Beat 1731

serves up punk anthems for the listless and reckless at Leaps and Bounds

DARE TO FEEL

Featuring a huge line-up of Australian music, three unmissable experiences await.

BLEAK SQUAD

THURSDAY 16 OCT

7.30PM

FRIDAY 12 SEP 7.30PM

NOT DROWNING, WAVING + GEORGE TELEK

SATURDAY 20 SEP 8PM

PRINT EDITOR

Kaya Martin

EDITOR

Lucas Radbourne

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Frankie Anderson-Byrne

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Riley McDonald

GIG GUIDE

Jacob Colliver

CONTRIBUTORS

Liam Heitmann-Ryce-LeMercier, Wil Clifford, Cyclone Wehner, August Billy, Gabrielle Duykers, Tahney Fosdike, Juliette Salom, Frankie Anderson-Byrne and Bryget Chrisfield

FOR ADVERTISING OR SPONSORED CONTENT ENQUIRIES advertise@furstmedia.com.au

ACCOUNTS accounts@furstmedia.com.au

DISTRIBUTION distribution@furstmedia.com.au

PUBLISHER

Furst Media Pty Ltd

FOUNDER

Rob Furst

SOCIALS

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EDITORIAL NOTE

Congratulations, we’ve passed the solstice, which means brighter days are ahead.

Æ While July’s traditionally a sleepier month when it comes to events, it’s also when a lot of summer festivals drop their lineups, making it ideal for curling up under the heater at your favourite dive and plotting out your future. Plus, there are still plenty of gems happening if you know where to look. And if not, well, we’re about to tell you.

Lothario serves up leather-gloved femme-punk on our cover, ahead of their performance at the City of Yarra’s Leaps and Bounds festival. Elsewhere in the mag, we dive deep with American post-hardcore heavyweights Touché Amoré, DIY disciples Propaine and child-TVstar-turned-rising-RnB-act Jessie Hill. Porpoise Spit explain how you don’t need to be a boy to be one of the boys and Tjaka spit bars over didjeribone beats.

Plus, some news: Beat’s going out country! Melbourne will always be our home, but now we’re venturing out to regional Victoria, shooting some pool at your local pub and taking in the fresh air. If you need an excuse for a winter weekender, we’ve got you.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL OWNERS

Our magazine is published on the lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation, and we wish to acknowledge them as Traditional Owners. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging.

DISTRIBUTION

Beat Mag will be distributed free every month to hundreds of locations around metro Melbourne, to enquire about having it at your venue email distribution@furstmedia.com.au

COVER

Our July cover star is Lothario shot by Jacob McCann.

MSO ANNOUNCES

BILLY JOEL TRIBUTE CONCERT FOLLOWING SINGER’S DIAGNOSIS

On 14 November, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will host Piano Man: Celebrating the music of Billy Joel, showcasing the performer’s beloved tracks through orchestral arrangements. The show follows the singer’s announcement that he’s been diagnosed with a fluid buildup in his brain that’s forced him to cancel all tour dates.

LEAPS AND BOUNDS DROPS 2025 LINEUP WITH MORE THAN 60 ACTS

The winter music festival transforms pubs, clubs, bars and bandrooms across Fitzroy, Collingwood and Richmond into a celebration of live music and community connection this July. Leaps and Bounds features a community-curated program assembled from the ideas and expertise of local venue bookers, promoters and record labels.

NOW OR NEVER 2025 REVEALS 11 DAYS OF SENSORY CHAOS

Melbourne's always-adventurous festival Now or Never is back, transforming the city into a playground of art, sound and ideas. The groundbreaking cultural event has announced its most ambitious program yet, with over 285 local and international artists set to take over iconic venues from 21 to 31 August, turning familiar spaces into portals of possibility.

CASTLEMAINE TOWN FOLK FESTIVAL RELEASES 2025 LINEUP

Town Folk Festival returns to Djaara Castlemaine on 15 November with Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory headlining, alongside King Stingray, WITCH and more. The regional festival’s impressive lineup combines international indie royalty with Australian favourites.

RIDIN’ HEARTS LINEUP LED BY MEGAN MORONEY, NATE SMITH, AVERY ANNA

The third edition of Ridin’ Hearts Festival promises to deliver the ultimate country music experience when it returns to Melbourne on 26 October. After successful runs in 2023 and 2024, the festival has established itself as a premier destination for fans seeking an authentic taste of Nashville in Australia’s major cities.

MJ THE MUSICAL BRINGS THE KING OF POP TO MELBOURNE FOR STAGE DEBUT

After smashing box office records and thrilling audiences around the world, the production has locked in its run at Her Majesty’s Theatre from September 2025. Set in 1992, MJ The Musical offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Dangerous World Tour, as seen through the eyes of an MTV journalist given rare access to Jackson’s inner circle.

MARIAH CAREY, PITBULL LEAD STARSTUDDED FRIDAYZ LIVE STADIUM SHOW

After a brief hiatus in 2024, the nostalgia-fuelled party tour returns to Marvel Stadium on 25 October with its most explosive lineup to date. With no sideshows and no second chances, this is the only place to see these artists on Australian soil, and tickets are expected to fly.

AT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDANTLY RUN MUSIC VENUE

COUSIN

KINGSWOOD SUN 06 JUL

GIG GUIDE

DOMINI FORSTER

DARREN HANLON SUN 27 JUL

GUT HEALTH SUN 13 JUL

BOOM CRASH OPERA +

BOOM CRASH OPERA + MODELS (MATINEE)

BEN OTTEWELL & IAN BALL PRESENT GOMEZ BY REQUEST 22/11 ONSLAUGHT (UK) 27/11 THIRSTY MERC 30/11 SEVENTH WONDER: THE FLEETWOOD MAC SHOW 05/12 THROWING MUSES (USA)

EVENTS

DRAG BINGO

02/07 CHEERSQUAD RECORDS & TAPES RESIDENCY - DAVEY LANE, QUEENIE + MARCEL BORRACK TD BAND 04/07 JOEY LIGHTBULB (20TH BDAY SHOW) SOLD OUT 05/07 VELVET BLOOM 06/07 KINGSWOOD (20TH BDAY SHOW) 09/07 CHEERSQUAD RECORDS & TAPES RESIDENCY - CHECKERBOARD LOUNGE, SIME NUGENT & THE CAPES + ROLLER ONE 10/07 DOMINI FORSTER 11/07 ALEKSIAH SOLD OUT 13/07 GUT HEALTH (20TH BDAY SHOW) ALL AGES ALCOHOL FREE MATINEE 16/07 FAMILI PRESENTS: BLOODFIRE 17/07 FAMILI PRESENTS: BLOODFIRE 18/07 COLLECTIVE ARTISTS SHOWCASE (20TH BDAY SHOW) 19/07 THE FAUVES SELLING FAST

20/07 PETER COOMBE (20TH BDAY SHOW)

23/07 CHEERSQUAD RECORDS & TAPES RESIDENCY - PHIL JAMIESON, AL MATCOTT’S FOREVER BAND + LAVA FANGS

25/07 AUGIE MARCH (20TH BDAY SHOW) SOLD OUT

26/07 THE DEANS OF SOUL (20TH BDAY SH0W)

27/07 DARREN HANLON (20TH BDAY SHOW)

30/07 CHEERSQUAD RECORDS & TAPES RESIDENCY - MATT WALKER & ASHLEY DAVIES + SMOKED SALMON + ASH SANTILLA

31/07 ROD COOTE

01/08 NAI PALM (20TH BDAY SHOW)

02/08 GO-JO MATINEE SELLING FAST

02/08 GO-JO EVENING SHOW SOLD OUT

03/08 JUAN ALBAN (EPICURE) & THE GUILT ZONE - MATINEE

06/08 CHEERSQUAD RECORDS & TAPES RESIDENCY - HARD ON, BUDD + THE MAGGIE PILLS

THIS MELBOURNE NEWCOMER IS REDEFINING THE COSY PUB CULTURE OF JAPAN

Mannaka Izakaya has recently opened its doors in the Melbourne CBD. Offering a take on the casual izakaya bar style of Japan, Mannaka Izakaya has a menu filled with fresh, flavourful dishes; authentic Japanese classics with a modern twist.

THERE’S A NEW BRUNSWICK LIVE MUSIC VENUE HOSTING SUNDAY SESHES

Melbourne’s always got room for another watering hole – especially when it comes with a side of killer music and a community feel. Enter The Lebanese Rocket Society, a brand-new venue that’s already looking like a hot contender for your Sunday rotation. Find it at 2 Village Ave, East Brunswick Village.

A MAJOR NEW MUSEUM TO OPEN IN ONE OF MELBOURNE’S MOST ICONIC BUILDINGS

A brand-new cultural landmark is officially on its way. Arts Centre Melbourne has unveiled its latest cultural venture: the Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA), set to celebrate the nation’s rich history of stage and screen. Nestled on the upper terrace of Hamer Hall, AMPA will be a bold celebration of Australia’s performing arts legacy.

SCANDINAVIA’S BEST FILMS ARE COMING TO AUSTRALIA

The Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival promises to warm hearts and minds throughout the coldest months with an exceptional selection of Nordic storytelling spanning five countries and countless genres. Cinema lovers can expect everything from Cannes Grand Prix winners to Icelandic black comedies when the festival returns from 11 July to 3 August.

OUT ON THE WEEKEND REVEALS ITS STACKED AMERICANA LINEUP

Dubbed the greatest one-day celebration of alt-country and Americana music in the land, this festival, slated for 11 October, is one to catch. Leading the charge on the lineup is Nashville outlaw Nikki Lane and her band, bringing grit and rhinestone swagger to the Seaworks’ stage.

NAARM CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF NAIDOC WEEK WITH FREE FED SQUARE FESTIVAL

The City of Melbourne’s 2025 NAIDOC Week commemorates 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture and resilience. NAIDOC in the City takes centre stage on 11 July, featuring a powerhouse lineup that spans electronic music pioneers to emerging Indigenous talent, all wrapped up in a day-long celebration of the oldest continuous living cultures on earth.

OCEAN SOUNDS 2026 TO FEATURE THE TESKEY BROTHERS, THE PRESETS AND MORE

The family-friendly sunset concert will return to the picturesque Phillip Island on 10 January. The festival has announced its stunning lineup for 2026, with The Teskey Brothers heading up the day, a DJ set performed by The Presets and a special performance from Millowl Dreaming.

CROWDED HOUSE, ANGUS & JULIA STONE TO HEADLINE RED HOT SUMMER TOUR

The Red Hot Summer Tour has dropped its 2025 lineup featuring Crowded House as headliners. The outdoor festival series will showcase an all-Australian supporting cast including Angus & Julia Stone, The Church, Mark Seymour with Vika & Linda and The Waifs across 12 dates from October to December.

LE AERIAL IS BRINGS SUPERHUMAN STUNTS AND SKY-HIGH BALLROOM DANCING

The acclaimed aerial spectacular Le Aerial is set to come to Melbourne in October. The show has launched an earlybird ticket sale for its Melbourne season, on until 6 July, giving audiences the chance to secure discounted seats for what promises to be a breathtaking display of aerial artistry.

SOME OF THE WORLD’S BEST WAR PHOTOGRAPHY IS COMING TO BALLARAT

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale will showcase Catherine Leroy: One-Way Ticket to Vietnam 1966-1968 this August. Showing at the Ballarat Town Hall from 23 August to 19 October 2025, it’ll be world premiere of the late French photojournalist’s extraordinary work.

PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY IS COMING TO MELBOURNE

The Sydney Theatre Company production will make its Melbourne debut from 28 October to 23 November following the world premiere season in Sydney. The Talented Mr. Ripley features acclaimed Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith’s adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s psychological thriller, with direction by Sarah Goodes.

MELBOURNE MUSEUM OFFERS OVERNIGHT ADVENTURES BENEATH ANCIENT SKELETONS

Melbourne Museum has launched its extraordinary after-hours sleepover series, providing exclusive access to exhibitions alongside a luxurious night’s sleep beneath towering dinosaur skeletons. The Museum Sleepover experience features behind-thescenes tours, immersive exhibitions and premium amenities designed to create unforgettable memories for participants of all ages.

SCANDINAVIAN CINEMA COMES TO MELBOURNE IN JULY

Palace Cinemas has announced the first highlights of the 2025 Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival, showcasing the finest new cinema from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. The festival will run from July to August at various cinemas across Australia, offering audiences a unique cultural journey through Nordic storytelling.

THE WORLD’S BIGGEST RARE BOOK FAIR IS COMING TO MELBOURNE

Melbourne Rare Book Week returns this year with an extraordinary lineup of events, exhibitions and lectures celebrating the world of rare and collectible books. Running from 24 July to 2 August, the event has grown significantly since its establishment in 2012 as the world’s first rare book week.

WINTER SOUNDS IS TRANSFORMING DAYLESFORD’S CHURCHES AND HISTORIC BUILDINGS

The beloved regional Victorian festival runs from 14 to 17 August, celebrating live music in atmospheric venues including historic churches, country halls and vintage train-accessible locations. Winter Sounds 2025 will feature an impressive lineup of acclaimed Australian artists spanning rock, folk, alt-country, soul and contemporary sounds.

QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC FESTIVAL DROPS BUMPER LINEUP OF AUSSIE LEGENDS

The Cat Empire, Thelma Plum, The Waifs, King Stingray, Little Birdy and Cosmic Psychos join Queenscliff 2025 lineup. The artists will head up three unforgettable days of music, community and coastal charm as the event that attracts more than 10,000 music lovers of all ages returns to the Bellarine Peninsula from 28 to 30 November.

ED SHEERAN HINTS AT AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES FOR EARLY 2026

Ed Sheeran appears to have confirmed Australian tour plans for early 2026 through a casual TikTok exchange with fans. Speculation began when Ed Sheeran posted content from his recent Madrid shows on the platform. One Australian follower asked about his plans to return down under, and Ed Sheeran’s reply of “Start of 2026” sent fans into overdrive.

KENDRICK LAMAR IS BRINGING HIS GRAND NATIONAL TOUR TO AUSTRALIA

Following sold out shows across North America, and his upcoming European and UK dates with SZA, the hip-hop legend Kendrick Lamar has announced that he is taking his Grand National Tour to Australia. He’ll perform at AAMI on 3 December.

A MASSIVE NEW JAPANESE FOOD HALL HAS OPENED IN MELBOURNE

Omi 380, a sprawling 600-square-metre Japanese food hall, has just opened its doors to food lovers in the CBD. The venue covers all your Wagyu, bēkarī (bakery), matcha, gelato and saké needs in one spot, at 380 Lonsdale St.

ORIGINAL FALLS FESTIVAL SITE SOLD WITH BUYER TALKS OF FUTURE FESTIVALS

The 68-hectare Falls Festival site in Lorne, Victoria has sold after two years. The property sold for $2,625,000 on 10 April, 2025, and the new owners are reportedly still having discussions about future plans for the property and are interested in potentially running festivals “of a different sort of nature” to Falls.

A MAJOR NEW MARITIMETHEMED PARK HAS OPENED IN DOCKLANDS

The Docklands park features river lawns, a play space for children, an events deck, an urban forest and more. After five years in development, Seafarers Rest Park has opened in Docklands as Melbourne’s newest riverfront public park in two decades.

THERE’S A NEW HARDSTYLE FESTIVAL COMING TO MELBOURNE THIS SEPTEMBER

Evolution Events presents Evolve Boiler 360 Vol. 2, a fully immersive electronic music experience inside Festival Hall on 6 September. The event promises a brutalist blend of music, light and machine-led design built to deliver a complete sensory overload for electronic music enthusiasts.

ENTRECÔTE, MOVIDA AND MARMONT ARE ALL COMING TO MT BULLER THIS WINTER

Renowned hospitality group Tommy Collins is bringing Melbourne’s culinary heavyweights to Mt Buller this winter season. The Tommy Collins Winter Takeover features Grant Smillie from Marmont, Jason Jones from Entrecôte and Frank Camorra from MoVida taking over mountainside venues Villager and Little Village.

