6-8 MAY
EDITORIAL NOTE 764
EDITOR
Frankie Anderson-Byrne
PARTNERSHIPS
& CAMPAIGN MANAGER
Matt Wilkinson
DESIGNER
Riley McDonald
GIG GUIDE
Frankie Anderson-Byrne
CONTRIBUTORS
Alex Callan, Chester Ogilvie, Chloe Cicero, Molly England
FOR ADVERTISING OR SPONSORED CONTENT ENQUIRIES advertise@fortemag.com.au
ACCOUNTS accounts@furstmedia.com.au
ENQUIRE ABOUT HAVING FORTE MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTED AT YOUR BUSINESS OR VENUE distribution@fortemag.com.au
PUBLISHER
Furst Media Pty Ltd 03 9428 3600
Another month, another mag – rejoice! This spectacular edition of Forte has everything you need to distract from that incoming chill in the air before winter settles in…heartwarming stories, hearty friendship and music hot off the press.
Æ The winter winds are blowing in one of our favourite events of the year; the National Celtic Folk Festival taking over Portarlington for a celebration of culture, music, and pure fun like never before.
From electric tunes and dynamic theatre to gourmet food and captivating storytelling, this year’s program is bursting with vibrant traditions and contemporary creativity.
We’re packed to the brim with Aussie music legends in this edition; we chat to Angus Stone about Dope Lemon’s newest album, the incomparable duo Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey dive into the making of their latest project Fanning Dempsey National Park and Melbourne’s Press Club discuss creative evolution and growing up.
Bringing things back closer to home we discover more about a new program for budding DJs with Geelong-based beats master Elliott Creed with Art of Connection, the Geelong Chorale celebrates 75 years of musical triumph and a group of passionate local filmmakers will debut Clover in the independent film circuit at the Geelong Pride Film Festival this month.
In the world of music we’ve had a number of exciting new releases, our resident album reviewer Alex shares his thoughts on the latest works from Viagra Boys, Sports Team, Scowl, Spacey Jane and Behind Crimson Eyes.
For all you lovers of food, PICO cafe, Bomboras, Sana Recovery and Torquay Taphouse are in the spotlight for May, and for good reason! Check out why we think so…
Get cosy with Forte Magazine, the best choice in reading material for any occasion in my unbiased opinion, enjoy the read x
SOCIALS
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DISTRIBUTION
Forte Magazine will be distributed for free monthly to hundreds of regional Victoria locations. To enquire about having Forte Magazine at your venue email distribution@fortemag.com.au
COVER
Our May cover is Monique Clare for the National Celtic Folk Festival.
@beanybeanybeans @edenariston
“I
FRANKIE Editor
“By
Partnerships & Campaign
RILEY
“Honestly,
NEWS
GEELONG PRIDE FILM FESTIVAL
The Geelong Pride Film Festival is one of largest LGBTIQA+ film festivals in regional Australia and is taking place at venues across Geelong from 1–11 May.
Head to page 18 for our feature with local filmmakers and their film Clover
BALLARAT’S BEARD AND STACHE COMPETITION IS THE ULTIMATE CELEBRATION OF FACIAL HAIR
A highlight of the Ballarat Heritage Weekend, this quirky competition brings together all forms of facial hair – from perfectly groomed moustaches to beards that could easily catch on your fly.
Set to feature everything from live music and craft beers to whisky tastings and mouth-watering food, the Ballarat Beard & Stache Competition is about more than just beards – it’s a celebration of the rich history of Ballarat and its famous bearded pioneers (past and present).
Ç RISING 2025: MELBOURNE’S WINTER FESTIVAL LED BY SUKI WATERHOUSE, PETE & BAS, BLACK STAR
RISING, Melbourne’s rapturous winter festival, returns in 2025 with a bold, expansive program of new art, music and performance across the CBD.
Over 12 nights, the city will transform into a pulsating playground featuring 65 events, 327 artists, 15 new commissions, nine world premieres and a dazzling array of Australian exclusives.
