Anyone who has experienced a Zoo Twilights gig at Melbourne Zoo will know what an amazing experience it is, to be among like-minded music fans, the beautiful surrounds of the Zoo parklands and of course the sounds of the animals themselves.
Each year the line up of local and international artists that is offered gets better and better and with today’s announcement, that still rings true.
Returning to Melbourne Zoo’s lush lawns and running each weekend from 25 January to 9 March, Zoo Twilights unites music lovers with world class musicians in a summer music experience like no other, with all proceeds from ticket sales going back into Zoos Victoria’s efforts to fight wildlife extinction.
Joining previously announced acclaimed songwriter and iconic American voice Cat Power are some of the most exciting and seminal artists touring the world right now.
Melbourne’s very own cosmopolitan party-starters Client Liaison will ring in the first evening of Zoo Twilights with their multisensory live experience. Prepare to hear hits and modern Australian anthems including ‘World of our Love’ and ‘Off White Limousine’ from their debut album ‘Diplomatic Immunity’. They will be joined by Kira Puru, a dynamic live force who has been busy serving up some of the freshest pop hooks this year.
Opening weekend will also feature a rare triple bill of Australian artists spanning genres and generations; Briggs, Archie Roach and Alice Sky. A founding member of ARIA winning hip hop duo A.B Original, and an accomplished writer and actor, Briggs projects a powerful and unique voice within the Australian music landscape. With a career spanning three decades, Archie Roach comes armed with his seminal debut ARIA winning album ‘Charcoal Lane’ and a catalogue of music that speaks the stories of his people and of the land. Joining them is Alice Sky whose stripped back piano melodies and haunting dreamlike sounds will complete an uplifting first weekend.
Hear Australian music icon, Sherbet frontman and king of pop Daryl Braithwaite perform ‘The Horses’ and other classics, alongside Ross Wilson’s five decades of hits from Daddy Cool through to Mondo Rock.
Dive into the dense poetic mazes and the lush lyrical worlds of both Sampa The Great, and REMI, who will be supported by local R&B powerhouse Thando.
Witness Australian indie-pop royalty Vera Blue perform tracks from her latest and beautifully personal record ‘Perennial’, with support from Kesmar’s swirling synths and disco vibes. Say ‘Hello’ to world-renowned party band The Cat Empire, with their high energy, genre-defying dancefloor anthems that have taken them to every corner of the globe. Hear them alongside the hypotonic grooves of Melbourne’s The Meltdown.
Since his breakthrough hit “I Need a Dollar”, Grammy nominated Aloe Blacc has been charming audiences worldwide with his feel-good anthems. He takes to the Zoo Twilight’s stage with special guest local R&B legend Kaiit, whose star is quickly soaring after a co-sign from legendary Neo-Soul icon Jill Scott.
Watch Rufus Wainwright meld both the beautifully moving with the powerful and bombastic to discover why Elton John once called him “the greatest songwriter on the planet”, with formidable performer Mojo Juju on support.
‘MmmBop’ into the sunset with multi-platinum pop-rock trio Hanson for a show packed with their catchy catalogue of pop tracks. This classic Hanson concert is a must-see for any of the 16 million people who owned a copy of the band’s breakout debut record ‘Middle of Nowhere’ on CD or cassette.
Embark on a kaleidoscopic journey into neo-soul with phenomenal collective The Internet. Watch their creative chemistry bubble over as they perform classics like ‘Girl’ alongside their 2018 LP ‘Hive Mind’.
Marlon Williams brings his cinematic strings, rollicking guitar, tender piano moments and that acclaimed voice to another must-see Zoo Twilights show, alongside experimental pop Melbournian Laura Jean.
Zoo Twilights invites concert-goers to pick a spot under the stars on Melbourne Zoo’s lawns for an unforgettable night of music. Taste of Twilights, a huddle of some of the city’s best food trucks and pop-up bars, neighbours the stage and serves up brews, snacks and street food. Zoo Twilights is an all-ages event.
The most important part of Zoo Twilights at Melbourne Zoo is the cause behind it all. All proceeds from the concert series support the fight to save the Eastern Barred Bandicoot from extinction.
Extremely cute and very shy, this species of Bandicoot is listed as extinct in the wild on mainland Australia, but after five years as the flagship species for Zoo Twilights – and over 25 years of recovery efforts – there are now more than 1200 bandicoots in existence. Zoos Victoria is currently planning the release of these animals and training a team of Maremma Sheepdogs to protect them from predators. A ticket to Zoo Twilights can help fulfil the dream of recovering this species.
Zoos Victoria is grateful for the support of AGL as Zoos Twilights presenting partner for a third consecutive year. AGL is proud to continue supporting this exciting and unique Melbourne Zoo experience.
Tickets on sale Tuesday, October 30 8am (Local Time) from zootwilights.org.au
Zoo Twilights is taking place on land that belongs to the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay respect to this country’s First Peoples past and present.
Friday 25 January – Client Liaison supported by Kira Puru
Saturday 26 January – Briggs + Archie Roach supported by Alice Sky
Friday 1 February – Sampa The Great + REMI supported by Thando
Saturday 2 February – Daryl Braithwaite + Ross Wilson
Friday 8 February – Vera Blue supported by Kesmar
Saturday 9 February – Cat Power with special guests
Friday 15 February – The Cat Empire supported by The Meltdown
Friday 22 February – Aloe Blacc supported by Kaiit
Saturday 23 February – Rufus Wainwright supported by Mojo Juju
Friday 1 March – Hanson, with special guests
Sunday 3 March – The Internet with specials guests
Friday 8 March – Marlon Williams supported by Laura Jean
Saturday 9 March – To be announced
ZOO TWILIGHTS 2019
25 January – 9 March
www.zootwilights.org.au