Brunswick Music Festival 2026 - Imogen Pemberton/Let me be tender

Presented in partnership with Brunswick Music Festival 

Imogen Pemberton / Let me be tender showcases new music by Naarm-based singer-songwriter Imogen Pemberton as part of her residency project at correspondences  with visual artist and writer Anna Dunnill. Inspired by the project’s theme of tenderness, a quality felt in Imogen’s sound and lyrics and Anna’s tender weavings, this intimate afternoon performance will feature a pared-down acoustic set, showcasing Pemberton’s exquisite vocals, keyboard, and guitar playing, with backing vocals and electric guitar by collaborator Phillip Cortes. Don’t miss this tender exchange of music by Imogen, which, like Anna’s visual practice, is sure to transport you to a place of deep reflection, calm and care for life’s preciousness.

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Date: Saturday, 7 March 2026
Location: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country correspondences 39 Sydney Road, Bulleke-bek (Brunswick) VIC 3056
Proceedings:
—2:00-3:30 pm Temporary gallery/exhibit closure during sound check for the BMF performance.
—4:00-4:25 pm Entry via the Sydney Road front entry for BMF ticketholders until 4:25 pm. Hereafter, access is via the laneway at the rear of the gallery. Our volunteers will direct you. 
—4:30-5:15/5:30 pm Performance approx.
—5:30-6:30 pm Drinks, conversations with the performers and opportunity to explore the residency exhibit featuring visual artwork by Anna Dunnill. 
—6:30 pm Venue closes. 

Press the blue 'Join the guest list' button to join.

Tickets are $20 (1Adult). Limited free entry tickets are also available. 
Please note: Unfortunately, we are not resourced to accommodate walk-ins/door sales on the night. To secure your place, please pre-purchase. If you miss out, please join the waitlist, and we will reach out. Additional information regarding access and ticketing is below. 

Access the rest of the BMF program here: https://www.brunswickmusicfestival.com.au/ 
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Imogen Pemberton

Photograph: William Richardson

Imogen Pemberton is an Australian/Filipina singer-songwriter. A trained vocalist and music teacher, she is known for her broad vocal range, dancing melodies, and sophisticated guitar playing. Since 2015, she has played and toured her music, settling in Naarm (Melbourne) in 2023, where her rich storytelling, combining intimate lyrics with layers of jazz, soul and acoustic folk, has quickly gathered her a loyal following. You may have heard this songstress on Triple J Unearthed, PBS FM, or performing live as part of one of her East Coast tours. Be sure to listen to her single Come and get your mind (2023) and her debut album Water from Wine (2019), which, as singer-songwriter Leigh Carriage said, “will take you on a sonically and lyrically immersive journey”. Have a listen to her stunning new single, Cotton Wool (2025), released in December 2025.

Please visit Imogen's Bandcamp site for more information [access here]. 
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/imogenpembertonmusic/

Phillip Cortes

Enamoured by the electric guitar, Phillip Cortes grew up dreaming of emulating his guitar heroes of the 70’s and 80’s. Phillip subsequently completed a Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the Melbourne Conservatorium specialising in the popular Brazilian popular music genre Choro while still harbouring a small flame for Country and Western music. Although the ghosts of rock’n’roll glory remain in the past, music remains at the epicentre of Phillip’s life.

Additional information:
—From 2:00-3:30 pm, there will be a temporary gallery/exhibit closure to allow our musicians to sound check. 
—Ticketed entry is officially from 4:00 pm for a 4:30 pm sharp start, and the performance will run for approximately 45 minutes. Before the performance, guests are welcome to explore the exhibit in the space featuring visual artwork by Imogen's co-resident artist, Anna Dunnill. Guests will be invited to take a seat at 4:25 pm. 
—The front door entry on Sydney Road will be locked off at 4:25 pm to minimise disruption for our performers. Access is then via our Black Street entry. Our volunteer ushers will be available to help direct you to the rear to see if you can enter the performance space after it has started.
—There is seating available and limited standing space. Please follow our lovely volunteer team for directions. 
—Drinks can be purchased upon arrival, prior to 4:25 pm or after the performance. Just ask one of our friendly Volunteer team members.
—All of our events are photographed as we need to document all that we do to evidence the work that we do and secure grant funding. If you'd prefer not to be featured in our event photographs, please let us know in advance, and we will ensure you're not captured. Your comfort is important to us.
—Please note: Disability access: Unfortunately, we could not install an entry ramp into our facility due to building limitations. There is a 200mm step up into the front entrance of the gallery space. Please drop us an email in advance at info@correspondences.work to discuss this further and arrange assistance. There is no step-up if you enter via the rear laneway (parallel to Sydney Road). However, there are three steps down into the gallery from the rear courtyard (rise measurements are 110 mm, 155 mm, and 170 mm). We have an ambulant toilet that is wheelchair-friendly but can only be accessed via the rear courtyard. The Wild Geese pub next door has a wheelchair-accessible bathroom. If you're looking for a quiet space, please feel free to sit in our lovely little rear courtyard. Our Volunteer Team can direct you. Please don't hesitate to reach out regarding any requirements at info@correspondences.work. 
—Should you have an artwork purchase inquiry, please email info@correspondences or speak with Emma Thomson, curator/director of the project.
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Acknowledgements
We respectfully acknowledge the Sovereign Custodians of the land and waters upon which we live and work, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We extend this respect to all First Peoples.

Our work is supported by Brunswick Music Festival / Arts Merri-Bek/Merri-Bek City Council.

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