Now or Never launched at Docklands Studios

The City of Melbourne’s newest major festival Now or Never will return to Melbourne this August, with the 2024 program launched at Docklands Studios on June 19.

From August 22 to 31, the adventurous festival is set to make a stunning comeback with a vibrant program of more than 100 free and ticketed events and sessions exploring art, ideas, sound, and technology.

More than 250 local and international creatives, musicians, artists and thought leaders will take over iconic venues across Melbourne – presenting immersive digital art experiences, cutting-edge performances, ground-breaking music, and captivating talks.

This year’s festival theme, “Look through the image” invites audiences to interrogate what’s in front of them “to explore deeper meanings and contemplate the layers of symbolism and hidden messages within”.

NantStudios in Docklands Cinema Studios, which is home to the largest LED volume screen for virtual production in the world, will host one such momentous work performed by artist Marco Fusinato in an Australian debut.

After premiering at the Venice Bienalle 2022, Fusinato will present DESASTRES – a radical live noise-guitar performance project that synchronises sound with

image in the form of a durational solo performance installation.

“Melbourne, it’s Now or Never! The return of this extraordinary festival will enrich our events calendar, boosting visitation for our traders and stoking our economy during the traditionally quieter winter period,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.

From thought-provoking performances to late-night cultural experiences, the festival supports artistic talent and encourages knowledge, curiosity and creativity.

“Now or Never is set to draw over 200,000 visitors to the city – welcoming audiences with a variety of events across some of Melbourne’s most iconic venues, including the renowned Royal Exhibition.”

Other Now or Never 2024 program highlights include:

• A return to the Royal Exhibition Building (REB) – featuring large-scale live music and audio-visual projection works across four nights. The line-up includes multi-instrumentalist, composer, and vocalist, Eartheater, techno pioneers Sandwell District, Portuguese-born Danish singer, songwriter and record producer Erika De Casier, an Australian debut from COUCOU CHLOE, renowned Australian-born musician Ben Frost, electronic artist and First Nations Wiradjuri woman Naretha Williams and prominent British electronic musician Clark. Globally celebrated Italian techno DJ Donato Dozzy will also headline a night co-hosted by Untitled Group.
• French artist Joanie Lemercier from Studio Lemercier will present Constellations – a large-scale celestial formation which will hover above its own shimmering reflection on the Yarra River’s surface along Southbank after dark.
• Commissioned by Now or Never in a world-exclusive, iconic Melbourne act HTRK and British electronic musician Actress will come together to perform at the Melbourne Recital Centre for an incredible one-night-only collaboration.

Tickets are on sale now.