
- The Wilds
Let your imagination flourish under the cover of dark. Light, music, food, ice and art is blooming in our fertile night garden.
WED 1—SUN 19 JUNE
ENTRY FROM 5PM
TUE, WED, THU AND SUN, LAST ENTRY 9PM
FRI—SAT, LAST ENTRY 10PM
CLOSED MONDAYSThe WildsLet your imagination flourish under the cover of dark. Light, music, food, ice and art is blooming in our fertile night garden.
- Tkay MaidzaIJALE
Afrocentric rap, hip hop and neo-soul from the current crop of Australian greats.
SUN 5 JUNE
DOORSÂ 7PM
Tkay MaidzaIJALEAfrocentric rap, hip hop and neo-soul from the current crop of Australian greats.
- Golden Square
Art, empire, identity and spirituality overlap in Chinatown. Reach the roof and raise a glass.
WED 1—SUN 12 JUNE
WED—THU, 5.30—11PM
FRI—SAT, 5.30PM—MIDNIGHT
SUN, 5.30—11PM
CLOSED MONDAYS AND TUESDAYSGolden SquareArt, empire, identity and spirituality overlap in Chinatown. Reach the roof and raise a glass.
- The ReturnJohn Harvey
An epic, 250-year fight to return home the captive bodily remains of First Peoples.
13 MAY—4 JUNE
TUE—WED: 6.30PM
THU—FRI: 7PM
SAT: 2PM AND 7PM
SUN: 6.30PMThe ReturnJohn HarveyAn epic, 250-year fight to return home the captive bodily remains of First Peoples.
- HOW TO LIVE (after you die)Lynette Wallworth
A master storyteller shifts her work from film to stage to share a morality tale for our times—in which she just happens to be the central character.
FRI 3—SAT 4 JUNEÂ
7.30PM
HOW TO LIVE (after you die)Lynette WallworthA master storyteller shifts her work from film to stage to share a morality tale for our times—in which she just happens to be the central character.
- Sampa the Great : An Afro FutureMwanjè, KYE and Sounds by C.FRIM
Crossing genres and continents, the visionary rapper returns to Melbourne for two huge shows to open RISING.
WED 1—THUR 2 JUNE
DOORSÂ 7PM
Sampa the Great : An Afro FutureMwanjè, KYE and Sounds by C.FRIMCrossing genres and continents, the visionary rapper returns to Melbourne for two huge shows to open RISING.
- 8/8/8 : WorkHarriet Gillies and Marcus McKenzie
The perfect work/life balance exists. 8 hours rest, 8 hours play, 8 hours of absurd corporate hell.
SAT 4 JUNEÂ
9AM—5PM
8/8/8 : WorkHarriet Gillies and Marcus McKenzieThe perfect work/life balance exists. 8 hours rest, 8 hours play, 8 hours of absurd corporate hell.
- Shabazz Palaces and Stas THEE BossTeether & Kuya Neil and DJ Naycab
Hip hop iconoclast Shabazz Palaces is joined by the most special of the special, Stas THEE Boss in this Australian exclusive.
SAT 11 JUNE
DOORSÂ 8PM
Shabazz Palaces and Stas THEE BossTeether & Kuya Neil and DJ NaycabHip hop iconoclast Shabazz Palaces is joined by the most special of the special, Stas THEE Boss in this Australian exclusive.
- HIJRA'HRianto
Gender expression from Indonesia’s Sulawesi island is explored in contemporary choreography that informs the present.
THU 9—SUN 12 JUNEÂ
7PM
HIJRA'HRiantoGender expression from Indonesia’s Sulawesi island is explored in contemporary choreography that informs the present.
- MasegoBecca Hatch
Effortless grooves, crisp snares and rhythmic experiments from two rising stars of R&B.
FRI 10 JUNE
DOORSÂ 7PM
MasegoBecca HatchEffortless grooves, crisp snares and rhythmic experiments from two rising stars of R&B.
- Anything & EverythingPlatform Arts, infinity ensemble
Anything & Everything delves into online and IRL spaces, where young people navigate identity, connection and intimacy.
FRI 3—SUN 12 JUNE
PERFORMANCE TIMES VARY
SEE SESSION DETAILSAnything & EverythingPlatform Arts, infinity ensembleAnything & Everything delves into online and IRL spaces, where young people navigate identity, connection and intimacy.
