Homeland by Laurie Anderson @ Melbourne International Arts Festival: Laurie Anderson’s latest work Homeland is her next major production, following in the footsteps of United States, The Nerve Bible and Songs and Stories for Moby Dick. Somewhere between epic poem and music concert, this Festival co-commission looks at 21st-century American obsessions with security, distance, information, the relationship of fear and freedom, the increasing acceptance of violence and the persistent new language of war. Using the synthetic language of technology and the sensuous language of song writing and poetry, Homeland explores American-style totalitarianism, shifting images of empire and reality shows through a powerful combination of visual design and experimental music.

The music of Homeland, performed live, is built on the foundation of groove electronics, and features many new melodic forms with which Anderson has been experimenting. This brand new work from one of today’s premier performance artists promises to be a highlight of this year’s Festival program. [Videos] To listen to ABC’s DIG, digital radio’s interview with Laurie Anderson click here.