Twilight at Taronga 2015

Overview

No longer just the realms of Monica Trapaga yazz residencies and kiddie-aimed pantomimes, the Twilight at Taronga series is taking it up a huge, cred-worthy notch. Kicking off a frankly kickass lineup set to play mega concerts at Sydney's Taronga Zoo, Bright Eyes' soul-searching dreamboat Conor Oberst, twee monarchs Belle and Sebastian, the one and only Rufus Wainwright and Powderfinger's legendary nice guy Bernard Fanning are just the tip of Taronga's genuinely killer program — spanning each Friday and Saturday night from Friday, January 30 through Saturday, March 21 after hours at the zoo.

Being one of Australia's most high-fiveworthy zoos, Taronga's drummed up an Australian contingent worth crossing seas for: Paul Kelly presenting Merri Soul Sessions, You Am I, Sarah Blasko, Dan Sultan, Something For Kate, Little May, Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders, Hiatus Kaiyote and more are all confirmed to front that top notch Sydney Harbour backdrop. And Ken Done's designing the marketing collateral, because 'straya.

One of the most contemporary lineups the Twilight at Taronga series has seen in its 19 years running, the feathered, furred and finned will have plenty to choose from this summer. Whether the giraffes are Conor Oberst fans or the bilbies get into some sweet Belle and Sebastian remains to be seen. And you should see the also-announced Melbourne Zoo program — they get the motherflippin' Village People.

TWILIGHT AT TARONGA 2015 PROGRAM:

Friday 30 January – BERNARD FANNING, supported by Little May
Saturday 31 January – BELLE AND SEBASTIAN, supported by Special Guests
Friday 6 January – PAUL KELLY PRESENTS THE MERRI SOUL SESSIONS
featuring Clairy Browne, Kira Puru, & Vika and Linda Bull, supported by Hiatus Kaiyote
Saturday 7 February - YOU AM I, supported by Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders
Friday 13 February - SARAH BLASKO, supported by Luluc
Saturday 14 February - ANTHONY CALLEA presents Ladies & Gentlemen, The Songs of George Michael, supported by Caterina Torres
Friday 20 February - THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS, supported by Caravana Sun
Saturday 21 February – THE BAMBOOS, supported by Katalyst with special guests (Original beats set)
Friday 27 February - BOYS IN THE BAND – 50 years of hits!
Saturday 28 February - BJORN AGAIN
Friday 6 March – CONOR OBERST, supported by The Felice Brothers
Saturday 7 March - RUFUS WAINWRIGHT performing The Best of Rufus Wainwright, supported by Lucy Wainwright Roche
Friday 13 March – DAN SULTAN, supported by Benny Walker and Pierce Brothers
Saturday 14 March - JAMES MORRISON BIG BAND
Friday 20 March – SOMETHING FOR KATE, supported by Jen Cloher
Saturday 21 March - ROSS WILSON and Mental As Anything

Tickets for Twilight at Taronga's full program go on sale 9am, Friday, October 31 over here.