- Lucy DacusSnowy Band
Identity, humour and Bible camp come to a head for a night of bracing, honest indie-pop.
WED 8 JUNE
DOORSÂ 7.30PM
Lucy DacusSnowy BandIdentity, humour and Bible camp come to a head for a night of bracing, honest indie-pop.
- Wurukur Djuanduk Balag — Ancestors Are Calling (Melbourne)Dr Lou Bennett AM (Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung)
Precious cultural belongings are called home through song. Accompanied by a string quartet, First Peoples collaborators sing in multiple languages.
FRI 3 JUNEÂ
7.30PM
Wurukur Djuanduk Balag — Ancestors Are Calling (Melbourne)Dr Lou Bennett AM (Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung)Precious cultural belongings are called home through song. Accompanied by a string quartet, First Peoples collaborators sing in multiple languages.
- Midori Takada
Theatrical waves of rhythm invoked by a maestro of Japanese percussion. Transcendent solo performance beyond comparison.
THURS 9 JUNE
DOORSÂ 7.30PM
Midori TakadaTheatrical waves of rhythm invoked by a maestro of Japanese percussion. Transcendent solo performance beyond comparison.
- Maureen : Harbinger of DeathJonny Hawkins and Nell Ranney, Soft Tread Enterprises
Spend a night with a grand dame and dilettante of death. A stirring solo performance celebrating the wisdom of female elders.
WED 1—SUN 12 JUNE
WED 1—SAT 4 JUNE, 8.30PM
SUN 5 JUNE, 4PM
WED 8—SAT 11 JUNE, 7PM
SUN 12 JUNE, 3.30PMMaureen : Harbinger of DeathJonny Hawkins and Nell Ranney, Soft Tread EnterprisesSpend a night with a grand dame and dilettante of death. A stirring solo performance celebrating the wisdom of female elders.
- Baxter Dury : Mr MaseratiOur Carlson
A 20-year wait comes to a close. The disco crooner makes his Australian debut.
TUES 7 JUNE
DOORSÂ 7PM
Baxter Dury : Mr MaseratiOur CarlsonA 20-year wait comes to a close. The disco crooner makes his Australian debut.
- Jurrungu Ngan-ga (Straight Talk)Marrugeku
A powerful and provocative new dance work challenging Australia's fixation with incarceration.
WED 1—SAT 11 JUNE
SHOW TIMES AND DATES VARY
SEE SESSION DETAILSJurrungu Ngan-ga (Straight Talk)MarrugekuA powerful and provocative new dance work challenging Australia's fixation with incarceration.
- MONOCHORDRobin Fox
A powerful laser beam, almost a kilometre long, burns above the Birrarung (Yarra River).
WED 1—SUN 12 JUNE
NIGHTLY, 6.30—9.30PM
MONOCHORDRobin FoxA powerful laser beam, almost a kilometre long, burns above the Birrarung (Yarra River).
- The Invisible OperaBy Sophia Brous with Lara Thoms, Samara Hersch and Faye Driscoll
An invisible theatre of surveillance, private enterprise and city activation comes to life in our town square.
FRI 10—SAT 11 JUNE
FRI 10 JUNE, 1PM and 8PM
SAT 11 JUNE, 1PM, 4PM and 7PMThe Invisible OperaBy Sophia Brous with Lara Thoms, Samara Hersch and Faye DriscollAn invisible theatre of surveillance, private enterprise and city activation comes to life in our town square.
- Harvey SutherlandPresents Neurotic Funk
Vintage synths and impeccable groove. Harvey Sutherland’s new live ensemble dismantle and reconfigure Elisabeth Murdoch Hall into a heaving, surreal club.
FRI 3—SAT 4 JUNE
8PM
Harvey SutherlandPresents Neurotic FunkVintage synths and impeccable groove. Harvey Sutherland’s new live ensemble dismantle and reconfigure Elisabeth Murdoch Hall into a heaving, surreal club.
- KaleidoscopeBy Keith Courtney
A mesmerising symphony of light, sound and joy, staged in a breathtaking mirror maze.
WED 1—SUN 19 JUNE
PERFORMANCE TIMES VARY
SEE SESSION DETAILSKaleidoscopeBy Keith CourtneyA mesmerising symphony of light, sound and joy, staged in a breathtaking mirror maze.
