Sport and music don’t always make for the best doubles partners (as these horrible half-time performances can attest).
But following on from this year’s successful Hunters & Collectors-headlined AFL Grand Final program, another major sporting body is set to serve up an ace selection of live music, with the Australian Open announcing the 2014 live lineup.
Following on from this year’s successful program, the Heineken Live Stage will once again take to the Grand Slam Oval in January 2014, providing live music for every night of the Australian Open’s two week tenure.
The 2014 lineup, running from 13th January through to the Grand Slam finals on 26th January, has been curated by the Michael and Matt Gudinski’s Mushroom Group, featuring a number of acts associated with the company’s many label subsidies, a few exciting additions, and a special international guest.
Headlining the music entertainment on the final weekend of the Australian Open is sophisticated singer-songwriter Clare Bowditch and swaggering soul rockers The Rubens, who will be performing on the night of the Women’s and Men’s tournament finals respectively.
“We can’t believe we’re playing on men’s final night at the Australian Open, and on Australia Day no less!” remarked The Rubens. “We are all big tennis fans, so it’s most certainly a special gig for us. And we have our fingers crossed for an Aussie in the final too,” add the band.
Also performing live on the Heineken Live Stage for 2014 are some of the country’s best emerging artists including Sydney’s break-out five-piece The Preatures, Melbourne’s soul-certified nine-piece Saskwatch, and electro connoisseurs World’s End Press.
There’s also live performances from the Findlay siblings of Stonefield, electro-tinged songbird Owl Eyes, the ever-rocking British India, emerging stars Snakadaktal, live electronic four-piece City Calm Down, what will be well-honed turns from veteran Aussie musicians Daryl Braithwaite and Jon Stevens, plus a performance from Mahalia Barnes (daughter of Cold Chisel lung-belter Jimmy Barnes).
English DJ and BBC Radio 1 presenter Pete Tong will also be heading over for the Australian Open, performing as a very special international guest to close out the first week of live music celebrations, which will kick off from 6pm each day and open to all Australian Open spectators throughout the two-week season.
“Mushroom is thrilled to be involved with the Australian Open,” said Mushroom Group Executive Director Matt Gudinski of the tennis live music lineup.
“As Melburnians it’s exciting for us to see the best of music and sport combined – two things we love. We’re especially proud to see the inclusion of so many great emerging bands like The Rubens, World’s End Press and The Preatures on the line-up, which says something both about the event’s support for local culture and also the thriving state of new Australian music.”
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley shared the Mushroom head’s enthusiasm; “The Australian Open is an event intrinsic to the Australian summer and it’s fitting to have home grown music as the soundtrack.”
Australian Open 2014 Lineup
The Heineken Live Stage
Mon 13 Jan – Sakswatch
Tue 14 Jan – World’s End Press
Wed 15 Jan – Snakadaktal
Thu 16 Jan – Mahalia Barnes
Fri 17 Jan – Stonefield
Sat 18 Jan – Pete Tong
Sun 19 Jan – Jon Stevens
Mon 20 Jan – The Preatures
Tue 21 Jan – City Calm Down
Wed 22 Jan – Daryl Braithwaite
Thu 23 Jan – Owl Eyes
Fri 24 Jan – British India
Sat 25 Jan – Clare Bowditch
Sun 26 Jan – The Rubens
Tickets to the Australian Open 2014 are now on sale through www.ticketek.com.au
Australian Open 2014 will take place at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, from 13 to 16 January
