The Substation/​ Merzbow, Lawrence English, Room40/​ Merzbow Australia 2026/

PRESENTED BY THE SUBSTATION AND ROOM40

For almost five decades now, Tokyo-based artist Merzbow has held the undisputed position as the iconic forefather of noise music. His work, which catapults the listener into an utterly unfamiliar but wholly compelling cosmos of sound, has grown over time to represent one of the most fully realised and utterly personal music projects to have emerged in contemporary sound.

Merzbow’s concerts are the stuff of legend; they exist as near-transcendental experiences where the body and ears are consumed by a mass of sound the likes of which are almost impossible to describe. 

Merzbow’s music is a full-spectrum eruption, a pyroclastic cloud of sound within which unknown pleasures lie. It’s a total music, a profound rendering of sound at its deepest, densest and most profound.

GUEST LAWRENCE ENGLISH

Merzbow is joined by fellow vibrationalist and lightning strike survivor Lawrence English. Known for work that tests at the very edges of harmonic ambience and low energy sound pressure, his live performances evoke a sense of unerring speculative atmospheres – a dense and physically affecting sonic fog.

SET TIMES

Doors and bar from 6.30 PM

WARNINGS

This is an 18+ event. This event contains haze, flashing lights, sustained loud noises and bright lights. This event will be presented in low lighting.

ACCESS

This is a standing event. This event is wheelchair accessible and gender-neutral accessible toilets are available.

LATECOMERS

Latecomers will be admitted.