In addition to our new weekly Spotify playlist of local acts we’re enjoying (“Music Victoria’s Listening To…”), we are also today launching a new weekly gig guide, compiled by Music Victoria’s staff.
Performing live has become the backbone of being a recording artist, so going out and supporting local live music is of great importance to us.
Here are some of the gigs we’re looking forward to over the coming week, including shows from Dumb Whales, Major Plains, thando, Philly, Grace Cummings and many more.
Friday 31 January
Against The Tide with heart & Art on The Dock – A fundraiser for Wildlife Victoria and Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation
Lady Cutler Melbourne Showboat, 131 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
More info + tickets: https://chuffed.org/project/gaea-a-party-fundraiser-with-heart-and-art?fbclid=IwAR1K6-4Dr98NtvpdFP4sE-h7ij4LCumtTNXrIdBIcDJN3diXFGFuPEFVwBA
Dumb Whales, Closer to Nowhere, King Capture, the Reasons
Pride of Our Footscray Community Bar, 86–88 Hopkins St., Footscray
More info + tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/1268351080040306/
Rainbow Effect: Rainbow Chan, House of Dévine
Immigration Museum 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria
More info + tickets: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/whats-on/rainbow-effect/?fbclid=IwAR0QYKj5dyM9LuJJZ29RwNy0NIdlVX2C76K_oQEzvQx34QsGOV4Q5L7GpHQ
Major Plains + Culte (solo) (FREE EVENT)
The Fitzroy Pinnacle, 251 St. Georges Road, Fitzroy North
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/473504296897512/
Adrian Eagle, Philly, P-Unique
Northcote Social Club, 301 High Street, Northcote
More info + tickets: https://northcotesocialclub.com/gig/70596870139/
Bushfire Benefit w/ Jen Cloher, Romy Vager (RVG), Sui Zhen, Laí, Constant Mongrel, Jess Ribeiro, Cool Sounds, DJs Ruby & Lucy
The Tote, 71 Johnston Street, Collingwood
More info + tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/1290507121136965/
Saturday 1 February
Whipped Cream Chargers, Future Suck, Bug Hunt, Buff Club
Old Bar, 74-76 Johnston St, Fitzroy
More info + tickets:https://www.facebook.com/events/463541541258707/
Bluestone Sessions ft. Thando & Mz Rizk (FREE EVENT)
Footscray Community Arts Centre, 45 Moreland St, Footscray
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/3891843987508113/
Grace Cummings and Her Band, Cool Sounds, Freya Josephine Hollick
Northcote Social Club, 301 High Street, Northcote
More info + tickets: https://northcotesocialclub.com/gig/79305164883/?fbclid=IwAR1Pcm0DAfACk08hgFCHGTa2yWt4O6pFyyQVHqTGBowUNdhXWvQYgQHvadE
Dean Rutlidge for one night only w/ Dr. Colossus, Duneeater, Levitating Churches
Bendigo Hotel, 125 Johnston Street, Collingwood
More info + tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/448631759169710/
Wednesday 5 February
PBS Drive Live w/ Coda Chroma, Elizabeth and Grace Cummings
PBS 106.7FM, 47 Easy Street, Collingwood
More info + tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/2628463857464242/
One Land: A Fire Fundraiser w/ Mantra, P-Unique, DJ Henry Skills, Dialectrix, DJ J-Red, Niasha, DJ Henry Skills + Host N'fa Jones
Northcote Social Club, 301 High Street, Northcote
More info + tickets: https://northcotesocialclub.com/gig/90273882613/
Thursday 6 February
Queer-aoke w/ Bae Marie & Cameron Thomas
Commons Rooms, Melbourne
More info + tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/2498375200410301/
Friday 7 February
The Mamas - Dancefloor Tour
The Workers Club, 90–92 Little Malop Street, Geelong
More info + tickets: https://spinninghalf.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/c1e7d050-7fcb-4c5c-ad70-1a92a7ab3c89?fbclid=IwAR1sAwH6QgYxVysUVA7yh6ymkP-oeG8yZU32SQBhbWSScRjzDVJ2ZAmBz
Pictured: Theatre Royal's Tim Heath, with partner and co-owner, Felicity Cripps
Theatre Royal's Tim Heath (Music Victoria Awards' 2019 Best Regional Venue Over 50 gigs/yr winner) took time out recently to look back on some of his favourite achievements over the past year and to share the local secrets of his area - Castlemaine.
What’s your name, role and which venue do you represent?
