Lord Mayor's City Hall Concert — David Bailey

As one of a rare breed of musicians, David Bailey is continuing what was once an everyday part of Australian cinema — theatre organ performance and silent film accompaniment. Bailey’s interest in the history of Brisbane’s cinemas and their organs has informed his performance style and helped him to bring the world of silent cinema to modern audiences. As a regular accompanist at the Australian Cinémathèque at GOMA, Bailey performs on the historic Wurlitzer pipe organ from Brisbane’s Regent Theatre. This instrument was once heard daily by Brisbane cinemagoers during its life at the Regent Theatre in Queen Street.

For Brisbane Festival this year, Bailey will compose and perform live accompaniments for three short comedy silent films on the Brisbane City Hall Willis organ. The massive pipe organ is undoubtedly Brisbane's most historic and recognised musical instrument, with a vast tonal and dynamic range. Bailey will add new life to the classic silent films: Buster Keaton’s The Balloonatic, Charley Chase’s Mighty Like a Moose, and Laurel and Hardy’s Big Business.

This silent film event will provide an opportunity to bring the richness of the organ to an audience who perhaps are unfamiliar with it and share in the humour and history of the films and the power and beauty of the Willis organ.