In a first for Play On, classical percussionist Thea Rossen and her ensemble, the Ad Lib Collective, join forces with Melbourne dance music royalty Sleep D for a world premiere live improvised collaboration.

Set One — Thea Rossen + Ad Lib Collective

To begin, Rossen and her group present a program for mixed ensemble specially curated to take advantage of the unique concrete resonance and long natural reverb of the underground car park. Featuring works by Andy Akiho and the breathtaking ‘Ming Qi’ by beloved Melbourne composer Liza Lim, the program is unified by the haunting and fragile ‘Postludes’ for bowed vibraphone by contemporary American composer Elliot Cole.

Following this program, Sleep D join the group on stage for a 15-minute live improvised collaboration before taking over and going on a deep electronic journey, performing a 1.5hr dance set using sounds and ideas developed in and departed from the collaboration.

Set Two – Sleep D (LIVE)

From the southern fringe of Melbourne, Sleep D are quickly establishing themselves as the axis of the Australian electronic subterranean. The duo send dancers around the bend with their weekly DJ sets and compelling live performances that have transposed riverside amphitheatres, Boiler Room, Berlin Atonal, Panorama Bar, Inner Varnika and Golden Plains Festival. Founding the coveted Butter Sessions imprint, the best bits of these cerebral showcases have been soldered down into multiple EPs, as well as an ambient album on Analogue Attic.

Not only a vehicle for their DIY productions, Sleep D also use the Butter Sessions platform to prop up their peers, releasing all quality tangents of outsider house, squelching funk, hard techno and smoked out dub from locals including Tuff Sherm, Booshank, Dan White and Cale Sexton. Teaming up with Sex Tags co-creator DJ Fett Burger and Vancouver’s Jayda G on the Velvet Vortex release, the label crew now extends continents. Always at the coalface of discovery, they’ve recently launched Domestic Documents in collaboration with Noise In My Head – a series of compilations surveying independent artists who are living and producing electronic abstractions in Australia

Tickets: 

Early bird tickets are $15
Pre-sale tickets are $22 for adult and $18 for concession*
Door sales are $30 for adults and $25 concession*
*Must present valid concession card at the door to gain entry

Doors:
Doors open at 7.30pm

This event is strictly 18 years of age and over. 

Collingwood Underground Car Park is fully accessible. If you have an access enquiry or requirement please get in touch with Play On directly at [email protected].

For more information, visit the play on music website.