RISING will spill into Melbourne’s laneways, arcades, underground basements and grand theatres from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 15 June.
Ç CIAO! LA FIERA ITALIAN FESTIVAL IS RETURNING AGAIN IN 2025
The dedicated volunteer team are once again bringing family fun, delectable Italian cuisine and incredible regional wines to the heart of Myrtleford, Victoria. Whilst Myrtleford’s La Fiera is very much about celebrating the contributions of the Italian generations to the region, it is also about Community. Our local Italian Circoli – Calabrese, Trentini, Trevisani & Vicentini – play an integral part in the festivities, in promoting the Italian Culture and their regional cuisine.
BALL PARK MUSIC ANNOUNCE MASSIVE AUSTRALIAN TOUR FLAGGED FOR MAY 2025
The band has announced the release of their highly anticipated eighth studio album, Like Love, set to drop on Friday 4 April. Alongside the album announcement, they’ve unveiled their latest single, ‘Please Don’t Move To Melbourne,’ and revealed plans for a massive Australian and New Zealand tour this coming May and June.
Ç FUNK MASTER GEORGE CLINTON IS BRINGING PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC TO AUSTRALIA THIS SEPTEMBER
The mastermind behind P-Funk is hitting the east-coast with his legendary live show that’s been keeping fans on their feet for more than 50 years. Even after five decades in the game, Clinton is still one of the busiest touring artists around, and he’s especially excited to bring the funk back to Australia.
DISCOVER BALLARAT’S HIDDEN TREASURE WITH THIS ONE-NIGHT-
ONLY ART ADVENTURE
HIDDEN is for the curious, the art lovers, the adventurous, and it’s coming to you this May!
This unique festival invites you to explore Ballarat’s CBD in a whole new way, as you’ll be guided through a secret circuit trail that leads you to eight heritage locations. Each stop reveals breathtaking projections, designed by local artists, that tell the stories of these often-overlooked spaces.
FEDERAL BUDGET DROPS $22M FOR AUSSIE MUSIC INDUSTRY AS APRA PUSHES FOR TRIPLE LOCK GUARANTEE
The Albanese government’s 202526 federal budget has dropped a cool $22 million boost for Creative Australia, with music a major winner. APRA AMCOS has applauded the move while challenging all political parties to commit to a Triple Lock Guarantee for local music ahead of the upcoming election.
Ç WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO’S MASSIVE ELEPHANT TRAIL IS FINALLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Premier Jacinta Allan and Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos cut the ribbon on the sprawling 21-hectare wonderland that now houses nine Asian elephants in a space literally the size of the entire Melbourne Zoo.
The new digs feature two enormous pools connected to the Werribee Recycled Water Plant through a 2.5km pipeline pumping a whopping 150 million litres of recycled water.
NATIONAL CELTIC FOLK FESTIVAL
What’s the Craic?
Æ This year’s lineup brings together a vibrant mix of international and national talent, guaranteed to get you on your feet. Get ready to raise a glass and hit the dance floor—The National Celtic Folk Festival is turning up the heat in 2025 with a celebration of culture, music, and pure fun like never before! From electric tunes and dynamic theatre to gourmet food and captivating storytelling, this year’s program is bursting with vibrant traditions and contemporary creativity.
Culture Ireland Partnership
In a massive coup, the festival proudly announces an exciting new partnership with Culture Ireland, the Irish government’s agency dedicated to promoting Irish arts worldwide. This collaboration brings four outstanding Irish acts to the Australian stage for the first time:
CAOIMHÍN:
Producer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist blending Gaelic soul with modern electronic beats. After rocking the world festival circuit, CAOIMHÍN’s sound is bold, emotive, and unmistakably original.
GRÁINNE HUNT:
With vocals described “like complex coffee,” Grá inne brings deep folk roots and story-rich songs to life. Her heartfelt performances make her a true voice of Irish tradition.
