Festival director's welcomes are often dry lists of "thank yous" to local politicians and sponsors. Next Wave's is a creative call to arms.

"Art has the ability to articulate things we don't understand yet. The things that words will misconstrue and actions will obstruct," writes artistic director Emily Sexton. And for the next week Next Wave will directly connect us with a range of different ideas and insights - just don't ask us to sum them up because, you know, the words. 

The festival is spread across Melbourne from May 19 to 27 with all manner of performance, art, talks, parties and more. Tonight's opening party sets the tone with a "SUPER-DEF, THROW-DOWN JIZZAM OF THE YEAR" that'll fill the Footscray Community Arts Centre with house party charm. We're not sure exactly what's in store, but dammit we'll be there.