- ManifestoStephanie Lake Company
Nine dancers. Nine drummers. Manifesto is performance stripped back to its bare elements—rhythm and movement, drumming and dancing.
THU 9—SUN 12 JUNE
THU 9—FRI 10, 8.30PM
SAT 11, 3.30PM and 8.30PM
SUN 12, 5PMManifestoStephanie Lake CompanyNine dancers. Nine drummers. Manifesto is performance stripped back to its bare elements—rhythm and movement, drumming and dancing.
- 21 PornographiesMette Ingvartsen
Domination, submission and observation. A one-woman power play confronting pornography’s pervasive creep.
WED 1—SAT 4 JUNE
WED—FRI, 9PM
SAT, 5.30PM21 PornographiesMette IngvartsenDomination, submission and observation. A one-woman power play confronting pornography’s pervasive creep.
- Ed Kuepper with Jim White
Two titans of the Australian underground together again.
WED 8Â JUNE
5PM
Ed Kuepper with Jim WhiteTwo titans of the Australian underground together again.
- Chai and Buffalo Daughter
Originators and descendants of Tokyo’s Shibuya-kei scene. Punk attitude with a techno pulse.
SAT 11 JUNE
DOORSÂ 7PM
Chai and Buffalo DaughterOriginators and descendants of Tokyo’s Shibuya-kei scene. Punk attitude with a techno pulse.
- Rewards for the TribeChunky Move and Restless Dance Theatre
Divine geometry subverted by wonkiness. The search for idealism in art is upended by a dance of exquisite chaos.
TUE 31 MAY—SUN 5 JUNE
TUE 31 MAY, 7PM
WED 1 JUNE, 7PM
THU 2 JUNE, 2PM AND 7PM
FRI 3 JUNE, 7PM
SAT 4 JUNE, 3PM AND 7PM
SUN 5 JUNE, 5PMRewards for the TribeChunky Move and Restless Dance TheatreDivine geometry subverted by wonkiness. The search for idealism in art is upended by a dance of exquisite chaos.
- Arab Strap and Xylouris White
A performance 20 years in the making. Icons of post-rock and Cretan tradition together on stage.
FRI 3 JUNE
DOORSÂ 7PM
Arab Strap and Xylouris WhiteA performance 20 years in the making. Icons of post-rock and Cretan tradition together on stage.
- MultitudTamara Cubas
Seventy people, from different age groups and backgrounds, create a critical mass of collective action.
SAT 11—SUN 12 JUNEÂ
7.30PM
MultitudTamara CubasSeventy people, from different age groups and backgrounds, create a critical mass of collective action.
- Ana RoxanneWilson Tanner and YL Hooi
In her Australian debut, orchestral electronic artist Ana Roxanne sets out on the search for something greater.
SUN 5 JUNE
DOORSÂ 7PM
Ana RoxanneWilson Tanner and YL HooiIn her Australian debut, orchestral electronic artist Ana Roxanne sets out on the search for something greater.
- Fart FabulousFat Fruit
Farts happen!
THU 2—SAT 4 JUNE
THU, 6PM
FRI, 6PM AND 8.30PM
SAT, 2PM AND 7.30PMFart FabulousFat FruitFarts happen!
- Set PieceAnna Breckon and Nat Randall
Queer intimacy and fantasy meet 1950s pulp fiction in a genre-bending technical feat of screen and stage.
FRI 10—SUN 12 JUNE
FRI, 7PM
SAT, 2PM AND 7PM
SUN, 2PM AND 7PMSet PieceAnna Breckon and Nat RandallQueer intimacy and fantasy meet 1950s pulp fiction in a genre-bending technical feat of screen and stage.
- Heavy CongressThe Heavy Congress Collective
A baptism of bass, colossal speaker stacks and cross-continental music culture. Feel The Forum shake.
SAT 4 JUNEÂ
4.20PM—MIDNIGHT
Heavy CongressThe Heavy Congress CollectiveA baptism of bass, colossal speaker stacks and cross-continental music culture. Feel The Forum shake.
- Janet's Vagrant LoveElaine Crombie
Hard truths, humour and heartfelt song told in a commanding performance. A story of childhood trauma, and of raising young Blak men.