TULUA:
Young, energetic, and fearless, Tulua is redefining Irish traditional music with high-octane instrumentals and fresh takes on classics. Their debut album has earned rave reviews across Ireland.
BOXING BANJO:
A powerhouse quartet with serious musical chops, Boxing Banjo is known for their energy, charisma, and musicianship. This band will have you up and dancing before you can blink!
Boxing Banjo
The Cousel
Beyond the Dancefloor: How Elliott Creed’s ART OF CONNECTION is nurturing a regional DJ community
WORDS BY FRANKIE ANDERSON-BYRNE
When Elliott Creed first put his hand up to DJ at a uni party, he had no clue what he was doing. He was living on res at Waurn Ponds, studying architecture at Deakin, and stumbled across a student-led event that needed a last-minute DJ.
Æ “It was an absolute train wreck,” he laughs. I had no idea how to use the equipment and wasn’t downloading songs properly.”
Despite the chaos, something stuck. “I was hooked from the very start. I enjoyed sharing what I was listening to and contributing to the energy of a room.”
That chaotic Thursday night was the first step in what would become not just a side hustle, but a foundational part of his identity. Today, with a wealth of industry experience that has seen him play and partake at festivals and events including Burning Man, Beyond The Valley, Splendour in The Grass and more, Creed is not only a practising architect in Geelong, but also the founder of Art of Connection—a record label and, now, a fully-fledged DJ course focused on building community and skill development in regional Victoria.
“I wanted to create a really tight-knit community and make it more than just releasing music,” Creed says. “Integrating the course and program under the banner of the label introduces an aspect of the industry where people who might not be producing music can still be part of a label. Bringing people together and working together to achieve a common goal and progress through the industry together is a big part of what I set out to do.”
The label, Art of Connection, is about pushing electronic music beyond the dancefloor. His own music mostly leans away from the typical ‘doof doof’ sound, instead favouring emotive textures and sounds. It’s this thoughtful, people-first approach that he’s now applying to a 10-week DJ course running out of Bloom Nightclub in Geelong.
FROM BEDROOM BEATS TO BLOOM
What started with a squeaky secondhand office chair, a $50 controller from Facebook Marketplace, and hours of YouTube tutorials has now grown into a structured learning experience for aspiring DJs across the region. The program guides participants from basic gear setup and set preparation to navigating live performance scenarios and understanding the psychology of a dancefloor.
“I’ve been running one-on-one sessions for a couple of years now,” Creed explains. “But I realised I could only take people so far individually. If you introduce them to each other, it becomes a circular economy. You move forward together.”
The course is capped at just nine students—each carefully selected from more than 55 expressions of interest that flooded in after a single Instagram story. “That response was validating. It proved there was a real hunger for something like this in Geelong.”
The course doesn’t stop at just teaching participants how to use decks. There are networking nights with promoters and industry professionals, collaborative back-to-back sessions, and a live showcase in front of real crowds at Bloom. For many, it’s their first time playing in public.
“There’s a big psychological side to DJing,” Elliott notes. “Knowing how to read a room, understanding what a venue expects from an opening DJ versus a closing one. These are the things you don’t think about in your bedroom.”
Participants have ranged from mums playing wine bar gigs to complete beginners—evidence, Elliott says, of both the diversity and the potential in regional areas. “It shows the reputation Geelong is developing,” he says. “Recognising that regional towns have the capacity to do things like this and it can be successful.”
A big part of Elliott’s drive comes from a desire to see Geelong thrive as its own musical hub—not just an extension of Melbourne’s shadow.
“When I started, there was a bit of a lag in regional cities— Geelong included—when it came to what was hot. But that’s shifted,” he says. “Now, people are realising that putting on a show in Geelong isn’t just possible, it makes sense.”
More than a decade since that first chaotic uni gig, Elliott now sees the importance of community more clearly than ever.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is it pays to be nice. Just showing up early for someone’s set, sending them a message after to say you enjoyed it. That’s what builds a community. And when that appreciation is there, people start reciprocating.”
