Applespiel have a way of taking something familiar and turning it on its head. At this year's You Are Here festival in Canberra, it was the commercial breakfast radio show. The artist collective performed and broadcast three hour-long Kyle-and-Jackie-style programs in various public venues, involving audiences in their own twisted take on the format.
Now they've moved onto the Rock Band. Applespiel Make a Band and Take On the Recording Industry sees the collective transform into a band, cut an album, go on the road, and package the imaginary results in a live show that's described as a lethal cocktail of performance art, gig, and rockumentary. A manufactured non-band playing non-music sounds oddly familiar, right?
It's part of Performance Space’s Show On short season of contemporary performance from around Australia focusing on audience participation and the intersection of art, life and popular culture. If, like me, you're inherently cheap, grab a $15 student rush ticket on Friday, July 25, (from box office on the night only) or the free green matinee on Saturday, July 28, (by riding your bike or catching public transport to the show).