ACO Underground

Overview

What would happen if you welded Nirvana and Bach together? You'd get classical with some serious sass. In fact, the result might come close to the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s electro-acoustic collective, specialising in covering an eclectic range of music.

In this genre twist, classically trained musicians will swap the concert hall for the grimy rock cellar of Oxford Art Factory. With guest performers Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes) and Jim MoginIe (Midnight Oil), expect a broad musical repertoire that will range from reimagined versions of Nine Inch Nails and Phil Spector through to contemporary homages to Igor Stravinsky and George Crumb.

The operation is the brainchild of assistant leader of the ACO Satu Vänskä. Having spent her youth playing violin in German nightclubs, the fusion between high and low culture is not necessarily new terrain. For this one-off performance, she has also curated some pre-show goodies including an audiovisual installation by Lost Boy and a performance by punk-turned-shout poet Marcie.

Last year the ACO Underground performed to a full house at The Standard, featuring a surprise appearance from Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood. Jump on this unique musical mash-up before it sells out.