Posted by kluster on June 7, 2011
The Chris Cunningham shows at Vivid Live last Sunday seem to have courted more controversy than the Ash King video, Scene & Not Heard – Ep 1 SURRY HILLS, NSW. Then again, it makes sense. After all, Cunningham’s videos have ranged in shock value from the robotically romantic All Is Full of Love (low) to the wholly unnerving Rubber Johnny (really, really high). And, there have been many. So it’s understandable that not all viewers would be across his back catalogue enough to expect images of drug-snorting paraplegics with expanded craniums complimenting small girls with bloody, exploding chest cavities.
The hour-long performance – not to be confused with the three hours advertised on the event website – was quite the assault. Drum & bass beats, lasers and a solid layering of past clips meshed together to create an event that, while strangely void of Cunningham himself – he was there, on stage, but more as the grand controller than a performer – was still whole and complete.
Cunningham is a consummate filmmaker and the opportunity to watch his works, as currated and controlled by him, at the Sydney Opera House was one we’ll not soon forget. Heck, we couldn’t if we tried; some of those images have burned themselves onto the back of our retinas and now populate the blackness that appears every time we close our eyes.
Oh, the horror!
chris cunningham, sydney opera house, vivid live, all is full of live, rubber johnny
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on June 2, 2011
Walking into one of Odd Future’s three sold out gigs at Sydney Opera House’s Studio, I spotted a few elderly patrons and I couldn’t help but cringe for what they were about to witness.
Offensive, degrading, sexist, violent. These are a few words that have been used to describe a group that came out of relative obscurity in early 2010. In their first Australian appearance as part of the Modular programmed Vivid LIVE line-up, the massively hyped group are indeed pushing many buttons.
Following months of free releases, mixtapes, videos and Tyler’s self-released Bastard in 2010, the group is almost making Eminem look like Sesame Street. But the funny thing is as much as people complain about the shocking content of their lyrics, it is clear that the profanities have little to no meaning. After all the spitting, swearing, the umpteenth chant of “Suck My Dick” and the countless middle fingers thrown up to the crowd, it barely warrants a mention. All of this slamming against a relentless bassline that was so loud it could have (and very well may have) ruptured a few eardrums.
The hyped up swarm in the moshpit absolutely loved it. From the second Tyler the Creator exploded onto stage in his green goblin mask, the crowd was his. Chants of “Wolf Gang” and “Free Earl” pulsed repetitively as hands were raised in salute. More...
odd future, tyler the creator, ofwgkta, vivid live, vivid sydney, sydney opera house, halfway crookes
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on May 31, 2011
It was somewhat surprising to find that WU LYF (World Unite/Lucifer Youth Foundation), a band that has firmly (if unintentionally) shrouded itself in mystery, play a very organised and structured set. Exactly on time, with no supporting act and one neat encore. As a band that recorded their debut in an abandoned church, this rigidness was most likely due to the structured timings of the organisers, Vivid Sydney, than the English lads themselves.
With LYF stitched into his denim jacket and a rough Mohawk shaved into his hair, Ellery Roberts' intense vocals were erratic and passionate; each note ripped out of his lungs in short bursts and scattered against a backdrop of Tom McClung’s effortless bass riffs. Although the lyrics were hard to understand, each band member obviously believes in every single word. Eyes squeezed shut, guitarist Evans Kati mouthed the words and drummer Joseph Manning was so into it, he lost his shirt only two songs in.
There may not have been tears, but blood and sweat definitely went into this performance. Halfway through their set, Roberts pointed out to McClung that he was bleeding above his temple. Looking bewildered, McClung said, “You made me bleed Sydney... but I like it!” More...
wu lyf, vivid live, vivid sydney, sydney opera house
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on May 27, 2011
As light projections sprawl over the normally grey buildings that surround Circular Quay tonight, do not be alarmed. This isn’t a guerilla colour-obsessed artist working by night, it is in fact part of the exciting third annual Vivid Sydney 2011 festival which will be splashing light, music and colour all over the streets of Sydney from 27 May – 13 June 2011.
There are countless activities, performances and interactive light sculptures to fill your nights as well as a range of public talks and debates from leading creative thinkers around the world. Acclaimed French design collective SUPERBIEN have designed beautiful light projections which will be illuminating the Sydney Opera House.
As part of Vivid Sydney, Vivid LIVE invites a different curator to organize a program of events in the iconic Sydney Opera House each year.
This year, Stephen Pavlovic, founder of Modular Records, has gotten his hands on the line-up and done sweet sweet things to it. We have him to thank for bringing the likes of The Cure, Chris Cunningham, OFWGTA, Tame Impala, Bat For Lashes, The Avalanches, WU LYF, and Spiritualized to our shores. Following in the footsteps of Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and Brian Eno, it is the first time ever than an Australian has curated the event.
There is also the The Sony Lounge, Vivid Sydney's own pop- up bar, which is set up along the Western foyers of Sydney Opera House. A rotating lineup of DJs will play each night until June 5. After sipping some mulled wine, you can wander around and check out more than 40 light installations or drop in to see the Fire Dance.
So, as the mercury goes down in Sydney, you have no excuse to be a couch potato! Get out there and nourish your cultural soul.
vivid sydney, vivid live, sydney opera house, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Brian Eno, The Cure, Chris Cunningham, OFWGTA, Tame Impala, Bat For Lashes, The Avalanches, WU LYF, Spiritualized