Unpopular: Powerhouse exhibition for a powerhouse of music

Stephen “Pav” Pavlovic is not a name many people recognise, yet he has been instrumental in spring-boarding the careers of some of the biggest names in popular music. Promoter, entrepreneur, event planner, guru – Pavlovic helped establish Australia as a “must include” on tour itineraries for international bands, as well as getting local bands onto the international circuit. 

A new exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum, Unpopular, features paraphernalia from decades of Pavlovic’s life and work in the music industry, much of the collection contributed by Pavlovic himself. 

“Unpopular looks back at an extraordinary time for live music through the lens of Stephen Pavlovic, telling the story of the international and homegrown musicians and communities that drove the thriving Australian alternative music scene of the 1990s. Pav was there in it all and we are so thankful that he created this important archive that connects us with a time of great creativity,” says Lisa Havilah, Powerhouse Chief Executive. 

Born in Canberra, Pavlovic began managing and booking bands from the age of 16. He worked with breakout groups including The Celibate Rifles, Ratcat, Hummingbirds, The Clean, Straitjacket Fits and The Cruel Sea.

As his clout grew, so did his access to bigger names, and over the course of his career he toured a who’s who of rock music, including: Hole, Pavement, Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day, The Offspring. Pearl Jam, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fatboy Slim, LCD Sound System and Hot Chip.

In 1995 Pavlovic launched the hugely significant Summersault festival across five Australian cities, shaping an era-defining bill that included Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, Beck, Foo Fighters, Pavement, Rancid, Jawbreaker, Bikini Kill and The Amps. 

Pavlovic brought Nirvana to Australia at the height of their fame. It was their only Australian tour. 

The over 200 objects that make up Unpopular include: photographs, posters, graphic art, fanzines, tour itineraries, setlists, and personal handwritten letters and postcards. Unseen video footage and unheard music demos and live audio recordings provide a dynamic audio-visual experience.

Pavlovic has also written a book called Unpopular,  which is a collection of his personal observations and notes and consequently, an historical record of the alternative and rock music scene, especially during the 1990s.

Unpopular, the exhibition, includes a program of workshops and a documentary film night. For more details, visit the website below. 

From October 27, 2022

Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo

www.maas.museum/event/unpopular