Lovers of the Black Bird

Since its humble beginnings down a bluestone lane in North Fitzroy, Bakehouse Studios’ award-winning spaces—now located on Hoddle Street—have been at the heart of Melbourne’s music scene for over 25 years. Each week, around 400 musicians pass through Bakehouse Studios, from solo artists and kids having their first jams to international touring artists. (Among the names of those who have graced the rehearsal rooms are Australian legends like Missy Higgins, Olivia Newton-John, The Cat Empire, Vance Joy, The Saints and The Drones, not to mention international acts as diverse as Tool, Beck, Ed Sheeran, the MC5, Cat Power, The Smashing Pumpkins and Judas Priest.)

This year, MPavilion is proud to partner with Bakehouse Studios to open up Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten of OMA’s amphitheatre-style structure to some of the most exciting emerging and established musical acts in Bakehouse’s little black book. Between October 2017 and February 2018, MPavilion will periodically transform into an extension of Bakehouse’s iconic studios, bringing a series of public rehearsals and secret shows to the Queen Victoria Gardens in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Visitors to MPavilion will be treated to a special behind-the-scenes look at the construction of songs, the pre-production process for a recording or a full-blown dress rehearsal.

Stay tuned for full line-up announcements, released only a few days prior to each event.

Just announced!

Joining us for this Thursday’s secret rehearsal is Lovers of the Black Bird.

An intimate duo with music laden in beautiful drone and palpitating rhythms, Lovers of the Black Bird present a naturalist’s view of life and death in cinematic scope. Together, musicians Julie Montan and Joseph Foley combine avant-glockenspiel, orchestral guitar and rapturous vocals reminiscent of Celtic folk and the sound of San Francisco’s ‘summer of love’ in the late 1960s. The pair’s recent album, Ocean of No Time, is wrapped in drone, thick with arresting time signatures and blending—with great sensitivity—elements of doom and beauty.

This extra-special secret session will be Lovers of the Black Bird’s final show for 2017—come and join them for an aural trip in the Queen Victoria Gardens before they fly away into summer.

Confirmed dates for further Bakehouse sessions are as follows (artists TBA):

Tuesday 19 December, 5–8pm
Sunday 7 January, 2–5pm
Thursday 11 January, 5–8pm
Monday 15 January, 12–3pm
Friday 19 January, 2–5pm [Cancelled]
Monday 22 January, 12–3pm
Thursday 25 January, 6–8pm
Wednesday 31 January, 12–3pm

This event is proudly supported by Yamaha Music Australia