The Melbourne seven piece will unleash their head-spinning odyssey of progressive soul on Hamer Hall in 2024.
Melbourne’s very own boundary-pushing music maestros, Hiatus Kaiyote, have sent shockwaves through the music scene with the announcement of their most colossal show to date.
This seven-piece ensemble, boasting multiple GRAMMY nominations, is set to take their audience on an unforgettable musical odyssey on the night of Friday, 23rd February 2024 as Hamer Hall in Naarm/Melbourne becomes the exclusive stage for this unforgettable experience, brought to you by Niche Productions.
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For one night only, Hiatus Kaiyote will join forces with The Dreamboat Orchestra, their sound beautifully complemented by orchestral arrangements from the genius, Miguel Atwood Fergsuon. Music aficionados may recall Fergsuon’s work on the cult-classic J Dilla score ‘Suite For Ma Dukes’ and the brilliant arrangements of Brazilian legend Arthur Verocai. This one-of-a-kind event promises to be a showcase of the band’s extensive repertoire, spanning across their three critically acclaimed albums, along with tantalizing previews of unreleased tracks.
In a statement about their forthcoming Hamer Hall performance, the members of Hiatus Kaiyote expressed their excitement, saying, “After orchestra shows at Hollywood Bowl and Sydney Opera House we’re thrilled to bring them to our hometown. It will be a dream to perform these stunning arrangements in the Hamer Hall, we can’t wait to share this experience with you.”
Hiatus Kaiyote, based in Naarm/Melbourne, boasts a global fan base and is composed of Naomi ‘Nai Palm’ Saalfield (guitar, vocals), Paul Bender (bass), Simon Mavin (keys), and Perrin Moss (drums). They burst onto the international music scene in 2012 with their debut LP, ‘Tawk Tomahawk’. The album received praise from musical luminaries such as Erykah Badu, Questlove, and Prince, while DJs like BBC’s Gilles Peterson, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Anthony Valadez (KCRW/Morning Becomes Eclectic) embraced their unique sound.
Their journey to recognition led to their first R&B Grammy nomination for ‘Nakamarra,’ followed by another nod for ‘Breathing Underwater’ from their second album, ‘Choose Your Weapon,’ released in 2015. Their music, often described as ‘neo-soul’ or ‘future soul,’ transcends conventional genre labels and is simply referred to as ‘wondercore’ by the band.
Hiatus Kaiyote’s music has found a place in the hearts of hip-hop artists like The Carters (Beyonce & Jay-Z), Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, Chance The Rapper, and even Drake, who collaborated with Nai Palm on his ‘Scorpion’ album. Their influence also extends to jazz, with Robert Glasper inviting the band to participate in his album of Miles Davis remakes, ‘Everything’s Beautiful.’ The band’s records and live performances have garnered praise from prestigious publications such as The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times, where Jon Pareles aptly described their music as something that “stretches and bends every parameter.”
In 2021, Hiatus Kaiyote made a triumphant return with their first new album in over five years, ‘Mood Valiant,’ released under Brainfeeder Records/Ninja Tune. This marked the beginning of a post-pandemic international tour, spanning three continents, and included mesmerizing performances alongside a full orchestra at venues like the Hollywood Bowl, Fuji Rock Festival, and an unforgettable headline show to nearly 5000 fans at O2 Brixton Academy.
Presale tickets will go on sale at 1pm AEDT on Tuesday 24th October, access here. General public on sale will go live at 1pm AEDT on Thursday 26th October, via the Arts Center Melbourne website.
