Braving the beer-soaked carpets of Circular Quay’s Mary’s Underground for a spot of Bach seems an oxymoronic Sunday night. As does dancing and headbanging at an Australian Chamber Orchestra live show.

At ACO Underground’s Satu and the Beyond gig, there was both.

Led by ACO violinist Satu Vänskä, Satu in the Beyond compiled some heavyweight musicians. ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti donned an electric violin next to Midnight Oil guitarist Jim Moginie. Keyboardist Paul Beard has worked with the likes of Bryan Ferry and Robbie Williams. Declan Kelly is a talented, enthusiastic drummer. Bassist Kiah Gossner rounds out the rhythm section. 

Moginie had opened the set with long, swirling chords and melodies, underpinned by shimmering, chirping delay. Then came dj O’zopïum – Richard Tognetti and violinist Charlie Westhoff – offering a DJ set infusing EDM with classical flair while two dancers from Sydney Dance Company swept the floor, close enough to scare. This adventurous diversity in programming was thrilling; with context in mind, every song was given a new spin.

As Väska and band took the stage,...