After a great week of visiting schools in Melbourne and working with local kids, groups, and music programs, The Exchange teamed up with Suade, their brother vocal group from Australia, to put on a Sold Out show for one night only. The 2-act show featured 5 challenges between the group ranging from eating a spoon of Aussie favorite Vegemite, a Longest-Note competition, Skulling a “Beverage”, performing the other’s National Anthem, and an Interpretive Dance-Off. Man vs. Wild, as the show was affectionately named, became less competition and more collaborative as the show went forward, ending in a moving rendition of Mary (Don’t You Weep) sung off microphone by both groups.
The audience was a willing crowd who, at many times during the night, became a part of the show. From on-stage volunteering to off-stage dancing to a track meet…it was a crazy show and people left happy.
The Exchange made their way through Melbourne as part of a month-long leg of their 2013 “Get Ready” Tour through Australia in part to inspire and support a growing vocal music scene in the country down under. Melbourne has a strong arts scene and as the Sing Off recently aired through Australia, there is growing support for the art form. The group gave away a number of copies of their new album Get Ready to students and teachers in the area in the hopes that they spread the tracks and hopefully inspire more singing.
The night was supported by Vocal Australia under the reigns of Amelia Alder. With their help The Exchange will be back soon to continue the joint effort to grow the Australian vocal scene and support their efforts across the country.