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET TRANSFORMS INTO A WINTER WONDERLAND

Melbourne's iconic Winter Night Market becomes a snow-dusted Winter Wonderland this July. The Night Market will deliver a flurry of festive experiences, including live ice sculpting, snow queen entertainers, immersive photo moments and all-new eats on Wednesday nights.

CLAPTONE IS THROWING A DAY PARTY OVERLOOKING ST KILDA BEACH

The enigmatic German DJ and producer Claptone brings his spellbinding event concept, The Masquerade, to town – promising magic, mystery and intrigue within a supercharged environment of wonder for one afternoon on a groovin’ St Kilda beach. See him perform on 22 November.

THIS ICONIC COLLINGWOOD VENUE HAS BEEN REIMAGINED AS A GIANT CIRCUS HUB

A new era for Victoria’s circus and physical theatre scene is on the horizon, with the launch of Circus Centre Melbourne; a bold, state-of-the-art creative hub set to open in Collingwood later this year. The major new venue will be helmed by Australia’s national youth circus, the Flying Fruit Fly Circus.

A GROUNDBREAKING NEW 16-HECTARE ART PRECINCT IS OPENING THIS WINTER

The Wama Foundation will open its doors mid-winter 2025 as Australia’s first dedicated environmental art centre. Located on Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali lands, the Wama Foundation represents a groundbreaking fusion of contemporary art and environmental engagement.

BENDIGO WRITERS FESTIVAL 2025 CELEBRATES GASTRONOMY AND STORYTELLING

Bendigo Writers Festival 2025 returns with a food-themed program featuring more than 60 events from 15 to 17 August. This year’s festival features over 60 events and more than 80 writers and speakers exploring food culture and literary arts.

JULY

SAT 05 PHIL MANNING BAND FEAT. WARREN MORGAN

FRI 11 ‘AJA’ AS PERFORMED BY THE KITES

SAT 12 BLUES GUITAR ROADSHOW – ALL STAR JAM FEAT. LLOYD SPIEGEL, GEOFF ACHISON, WILBUR WILDE, ANDREA MARR, JOHN MCNAMARA (THE MCNAMARR PROJECT) KERRI SIMPSON, RIDING NORTHBOUND, PHIL CEBERANO, LISA BAIRD, JUSTIN YAP, SIMON KINNY-LEWIS & MORE

SUN 13 SARAH CARROLL AND THE BIG FUSS W/FENN WILSON, GEORGE CARROLL WILSON, SHANNON BOURNE & LEIGH IVIN

THU 17 JENNY MITCHELL (NZ) THE FOREST HOUSE TOUR

SAT 19 SCARECROW – THE MELLENCAMP SHOW

THU 24 PROHIBITION PARTY – WITH SWING’IT ONE OF EUROPE’S HOTTEST JAZZ BANDS

FRI 25 THE WILBURY LEGENDS RIDE AGAIN

SAT 26 MARK WILLIAMS ‘NOW AND THEN TRIPLE PLAY’

SUN 27 REBECCA BARNARD & BILLY MILLER’S WINTER SINGALONG

LOTHARIO

HEITMANN-RYCE-LEMERCIER

Melbourne rocker Annaliese Redlich and her homegrown punk band Lothario are laying down a setlist of their best and most badass tracks at this year’s Leaps and Bounds Music Festival.

Æ Conceived in her bedroom in late 2022, Lothario is the mouthpiece for Annaliese’s feminist punk anthems for the listless and reckless. Giving voice to raw hedonism and personal demons, Lothario has confirmed its presence on the Naarm live music circuit and continues to unleash many a trick from up its ripped denim sleeve.

Hosted by the City of Yarra, Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is an event showcasing established and up-and-coming artists within the region. A highlight of the Victorian live music calendar, it’s an event close to Annaliese’s heart.

“Being in that area all the time,” she tells me over the phone from a holiday in Bali, “being around all of these amazing bands putting on these incredible shows…

To me, it’s just a celebration of what happens, day-in, day-out, in Naarm, in Yarra.”

Lothario’s upcoming performance at Leaps and Bounds promises a popular showcase of favourite hits, with much for diehard fans to look forward to, but there is also one other, major piece of news.

“The most exciting thing,” Annaliese practically sings through the phone, “is that we have a brand-new member! Beth is our new bass player. It’s her first show. We’re super thrilled that she’s our newest member, and we can’t wait for her to make her live debut with us.”

Another shuffle among the ranks is that Lothario’s former bassist, Elsa, is now the new lead guitarist, with the upcoming performance at Leaps and Bounds representing the band’s first gig within this new format.

“Everybody fucking rips,” Annaliese assures me. “I can’t wait to birth this new incarnation of Lothario! We are definitely working on new songs at the moment –we might drop a new track – but the new lineup, that’s incredibly hot. A huge thing.”

This new evolution of Annaliese’s onstage presence is only the latest post within a lifelong passion for performance and music. From her earliest indulgences as a child, belting out from the backseat of her parents’ car as they played cassette tapes, to miming along to her favourite songs in her room, the bug for singing has always been a part of her life.

“Tina Turner was my icon when I was a kid,” she reflects with a warm laugh. “I didn’t think I could sing at first, but then I realised in hindsight that it was exactly what I wanted to be doing. I just love sharing something live with the audience – just jumping into the audience, seeing that look in people’s eyes of unbridled excitement.”

“I just love sharing something live with the audience – just jumping into the audience, seeing that look in people’s eyes of unbridled excitement.”

Annaliese’s passion for live music is well-placed within Melbourne, given its scarcely contested reputation as the live entertainment capital of Australia. Annaliese herself goes so far as to say that the city is, in fact, the live music capital of the world.

Having toured Lothario across different parts of the US and Europe, experiences that she cites as unforgettable and a valuable contrast to Melbourne, she still underlines there isn’t anything else like the music scene to be found down under.

“Some of those cities are pretty amazing, but Naarm has it going on 24/7! That is not something to soon forget, and not something to take for granted,” Annaliese says, underlining that without the crowds who attend the shows in the first place, she wouldn’t be able to do what she loves.

Going to these shows and showing support with feet on the ground and hands in the air is what keeps the live music ecosystem alive and kicking. Annaliese cites a track she recorded by herself in a studio, which she felt was a decidedly lo-fi experience, but when performed with all members of Lothario it gained the depth and sonic texture of a five-piece band.

“Live music is about connecting with your community, connecting with other people that love what you do,” she emphasises, “and it’s also about discovery. You’re not always going to know every band that you’re going out to see!”

Melbournians will be well-served to make their own musical discoveries and catch Lothario the next time they light up a stage near you.

WHERE: OLD BAR

WHEN: 24 JUL

LOTHARIO

Credit: Jack Gruber

FESTIVAL GUIDE

FIRELIGHT FESTIVAL

This warming winter festival brings the heat, with fire installations, roaming performers, art pieces, live music, sizzling street food and much more. Free to enter, the program is jam-packed with quirky goodness, making it a interactive and memorable experience for visitors of all ages.

DOCKLANDS 4–6 JUL

FANGFEST

This late afternoon all ages event is part punk show, part costume party. Held at the Fairfield Bowling Club, the lineup includes Rent is Due, Headspin, Vlad and the Impalers, Misscommunication and more. Every band has a different theme – all are spooktastic.

FAIRFIELD BOWLING CLUB 5 JUL

HIGH NOON

Attention city slickers, this hoedown is offering a whole afternoon of line dancing and day drinking. DJs will be spinning tracks from modern country gems like Morgan Wallen, Kacey Musgraves and Zach Bryan, with a couple of classics thrown in as well. Expect cowboy boot shoeys.

HOTEL ESPLANADE 5 JUL

SAKE FESTIVAL

Irasshaimase! You’ve just been welcomed to the Sake Festival, a weekend of exploring Japan’s favourite rice wine. Meet distributors, snack on sweet and savoury dishes, browse Japanese ceramics and homewares, and most importantly, sip some sake. There will be masterclasses and guided sampling sessions where you can learn more.

MCEC 5–6 JUL

COFFEE WEEKEND

Melbourne’s known for its coffee drinks, and this festival is a filter frenzy. Meet coffee roasters and smell and sample more than 100 brews made by international and interstate roasters. Plus, there will be hourly workshops, coffee competitions and live music to keep you entertained.

MEAT MARKET 5–6 JUL

COLLECT FEST

Do you have an obsession with collecting? Whether you’re into sneakers, memorabilia, playing cards, toys, stamps or anything else, Collect Fest has what you need, bringing together the country’s top collectors. The event will feature speakers, special experiences, brand activations and a ton of exhibitors showing off their goods.

MCEC 5–6 JUL

MELBOURNE MAGIC FESTIVAL

Prepare to be shocked and dazzled as this mighty festival brings some of the world’s best illusionists, mentalists and tricksters to town. Tobias Dostal, Eric Leclerc and The Great Kaplan lead the charge this year, bringing close-up tricks, family-friendly shows and much more.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS 7–19 JUL

BASTILLE DAY

The Bastille Day celebrations bring the food, culture and entertainment of France to the heart of the city. Taste crepes, croissants and camemberts, test your skills at a language masterclass, and see shows by can-can dancers, mimes and accordionists. It might be the closest some of us will get to a Euro summer.

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET 12–13 JUL

RUN MELBOURNE

Running has certainly been a trend this year, so if you’ve caught the bug, here’s your chance to show off your new skills. In the city’s biggest winter running event, 25,000 athletes will take to the streets to challenge themselves to reach new personal bests. With runs of various lengths, there’s something for all ability levels.

MELBOURNE PARK 13 JUL

THE LITTLE FOOD MARKET

This weekend event is dedicated to Australia’s finest local tastemakers. Showcasing all types of booze and food products from producers visiting from across the county, the festival will feature shopping, tasting and a Chef’s Hat stage, where culinary legends come together to tell stories and share the secrets behind our favourite dishes.

ROYAL EXHIBITION BUILDING 18–20 JUL

LEAPS AND BOUNDS

Taking place in various venues across Melbourne’s hottest live music suburbs, this beloved annual event aims to support local businesses and rising artists. This year’s lineup features Rocket Science, Kennel District and Roger Knox (AKA Blak Elvis), alongside chess tournaments, day raves and much more.

YARRA 24–27 JUL

MELBOURNE TARTAN FESTIVAL

Melbourne’s celebration of all things Scottish has already kicked off, and will be holding whiskey tastings, lectures, poetry readings, Gaelic language lessons, walking tours, ancestry deep-dives and more all month. A highlight is the Tartan Day Parade on 6 July where bagpipers, traditional dancers and even some Scottish dogs will take to Collins St.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS UNTIL 26 JUL

OPEN HOUSE MELBOURNE

Ever wondered what it looks like inside some of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings? Now you can find out, as stunning private homes, players-only areas, high-profile artist studios and more across the city welcome visitors for one weekend only. This year’s theme is Stories of the City, shining a light on the people who live, work and play in our metropolis.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS 26–27 JUL

STAGE GUIDE

WHO KILLED ANNA KEY?

As part of Cabaret Fringe Festival 2025, this one-drag-queen show muses on the death of the utterly fabulous Anna Key. How did she meet her sorry fate? Who should be held responsible? Tea will be spilled. Only time will tell.

THE BUTTERFLY CLUB 3–5 JUL

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT WALTER

Dean struggles with all-consuming OCD. Mary tries to fix him with self-help books. They keep a delicate balance, until one day they can’t. Watch as their realities start to unfold into a web of paranoia in this tense psychological drama.

THE BUTTERFLY CLUB 7–12 JUL

SMOKESCREEN

Set in 1977, this play follows Glenn, a marketer for a major oil company. As concerns grow over a climate crisis, he meets with a tobacco rep Bud to devise a plan on how to sell a product that’s slowly killing us. Razor-sharp and extremely timely, this piece unpacks the men behind the narrative.

FORTYFIVEDOWNSTAIRS 8–13 JUL

MY COUSIN FRANK

This evening of storytelling honours Australia’s first signed Indigenous Olympian, Widjabul Wia-bal and Githabul man Frank Roberts. A boxer and advocate known for his integrity, Frank stunned the world when he stepped into the ring in Tokyo. Written and told by Rhoda Roberts AO, this event brings together family history, humour and determination.

THE SHOW ROOM 9–12 JUL

HAUNTED

Scottish storyteller and magician Kevin Kopfstein takes us on a journey into the paranormal, discussing witch trials, Egyptian curses, haunted dolls and much more. Expect to be unsettled in this creepy performance that shows us this world is more than meets the eye.

ARROW ON SWANSTON 9–11 JUL

ANNIE

The iconic musical masterpiece makes its way back to Melbourne for a limited time. Following little orphan Annie and her inspiring and playful journey, the show features timeless tunes including Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street and Tomorrow.

PRINCESS THEATRE FROM 10 JUL

STILL

This artistic collaboration between local theatre legends Richard Murphet and Robert Meldrum takes on six late works of Irish writer Samuel Beckett. Raw and realistic, these visceral vignettes attempt to capture the complex emotions and experiences of dying.

TW EXPLOSIVES FACTORY 10–26 JUL

ECHO:

EVERY COLDHEARTED OXYGEN

Made by Iran’s most treasured playwright Nassim Soleimanpour and acclaimed director Omar Elerian, this experimental piece features a new actor every night. Unrehearsed and unprepared, the script is their only guide, musing on what home means to each of us.

MALTHOUSE THEATRE 14–19 JUL

RANDY FELTFACE

The internationally-beloved puppet comic returns to Melbourne with a whole lot of opinions to share. From bananas to the downfall of humanity, he’s not afraid of the big topics. With 19 years of laughs behind him, he’s guaranteed to deliver a hilarious and unhinged show.

PALAIS THEATRE 11 JUL

BREAKING THE CASTLE

Written and performed by Peter Cook, this performance charts the life of struggling actor David as he deals with substance abuse issues, mental health challenges and Shakespearean drama, before searching for solstice in Southeast Asia. Witty, raw and surprisingly funny, this touching piece has gained acclaim across the world.

THEATRE WORKS 15–19 JUL

RUMBLESKIN

Presented through multiple perspectives, this queer folk tale charts a transformation in a dark and mysterious land. Following truckers, pregnant teenagers, cowboys and fugitives, this performance takes us to the outskirts, where an affliction called Rumbleskin is taking over the country.

FORTYFIVEDOWNSTAIRS 17–27 JUL

THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD

This family friendly show brings to life the world of award-winning children’s book The Gruffalo in this stunning sequel. The gruffalo’s child ignores her dad’s warning and heads out into the deep, dark woods. Featuring music, puppetry and physical theatre, this show is a charmer.

ATHENAEUM THEATRE 19–20 JUL

CORIOLANUS

One of Shakespeare’s most thrilling works, this show examines the tyranny of Rome’s vicious warrior and defender. Banished from the city he once protected due to his unmoving beliefs, Coriolanus teams up with his former enemy to get revenge.

ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE FROM 24 JUL

MOTHER PLAY

Starring Sigrid Thornton, this four-time Tony nominated drama comes fresh from its 2024 Broadway debut. Set in the ’60s, the play follows the interpersonal upheavals of one family led by their bold single mother Phyllis as they navigate the turmoil of a changing world.

SOUTHBANK THEATRE ALL JUL

Saturday 5 July, 7pm

Two of Australia’s most electrifying Indigenous bands unite for one unforgettable night at Wyndham Cultural Centre Theatre.

Located in the heart of Werribee, Wyndham Cultural Centre is your go-to for live shows, art, and a great night out. Surrounded by cafes and restaurants – with free parking and Werribee Station close by – it’s easy to dine, unwind, and enjoy.

177 Watton Street, Werribee

“We’re a band of four non-binary people and we too are the boys.”

PORPOISE SPIT

WORDS BY WIL CLIFFORD

“Kel is one of our best friends and we all actually play in a cover band together called Smashbox Thirty,” a chuffed Mill O’Sullivan reveals.

