PLAYLIST : RISING 2022 AT FORUM MELBOURNE
The historic Forum Melbourne is RISING's home for musical icons, headliners and singular voices. From booming rap to disco philosophising, this playlist runs the gamut of what to expect at RISING 2022.
From its intricate exterior and towering minarets to its mosaic floor and sparkling star-studded ceiling, the Forum is a venue steeped in mystery, history and memory. Playing the venue is a career highlight for musicians, the last springboard before stadium shows. It's the rare large venue that conveys intimacy without sacrificing grandeur.
At RISING 2022, the Forum is home to our big-ticket music events. From long-awaited returns by rap powerhouses Sampa the Great and Tkay Maidza, to the singular percussive world of Midori Takada, the Forum's main stage is a portal to strange sounds and party anthems.
To prime your ears for what's to come, RISING's music team has compiled a playlist of acts taking the stage this year. There's Baxter Dury's post-disco ruminations, here on his first Australian tour; Japanese punk-funk from Buffalo Daughter and CHAI; Arab Strap's smoke-filtered post-rock, and more. Take a listen then book your tickets below.
Sampa the Great : An Afro Future — Wed 1 and Thu 2 June
An Afro Future is Sampa the Great’s triumphant return to Melbourne, her first show in her one-time hometown in over two years. She's joined by previous collaborator KYE, sister Mwanjè, and C.FRIM on the decks.
Arab Strap and Xylouris White — Fri 3 June
A performance 20 years in the making. Icons of post-rock and Cretan tradition together on stage. Xylouris White (Jim White and Giorgos Xylouris) co-headline The Forum with Arab Strap.
Heavy Congress — Sat 4 June
A baptism of bass, colossal speaker stacks and cross-continental music culture. Feel The Forum shake.
Tkay Maidza — Sun 5 June
Maidza’s graduated from the beloved stage of Meredith Music Festival, to opening for Billie Eilish across the USA in February. Catch her at The Forum while you can—your next chance might be from the nosebleed section.
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BAXTER DURY : MR MASERATI — TUES 7 JUNE
A 20-year wait comes to a close. The disco crooner makes his Australian debut.
Lucy Dacus — WED 8 JUNE
Dacus draws from her teenage journals to explore the anxiety and nostalgia of growing up in Richmond, Virginia—Christian Bible camps, young crushes and dancing in the aisles of the corner store.
Ed Kuepper with Jim White — Wed 8 June
Returning after a sold-out first collaboration at RISING 2021, Kuepper returns with the master drummer to perform songs from across his 45-year career.
Jim White & Marisa Anderson — Thu 9 June
Jim White joins forces again with guitarist Marisa Anderson, in a follow-on performance from the pair’s collaborative 2020 album The Quickening.
Midori Takada — Thu 9 June
Theatrical waves of rhythm invoked by a maestro of Japanese percussion. Transcendent solo performance beyond comparison.
Masego with Becca Hatch — Fri 10 June
Effortless grooves, crisp snares and rhythmic experiments from two rising stars of R&B.
CHAI and Buffalo Daughter — Sat 11 June
New and emerging icons and descendants of Tokyo’s Shibuya-kei scene. Punk attitude with a techno pulse.
FORUM MELBOURNE MERCH
If you enjoyed the RISING: Singles Club 'Heavy Congress' track that closes out the mix, pre-order your limited-edition 7" vinyl single, artist-designed lino print and poster, or t-shirt, below.
RISING : SINGLES CLUB—'HEAVY CONGRESS’ 7" VINYL — $25
Heavy Congress is RISING’s Soundsystem culture showdown—10 crews descend on the Forum, each armed with a colossal custom speaker stack. Take a slab of bass home with the first ever RISING: Singles Club 7” vinyl release.
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HEAVY CONGRESS LINO BLOCK PRINT, 300GSM — $600
Five unique block prints by acclaimed UK/Australian designer John Warwicker and artist Jason Maling.
HEAVY CONGRESS "MORE BASS THAN SPACE" POSTER, 100GSM — $125
Ten unique screen-printed posters by acclaimed UK/Australian designer John Warwicker and artist Jason Maling.
HEAVY CONGRESS TEE — $35
Rep’ Melbourne’s burgeoning Soundsystem culture with your own Heavy Congress Tee.