Both the Melbourne Writers Festival and Sydney’s Antidote Festival have announced their first round of speakers for their respective 2019 events, and the most exciting announcement—for music lovers at least—is that Sonic Youth frontwoman Kim Gordon will be returning to Australian shores.
The iconic musician will be speaking at both events, alongside Holocaust historian Deborah Lipstadt and Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson.
Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon will be speaking in both Sydney and Melbourne this year as part of the Melbourne Writers Festival and Sydney’s Antidote Festival.
Marieke Hardy, artistic director of the Melbourne Film Festival, says that the announced guests will “open three entirely different windows on the world”.
“We are so thrilled and excited these exceptional human beings are joining us in Melbourne,” Hardy said.
“Each of them is a trailblazer. Kim Gordon revolutionised alternative music and changed perceptions about women in music. Deborah Lipstadt interrogates antisemitism on a global scale, while DeRay Mckesson puts his heart on the front lines in the war against racism.
“We open ourselves up fully to hear their stories and their passions; what they fear, what they hope for and what they love.”
Melbourne Writers Festival will run from 30 August to 8 September. More info here.
Antidote 2019 will take place at the Sydney Opera House on 31 August and 1 September. More info here.