Æ “It started out with Jenny McKechnie from Cable Ties [wanting] us to play a bunch of stupid songs for her birthday. We all just jumped on the tools and magic happened.”

It makes me wonder how many other bands have decided on their new bassist via a Matchbox Twenty-themed covers project. It’s a unique situation, but then again, Porpoise Spit are anything but your common rock band. Mill has been part of Porpoise Spit since its inception in 2017. One exceptional album (2023’s Don’t Quit) and 200+ gigs later, and they’re one of the most reliable and well-respected projects roaming bandrooms today.

And to think their starpower is only growing with the recent addition of Kelly, vocalist of Ding Ding Ding (FKA Zig Zag), on bass guitar.

“[Kel and I are] like absolute best friends, so for us it’s mostly sheer absurdity and ridiculousness,” says Mill. “We get to kind of lock in together and have the best time. Big privilege.” Back in April they dropped Land, a ballad about finding your way through the mundanity of day to day life, set to soaring choruses and hopeful, resilient lyrics. It’s one for old and new fans alike, and a peek behind the curtain for what people can expect from a sophomore record.

“I can finally say yes, we have an album coming out. It’s very exciting!” says Mill. “The collection of songs for Don’t Quit were written over a really long period of time. We kind of wanted to do the antithesis of that.”

The past couple years have been nonstop, with a jam-packed gigging schedule supporting their debut album. That’s on top of a Music Victoria Awards nomination, a trek over to New Zealand and slots on a whole heap of local festivals.

Yet somehow, in between all the madness, the band has been tinkering away on a new batch of songs, seeking to challenge themselves as songwriters. They’re still the crew that bashed out Karl Stefanovic At The Logies Drunk, but they’ve stepped up a notch.

“I don’t think we’ll ever lose that rattiness or that boisterousness, but this feels like it suits our age,” Mill says.

“We feel like we’ve matured into something, and in that, we’re being a little bit more bold and a little bit bigger.”

But with a change of approach comes its own challenges; as a band that’s played more shows than many ever will, audience feedback is crucial for Porpoise Spit. Here, they find themselves with all new material, most of which is only just beginning to enter their setlists.

“It’s not comfortable. We’ve never played any of these songs live and we’re very much a live band,” says Mill.

“The experience has been vulnerable but exciting. That’s the point, right?

“We haven’t lost it entirely though, because we’ve got a new single coming out, which really speaks to the Porps of Old. Who knows, man. It’s a whole thing.”

The Boys is a huge, feel-good track about forgetting your troubles and having the best time ever with your mates – “a total ‘get in loser, we’re going shopping’ anthem,” says

Mill. With an incredibly positive reception the handful of times they’ve played it live, it was a no-brainer that this would be a single.

“We’re a band of four non-binary people and we too are the boys. Anyone can be the boys if you try hard enough,” says Mill. “We really want everyone to get around it as if it’s their song for their friends, ‘this is me and my friends, this is the boys’... People can take ownership of it.”

With a self-organised gig coming up on 18 July at Thornbury Bowls Club, Porpoise Spit are hoping to gather the funds to take the album on the road. It’s sure to be a big one; eccentric raver Our Carlson’s calling bingo (“because Carlson does Carlson stuff”) and untamable rockers Licklash will be ripping it up. Expect boot scootin’, DIY merch and maybe even a sausage sizzle.

“Carlson is a great mate, and the Licklash crew are great mates as well,” Mill says. “We feel extremely lucky that our community supports us so much. It’s kind of the whole point for us, is doing it for the crew.”

PORPOISE SPIT

WHERE: THORNBURY BOWLS CLUB

WHEN: 18 JUL

TOUCHÉ AMORÉ

WORDS

BY CYCLONE WEHNER

Jeremy Bolm, frontman of Los Angeles’ post-hardcore band Touché Amoré, is unpredictable.

Æ He’s sharing his recent vinyl acquisitions – and, apart from Turnstile’s NEVER ENOUGH, none are punk.

“It’s funny – I think people who listen to our band kind of expect that we’re not like through-and-through hardcore kids,” he says. Jeremy flicks through vinyls by REM, country icons Guy Clark and Skeeter Davis, plus The Blue Nile – the latter of which he “got really into” on tour.

“This record [1984’s debut A Walk Across The Rooftops] is hard to find,” he reveals. “I price records at a record store called Amoeba [Music] here in LA, and that came across my desk and, I was like, ‘Okay, I’m gonna buy that!’”

Jeremy isn’t done. “And then on my drive back to my apartment, I was listening to Illmatic from Nas. So I was having my New York rap moment on my way here.” He laughs. “Yeah, I’m all over the place.”

Clad in a black cap and T-shirt, Jeremy is Zooming from his kitchen as the “predominantly Latino city” faces President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration sweeps.

“It’s heartwarming to see how many people are standing up –like I was driving on the freeway and every bridge that I passed, there were people on the bridge holding up signs. I live in the city of Glendale, which was the first city to say ‘ICE isn’t allowed here’, so I was very proud of the little part of LA that I reside in.”

The vocalist is promoting Touché Amoré’s imminent return to Australia, the band (with guitarists Clayton Stevens and Nick Steinhardt, bassist Tyler Kirby and drummer Elliot Babin,) last here for 2024’s inaugural New Bloom Fest.

Touché Amoré have since presented an adventurous sixth album, Spiral In A Straight Line, thematising the dissolution of relationships and modern dread. “I am so excited to get back to Australia and play these songs, especially because Australia played such an important role in this record, in the fact that I was finishing writing all the lyrics when we were there last time.”

Forming in 2007, and releasing their debut album ...To The Beat Of A Dead Horse two years later, Touché Amoré emerged as a key band in the post-hardcore revival.

They performed at Coachella in 2015, the day Drake headlined. “It was as if we were playing at a club show in LA,” Jeremy recalls.

“Everybody we went to high school with was very impressed that we played Coachella, but it didn’t do anything for our career. It was fine. It was just something to do, something to add to our résumé, I suppose. Would I do it again? Sure. Yeah, I’ll take that pay cheque!”

Meanwhile, the group signed to Epitaph Records, issuing the weighty Stage Four to critical acclaim.

In 2020, Touché Amoré aired Lament, booking legendary producer Ross Robinson, the Godfather of nu metal known for his seminal output with Korn – Jeremy noting that it was “a hard record to make.” They reunited with Ross for Spiral In A Straight Line.

“He’s an intense, demanding, but absolutely connected and devoted person to have working on your record, where there’s not a minute where he’s not trying to make the best thing happen for you.”

An old friend, Julien Baker of boygenius fame, sings on the melodic closer Goodbye For Now. The “brilliant songwriter” has actually featured on Touché Amoré’s past two albums.

“I felt bad even asking her to do this one,” Jeremy jokes. “But I was like, ‘I mean, at this point, you’re like a sixth member.’ So you’re sort of, ‘sorry – it’s your fault!’”

Inherently DIY, Jeremy is industrious. Outside of Touché Amoré, he runs a label, Secret Voice, and hosts The First Ever Podcast, chatting to other creatives about their career origins.

Intriguingly, the musician cameoed in Eric Appel’s Emmywinning film Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. “It was very stressful ‘cause I’ve never done anything like that before.”

Jeremy portrayed the guitarist in “a fake band,” Weird Al himself showing him how to play a song.

“He didn’t know me at all [but] was so sweet and gave me a big hug and said, ‘Welcome to the set.’”

He’s still in disbelief about the “amazing experience,” stating, “I never thought in a million years I’d be able to be in something like that… I got to hang with Daniel Radcliffe a little bit, who was just the kindest person in the entire world… so it was just crazy. I had several moments that day of thinking like, ‘What am I doing here?’”

TOUCHÉ AMORÉ

WHERE:

170 RUSSELL

WHEN: 17 JUL

Credit: Sean Stout

Kayla De Guzman

ROHAN

WORDS BY AUGUST BILLY

ROHAN’s latest single, Fizzy , is a break-up song.

Æ The songwriter sounds hurt, frustrated, “ripped off.” “You’re full of shit,” he sings in the second verse. But throughout the guitar-led indie pop song, ROHAN tries to remain equanimous. The chorus ends with the line, “You know, I’m having the very best time.”

“It’s about a relationship that kept fizzling out. It was a very toxic relationship, but this song was like, I’m going to be peaceful with it. I’m going to have fun with it; be playful,”

ROHAN says. Both Fizzy and ROHAN’s previous single, I Wish I Could Tell You, will appear on his forthcoming EP. Born in Melbourne, ROHAN moved to Singapore for high school. He’s now based in San Francisco, where he works for the wireless gaming company Backbone, but he’s been immersed in music for as long as he can remember.

“My mum signed me up for piano classes when I was three,” he says, “which is, I feel like, a very Asian mum thing to do, but I got really into it.”

His fascination deepened when his sister introduced him to Green Day. “That was what got me really into music,” he says. “I mean, I was literally listening to Green Day and just punk stuff from maybe three to 16.”

The personal nature of his latest songs reflects ROHAN’s tendency to channel his strongest emotions into his songwriting. “When I was sad as a kid or angry as a kid, I’d just pick up my instrument and play,” he says. “And it’s the same thing now. I just naturally will go to my guitar and I’ll just naturally start singing.”

In this way, the forthcoming EP is a document of a pivotal phase in ROHAN’s life, one that encompassed as much strife as it did growth.

“The idea is it’s the end of an important chapter,” ROHAN says. “And at the same time, I think I was developing my sound with these songs.”

ROHAN

LABEL: PUNKHOUSE RECORDS

RELEASE: OUT NOW

Made in partnership with Big Hassle Media.

PROPAINE

WORDS BY GABRIELLE DUYKERS

In a crowded landscape of budding artists, it seems you either adapt or bow out. But Naarm post-punk inspired outfit Propaine is choosing to do things their way.

Æ This Too Feels The Same – the band’s self-made debut album – is a testament to their DIY mentality and the resilience coursing through Melbourne’s underground.

On this project, the quartet, made up of vocalist Mim Gustafsson, guitarist Jack ‘Teekay’ Templeton-Knight, bassist Jack ‘Pogo’ Pogson and drummer Angus Morse, decided to take full control.

“We wanted the album to capture the sort of live energy of how we actually sound, rather than having this really glitzy, shimmery record,” Teekay says.

Formed in late 2022, the group were intent on “embracing the imperfections” of their sound, which fuses punk basslines and emo riffs with “heady shoegaze romanticism”.

But the heart of the record’s unique atmosphere lies in the room it was born in. It was recorded entirely at D’Shut, a now-defunct DIY space in Brunswick that Teekay and Pogson helped run. The venue’s existence was a direct response to the pressures squeezing emerging acts off official stages. “That was the reason we started D’Shut,” Teekay says. “We were talking to musicians, and there's a sort of deluge of music venues, but they’re expensive to play at.

“Everyone’s kind of given up on making money,” Teekay continues. “No one cares about that. When you organise around that idea and go to a gig, it's just more fun and a greater chance to express yourself.”

With D’Shut providing a space to meet weekly, the songwriting flowed collaboratively.

“We would sort of all write in tandem,” Teekay recalls. “Which is probably more difficult… but it’s definitely more satisfying.”

It hasn’t come easy, but with two new songs already recorded and a national tour on the horizon, Propaine couldn’t be further from flaming out.

“I want to see how far we can push this thing,” Gustafsson says. “We’ve got a lot of momentum, and I’m excited to see what we do, whatever that is or however it sounds.”

PROPAINE

WHERE: BERGY BANDROOM

WHEN: 18 JUL

Credit:

MUSIC SWOP SHOP

WORDS BY AUGUST BILLY

Music Swop Shop is a Melbourne/Naarm institution.

Æ Located across two locations on Elgin St in Carlton, the Swoppy, as it’s known, sells second-hand musical instruments – and the range is vast.

Electric and acoustic guitars are the shop’s bread and butter, and they stock everything from guitars worth $100 to $30,000.

There are also drum kits, percussion, djembes and cymbals; keyboards, electric pianos, drum machines and synthesisers; accordions, melodicas, brass and woodwind; amplifiers, speakers, PA gear and mixers; computer interfaces, recording devices, monitors and microphones; samplers, sequencers, effects pedals and DJ gear; and every kind of string instrument imaginable.

“Basically, if it’s music related, we’ll stock it,” says the shop’s manager, Jeremy Malcolmson.

The Swoppy sells all its items on consignment, which means they don’t actually own anything. “We just work on 20 per cent commission,” says Jeremy. “So, people bring us their gear to sell and there are no time limits, no pressures on pricing.”

If a consignor changes their mind, they can take back their item free of charge. This system, rooted in principles of honesty and trust, has been in place since the shop opened its doors in 1982. The shop’s longtime owner, Bryan Derrick, passed away in January, but his spirit lives on in how the Swoppy does business.

“His ethos was rule number one: total honesty, and that goes a long way,” says Jeremy. “Just to be trustworthy and reliable, you know what you’re going to get.”

The Swoppy’s success has a lot to do with its casual and friendly way of doing business, as well as its fair prices and extensive range. But in an era when e-commerce dominates, it’s notable that the Swoppy hasn’t just survived, it’s thrived. They opened a second location a handful of years ago, directly across the road from the original store.

“We’ve got a saying that the guitar chooses you, so you’ve got to really connect with it first.”

In Jeremy’s view, the shop’s very physicality gives it an edge over online retailers. “You can play the instrument first, which is important not only for bonding with the instrument and seeing if you like it, but for actually getting a realistic idea of what it’s like and if it suits you personally,” he says.

“We’ve got a saying that the guitar chooses you, so you’ve got to really connect with it first. You don’t get that online.”

The Swoppy has approximately 5000 items in stock at any one time, which gives the shop a bit of funhouse unpredictability. “We’ve had access to stuff you just don’t get anywhere else because it’s second-hand,” Jeremy says. “You get a lot of gems that people’s grandparents have had under the bed for 30 years or something.”

They’ve stocked some rare vintage guitars over the years, some of them quirkier than they were playable. At present, there’s a Gretsch “Billy-Bo” Jupiter Thunderbird Bass in the shop that’ll set you back $3,000. “That’s been here for at least 15 years,” laughs Jeremy.

They had a Gretsch White Falcon in the shop for about 10 years, which attracted a lot of attention. “Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he was close to buying it,” Jeremy says. “He came into the store and liked it, and his wife was trying to negotiate a price but the seller wasn’t budging enough.”

MUSIC SWOP SHOP

A visit to the Swop Shop can feel like a day at a musical instrument museum. There aren’t enough hours in the work week to look through everything they’ve got in stock.

“It’s a bit of an Aladdin’s cave: there are little gems, little treasures hiding everywhere,” Jeremy says. “We probably log in, on average, 13 new items a day.”

The Swoppy is a shop for musicians, by musicians, and they’re also doing their bit to support the local scene.

“We sell artist merchandise at a very, very limited cost to us,” Jeremy says.

“It’s basically so we can have it there, so local artists with their releases, their albums, videos, T-shirts, band merch, anything.”

The Swoppy plans to take its support for local artists a step further with the launch of a musicians’ grant dedicated to the late Bryan Derrick.

“[It will be] a yearly grant for young bands to help them get off the ground,” Jeremy says. “Basically, to give young bands a merchandise package and recording time, just to help the local music scene.”

WHERE: 145–147 ELGIN ST, CARLTON

OPEN: MON–FRI 11AM–6PM / SAT–SUN 11AM–3PM

Made in partnership with Music Swop Shop

BABY DRIVER

LIVE MUSIC: may be a rarity at Baby Driver (for now), but music is certainly at the core of the venue’s ethos. Deeply inspired by the laidback cool of ’70s jazz and deep funk, this venue is soundtracked by the natural fuzz of vinyl, the ‘clack-clack’ of ice in cocktail shakers and bold, iconic basslines.

