Melbourne Recital Centre’s 2024 Contemporary Program: Calexico, Arooj Aftab, Moor Mother + More

The Melbourne Recital Centre has announced a packed lineup for 2024, hosting gigs by the likes of Courtney Barnett, Calexico, and Beth Orton.

The Centre has been long known for mixing classical performances with vibrantly contemporary acts, and 2024 proves to be no different. The program touches on almost every genre imaginable, from punk to country to indie rock.

Calexico – Sunken Waltz

Heading up the punk side of things is a performance by Lydia Lunch, the New York legend. Lunch has strong ties to Australia – she previously collaborated with Rowland S. Howard of The Birthday Party and Boys Next Door fame.

Elsewhere, Calexico are set to bring their raucous and intimate show to the Centre. Formed in 1996, the band have gone on to release a string of acclaimed and full-throated records. Their most recent, El Mirador, was released last year, and the band have yet to perform songs from it in this country.

Beth Orton, by contrast, is one of the pioneering voices in indie-folk-electronica. Her record Trailer Park, released in 1996, set the stage for the rest of her career, careening between heartfelt and understated admissions of love and loss, set to guitar stylings, and a subtle undercurrent of electronica.

“We’re so thrilled to be announcing the first of our contemporary music experiences for 2024,” Melbourne Recital Centre said in a statement. “The breadth of what’s on offer reflects Melbourne Recital Centre’s commitment to distinctive and dynamic programming, spanning Grammy-winning neo-sufi art pop, desert noir, indie darlings, afrofuturist cosmic jazz, legendary experimental rock and so much more.

“Encompassing past and future icons, this announcement is just the beginning of how contemporary music will shape our 15th birthday celebration.”

Tickets for all shows go on sale on Friday, 27th October. They will be available directly through The Melbourne Recital Centre website.

Melbourne Recital Centre 2024

• Thursday, 1st February – YoCiTY – Jarabi Band
• Friday, 2nd February – Courtney Barnett
• Thursday, 15th February – Calexico
• Wednesday, 28th February – Lonnie Holley + Moor Mother + Irreversible Entanglements
• Friday, 1st March – Michael Rother & Friends Play the Music of Neu!
• Saturday, 2nd March – Yirinda
• Friday, 8th March – Arooj Aftab
• Wednesday, 13th March – Franck Vigroux & Antoine Schmitt
• Friday, 15th March – Lydia Lunch & Joseph Keckler
• Saturday, 13th April – Folk Bitch Trio
• Tuesday, 23rd & Wednesday, 24th April – Beth Orton

Further Reading

Beth Orton Reschedules Australian Tour to April 2024

Theo Parrish to Play an All Night Gig at Sydney’s City Recital Hall

A Guide to Every International Tour Coming to Australia in 2023/24