Zoo Twilights at Melbourne Zoo today announce their full lineup for their annual summer concert series. Running every weekend in 2018 from Friday 26 January until Saturday 10 March, Zoo Twilights is the ultimate destination for music lovers of all ages, offering the unparalleled thrill of live music set within the Zoo’s world-class grounds, with every ticket sold going back into Zoos Victoria’s ongoing commitment to fight extinction.
Joining the already announced piano-maverick Ben Folds, the 2018 program boasts a fresh mix of talent from revered international acts to local heroes, many of whom make their debut Zoo Twilights performance this year.
With Motown-inspired soul sounds and consecutive sold out shows under their belts, Melbourne’s The Teskey Brothers will do the honours opening the series with a triumphant hometown show. They are joined by the loved six-piece Saskwatch, who return to the Zoo for the first time since supporting the late, great Charles Bradley. Also on opening weekend, we bring you Grammy-nominated indie-electronic pioneers Cut Copy who have just released their acclaimed fifth album Haiku From Zero. Aussie power pop legends Sunnyboys are joined by protest pub rockers Painters and Dockers for a rare performance, and The Cat Empire are bringing their high energy, virtuosic live show accompanied by the steady groove of Allysha Joy.
One of the world’s greatest living songwriters, the legendary Neil Finn and his son Liam Finn are coming together to perform new material from their forthcoming album, along with songs from the Split Enz and Crowded House songbooks backed by an all-star band. The madness and mayhem of RocKwiz LIVE! will bring an evening of rock knowledge and dazzling duets hosted by Julia Zemiro and Brian Nankervis, free from the constraints of a studio and backed by the world-class RocKwiz Orchestra.
Hear the future sounds from way out – and from Melbourne – with the twice Grammy-nominated inventive soul group Hiatus Kaiyote and Harvey Sutherland with his live band Bermuda. The Preatures will bring their new album Girlhood to life with support from indie-pop guitarist Ali Barter. World-renowned Aussie rockers Jet perform their first Melbourne headline show since disbanding in 2012 with support from pop-punk trio Spazzys playing their first live show since they can’t remember when. Lauded Brooklyn four-piece Grizzly Bear will also grace our stage in support of their critically acclaimed fifth album Painted Ruins.
Backed by a string quartet, four-time Helpmann Award winner Kate Miller-Heidke will close out the series with support from the freshest new voice in Australian pop and soul, Odette.
We are thrilled to work with Melbourne-based illustrator Eirian Chapman this year to develop the 2018 Zoo Twilights artwork, featuring the very special Eastern Barred Bandicoot and some of its furry friends from Melbourne Zoo.
Zoo Twilights is one of the country’s premier open-air events, with food trucks and bars mere steps away as some of the world’s finest acts perform amongst the Zoo’s lush greenery. Every concert is open to all ages and as a not-for-profit organisation, it’s all for a good cause. Every ticket sold through Zoo Twilights goes back into Zoos Victoria’s ongoing commitment to fight extinction of the 21 most at-risk species in Victoria, including the Eastern Barred Bandicoot which is sadly extinct on the mainland.
Zoo Twilights is taking place on land that belongs to the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay respect to this country’s First People past and present, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.
ZOO TWILIGHTS AT MELBOURNE ZOO 2018
Every weekend from Friday 26 January – Saturday 10 March 2018
Friday 26 January – The Teskey Brothers, supported by Saskwatch
Saturday 27 January – Cut Copy, with special guests
Friday 2 February – Sunnyboys, supported by Painters and Dockers
Saturday 3 February – The Cat Empire, supported by Allysha Joy
Friday 9 February – The Preatures, supported by Ali Barter
Saturday 10 February – RocKwiz LIVE!
Friday 16 February – Ben Folds, supported by Lucy Rose
Saturday 24 February – Neil & Liam Finn, with special guests
Friday 2 March – Hiatus Kaiyote and Harvey Sutherland
Saturday 3 March – Jet, supported by Spazzys
Friday 9 March – Grizzly Bear, with special guests
Saturday 10 March – Kate Miller-Heidke with String Quartet, supported by Odette