DeepBlue performed a season of ten shows reflecting the Australia Pavilion theme, ‘Chasing the Sun’ and Expo 2025 theme, ‘Connecting Lives’. Our unique arrangements of Australian pop, rock and electronic hits and contemporary classical compositions was a hit with the international audiences with an average crowd of about 800 attending each show.

Our shows featured a solo by DeepBlue violinist and shakuhachi player, Julia Hill, developed in collaboration with shakuhachi master Sensai Nakamura and composer Zinia Chan, vocals by DeepBlue’s Greg Olley and Kaitlin Bowen, dynamic choreography and circus stunts, beat-matched, colour-intense visuals by Andrew Gibbs which added movement, and expressed the moods of our largely instrumental repertoire.

Partnerships with two Japanese schools in Nara and Kobe which hosted YoungBlue Music Expression Workshops supported Junior High and High school students to develop their own choreography. Workshops culminated in short school performances with DeepBlue and participants at the school, and also workshop participants performed a song alongside the band during three of DeepBlue’s Australia Pavilion performances.

CREDITS

Violin: Evan Setiawan, Julia Hill, Kat Augastakis, Greta Kelly
Viola: Toukie Wood
Cello: Wayne Jennings, Anitah Kumar
Guitar, vocals, keys: Greg Olley
Drums: Hik Sugimoto
Shakuhachi master: Akikazu Nakamura
Sakuhachi soloist: Julia Hill
Theremini soloist: Greta Kelly
Composer in residence: Zinia Chan
Visuals Designer & Creator: Andrew Gibbs
Costume Designer & Creator: Tiffany Beckwith-Skinner
Marketing and Stage Hand Assistant: Vicky Chen
Marketing and Rehearsal Assistant: Jolina Wilbur
Producer: Greta Kelly

DeepBlue are grateful for the support of Australian Government as part of Australia's participation in World Expo 2025 Osaka.