Tim Heath, owner and music programer at Theatre Royal Castlemaine.
In which location are you based?
Castlemaine
Looking back over the last year, which achievement/s or moment/s are you proudest of?
Launching our membership program not only helped to keep the venue surviving, but it tightened our loyal supporters and strengthened their love for the venue. Proudest moments were seeing our community enjoy live shows and get behind community event like Freeza Battle of the Bands and fundraisers and benefit concerts.
As a regional venue owner, what do you find to be the biggest challenge for the local music scene?
Smaller audiences are great, but it can be challenging to program more obscure music and pull a decent crowd.
What are some ways the music community members in your area support each other and the local ecosystem?
There are several open mic nights, pubs who program local bands often, a local radio station that supports local bands, mini festivals with local bands.
What’s the best thing about regional live gigs?
The audiences are always so appreciative that great artists are playing in their little towns.
Are there any local music initiatives or artists you’d like to tell us about?
There's so many great young artists and bands from the area who have had success. I think there's so many opportunities for young people to perform locally and feel supported by older musicians and artists.
What’s the best-kept secret of your local area? Give us the inside tip.
Swimming at the Golden Point reservoir is beautiful in the warmer months. The Anti-clinal Fold is an interesting geological rock formation that is also worth checking out. There's heaps of great cafes and pubs and the Castlemaine Art Gallery is also worth a look at it's impressive collection.
Your prize was accompanied by a generous $3000 grant from the Bendigo Bank. Lucky duck! What did/will you spend the money on? How will it further your career/business?
We feel very lucky to be able to put this money towards some much-needed new stage lighting!!
Here at Music Victoria, our staff are always out seeing live music and listening to local faves across a range of genres.
We want to share all the great local music we’re enjoying, so we’ve started a Spotify playlist – Music Victoria’s Listening To…
Follow the playlist to hear what our staff are listening to and check back each Tuesday as we’ll be refreshing it weekly.
This week’s playlist includes Magic Dirt Official, Obscura Hail, Lost Ragas, Press Club, Jess Ribeiro and more.
Check out the full playlist here.
It’s incredibly heartening to see the music industry step up to raise awareness and funds for bushfire affected communities and this guide has been developed by AMIN to assist event organisers putting on benefit gigs. If you have questions or need advice - get in touch with us.
Check out the Best Practice Guide for Benefit Gigs here!
Also, don't forget to contact us to add your Bushfire benefit to our Bushfire Benefits Gig List.
Thanks to everyone involved in benefit concerts to support fire relief charities. We've gone through all the Victorian events that have been sent to us and combined them into a Bushfire Benefit Gig Guide here! If we haven't included your event feel free to let us know and we'll add you to the list. Keep up the good work everyone. It's amazing to see the music community coming together and supporting those affected by the fires.
Friday 10 January
Make It Rain – A Bushfire Fundraiser at Stay Gold, Brunswick
Press Club, The Gooch Palms, Columbus, MID CITY & Fan Girl (with DJ help from Teenage Dads)
Bushfire relief! Foxtrot, Boss Melody, Way Shit & Intellectuals at The Workers Club, Fitzroy
Fox Trot, Boss Melody, Way Shit & Intellectuals
Possum Relief – A Fundraiser at The Old Bar, Fitzroy
Bitch Diesel, Mightiest of Guns, Jess Parker & The Troubled Waters, Cyanide Thornton, Grace Cummings
