Cabaret found a new home in the Spiegeltent , but it had been part of the Festival programs since John Truscott presented Reg Livermore in 1990 . When Leo Schofield presented the Australian debuts of Barbara Cook , Michael Feinstein and Betty Buckley , he put them in the historic Myer Mural Hall , a venue also used for Joel Grey in 1997 , Amanda McBroom in 1999 and Freddy Cole , Nat King Cole ’ s younger brother , in 2000 . The Famous Spiegeltent , one of a handful of Belgium mirror tents still surviving , was ideal for contemporary cabaret such as the cult trio The Tiger Lillies , seen there in 2004 , or the inimitable Meow Meow and her beyond glamorous performances .
The volume on contemporary music was turned up from 2007 . Kristy Edmunds presented the extensive Patti Smith survey and programmed a strong line-up in The Famous Spiegeltent . She also created the Beck ’ s Bar at the Meat Market that , during Brett Sheehy ’ s time , moved to the Forum as the Beck ’ s Rumpus Room . Edmunds . In 2004 , Robyn Archer commissioned Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach to perform Kura Tungar — Songs from the River with the Australian Art Orchestra . And in 2006 , Edmunds presented Murundak by The Black Arm Band , who were to become Festival regulars .
With the increasing focus on contemporary music in the Festival program , Artistic Directors also began to work with specialist curators , in much the same way as had been common for the visual arts . Brett Sheehy worked with Hannah Fox and Tom Supple and programmed main stage performances including the return of John Cale in 2010 ; alternative country band Okkervil River ; and hip-hop poet-laureate Aesop Rock in 2011 . In 2012 , the same year that Antony and the Johnsons performed Swanlights , members of iconic band Sonic Youth , Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo , collaborated across several events . During Ridge ’ s three years , an even greater emphasis was placed on contemporary music , both for its intrinsic importance as well as its potential to reach new audiences .
The Foxtel Festival Hub , established on the banks of the Yarra in 2012 , is a music venue with a reputation for exciting live experiences : Ólafur Arnalds , Nils Frahm , Rowland S . Howard tribute night , Snarky Puppy and post-punk legends The Fall have all played there . The vision for the contemporary music program broadened during Ridge ’ s years working with curator Declan Forde . Artists included Amadou and Mariam from Mali ; The Cinematic Orchestra from the UK ; traditional music group , The Gloaming , from Ireland ; and jazz guitar legends Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin . In 2015 , film composer Clint Mansell visited , and four of Australia ’ s most popular artists — Courtney Barnett , Jen Cloher , Adalita and Gareth Liddiard — combined for sold-out tribute concerts to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Patti Smith ’ s seminal album Horses .
“ The Famous Spiegeltent , one of a handful of Belgium mirror tents still surviving , was ideal for contemporary cabaret .
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/ Music