With a waitlist already building for the next round of sessions, it’s clear that Art of Connection is filling a much-needed gap in Geelong’s creative infrastructure.
“I think there’s always been pockets of community in venues or events,” Elliott reflects. “But nothing really pulling everyone together at a higher level. This course is about creating something that lasts longer than just a night out.”
From university parties to building a new wave of local DJs, Elliott Creed’s journey has been anything but linear. But through it all, the mission has stayed the same: to make music about more than just beats—to make it about connection.
The second instalment of the Art of Connection Artist Academy is set for September this year. The final showcase event for the current participants will be held at Bloom on Friday 4 July.
A CHORUS FOR THE CHORALE
Celebrating 75 years of musical triumph with the Allister Cox OAM, Musical Director and Conductor of the Geelong Chorale.
WORDS BY MOLLY ENGLAND
Allister Cox OAM may be the most au courant choral conductor in Geelong.
Æ
Guiding the Geelong Chloral’s singers, programme and legacy through their last thirteen years, Allister is a stalwart of Geelong’s music scene. I could be more specific and say a stalwart of classical, Baroque, Madrigal, Secular, Marian, or international music, but under Allister’s knowledgeable stewardship the Geelong Chorale continue in a legacy of expertly entertaining Geelong audiences with a myriad of genres, ultimately defining what it means to be a choir: a passionate community of musically minded, extremely classy artists.
The members of the Geelong Chorale are a dedicated bunch, many who have been in the choir for more than ten years. Their angelically voiced ranks are made up of a collection of sopranos, altos, tenors and baritones who meet weekly within the walls of St Lukes in Highton to use their voices to tell stories and move hearts. There’s been studies on the benefits of choral singing for those involved – the practice reduces cortisol levels and boost immunity-reinforcing antitoxins. It would be more than fair to offer the Geelong Chorale as an antibody to our community through transcendent sonic experiences and healing through their music.
There is something extremely poignant about unaccompanied voice in choirs, which conductor and musical director Allister Cox attributes as one of his favourite sub-genres of Choral singing. I can imagine that the melodies and words bouncing off the high arches of St Mary’s Basilica the way they might once have bounced off Westminster Abbey. Music is a language that perhaps evolves at a slower rate than spoken, as there is an extremely present human element to hearing voices soar – whether in English or Latin, or in the Geelong Chorale’s case, Turkish, Bulgarian and Romanian. On The Orient Express is a programme Allister is justifiably proud of - it’s a concept I wish I’d created myself. To create contrast and colour in his yearly season, Allister sonically recreated the Orient Express’ journey throughout Europe for the collective’s 2024 Season, taking their audience from Turkey to Bulgaria, through the mountains of Romania, Austria, Germany and France. You heard it right – the Chorale learnt pieces in the languages of these countries. Singing a harmony is hard enough, but layering a foreign language over the top? A feat completed only by the most passionate choral singers in our community. These folks sing across time and space and have a choral repertoire spanning multiple languages, time periods, and religions in their pockets. As their 2025 Season boasts a feast for those partial to a sensational sonic experience, the Chorale will be performing sacred and secular pieces, programmes inspired by Australian and local composers (some of whom sing amongst their ranks), and the classics in Mozart, Handel and Bach.
75 years is an incredible achievement, though when Allister began explanting the history of the Chorale, it has really been a figure in Geelong’s music scene since the 1890’s. Pre football fanaticism, Ferris wheels and Ford factory, these music makers were here weaving harmonies. He cheekily admits, “None of us have an exact date on when the Geelong Chorale started”, a result of a lack of record and evidence of the chorale’s early days. What we do know is that Geelong resident George Logie-Smith founded the Geelong Madrigal Society in the 1940’s, after returning home from abroad studying conducting in Europe. With a myriad of Geelong musical societies, including the Philharmonic Choirs and Orchestras, it was Logie-Smith along with other musically gifted Geelongians who established an umbrella association in 1945: The Geelong Association of Music and Art. There were six subgroups to GAMA, through only three still exist today: the Geelong Reparatory, GAMA Music Society, and The Geelong Chorale.
