Although FourPlay began life playing mostly covers with originals appearing in the mix, This Machine sees the evolution of the string quartet as songwriters. In fact, it’s their first album of 100% original material, and arguably their finest, most intriguing long-player to date.

What's in store? Epic soundscapes, rock 'n' roll, chainsawing violas, jazz, eastern influences, pop songs. It's been eighteen years since the first FourPlay album, and the band has certainly come of age. The four members (brothers Peter and Tim Hollo, Lara Goodridge and Shenzo Gregorio) have lived their lives together, played at some of the world's most famous venues and festivals, and spent countless hours writing and jamming together - all of which has created a rare synergy and an unspoken understanding in how they go about their work. FourPlay's sound and musicality has matured and evolved, resulting in a truly original album, which does nothing to diminish their growing national and international reputation as an eclectic and diverse musical tour de force.

This Machine was recorded, co-produced and mixed by Tony Buchen (Evans, Megan Washington, Andy Bull, Ronan Keating, The John Butler Trio, Dereb the Ambassador) and features new artwork by Dave McKean (Neil Gaiman, Heston Blumenthal, Richard Dawkins).

The story so far...

FourPlay is an indie rock band that just happen to be a string quartet. They began their professional lives entering a UNSW Band Competition, then surprised themselves by winning. Their trajectory from there was fast and decisive, the band rapidly being booked for major festivals while selling out club gigs across Australia. Their first album Catgut Ya Tongue? was one of the most successful independent releases of the late '90s, seeing the band self-distribute their albums through a PO Box, a fax machine, and a rather punk/DIY attitude.

FourPlay started by performing covers predominantly by a diverse array of artists: The Strokes, Rage Against The Machine, Radiohead, Leonard Cohen, Robert Johnson, Sufjan Stevens, and many, many more.

They went on to tour the world, play the album Pet Sounds with Brian Wilson, collaborate with Plaid (Warp/UK) on a live filmscore to the animated feature Tekkonkinkreet, create live comic books scores, perform at three TEDx Sydney events, and most recently collaborate with wildly popular author Neil Gaiman. The Gaiman collaboration The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains was originally created for a live performance commissioned by Sydney Opera House's Graphic Festival, but Gaiman enjoyed the project rather a lot. So... it was recorded, Eddie Campbell - the illustrator of the work - painted 65 new pieces, and it became a book, an e-book and a CD released worldwide by Harper Collins and William Morrow, the performance recently taking them to sold out audiences at such esteemed venues as Carnegie Hall (New York) and The Barbican Centre (London).

Not bad for a little string quartet from Sydney. Overall, FourPlay have released four studio albums, a double remix cd and three 3" singles.

And the fans and the media say...

Nothing short of magnificent (The Scotsman)

I was just listening and going: This. Is. Brilliant. Then I went onto iTunes and just bought everything by them and started listening to them obsessively going: this is just perfect. They are the rock band of string quartets, and amazing, versatile bunch with a cult following. (Neil Gaiman)

This writer can say confidently that there are lots to look forward to when the final release hits in a few months (Liz Giuffre, theMusic.com.au)

FourPlay take to their material with all the gusto of a bunch of scuzzy, angrier-than-thou punks, sounding invigorated and inspired at every turn. Plugging into an impressive array of pedals and other assorted gadgets, they eke an impressively wide array of sounds from their instruments. (Mess + Noise)

Btw, @FourPlaySQ is absolutely the most badass thing that has ever happened to stringed instruments. Rock stars. (Ash @AshleighHaddad)

Everything I thought I knew about string quartets was wrong. @FourPlaySQ #mindblown. (Jude Mitchell @Tude36)

Forget anything you ever thought about string quartets. This is the future. (Michael Smith, Drum Media)

The next phase in the evolution of the string quartet is here. (The Music Network)

FourPlay's reputation as a powerful and innovative live act has carried them past the clich d hybrid into some new form of their own (Iain Shedden, The Australian)

FourPlay are like the maiden aunt that still smokes pot and has "young male friends". The kind of paradoxical juxtaposition that makes you think whatever it is you're thinking twice over. (Andrew P Street, The Brag)

FourPlay's latest album Now To The Future is glorious... Two violas, a violin and a cello, sometimes combined with the hypnotic vocals of Lara Goodridge, merge to create a sumptuous sonic feast. (Gareth Bithell, Faster Louder)

The sheer diversity of this band is phenomenal. Distortion pedals, pickups and amps are cleverly used throughout the album thus manifesting such influences as rock, jazz, folk and electronica... (Brooke Beswick, Rip It Up)

Possibly Australia's only indie rock band string quartet, FourPlay have taken everything they love about music and blended it to make a rather splendid cocktail of sounds any music lover could appreciate. (Rip It Up)

"My name is Mia and I play the violin. I am eight years old. I came with my mum to see you at harbour square in Newcastle. We bought your cds. Now I go to bed listening to you. My favourite track is Dr. Who even though you made it different from the original version. I like what you've done with it to make it crazy. Please let me know if you have anything on in Newcastle again, or mum and i can come to Sydney when you do a gig that kids can come to. I like it how you push down on your bows to make it sound really grungy. Love from Mia xxxx.

"I'm a classically trained violinist and a newcomer to FourPlay's sound but a big fan of Kronos and Nigel Kennedy. I read about your band in the SMH and spontaneously bought tickets to your Metro theatre gig for myself and a friend to celebrate his birthday. Absolutely blown away! I bought your newest cd and that is fantastic too! I especially enjoyed Shenzo's solos and Peter's percussion and 'double-bass-aka-cello'. Lara's excellent vocals were a surprise as I didn't expect this to be a strength in a group touted as a string ensemble."

TICKETING INFO
Dinner & Show tickets include entry, seating and 2 course meal.

Dinner & Show tickets are only available via Moshtix.

Some Dinner & Show Bookings may be on a shared table. Please let us know at the time of the booking as a special request should you prefer not to share, and subject to availability we'll do our best to accommodate your request. Note it is not possible to join ticket holders together across ticket groups (meaning A Reserve ticket holders cannot sit with B Reserve etc).

A RESERVE Dinner & Show + Beverage Package also includes a selection of Premium Red & White Wine + Local and Imported Beers and is available by exclusive table service to A Reserve Ticket Holders from Doors to Show Time (usually 1930 - 2230). *RSA and conditions apply

DOORS OPEN AT 7.30PM
MUSIC STARTS AFTER DINNER SERVICE, AROUND 9.00PM
SET TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FROM SHOW TO SHOW

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
When General Admission Ticket sales have closed on the day of the show they may still be available at the door on the night. 

All patrons must be over the age of 18

Once purchased tickets are non-refundable & non-transferable
(applies to both Standing and Dinner sales)

Please ensure you bring photo ID as proof of age

A booking fee applies to all advance tickets. (All quoted prices include tax).

Dress is Smart/Casual at Manager's discretion. No thongs.

RESTAURANT (GREEN ROOM BAR) OPENING TIMES
DINNER: Tues - Sat (6pm - Late)

NOTE: Restaurant Hours are subject to venue/function bookings.

SEATING MAP FOR DINNER & SHOW BOOKINGS
Please Note: tables cannot be joined together. Please ensure everyone you intend to seat at your table is included in your booking to avoid being seated separtately. Unfortunately, Dinner & Show bookings are for a minimum of 2 people. Tables for each section are first in, best dressed.