Photo by Caitlin McLean.

Universal was started earlier in 2018 by Claudette Justice as a seasonal celebration of Melbourne’s diverse music scene and as a means of elevating those in the margins. Its aim is to champion the work of women, POCs, femmes and queers who are emerging onto the Melbourne music scene. Its tagline, ‘a place for everyone’, functions as a mission statement.

With the motivation to embrace emotionality in performance, and express softness and tenderness as political manoeuvres against oppressors, Universal presents a line-up of evocative, fearless and charismatic artists at MPavilion. Hear music by Willing, Claudy Knight and DJ Sezzo.