Marie Davidson, Photograph supplied
RISING might’ve finished, but Melbourne/Naarm has another daring festival to come before winter is over. Now or Never will be back for its third year from Thursday 21 to Sunday 31 August. The dance and electronic-focused lineup includes Marie Davidson, DJ Python, rRoxymore, Logic1000, Young Marco, DJ Plead and more.
The previous two instalments of Now or Never revolved around a series of events at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton. The likes of Kelela, Autechre and Axel Boman played there in 2023, and Eartheater, Erika de Casier, Donato Dozzy and Sleep D in 2024. The historic exhibition pavilion will play a role in this year’s event, but they’ve moved the dance parties to Melbourne Town Hall.
Now or Never will take over the Town Hall for four consecutive nights, beginning with Japanese sonic minimalist Ryoji Ikeda and Filipina-Australian experimentalist CORIN on Thu 28 Aug. New York-based reggaeton and dembow-inspired producer DJ Python will headline on Fri 29 Aug, backed by French house and techno nonconformist rRoxymore going B2B with Lebanese-Australian percussion expert DJ Plead, and a set from rising Naarm DJ Yarra.
READ: Now or Never adds Kia, Sleep D, Chuleo Club, Coki + more to 2025 program
rRoxymore, Photograph supplied
Young Marco tops the lineup on Sat 30 Aug. The Dutch house and techno connoisseur is in good company, with Sydney-born, Berlin-based Logic1000 to bring her heartfelt club sounds to the Town Hall, and Logic1000’s primary collaborator, bassy, funky producer Big Ever, also on the bill. The series wraps up with a headline show from Québécois indie-techno artist Marie Davidson, supported by Naarm-based ambient and analogue techno duo OK EG.
The Saturday and Sunday gigs will both feature the Australian premiere of CORTEX by the Berlin-based Kianí del Valle Performance Group in collaboration with Barcelona visual artists Hamill Industries, and Argentinian producer Tayhana. The performance is described as “a full-body ritual where dance, sound, and visuals converge, inviting reflection on life’s most profound themes – existence, mortality, isolation, and human connection.”
Elsewhere, there’ll be performances from Alex Zhang Hungtai, Laurel Halo with Leila Bordreuil, Moritz von Oswald, and late night takeovers of State Library Victoria and Science Gallery Melbourne. See below for more info.
The Now or Never program also includes talks, cinema, and several audiovisual installations. Find more details here.
READ: DJ Python shows utter contempt for the continuous mix DJ format – to polarising effect
DJ Python & Isabella Lovestory - Besos Robados
Now or Never 2025 @ Melbourne Town Hall
Thu 28 Aug: Ryoji Ikeda ultratronics (live set), CORIN presents DIWA (live AV) – tickets
Fri 29 Aug: DJ Python, DJ Plead B2B rRoxymore, Yarra – tickets
Sat 30 Aug: Young Marco, Logic1000, Big Ever, KDV Performance Group with Hamill Industries & Tayhana – Tickets
Sun 31 Aug: Marie Davidson, OK EG, KDV Performance Group with Hamill Industries & Tayhana – Tickets
Also on the lineup:
21 Aug – Alex Zhang Hungtai – tickets
22 Aug – Laurel Halo live with Leila Bordreuil – tickets
22 Aug – rRoxymore (live) – tickets
22 Aug – Library Up Late – tickets
23 Aug – Moritz von Oswald presents Silencio – tickets
29 Aug – Friday Night Social: DISTRACTION – tickets
