A world record attempt to save a festival
The world’s longest improvised bass solo, a fundraising event and creative feat all in one.
Raising money for the 16th edition of the NOW now festival of creative music.
Clayton Thomas is putting his body on the line so this vital creative festival can push the music forward in 2017.
Internationally acclaimed improvising musician, Clayton Thomas, is undertaking a feat of creative endurance to help raise money for the 16th edition of the NOW now: Australia’s longest running improvised music festival.
The NOW now is a festival dedicated to experimental, improvised, outsider, radical and absolutely incredible music.
Like most arts events on the planet, these things require funding. Although Now now has a great audience, it’s not a huge one. It’s the engine room of creativity and basic costs – like venue hire, piano hire, promotion, and of course, artist fees need to be covered.
In a Sydney suffering from the shut-down of venues and the cultural annihilation that comes from rent-hikes, lock-outs, and all-pervasive pop-monoculture, events like the NOW now are vital. When the ABC are gutting their music programs, where do we go to hear our most creative artists? How do we breed creativity if we can’t present it?
There are more than 50 musicians, dancers, installation artists and composers performing at the festival, over four nights in three spaces.
To raise the money, Clayton will perform for 24 hours in the grounds of MONA. Starting at sunset in the stunning James Turrell Skyspace “AMARNA”, and moving through the Nolan and Void galleries.
This performance will be live-streamed for the world with plans to create events in France and Berlin to watch the feed.
This attempt is awaiting verification from the Guinness Book of World Records for verification.
Now Now is running a crowd funding campaign to raise the funds, so they can continue into the new year presenting their flagship festival and also regular concerts throughout the year, maintaining the community focus from which not only experimental music needs to grow, but also as a inspirational point for many other forms of music.
To check out Clayton’s quest and donate visit
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