The prolific Australian composer, producer, performer, visual artist and longtime DUMBO resident JG Thirlwell is an elusive but profoundly influential presence in New York City’s underground music world. Working under many pseudonyms, including Foetus, Manorexia, Baby Zizanie, Clint Ruin, and Wiseblood, his varied oeuvre—which stretches the gamut from orchestrations, big band, cathartic noise-rock to abstract electronics and sound sculpture, chamber music, serial music and imaginary soundtracks (sometimes all in the same album)—is linked by a dramatic intensity and an evocative, cinematic quality. He has collaborated with the likes of Nick Cave, Lydia Lunch and Soft Cell, done remixes for NIN and Pantera, scored Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim series The Venture Brothers, and been commissioned by Kronos Quartet and Bang on a Can. Celebrate Brooklyn! is proud to present Thirlwell’s rarely heard Steroid Maximus large ensemble, a big band/exotica mini-orchestra, in its NYC premier. Dr. Lonnie Smith, the turban wearing intergalactic overlord of the Hammond B-3, descends to earth with his trio for an opening set. “The organ is like sunlight, rain and thunder—it’s all the worldly sounds to me!” (Dr. Lonnie Smith)
Venue Information:
The BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival is one of New York City's longest running, free, outdoor performing arts festivals and is held every summer at the Prospect Park Bandshell. View seating arrangements here.
All Performances Rain or Shine. In the event of dangerous weather we will be communicating updates on our website, Facebook, and Twitter.
To learn more about our COVID-Safety precautions, visit our FAQ page.