Lights On: QSO + Tom Thum at the Brisbane Powerhouse
Ready for some LIVE music? It’s time to get back in the game!
LIVE MUSIC is back and two of Queensland’s most acclaimed sound makers are going to prove it.
In an announcement sure to bring joy to music lovers everywhere, internationally acclaimed beatboxer Tom Thum will perform with Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) over two nights at the Brisbane Powerhouse as part of the Lights On re-emergence series.
Lights On: QSO + Tom Thum will take place on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August, with tickets on sale from 9.30am THIS THURSDAY.
The two epic-yet-intimate concert experiences represent a much-anticipated musical reunion for Tom Thum and Queensland Symphony Orchestra after the dynamic duo starred in QSO’s 2016 world premiere and genre-busting sound creation series, QSOCurrent.
Indeed, the ‘Thum Prints’ collaboration with the Orchestra created the world’s first original hour long Beat Box symphony, putting Tom in a league of his own. And now they are to perform together again… on stage … live… in front of a real-life audience!
“Having world-renowned beat boxer and electronic music composer Tom Thum on stage with the musical excellence of 20 members of Queensland Symphony Orchestra will be a musical watershed that hovers somewhere between jazz, hip-hop and off-the-wall experimental sounds,” said Queensland Symphony Orchestra Chief Executive Craig Whitehead.”
What a ground-breaking way to bring back live music and see our QSO together again under the spotlight.
Brisbane Powerhouse Artistic Director Kris Stewart said Lights On at Brisbane Powerhouse will create a COVID-19 safe space for peace of mind that will connect audiences and performers, while ensuring social distancing.
“Lights On at Brisbane Powerhouse will delight audiences with a creatively curated series of bespoke shows for an intimate gathering of around 100 theatre-goers. The cabaret-style setting will provide the perfect platform to enjoy this incredible collocation between Tom Thum and QSO,” he said. “It’s about emergence; it’s about reminding ourselves what we mean to each other and remembering the value of art and artists.”
Lights On at Brisbane Powerhouse is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
About Tom Thum
It’s been said many times that Beat Boxer Tom Thum appears to have not only a symphony orchestra but also a jazz band, techno DJ, 80’s synth pop group and collection of exotic world instruments all residing somewhere in his throat.
Propelled to Internet stardom with his 2013 TEDx performance at the Sydney Opera House, Tom’s 15 minute showcase quickly became the highest viewed TEDx video of all time with over 44+ million views and counting. Now recognised worldwide for his obscure talent to warp and manipulate his vocal chords, Tom Thum provides confirmation to his audience that there is no sound he cannot mimic to perfection.
Tom’s unique abilities have seen him perform to sold out crowds all over the world and his ‘Thum Prints’ collaboration with Gordon Hamilton & the Queensland Symphony Orchestra has put him in a league of his own. With his vocal talents being sought out by Disney, Audi & DAB+ (to name a few), Tom has proven that his sound is truly world class and transcends expectations.
Like many artists, Tom’s talents were honed from behind his bedroom door. Spending hours listening to artists such as The Fat Boys and Dougie Fresh, Tom began echoing their boom-bap beats and synths with his voice. Performing at open mic nights and Hip-Hop jams in his hometown of Brisbane, Australia, it wasn’t long before Tom’s part-time hobby became a full-time reality.
Tom’s extensive catalogue of milestone achievements began in 2005, when he and fellow Australian Beat Box artist Joel Turner joined forces to take out 1st Place in the Team Battle category at the 2005 World Beat Box Battles (Leipzig, Germany).
Since then, Tom’s vocal dexterity has seen him traversing the continents as part of Fringe sensations ‘Tom Tom Crew’ & ‘Beating The Habit’, performing world tours with his side project ‘Jamie MacDowell & Tom Thum’, touring with The Cat Empire throughout Europe, appeared live on Good Morning America and creating the world’s first original hour long Beat Box symphony ‘Thum Prints’ with composer/ conductor Gordon Hamilton.
About Lights on at the Brisbane Powerhouse
Lights On at Brisbane Powerhouse has been made possible by the support of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Brisbane Powerhouse is one of six state-wide venues participating in the Queensland Government’s Venue Pilot Program, funded through Arts Queensland to pilot re-openings and deliver programming under COVID restrictions. All events will follow Queensland Government Stage 3 COVID-19 guidelines, which at this stage limits the audience to 100 people. For those lucky enough to snap up an exclusive ticket to a Lights On at Brisbane Powerhouse show, you’re in for a rare treat.
Lights On: QSO + Tom Thum at the Brisbane Powerhouse
Friday 21 August 7pm AND Saturday 22 August 7pm
Conducted by Gordon Hamilton
Tickets on sale from THIS THURSDAY at brisbanepowerhouse.org
Make the most of your night out by enjoying a cabaret platter for two and a bottle of wine, bubbles or champagne while you enjoy the performance.
Brisbane Powerhouse INFO 07 3358 8600 / brisbanepowerhouse.org SOCIAL @bris_powerhouse
