Three internationally renowned music artists will headline the spring season of NGV Friday Nights at the National Gallery of Victoria. Pioneers of Japanese pop-rock Shonen Knife, Los Angeles-based electro-R&B musician Nite Jewel and multi-platinum Australian singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke will take to the stage between September 1 and November 4.

Other musicians performing in the spring season include 19-year-old violinist and electronic artist Lupa J; France-based Australian artist Claudio; electronic duo GL; and breakout Melbourne pair ALTA. Joining them on the line-up are Adelaide band Electric Fields with their blend of modern electric-soul music and ancient Indigenous culture; electronic beat-maker JOY. and Brisbane indie pop artist Airling.

Australian artist, Airling. Image: Supplied

Japan’s Shonen Knife self-started their group in late 1981, and have secured their place as pioneers of Japanese pop-punk music and culture. The rock and roll dreams of these three girls blossomed into a reality and continued with their 22nd album Adventure. The album is described as ‘passing through the 70’s, born of influences such as Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest and The Ramones with a touch of The Supremes,’ all presented through the lens of Shonen Knife’s charismatic pop, sunshine filled fantasy world. Catch their performance on September 22.

Japanese pop-rock trio Shonen Knife. Image: Supplied

Nite Jewel, also known as Ramona Gonzalez, returns to Australia as a duo, hot on the heels of her critically acclaimed new album Real High. With Real High, the Los Angeles-based artist reflects the increasing challenges of hyper-modern society, in particular with respect to selfhood. Recorded over the course of four years in Los Angeles with the help of Cole M.G.N., these songs of love and nostalgia range from expansive balladry to dancefloor hits. Catch her performance on October 20.

Nite Jewel, AKA Ramona Gonzalez. Image: Supplied

Kate Miller-Heidke is an award-winning singer-songwriter who traverses the worlds of contemporary pop, folk and opera. Her career highlights include four Australian released albums, achieving multi-platinum status and appearing in the top 10 album and singles charts numerous times. Her latest album O Vertigo! debuted at number 4 on the Australian album charts, broke Australian crowdfunding records and was nominated for an ARIA award.

Trained as a classical singer at the Queensland Conservatorium, Kate has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and has performed several roles for the English National Opera. With her collaborator Keir Nuttall, she is currently writing the music and lyrics to Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical, set to premiere at the Sydney Theatre Company in November 2017. Catch her performance on September 8.

Australian artist Kate Miller-Heidke. Image: Supplied

NGV Friday Nights continues to offer its popular combination of live music, DJ sets, dining and bars, with after-hours access to the world premiere exhibition The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture.

The line-up will also feature a bonus performance on November 4 by Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble. Laetitia Sadier has a career spanning 25 years as an artist, performer and musician. The recently released project ‘Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble: Find Me Finding You’ is touring throughout 2017. According to their website, the new collaboration “brings fresh percolations, energy and air to Laetitia’s humanized community-politic.”

DETAILS
What: NGV Friday Nights
When: 6pm-10pm, headline act at 8.30pm, 1 September – 4 November 2017
Where: National Gallery of Victoria

Tickets
Online $24 Member / $30 Adult / $12 Child
On the door (subject to availability) $29 Member / $35 Adult / $15 Child
NGV Friday Nights includes after-hours entry to exhibition The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture.

For more information, check out their website ngv.vic.gov.au