As someone who is always looking for a reason to stay out past my bedtime, the Library Up Late x Now or Never takeover was the perfect excuse for my plus one and I to see what makes Melbourne special after dark.
Part of the wider Now or Never festival, Melbourne’s annual love letter to art, ideas, sound, and emerging technology, this event was a masterclass in after-hours fun. The State Library of Victoria has anything but a “shh!” reputation considering the amount of live music, queer parties and other big events it hosts, so it wasn’t a huge stretch to see it transformed into a nocturnal playground where we could wander the halls with a drink in hand.
The lineup was sharp. You’ve got composer Mindy Meng Wang (王萌) and electronic producer Tim Shiel turning the iconic Dome into a sonic soundscape, while artist-scientist Yoyo Munk brought oral histories to life with a sound installation in the Ian Potter Queen’s Hall. If you were looking to get your groove on (like us), the Haus of Ralph and House Mum DJ sets were where it was at. Queer Naarm-based artist Harry J. Dee was also represented with some new work in an igloo-esque structure. Plus, talking a peek into a climate-altered future at ‘The Great Reclamation’ exhibition was a nice breather between sets.
The Redmond Barry Reading Room “Book Doof” (with BYO book) was a communal reading experience, and arguably the most “Melbourne” thing I’ve seen lately. Half the crowd in this grand hall were there for the famous Ned Kelly armour, and the others either grabbing a nice photo or relaxing with a good read. It was also great to see the Library’s latest exhibitions ‘You Have a New Memory‘ and ‘Rebel Heart‘ after hours.
Whether you’re an art nerd, a music lover, or just someone who thinks the library is significantly cooler when the sun goes down, this is a night you didn’t want to shelf for later.
– Tom
