Pint Night regulars IVY and the Dunedin Youth Orchestra (DYO) are set to hit the stage at Errick’s venue on Friday, March 28 in a first-of-its-kind collab for the groups. Ticket prices are specifically catered to the student budget – a crisp $10 bucks to peep the classically boosted IVY originals.
Like apple slices and marmite, IVY are known for their unique ability to combine two things that normally don’t go together (prog rock and orchestra) to make something truly incredible. Aptly named “Beautiful Is The Listening Ear”, the Dunedin Arts Festival promises that the collaboration “highlights the incredible talent of young musicians from the Ōtepoti area, merging vibrant melodies with the rich textures of orchestral arrangements.”
IVY’s lead singer Jesse Hanan told Critic Te Ārohi that the gig was born out of both his and band violinist Louis’ long and happy history with classical music. Louis himself used to be a DYO member. “It’s kind of a good idea for advertising for both parties,” Jesse explained. “I think classical music done well and played with certain genres is incredible. People don’t really get the chance to see that. It’s showing what classical music is capable of.” Did classical music just get cool again?
Senior University lecturer, ex-youth orchestra member, and composer Dr Maddy Parkins-Craig spoke to Critic about the composition side of this gig. Maddy was tasked with receiving IVY’s recordings and transcribing them for the orchestra to play. “It’s super fun. You hear a song, and you’re like: ‘How am I gonna highlight things, or supplement things?’ There’s a whole bunch of different colours that maybe the band can’t play live.”
Around 22 DYO players will accompany IVY for the gig, a smaller group than usual if you can believe it. Critic was assured that this arrangement will still include full string (minus double bass), woodwind, brass, and percussion sections. Trumpetist and DYO player rep Mei told us that the orchestra is made up of heaps of uni students. “So come along, support your friends, and see something new. It won’t just be DnB like you see on Castle,” she said. Perhaps DYO should play Baddadan next.
“There hasn’t been a gig like this in a long time,” said Maddy with excitement. “The collaboration between classical and contemporary music [...] it’s gonna have this depth that you just can’t get live from a band.” Maddy essentially promises a bridge between rock and classic music – a collision of strikingly different yet similar worlds. “It’s all just music,” she laughed.
Tickets are available through the Dunedin Arts Festival site under the ‘Beautiful Is The Listening Ear’ page. Too easy.