Vivid kicked off in Sydney over the weekend, while Melbourne’s Rising starts in a little over a week. A bit late in the game for line-up changes, but the two festivals have just welcomed a massive new act into their programs.
The legendary Madlib wears many hats: he’s a hip-hop producer, DJ, rapper and multi-instrumentalist. He sampled his first song at the age of 11, and has been working in the music industry for the last 30 years. He’s also the newly announced headliner for massive parties at both festivals.
Madlib’s now on the bill for Astral People’s full-venue takeover of Carriageworks, which also features American R’n’B experimentalist Liv.e, Bok Bok and Girl Unit from UK electronic label Night Slugs, Sydney producer Skeleten, Melbourne duo Close Counters, Tokyo-born violinist and producer Elle Shimada, and plenty more.
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SHOP NOWHe’s also playing a DJ set at a massive closing night party for Rising at The Forum in Melbourne. Expect more club guests to be added to the line-up soon.
It’s been 12 years since Madlib’s last Australian show. He’s worked with some of the biggest figures in hip-hop and electronic music, including MF Doom (the pair’s 2004 collaboration Madvillainy is considered a game-changer), Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg, Freddie Gibbs (check out their NPR Tiny Desk Concert), Four Tet, J Dilla and Talib Kweli, just to name a few. He’s also currently working with late rapper and producer Mac Miller’s estate on a posthumous EP.
Madlib replaces star producer and Brainfeeder label head Flying Lotus, who was set to headline both events but will no longer be performing “due to unforeseen circumstances”, according to Carriageworks.
Tickets to Astral People at Carriageworks and Rising’s wrap party at The Forum are on sale now.
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