FAMOUS FOR: being the little bro of one of Melbourne’s favourite hidden bars, Beneath Driver Lane (hence the name – get it?). However where Beneath Driver Lane is focused on whiskey and blues, Baby Driver’s got the funk, as well as an extensive wine list and signature cocktails.

INFAMOUS FOR: This baby is so new, it hasn’t had time to develop infamy yet. But I’ve got a hunch that given the mood lighting and flirty atmosphere, it’ll soon be overrun by Hinge dates. Get in while you can!

Æ It’s always a treat when a hospo team we love gives us a new venture. Such is the case with Baby Driver, a new CBD haunt next to Beneath Driver Lane. Borrowing its name from the campy Edgar Wright crime movie, the space welcomes guests for a night of vibey music, friendship and general merriment. With DJs spinning smooth, soulful tracks on the weekends and candles flickering on the tables, it’s got the same warm atmosphere as its older sibling, but with a little more playful flair. If you’re looking for a quick bite, it’s also doing rotating kitchen takeovers – right now, Lady T is at the helm, dishing up Latin-inspired items like arepas, tacos and empanadas.

There’s something comforting about a genre-specific bar as well. No matter the night, you can always rely on the playlist, which everyone knows makes up 90 per cent of the atmosphere. Whether you’re grabbing a quickie before seeing live blues at Beneath Driver Lane or you’re settling in for a long one, Baby Driver’s got the chops.

WHERE: 2 DRIVER LA, MELBOURNE

OPEN: WED–SAT, 4PM–1AM

OPHELIA

LIVE MUSIC: is a new addition to the Ophelia menu, coming in the form of vinyl DJs. Formerly a day time joint, the venue has recently decided to open its doors after dark, showing a brand new side of this beloved spot.

FAMOUS FOR: its infinitely-Instagrammable, Euro-inspired small plates, just as delicious as they are photogenic. Think toasts, tarts, tartates and more.

INFAMOUS FOR: getting us day-drunk, nearly every time. Thank God they’re venturing into the night realm, or else we’d be lured back in for another afternoon of polishing off natty reds in the stark glare of daylight.

Æ Since opening its doors last year, Ophelia has been welcomed onto the High Street scene with open hearts and open mouths. Charmingly decorated, with a thoughtfully curated seasonal menu spanning from coffee to cocktails, it’s quickly become a Westgarth go-to for aperitivo hours, long lunches, casual catch ups and hangover cures.

Recently, the venue’s made a few key changes. First, it’s extended its hours, dishing up dinner and running late into the night. Next, it’s offered up the decks to local talent, with DJs spinning vinyl from the venue’s impressive collection and cranking up the party energy. Finally, it’s doing $20 pastas on Tuesday nights, and boy, do they look like the best comfort food we’ve seen in a minute: cheesy, tomatoey, al dente perfection.

With the sun setting before 6pm and a chill settling into our bones, this new era of Ophelia has arrived at just the right time. The venue’s comfy, tucked-away booths and heaters blaring on the patio make for the perfect place to escape the cold. Bring good company, settle in and make sure you grab an Iris Bakery pastry for dessert. Pure delight.

WHERE: 85 HIGH ST, WESTGARTH

OPEN: MON, WED, THU 7AM–4PM / TUE, FRI 7AM–LATE / SAT 8AM–LATE / SUN 9AM–4PM

LEAPS AND BOUNDS

WORDS BY JULIETTE SALOM

Just when you thought Naarm’s music scene was tucking itself away for winter, Leaps and Bounds comes bounding right back around.

Æ There’s no question about what the City of Yarra is built upon. From the beating heart of Naarm’s inner north-east comes a vibration of contagious rhythm. Over four days this winter from 24 to 27 July, Leaps and Bounds is celebrating the region’s musical history and thriving present in the best way it knows how: a bucketload of gigs.

Taking over more than 20 venues across Fitzroy, Collingwood and Richmond, Leaps and Bounds is showcasing the City of Yarra’s local venues, artists, businesses and music industry with performances for every kind of punter.

BENDIGO HOTEL’S METAL CLUB NIGHT

The Bendigo Hotel is bringing something fresh to Leaps and Bounds with Eclipse: Metal Club Night. Venue owners Mirek Aldridge and Larissa Spijkerbosch explain: “This is our first year getting involved with Leaps and Bounds, and we’re really excited to be part of it. We’ve been part of the City of Yarra community for almost a decade through The Mill Brewery, but moving into the Bendigo Hotel last August marked a new chapter — especially stepping into the live music scene.”

They describe the event’s unique approach. “For Leaps and Bounds, we’re teaming up with Matt Thorburn from Black Oceans Media – a fantastic emerging promoter we love working with in Melbourne’s heavy music scene. Matt’s been building serious momentum with great events, and Eclipse: Metal Club Night is a perfect example, as a full-throttle metal DJ event that flips our usual bandroom experience on its head. We’ll have DJs spinning heavy anthems from 9pm to 3am.”

The venue’s connection to heavy music runs deep.

“The Bendi has a long history with heavy and alternative music, it’s in the bones of the building. So doing something like Eclipse, which taps into that energy but gives it a fresh, club-style twist, just makes sense,” they note.

“The DJs – ChunzTV’s Luke and Connor, DJ Slaytanix and DJ Julz – are all legends in the community and know exactly how to fire up a room. It’ll be a night that feels both nostalgic and totally new.”

WORKERS CLUB’S COMMUNITY FOCUS

At the Workers Club, venue booker Claire Moreton confirms: “This is our first time hosting an event as part of Leaps and Bounds.

“The Queer Shift is running on a Sunday afternoon with a mixed lineup of queer artists and DJs, which gives the whole thing a different feel. It’s not just another band night – it’s a chance to let the venue breathe in a new way,” Moreton explains.

“The curation is entirely in the hands of a local queer promoter, Alex Morris, who we’ve partnered with, so it’s got its own distinct energy and voice, and we’re here to support that.”

She describes the festival’s community impact. “Leaps and Bounds gives us a chance to reach people who might not usually come to a standard Workers gig. Most of our shows are evening band room sets, so being able to program something a bit different – like a day-to-night, community-led event – helps shift the vibe and make the space feel more open and accessible. It’s a good excuse to show people a different side of the venue.”

When asked about preparation, Moreton notes, “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. We run live music every week, so the systems are already in place – we just adjust where needed to suit the event and support the promoter as best we can. In this case, Alex’s been the main man pulling everything together, so we’re just backing him however we can.”

On the venue’s City of Yarra character: “Walls that could tell some serious stories, solid parmas, a few Fitzroy Lions posters, and a band room that’s been through it – all sitting between the Fitzroy housing estate and Gertrude Street’s high-end wine bars. The mix of punters is always unexpected, and the music’s always live and local.”

FIRST NATIONS MUSIC SHOWCASE

LINEUP: Canisha and Liv and the Dream, Poli-Pearl and WCHWY, Tjum Tjumba Collective and Fosters, Yarra and Art, Candice Lorrae and Pirritu and Kaytlyn Johnson

Bodriggy Brew Pub will be pumping the tunes for the entirety of the festival with a slew of incredible First Nations artists hitting the mic. These free shows will be spotlighting some of the strongest voices from First Nations artists coming up in the local music scene. Expect big beats, transcendental tunes and the brewery’s signature pumping atmosphere.

BODRIGGY BREWING 24–27 JUL

CHESSTIVUS

LINEUP: Wrong Way Up (live), Adam Halliwell (live), DJ Possum and Acid Chess Club DJs

Just a hop, skip and a jump down the road, Collingwood Yard’s Runner Up will be providing the grounds for spicy beats with some of the city’s best DJs. This isn’t any old gig at Runner Up, though. Chesstivus won’t just be providing the tunes – they’ll also be providing an arena for you to flaunt your best chess skills. Budding chess players can choose between a CHILL or HECTIC tournament, soundtracked by tunes all the while. Hosted by Acid Chess Club, this will be the group’s biggest tournament yet, so don’t miss out.

RUNNER UP 24 JUL

TRACEY MILLER BAND AND FRIENDS

Richmond isn’t missing out on the fun either.

The inner-city’s home of music will see the Corner Hotel host a free cosy show for Yarra’s Aged Care and Disability home residents. The much-admired Tracey Miller Band and Friends will perform an afternoon of jazz classics and gospel music.

CORNER HOTEL

KENNEL DISTRICT

Brunswick Street regulars – this show is for you. Music will be bursting from the seams and spilling out onto the streets as Leaps and Bounds takes over the area. The Punters Club and the Evelyn Hotel will be teaming up to host Kennel District – a free party of bands and DJs hosted by I Oh You and Calibre. Keep your eyes peeled for the forthcoming lineup – a little birdy tells us it’s going to be huge.

THE EVELYN AND THE PUNTERS CLUB 25 JUL

SCORCHED AXIS

LINEUP: Jujulipps (Aotearoa/NZ), Cold/Heat, Arsam Samadi Bahrami & Sachin de Silva, Cloud Ice 9, Flossy, Rita Bass and Zipper

Down in Collingwood, Leaps and Bounds is taking over the entirety of the locally-beloved Grace Darling hotel. This bluestone icon of Smith Street will see Scorched Axis present a maze of club cubby-holes and cacophonies of sound. If you’re partial to a dash of electronic music, the Grace will be your onestop-shop at this festival.

26 JUL

THE GRACE DARLING

ROCKET SCIENCE

Collingwood will also play host to loveable punksters Rocket Science for a rare free show at the gorgeous Gem. Expect a cauldron of sounds that cascade from psychedelic to garage, plus a heaping of art-punk filling the spaces in between.

26 JUL

THE GEM BAR

ROGER KNOX

Just around the corner, the iconic Standard Hotel is injecting a dose of rockabilly into its front bar. First Nations country music legend Roger Knox (AKA Blak Elvis) will have you tapping your toes and swaying in your seat at this free intimate show.

THE

24 JUL

ANTI FADE RECORDS: LAZY SUNDAY

LINEUP: Constant Mongrel, J. McFarlane’s Reality Guest, The Shifters, Dom Sensitive, The Judges and Blue Communications

Neighbouring Collingwood icon the Tote will also be taking part in Leaps and Bounds’ party proceedings with an Anti Fade Records takeover for the history books. This epic gig of non-stop rock will be headlined by Constant Mongrel. Expect local legends –like J. McFarlane’s Reality Guest and The Shifters – and out of town superstars – like Yartapuulti/Port Adelaide’s Dom Sensitive.

THE TOTE 26 JUL

QUEER SHIFT

LINEUP: June Jones, Naycab, Lupa J, Dark Water, Tom Foolery, Bae Marie and Disco Rodeo Boot Scooting

Down the road on Gertrude Street, the Workers Club is hosting a day party like no other. What is shaping up to be the perfect way to begin a day of music before hitting up any of the other nearby venues, Queer Shift will be a party led by some of the local scene’s best trans and gender diverse DJs. Plus, the good folk from Disco Rodeo Boot Scooting will be setting fire to the day with a boot scootin’ hoedown to begin with. There’ll even be a dash of bingo to keep you entertained between beats.

THE WORKERS CLUB 27 JUL

TJAKA

WORDS BY TAHNEY FOSDIKE

TJAKA are more than ready to celebrate Elevate, the band’s energy-pulsing debut EP, on their upcoming headline tour.

Æ The self-produced EP sees the band – made up of two Fabila brothers, Geoff and Jake, plus their cousin Luke and close friend Felix Fogarty – put their music into recorded form after years of gigs and festivals.

Though, in reality, they’ve been performing for much longer than that.

“Jake and I have been on stage since we were 9 or 10 years old whenever Dad, who is also a musician, was performing. We would jump up with whoever in high school, then do shows with friends,” Geoff Fabila (didjeribone and vocals) says, adding that they’d also join Luke’s shows from time to time. This all developed their love for the live music scene, leading to their decision to form their own band and take the stage more often. “We got sick of jumping up for one song and then off again,” Fabila says, “We went, ‘Let’s do our own thing.’”

Fabila, a proud descendant of the Jabirr Jabirr tribe in the Western Australian Kimberley, says they chose their band name to reflect their cultural roots: it’s short for Tjakamarra, derived from their kinship naming system.

“Our dad is Tjakamarra, and all the men in that line are called Tjakamarra. Me, my cousin, my dad, all our uncles – all Tjakamarra,” he says.

After four years together as a band, they’ve aimed to capture the energetic essence and sound of their genre-diverse shows with Elevate. It was their second go at the project, with production being an entirely new ball game for the performance-experienced band.

Jake took the reins as the main producer, with support from musical peers like beatboxer Tom Thum and “legend” rapper Magoo. Founded in hip-hop, their sound expands throughout the EP from boom bap to rock with some grungy inspiration taken from Limp Bizkit.

“It’s exciting that we can say our first ever piece of work has been done fully by us,” Fabila shares. “But that’s also been the challenging part. It was a new experience for all of us… This EP is a showpiece of what we can do.”

“We’ve learned that energy crosses borders and languages.”

And they do a lot: the band recently returned from their second time touring abroad, with a successful UK run marked with the milestone of playing at The Great Escape Festival.

“As an emerging band, there’s that sense that you’re confident in what you’ve been doing, but there’s also the unknown in how audiences are going to react,” he says, reflecting on the positive response they received in England, adding that having a Didjeribone as their primary instrument always feels unique to overseas crowds.

“We are all massive music fans and have loved going to gigs since we were young. We’ve learned that energy crosses borders and languages. We brought as much energy as we could.”

TJAKA returned down under, and after a short rest, powered through with another dynamic performance at Dark Mofo in Tasmania – a taste of what’s to come for their Australian tour.

“It’s time to release and celebrate with people who want to listen,” Fabila says, seeing the tour as a celebration of their hard work over the past eight months of production.

“Hopefully the cold doesn’t scare people away, because I know that we’ll have a lot of fun down there,” Fabila says on concluding the two-week stint in Melbourne on 4 July.

Whether they’re streaming the EP or catching one of their upcoming shows, he hopes their music leaves listeners feeling uplifted in one way or another.

“The idea of Elevate isn’t new when you talk about people wanting to elevate themselves,” Fabila says. “To us, we’ve used this theme because it is our mindset to continuously improve.

“We’re hoping people feel that energy as well, and get that feeling whether they’re going to work hard at their job or their passion, or doing a test at school. We want them to continuously improve in whatever they choose.”

TJAKA

WHERE: WORKERS CLUB

WHEN: 4 JUL

KEVIN SILVESTER

WORDS BY AUGUST BILLY

O2 is the debut EP from Melbourne-based pop rock artist Kevin Silvester – a collection of eight songs founded in messy emotions and raw honesty.

Æ The EP title is a reference to the chemical formula for oxygen. “Songwriting became a survival instinct like breathing oxygen,” Silvester explains. But it’s also a nod to 2002, the year of Silvester’s birth and his favourite era for pop and rock music.

“That era of pop taught me you can be a high-sheen pop star and still make music that’s raw, emotional and unapologetic,” he says.

Silvester considers Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears and Slipknot as core influences, taking note of Lavigne’s attitude, Spears’ performance style and star power, and Slipknot’s intensity and rawness.

“I feel like I’m the three-way love child of Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears and Slipknot,” he says. “Avril showed me it’s okay to be messy and angsty; Britney brought the polish, performance and visuals; and Slipknot, even though they’re not pop, showed me the power of intensity and emotional release.”

Across the eight songs on O2, Silvester strives to blend these elements into a style of glossy pop music that’s delivered with “a rebellious edge and real emotional weight,” he says.

The record includes the singles I THINK I NEED THERAPY!, DELULU, STRANGER, ORBIT and BAD OMEN, all of which have received triple j airplay. The poppunk DELULU is Silvester’s favourite track to play live, while I THINK I NEED THERAPY! stems from a time when Silvester desperately wanted to see a psychologist but couldn’t afford the session fees.

“I feel like I’m the three-way love child of Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears and Slipknot.”

He told himself he’d just have to wait until he’d achieved fame and wealth. But in the interim, he says, “I was casually self-sabotaging and had no idea what I was doing with my life.”

