The NGV is pretty practiced in juxtaposing artistic styles, and it's set to do it again with its summer exhibition celebrating two of the late 20th century's most celebrated artists: Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. And with it, as is now custom with the gallery's blockbusters, comes a brand new season of NGV Friday Nights.
To pay homage to the two artists, the 2019–20 gig series will use 80s downtown New York as its primary influence — curing a program that spans shows and DJ sets across disco, post-punk and new wave. It'll kick off on December 6 with a throwback set from New York-based producer Ge-Ology and run all the way through to a Friday-Saturday finale with Melbourne's own Yo! Mafia on April 10 and a Saturday party with DJ Jnett on April 11.
As always, you'll get after-hours access to the gallery as well as the gigs. Rove between Crossing Lines and the giant Kaws sculpture in the foyer and, out in the garden, explore this year's NGV Architecture Commission to the soundtrack of local DJs. There'll also be nostalgia-heavy disco bar, with performances curated by queer party-starters Closet.
Other bars will be slinging G&Ts, wine and Asahis for you to sip before you roam the gallery, and New York-style street snacks will be available, too. The gig series is now a quintessential way to end a steamy week in Melbourne, and something you should mark in your calendar once this summer.
NGV FRIDAY NIGHTS SUMMER 2019 LINEUP
December 6 – Ge-Ology (NYC) and Emma Stevenson (DJ Set)
December 13 – Loure (DJ Set) and Paul Gorrie
December 20 – Fei Pao (Hot Wax Sound System) and Sullivan (DJ Set)
December 27 – Banoffee (DJ Set) and SPUNKGUNK
January 3 – MzRizk and Danny Hotep
January 10 – Noise In My Head and Jade Zoe
January 17 – DJ Jimmy James and Edd Fisher (DJ Set)
January 24 – Simon Caldwell and Shelley
January 31 – Alexander Powers and DJ Cookie
February 7 – Natasha Diggs (NYC) and 6am at the Garage
February 14 – Alex Rita & Errol (UK) and Simona Castricum (DJ Set)
February 21 – Rok Riley and C.FRIM
February 28 – Ruby Savage (UK) and Soju Gang
March 6 – Interstellar Fugitives and Merve
March 13 – Beth Grace and A.Kid
March 20 – Whiskey Houston and Lori
March 27 – Memphis LK and CLIFTONIA
April 3 – Nicole Misha (Detroit) and DJ Manchild
April 10 – YO! MAFIA and River Yarra
April 11 – DJ JNETT and Toni Yotzi