Named after The Velvet Underground song, and conceived as a counterpoint to large commercial rock festivals, All Tomorrow’s Parties is a music event unlike any other.

Individual artists or bands are invited to draw together some of their favourite performers to play in unique and relatively intimate settings. 2009 sees the first ATP in Australia, curated and headlined by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. The full festival line-up will be performed twice in the centre of Sydney Harbour on the beautiful Cockatoo Island.

With its characteristic industrial and maritime landscape and set in the picturesque Sydney Harbour, Cockatoo Island is the perfect setting for the Sydney Festival debut of this unique event.  Performances will take place across four outdoor stages with a number of indoor and outdoor bars (including cocktail and wine bars), food outlets (including tapas and global cuisine) and plenty of seating and chill out areas.

As well as performances by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, the festival includes seminal international artists such as British transcendentalists Spiritualized and US avant-bluesman James “Blood” Ulmer, alongside celebrated Australian bands The Saints (featuring original members Ed Kuepper, Chris Bailey, Ivor Hay and Archie Larizza), Laughing Clowns and The Necks. Others joining this extraordinary family include F*** Buttons (UK), Michael Gira (US), Bridezilla (AUS), former Go-Between Robert Forster, Silver Apples (US) and Harmonia (GER). 

Also featured on the bill are Australian 1980s rock darlings The Reels, US psych-rockers Dead Meadow and the avant-rock freak out Japanese twopiece Afrirampo, alongside former Birthday Party guitarist Rowland S Howard, Melbourne bands, The Stabs and Beaches, Sydney outfits Hunter Dienna and Passenger of S**t, Bad Seed Conway Savage and Greek legend Psarandonis, as well as ATP DJs and the exotic Sounds of Seduction to round off the festivities.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, Warren Ellis, Martyn P. Casey, Conway Savage, Thomas Wydler and Jim Sclavunos. Over a career spanning 14 albums the band has become one of the most revered and influential forces in rock music. Their 2008 album Dig Lazarus Dig!!! is widely regarded as one of their finest releases and recently won Mojo Magazine’s ‘Best Album Award’.

Ticket price includes return boat trip to Cockatoo Island.
Over 18s only.

Please note that one box office for ATP will be open at 9am Sunday Jan 18, for credit card and EFTPOS sales only.

The box office is located at King Street Wharf - Georges Restaurant and Grill, Bottom of Erskine Street at the King Street Wharf Boardwalk. To view a map of Georges Restaurant, click here.

Please note that boat departure times and locations are printed on ATP tickets.

If you are collecting pre-purchased tickets for boats departing from Circular Quay, please collect from the Festival Infobooth (to the right of Wharf 1).

If you are collecting pre-purchased tickets for boats departing from King Street Wharf, please collect from Georges Restaurant and Grill, Bottom of Erskine Street at the King Street Wharf Boardwalk. To view a map of Georges Restaurant, click here.

If you are collecting pre-purchased tickets for boats departing from Birkenhead Point, please see a Sydney Festival Marshall at the wharf.

To download an All Tomorrow's Parties SCHEDULE, click here.

To download an All Tomorrow's Parties MAP, click here.

To view the All Tomorrow's Parties BOAT TIMETABLE, click here.

To read All Tomorrow's Parties FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, click here.

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WHAT THE PRESS SAID

“One of the most enjoyable, fan-friendly festivals staged in Australia...more.” – The Age – 12 January

“The music, the vistas, the people, the atmosphere: for all those lucky enough to attend the inaugural Australian ATP, this was an event to cherish forever... more.” - The Australian – 12 January

"The garage sound is still there, the deep baritone is still there, the sideburns are still there, but what's new is a pyschedelic, farfisa-driven swirl as well as a more stable, traditional rock feel … more" - BBC (re Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds)

"Nick Cave is a connoisseur of words, a collector of arcane and delicious language...more"- The Sydney Morning Herald

