The Ten Best Things to See at the Brisbane Festival 2014

Ahh, September in Brisbane. The days are getting warmer, the sun has made its glorious return, and it marks one of the most exciting months on the local calendar. The Brisbane Festival is back for 2014, boasting a bigger lineup of events than ever before. There is bound to be something for all tastes and temperaments — from the loud and raucous to immersive artistic experiences that tingle the senses.

The hardest part is simply choosing which sight, sound or sensation to indulge in next. Never fear, the overwhelming task is made easy, courtesy of your friends at Concrete Playground. Here are our picks for the Brisbane Festival season.

Juana Molina

Heralding from Argentina, the enigmatic Juana Molina makes her Brisbane Festival debut in 2014 for a one-night-only performance guaranteed to dazzle. Described as “Spanish-sung folktronica”, Juana’s performances are as unique as they are playful, full to the brim with experimentation and honest passion in song. Continuing soundscapes full of surprises, never dull or anticipated. Some have attempted to pigeonhole Juana, tried to fit her into a niche genre or have compared her to other songstresses such as Beth Orton or Bjork while trying to describe her sound; one of the most admirable characteristics of Juana is her very selfness, her unique sensibilities and authentic original sound.

September 25, Spiegeltent

Prehistoric

Cast your mind back to Brisbane in the 1970s. We had the first round of flooding, a tumultuous political climate, the fashions were fantastic and the music still as good today as it was some 40 years ago. Prehistoric looks at Brisbane’s flowering music industry during the ‘70s, following the lives of four young adults as they learn what it means to express themselves under an intolerant government. This is a tribute to the sparks of creativity, those who had their time in the spotlight who gave it their all but perhaps were not to be heard from again.

September 23-27, The Loft (QUT Creative Industries Precinct)

Com Truise

Seth Haley, known to fans as Com Truise, will make the air in the Spiegeltent a little harder to breathe. Heavy, silky synths meet funk in its minute, trudging detail; Com Truise slows down the beat, bringing to mind gems from the ‘80s, but with a twist on a darker, seductive side. New Order meets Knight Rider as heard through a pounding crowd, a Sega standalone arcade game that has had a grape-flavoured Slush Puppy poured over its controls. Punchy, confident, eerily familiar but not as you remember it… Com Truise is your hero of parachute pants with a suit jacket.

September 11, Spiegeltent

Squidboy

What happens when you combine the imagination of a squid and a sailor’s stories of a long, lost love? Well… nothing immediately comes to mind. Thankfully, the creative genius of Gaulier-trained clown Trygve Wakenshaw can, and will, connect the dots. This award-winning, critically acclaimed one-man-show is leaving audiences in stitches from Melbourne all the way to the Edinburgh Fringe. It’s as innovative as it is outrageous and, considering the singular mind it comes from, has to be seen to be believed. Trygve is also (thankfully) responsible for the parallel production of mime and mouthsound masterpiece, Kraken – a side-splitting tale that takes place on the ocean floor, of course. Join in the fun that will take you to the deepest depths of your imagination.

September 16-20, La Boite Studio

Bombay Royale

The most exotic and exciting corners of the globe converge for Bombay Royale, a pop-culture fan’s dream. Taking the best from modern day cinema, classic theatre, traditional performance and all taken a little tongue-in-cheek, Bombay Royale have been celebrated the world over, finding homes and fans wherever they go. Think the drama of Quentin Tarantino, the thrills of Indiana Jones, the spectacle of Bollywood and the fun of Goldfinger, and you’re halfway there. This is a must-see for the entire family, or perhaps a group of friends looking to let their hair down.

September 24, Spiegeltent

Scotch and Soda

The whimsy of daring acrobatics clashes in the most spectacular way with the rambunctious sounds of inspired music-makers to bring us Scotch and Soda. The stars of circus acts ‘Cantina’ and ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ are the misfits who bring the trouble to the hazy music hall of madness. They’re joined by The Crusty Suitcase Band, aptly named for their nomadic nature, taking big, brassy and boisterous sounds wherever they wander. This production has received rave reviews from the Sydney Festival, and it’s no mystery as to why. With character a-plenty, this is not your typical circus ring, but a dirty, raw show that will leave you sweating in your seat and wanting more.

September 23-27, Judith Wright Centre

Tawdry Heartburn's Manic Cures

Have you got something to get off your chest? Visit Tawdry, the six-foot-five “manic-curist” who is here to prep your pinkies and settle your nerves, ready to share those secrets that keep weighing you down. Tawdry will professionally paint and polish your nails and read your palm before placing in front of you a typewriter, or “gossip machine”. Here you are invited to share your secret, something that has worried you, held you back, something you no longer need to hold on to. The anonymous secrets are locked away, and posted later on on Tawdry’s web wall in the hopes to lift the burden off the millions and heal the consternation of millions, one set of hands at a time. This is a free, interactive art exhibition, one which will be a one-of-a-kind experience as well as a wonderful work in progress to view throughout the festival.

September 9-27, Theatre Republic

The Shadow King

Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, King Lear, is given a hard-hitting facelift by way of The Shadow King. Provocative, and enduring, the tale of two Indigenous families in Australia’s north is one of nation and of family, questioning what we know about the notions of country and loyalty, interlinking itself with the history of our nation. The Shadow King boasts a live rock score, a star-studded cast and a story that is told through modern English and Kriol languages. Premiering in late 2013, The Shadow King has since been nominated for Best Play at the Helpmann Awards, and won Best Director. A play that asks more questions than it answers and cuts to the core of the founding priorities of community, this is a rare chance to see a play worth talking about.

September 9-13, Brisbane Powerhouse

Spiegeltent Garden Bar

In amongst the festivities of this gem of an event, you’ll possibly want to take a load off, maybe catch up with friends, grab a nibble or a bubbly beverage of some sort and soak up the atmosphere of the heart of the Brisbane Festival - the Spiegeltent Garden Bar is just the place that ticks all of these boxes. Not only is this an open-air bar, it’s an eatery, a venue for live entertainment throughout the month with river views and overflowing attraction. Each year there is a different art installation to walk or wade through, lights lacing every possible direction and you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to ordering from the menus. Even if you are keeping your festival itinerary light and casual, this is a must-see stop on every festival experience.

September 5-27, South Bank Cultural Forecourt

Santos GLNG Twilight Music Series

As the Brisbane Festival continues to evolve, so too does the scope of possibilities presented by lounging on the river front, sipping on a glass of wine at dusk. This year, there are a host of performances designed to accommodate just that, and they are as varied and exciting as the rest of the festival’s offerings. Pack the picnic blanket and basket, your snacks and drinks of choice and head to the green grassy area just over from the Spiegeltent area, and you will find a live act to perfectly complement your evening. The likes of Steve Smyth, Sophie Hutchings and rising star Japanese Wallpaper are just some of the selections of artists who will take to the alfresco stage throughout the month. Be sure to check the schedule, as well as what you can and cannot take into the picnic area.

September 6-26, River Quay Green

And also…

There are a number of familiar faces gracing stages throughout the Brisbane Festival. The likes of Andy Bull, Phil Jamieson (Grinspoon), Miami Horror and Brisbane’s own The Kite String Tangle are making a special pit-stop at the Spiegeltent on their way around the country. Sessions designed to inform as well as entertain will take place throughout the month, with the folks from the ABC sharing their stories, along with creatives opening up their minds and sources of inspiration - Festival Conversations and the Creative Forum might be worth a look whether you are business- or creatively-minded. And don’t forget, September 27 is the night the Brisbane River ignites for the Sunsuper Riverfire!