TUE 7—SUN 12 JUNE
TUE, 8.30PM
WED, 5.30PM and 8.30PM
THU, 8.30PM
FRI, 6PM
SAT, 3PM and 6PM
SUN, 5PMJanet's Vagrant LoveElaine CrombieHard truths, humour and heartfelt song told in a commanding performance. A story of childhood trauma, and of raising young Blak men.
- BorisRot TV and Bonnie Mercer
As part of the Japan in Focus music program, legendary doom trio Boris power through their 2002 classic Heavy Rocks.
FRI 10 JUNE
DOORSÂ 8PM
BorisRot TV and Bonnie MercerAs part of the Japan in Focus music program, legendary doom trio Boris power through their 2002 classic Heavy Rocks.
- Animals Dancing : DJ Nobu and Kenji Takimi
From Melbourne's day party denizens comes a finale befitting RISING's debut run.
SUN 12 JUNE
DOORSÂ 5.30PM
Animals Dancing : DJ Nobu and Kenji TakimiFrom Melbourne's day party denizens comes a finale befitting RISING's debut run.
- Teeks
Dynamic soul and R&B from Aotearoa/New Zealand.
SAT 11Â JUNE
7.30PM
TeeksDynamic soul and R&B from Aotearoa/New Zealand.
- The Goon SaxEXEK
Spend a night soaking in the prophetic post-punk of two Australian acts at the top of their game.
THU 2 JUNE
DOORSÂ 8PM
The Goon SaxEXEKSpend a night soaking in the prophetic post-punk of two Australian acts at the top of their game.
- The Dancing PublicMette Ingvartsen
Community rituals and compulsive dancing link times of crisis. Can you resist the rave?
WED 8 JUNEÂ
9PM
The Dancing PublicMette IngvartsenCommunity rituals and compulsive dancing link times of crisis. Can you resist the rave?
- WORKING ON MY NIGHT MOVESJulia Croft and Nisha Madhan
Shimmering astronauts, phosphorescent stars and vast feminist galaxies.
THU 2—SAT 4 JUNE
THU—FRI, 8PM
SAT, 5PM AND 8PMWORKING ON MY NIGHT MOVESJulia Croft and Nisha MadhanShimmering astronauts, phosphorescent stars and vast feminist galaxies.
- Andy ShaufSweet Whirl
Let the cinematic missives of skillful multi-instrumentalist Andy Shauf wash over you in his Australian debut performance.
MON 6 JUNE
DOORSÂ 7PM
Andy ShaufSweet WhirlLet the cinematic missives of skillful multi-instrumentalist Andy Shauf wash over you in his Australian debut performance.
- Kelly Lee OwensOK EG and E Fishpool (Yuin)
In a RISING exclusive, the singular electronic producer will draw you in deep.
FRI 3 JUNE
DOORSÂ 8PM
Kelly Lee OwensOK EG and E Fishpool (Yuin)In a RISING exclusive, the singular electronic producer will draw you in deep.
- The Picture of Dorian GrayBy Oscar Wilde | Adapted and directed by Kip Williams
Vanity, beauty, nihilism and sensuality collide with cutting edge tech. Oscar Wilde’s gothic classic, reimagined for the 21st Century.
SUN 5 JUNE—SUN 31 JULY
TUE—THU: 7PM
FRI: 7.30PM
SAT: 2PM AND 7.30PM
SUN: 1PM AND 6PMThe Picture of Dorian GrayBy Oscar Wilde | Adapted and directed by Kip WilliamsVanity, beauty, nihilism and sensuality collide with cutting edge tech. Oscar Wilde’s gothic classic, reimagined for the 21st Century.
- Yussef Dayesjitwam (live) and Mike Gurrieri vs Shio
Surrender to the rhythm with one of the breakout players of the South London jazz scene.
SAT 4 JUNE
DOORSÂ 8PM
Yussef Dayesjitwam (live) and Mike Gurrieri vs ShioSurrender to the rhythm with one of the breakout players of the South London jazz scene.
- Make It Up Club
Leave your expectation at the door for a night of avant-garde improvised music.
TUE 7 JUNE
DOORSÂ 7PM
Make It Up ClubLeave your expectation at the door for a night of avant-garde improvised music.