So, how did he deal with it? By writing I THINK I NEED THERAPY!: a “pop-punk banger making fun of my own emotional spiral.”

The highly charged circumstances that birthed I THINK I NEED THERAPY! are an example of Silvester’s tendency to write songs when he’s consumed by strong emotions, be they positive or negative.

“Most of the time, I write when I’m feeling something really strongly, whether it’s heartbreak, frustration, or something more joyful,” he says. “My ideas usually come from a place of catharsis, like something I need to release.”

Making music has become second nature for Silvester, who learned his first chords before he could even spell his own name. “I started playing piano at four, and later picked up cello, drums, and guitar during high school,” he says. Silvester always knew he’d go on to make music of his own, he says. “Every song I heard, music video I watched and concert I went to only deepened my belief that one day I’d be on stage too, creating art that inspires others. Any other career I considered growing up always felt like a back-up plan to music.”

Only recently, however, did Silvester gain the confidence to front his own project. In the meantime, he’d been writing songs for artists like Kitty Rae, Kaiyah Mercedes and Julie Zorrilla.

“I didn’t feel confident enough to sing and be my own artist, so I focused on producing and writing songs for others,” he explains. “Over the years, the songs I was writing became increasingly personal, and it just didn’t feel right for anyone else to sing them.” The songs on O2 certainly are personal: BAD OMEN relates to some ill-fated friendships, while ORBIT – Silvester’s “favourite song [he’s] ever written” – is about being messed around by someone “tangled in their own internalised homophobia.”

“I’ve received so many messages about ORBIT,” Silvester says. “It tells a heartbreaking queer story. People have said they deeply relate to it and are grateful that I’m sharing my experience.”

Indeed, despite the intimately personal nature of Silvester’s songwriting, his music has struck a chord with listeners.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive and honestly, surreal,” he says. “Knowing that people are connecting with and screaming along to songs I held onto for so long is incredibly moving, especially after spending years in the industry since starting out as a producer and songwriter at 15.” O2 comes out on 4 July, and Silvester is feeling nothing but confidence. “I’m finally ready to unapologetically own my artistry,” he says.

KEVIN SILVESTER

LABEL: INDEPENDENT

RELEASE: 4 JUL

JESSIE HILL

WORDS BY TAHNEY FOSDIKE

“The way I write feels like a stream of consciousness,” says Melbournebased singer, songwriter and producer Jessie Hill, explaining that she often relies on setting and mood. “It’s like the song already exists and it’s just about channeling it.”

Æ Rewind to 2012 across the ditch and Hill was getting her start at the ripe age of 11, placing runner-up in New Zealand’s Got Talent to 15-year-old Clara van Wel. The impressive feat truly kicked off her music career with her releasing her solo debut album, With Love, with Sony Music New Zealand just a year later.

“The main thing it gave me was a real sense of love for singing to a crowd, which is still something I chase as an adult,” she says on how these formative years shaped her practice. In her teens, she relocated to Melbourne with a scholarship to study music at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, going on to win the inaugural Fed Live music competition held in Federation Square, sponsored by MTV Australia, Mushroom Records, Melbourne Music Week and Ditto Music, in 2020.

“I entered the competition on the last day you could apply with zero expectations. Winning was random but validating,” she says. “It was a stage I had walked past for years on my way to school. I had always wanted to play there. It was a big honour.”

It’s an accolade showing that Hill wasn’t just a child rising star, but that she’s a talent on a roll. In 2020, she released her maiden single, Good Grades, then her popular track Santorini in 2021 with Push Records, a love song dedicated to her parents’ anniversary. Her more abstract dance song Fever Dream dropped in 2023 with multi-instrumentalist and producer Fractures, and From This Moment came in collaboration with DJ Noiz last year.

“In the last few years, I’ve been lucky to perform in all kinds of places,” Hill shares. She’s been on stages in the US, Singapore, India and festivals closer to home in Melbourne, with a sound blending jazz, classical, R&B, soul and pop.

Then, this year, she released Motions, with the writing, production, and visuals giving homage to Kerala, Hill’s home state in India.

“I had no idea what I was writing about until I had finished the lyrics and was like ‘Oh, so that’s how I feel,’” she shares, saying that the writing process took just 30 minutes, with production moving quickly too with Sam Varghese.

“I told him I wanted to sample this fishing chant from India and, straight away, he got exactly what I meant.

“It’s cool to have so much culture to express and so many references to draw from,” she says, explaining a larger cultural focus in her music that’s still taking form.

“Recently, I’ve come across more casual hate towards South Asians. That is super weird to me. My perspective has shifted to see it as a responsibility to share my culture in the way I present myself. I want this to be a way for people who might not know much about India to be more exposed to the culture.”

These elements, as well as other Bollywood and Indian music and film influences, culminated in the single’s music video filmed spontaneously in India earlier this year.

“It’s probably my favourite music video so far because of the way it came together. The people behind it are so incredibly talented, hard-working and good at what they do,” she says, shouting out Sathya Pradeep and Vishnu Rajan, and saying she’s getting ready to release remixes of Motions with two artists from Malaysia and Singapore.

She’s done a lot, but it seems like the best is yet to come for Hill. Though to bring our focus back to the very present moment, she’s got Suzanne by RAYE and Mark Ronson on repeat, as well as Love, Love, Love by Donny Hathaway, plus everything by Paul Simon.

“I have so many influences, my perception of myself changes every second day,” she reflects.

“I struggled with this for a while because my music doesn’t sound like it’s coming from the same person. It can be incohesive. What I’m about to put out feels like a departure from what I’ve put out before, but I’m thinking less about planning and just sharing what I’ve been making.”

“It’s still very early days with all of this so I feel like I have no expectations to deal with,” she says, “so I may as well make the most of the freedom.”

“My perspective has shifted to see it as a responsibility to share my culture in the way I present myself.” Photography by @emilylumsden & @kirst.green

JESSIE HILL

WHERE: NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB SUPPORTING VELVET BLOOM

WHEN: 5 JUL

‘I want to make something that’s less like a caricature and more like me.’

FREYA JOSEPHINE HOLLICK

WORDS BY AUGUST BILLY

Outlaw country musician Freya Josephine Hollick has finally begun recording the follow-up to her acclaimed LP The Real World .

Æ The Ballarat musician’s third album came out in September 2022, and it received widespread industry acclaim.

ABC Country commended Hollick’s “textured cosmic country canvas” and her lyrical exploration of self-transformation, climate catastrophe and resilience in the face of authoritarianism. “Like all great artists she is making us think,” said the ABC’s review.

Triple R made The Real World their Album of the Week, and Double J named it one of the 50 best albums of 2022. The Real World debuted at #2 on ARIA’s Australian country albums chart and #7 on the vinyl albums chart.

But one crucial factor has stalled the production of a new album. “I’ve been waiting for funding to make a record,” Hollick says.

After having several grant applications denied and struggling to stack up enough money from touring and merch sales to fund a new album, Hollick reached out to her community. “I ran a Pozible campaign because the funding just never came,” she says.

Launched earlier this year, the campaign was beyond successful – the initial fundraising target was $18,000, but once she hit that, Hollick stretched the target out to $23,000. The funds will not only help pay for the new record, but also support Hollick’s application for a US touring visa.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how supportive people were and how much they wanted another record from me,” Hollick says. Hollick is recording the new album with songwriter and producer Tim Rogers, better known as Jack Ladder. The pair have been discussing making an album together since before The Real World came out.

“If you’re across Jack Ladder’s music, you know that it’s quite different to my music, but we have a lot of similar tastes,” Hollick says. The original plan was to make a contemporary-sounding record that blended aspects of country music with electronic production.

“There’s a lot of people doing traditional country music or really hamming up the cowboy pastiche,” Hollick says. “And I wanted to make something that’s a little bit less like a caricature and more like me.”

With Rogers’ input, Hollick is exploring the synth-laden, drum machine-powered sounds of ’80s power ballads and indulging her love of disco music. “I also love the music featured in David Lynch films,” she says, “which is a touch point for both Tim and I.”

At this point, Hollick is not thinking about whether the record will fit under the country music tag. “It’s marrying those [influences] together without making it overtly country, or without trying to emulate what’s already happened in country music before, and trying to do something a bit different,” she says.

While there’s no firm release date, Hollick hopes the record will be out this year. In the meantime, we’ve got Inevitable Sorrow, an outlaw country tune influenced by greats of the genre such as Blaze Foley, Townes Van Zandt and Steve Young.

“I wrote this song maybe like two years ago and had been playing it live a bunch,” Hollick says. “I just decided I would go into my friend Roger [Bergodaz]’s studio, Union Street Studios in Brunswick West. I played it twice through and then I was like, ‘Okay, that sounds pretty good.’”

Hollick then sent the recording – which centres on her voice and acoustic guitar – to a couple of musicians in the US: Josh Hedley, who added fiddle, and Geoffrey Muller, who added banjo. It all came together very easily, she says.

“I deliberated about putting it out because I was like, we didn’t have to work very much for this. Is it shit? And then I decided it was good and I would just put it out. And so, that’s what we did.” The fact that Inevitable Sorrow and the handful of singles that preceded it will not feature on the new album is an example of how prolific Hollick is.

“The only time that I stop writing is when it’s like, I really need to make an album,” she says. “And I’ve been in that sort of limbo phase for a couple of years now where I was just writing so much.”

She adds, “I would quite happily release an album a year if I had the funding to do that.”

FREYA JOSEPHINE HOLLICK

WHERE: MEMO MUSIC HALL

WHEN: 4 JUL

Regional STAGE GUIDE

WORDS BY FRANKIE ANDERSON-BYRNE

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Thanks to a golden ticket hidden inside a chocolate bar, Charlie Bucket, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, Mike Teavee and Augustus Gloop win the chance to enter the mysterious and magical world of chocolatier Willy Wonka. This childhood favourite is presented by Iona College, St Joseph's College, Sacred Heart College and Clonard College Geelong.

GEELONG ARTS CENTRE 24–26 JUL

CLUE

Amateur detectives came out to play when the board game Cluedo was released in the 1940s. Everyone was a suspect, and no one was afraid of making an accusation. A film would follow in 1985. Here, the Geelong Repertory Theatre Company invites you to a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests have assembled for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu.

GEELONG ARTS CENTRE UNTIL 19 JUL

Regional TOUR GUIDE

WORDS BY FRANKIE ANDERSON-BYRNE

BALL PARK MUSIC

To celebrate the release of their highlyanticipated eighth studio album Like Love, Ball Park Music will play a plethora of their much-loved hits in virtually every corner of Australia. They’ll be joined by fellow Brisbane act Bean Magazine as special guests, making an unmissable event for those looking for some good ol’ Aussie talent.

4–26 JUL

MAKE THEM SUFFER

Following the prolific release of their selftitled album and their biggest headline shows to date in 2024, Make Them Suffer announced a massive 2025 regional Australian tour, set to bring their insatiable live show on an 18-date run, joined by special guests Justice For The Damned and The Gloom In The Corner.

3–6 JUL

DICK & ANGEL’S FOREVER HOME

For a decade, the television show Escape to the Chateau was beloved by millions of viewers. Forever Home is the new show that shines the spotlight on the audience as retired Lieutenant Colonel, engineer and chef, Dick, and his entrepreneur and designer wife, Angel, as they share the adventures of their chateau dream.

ULUMBARRA THEATRE, BENDIGO 18 JUL

VANESSA

MITCHELL: LUBE ME ALONE

Vanessa Mitchell has a habit of saying the quiet part out loud. From dating fails to brutal parenting truths and those life events that make us (hopefully) stronger along the way, she’s not afraid to cross the line of decorum. Her debut show, Teardrops on My Dildo, was a huge success as it unapologetically tackled the female experience, but this woman’s work is never done.

PIANO BAR, BALLARAT 18 JUL

THE PASSION OF SAINT NICHOLAS

Picture this: the year is 1991. Geraldine Quinn and her brother, Nick, fearlessly take on a talent quest at St John’s College,

THELMA PLUM

If you thought Thelma Plum was done after her huge 2024 tour, think again. After selling out some of the country’s biggest and bougiest venues, Thelma’s swapping the city lights for starry skies. This time around, she’s hitting the road to bring her stunning second album, I’m Sorry, Now Say it Back, to some of the most beautiful and remote pockets of Australia.

3–5 JUL

BLISS N ESO

Australian hip-hop group Bliss n Eso will embark on a mammoth 28-date national tour, bringing their eighth and ninth studio albums to stages across metro and regional areas. Melbourne rapper Ivan Ooze is set to support all shows, bringing his high-energy performance style that has previously graced stages alongside Wu Tang Clan, Ice Cube and Azealia Banks.

4–19 JUL

Dandenong. And yet Nick takes a real job, while Geraldine goes into musical comedy. Beginning in Wagga Wagga, this is a triumphant tale of following your heart, the friction of divergent paths and what to do when you lose your biggest cheerleader.

LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE, WARRNAMBOOL 11 JUL

THE GREAT DE(BAY)TE

Should toilet paper go under or over? Could a bowl of cereal technically be considered soup? What question or questions will be posed to these wizards of the wit, these rock stars of the rhetoric? Held as part of WORDfest, The Great De(Bay)te will shake, rattle and roll your noggin as two teams enter, but only one leaves victorious.

APOLLO BAY, MECHANICS HALL 26 JUL

ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR

It can take weeks or months of rehearsals for a new musical. Not here. This is a one-week audition, cast and rehearsal production with full costumes, lights and all. Driven by Sprout Theatre Company, the ‘Musical in a Week’ is a school holiday venture that ends with a showing of Alice in Wonderland Jr. You’d be mad as a hatter to miss out on this.

BLUESTONE THEATRE, KYNETON 12 JUL

THY ART IS MURDER

Regional Victoria, get ready to raise hell, Thy Art Is Murder are coming your way for their Brutality Across Australia tour. Australia’s kings of extreme metal are hitting the road for a 16-stop regional tour across the country. If you’ve ever wanted to feel the walls shake and your soul leave your body via guttural breakdown, now’s your time.

16–18 JUL

DOPE LEMON

Dope Lemon is back! The Aussie music sensation, AKA Angus Stone, has just dropped his fifth studio album Golden Fang in May, plus a massive tour has been announced. If you’re a fan of dreamy, laidback grooves paired with lyrics that really make you think, you’ve been waiting for this.

BARWON HEADS HOTEL

26 JUL

Regional FESTIVAL GUIDE

CASTLEMAINE DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL

The Castlemaine Documentary Festival (CDoc) returns this winter for a jampacked weekend of bold, boundarypushing non-fiction cinema. Audiences will experience 11 standout Australian and international documentaries, including world and national premieres, that surprise, provoke and connect. Visitors will also get to experience Q&As, live music, themed parties and LOCALS, CDoc's muchloved celebration of regional short films.

THEATRE ROYAL CASTLEMAINE 4–6 JUL

WONTHAGGI ACOUSTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL

Expect a full weekend of street bands, singing, dancing, jamming, flamenco, gospel, local musicians, open mic sessions and evening concerts. Among other artists across the weekend, Bass Coast Pickers and Golden Guitar winners, The Davidson Brothers will perform on Saturday evening. BYO nibbles, drinks and instruments for jamming opportunities.

WONTHAGGI 4–6 JUL

THE BIG THRIFT MARKET

Who among us doesn’t love a good bargain? Such a soul does not exist. That small joy in finding your treasure in someone else’s trash is one of life’s little lotto wins. Returning for its second year, The Big Thrift Market offers a second-hand and recycled haven of pre-loved clothes, shoes, jewellery, homewares and more. You’ll also find food, music and boutique designer stalls.

THE MINING EXCHANGE, BALLARAT 5–6 JUL

ISLAND WHALE FESTIVAL

Every winter, Phillip Island transforms into a breathtaking coastal stage as humpback and southern right whales visit the surrounding coastal waters. The Island Whale Festival is a celebration of these gentle giants and the wonder of nature with a weekend of familyfriendly events, marine education, whale spotting opportunities and much more.