Dumb Punts Fire Relief Fundraiser w/ Mini Skirt + Rhysics at The Tote, Collingwood
Dumb Punts, Mini Skirt & Rhysics
A Boogie For The Blaze at Club Pandora, South Melbourne
Will Sparks, Horizon, John Course, Orkestrated, AK, ESG & more
My Aeon Presents Fire Relief at My Aeon, Brunswick
House & Techno: Melbourne’s most loved slingers of underground flavours
The Longnecks at Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbotsford
The Longnecks
Saturday 11 January
RFS Fundraiser – Music & Comedy at The Old Bar, Fitzroy
Little Elizabeth, Joe Sewer, Travalley, Annie and Lena (comedy) & Tejopala Rawls (comedy)
Cool Room Fire Relief Fundraiser at 9-11 Hocking St, Coburg North
Reptant b2b Hymns, Kane Ikin (DJ), Fia Fiell (DJ), DJ Mum b2b Anuraag, Emelyne b2b Lori b22 Sophie McAlister & Kaytseng
More Fire reggae dancehall session #215 (fire relief fundraiser) at Woody’s Bar, Collingwood
Chant Down Sound (Jessi I & Ras Crucial), Ras Belly (live), Rebel Bass, Nadine King & Al Good
Flying Dutchman, El Colosso, Cosa Nostra & Mongrel at The Tote, Collingwood
Flying Dutchman, El Colosso, Cosa Nostra & Mongrel
Bushfire Appeal Fundraiser with your fave local bands at Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East
Commissioner Bourbon, Dead Transmission, The Stripp, Monkey Butler, Lindsey Kingswood
Sunday 12 January
Whiskey Dram live by Donation onboard Steve Irwin (fire relief) at Seaworks, Williamstown
Whiskey Dram
STAGEhand at The Rifle Brigade Hotel, Bendigo
Blackthorn, Mick Thomas, Mast Gully Fellers, Oombah, Band of Clouds, Four Lions
Grill for Good – Mac Demarco & Friends at Victoria Park, Abbotsford
Mac DeMarco & Friends
Tuesday 14 January
Parkville & Paige Black – Bushfire Relief Gig (Sonic Textures) at The Night Cat, Fitzroy
Parkville, Paige Black
Music That Matters – Bushfire Benefit at The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
Julia Jacklin, GL, Good Morning, Romy Vager (RVG), Loose Tooth, Jade Imagine, Elizabeth, Bitch Diesel, Dianas, Leah Senior, Sweet Whirl, The Faculty, Crepes, BATTS, Eilis Gilligan, Snowy Band, Chitra, Moonlover, El Tee
Jordie Lane & Liz Stringer & Friends – Bushfire Benefit at Northcote Social Club, Northcote
Jordie Lane, Liz Stringer, Clare Reynolds, Jeff Lang, The Maes, Kylie Auldist, Coda Chroma
Tuesday 15 February
Pretty Snazz in the Nazz - Bushfire Benefit at Westernport Yacht Club, Balnarring Beach
Zombeaches, Bleach, Soundtrack Music, Lunatic, Waylayd, Siltman, Rennie & the Shit Chair
Friday 17 January
Bergy Bushfire Relief at The Bergy Seltzer, Brunswick
Sarah Eida, Sordid Ordeal, Long Holiday, I Have A Goat
Help Fight Fires at Mentone Lifesaving Club, Mentone
Whatshisface, Harley Luscombe, INSTYNKT, Jack Pyper (DJ)
Bushfire Relief Fundraiser at Newport Bowls Club, Newport
Phil Manning, Craig Horne and Wayne Burt, Jesse Valach, Kelly Auty and Brendon Mason
Ballarat’s Best for Bushfire Relief at Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Ballarat
Motor City Sounds, Vondabouys, Dead Salesmen Duo, St Ivory, Ballarat Ska Union
Fundraiser for Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) at Grand Ridge Brewery, Mirboo North
Troy Wilson, Matthew White
Bushfire Relief Fundraiser at Footscray Community Arts Centre, Footscray
Ausecuma Beats, Ajak Kwai, Danika Smith, Rara Zulu, Allysha Joy
Saturday 18 January
Fire Relief at The Retreat, Brunswick
Sunbeam Sound Machine, Hobson’s Bay Coast Guard, Swazi Gold, Field Maps, Poppongene, Zoe Fox and the Rocket Clocks, Snowy Band, Tali Mahoney
Lending a Hand for Bushfire Relief: The Variety Concert at Gemco Theatre, Emerald
Bushfire Animal Relief Benefit at FeeFee’s Bar, Collingwood
Cosmic Kahuna, Ramblin’ Gold, Rumours
Blaze Relief at The Night Cat, Fitzroy
Nai Palm, Messy Mammals, Brian Campeau, Ha Na, Cazeaux Oslo, Kuzich, Airsticks, Laneous and Tully, Teischa, Aeon Hakyavic
Mutant Dance Bushfire Fundraiser at Captain, Geelong
President Press, Eddie Example, Alexander Luc