The lack of records means that Allister and his subcommittees are left wondering what their predecessors sung, how they rehearsed and where they performed. Only word of mouth keeps the memory of the Chorale of years past alive. There’s something melancholic about this lost history of music in Geelong, though Allister, playing both historian and detective, is dedicated to uncovering the Chorale’s past and ultimately, snippets of Geelong’s history also.
I think I’ll be finding myself in good company in the pews of All Saints Church in Newtown this year, letting the clear, moving voices of these talented Geelong singers wash over the audience, reminding us of all of the power of our voices and the infinite impression music has to make us feel, well, human.
The Geelong Chorale have a beautiful season coming up in celebration of their 75 years. Timeless Voices in May, Song of Australia in August and Handel’s crowd-favourite Messiah in December. You can book tickets through Trybooking now.
ARTS GUIDE
WORDS BY CHESTER OGILVIE
EXHIBITION BY QUN ZHANG
It’s not a house, it’s a home. Taking place as part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival, this collaborative exhibition reflects on Ballarat’s architectural heritage and its future. Here, through the crafting of narratives in miniature, we visit the humble home and explore their stories and histories. Also explored is how these homes could be adapted to celebrate traditional and contemporary craftsmanship as we look to a more sustainable future.
THE OLD BUTCHERS SHOP GALLERY, SOLDIERS HILL 3–25 MAY
QUEERTHENTIC
Queerthentic is a “state of being whereby you embrace your place within the LGBTQIA+ or gender-diverse community”. It’s about living in an authentic and genuine manner, without the constraints of societal norms or expectation. It is now in its third year. Alistair Fowler took out top honours in 2024, while Tahlia Campbell (runner-up) and Michelle Jane Kowalczyk (people’s choice) were also recognised. Winners will be announced on IDAHOBIT Day (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia), which takes place May 17.
THE OLD AUCTION HOUSE, KYNETON 1–26 MAY
CATS AND DOGS ALL AT SEA
For as long as sea voyages have taken place, pets, particularly cats and dogs, have been treasured companions. Romans, for example, would take chickens on board to predict battles. If the chicken ate, victory was likely. Horses, mules and elephants were transported across the sea in order to be used in battle, while parrots, bears and monkeys have offered companionship. This exhibition is a selection of Sydney photographer Sam Hood’s travelling works taken between 1900 and the 1950s of our favourite furry friends.
NATIONAL WOOL MUSEUM, GEELONG UNTIL 20 JUL
SPIDER WITH THE GLASS LEGS
Expanding on her 2023 show Green in the Grooves which introduced the figures of ‘Gardener’, ‘Light’, ‘Director’ and ‘Sound’, the imaginative practice of Tamara Henderson’s new exhibition focuses on light. In a work that has been specifically designed for Warrnambool, Tamara explores the dynamic interplay between the physical body, tantric energy and the more-than-human world. The centrepiece is ‘Sunspider’, a sculptural, eight-limbed entity that leads a narrative encompassing painting, glasswork, light and shadow.
WARRNAMBOOL ART GALLERY, WARRNAMBOOL 24 MAY–19 OCT
ARTS SPACE 25
The year-long Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Phee Broadway Theatre Foyer exhibition program comes to a close with Arts Space 25 featuring Sonia and Kristina Browning. And what a hit is has been. Along with Holly White (not exhibiting here), Sonia and Kristina comprise three generations of printmakers. Here, the well-known local artists present a collection of paintings and printmaking that charts their travels, including sights seen and characters captured. Works include acrylics on canvas and works on paper.