PHILLIP ISLAND 10–13 JUL

WORDS BY FRANKIE ANDERSON-BYRNE

ELECTRIC WONDERLAND

Electric Wonderland delivers interactive exhibits, immersive light installations and magical projections using the latest in audio visual technology. Be mesmerised by large-scale illuminated sculptures, a 360-degree laser alley light show and musical stepping stones.

ROSALIND PARK, BENDIGO 4–20 JUL

KNIGHTS OF FIRE

This icy spectacular offers an epic program of winter wonders and medieval action. Cosy up with a mulled wine or a hot chocolate made by braziers and watch knights battle with fiery swords, or join them in training with an axe, sword or bow. Experience the thrill of live jousting as knights clash in action-packed battles, watch live performances at the Jester's Theatre, transform into your favourite character at the face painting station, or brew magical potions.

KRYAL CASTLE 5–20 JUL

BENDIGO QUEER FILM FESTIVAL

More than a celebration of cinema, the Bendigo Queer Film Festival provides a vital space for visibility. It is a place where queer voices are not only heard but honoured. All stories matter, so gather around this space and celebrate, confront and envision who we are and who we can become.

THE BEEHIVE, BENDIGO 18–20 JUL

WINTER WONDERLIGHTS

Sovereign Hill transforms into a glittering wonderland as Winter Wonderlights returns. By day, enjoy the classic Sovereign Hill experiences – hop on a coach ride, try your hand at gold panning and more. Then, as night falls, the streets come alive with faux snow, wintry treats and music, all under the magical winter glow of stunning light projections.

SOVEREIGN HILL, BALLARAT 4–27 JUL

BALLARAT WINTER FESTIVAL

The Ballarat Winter Festival returns with exciting new additions designed to shake off seasonal blues through expanded entertainment options. The 2025 festival introduces a spectacular Spiegeltent called Ukiyo, positioned in the heart of the city opposite the iconic ice-skating rink.

BALLARAT 5–27 JUL

EAST GIPPSLAND WINTER FESTIVAL

The East Gippsland Winter Festival is back, lighting up the region with a month-long celebration of lights, food, music, art and culture. New in 2025 we’ll see an après ski party, an op shop ball, a scarecrow competition and exciting chef collabs. It’s the ultimate way to warm up your winter.

GIPPSLAND UNTIL 20 JUL

ECHUCA-MOAMA WINTER BLUES FESTIVAL

The award-winning Winter Blues Festival is Echuca/Moama’s premier music event, held annually, on the last weekend in July. Operating since 1999, this volunteerrun, not-for-profit festival is family-friendly and all-inclusive, and offers top quality entertainment for everyone to enjoy. Free to attend, this festival is one of the largest blues festivals in the country.

ECHUCA 24–27 JUL

APOLLO BAY WORDFEST

There is undoubtedly a place in the world for scrolling and bite-sized information. But there is also a place for taking a seat around a campfire at night, where stories are told and conversations run wild and free. WORDfest is that campfire. 2025’s theme is ‘Real & Imagined’. Events include WordPlay Kids Day, Poetry & Pies, Warm Winter Words Author Panel Sessions, The Great De(Bay)te, Writers Workshop and WORDfest Book Club.

APOLLO BAY

25–27 JUL

Lotus

Æ Album number six finds Little Simz “unpacking the fuckery she’s trying to heal through” while reclaiming her identity as an artist, post-Inflo bust-up. Having first met Dean “Inflo” Cover at Mary’s Youth Club, Simz was also grieving the loss of what she’d believed would be a life-long friendship.

During Angel – which opened her previous, Inflo-produced record, No Thank You (2022) – Simz likened their longstanding creative partnership to arguably Hollywood’s most famous ride or dies: “Flo and I comin’ like De Niro and Scorsese…”

Fast forward a few years and Simz is currently suing Inflo for unpaid debts to the tune of £1.7 million.

“This person I’ve known my whole life, coming like the devil in disguise” – Thief, Lotus’s vitriolic opener, howls with hurt and hurls accusations: “Your name weren't poppin’ until I worked with you.” Raw emotion gushes from this cut, autobiographical rhymes revealing much atop dexterous, free-form instrumentation: “Makin’ me feel like I was the guest/ But I paid for that jet” – ouch!

Cradled by sighing strings, Hollow revisits the betrayal: “You told me, ‘Beware of the sharks,’ and then you became one/ What can anyone truly expect from a day one?”

“As I walk this wicked ground/ Keep me away from the Devil's palm…” – the drum-rich Flood unleashes pure power. Delivered as if she’s divulging secrets, her flow is understated but self-assured here. Self-confessed Missy Elliott fandom shows up fiercely alongside this one’s sinister, playground-taunt breakdown.

It’s not all heaviness and loss, though. The easy, breezy Free – a gleaming, retro-soul highlight – offsets sunshine-daydream hooks with poignant words: “Love is sharing knowledge, there’s so much to gain/ Love is every time I put my pen to the page.”

On the singsongy, Lily Allen-esque Young, Simz over-enunciates to engage faux-posh mode. “I just wanna play my bass here…” – she’s also a bassist supreme, ICYMI.

A scripted sibling phone call of sorts (with Wretch 32 playing the part of Simz’s brother), Blood drip-feeds narrative detail. This standout track’s dramatic dialogue illustrates life-ontour impacting an artist’s family relationships (“If you want greener grass, you have to water where you are”).

Simz is also a gifted actor (see: Netflix’s Top Boy). In penultimate track Lonely, she documents an identity crisis: “Maybe I’ll do more acting, less rapping/ ‘Cause I don’t even know who I’m meant to be anymore.”

Punk, Afrobeat, samba, jazz – this record is as musically complex as we’ve come to expect from Simz.

“Bet ya never seen a young black woman so fly” – she opens the funkified Lion with ample sass. Later, Simz name-checks one of her heroes: “Understand I’m Lauryn in her prime when you see me” – okay, we’ll allow it. When it comes to cadence adroitness, Simz is streets ahead – a true visionary.

LABEL: AWAL RECORDINGS

RELEASE: OUT NOW

CALUM HOOD

ORDER chaos ORDER

Æ 5SOS fans fear not, Calum Hood’s Spotify bio reads, “Relationship status: still in the band.”

Hood is the last 5SOS member to release a solo album, during which the bassist sings amazingly while dancing with tears in his eyes. Brooding but earnest – what a winning combo! ORDER chaos ORDER embraces melancholy and chronicles dark days.

“12am on Taco Tuesday/ I’m crying out my eyes/ And I’m sittin’ there wonderin’/ If I wanna be alive…” – utter bleakness opens proceedings. He’s just like us! Famous rockstars experience intrusive thoughts, too. Don’t Forget You Love Me – Hood has said the title is a phrase he often repeats to himself – is a raw confessional, enriched by ethereal vocals and synth, urgent riffs and tamba flourishes. The overall tone is wistful, though – kinda like The Golden Path by The Chemical Brothers.

Gamer sounds underscore Call Me When You Know Better, with its megafast, pogo pace. “I never should’ve hurt you…” –the chorus features a phrase we’d all love to hear more.

Hood’s vocals sound so pretty during Sunsetter, as he serenades: “You and I forever.” All My Affection evokes a teen crush, sweetly sung from beneath an asymmetrical fringe. Streetwise is a bop, Bloc Party style.

The slow, swaying Three Of Swords – a future smartphone-torch arena moment –ponders life to date: “Did you imagine when we were younger?”

Apologies, the ORDER chaos ORDER Tarot Card Pack is sold out.

Could Hood be Australia’s answer to Harry Styles?

LABEL: EMI MUSIC AUSTRALIA RELEASE: OUT NOW

LITTLE SIMZ

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD

Phantom Island

Æ A fluttering piano riff, whirling strings, trumpet fanfare, flute – hold up, this can’t be those shapeshifting larrikins King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, can it? Well, of course it bloody well can be.

Since the band’s debut, 2012’s 12-Bar Blues, dropped, this Surf Coast ensemble have now released 27 albums – correct! About two per year, although quality is never sacrificed.

Phantom Island is a “more laidback” companion piece to the blues-rock boogie of last year’s Flight b741. Both albums were written and recorded around the same time, but initial Phantom Island mixes felt unfinished. In 2023, Gizz met members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic backstage at the Hollywood Bowl. Cue an aha moment – Let There Be Orchestration!

“Is this mental confusion or have I finally found my purpose?/ Coconut congas playing in time with the waltz of a tortoise” – the opening title track’s lyrics wouldn't sound outta place on Sgt. Pepper! Also, there’s something so exhilarating about fully orchestrated electric guitar solos.

To conclude Lonely Cosmos, histrionic, descending strings close in like a K-hole. Spacesick (“...on my spaceship”) – LOL, they simply can’t help themselves. Eternal Return bemoans repeatedly bidding farewell to home and family life while touring the globe: “Although I’m in love with the long road… I must admit I miss the sweet smell of gum leaves.”

“Let’s get real high,” the closing Grow Wings And Fly recommends, but we’re already there. “Catch me dancin’ in the summer rain/ With my tongue out/ WOO-HOOOOO!” Then our soft landing is cushioned by elongated strings, guitar noodling and piano chords.

Phantom Island contains more songs for the cooked, to be enjoyed by all.

MERPIRE

Milk Pool

Æ (“I only stay in the hope of…”) Leaving With You – gutsy, driving guitar underscores this album’s wishful opener. How fun were those halcyon nights, hitting the town all dolled-up and hoping to ‘run into’ your latest crush? Preloading on black Sambuca shots with your besties, rehearsing responses to potential questions/advances, then dominating the d-floor ‘til lights up – Merpire transports us right back there with this glittering track.

Melbourne-based artist Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt’s vocals are delivered with delicious subtlety, emotion bubbling right below the surface rather than slapping you across the face.

There’s a yearning quality to her vocals (see: the continually climbing fig.8, which showcases astonishing range). “You play songs for chickens” – delightful imagery abounds. Singsongy, nostalgic melodies sugarcoat Cinnamon (“I smell it on the air it’s a hug in the kitchen”) – an abandonment song.

Lyrics are perfectly engineered for shout-alongs and pogoing group embraces (eg. “I’m just a little bit in love with all of my friends”, “I wanna have the time of my life!”).

The unapologetically sexy Bigger –“With your fingers in my mouth/ And when I stopped you going south…” – is resplendent with blazing riffs and a whole lotta ‘tude.

Rosanna (as in the suburb) pars back to distant, military drumming and forlorn strumming before instrumental abundance reenters.

“Don’t worry my algorithm’s working this one out” – Internet, a piano lament, leads straight into the softly strummed closer, You Are Loved – just in case you forget.

Rocking chairs, sneaking out of bedroom windows, “a pile of faded jeans”, Golden Retrievers – you’re gonna wanna dive into Milk Pool and float around there for a while.

PULP

More

Æ

“Screwing in a charity shop/ On top of black bin bags/ Full of donations”, traces of lipstick on coffee cups, car park meet-cutes – prepare for all this and More on Pulp’s first album in 24 years.

Ahead of More’s release, Jarvis Cocker announced: “No AI was involved during the process. This album is dedicated to Steve Mackey. This is the best that we can do.”

Mackey, their debonair bassist, passed away in 2023 and Pulp’s original guitarist, Russell Senior, is also no longer with us.

“I was born to perform/ It's a calling/ I exist to do this/ Shouting and pointing” –opening track Spike Island refers to The Stone Roses’ chaotic gig in northwest England in the early ’90s. Sorted For E's & Wizz, one of Pulp’s signature songs, was actually inspired by an overheard phrase from this event, which was deemed the "Woodstock of the Baggy era".

Jarvis has never sounded more like Bowie than he does on Tina – a perfect song. Contemplating an imagined future with a stranger-crush you first clapped eyes on 14 years ago, but are yet to pursue? It’s classic-era Pulp.

“Please stay in touch with me in this contactless society”, “Searching for clues with this fading glow stick”, “I haven’t got an agenda/ I haven't even got a gender” – Jarvis has a dazzling way with words. “Why am I telling this story?” he wonders aloud during Grown Ups, pausing, before whispering, “I can’t remember” – nice touch.

Not just for listeners who “stress about wrinkles instead of acne”, turns out the best these posterboys for misfits and weirdos can do is proper reyt.

LABEL: P(DOOM) RECORDS RELEASE: OUT NOW

LABEL: INDEPENDENT

RELEASE: 4 JUL

ROGUE TRADE RELEASE: OUT NOW

LABEL:

GIG GUIDE

JULY 2025

THU 03 JUL

OUTSPOKEN

FT: Charlie Ahrens, Connor Malanos, Thabani Tshuma, Jaime-Lee Willoughby, Sevgi Boga, more Wesley Anne. Northcote. 8pm. $25–38.

OPEN MIC NIGHT @ THE MERRI BAR

The Merri Bar. Preston. 7pm.

SOFIE KERR Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm.

MPAPHI TRIO: THE SOUL OF BOTSWANA

FT: Mpaphi Nfandizo, Zvi Belling, Ronny Ferella Bodriggy Brewing Company. Abbotsford. 7pm. Free.

LEOPARD PRINT

AUNT. INGRID & THE MINISTERS, RUBITA

The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 7pm. $15.

NANA KOIZUMI QUARTET

Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $45.

THE ‘WHAM, BAM, THANK YOU’ JAM

The Motley Bauhaus. Carlton. 7.30pm. Free. ALTIMATE. SHOWDOWN: NAARM - GRAND FINAL Stay Gold. Brunswick. 6pm. $28.60.

TO THE SUPREME: A LIVE INVOCATION OF JOHN COLTRANE’S MASTERWORK Bird’s Basement. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $38. JAZZ THURSDAYS WITH ALL-STAR

JOHN MONTESANTE QUINTET JAZZ

ENSEMBLE: MEL SEARLE + HECTOR HARLEY

Golden Gate Hotel. South Melbourne. 7pm. $20.

RIBJAW. BLACK WATTLE WITCHES, BLONDEHOUSE Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 7.30pm. $10. BOYSNLOVE. POSTURES, MIA LUCY Old Bar. Fitzroy. 7.30pm. $15.

LIAR. DRUID, LEAN IN, GLOW

The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar. North Melbourne. 7pm. $23.50. KING CANOE Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. $20.

THE PEARLIES. MAN CRAVE, BIRDGIRL

The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 7.30pm. $16.85.

DIMENSIONS OF INCOMPREHENSIBILITIES

FT: Driftwood, Jenny Barnes & David Palliser, Naked House Work

Merri Creek Tavern. Northcote. 8pm. $10–15.

MOUSSE CANNON. LXRP, MORE Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 7pm. $12.25–14.53. MAKE THEM SUFFER. JUSTICE FOR THE DAMNED, THE GLOOM IN THE CORNER, R U N District 14. Narre Warren. 7pm. $59.90.

LOVING THE ALIEN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 8pm. $56.25.

INDIE SYMPHONY II: VIDEO GAMES IN CONCERT

Hamer Hall (Arts Centre Melbourne). Melbourne. 8pm. $49–99.

MOZART & THE MENDELSSOHNS

Melbourne Town Hall. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $40.

MUSO CORNER

Daylesford Hotel. Daylesford. 7pm. Free.

GABRIEL VARGAS

Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 7pm.

FRI 04 JUL

LINDA RUGGIERO TRIO

Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm.

NOT SO BIG BAND: A TRIBUTE TO KIND OF BLUE WITH GIANNI MARINUCCI

Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 6pm. $45.

ZÖJ MELBOURNE Recital Centre. Southbank. 7pm. $45.

DJ DANIMAL Old Bar. Fitzroy. 11pm.

JOEY LIGHTBULB & FRIENDS

Northcote Social Club. Northcote. 8pm.

EVERYDAY BELIEVER

Old Bar. Fitzroy. 8pm.

GEORGE MICHAEL & WHITNEY

HOUSTON: KEEP THE FAITH

Brunswick Ballroom. Brunswick. 8.30pm. $49.06.

