There has been radical innovation in the way we listen to music online. But where is the same transformation when it comes to experiencing live music? 

Reimagination is imperative to sustaining the creativity and careers of artists in the music industry. Audiences have an appetite for discovery. In the arts in Australia alone, thousands have experienced Next Wave, DARK MOFO, Melbourne Now, Underbelly Arts and beyond. 

Now is the time for a fresh take on the live music experience. Now is the time for Swell. ​

A First Of Its Kind

Experiential, immersive and unlike anything else. Swell sees an abandoned, never-before-seen level of one of Melbourne’s most-loved bars, The Carlton, transformed into a walk-through labyrinth of music and design during Melbourne Music Week from Friday 14 – Sunday 23 November, 2014.  

A collaboration between creative director Janenne Willis, New York-based architect Brooks Atwood, and music curator Edd Fisher, Swell breaks down the boundaries between performer and audience, and invites you into a fantasia of avant-garde rooms for exploration.

Taking cues from live interactive theatre and interior architecture, Swell is about about participation in the hidden and unfamiliar and discovering a new music love in an unconventional way.

The Line Up

Swell features a top-secret revolving door of music acts curated by Edd Fisher to complement and challenge the architectural and spatial design by Brooks Atwood.

The format of Swell is not the traditional headliner and support acts. We can reveal that the line-up will be a surprising and astounding mix of genres, including psychedelic funk, contemporary improvised jazz, cutting edge beatmakers, dreamy soundscapes, vocal harmonies and Americana.

Why Support Us?

In one sense that's tricky, because Swell is a first of its kind experience. It's like trying to convince people who dig Disc-mans that they should invest in this thing called an iPod. They don't know how much their going to love iPod until it's here. 

In another sense it's easy. You should support us if you:

#1  Are keen to be a part of a world first music experience. 

#2 Want to help artists innovate around their live offering and create a sustainable source of income

#3 Think emerging music matters and that the world would be well, ehh without it

Last year we travelled the world looking for something like Swell and we found zip. So this is it! Once you've experienced Swell, we know you're going to want to do it again and again.  Be one of the first to pioneer Swell, and then help us bring it back to you! 

What We Need Your Help To Fund..

•  Payment of our emerging creative talent: musicians, artists, performers, filmmakers, photographers

•  Set design and fit out: spaces that are architecturally designed and constructed in a first of their kind way

•  Audio visual equipment: PA’s, decks and all the good stuff we need to blow your sonic minds 

Media

Other Ways You Can Help..

If you love Swell as much as we do, but can't contribute, no sweat! Your advocacy is just as important. Make some noise about our campaign. Use the Indiegogo share tools. Share Swell on Facebook, Insta or your blog. 

Co-Creators

Everyone is welcome. It begins with a warm hello and feels like a place for play​.
Discovery through new experience. Participating in the adventure shifts your perspective. 
We heart music at the edge. We celebrate emerging music that is evocative and interesting.