GOLDFRAPP LIVE | MEDIA RELEASE 14 Mar 2017

Trailblazing UK electronic dance outfit, Goldfrapp will perform exclusively at Carriageworks on Friday 2 June as part of Vivid Sydney, to coincide with the global release of their highly anticipated new album, Silver Eye – the band’s first offering in four years. This concert marks the legendary duo’s first appearance in Sydney since 2010 and their only Australian performance as part of a worldwide tour. Internationally renowned for their electric live shows, Alison Goldfrapp (vocals) and Will Gregory (synthesizer) will be joined on stage by a full live band performing tracks from soon-to-be-released Silver Eye and their full repertoire of Grammy-nominated hits.

With Silver Eye (their seventh studio album), Goldfrapp follow up the success of Tales of Us (2013) with a deep, dark and electronic musical palette, made with an eclectic collection of new collaborators. Alison and Will spent ten days in Dallas with John Congleton, Grammy-winning producer of St. Vincent, John Grant and Wild Beasts. In London they teamed up with electronic composer Bobby Krlic, aka The Haxan Cloak. Brian Eno collaborator Leo Abrahams added abstract guitar textures. The album was mixed by David Wrench (The xx, fka Twigs, Caribou).

The aesthetic of the concert will be informed by Alison’s travels to Fuerteventura, a volcanic island in the Canary Islands, where she personally conceptualised and photographed the remarkable visuals for the record. The black sands, stark cliffs, rolling dunes and blazing blue skies complement the elemental drama of the music on the album.

Since their Mercury Prize shortlisted debut Felt Mountain (2000), Goldfrapp have sought to consistently innovate their sound and striking visual aesthetic, whilst retaining exquisite arrangements that underscore Alison’s extraordinary voice. A series of successful album releases also include Black Cherry (2003), Supernature (2005), Seventh Tree (2009) and Head First (2010), which have earned the band a fierce allegiance of fans worldwide, three number one dance singles in the US and multiple Grammy nominations.
Silver Eye, (a reference to the moon) teems with images of the natural world, set to the mantric power of rhythm. It harks back to the pulsing, electronic lineage of Black Cherry and Supernature, only deeper and darker, evoking pagan ritual over club soundtrack. An absorbing electronic album that blends cinematic pop with a twist.

This is the fourth year Carriageworks has been involved in Vivid Sydney, the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas.

Carriageworks’ Director Lisa Havilah commented: “We’re excited to continue our successful association with Vivid Sydney in 2017 to present a dynamic program of events celebrating high calibre music, arts and culinary experiences. We look forward to welcoming local, interstate and international audiences to experience our exciting Vivid Sydney program.”

Alison Goldfrapp said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been invited to such a wonderful and spectacular festival. We can’t wait to perform in Australia again.”

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer and Vivid Sydney Executive Producer Sandra Chipchase said: “Following the huge success of previous Vivid Music events with Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones and Björk, Carriageworks has once again raised the bar and Goldfrapp promises to be one of this year’s Vivid Music highlights.”

The Vivid Sydney announcement adds to the Carriageworks’ 2017 Artistic Program, which represents the most ambitious program to date for Australia’s leading contemporary multi-arts precinct. Carriageworks has undergone unparalleled growth over the past five years, welcoming more than 1 million visitors in 2016. The 2017 Artistic Program brings together a risk-taking, culturally diverse line-up of more than 53 projects, spanning visual arts, dance, performance, film, talks and music which will support over 80 artists.