreign to both artists. They decided that it might be a bit of fun to play some tunes together in some super low-key performances in a bar in Toronto and felt that it went pretty well, so now they are bringing it to Australia! What will it be like? Well, given their past efforts we're confident it's worth getting along to find out.

DIRTY BEACHES:

Far from being a lo-fi 'revivalist', Taiwan-born Canadian-based Alex Zhang Hungtai – aka Dirty Beaches – brings a range of new idea to the tapes, which his vocal croon both enhancing and influence the melodic essence in his tracks. Last year he released his (official) debut album Badlands and he's been collecting plaudits ever since. He brings it to Australia for the first time rather early next year and will hit the west coast for this massive event.

ARCHIE ROACH:

Archie Roach has lived one hell of a life; from being a part of the stolen generation, to battling with alcoholism to surviving a stroke and lung cancer and most recently having to deal with the death of his life partner and soul mate Ruby Hunter. Through all of this Archie Roach has made some incredible music that draws from his life experience and proves what an incredible mind he possesses to be able to translate all of this into music. An Archie Roach set is always a special experience, but for Perth Festival he has a 12-piece band and a ten-piece choir – this shit will be off the charts.

JOSE JAMES:

The classy, jazzy hip hop of Jose James has earned him plenty of fans over the past couple of years and recently he's cast off any genre shackles that may have held him back and he's now really growing into his own. If you've any interest in neo-soul, you need to give this guy a shot.

THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH:

A definite favourite of many Australians, this Swedish artist loves Bob Dylan, traveling, open guitar tunings and his wife Amanda Bergman – all of which play a significant part in the music which The Tallest Man On Earth produces. His third album There's No Leaving Now was released a couple of months ago and he was always going to come over here to support its release; it just so happens one of the places he'll be stopping by is the mighty Perth Festival.

BUKE & GASE:

Adored by critics Stateside, it will be interesting to see how Australian audiences react to the work of Buke & Gase. An outfit that utilises handmade instruments to make a kind of music that almost completely defies pigeonholing (prog-folk is probably the closest we have heard). They're more than just a novelty though, they are a genuinely entertaining prospect and one that will keep the most ardent music devotees on their toes.

SOUL REBELS:

This eight-piece New Orleans brass band have been in operation for over two decades now and still remain one of the most vital exponents of the soul and funk genres you're likely to see. Known and adored for their energetic live shows, this is another one of those Perth Festival events where you've gotta be willing to get on your feet and use them!

ANTIBALAS:

Afrobeat has been an important part of the western contemporary music lexicon ever since Fela Kuti blew everyone away with the mix of traditional West African musical styles and upbeat funk and jazz. Brooklyn's Antibalas are widely considered to be one of the best bands in the genre currently doing the rounds and their five records – three on Daptone and two on Ninja Tune – are some of the finest recorded example of the style we've heard in years. The 12-piece band are said to be scintillating in the live arena and we can't wait to see it for ourselves.

TIM ROGERS AND THE BAMBOOS:

We're not entirely sure what to expect from this given that this is the first time they'll ever perform a full set together. It sounds like they're not really sure what to expect either, because they haven't confirmed whether or not they will play more dates following this one. But when you have Australia's best frontman out the front of one of Australia's best live bands, you know that this has got to be worth checking out.

FUTURE CLASSIC:

The line-up isn't going to be announced until January, but we just know that this Sydney collective are going to program an amazing bill of forward-thinking electronic and dance music.

FATHER JOHN MISTY:

Leaving the Fleet Foxes might be a pretty huge move for most people, but Joshua Tillman has managed to do pretty damn well with his latest project Father John Misty. The freewheeling west coast folk and Americana that he's smashing out with this new project is infectious and his live shows in Australia earlier this year proved that it can be a whole lot of fun when taken to the stage. He didn't make it to Western Australia on that trip, so Perth people will have their first chance to see him strut his stuff when the band play Perth Festival next year.

