CRH Presents: Switched On

CRH Presents: Switched On flicks the switch on an iconic venue and activates the Hall in a new light. A sonic shift to contemporary music and a whole new dimension in listening.

ARTIST LINE-UP

ÁSGEIR

Friday 2 June 2023, 8pm

One of Iceland’s most successful exports, Ásgeir’s distinctly Icelandic sound blends acoustic and electronic music with his trademark lilting vocals.

CASH SAVAGE & THE LAST DRINKS

Saturday 3 June 2023, 8pm

A pillar of Melbourne’s music and queer communities, Cash Savage and her colossal band The Last Drinks celebrate the release of their new album, So This Is Love.

YAZMIN LACEY

Wednesday 7 June 2023, 7pm

In a short time, Yazmin Lacey’s become known for making intimate experiences feel both deeply personal and universal through a beat driven take on soul and R&B.

OBONGJAYAR

Friday 16 June 2023, 8pm

Obongjayar brings characteristic poeticism and drum-driven, oozy club beats to CRH’s Switched On series with his latest album, genre-defiant Some Nights I Dream of Doors.

CERRONE

Thursday 8 June, 8pm

Endlessly sampled, often imitated yet never duplicated. The godfather of French filter, Cerrone has remained a legend of disco from its inception to its revival.

THE PHARCYDE WITH MASTA ACE & MARCO POLO

Friday 9 June, 8pm

Los Angeles alternative hip hop pioneers The Pharcyde celebrate 30 years of their ground-breaking debut album with a block-rocking golden era party alongside legendary NYC wordsmith Masta Ace – can’t stop, won’t stop!

ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER

Saturday 10 June, 8pm

Heroes in a hot minute, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever are a tour de force of sprawling, angular guitar riffs that leave just enough room for infectious pop melodies and bright, shimmering moments.

Past Shows

MONOLAKE (ROBERT HENKE) & ELECTRIC INDIGO

Friday 24 March 2023, 8pm

For over two decades now, Susanne Kirchmayr (aka Electric Indigo) and Robert Henke (aka Monolake) have shaped electronic music culture in profound ways. For their first joint tour in the Southern Hemisphere, they premiere newly developed performances.

Image: Jess Gleeson

THE TEACHES OF PEACHES

Saturday 4 March 2023, 8pm

Feminist icon and pop provocateur Peaches performs her seminal electroclash album The Teaches of Peaches in full to celebrate its 20th anniversary and Sydney WorldPride at City Recital Hall.

Image: Mikki Gomez

NAKHANE

Friday 3 March 2023, 8pm

Celebrated polymath Nakhane has been hailed as "a real star in the making" who "makes the dancefloor a place of tenderness". Challenging stereotypes of gender, sexuality and religion, their powerful odes to self-expression have garnered the adoration of fans worldwide.

Image: Mikki Gomez

THE CHILLS

Thursday 16 February 2023, 8pm

Get your jangle on to the joyous indie-pop mastery of The Chills. A swoon-worthy night of Heavenly Pop Hits from Martin Phillipps and his brilliant band.

Image: Vitor Duarte

EMMA DONOVAN & PAUL GRABOWSKY

Thursday 19 January 2023, 7pm

The voice of Emma Donovan carries deep currents in this tribute to country gospel from a powerhouse of soul, enriched by pianist Paul Grabowsky and his inimitable arrangements.

Image: Jess Gleeson

ALEX THE ASTRONAUT

Friday 19 August 2022, 8pm

Described as one of Australia’s “most powerful and important songwriters”, Alex the Astronaut imbues the seemingly mundane with sensitivity, humour and self-reflection centered around electronic-tinged folk-pop melodies.

Image: Jess Gleeson

LULUC & GRACE CUMMINGS

Friday 29 July 2022, 8pm

Melbourne dream-folk duo Luluc bring their pristine harmonies and sublime poetics to Switched On with support from Grace Cummings.

Images: Jess Gleeson

CEDRIC BURNSIDE

Saturday 19 March 2022, 8pm

Multiple Grammy nominee Cedric Burnside embodies the ancestral blues of his grandfather R.L. Burnside, and adds a personal resonance informed by the Mississippi’s modern-day blues.

Image: Mikki Gomez

SPRINGTIME

Thursday 24 February 2022, 8pm

Three titans meet as Springtime; incandescent frontman Gareth Liddiard, poetic drummer Jim White and spatial pianist, Chris Abrahams conjure wild, beautiful and emotionally powerful music.

Image: Jess Gleeson

MICHAEL ROTHER AND FRIENDS — 50 YEARS OF NEU!

Thursday 23 March 2023, 8pm

As a founding member of Neu! Michael Rother has cast a line of inspiration that has shaped numerous musical generations. Neu! 50 is a recognition and a celebration of the legacy of these pioneering musicians.
Show did not proceed as planned.

YANN TIERSEN

Saturday 18 March 2023, 8pm

Celebrated Breton composer and multi-instrumentalist Yann Tiersen returns to Australia for the first time in more than five years, bringing an immersive electronic performance to City Recital Hall in support of his acclaimed new album.
Show did not proceed as planned.

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Switched On is supported by Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund - an Australian Government Initiative.

Switched On is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW. 

Image: Mikki Gomez, Switched On: The Teaches of Peaches, City Recital Hall, March 2023