"The Bad Seeds remain the most versatile and distinctive supporting cast imaginable, blessed with an ability to essay a baffling variety of musical styles while always sounding exactly like the Bad Seeds …more" - The Guardian

“After spending an evening in the company of former Saint, Aint, and Laughing Clown, Ed Kuepper, it becomes glaringly obvious what an important figure this man has been in Australian music... more” - The Age

“A typical Necks show and, for that, a typical Necks album, is one piece of improvised music, developing as a reflection of the interaction between Swanton, Abrahams and Buck...more” - The Sydney Morning Herald

"BRIDEZILLA – the classical/alternative/melodramatic pop ensemble from Sydney that officially “sound like no other band on the planet”...more - Rave Magazine

"...it is a tribute to how far Silver Apples were ahead of their time that, to this day, you will find serious young men emulating this sound in venues around the country...more" - Scotsman.com News

 “[F*** Buttons] Think Throbbing Gristle with feelings or Telepathe with balls...more” - Three D World

“With a career spanning over 40 years, James 'Blood' Ulmer has dipped his toes into gospel, funk and free jazz.” - The Drum Media

“A recently reunited Harmonia sounds as fresh today as they did 30 years ago – both on stage and in recorded form.” The Drum Media 

"The grand debut of All Tomorrow’s Parties in Sydney now has more acts to make you swoon...Those two balmy nights on Cockatoo Island are shaping up to be very special indeed…more" - Faster Louder

"The industrial and maritime landscape together with the picturesque backdrop of Sydney Harbour make this urban island the perfect setting for this unique event...more" - Faster Louder

"As its choice of venues and line-up reveals – ATP is about the ‘experience’. Going to a unique location and watching bands hand picked by highly respected musician such as Nick Cave." - Faster Louder

"Conceived as a counterpoint to large commercial rock festivals, All Tomorrows Parties is a music event unlike any other." - mX (Sydney)

"It's truly refreshing to see the wild line-up for All Tomorrow's Parties."- Rhythm

"UK duo F*** Buttons are gradually achieving a level of success far beyond anyone could have expected of an art-noise outfit." - Drum Media

"TZU's third album Computer Love was released earlier this year and as well as a barrage of samples from the eighties, it also features intelligently crafted lyrics." - 3D World

"There's a thread of inspiration winding its way through the guests Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds have invited to their Australian parties next month...more" - The Australian

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COMMENTS

Sarah 02/12/08

This is definitely the best festival coming up this summer. the rest just attract clones of kids wearing fluro. Nick Cave would never allow it!

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John 02/12/08

I'm looking forward to this one!

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md 02/12/08

He has sons born in the early 90's. I'm sure he is OK with kids wearing fluro :)

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Babs 04/12/08

Where the heck is The Dirty Three for Sydney?????????????????????

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Nat 08/12/08

This looks great! Can't wait to go.

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Jeff 10/12/08

What a line-up!

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Meh! 10/12/08

Got my tickets - looking forward to this one. Should be a great venue!

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ab 11/12/08

md, you sound like a fluro wearing imbecile

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Penny 12/12/08

2 words: woo hoo!!!!! Cockatoo Island, how beautiful! Cave n his Seeds, just brilliant! the rest is extra greatness!

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Chris 06/01/09

....The Saints? aoisfhaosfih so there!

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curley 07/01/09

just checked out the playing times. awesome! rowland s howard & conway savage for lunch, followed by the laughing clowns, robert forster & spritiualised for tea, then a musical dinner of the necks, the saints & nick cave and the bad seeds, with sounds of seduction as dessert! can't wait!!

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Megan 12/01/09

Can't work out how to buy tickets to this event. Does anyone know if it's sold out already because the page doesn't enable you to buy a ticket.

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Josh 13/01/09

Hey Megan, its not sold out yet. Try the link to Moshtix or Ticketek on the website. See you there!

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Michael 13/01/09

Who'd have thought Dave Mason was still alive?

