If Lady Gaga makes you gag and you find the bells and whistles that fembot artists Britney, Pink, Christina, et al. employ leave you with a bad taste in your mouth, then LIVE may be the thing for you. Part of Sydney Festival, the event promises an intimate video study into the art of performing.

But what does that mean exactly? Well, if you’re director Jasmin Tarasin it’s about creating an artistic installation that aims to reconnect an audience with the performer. All too often, musicians are front and centre stage at a stadium show and the tyranny of distance between them and the crowd means that various things will be lost in translation. But when the artist is within reach and up-close-and-personal, viewers will come to appreciate the twists and turns, indeed the wonderful minutiae involved in creating beautiful music.

The exhibition is shot completely in black and white with four screens projected alongside each other as the 20 artists are left to do their thing. It’s stripped back - there are no mics, extravagant costumes, crazy lighting, etc, etc. Instead, there is just the person singing with little-to-no instrumentation that creates a humbling vibe, such that it’s almost like the performer is putting on a show for their friends or in your very own lounge room.

There is Warren Ellis playing some incendiary punk violin that at times hints at Jimmy Page; Julian Hamilton doing an a cappella version of “My People;” and Sarah Blasko singing “All I Want” where her ethereal vocals fuse perfectly with an acoustic guitar being played off-screen. There are some groovy electronic tracks from Peaches and Róisín Murphy. The latter is better known as having been one half of Moloko and her offering sounds likes a New Order hit.

Jarvis Cocker brings us his witty lyrics with a sterling rock riff in “Further Complications” and Dr. Jimmy Little AO sings of the plight of his Koori people. Juliette Lewis perhaps better known for her acting chops sings the blues very convincingly with a Janis Joplin-like wail. And Gareth Liddiard sings the moving Drones classic “I Don’t Ever Want To Change” while Kram shows off his excellent talents switching from acoustic guitar to drums and back again.

Director Jasmin Tarasin has said that she selected the artists for LIVE because they performed with soul, emotion and an authentic, heartfelt expressiveness. LIVE is all this and more, as it breaks down the barriers of age, sex, race and musical style to celebrate the incredible art and power of music, pure and simple.