BEN WALSH & THE ORKESTRA OF THE UNDERGROUND (AUS) | FANTASTIC PLANET

Take The Bird, Hermitude, The Crusty Suitcase Band, Ponyclub Massacre and special guest Sarangan Sriranganathan, and you have the eclectic culmination of Sydney artists that is The Orkestra of the Underground.

A musical mashup of horns, sitar, synthesisers, drums, tabla, strings, Indian vocals, guitar, Bosnian Gypsy opera, decks and junk percussion, The Orkestra will weave together a 72 minute score to the animated film Fantastic Planet composed and conceived by Ben Walsh (The Bird, Circle of Rhythm, Tom Tom Club).

Before Manga and Studio Ghibli, the wonderful hand illustrations of René Laloux created a feel somewhere between Where the Wild Things Are and Yellow Submarine. Laloux’s 1973 Cannes French animation La Planète Sauvage (Fantastic Planet) comes to life with a live score played to this cinematic gem. This is animated psychedelic science fiction brought to life by The Orkestra of the Underground, showcasing some of Sydney’s finest musical minds.

iiNET FILMS AFLOAT AT DARLING HARBOUR

Watch cult-classic films on a floating screen in the beautiful surrounds of Darling Harbour, as highly acclaimed musicians from home and abroad play especially composed, dynamic live soundtracks.

A diverse selection of musicians perform sweat-drenched, visceral live scores with both world music and club influences. Encompassing sampling, tribal percussion and orchestral arrangements, and ranging from synchronized movements to graceful, free-form improvisation, their music gives new meaning and life to these well-loved flicks.

So round up your friends, head down to Darling Harbour and enjoy a free evening of live music and film under the stars. Before the feature each night, we'll be screening the best entries from the iiNet Get Animated competition.

For general information on the Darling Harbour precinct, visit darlingharbour.com

Fantastic Planet is playing as part of the iiNet Films Afloat at Darling Harbour series. For more events at this precinct, click here.

To view the iiNet Films Afloat card, click here.

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WHAT THE PRESS SAID

"An extravaganza of sight and sound that will blow you away" – DB Magazine (re Ben Walsh)

"A prodigious risk-taker but one who has the skills to carry it off" – Adelaide Review (re Ben Walsh)

"Astonishing displays of athletic virtuosity" – The Advertiser (re Ben Walsh)

"Man, this drummer is just seriously awesome" - Madman (re Ben Walsh)

"Sweat drenched, mind-blowing performance" – The Scene (re Ben Walsh)

"Insane percussion" – HR magazine (re Ben Walsh)

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COMMENTS

Chol 16/01/09

Yay I love ben walsh!!!

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Summer-Jade 17/01/09

Ben Walsh is the new guru of composition, he is worth listening to.

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Heleene 17/01/09

WOW - Ben Walsh rocks. Oozes talent. Do yourself a favour and DO NOT MISS BEN WALSH.

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ganjaman 18/01/09

Go ben :***

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Ben Walsh 18/01/09

Ben Walsh is incredible, this is the festival act not to be missed. Witness Ben Walsh's IMMENSE talent. I love Ben Walsh.

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Farrah 19/01/09

Impressive indeed. Can't wait to see the Orkestra of the Underground in the Speigeltent now, Ben Walsh his Orkestra are truly amazing talents - definitely check it out if you can.

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sandshoes 20/01/09

I am so glad to have been in Darling Harbour on Sunday Night.Everyone, you have to go to hear and see Ben and the Underground Orkestra @ The Speigeltent in Hyde park Thursday.

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Aleesha 26/01/09

Ben Walsh is an amazing artist. He and The Orkestra of the Underground are a 'must see!'

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