THE RAAH PROJECT:

A 14-piece outfit who make use of lush vocal arrangements and meticulous classical composition, The Raah Project are one of the real intriguing acts on the 2013 Perth Festival bill. An epic performance that you're not likely to forget in a hurry, this band will prove why they are considered to be one of the country's musical gems.

DEER TICK:

One of America's truly great indie-leaning country acts, Deer Tick are on their way to Australia for the very first time. With four great records to their name, we are confident that the band are going to win over plenty of new fans while they are over here and will be sorely disappointed if they don't. If you've had any interest in the spate of so-called “alt-country” acts who have come from the States over the 20 years then you really must go and check these guys out – they do it better than many!

TWO GALLANTS:

One of the more unique propositions in the world of folk-rock today, this San Franciscan duo have amassed a loyal following with their lo-fi take on folky, bluesy rock music. This year saw them release The Bloom & The Blight, their first record in half a decade, and it has been met very warmly indeed. We're pretty excited to hear that they'll be in our country on the back of said record and today Perth get the first show announced for the tour.

JAMES CARTER ORGAN TRIO:

Here's one for the jazzheads. James Carter is one of those truly freakishly talented jazz improvisers and his longstanding Organ Trio are renowned for their ability to put across the most soulful yet attention grabbing jazz. One of the many truly world class musicians you'll see at Perth Festival and one that shouldn't slip under your radar should you be even slightly wooed by the magic of jazz.

HOW TO DRESS WELL:

With Love Remains, his debut LP under the name of How To Dress Well, Tom Krell scored an abundance of gushing reviews from critics all over the planet, his brand of pop music/hipster R&B the right kind of music for the right time and putting him on the map instantaneously. He has just dropped Total Loss, his follow up to that breakthrough debut and we'll no doubt hear plenty of it when he hits Perth in February.

AXOLOTL:

Born from a Melbourne recording studio, this collaborative project, led by Kylie Auldist, are said to produce “a unique blend of electronic sounds, improvisation, pop melodies and strong live musicianship”. Perth gets a chance to see what it's all about early next year.

PHRONESIS:

They've not been to Perth before, but after their show plenty will be talking about the powerful approach to classic jazz this trio has. Slamming bass, intricate piano and muscular drums combine to make this some of the more thrilling jazz you're ever likely to bear witness too.

JENS LEKMAN:

Certainly not a stranger to Australian music fans (he lived here for years), this charming Swedish pop maestro has such an unbelievable knack of framing matters of the heart in such a way that is witty yet still romantic. A brilliant lyricist and an utterly charming performer, Jens Lekman's return to Perth is certainly a welcome one.

SLEEPY SUN:

This San Franciscan quintet is one of the bands who are evidently wholly dedicated to the joy and mania of psychedelic rock and they manage to channel that passion very nicely onto record. Their third albums on the ATP label have been hailed as some of the better attempts by a band to bring psych to the masses and Australia gets the chance to see if Sleepy Sun are able to deliver the goods on the live stage as well early in 2013.

STARS:

Last, but certainly not least, this cherished Canadian indie-pop group have made some of the most intriguing contributions to their given genre over the years and their latest album, The North, has proven they still have plenty to offer. The comparatively upbeat release has all the hooks and all the intricacies we have come to adore from Stars and it will be such a pleasure to host them back here for the first time in what seems like a really long time.

Full dates are as follows:

Maceo Parker – Thursday 7 February
Norman Blake & Joe Pernice + Dirty Beaches – Friday 8 February
Dead Can Dance – Saturday 9 February
Archie Roach – Sunday 10 February
Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Monday 11 February
Deer Tick + Two Gallants – Tuesday 12 February
Stars – Wednesday 13 February
David Lynch Presents Chrysta Bell – Thursday 14 February
Shut Up And Play The Hits – Thursday 14 February, post-show
Father John Misty – Friday 15 February
Future Classic – Saturday 16 February
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis – Sunday 17 February
Jens Lekman – Monday 18 February
Sleepy Sun – Tuesday 19 February
How To Dress Well + Axolotl – Wednesday 20 February
Jose James + Haitus Kaiyote – Thursday 21 February
The Raah Project – Friday 22 February
Tim Rogers and The Bamboos – Saturday 23 February
Phronesis – Sunday 24 February
Shut Up And Play The Hits – Sunday 24 February, post-show
Soul Rebels – Monday 25 February
Cat Power – Tuesday 26 February & Wednesday 27 February
James Carter Organ Trio – Thursday 28 February
The Tallest Man on Earth + Buke & Gase – Friday 1 March
Antibalas – Saturday 2 March

