APS Teatru Unplugged returns to Teatru Manoel this weekend for the 24th edition of the highly anticipated music concert. Originally co-founded by the pairing of Nirvana Ciavola Azzopardi and Jonathan Shaw in 1998, APS Teatru Unplugged is an acoustic music event which has led the way in bringing contemporary music to Teatru Manoel.
Julia Hickey. Photo: Daniel McGowan
We sat down with APS Teatru Unplugged co-producer Julia Hickey - who is stepping into this role for the first time this year, under the wing of co-founder Jonathan Shaw - to find out more about this year's concert, as well as her experience working with the Unplugged team for the past 13 years. "This year's edition marks my tenth year being involved in the production," she said. "The first year I joined was shortly after Nirvana passed away, I came on to help with the charity collections and wanted to stay close to the event, which has become somewhat of a tribute to her."
Being part of Teatru Unplugged is what eventually led Julia to study events management, moving to Edinburgh in 2019 to pursue a degree in the area. "Eight years later, not only do I still live there, but I now work for one of the festivals. Taking on the role of co-producer for Teatru Unplugged has been very humbling but also a great honour, not least because I feel there's been a great deal of trust placed in me by Jonathan, Teatru Manoel, and the sponsors. I have been incredibly lucky to have been mentored by Jonathan over the years and I'm very grateful that he saw something in me, without his encouragement I might not be where I am today."
APS Teatru Unplugged was initially set up because of an article in the newspaper about low attendance at the Manoel Theatre from members of the younger generation. "The CEO at the time wanted to address that, which Jonathan and Nirvana did in their own way," explained Julia. "Inspired by MTV Unplugged, which was all the rage in the '90s, they came up with a concept that was fast-moving and presented an array of musical talent." The idea was that the event would expose audiences to artists whom they might not otherwise listen to.
With sets of around twenty minutes per artist, audiences get a taste of what each act has to offer without the commitment of a whole show. So, if you want to watch one particular band, you get to enjoy their performance and you also get the bonus of watching four other artists. "It's been a winning formula over the years, so we've not really deviated," she said. However, as a producer, Julia would like to reignite the youthful energy of Teatru Unplugged, aiming to do so by championing diversity and making the most of the eclectic and independent music scene that Malta has to offer.
Renzo Spiteri. Photo: Liz Micallef
For Julia, working so closely with Renzo Spiteri, artistic director of APS Teatru Unplugged, is a very personal and full-circle moment. "My favourite Teatru Unplugged memory is from Teatru Unplugged 14. I was fourteen years old at the time and it was my first time attending. I had started playing the drums around that time and I remember being completely in awe of the event, and I was particularly excited to watch Renzo Spiteri perform - he was somewhat of an idol to me. Nirvana, who was a close friend of my family's, caught wind of this and took me backstage to meet Renzo, I was totally star-struck and asked him to sign my programme, which I still have to this day."
Julia also explained that working closely with Teatru Manoel, both as a venue and a production partner, has had a profound impact on the event. "Teatru Manoel is special. Anyone who has been there, anyone who has performed on this stage, will tell you that. There's something quite spectacular about the fact that despite the grandeur of the baroque architecture the space really is quite intimate. As a production partner" she added, "Teatru Manoel has enabled us to continue to support the local scene and bring fresh talent to the national theatre."
This year's edition of APS Teatru Unplugged welcomes the esteemed Colin Fitz as the master of ceremonies. His presentation will hold together an ensemble of newer and established local acts, with musical genres spanning from alt-rock to catchy pop tunes. Performing at APS Teatru Unplugged 24 will be Dario Genovese, Djun, Family3 featuring Jackie Pace Delicata, Chasing Pandora, and Moira Stafrace.
Since 2013, APS Teatru Unplugged has acted as a memorial to the memory of co-founder Nirvana Ciavola Azzopardi. This year marks the ten-year anniversary of her tragic death after her fight with breast cancer. Donations collected during the APS Teatru Unplugged concerts will go to Hospice Malta and can be given at the event or online at https://hospicemalta.org/product/teatru-unplugged-donation/
The event kicks off on 3 of November at 8pm and plays once more on 4 November at the same time. Tickets can be booked at https://teatrumanoel.mt/, by calling +356 2124 6389, or in person at the Teatru Manoel Box Office.
APS Teatru Unplugged is supported by APS Bank, Baileys and Olimpus Music.