Parramatta Lanes’ music and art line-up hits all the right notes

Visitors to Parramatta Lanes this year will be treated to a buffet of performances and art installations by some of Sydney’s most talented musicians, DJs and artists over four huge nights, from Tuesday 15 October to Friday 18 October.

Just like the festival’s eclectic food offerings, the wide variety of music styles on the program ensures there’s something to suit all tastes. Ranging from soul and jazz, to hip hop, rock and pop, 14 lanes across the Parramatta CBD will be pumping.

“Every year Parramatta Lanes grows bigger and better, and with such an incredible calibre of performers and artists complementing the fantastic food and drink offerings at this year’s event, it is set to be the best yet,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said.

“This event gives Parramatta the opportunity to showcase the City’s vibrant and diverse arts and culture scene, not only to local residents but to visitors from across Sydney.”

MUSIC LINE-UP

FBi Radio will be presenting a curated selection of local and Greater Sydney talent, including imbi the girl, A Swayze & The Ghosts, Slim Set, Gordon Koang, and Godtet, live on the FBi Emporium stage outside The Coffee Emporium at Erby Place.

For those looking to party like it’s 1999, head to the Eat Street Rooftop where Mike Akox, Raj Mahal, and D Minor will get the fun started. DJ Levins will be hosting a 90s party, featuring Joanne singing her hit song “Jackie”, while Bingo Loco will give the classic parlour game a unique twist.

Over at the Dirrabarri Car Park, Parramatta local Beatdisc Records has put together a line-up that includes indie/folk artists Jamie Hutchings and Hedy Blaazer, and bands Amends and Billy Burke & The Tears. The music will keep coming with sets from Bodega Collective and Filter Zine, GLO and Mohi, Spvrrow, Fishing DJs, Gibrillah, Midnight Pool Party, Poison Abbey and more. 

Andy Trieu, host of SBS Pop Asia, along with DJ Cypherdrone, will have the K-Pop fans dancing in the Roxy Carpark in Hawker Lane, while DJ Rammy will bring the Riverbank to life with Bollywood beats.

Rock ’n’ soul lovers need look no further than Centenary Square, where Cass Greeves and the Ragin Cajuns, Rosa Maria, and Soul Of Sydney will be lighting up the stage as the chefs turn up the heat on the barbeques.

For something out of this world, check out at the University of New England’s SPACE experience, which features space-themed music performances from highly regarded recorder player Alana Blackburn, and a Toy Piano Orchestra made up of 12 toy pianos, among others.

Head to Willow Grove for the Western Sydney Poetry Slam Finals on Tuesday, as well as the soulful vocal stylings of Mariam Sawires, Ella Haber, and Esme. The Asthmatix and Colin Ho will also bring their entertaining acts to this historical setting.

ART INSTALLATIONS

Parramatta Artists’ Studios (PAS) will once again open its doors to the public, giving Laners the opportunity to peek inside the studios and meet the artists. This year, resident artist Louise Zhang has created a whimsical Chinese Garden installation in collaboration with Dylan Batty. Visitors are invited to make their own rainbow fish to add to the artwork. Louise has also created a second installation, Scholar Garden, in Batman Walk.

Festival attendees will see the work of PAS artist Nadia Odlum on banners around the City and on Koi Dessert Bar’s bespoke layered cake. Her abstract piece, titled Our Intertwining Lives, expresses the ways our paths cross with others while navigating urban environments. Nadia will do a live painting of her artwork in a walkway next to Meriton Suites on opening night.

Roxy Walk and Erby Place will be lit up by more than 25 illuminated flowers by Nick Athanasiou from Skunk Control. The flowers represent the connection between Parramatta and ideas and progress.

Amigo and Amigo + Parramatta Marist High School have collaborated to create an immersive installation in Red Cow Lane. Their Wasting Oceans artwork, made from waterway pollutants, aims to highlight the impact man-made waste has on our oceans. Through bike power, festival goers can help draw attention to the impact plastic is having on our oceans.

Playful and energetic artworks by multimedia artist Made by Tsuki will be projected on the Roxy Carpark. From floating chrome dragons to rainbow noodle bars, these 3D make-believe worlds are inspired by both old and new Asian culture.

On the Riverbank, visitors will be able in walk, sit and climb in around a sculpture by Renzo B. Larriviere and Paul Steven Pena Castro. Made from Polyethylene spheres, Plasma will change colour and light intensity over time, creating a spectacular and unique light show.

For the full program, visit parramattalanes.com.au