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Richard 15/01/09

Anyone interested to swap two Sunday tickets for two Saturday tickets, Mum won't let me out Sunday nights!!!

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Justin Wolthers 15/01/09

This is a dream line up of artists. I am glad I am alive to see this wonderful alignment of musicians on the one bill. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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samiam 16/01/09

I can't wait to see my beloved Nick! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA! Last time i was on Cockatoo Island, it was for Biennale and I remember thinking what an awesome venue for a festival. Good on you Nick!!! Also, cannot wait to check out all the unknown to moi bands. See you all there! x

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Teresa 19/01/09

I attended yesterday's Festival and I would just like to thank everyone concerned for a relaxed and entertaining day. I thought it was very well organised and hope that the Sydney Festival will consider running this event next year as part of their schedule. Cockatoo Island was a great venue for this event.

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Jane 19/01/09

I went on Sunday and was very impressed. Barely a queue to be found. Great crowd (I loved the demographic - it is not often that at 37 at a festival you don't look the oldest one there!)So fab to hear that Australian rock sound from the past. Truly a special experience. Thanks to all involved in bringing it to fruition

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Matt 19/01/09

Thanks ATP, thanks Nick, thanks Sydney Festival! From the moment we got to the wharf to take us over to Cockatoo Island this day was completely enjoyable. From the venue to the choice of drinks available, to the overwhelming array of talented artists, this was one awesome festival. I don't know if ATP and the Festival plan on another, but just know that this punter and all who sailed with him experienced it as a major highlight this summer. Just how Nick Cave and co managed to bring all those acts, giving us an insight into their inspiration and tastes, I don't really know, but it was a pleasure to witness. Thank you!

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Jason 19/01/09

Awesome venue,great line up, beautiful weather. What went wrong with the food guys?

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Elena 20/01/09

Great line-up, great crowd, great venue. Some nit-picking: agreed that the food left a lot to be desired, as well as the drinks - fine, there were no queues, but can you blame people for avoiding the $10 cans of premix? The cocktail bar was great, but it would have been nice if it either wasn't uphill, or if there was more than one. Also, pity us poor Psarandonis fans who had to swelter under the intense sun - some shelter would've been appreciated. Lastly, the ferry system to get there was a farce. Next time, do it like the Biennale on a first-come basis, or have a better booking system - when I bought my ticket back in November, I couldn't choose my ferry time. This is all really nit-picking, though - ATP was hands-down the most enjoyable festival experience I've had.

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Joe 20/01/09

You call that gourmet food? I ate the worst burger of my life

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Sam 20/01/09

I agree with Jason. ATP was a great day but the downside was the 'global cuisine and tapas' which you hyped up so much. I was expecting something pretty special and was disappointed to be spending $9.50 on the tiniest taco I have ever seen. They had run out of most of the ingredients and wouldn't even offer a discount.

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Timmy 25/01/09

This was one of the great days of summer in Sydney. What a joy!! And for those whinging about food, get some perspective. Nick Cave, a beautiful day, an amazing venue and a great crowd of music lovers. Life is good peoples!!

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harry 28/01/09

Anyone who drinks premix deserves a $10 charge! All round, best festival (by a small margin from the first 2 great escapes) ever! No teens!!! No fluoro!! Everyone telling drunken idiots talking through the quiet passages to piss off! No queues, great beer (take a note Peats Ridge), awesome acts, no flash in the pan, last minute, jjj tryhards(except the Japanese girls, awful beyond belief, and I love Japanese noise punks, get the Boredoms next time) and best of all no NSW police state drug dogs, uniforms, bag/drinks/personal space checks like the BDO and almost any public transport run on a Friday night in inner western Sydney. Finally we are treated like the adults we try to be. Take a note Federal Labor wowsers, treat people like humans and they act like humans. Only gripes, would've been nice to know we could bring a picnic (and avoid the dreadful food, get staff who can find their own arses and it'd help). Thanks!!!

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