BLACKBOOK HIGH NOTES THE
BLACKBOOK HIGH NOTES THE MELBOURNE BEAT The imminent opening of a David Bowie exhibition is a timely reminder of the southern capital’s impeccable musical credentials By Carrie Hutchinson When it was announced that ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image; acmi.net.au) would host the Australasian showing of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s David Bowie is exhibition, the super fans began lobbying, contacting anyone who worked within the organisation in an attempt to be the first through the doors when they open on 16 July. While there’ll be no favours paid, when the aficionados do get inside they’ll be in for a treat – more than 300 items from the Bowie archives will tell the story of his remarkable five-decade career. That Melbourne, the music capital of Australia, was chosen to host the exhibition should come as no surprise. It was here SLAM (Save Live Australia’s Music) was formed in opposition to licensing laws that threatened the viability of small music venues. And, according to research conducted last year, the suburb of Brunswick in the city’s inner north is home to more songwriters than any other postcode in the country. Seven days a week you can head out and listen to live music at venues across the city, but for some reason many associate bands with sticky carpets and hardcore rock. The reality is far different. Those in the know take their midday break at tucked-away Basement Discs (basementdiscs.com.au). Artists of some repute set up shop within the shop – usually on Friday – to play free, intimate gigs. In the past, Michelle Shocked, Richard Thompson and Stephen Cummings have all graced the tiny stage. Another of the city’s hidden gems hosts performances even more rare. The Grand Organ, which towers over three levels of Melbourne Town Hall (thatsmelbourne. com.au), has almost 10,000 pipes and uses 2,500 cubic metres of air every minute. Its PHOTO BRIAN DUFFY / © DUFFY ARCHIVE & THE DAVID BOWIE ARCHIVE 28 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM CONTACT CENTURION SERVICE FOR BOOKINGS
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