PHEE BROADWAY THEATRE FOYER, CASTLEMAINE 7 MAY–23 JUN
ARTS TRAIL TASTER SHOW
The Surf Coast Arts Trail (early August) is big. It’s really big. More than 200 artists are set to showcase their works to more than 16,000 visitors across studios and community hubs. It is the 15th exhibition, taking in hinterland to coast in a range of mediums including painting, sculpting, jewellery-making, textiles and ceramics. Last year generated $180,000 in sales. And like a good movie trailer, the Arts Trail Taster Show gives a little without giving away too much. Have yourself an early looky-loo.
ANGLESEA ART SPACE, ANGLESEA 15 MAY–1 JUN
UNBECOMING
An exploration of ‘queer gothic’, Unbecoming is a group exhibition that argues for the “importance of new subcultural positions within queerness in an era in which the queer movement is threatened by its subsumption within popular culture”. Further, it examines how regional communities provide ideal grounds for the growth of “away from the centre” subcultures. Artists include James Barth, Neve Curnow, Alicia Frankovich, Matthew Harris, Yvette James, Callum McGrath and Keemon Williams.
LA TROBE ART INSTITUTE, BENDIGO 21 MAY–10 AUG
WARRNIBALD PORTRAIT & ART EVENT
The Warrnnibald Art Prize lives on! With a new home, Warrnambool’s own little Archibald Prize will line up with a general art show known as the Hospice Art Event. The celebration will include an event opening, five open days and the Hospice Benefit Dinner and Auction finale, as well as workshops and talks. The Warrnnibald Portrait Prize is the brainchild of Jack Melican, who would be the first to admit he doesn’t know much about art. That matters little as it’s become a favourite of the region and beyond.
WARRNAMBOOL RACING CLUB, WARRNAMBOOL 9–17 MAY
Flaming Tomahawk & Sunday Lunch
From June 22
viagr aboys
Æ About damn time Viagra Boys hit us with some new music. Sure, they’ve been touring the world, continuing their pursuit of ‘Shrimp World’ domination – admittedly, on a pretty rigorous schedule. But at this stage, if I put ‘Cave World’ on again, my Spotify is going to ask if I’m ok. Since its release, it’s been on constant rotation–still comfortably sitting atop the throne as the best album of last year. And it came out in 2022. It just hasn’t been beaten yet.
So, to say there are pretty mammoth expectations for the group’s fourth release, would be an understatement–and I don’t think I’m alone in saying that. There’s just something about the Swedish outfit’s dance-punk swagger that almost every festivalgoer lucky enough to see them ends up sold by. (If you’re one of the few who isn’t sold yet, drink a beer and grow up, will you? Viagra Boys are rad as heck.)
Thankfully, viagr aboys is another perfect serving from the Swedish outfit. Note that I referred to them as an ‘outfit,’ not a ‘punk’ or ‘rock’ band? At this stage, Viagra Boys have evolved their sound so much that it doesn’t quite fit into any one box.
They’re cool, weird as hell, seriously unserious, and probably one of the best touring bands of the past decade – possessing a satirical punk edge that makes you groove, mosh and laugh all at the same time.
Although, that doesn’t mean that their lyrics are loaded with name-calling and finger pointing. Sure, there is a healthy dose of that, but at the same time, Viagra Boys, in particular, the group’s lead vocalist, Sebastian Murphy, are always happy to call themselves out as being the biggest knobs in the room.
From acknowledgments that “[he] can bring the type of vibe to a party that “nobody likes and make[s] everybody sad” (You N33d Me), to taunts that he subscribes to your mum’s Onlyfans, and realisations that he would “have a job in a factory” if it was 1970 (Man Made Of Meat), Murphy’s not afraid to take the piss out of himself.
But the same could be said about the group as a whole, who, armed with their fast-strutting, wobbly Western-inspired, punk-funk hybrid output, channel a sound that only the Viagra Boys possess.
