Arts Centre Melbourne
presents
Those Who Rock
(Artists Announced)
A rock gig like no other. Hundreds of everyday guitarists performing on an epic stage with rock legends.
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Hundreds of everyday guitarists from across Melbourne will take to Arts Centre Melbourne’s iconic Hamer Hall stage alongside Australian music legends Adalita, Vika and Linda Bull, Ella Hooper and Yirrmal for Those Who Rock, hosted by Brian Nankervis on Sunday 24 March, 2019. Melburnians are invited to enjoy this all ages, free gig created by internationally-acclaimed artist Joseph O’Farrell (JOF) as part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s Betty Amsden Participation Program.
“I am so excited to present this work, which gives hundreds of participants from all over Melbourne the opportunity of a lifetime; to perform on one of the biggest stages in Melbourne with some of Australia’s finest musical talents,” says JOF.
This mammoth concert is the culmination of rehearsals by rock dogs and guitar-playing newbies across Melbourne throughout February and March joined by JOF and his team to rehearse a setlist of iconic rock anthems in Fitzroy, Frankston, Werribee, Dandenong, St Albans and Broadmeadows. On stage, they will be joined by Adalita (Magic Dirt), Ella Hooper, Yirrmal, Vika and Linda Bull as well as members of the RocKwiz Orkestra and Paul Kelly’s Band.
The setlist to end all setlists will include ‘You’re the Voice’ by John Farnham, ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again’ by The Angels, ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica, ‘Horses’ by Daryl Braithwaite, ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’ by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, ‘We Will Rock You’ by Queen and AC/DC’s anthemic, ‘For Those About To Rock’.
The gig will also feature the lead singer of AC/DSHE, Anna’s Go-Go Academy, Brimbank Multicultural Choir, Clint Lovering from Damage Inc, Furlong Park Primary Signing Choir, The Funky Bunny, Glee Club, Jets Studios, Leaders of Rock Music School, Melbourne Ukulele Kollective, Pasefika Vitoria Choir, Stroke A Chord Choir, Werribee Concert Band and Vinyl Vixens.
Arts Centre Melbourne’s Head of Creative Engagement Angharad Wynne-Jones, says philanthropist Betty Amsden’s legacy has given Arts Centre Melbourne the unique opportunity to work and connect to hundreds of musicians from across Melbourne.
“Those Who Rock is a celebration of Melbourne’s talented everyday musicians in a spectacular take over of Hamer Hall, our city’s legendary concert hall, and supported by Australia’s most celebrated musical icons.”
From an idea conceived by Melbourne-based, international artist Joseph O’Farrell, involving over 200 people from Broadmeadows to Frankston and made possible with funds from the philanthropist Betty Amsden, this will be a night to remember.
“Essentially, Arts Centre Melbourne and Betty Amsden have provided Melbourne with a three-month artwork which has seen us rehearse music in town halls, schools, community centres and civic buildings all over the city. This project gives the stage to the people, providing an open door for anyone and everyone to be involved and participate in Rock ‘n’ Roll glory,” says JOF.
The Betty Amsden Participation Program is an annual community event series established by the late Betty Amsden (AO) and Arts Centre Melbourne to explore and encourage cultural democracy. The large-scale, interactive and free projects are designed to inspire and engage the city of Melbourne.
Joseph O’Farrell (JOF) is an internationally renowned artist who creates large-scale installation and theatre works with, and for, communities in celebration of diversity and bringing people together in hilarious and unlikely situations. He is a founding member of The Suitcase Royale, a trio that has been touring new Australian theatre works nationally and internationally since 2004.
His work has toured across Australia and the UK, including the TATE Modern (UK), Southbank Centre (UK), Anti-Festival (Finland), Nelson, Kokoma and Tauranga Festivals (NZ), Sydney Festival, and City of Darebin. Those Who Rock builds on the success of other community projects led by JOF, including We Are Lightning! (Arts House, UK touring) and Enter Sandman (City of Darebin, Regional Centre of Culture).
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HISTORY OF THE BETTY AMSDEN PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
In 2014, the streets of Melbourne were filled with music as 24 pianos beautifully decorated by community groups graced the streets of Melbourne for three weeks over summer for anyone to play and enjoy in Play Me, I’m Yours.
In 2015, 7000 little wooden houses, all individually decorated by people from across Victoria to represent our feelings of home, filled our streets, parks, favourite city spots and social media for Home.
In 2016, in an Australian first the Dominoes project saw a 2 km chain of more than 7000 breezeblocks snaking through the city to bring Melbourne to a stand-still for one day.
In 2017, Fun Run saw artist Tristan Meecham run a gruelling 42 kilometres on a treadmill at Arts Centre Melbourne supported by massive visual effects, a sizzling soundtrack, a silky-voiced MC and hundreds of performers and athletes drawn from the local community.
In 2018 Play Me I’m Yours returned when 21 pianos beautifully decorated by community groups graced the streets of Melbourne for anyone to play and enjoy.
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Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Those Who Rock
24 March 2019
6pm, Hamer Hall
ALL AGES
FREE EVENT but bookings required here
Accessibility: Auslan Interpreted, Wheelchair Access, Assisted hearing and Audio description
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