RISING Festival 2025: Melbourne's Cultural Extravaganza Set to Dazzle

Melbourne's annual RISING festival is set to return from June 4 to 15, 2025, unveiling a diverse program that spans music, theater, dance, and visual arts. Established in 2021 through the merger of the Melbourne International Arts Festival and White Night Festival, RISING has quickly become a cornerstone of the city's cultural calendar.

The 2025 lineup boasts 65 events featuring 327 artists, including 15 new commissions and nine world premieres. British singer-songwriter Suki Waterhouse will make her Australian debut with two performances: an intimate show at the Athenaeum Theatre on June 5 and a larger concert at the newly established PICA music venue on June 6. Portishead's Beth Gibbons is set to perform her solo album "Lives Outgrown" in a one-night-only event at Hamer Hall on June 7, marking her first Australian solo performance in decades. Other notable acts include Japanese Breakfast, Black Star, and Marlon Williams.

In the realm of visual arts, Japanese artist Shohei Fujimoto will present "Intangible #form," a kinetic laser installation at The Capitol Theatre, transforming the historic venue into an immersive light sculpture. Additionally, the Flinders Street Station Ballroom will host "Swingers: The Art of Mini Golf," featuring nine playable mini-golf holes created by female artists, including Miranda July and Kaylene Whiskey.

RISING 2025 places a strong emphasis on First Nations programming. The Melbourne Art Trams project returns, showcasing artworks by First Peoples women, curated by Victorian First Peoples curators. Moorina Bonini's "Matha," a large-scale projection on the facade of Hamer Hall, explores Yorta Yorta cultural knowledge and the deep interconnections between knowledge, Country, and cultural expression. Bonini describes the work as focusing on "new ways of making ceremony and helping language thrive in the present."

The festival also features "BLOCKBUSTER," a free, day-to-night celebration of South Asian culture at Federation Square on June 7. Presented in partnership with SalamFest and Fed Square, the event includes live Pakistani R&B, Punjabi rap, Sufi music, kaleidoscopic art, and street food.

Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks praised RISING as a "key cultural and tourism driver for Victoria," highlighting its role in stimulating Melbourne's nighttime economy and positioning the city as an international hub for live music and performance art.

As Melbourne prepares for RISING 2025, the festival stands as a testament to the city's resilience and dedication to the arts. With a rich and varied program, it promises to offer experiences that resonate with audiences and artists alike, further cementing Melbourne's status as a global cultural hub.