Concrete Playground

A trip to one of Sydney's beaches can be akin to a pilgrimage. For many those sandy strips are symbolic of all things Australian - whatever that really means - and almost everyone reading this can share a memory of getting the golden grain chafe in their special place. But it is not just here that the beach holds sway over people. All over the world can be found the majesty of waves pounding against the shore, rendering rock into sandy butter.

TaikOz have tapped both this tidal heartbeat and local beach romance in their new project, Shifting Sand, which has its world premiere here in March. World-class taiko drummers, TaikOz have blended a particular Australian sensibility with the ancient Japanese tradition, a mix that has granted them many successes over the past twelve years. Combining exceptional physical prowess with energetic sounds, Shifting Sand will also be the first time that TaikOz presents entirely original music outside of collaborations.

Image by Keith Saunders

By Jimmy Dalton