![crowds for a gig inside the Royal Exhibition Building, which will be a key venue for the Now or Never festival](https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretmelbourne.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20110703/Now_or_Never23_A-1024x683.jpg)
After a sensational debut last year, Now or Never will come back to Melbourne this winter. 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 will be a massive program with over 100 free and ticketed events and sessions, like digital art experiences and exciting performances from over 250 creatives. Now or Never will return from Thursday August 22 to Saturday August 31.
Now or Never
The theme this year is ‘Look Through The Image’. Audiences are invited to discover deeper meanings and question what’s in front of them. Over 200, 000 visitors are expected to come to the city, taking over venues like the Royal Exhibition Building and State Library Victoria.
“The return of this extraordinary festival will enrich our events calendar, boosting visitation for our traders and stoking our economy during the traditionally quieter winter period,” said Lord Mayor Sally Capp. “From thought-provoking performances to late-night cultural experiences, the festival supports artistic talent and encourages knowledge, curiosity and creativity.”
Program highlights
- Royal Exhibition Building – see live music and awesome audio-visual projections across four nights at this iconic venue. The line-up includes Eartheater, Sandwell District, Erika De Casier, COUCOU CHLOE, Ben Frost, Naretha Williams, Clark and DJ Donato Dozzy.
- Constellations – see a large-scale celestial formation over the Yarra River’s surface along Southbank after dark. This shimmering creation is by French artist Joanie Lemercier.
- DESASTRES – after premiering at the Venice Biennale 2022, this performance project is making its Australian debut in Melbourne. Artist Marco Fusinato will present his radical live noise-guitar performance, which synchronises sound with image. See it at NantStudios in Docklands.
- Slow Walker – this augmented reality experience by Peder Bjurman will transform the microscopic Tardigrade into a colossal being. Watch it interact with its surrounds above the Melbourne Museum Plaza.
- Plagiary – see a new dance show each night. Watch ten contemporary dancers improvise their performance live, as it’s dictated to them by a computer presence. This show is created by dance technologist and choreographer Alisdair Macindoe, with AI video by Sam Mcgilp.
- Roxane Gay – this bestselling author, professor and opinion writer for The New York Times is coming to Melbourne. She will discuss her latest book, Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People’s Business.
- kajoo yannaga (come on let’s walk together) – this interactive virtual gamified walk on Country is guided by First Nations knowledge by Wiradjuri-Scottish artist, April Phillips. Find it at Swinburne Studio in ACMI.
- SUPERMODEL – look forward to performances, keynotes, screenings and workshops from arts collective SOFT CENTRE. It’s all happening inside State Library Victoria.
To see the full program, click here.