Presented by JOLT Arts and PBS 106.7FM

Striding forth from the history books, internationally pioneering Cyprus-born Australian artist Stelarc will be sharing some of his latest wearable machines: wrist synthesizers designed in collaboration with JOLT Arts engineers (Richie Allen & James Hullick) and the Noise Scavengers (artists living with neurodiversities).

“Legendary Australian performance artist Stelarc is known for going to extremes, from aggressive voluntary surgeries and robotic third arms to flesh-hook suspensions and prosthetics. For more than four decades, he's used his body as a canvas for art on the very edge of human experience.” Wired.

Presented as part performance art and part avant-garde sound show, Stelarc will be sharing the stage with a trio from the BOLT Ensemble:

Nat Grant: drums
Sooji Kim: synths
Miranda Hill: double bass

The performance will launch the album Stellar Metal Arc, by Stelarc and the BOLT Ensemble.

And welcoming trailblazing Japanese free form noise/rock/avant duo HUH, who put the unfettered scream back into punk. HUH is one of the major shining lights in the Japanese avant-garde.

Kyosuke Terada: electric guitar
Takuma Mori: drums

Starting off the night will be James Hullick and a different configuration of the BOLT Ensemble, launching the album Strange is the New Normal:

“his face painted in garish colours and head dusted with glitter – wringing thunderous sound from his electric guitar, channelling Bowie and Hendrix. Sung by the composer in guttural, sometimes screaming tones in a powerful, heartfelt performance of fractured sound and fury.” Limelight.

2024 was a huge year for Hullick and the BOLT Ensemble who topped it off with an acclaimed performance at the Sydney Opera House.

BOLT Members in this set:
Hamish Upton: Drums
Karl Willebrandt: bass
Hullick: voice/guitars/electronics

About the BOLT Ensemble: Founded in 2002, this unique ensemble is a collective of outstanding orchestral, rock and other musicians who perform avant-garde projects generated by JOLT Arts.

This project is supported by the Australia Japan Foundation.