Whether it’s truck-drivin’ alt-western (Pyramid of Health), dry Butthole Surfers’ inspired spoken-word (UNO II, Best In Show), homicidal murder ballads (Medicine For Horses), allmale femme punk energy (Waterboy), or fluid, face-melting syncopations of hand percussion, throat gutturals, woodwinds and jungle rap (Store Policy), Viagr aboys is an album that does everything possible to stray outside the norm–and it always lands.
Much like fellow Swedes IKEA, Viagra Boys offer you everything you need and more – normally in a left-of-centre, innovative way that makes so much sense it leaves you questioning, ‘why haven’t people done this before?’
LABEL: SHRIMPTECH ENTERPRISES RELEASE: OUT NOW
BEHIND CRIMSON EYES
An Exodus From Eden
Æ At any stage over the last decade, it would have been fair to say that Garth Buchanan made the wrong call by leaving The Amity Affliction as a founding member to form Behind Crimson Eyes (BHC). Although, as of right now, it seems he backed the winning horse.
Sure, in terms of the scale of both bands, Amity is headlining events while Behind Crimson Eyes never quite delivered the industry revolution they promised on Shakedown (2006). But two decades on, BHC are amicably splitting up, seemingly, as friends still. Amity on the other hand, slowly but surely–and very publically–self-imploding.
That being said, a new release from early-2000’s ‘screamo’ legends wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card for 2025. Undoubtedly, as one of the original Aus metal acts–before the Australian metal scene even existed–BHC’s name still holds some weight. But, even in their heyday, they were always a bit cliché and unoriginal, so how will they stand up two decades on?
If anything, better. It may only clock in a 24-minute runtime, Exodus From Eden is a pretty hefty listen, both lyrically and sonically, delivering a brutally charged djent approach primed to sit alongside the likes of Architects or Polaris.
At times, it may feel slightly wellworn, but overall, it’s a pretty epic send off for the local legends. Honestly, if it wasn’t for the very poignant cry for help in ‘You Can’t Save Me’, I’d be pushing them to keep the ball rolling.
But sometimes life comes first, and, in this case, the time seems ripe for the boys to look after themselves. Good innings, Behind Crimson Eyes.
GIG GUIDE
WED 7 MAY
KEITH POTGER
ARARAT TOWN HALL, ARARAT 11AM FREE–$50
THU 8 MAY
CHELSEA GRIN & CURRENTS THE WOOL EXCHANGE, GEELONG
6:45PM $74.90
FRI 9 MAY
BARRACOUTA
BELLS BEACH BREWING, TORQUAY 6PM FREE
LOVIN’ LOCAL FT: CREATURE FEAR + THE GRIMWOODS, BAREFOOT SPACEMEN, MOTEL NEPTUNE AND TANNER KEAST BARWON CLUB, GEELONG
PAPERBOY
POKEY LAFARGE & HIS BAND
BARWON HEADS HOTEL, BARWON HEADS
FRI 9 MAY
NOTCH + JASMINE MATTHEWS & EMILIA FOL