KARAKAS

Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm.

STEAMBOAT

WHISTLERS

The Thornbury Local. Thornbury. 8pm.

LITTLE BIRDY Corner Hotel. Richmond. 8pm.

TOM & COLLINS

Howler. Brunswick. 8pm. $23.46–44.37.

CLAIRE BIRCHALL. ROSIE WESTBROOK

Merri Creek Tavern. Northcote. 7pm. $18–25.

TJAKA The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8pm. $23.50.

FREYA JOSEPHINE

HOLLICK + ALLISON FERRIER + ANGE

BOXALL

Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 7.30pm. $25–40.

FANGZ. OH! DAISY, ALL REGARDS, GREVILLEA

The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 7.30pm. $22.95–28.05.

REFUGE X CLUB WELL:

CELEBRATING 11 YEARS OF REFUGE Revolver Upstairs. Prahan. 11.59pm. $21.42–31.62.

KAYLA BRUNO Morris House. Melbourne. 10pm.

T BONES + THE CALABRIANS Bar 303. Northcote. 5pm. Free.

FAWK OFF!: FAWKNER’S LAST SHOW. BITCH EYES, HOWLING MOUNTAIN, CAT CRAWL

Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 8.30pm. $17.35.

ECHO SOCIAL CLUB. MARIONETTE, NECKO Cherry Bar. Melbourne. 8pm. $17.48.

CLASH OF THE 90S: 3 ICONIC ALBUMS OF THE 90S

FT: Alice Remains, Cuckoo For Caca, Black Hole Sons Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 7.30pm. $28.05.

CHEAP-SKATE: REMEMBER YOU WILL DIE The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar. North Melbourne. 8pm. $23.50.

IRONSTONE. GHOSTSEEKER, ARKÁNGEL, CHAPEL HILL Stay Gold. Brunswick. 7pm. $19.99.

IN HONOUR OF JEFF BECK BY PAUL MASON WITH BRETT GARSED Bird’s Basement. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $40. YOU-CAN. SAM DARCY BAND, MIDNIGHT VIOLET Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 7.30pm. $12.25.

LOVING THE ALIEN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 8pm. $56.25. MAKE THEM SUFFER. JUSTICE FOR THE DAMNED, THE GLOOM IN THE CORNER, R U N Wool Exchange. Geelong. 7pm. $59.90.

EMO DIVA: DOLL PARTZ Prince Bandroom. St Kilda. 9pm. $0–21.95.

CLUB SODA PRESENTS LORDE NIGHT Stay Gold. Brunswick. 11pm. $14.80–25.50.

INDIE SYMPHONY II: VIDEO GAMES IN CONCERT Hamer Hall (Arts Centre Melbourne). Melbourne. 8pm. $49–99.

KEYS OF GOLD Langley Estate. White Hills. 6pm. $45.

SAT 05 JUL

MICK HARVEY + AMANDA ACEVEDO Wesley Anne. Northcote. 8pm. $38.80.

SPACE JUNK. SWEDISH MAGAZINES, THE NOWA NOWAS, ASSTEROID Old Bar. Fitzroy. 8pm. $17.35. EL REY MIEL. EDDIE FITZPATRICK, PHOEBE BOND Quadraphonic Club. Brunswick. 7pm. $35–45.

CHEEKY B. POLLYMAN, SHOT BY JANE Shotkickers. Thornbury. 8pm. THE ANGELS Corner Hotel. Richmond. 8pm. $55.

SKYDIVER RECORDS

Wax Music Lounge. Melbourne. 9pm.

CAIRO CLUB

ORCHESTRA

Brunswick Ballroom. Brunswick. 1pm. $23.05.

SHIVER ME EMO FT: Loose End, This Space Is Ours, Wasted Years Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 7pm. $15.85.

JOSHUA Morris House. Melbourne. 7pm.

FEMMOIR PRESENTS:

PLANET HER FT: Srirachi, Lion, Jewel Owusu, Miss Vixen, 1SA, Crystal Cartier The Toff In Town. Melbourne. 10pm. $17.34–28.56.

REDD. Lulie Tavern. Abbotsford. 9pm.

PHIL MANNING BAND WITH WARREN MORGAN Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 7pm. $30–50.

AM//PM EMO NIGHT FT: Reliqa, Synge, New Million, more Stay Gold. Brunswick. 8pm. $23.75.

CHOCOLATE

STARFISH: BAT OUT OF HELL TOUR Palais Theatre. St Kilda. 7.30pm. $80.50.

NANA KOIZUMI & THE CONSOULS

Odeon Richmond. Richmond. 7pm. $44.90.

KIER STEVENS

Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm.

BURIED FEATHER + THE MIFFS Gem Bar. Collingwood. 8.30pm. $20–25.

MJ HALLORAN. THE FLICKERING STARS

Merri Creek Tavern. Northcote. 8.30pm. $15.

ERIS & THE DISCIPLES. FATHER DADDY, THE OMEGA POINT Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 9pm. $17.35. KAZOO MAN GROUP. UNNECESSARY JOURNEYS

The Thornbury Local. Thornbury. 8pm.

2HOT2PLAY

Howler. Brunswick. 7pm. $23.46–35.

BAREFOOT BOWLS

CLUB. SPIRIT

LEVEM HOT DOG, MERAKI MINDS

The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 7.30pm. $16.85.

PRIVATE MOUNTAIN + BEN TRILLADO

Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 2.30pm. Free.

KING STINGRAY + ELECTRIC FIELDS

Wyndham Cultural Centre. Werribee. 7pm. $65.

WHILE YOU’RE YOUNG

FT: Chasing Planes, John Yanko, The Dropkicks, The Defibs Sooki Lounge. Belgrave. 5pm. $17.

SWING TIME

Daylesford Hotel. Daylesford. 8.30pm. Free.

DAY WE RAN

The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8pm. $23.50.

LOVING THE ALIEN Arts Centre Melbourne. Melbourne. 3pm. $56.25.

SOULUTATIONS.

N0LESS, PAPRIKA Bar 303. Northcote. 8pm. $19.31.

VOID OF VISION Forum Melbourne. Melbourne. 7pm. $74.90.

KITSCH KITCHEN + FRANCESCA GONZALES

Grace Darling Hotel. Collingwood. 7.30pm. $20.

VELVET BLOOM. PAULINA, JESSIE HILL

Northcote Social Club. Northcote. 8.30pm. $18.40–24.

HOMOWO FESTIVAL.

KWAME TOSUMA, KT DANCE AFRICA

The Penny Black. Brunswick. 8pm.

LIVE AT CITY HALL: EMMA DONOVAN. ALICE SKYE

Kingston City Hall. Moorabbin. 7pm. $45.

THE MUSIC OF FLEETWOOD MAC WITH AMETHYST JANE

Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 6.30pm. MOTLEY JAZZ JAM

The Motley Bauhaus. Carlton. 7.30pm. Free.

EUGENE HAMILTON & THE MONEY

Bird’s Basement. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $40.

HIGH NOON: COUNTRY DAY PARTY

Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 2pm. $15.85–29.10.

PROUDFOOT & FRIENDS

Clocktower Centre. Moonee Ponds. 2pm. $30.

DAISY KILBOURNE

The Merri Bar. Preston. 7pm.

JESS PARKER

The Cosmopolitan Hotel. Trentham. 3pm. Free.

WHILE YOU’RE

YOUNG

FT: Chasing Planes, John Yanko, The Dropkicks, The Defibs Sooki Lounge. Belgrave. 5pm. $17.

STAYC

Festival Hall. West Melbourne. 7.30pm. $152.76.

KING STINGRAY + ELECTRIC FIELDS

Wyndham Cultural Centre. Werribee. 7pm. $65.

DIRTY DIKE + SAMMY B-SIDE: THE GOLDEN LOBSTER TOUR.

FT: Who Knows, Mog.Y, Adam Koots & Must Volkoff, Sixpence & Didz, Mizhap, Shynin Armour

Max Watt’s. Melbourne. 7pm. $45.90–67.85.

THU 10 JUL

SAM NICHOLLS + JARROD GRANT

Wesley Anne. Northcote. 8pm. $17.35.

LACHIE GILL

Bird’s Basement. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $30.

A BUNCH OF SMOOTH OPERATORS PRESENTS: FURTHER EXPLORATIONS, TO BILL EVANS & BEYOND Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $40.

THE ‘WHAM, BAM, THANK YOU’ JAM

The Motley Bauhaus. Carlton. 7.30pm. Free.

SONOROUS XI: DAVID CHESWORTH & GAIL PRIEST

Melbourne Recital Centre. Southbank. 7pm. $37–50.

FANTA’S KITCHEN

FT: Soju Gang, Sorensen, Baby K, Fanta, RIVI, Mothafunk Section 8. Melbourne. 6pm.

TONY J KING

Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 7pm.

SHUM. KEYO ROSES FLYING CIRCUS, SPEED BUMPS

Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 7.30pm. $10.

MASTERS OF THE MONKEYVERSE: HOT AIR BABOON. WYKD FOLK, CRANES AGAINST CLOUDS

Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 7pm. Free.

PASTORALE

Melbourne Recital Centre. Southbank. 7pm. $72.

BANDS N’ FANS & FLORAVERA BOOKINGS

RESIDENCY NIGHT

FT: Sunday Honey, Waliens, Her Trash

Stay Gold. Brunswick. 7pm. $19.99.

HARVEY TOWN. AFTERGLOOM, CHORDIE FLOW

The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 7pm. $20.

FRI 11 JUL

PIERRE JAQUINOT TRIO

Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm.

THE LAUREL CANYON SCENE: LA IN THE 1970S WITH MISS GEORGE

Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 6.30pm. $45.

MARCUS KNIGHT Morris House. Melbourne. 6pm.

GOIN’ SOLO

FT: Kaelan, Supa Tamara, Bennycamps, Joan Rhodes Merri Creek Tavern. Northcote. 8pm.

BLAKLIGHT

FT: pvrtal, Trey, Anima Omada, Braj Section 8. Melbourne. 6pm.

DAFT WEEKND LIVE: 2000’S EDM PARTY

Howler. Brunswick. 7pm. $25–32.50. VANESSA ESTRADA. HEADPHONES JONES

Shotkickers. Thornbury. 8pm. $18.35.

MOUNT DEFIANCE. BAREFOOT BOWLS CLUB, SIBYL

Grace Darling Hotel. Collingwood. 7.30pm. $15–20.

WALTZING THE WILARRA

The Round. Nunawading. 7.30pm. $58.

HANS: HAUS PARTY!

Brunswick Ballroom. Brunswick. 8.30pm. $70.99.

JACOB FITZGERALD & THE ELECTRIC CITY

The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 7.30pm.

OPTI RECS LABEL LAUCH: OPTIMAL X REVOLVER FRIDAYS Revolver Upstairs. Prahan. 10pm. $21.42–31.62.

YOUTHLESS Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm.

KITA ALEXANDER. BENNY MORRELL, MARIAE CASSANDRA Northcote Theatre. Northcote. 7pm. $62.42. THE KITES PERFORM “AJA” Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 7pm. $35–55.

THE BIRDS ARE SPIES + BIG CAT Old Bar. Fitzroy. 8pm. THE PLOT TWIST. ARBORISTS, BIG FAT ELEPHANT Cherry Bar. Melbourne. 8pm. $17.48.

SUPERSTAR: THE CARPENTERS SONGBOOK Bird’s Basement. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $38.

DONNY BENÉT Corner Hotel. Richmond. 8.30pm. $56.80.

NAIDOC IN THE CITY FT: Isaiah Firebrace, Scott Darlow, Cerulean, Canisha, The Violet Summers, Koori Youth Will Shake Spears Federation Square. Melbourne. 1pm. Free.

PROG, DEATH & BLACK METAL AT THE BENDI FT: Escarion, Illyria, Plague Dweller, Requite Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 8.30pm. $17.35.

MAMMA MIA! THE MUSICAL PARTY Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 9pm. $14.80–22.95.

NIRVANNA TRIBUTE: “UNPLUGGED LIVE IN NEW YORK” + “LIVE AND LOUD” Max Watt’s. Melbourne. 8pm. $59.10. NO FACE NO CASE. NICOLAS CAGE FIGHTER, SIGNALS, NO LIFE

Stay Gold. Brunswick. 7pm. $50.10.

KEYS OF GOLD Langley Estate. White Hills. 6pm. $45.

YINYA DANA:

LIGHTING THE PATH

Hamer Hall (Arts Centre Melbourne). Melbourne. 7.30pm. $68.

SPICI WATER

The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8pm. $20.

SAT 12 JUL

NICHAUD FITZGIBBON PRESENTS: SONGS FOR LOVERS

Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 9pm. $45. BLUES GUITAR ROADSHOW

Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 7pm. $40–65. ARAMINTA. AUNTY BLUE

Shotkickers. Thornbury. 8pm. $20.

MOTLEY JAZZ JAM

The Motley Bauhaus. Carlton. 7.30pm. Free.

SOUL DIVAS Bird’s Basement. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $38.

WALTZING THE WILARRA

The Round. Nunawading. 1.30pm. $58.

SUBURBAN SPELL. DOUBLE HAPPINESS

Odeon Richmond. Richmond. 7.30pm. $23.50.

THE SPUDORATI + FAMILY DOG

Gem Bar. Collingwood. 3.30pm. $13. BRENDON SIEMSEN TRIO

The Merri Bar. Preston. 7pm. OSCAR LADELL Daylesford Hotel. Daylesford. 8.30pm. Free. KINEMATIC Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm.

HANS: HAUS PARTY!

Brunswick Ballroom. Brunswick. 9pm. $70.99.

BUSTA GROOVE

Matthew Flinders Hotel. Chadstone. 8.30pm. $15. FRANK SULTANA Wesley Anne. Northcote. 8pm. $33.70.

EMMY RYAN

The Cosmopolitan Hotel. Trentham. 3pm. Free.

DJ DANIMAL

Old Bar. Fitzroy. 11.30pm. WINTER BREAKS FT: Aphrodite. Hans DC, Abstrkt & Kenji, Citizen.Com, more Howler. Brunswick. 7pm. $28.56–38.76.

HOMIES

FT: Chia, Nonoy, Sana, Sisqo, Haftom, Immy, Mikee

Section 8. Melbourne. 6pm. BADLAND CARAVAN. ASTRO ELEVATOR, THE PEARLIES

Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 7.30pm. $12.25.

VANILLA TYS

Morris House. Melbourne. 7pm.

OSCAR THE WILD

The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 8pm. $19.90.

ATREYU + MEMPHIS

MAY FIRE

Northcote Theatre. Northcote. 7.30pm.

FAYE WEBSTER. SLEEPAZOID Forum Melbourne. Melbourne. 7pm.

NEW CANDYS. GRINDING EYES

Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 8pm. $33.70.

ABSOLUTE BOWIE

Max Watt’s. Melbourne. 8pm. $64.90.

SVETEC + MAHTAL

Prince Bandroom. St Kilda. 9pm. $39.80–50.

THE MUNDAYNES. THE TAKES, THE DANDY BUZZKILLS, KEYO ROSES FLYING CIRCUS

Old Bar. Fitzroy. 8pm. MISADVENTURER. OBSCURA HAIL, NORWOOD

Cactus Room. Thornbury. 8pm. $15.

VICIOUS CIRCLE. RESOLVER, RESISTANCE, BLOWHOLE

The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar. North Melbourne. 8pm. $11.25.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS: JAMAGEDDON

Clocktower Centre. Moonee Ponds. 5.30pm. $5.

KADIKOY MIXTAPE

Stay Gold. Brunswick. 7pm. $25.

BENAUD TRIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

Melbourne Recital Centre. Southbank. 6pm. $50.

TARSEM JASSAR Festival Hall. West Melbourne. 7pm. $85.

OLIVIA & KAREN: JACQUI HAMILTON AND SUSIE KING

Royal Brighton Yacht Club. Brighton. 8pm. $50.

