Leading international and Australian musicians including Jaako Eino Kalevi (Finland), Gareth Liddiard (The Drones) and the Paul Grabowsky Trio are on the line-up for the return of the popular Friday Nights series at Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great. Featuring indie, pop, jazz, folk and rock music, the series runs from 2 October to 6 November in the final weeks of the major exhibition.
Visitors can enjoy after-hours access to the exhibition, live performances, DJs, pop-up talks and a range of food and dining options in the Great Hall. The exhibition will draw from the personal collection of Catherine the Great, housed in the Hermitage Museum. More than 500 works will travel to Australia, including outstanding works by Rembrandt, Velasquez, Rubens and Titian.
The Friday Nights at NGV series features Finnish musician Jaakko Eino Kalevi who left behind tram driving in Helsinki to produce the kind of lush dream-pop that will have you dancing immediately, while leaders in contemporary jazz, the ARIA award-winning Paul Grabowsky Trio (‘as rich and as sharp as a Boyd painting’ – Rolling Stone) will open the series.
Rounding out the lineup are Gareth Liddiard, who recently celebrated 10 years with The Drones, performing solo off the back of his ARIA-award winning solo album Strange Tourist; and Glenn Richards, frontman of the gold and platinum-award winning band Augie March, with a solo set that will prove why he is considered the pre-eminent Australian songwriter by both peers and critics alike (‘the greatest and one of the most unique lyricists Australia is ever likely to see’ – Kill Your Darlings).
Other highlight acts include folk singer Laura Jean, whose debut album Our Swan Song heralded a powerful new voice in Australian music, returning to her earlier folk work with an album she describes as her most confident yet, Laura Jean; and the immersive and multi-sensory live show from much-loved ARIA Award-winning band Underground Lovers.
Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV, said, ‘The popular music series creates a lively and dynamic atmosphere at the NGV with the opportunity to hear live music from some of the best international and local musicians and providing after-hours access to Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great.’
The series regularly sells out, so book tickets early for Friday Nights at NGV. Tickets are on sale now. See ngv.vic.gov.au for details.
Melbourne Winter Masterpieces – Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great will present over 500 works from the personal collection of Catherine the Great including works by Rembrandt, Velasquez, Rubens and Titian.
The exhibition is organised by The Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg in association with the National Gallery of Victoria and Art Exhibitions Australia.
Fri 2 Oct Paul Grabowsky Trio
Fri 9 Oct Jaako Eino Kalevi (Finland)
Fri 16 Oct Glenn Richards
Fri 23 Oct Gareth Liddiard
Fri 30 Oct Laura Jean
Fri 6 Nov Underground Lovers
Cost $28 Adults / $23 Members / $10 Child
Venue Ground level, NGV International
Bookings Book early to avoid disappointment, www.ngv.vic.gov.au