Overview
No longer just the realms of Monica Trapaga yazz residencies and kiddie-aimed pantomimes, the after-hours Twilight at Taronga series took it up a huge, cred-worthy notch last year. This summer, they'll be aiming even higher, returning with a new, eclectic lineup every weekend from Thursday, January 28 through Saturday, March 12. And this year's ARIA frontrunner, spinner of yarns and general face-melter Courtney Barnett is opening the whole thing.
Bringing drawlin' ditties from her widely celebrated debut album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit to the zoo, Barnett kicks off one heck of a lineup for Twilight at Taronga 2016. Taking over the lawns of Taronga Zoo's fully-licensed natural amphitheater, this year's series is more locally-focused than last year's, with the likes of Violent Femmes, John Butler Trio, Birds of Tokyo, Josh Pyke, C.W. Stoneking and finishing up with Lady Black Mambazo. Plus, you can dag it up with ABBA tribute act Bjorn Again, returning for two nights due to popular demand after last year.
After one of the most contemporary changes the Twilight at Taronga series has seen in its 20 years running, the feathered, furred and finned have plenty to choose from this summer. Picnic-bringing is encouraged, but there'll also be incredibly delicious hampers available onsite — we tasted them, they're extremely generous and genuinely great. There's a bar onsite, and general nosh available from the canteen. Either way, it's actually the one of the best dates in Sydney — lock those tickets down.
TWILIGHT AT TARONGA 2016 LINEUP
January 28 — COURTNEY BARNETT, supported by Jep and Dep
January 29 — JOSH PYKE, supported by Winterbourne
January 30 — FAR FROM FOLSOM featuring TEX PERKINS AND THE TENNESSEE FOUR
February 5 — JOHN BUTLER TRIO, supported by Tinpan Orange
February 6 — THE WAIFS, supported by Ruby Boots
February 12 — BIRDS OF TOKYO, supported by Fractures
February 13 — MISSY HIGGINS
February 19 – MARK SEYMOUR & THE UNDERTOW, supported by Ben Salter
February 20 – JAMES MORRISON BIG BAND
February 26 & 27 — BJÖRN AGAIN
March 4 — VIOLENT FEMMES, supported by Xylouris White
March 5 — COLIN HAY
March 11 — C.W. STONEKING, supported by Marlon Williams
March 12 — LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO
Twilight at Taronga 2016 is happening January 28 to March 12. The lineup will be announced Thursday, October 22. Tickets available from the website from Thursday, October 29.
Image: Maclay Heriot.