Barry Conyngham's rarely performed classic & Mogwai and Tortoise both celebrate new music and big anniversaries episode artwork

EPISODE · May 23, 2026 · 54 MIN

Barry Conyngham's rarely performed classic & Mogwai and Tortoise both celebrate new music and big anniversaries

from The Music Show · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Barry Conyngham’s piece Ice Carving isn’t performed very often, and almost never in its intended configuration - a solo violinist surrounded by an audience, who are then surrounded by 4 string orchestras. It’s finally getting its proper form at The Ian Potter Centre in Melbourne and Barry takes us back to the inspiration, at The Imperial Palace in Tokyo.It's been 30 years since Mogwai released their debut single, Tuner/Lower, and the band have gone from one of the young teams of rock to one of post-rock's longest running groups. Stuart Braithwaite, the band's guitarist and occasional singer, looks back on the band's three decades.Tortoise, another central figure in post-rock, are also celebrating 30 years since one of their biggest albums, Millions Now Living Will Never Die. John McEntire explains how the band decides which drummer will play on a given track, why they're drawn to unusual time-signatures, and why it took 10 years for them to complete their latest record.  Ice Carving has three shows on May 29. Details hereTour dates for Mogwai, beginning on May 23 at Vivid in Sydney, are available hereTour dates for Tortoise, beginning May 27 in Sydney, are available hereMusic heard in this program:Title: Mogwai Fear SatanArtist: MogwaiComposer: MogwaiAlbum: Young TeamLabel: SpunkTitle: Ice CarvingArtist: Sydney Symphony Orchestra & Wilfred LehmannComposer: Barry ConynghamAlbum: Live performanceLabel: ABC MusicTitle: What Kind of Mix Is ThisArtist: MogwaiComposer: MogwaiAlbum: The Bad FireLabel: Rock Action RecordsTitle: Yes! I Am A Long Way From HomeArtist: MogwaiComposer: MogwaiAlbum: Young TeamLabel: SpunkTitle: OganessonArtist: TortoiseComposer: TortoiseAlbum: TouchLabel: International Anthem Recording CompanyTitle: Glass MuseumArtist: TortoiseComposer: TortoiseAlbum: Millions Now Living Will Never DieLabel: Thrill JockeyTitle: After RainArtist: Hilary Geddes QuartetComposer: Hilary GeddesAlbum: RedleafLabel: Earshift MusicThe Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country CountryTechnical production by Isabella Tropiano

Barry Conyngham’s piece Ice Carving isn’t performed very often, and almost never in its intended configuration - a solo violinist surrounded by an audience, who are then surrounded by 4 string orchestras. It’s finally getting its proper form at The Ian Potter Centre in Melbourne and Barry takes us back to the inspiration, at The Imperial Palace in Tokyo. It's been 30 years since Mogwai released their debut single, Tuner/Lower, and the band have gone from one of the young teams of rock to one of post-rock's longest running groups. Stuart Braithwaite, the band's guitarist and occasional singer, looks back on the band's three decades. Tortoise, another central figure in post-rock, are also celebrating 30 years since one of their biggest albums, Millions Now Living Will Never Die. John McEntire explains how the band decides which drummer will play on a given track, why they're drawn to unusual time-signatures, and why it took 10 years for them to complete their latest record.   Ice Carving has three shows on May 29. Details here Tour dates for Mogwai, beginning on May 23 at Vivid in Sydney, are available here  Tour dates for Tortoise, beginning May 27 in Sydney, are available here Music heard in this program: Title: Mogwai Fear Satan Artist: Mogwai Composer: Mogwai Album: Young Team Label: Spunk Title: Ice Carving Artist: Sydney Symphony Orchestra & Wilfred Lehmann Composer: Barry Conyngham Album: Live performance Label: ABC Music Title: What Kind of Mix Is This Artist: Mogwai Composer: Mogwai Album: The Bad Fire Label: Rock Action Records Title: Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home Artist: Mogwai Composer: Mogwai Album: Young Team Label: Spunk Title: Oganesson Artist: Tortoise Composer: Tortoise Album: Touch Label: International Anthem Recording Company Title: Glass Museum Artist: Tortoise Composer: Tortoise Album: Millions Now Living Will Never Die Label: Thrill Jockey Title: After Rain Artist: Hilary Geddes Quartet Composer: Hilary Geddes Album: Redleaf Label: Earshift Music The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Isabella Tropiano

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Barry Conyngham's rarely performed classic & Mogwai and Tortoise both celebrate new music and big anniversaries

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This episode was published on May 23, 2026.

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Barry Conyngham’s piece Ice Carving isn’t performed very often, and almost never in its intended configuration - a solo violinist surrounded by an audience, who are then surrounded by 4 string orchestras. It’s finally getting its proper form at The...

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