Melbourne Music is here – and we’re all rather excited about it. Our music scene is marvellous and well-deserving of a special celebration. We won’t preach too much to the converted though – if you live here, you already know this much!
The full Melbourne Music program is available on the Melbourne Music website but we thought we’d highlight a couple of our favourite events for your particular attention.
Melbourne Music Opening Concert
Rock up to Federation Square this Saturday from 5pm and you’ll be treated to some of our city’s greatest live bands – free. We’re loving the idea of a barbecue with friends followed by a free gig.
See Dan Sultan before your kid sister starts wearing his t-shirts. This guy is seriously good and is about to be seriously discovered – so get in first is our advice. Be enlivened by the merry pop-rock of British India and give it all up for Parades, a Sydney art-rock act with a fine electro-pop thing going on.
The always entertaining Dan Kelly, plus newcomers Eagle and the Worm and the dance-tastic Purple Sneakers DJs complete what makes for a rather brilliant line-up. And did we mention it’s free?
For those who remember Thank God It’s Over – clearly, it’s not!
Musicwerks
Want a job in the music industry? Already working in music and want to get better at what you do? Step this way! Musicwerks is a bunch of free workshops for anyone interested in a career on music, whether on the stage or behind it. With industry experts and performers such as Skipping Girl Vinegar, Mantra, Wendy Stapleton and Ron Tudor dispensing advice, you could do a lot worse than to book yourself into one or more of these sessions.
We especially like the sounds of:
- Legal Chambers – Kookaburra Sings Down Under: musician and lawyer Paul O’Gorman gives an insider’s view on Men At Work’s famous ‘Down Under’ copyright battle.
- Hip Hop Songwriting: Mantra, frontman of Melbourne hip hop group Illzilla, shares his songwriting tips and techniques.
- iPhone – The New Music Maker: Dr Barry Hill shows how to make serious tunes on your smartphone in this fun community music-making event.
And they’re just for starters!
Je t’aime: the filmic lives of Gainsbourg and Birkin
A final, special mention goes to this fabulous program of films at ACMI. Why? It’s Serge Gainsbourg. No other explanation is surely required.
Melbourne Music: on until Sunday 10 October.
WIN! WIN! WIN!
We have two double passes up for grabs to the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards on this Friday 1 October at the Forum!
This is your only chance to see Sally Seltmann, Cloud Control and M-Phazes perform as part of the Melbourne Music program. Award nominees include Dan Sultan, Dan Kelly and British India who are all performing at the free Opening Concert the following night at Fed Square.
To enter the draw, tell us about a memorable gig you’ve been to in Melbourne using the comment section below. We’ll pick our favourite two entries and award each winner a double pass.
Entries close at 4pm, Thursday 30 September. We’ll contact the winner via email. You must be 18 years of age or older to be eligible to win.
My most memorable gig was Hot Hot Heat. It was a small gig, the atmosphere was amazing! And at the end of the show they pulled a few people out from the crowd to dance on stage, people went crazy and half of the audience ended up there .. dancing .. smiling .. it was amazing!!
My most memorable gig was OK Go at the Hi-Fi Bar. Up close, fun and with live video mixing from little cameras mounted all over the band’s gear. Best bit was when the lights went out – they pulled out some torches, wandered down into the audience and pulled off an acoustic song right there! Amazing stuff.
My most memorable gig was The Offspring. They totally rocked the house. Got the crowd involved in their songs and eveything.
i remember when Suzie Cotro came to then called Council Club in Preston there was croweds and everyone was thumping their booties it was a awesome experience.
My most memorable gig is my most embarrassing one! Back in the days when I was a black-eyeliner wearing, band tee lovin’ teenager I snuck out to go and see My chemical romance. I had the best time being pushed around in the mosh and got out of there with my ears ringing and fresh bruises throbbing only to be greeted by my mother, who had her arms crossed and let me tell you, she wasn’t happy. ha.
My most memorable jazz gig was Tinkler, Rex, Grabowski and Edi at Bennett’s Lane. It was an amazing set and to top it off I saw a shooting star on the way home!
Most memorable melbourne gig – farewell to the Jackson code at the Punter’s Club. Mark Snarski’s lowest tones go right to those darkest places
BIG BRASS BAND; Venue; Rah Bar night club South Yarra.
They are SIMPLY the BEST!!! Dance your socks off baby !!!!!!!
Female artists, sang and strutted their stuff with musical command.
Male artists, sexy baritones, reminiscent of Joe and Jimmy’s voices.
Yours in Music .
Maureen Brook
Future Music Festival, it was wet, messy, so many people I’ve experienced in my whole life but great ambience and great friends to go with to make the most of the weather.
brian jonestown massacre at the hi fi. because he had a complete theatrical mini meltdown for like 2 hours on stage and gave completely obnoxious but also entertaining monologues
My most memorable gig was Cassette Kids at Northcote Social Club,
it was small but big enough – the mosh pit weren’t too brutal so we could actually focus on enjoying the music. They were awesome and full of energy. And at the end we get to say hi to the band members and even had a little chat and photo sesh!
My most memorable gig this year in Melbourne, was Laura Marling at the corner hotel, Boy and Bear supporting and the whole thing feeling like a gypsy caravan. Lots of dancing and lots of different instruments including a piano accordion. Fantastic stuff.
Thanks for the music memories guys!
Congratulations to Tim who shared his memory of the OK GO gig at the Hi Fi, as well as Carma who snuck into a My Chemical Romance gig as a black-eyeliner wearing teen. We loved your entries!
You have both won a double pass to tomorrow night’s Jagermeister Independent Music Awards. Email coming your way now!
that’s Melbourne team
The most memorable gig I’ve been to in Melbourne it’s fat freddy’s drop gig. It was my first gig since I’ve move to Melbourne and it was awesome and energetic.It’s really a truly great experience to live in the best city Melbourne and get to attend my fav gig after years of being their fans.