The exciting Now or Never festival is coming back to Melbourne for its third year. This festival explores the intersection of art, ideas, sound and technology, and combines the success and resources of both Melbourne Music Week and Melbourne Knowledge Week. This year, there’s a massive program with over 140 free and ticketed events and sessions, like stunning installations and live performances. Over 285 local and international artists and creatives will take over venues around the city. Now or Never is on from Thursday August 21 to Sunday August 31.
Now or Never
The festival last year generated over $14.6 million in economic benefit. Over 400,000 people are expected to take part in the festivities this year.
“This bold, boundary-pushing festival is a true celebration of Melbourne’s creative spirit – spotlighting local artists, musicians and performers alongside international innovators,” said Lord Mayor Nick Reece. “This year’s line-up brings together visionary thinkers to spark ideas and offer a rare glimpse into the future.”
Program highlights
- Live music at Melbourne Town Hall across four nights – the line-up includes Québécois artist Marie Davidson, Japanese visual and sound artist Ryoji Ikeda, New York-based musician DJ Python, Sydney-born DJ Logic1000, Amsterdam’s Young Marco and Murri woman and rising star Yarra.
- MATRIA inside Royal Exhibition Building – Barcelona-based Studio Penique has created a free and interactive installation just for the Royal Exhibition Building. Presented in partnership with Museums Victoria, MATRIA will transform the interior of the building with a monochromatic recycled pink inflatable and an accompanying soundscape. This space will also host events, including morning breathwork sessions and a night-time performance program.
- Einder in Melbourne Town Hall – Dutch artist and composer Boris Acket has created Einder, a 20-metre-long kinetic light and sound installation. This piece will feature flowing textiles and immersive soundscapes.
- Burdi Burdi (Fire Fire) at Evan Walker Bridge – Bidjara/Chinese-Australian artist Dr Christian Thompson AO will reimagine Evan Walker Bridge with his largest outdoor installation so far. This sonic piece will transform the bridge into a space for quiet reflection.
- DELIRI at State Library Victoria – this free large-scale façade projection by Hamill Industries will use artificial intelligence, image distortion and flowing reflections captured in-camera to create an audio-visual experience.
- Library Up Late – explore State Library Victoria after hours, and enjoy late-night access to exhibitions and curator talks. Then, dance beneath the iconic Dome as DJs take over the space.
- Ostro x Einder – enjoy a long-table feast for one night only. Dine underneath the Einder installation and tuck into an opulent menu designed by Melbourne cook and author Julia Busuttil Nishimura.
- The Future of Space – this conversation will feature Australia’s first astronaut under the national flag, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, and astronomer Dr Tania Hill. This event will also feature a screening of a new short film commissioned by the Australian Space Agency, tracing our past, present and future in space.
Subscriber pre-sale begins at 12pm on Thursday June 19. Meanwhile, general tickets go on sale from 12pm on Monday June 23.
To see the full program, click here.