Melbourne arts and culture festival, RISING, has announced a huge new lineup of acts for its 2025 edition promising to takeover the city.
Among the new artists announced as part of the city-wide festival across Melbourne from June 4th-15th is a huge lineup for “BLOCKBUSTER”, a free South Asian music takeover at Fed Square featuring Faris Shafi, rapper and “uncensored voice of Pakistan”, pop star Annural Khalid, qawwali duo Zain and Zohaib, and rock artist Sherry Khattak.
Other acts added at the festival include comedian Zoë Coombs Marr, line dancing with Country Struts, local rock band Tropical Fuck Storm and a number of free events put on at the Capitol Arcade through Night Trade.
The event’s co-artistic directors Hannah Fox and Gidoen Obarzanek said the “next chapter of the program expands RISING’s reach across the city – with more artists, more public moments, and more ways to encounter art in the everyday”.
“From the full-scale Fed Square takeover led by some of Pakistan’s most vital contemporary musicians, to a new live variety show by the brilliant Zoë Coombs Marr, to an all-in community dance at Melbourne Town Hall with Country Struts, these works speak to the energy, humour and cultural depth that define RISING.”
State Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks, added that the festival is “once again set to be a major drawcard for Victorians and visitors alike”.
“The festival will turn Melbourne into the hottest place to be this winter, bringing a buzz to city businesses and backing our creative and events workforce” he said. “The program continues to grow with this year’s incredible line-up of First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams paying tribute to First Peoples women alongside more music, comedy and dance that will transform our city, plus an epic blockbuster celebration of South Asian music, art and food at Fed Square – there is something for all tastes and ages.”
RISING announced their initial lineup of 65 events, 327 artists, 15 new commissions, and 9 world premieres last month, promising to transform Melbourne’s laneways, theatres and public spaces into a playground of creativity.
Find out more about RISING’s schedule here.
