The Substation/​ SAYAKA BOTANIC (JP) with guests HUH (JP), The Bolt Ensemble & Tumi the Be/

THE OPEN AUXILLARY SERIES

PRESENTED BY THE SUBSTATION, JOLT ARTS AND PITCH/R 

Forged in the heat of Japan’s blistering avant-sonic underground, this program brings together two formidable touring acts: legendary violinist and electronics artist Sayaka Botanic, alongside free-improvisation and noise duo HUH – Kyosuke Terada and Takuma Mori – working with ruptured guitar, voice and drums.

Across their practices, sound is treated as a physical force: warped, stretched and set into motion through eruptions, dense immersive fields and moments of unexpected elegance.

True to the spirit of a JOLT Arts event, the evening takes a turn. Open Auxiliary, conceived by curators Faarah Nur (Pitch/R) and James Hullick (JOLT), proposes a deep listening exercise – one that blends local and international cultures through genre collision, and asks what sound, as a vehicle for cultural insight, might become.

Members of The BOLT Ensemble (Upton / Willebrant), alongside composer-performer )-(u||!c|<, reimagine Oz Rock through the lens of improvised electro-acoustic practice, joined by guest artists Tim Reid (acoustic guitar) and Esther Tuddenham (dance).

Leaning into visions of a culturally transforming Terra Nullius, Open Auxiliary welcomes Tumi the Be to the stage. The Motswana poet and rapper enters during the closing sequence of the BOLT Ensemble before launching into his own sharp, personal reflections on urban life in the so-called “merry old land” of Oz.

SET TIMES

Doors and bar from 7.30 pm

The BOLT Ensemble 8.00 pm

Tumi the Be 8.40 pm

Intermission/Bar Break 9.10 pm

HUH 9.30 pm

Sayaka Botanic 10.00 pm

WARNINGS

This event contains haze, flashing lights, coarse language, sustained loud noises and bright lights. This event will be presented in low lighting.

ACCESS

This event is open to all ages.This is a standing event. This event is wheelchair accessible and gender-neutral accessible toilets are available.

LATECOMERS

Latecomers will be admitted at a specific time.