Melbourne

David Bowie was an icon in every aspect of his art. Through music, shows and myriad personas, the iconic rockstar remained relevant for decades as an icon of glamorous, theatrical spectacle. The show Loving The Alien juxtaposes itself with this history, interweaving songs and anecdotes to tell a story not of Bowie The Rockstar, but of Bowie The Narrative. In the process, creator and performer Karlis Zaid aims to answer the deceptively simple question: who was David Bowie?

The show’s stripped-back aesthetic complements this quest well. It’s unusual for a show about one of the most ostentatious rockstars to ever live to take place in a black box with four smartly dressed performers, their instruments and some slightly more elaborate lighting design. This may explain why the audience seemed awkward at first, but Zaid and co-star Aurora Kurth did an excellent job at easing us gently into the show’s world. Their easy banter created a nerdy superfan vibe, and the vocal performances were dramatic while still feeling natural and fun. The cast’s passion was their greatest asset, there were more laughs and vocal reactions from the audience as the show went on and by the end, we were all out of our seats, clapping and singing to ‘Heroes’.

The songs themselves, performed by Andrew Patterson on keys and Aaron Syrjanen on guitar, are lovingly crafted arrangements that feel familiar and welcoming while still offering surprises. ‘Sound and Vision’ is retooled into a smooth ballad, ‘Changes’ and ‘Let’s Dance’ start softer and build to great climaxes, and ‘Fame’ and ‘Ashes To Ashes’ used beautiful harmonies to highlight how well Zaid and Kurth’s voices work together. They’re also placed very well throughout the runtime, not always chronologically but mirroring the stories told in between to create a subtle emotional arc. The last two songs in particular hit with a sombre tone that feels earned and cathartic. Nothing feels out of place, though with a repertoire as strong as Bowie’s it would be difficult to put a foot wrong.

The lack of visual references makes it clear that the show is for people who are already fans of David Bowie. We know the songs, and we may know some of the stories, so it’s up to Zaid and his team to put them in a new context. The story of Bowie’s life is told in quite broad sweeps and given the show’s theme of finding the man underneath the image, it may have been nice to examine and with more of Bowie’s personas – the only one who gets significant discussion is Ziggy Stardust. However, the show is clearly not trying to be a straight biography. When specific events are focused on, they’re often less known or more controversial details about Bowie’s life, such as an exploitative contract he was under or the role he may have played in the breakdown of his marriage to his first marriage. Due to its personal nature and willingness to explore all sides of Bowie’s narrative, the script steers clear of hagiography and ensures that most people will learn at least one new fact about their favourite rockstar.

Loving The Alien lives up to its name by inviting us into a heartfelt, thought-provoking dive into Bowie’s story. The love and care is clear in the music, performances and writing, and while it may not be the Bowie tribute you may expect, fans will find a lot of joy and pathos in it. Whoever Bowie was, as a person and performer, this show demonstrates why we still care, and why it will always be important to celebrate uniqueness and otherness wherever it flourishes.

To book tickets to Loving The Alien, please visit https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/event-archive/2025/contemporary-music/loving-the-alien.

Photographer: Angel Leggas

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