Live Review: White Night Melbourne

With cities around the country shutting off their CBDs, White Night makes its return, taking the town over from 7pm to 7am with art, film, lights, secrets, and an impressive musical line-up.

A criminally small crowd has amassed for certified legend, Robert Forster, at the main music stage on Lonsdale Street. Performing a mix of old and new with a full band, the atmosphere however feels like that of a sideshow at the Royal Show. They end with Go-Between's classic, Here Comes The City, and it is an early special moment that resonates with fans throughout the night. Though there is a notable absence of projections on Flinders Street this year, it is hard not to get lost in both the massive crowd and oddities that pop up in your way. There is a trapeze over by the museum, there are hauntingly beautiful classical performances in the church, takeovers of art and music in places such as NGV, and almost every laneway has a surprise to be discovered.

Shepparton rapper Briggs, with full band in tow, doesn't want to leave, playing overtime to a strong fanbase. Gold Class take the stage after midnight and the atmosphere has notably changed from the casual vibes earlier in the evening. The band are tight and simply on fire, making their way through their debut, It's You. An easy highlight and solid addition to the program. Just shy of two in the morning, the main foot traffic across the CBD resembles that of the undead marching on the wall from Game Of Thrones. It's half intrigue, half time to head home, but still the night keeps rolling. Over at the Lonsdale Stage, Harvey Sutherland turns the street into a free-for-all dance party. The analogue purist proves from track to track why he is the Melbourne producer to watch, with complex electronic arrangements and almost psych soundscapes. Accompanied by a violinist, the two work together naturally and effortlessly and become the highlight of the stage. The party continues with Otologic delivering a set of beats drawing from disco and funk with a house undertone, and for the stragglers come dawn up-and-coming DJ Planete delivers a set of house and EDM that universally satisfies the small crowd still boogying. Phew, time for bed!