- Jim White & Marisa Anderson
Fluid drumming and guitar improvisation from two master musicians.
THU 9Â JUNE
5PM
Jim White & Marisa AndersonFluid drumming and guitar improvisation from two master musicians.
- The HoleThe Hole Collective
Groundbreaking.
THU 9—SUN 12 JUNE
DIGGING TIMES VARY, SEE SESSIONÂ DETAILS
The HoleThe Hole CollectiveGroundbreaking.
- Moses Sumney
Outsider pop on its own wavelength, from an artist born between two worlds. Reject the binary, embrace multiplicity.
MON 6 JUNE
DOORSÂ 7PM
Moses SumneyOutsider pop on its own wavelength, from an artist born between two worlds. Reject the binary, embrace multiplicity.
- Single Channel VideoBack to Back Theatre
With echoes of Antiques Roadshow and internet unboxing videos, ordinary people’s poignant histories and curious collections reveal that behind the common, lies the profound.
THU 9—SUN 12 JUNE
THU—SUN, 10.30AM—1.30PM AND 2.30PM—5.30PM
Single Channel VideoBack to Back TheatreWith echoes of Antiques Roadshow and internet unboxing videos, ordinary people’s poignant histories and curious collections reveal that behind the common, lies the profound.
- Piano TransplantsAnnea Lockwood, curated by Lawrence English
Radical interventions of fire, water and life transform an iconic instrument.
WED 1—SUN 12 JUNE
PIANO BURNING | FRI 10 JUNE
PIANO DROWNING | SAT 11 JUNE
PIANO GARDEN | FRI 3 AND SAT 4 JUNE, FRI 10 AND SAT 11 JUNE
SEE SESSION DETAILS FOR TIMESPiano TransplantsAnnea Lockwood, curated by Lawrence EnglishRadical interventions of fire, water and life transform an iconic instrument.
- First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams 2022Curated by Jarra Karalinar Steel
Expressions of identity on the move. Six First Peoples-designed trams roll out across the city.
From Tue 31 May
TRAMS RUN ON THE TRACKS FOR 12Â MONTHS
First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams 2022Curated by Jarra Karalinar SteelExpressions of identity on the move. Six First Peoples-designed trams roll out across the city.
- Still Lives : MelbourneLuke George (Melbourne) and Daniel Kok (Singapore)
The hallowed turf of the MCG replaced with the Great Hall of the NGV. Suspended above—footballers, bound in ropes, recreating a momentous mark, frozen in time.
SUN 5 JUNE
FROMÂ 2PM
Still Lives : MelbourneLuke George (Melbourne) and Daniel Kok (Singapore)The hallowed turf of the MCG replaced with the Great Hall of the NGV. Suspended above—footballers, bound in ropes, recreating a momentous mark, frozen in time.
- Wurukur Djuanduk Balag — Ancestors Are Calling (Bendigo)Dr Lou Bennett AM (Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung)
Precious cultural belongings are called home through song. Accompanied by a string quartet, First Peoples collaborators sing in multiple languages.
WED 1 JUNEÂ
7.30PM
Wurukur Djuanduk Balag — Ancestors Are Calling (Bendigo)Dr Lou Bennett AM (Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung)Precious cultural belongings are called home through song. Accompanied by a string quartet, First Peoples collaborators sing in multiple languages.
- Patricia Piccinini Workshop
A chance for young art fans to meet acclaimed artist Patricia Piccinini and create their own artworks.
SAT 4 AND SUN 5 JUNE, 10AMPatricia Piccinini WorkshopA chance for young art fans to meet acclaimed artist Patricia Piccinini and create their own artworks.
- Bang StopJim White and Emmett Kelly with Jo Lloyd
Music and dance strike a balance between perpetual motion and perpetual stasis.
WED 1 JUNEÂ
7PM
Bang StopJim White and Emmett Kelly with Jo LloydMusic and dance strike a balance between perpetual motion and perpetual stasis.
- Heffernan Lane Night Market
Chinatown condensed. Your one-stop shop for the best snacks on the strip.
FRI 3 JUNE—SUN 12 JUNE
FRI—SUN, 5.30—9PM
CLOSED MONDAY TO THURSDAYHeffernan Lane Night MarketChinatown condensed. Your one-stop shop for the best snacks on the strip.