Theatre

WATT

An Australian exclusive performance of Watt Samuel Beckett's second novel published in English – performed by Irish actor Barry McGovern. McGovern has already dabbled in Beckett playing Vladimir in the 2001 film version of Waiting For Godot.

“Personally of course I regret everything. Not a word, not a deed, not a thought, not a need. Not a grief, not a joy” from Watt.

See a clip of McGovern playing Vladimir:

THE STRANGE UNDOING OF PRUDENCIA HART

The National Theatre of Scotland will return to PIAF this year with The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart created by David Greig and directed by Wils Wilson. Greig is a well known and respected Scottish playwright and theatre director. After being at The Edinburgh Fringe The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart has embarked on a world-wide tour Perth its first Australian stop.

MISSION DRIFT

From New York theatre company TEAM (Theatre of the Emerging American) directed by five time Emmy Award winner Rachel Chavkin. This piece won the 2011 Scotsman Fringe First and the Herald Angel Awards. An exploration into American Capitalism. Very musical, Very Innovative, Very now.

LA CUCINA DELL'ARTE

An Australian exclusive from sixth-generation circus performers Circus Ronaldo (Belgium) bring us their show. Who doesn't want to run away to the circus or be born into one? With Danny, David, Johnny, Maria, Pepijin and Nanosh Ronaldo all performing

THE SECRET RIVER:

Director Neil Armfield, writer Andrew Bovell, and artistic associate Stephen Page are coming together for the first time to adapt Kate Grenville's novel, The Secret River for the stage. The Secret River is also part of The Sydney Festival.

THE HOUSE OF DREAMING

An interactive three-dimensional storybook from The Arena Theatre Company, it's an installation, life-sized structure that the audience walks through. Actors, robotic objects and magic are inside this life-sized house (there is no plumbing).

“Children will find The House Of Dreaming astounding. “The house is sleeping,” we're told as we arrive, sitting down to make some origami”

writes our reviewer from The Melbourne Festival season, read more:

Dance

CLOUDS

Inspired by the work of the surrealist artist René Magritte, Aracaladanza's, Clouds, is a dance production for all ages.

SHIVA SHAKTI

Classical Indian dance mixed with contemporary flare and aerial performance. “It's a high energy show that deals with this longing for freedom” says Isha Sharvani to Pukarr News about Shiva Shakti earlier this year. Sharvani is a Bollywood star and dancer who will perform in Perth with the Shiva Shakti.

THE TRUTH 25 TIMES A SECOND

A collaboration between Belgian choreographer Frederic Flamand (artistic director Ballet de Marseille) and Chinese visual artist Ai Weiwei. This dance piece is based on the Italian novel, The Baron in the Tree by Italo Calvino.

Visual Art

SCATTERED LIGHT

Artist Jim Campbell calls this work a homage to the lighbulb. The work features more than 1,600 LEDs that are programmed so that, depending on a viewer's vantage point, they play back in very low resolution a video of commuters in Grand Central Station.

The Perth Writers Festival

Ahdaf Soueif novelist, journalist and political commentator will do the opening address, with 2012 Miles Franklin winner Anna Funder bookending the weekend of literary event. Guests/ speakers include, Margaret Atwood (already announced) and Henry McGee the President of HBO Home Entertainment (DVD and Digital) since 1995. HBO! We are talking the man behind these DVD box sets, Sex And The City, The Sopranos, True Blood, Entourage, The Wire, Girls. (Now let's not pretend. You must own at least one of the above)