BUSTA GROOVE

Matthew Flinders Hotel. Chadstone. 8.30pm. $15.

FADING HOUR. TERRESTRIALS, BINARY PULSE

The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8pm. $20.

THU 17 JUL

GRETA O’LEARY

Wesley Anne. Northcote. 8pm. $17.35. GOOD MUSIC NIGHT

Old Bar. Fitzroy. 7.30pm. BANDS N’ FANS & FLORAVERA BOOKINGS RESIDENCY NIGHT 2 FT: The Opals, Paprika, Blondehouse

Stay Gold. Brunswick. 7pm. $19.99. ARIE ROSE. VERONICA GREENE, BETTER THAN SEX Shotkickers. Thornbury. 7.30pm. $15.

TOUCHÉ AMORÉ. MILITARIE GUN

170 Russell. Melbourne. 6pm. $74.90.

TOMIRUGIA WAX Music Lounge. Melbourne. 8pm. $10.95.

FAMILI PRESENTS: BLOODFIRE Northcote Social Club. Northcote. 8pm. $20 –35.30.

JAZZ THURSDAYS WITH ALLSTAR JOHN MONTESANTE QUINTET JAZZ ENSEMBLE: ANASTASIA ASPELING + BERNARD ALEXANDER

Golden Gate Hotel. South Melbourne. 7pm. $20. MARE (SISTER) WITH REBECCA MENDOZA & ANGELA LIBRANDI

Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $45. ROSARIES. FUNKYTOWN FISH, THE CLEVER REFERENCES Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 7.30pm. $10.

100% PHAT: FORTH & BACK

FT: Coldpast, Tuff Trax, Mrs Wallace, Youngjun, Deejay Hijack Section 8. Melbourne. 6pm.

KATE CEBERANO The Round. Nunawading. 7pm. $89.90.

LAURA & THE HELL CUTZ. TERRA ROUGE, VIOLET, NOTURNS

The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 7pm. $16.85. GABRIEL VARGAS

Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 7pm.

TEEN JESUS & THE JEAN TEASERS. REDD

Howler. Brunswick. 7.30pm. $50.

THE DREGGS. SOUTH SUMMIT, HOLLY HEBE

Northcote Theatre. Northcote. 7pm. $69.90.

JENNY MITCHELL

Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 7pm. $40.

BRADLEY MARSHALL. AMALIA FOY, MISA NGUYEN

The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 7pm. $12.75.

AMADOU SUSO & FRIENDS

Bird’s Basement. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $38.

FRI 18 JUL

THE PAYBACK

Wesley Anne. Northcote. 6pm.

RAS JAHKNOW BAND. PAU ALMEIDA & BAND, MORE

The Penny Black. Brunswick. 9pm. $20.

THE ROMANS WITH EMMA GILMARTIN

Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 6.30pm. $45.

WINTER CABARET

SEASON: CABARET UNSCRIPTED

Kingston City Hall. Moorabbin. 7.30pm. $35.

BAUHAUS

BURLESQUE

The Motley Bauhaus. Carlton. 8.30pm. $37.48.

BABY COOL. ARBES, LAKE KELLY

Old Bar. Fitzroy. 8pm. $28.60.

EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE: A TRIBUTE TO THE POLICE

Prince Bandroom. St Kilda. 7pm. $40.

JAG

Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 7.30pm. $10.75.

KEVIN SILVESTER. TITRATION, SPLITLANES, LYRAH GRAY

The Toff In Town. Melbourne. 6pm. $20.04.

KAYLA BRUNO

Morris House. Melbourne. 10pm.

FLY!. GRIM RHYTHM, RIFF RAFF

The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar. North Melbourne. 8.30pm. $16.35.

MIKELANGELO & THE BLACK SEA GENTLEMEN

Brunswick Ballroom. Brunswick. 8.30pm. $54.67.

PROPAINE. NPCEDE, MR.INDUSTRY, IDLE FLOWERS

The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 8pm. $22.95.

BLOW INS COMEDY

FT: Tyson Popplestone, Cam Muratore, Alex Keen, Drago Ivan, Alex Main, Kyle Wisniewski Daylesford Hotel. Daylesford. 9pm. $20.

REMIT. YOU MIGHT HIT THE SUN

Merri Creek Tavern. Northcote. 8.30pm. $10.

HARDCORE AT REVS

FT: Eight Count. Grim Reality, Grave Risk, G.U.T..T.A., Pleasers A.D. Revolver Upstairs. Prahan. 7pm. $26.52.

SUN RISE: THE STORY OF THE KING OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL The Round. Nunawading. 7.30pm. $62. 360. PEZ Forum Melbourne. Melbourne. 7pm. $81.30.

KARAKAS

Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm. THE DREGGS. SOUTH SUMMIT, HOLLY HEBE Northcote Theatre. Northcote. 7pm.

GAS THIEF. KNIGHT RIDER, PUNCHBOWL

Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 8.30pm. $12.25.

WINTER DANCE OFF FT: The Shuffle Club, Stephen Grant, Rebecca Barnard Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 7pm. $29–50.

TRUCKERS FOR CHRIST Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 7.30pm. Free.

HARPER BLOOM Shotkickers. Thornbury. 8pm. $13.25.

THE JULIANA THEORY + THE SPILL CANVAS

Max Watt’s. Melbourne. 7pm. $89.

FALLWEATHER

The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8pm. $32.

GRAND BAXTER. CLINT WILSON, ALLY ROW

Cherry Bar. Melbourne. 8pm. $17.48.

AXIS MUNDI

Melbourne Recital Centre. Southbank. 7pm. $55.

JOURNEY TO THE AMERICAS

Costa Hall. Geelong. 7.30pm. $51.

SAT 19 JUL

NICK LOVELL & THE REDEEMED THIEVES

Wesley Anne. Northcote. 8pm. $17.35.

THE GIN CLUB. MICK THOMAS & THE RC3, FREYA JOSEPHINE HOLLICK

The Curtin. Carlton. 8pm. $38.70.

THE TIPPLERS

The Merri Bar. Preston. 7pm.

JESSE LAWRANCE + PETE FIDLER

The Cosmopolitan Hotel. Trentham. 3pm. Free. WAGE CUT + DINOSAUARD

Old Bar. Fitzroy. 3.30pm. Free. THE FAUVES. THE STRESS OF LEISURE, MOUSSE CANNON

Northcote Social Club. Northcote. 8pm. $50.

MYSTIC TRIBE: THE SOUND OF DANCE

FT: Roshin, Jimmy Strat, BUFO Bar 303. Northcote. 7pm. Free–$16.50.

BAD DEBTS. WILD DOG MOUNTAINS

Gem Bar. Collingwood. 8pm. $18.10.

THE HIVES Forum Melbourne. Melbourne. 7pm. DEAD WAX

CEREMONY. ISUA, SUNDOWNER, BRUXIST, SPEYER

Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 9pm. $17.35.

THE CAT’S MIAOW

The Toff In Town. Melbourne. 12pm. $25.50.

LIZARD LOUNGE!

Odeon Richmond. Richmond. 8pm. $20.40.

VANILLA TYS

Morris House. Melbourne. 7pm.

DIDIRRI + ROWENA WISE. LEWIS COLEMAN

Howler. Brunswick. 8pm. $40.

SAPHRA MORE: AFTERNOON TEA WITH THE HIGH PRIESTESS. MEL

FRANCIS & THE SOULTRY RIMS, MADAMS

The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 1.30pm. $16.85.

KIASMOS. JUNO

MAMBA, MILO EASTWOOD

Northcote Theatre. Northcote. 7.30pm.

MAXIMUM ROCK FT: Scarnon, Legs

Electric, Willie J’s 6V6s, Grim Rhythm, Child, Hot Machine

Max Watt’s. Melbourne. 6.30pm. $38.25.

CRAZY NIGHTS. AMERICANA, CHERRY OCTANE

Cherry Bar. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $17.48.

SLAUGHTER CULT. CROWN STREET

MILITIA, GUTTA, SUFFERANCE

The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar. North Melbourne. 8pm. $16.35.

LEE HARDING PRESENTS: THE BEST OF INXS. FALLEN

EMPIRES: TRIBUTE TO SNOW PATROL

Stay Gold. Brunswick. 7pm. $34.50.

THE HUMANE METHOD. GOAT COFFIN, DAVE FAZZ, DJ DOS

The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8.30pm. $10.

SCARECROW: THE MELLENCAMP SHOW

Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 7pm. $35–50.

DEAR JUDY

Retreat Hotel. Brunswick. 7.30pm. $11–15.68. SUPA LUCIA. THE PEARLIES

The Penny Black. Brunswick. 10pm. Free. SUN RISE: THE STORY OF THE KING OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL The Round. Nunawading. 1.30pm. $62.

CHRIS JOHNSTONE QUINTET: PLAY GRANT GREEN & JOE HENDERSON

Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 9.30pm. $45. B# BIG BAND WITH NIKKI NICHOLLS & DALE RYDER

Bird’s Basement. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $50. 2025 MYO WINTER SCHOOL SHOWCASE

Melbourne Recital Centre. Southbank. 7pm. $40.

THU 24 JUL

CITY OF YARRA, LEAPS AND BOUNDS & THE OLD BAR PRESENTS: THURSDAY NIGHT THROWDOWN

FT: Lothario, Public Figures, The Antics

Old Bar. Fitzroy. 7.30pm. $10.

THE MUSIC OF HERBIE HANCOCK WITH RYLEY

DUNCAN

Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $40.

NEW BLOOD: VOL. 4

FT: Distorta. Nightmarsh, Electric Funeral, Slowshell The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 7pm. $12.75.

TONY J KING

Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 7pm.

EMILY LUBITZ. HARRY JAMES

ANGUS

Brunswick Ballroom. Brunswick. 8pm. $35.

PROHIBITION PARTY

FT: Swing’it!

Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 7.15pm. $45. WESTBOURNE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

ANNUAL CONCERT 2025: RESONANCE

Melbourne Recital Centre. Southbank. 6.30pm. $40. BLANKFACE

TYLER + GECKO

Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 7.30pm. $10.

KEYS OF GOLD

Langley Estate. White Hills. 6pm. $45.

TAYLOR HENDERSON

Bird’s Basement. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $40.

INGESTED. ALGOR

MORTIS, GUTLESS, GROWTH

Max Watt’s. Melbourne. 8pm. $59.

FRI 25 JUL

POTLUCK

Old Bar. Fitzroy. 8pm.

COUSIN TONY’S Corner Hotel. Richmond. 7.30pm. $46.

MELBOURNE 2025 INTERNATIONAL ELVIS FESTIVAL

Clocktower Centre. Moonee Ponds. 8pm. $59.90.

BELLY SAVALAS

Bar 303. Northcote. 8.30pm. $28.

REMAINS. BLACK JESUS, NEPHALEM, HEMATEMESIS

The Bergy Seltzer. Brunswick. 8pm. $16.85. TENPENCHII ( 天変地異)

The Industrique. Coburg. 8pm. $15–20.

EORTI

(CELEBRATION)–DAY 1

FT: Irine Vela, Anthea Sidiropoulos, Anatreptix Odeon Richmond. Richmond. 7pm. $44.90.

ONEFOUR. THE 046 Northcote Theatre. Northcote. 7pm. $59.90.

TOUGH UNCLE. DEEP HONEY

Merri Creek Tavern. Northcote. 7.30pm. Free. DOPE LEMON Forum Melbourne. Melbourne. 7pm.

THE WILBURY LEGENDS RIDE AGAIN

Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 7pm. $45–65. NOASIS

Max Watt’s. Melbourne. 8pm. $24.50–39.30.

HIGH STANDARDS

FT: John Henderson, Barney McAll, Laneous & Friends (Nai Palm, Daniel Merriweather, Kylie Auldist, Loretta Miller, Rita Satch, Thando)

Brunswick Ballroom. Brunswick. 8.30pm. $33.76.

SANDS. GULL, SLIK NITA

Cactus Room. Thornbury. 8pm. $11.53.

JINGLE IN JULY

FT: Miss Bobbee

Pinn, Ty Ty Fantasia, Onda Spectrum

The Penny Black. Brunswick. 6.30pm. $15. PHOEBE SENA PRESENTS: PURE OBSESSIONS

Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 6.30pm. $45. RECESSION POP PARTY!

Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 9pm. $14.80–22.95.

LUCID LOUNGE CABARET

The Motley Bauhaus. Carlton. 8pm. $35.46. SONGS OF THE SOUL: RITA ABADZI + KOSTAS ROUKOUNAS

Bird’s Basement. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $38. YOUTHLESS

Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm.

SJAELLA

Melbourne Recital Centre. Southbank. 7.30pm. $59–69.

EMILY LUBITZ

Shedshaker Taproom. Castlemaine. 8pm. $15–65.

SAT 26 JUL

HYLA Old Bar. Fitzroy. 8pm. BRITISH & IRISH LIONS VS. WALLABIES RUGBY PRE-GAME PARTY FT: Noasis

Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy). St Kilda. 3pm. $22.95.

MELBOURNE 2025 INTERNATIONAL ELVIS FESTIVAL Clocktower Centre. Moonee Ponds. 8pm. $59.90.

FOOVANA. SYSTEM OF A DON’T, KILLING IN THE DAME, GREEN DAZE Revolver Upstairs. Prahan. 7pm. $31.62–41.82.

MARK WILLIAMS. TAYLOR B-W Memo Music Hall. St Kilda. 7pm. $45–55.

ONE DIRECTION: 15TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Max Watt’s. Melbourne. 8pm. $17.35–29.10.

THE DEANS OF SOUL. CANDICE LORRAE, PIRRUTU & BAND Northcote Social Club. Northcote. 8pm. $24.

LITTLEPALOOZA

FT: Babyshakes Dillon, Porpoise Spit, Good Sniff, R.U.B, Grim Rhythm, Geography, Fairtrade Narcotics, Hogwash Lulie Tavern. Abbotsford. 2pm. Free.

BLUEMODE

Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Brunswick. 8pm. Free.

THE ARETHA FRANKLIN PROJECT WITH JOYS NJAMBI Paris Cat Jazz Club. Melbourne. 6.30pm. $45. RICH WEBB & THE LIARS Union Hotel. Brunswick. 5pm.

DEAD PRETTY BOOKINGS: “MAKE IT CHEAP” LAUNCH PARTY

FT: Blondehouse. Special Guest, Convenience Store The Catfish. Fitzroy. 7.30pm. $15.

EORTI (CELEBRATION)–DAY 2

FT: Epistrofi, Peter Stathopoulos, Achilleas Yiangoulli, Jacob Papadopoulos, Nick Koutsaliotis, DJ Randy Lipz XXX Odeon Richmond. Richmond. 7pm. $44.90.

MY TIME WITH JOHN DENVER

FT: Jimmy Fong The Round. Nunawading. 2pm. $45.

LOVE ÉLECTRIQUE: THE SINGLES

WINTER BALL

FT: Ultra Violet, Mad Angel Benji, Siddartha Brunswick Ballroom. Brunswick. 8.30pm. $126.07.

FRESH COUNTRY

FT: Lane Pittman, Max Jackson, Dylan Wright & The Wet Whistles Northcote Theatre. Northcote. 6.30pm. $56.30.

ECLIPSE: METAL CLUB NIGHT

Bendigo Hotel. Collingwood. 9pm. $12.25–17.35.

PERUVIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

FT: Del Barrio, Carlito’s Way, 45, DJ Hugo Plough Hotel. Footscray. 6pm. $74.37.

GRAND WAZOO

Bird’s Basement. Melbourne. 7.30pm. $55. LEGENDS NEVER DIE: JUICE WRLD APPRECIATION NIGHT

Stay Gold. Brunswick. 11pm. $16.85–23.50.

POWDER BLUE. MIDDLE PALMS, PAPRIKA

The Workers Club. Fitzroy. 8pm. $15. FAWKNER WALKING SOCIETY

The Merri Bar. Preston. 7pm.

PETE DALY

The Cosmopolitan Hotel. Trentham. 3pm. Free.