MIXTAPE VIBES // unpopular

I’ve been meaning to share this for so long but there were way too many photos and videos to choose from. This exhibition was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and I honestly could revisit it countless times and still discover more. I would have even moved into the Powerhouse Museum… if they let me!

Unpopular is the personal collection of music mogul Steve Pavlovic (aka Pav), and it perfectly captures the alternative music scene in the 1990’s. It is an assault of the senses – the music, the artwork, the memorabilia and the nostalgia. Seeing all the rare footage, audio interviews, tour posters, band photographs, fanzines, set lists, letters and receipts encompasses this pivotal era. Nirvana, Helmet, Hole, Fugazi, Beastie Boys, Bikini Kill, The Lemonheads and Sonic Youth are prominent throughout the exhibit.

Moving through the space you then come to Summersault, the one-off festival headlined by the Beastie Boys and Sonic Youth. Pavlovic had a knack for spotting bands before they were big and brought them to Australia to play in the popular music venues of that time. Unpopular documents every moment of these iconic live gigs, behind the scenes moments and life travelling on the road.