Xylouris White is playing in the Monster kitchen and bar’s Salon and Dining rooms at Hotel Hotel on Saturday 11 March.

Xylouris White is the creation of two incredible musicians – Cretan lutenist George Xylouris and Melbourne born drummer Jim White of the Dirty Three. Like raki mixed with honey to make rakomelo – this is a collab with a kick.

Xylouris White’s performance ranges from intense, wildly primal and rugged rhythms to a languorous nostalgic place you didn’t remember until now.

Those that try to classify it do so fitting it into all the good boxes – traditional Greek folk melodies, free jazz, post-punk, bluegrass and maybe even a bit of klezmer.

This show is part of a tour that follows the release of ‘Black Peak’, the duo’s second album, described by Songlines as “astounding stuff”.

Still coming down from a recent trip to Athens, Monster kitchen and bar chef Sean McConnell will be serving up his spin on a shared taverna dinner before the performance. It’s too bad we can’t smoke ciggies in there.

“This is Cretan folk music played with a rock’n’roll intensity that is truly immersive.” — Uncut.

“These are haunted folk rituals feeling around deep inside the human psyche, grasping for rarely reached zones and nostalgia for submerged memories.” — The Quietus.

Watch

There are two ticket types to the show one involves dinner (excluding drinks it’s $80) and the other simple entry ($25).

On the menu 

Olives
Fava
Calamari
Sardines

Feta salad
Fennel pie
Snapper
Eggplant
Bitter leaves

Ricotta honey pie
Watermelon and yoghurt.