'Walkie' On the Wild Side

As part of the Vivid Live Festival in Sydney, Australia, Lou Reed and longtime partner Laurie Anderson will be performing a 20 minute concert that can only be heard by dogs, using high-frequency dog whistles. The piece was inspired by their rat terrier, Lollabelle.


From the Sydney Morning Herald:

"It's OK with me if they run in circles," she said. "They can [even] express themselves and make a little mosh pit if they feel like it." The concert will also be short. "Dogs don't have a giant concentration span – 20 minutes tops," Anderson said. "Actually, I think a lot of shows for people would be improved if they were 20 minutes. Shows are too long – my own included. I dream of making something that's a perfect half hour and then it just goes on and on."

It all takes place at the Sydney Opera House's northern boardwalk on June 5th. In addition to the canine concerto and additional sets from Reed and Anderson, My Brightest Diamond, Rickie Lee Jones, Bardo Pond, Holly Miranda, and a string quartet-backed Emily Haines of Metric will also be performing. Both Reed and Anderson are curating and headlining the month-long event, featuring Boris, the Blind Boys of Alabama, and Tuvan throat-singers Chirgilchin.

Laurie Anderson is also releasing her first album in a decade on June 22nd. Canines take note: This one will be for human consumption.