FANNING DEMPSEY
CREATIVE RANGES AFTER PARTY
TOM’S, KYNETON
SAT 10 MAY
MELODIES FOR MUMS + SHANDELLE COOKE & TIM MCCALLUM PIANO BAR, GEELONG 2PM
PLASTIC CHEESES
BELLS BEACH BREWING, TORQUAY 6PM $10
BARB KERR DAYLESFORD HOTEL, DAYLESFORD 7:30PM FREE
HAROLD HOLT SEARCH PARTY + BODIES & DOG MEDUSA BAR, GEELONG 7:30PM $11.69
SECOND HAND NEWS: A TRIBUTE TO FLEETWOOD MAC BARWON CLUB, GEELONG 7:30PM $28.60
ACTUAL LIFE: FRED AGAIN APPRECIATION PARTY
BARWON HEADS HOTEL, BARWON HEADS 8PM $20.40–$22
FANNING DEMPSEY NATIONAL PARK ULUMBARRA THEATRE, BENDIGO 7PM $99.90
INFINITY BROKE
MAJOR TOM’S, KYNETON 2:30PM $15
DJ COASTAL SOUNDS
BELLS BEACH BREWING, TORQUAY 3PM FREE
WILL GIBB ROYAL MAIL HOTEL, BIRRIGURRA 3PM FREE
WED 14 MAY
GARY BANKS
ARARAT TOWN HALL, ARARAT 8PM $30
THU 15 MAY
SURFCOAST
OPEN MIC
BELLS BEACH BREWING, TORQUAY
6:30PM FREE
HENRY WAGONS
EUREKA HOTEL, GEELONG
7:30PM $34.70
SUN 16 MAY
HOLD//FIRE
MEDUSA BAR, GEELONG
7PM $18.40
MICF ROADSHOW
+ FADZRI RASHID (SING), BRETT BLAKE, JUDE PERL, MATT STEWART & ROWAN THAMBAR
HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE, BALLARAT
7:30PM $20–$45
BALLARAT HERITAGE FESTIVAL, BALLARAT
FT: HAZEL RAY
BELLS BEACH BREWING, TORQUAY
6PM FREE
HOCKEY DAD
BARWON HEADS HOTEL, BARWON HEADS
7PM $56.10
LULUC
THEATRE ROYAL CASTLEMAINE
7PM
TOTAL CHAOS PROUDLY PRESENTED BY BLEEDING ART COLLECTIVE AND IRONJAW BOOKINGS: NICOLAS CAGE FIGHTER USA
SEND OFF SHOW + ZEOLITE, I CHOOSE VIOLENCE, ECDYSIS, VIRTUES & DEADWEIGHT 80 VOLTA, BALLARAT
7PM $25
SOUTHERN SONS
THE PLAY HOUSE, GAC 8PM $79
TOM HARRINGTON
BARWON CLUB, GEELONG
8PM $23.50
HOLY HOLY
TORQUAY HOTEL, TORQUAY
8:30PM $70–$120
SAT 17 MAY
TOM HARRINGTON
OLD CHURCH ON THE HILL, BENDIGO 6:30PM $22–$25
BEAT’N TRACKS PRESENTS… WITH HANA & JESSIE-LEE’S BAD HABITS THE TAPROOM (SHEDSHAKER BREWING), CASTLEMAINE 8PM $22
MICF ROADSHOW + FADZRI RASHID (SING) , BRETT BLAKE, MATT STEWART, MEG JÄGER & ROWAN THAMBAR THE STORY HOUSE, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE 8PM $42–$52
KEVIN BLOODY WILSON
BARWON HEADS HOTEL, BARWON HEADS 7PM $75
MISERY GUTS
MEDUSA BAR, GEELONG 7:30PM $13.30
THE VASCO ERA
INSUFFICIENT FUNDS
BIRREGURRA TOWN HALL, BIRREGURRA $40
INXSIVE: THE INXS TRIBUTE SHOW TORQUAY HOTEL, TORQUAY $35.20
SUN 18 MAY
PLASTIC CHEESES
ROYAL MAIL HOTEL, BIRREGURRA 3PM FREE
FUR BLOSSOM
BELLS BEACH BREWING, TORQUAY 6PM FREE
THU 22 MAY
MICF ROADSHOW + MARCEL BLANCH-DE WILT, ALEXANDRA HUDSON, BRONWYN KUSS, CON COUTIS & MATT STEWART COLAC OTWAY PERFORMING ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTRE, COLAC 7:30PM $38.40–$48
THE TEMPER TRAP
BARWON HEADS HOTEL, BARWON HEADS
7PM $71.40
JEFF LANG ULUMBARRA THEATRE, BENDIGO
7:30PM $99
FRI 23 MAY
SKYSCRAPER STAN AND THE COMMISSION FLATS THE BRIDGE HOTEL, CASTLEMAINE 9PM $29.10