Anglesea Bushfire Relief Fundraiser at Anglesea Football Club, Anglesea
Sunday 19 January
Bush Bop Day Party – Bushfire Fundraiser at The Old Apple Shed, Boneo
The Belair Lip Bombs, Velvet Bloom & The Vito Collective, Polly and the Pockets
Raise for the Blazeat SKKY Bar & Lounge, Shepparton
Anemone, Bonsai Buffalo, Kate Stroud, Soul Tribe, and David Jnr
Monday 20 January
Burn Benefit! at Transit Rooftop Bar, Melbourne
Paul Grabowsky, Joe Chindamo, Wilbur Wilde, Tim Ries (Rolling Stones), The Rookies, Fem Belling, Chelsea Wilson, ZEDSIX, The Werewolves, Nat Barsch, MAS, Rita Satch, Phillip Rex, Nichaud Fitzgibbon, Rico Alma, Jack Earle Trio, DMJO, Kimba Griffith Septet, Moving Targets, The Commoners
Thursday 23 January
Raise the Roof – Bush Dance – Fundraiser at The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick
Oh Pep!, The Maes, John Flanagan and the Earthworker Bush Band
Bushfire AID Show at Bendgio Hotel, Collingwood
Treebeard, Paper Tapir, Foci
Friday 24 January
Rock Against The Fires at The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick
Dallas Crane, Batz, Rocket Science, Draught Dodges, Baby 8, Powerline Sneakers, Electric Guitars, Seedy Jeezus, The Casanovas, James Seedy
Albury/Wodonga Music Industry Fire Relief Fundraiser at Victor Supper Club, Wodonga
An incredible all local lineup of bands and acoustic acts
This is not a Drill at Laundry Bar, Fitztory
Adrian Swish, Jaynin, J.B.T, Kid Flash, Neezy, Nomad, Samayal
A Weekend of Bushfire Relief (Jan 24-26) at Merri Creek Tavern, Northcote
DAY 1: Hamilton, Serene Dreams, Annual Leaf, Tim Guy, Mighty Duke & the Lords.
DAY 2: Rebecca Barnard Band, Mick Thomas & the Roving Commission Trio, James Kenyon, Fever (feat. Rebecca, Jac Tonks & Brooke Russell), The Barb Waters 3, Folk Bitch Trio, The Killjoys, Cookie Baker MC
DAY 3: Kim Salmon & his band, Ben Mason Band, Gumboot, Focus Group, Cool Sounds DJs
Saturday 25 January
Fires Fundraiser at The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick
Mick Thomas, The Orbweavers, Angie Hart, Charles Jenkins, Pollyman, Opelousas, Sarah Carroll, Hollie Joyce, Hamish Cowan, Dominic Byrne,Skyscraper Stan, Dan Warner, Sime Nugent, Brooke Russell, Ruby Jones, The Dusty Millers, Lisa Miller, Dirt Hand, Les Thomas, The Pheasantry
The House is on Fire Climate Fund Raiser at Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood
Alex Moses, Vic Austin, Dover Island, Don’t Text Ur Ex, Subcult
Rock for Relief at Globe Alley, Melbourne
Atomic Riot, The Ugly Kings, The Mercy Kills, Shewolf
Fundraiser Gig 4 CFA at The Workers Club, Fitzroy
Lazy Sidekick, Flogs, Uncle Bens Last Words, Full Collapse
Bars for Bushfire Relief at Laundry Bar, Fitzroy
Smash Bros, Weapon X and Ken Hell, Chevy Levett, Mr Ruckman, Boler Mani, Martian, Jye Simpson, Ezekiel Ox, Aerows & Obsezd, Jack Vie, Illusive, Luke Vexx, Defron, The Rascal Collective
Monday 27 January
Band Together at Stay Gold, Brunswick
Palace of the King, Bad Moon Born, Echo Del Tusker, The Radio Sun, El Colosso, Cicadastone, The Credits, Shadowqueen, Atomic Riot, IDunno
Tuesday 28 January
Tones and I Bushfire Benefit – 170 Russell St, Melbourne
Tones and I, Adrian Eagle
Thursday 30 January
In The Moment at The Ember Lounge, St Kilda
Brendan McMahon
Soul Aid at Soul In The Attic at Cherry Bar, Melbourne
Bernadette Novembre, Emilia, The Tarantinos & DJ Wolfie
Bushfire Relief Concert at John Curtain Hotel, Carlton
Ruby Gill, Freya Josephine Hollick, Gabriella Cohen, Huntly, Dirt Hand, Hannah Cameron, Natasha Johanna, Matthew Colin, Maple Glider
Sophomore Bushfire Fundraiser at The Old Bar, Fitzroy
Sophomore, Yeah Don't Care & No Mud No Lotus
Hip-Hop Unite Bushfire Fundraiser at Laundry Bar, Fitzroy
CLARIYAHBOSS + many more
Friday 31 January
Muso’s For Bushfire Relief at The Western Port, San Remo
Imogen Price, Nick Anderson, Invy Horn Jam, Maddy Mar Richard Gillard, Doc White, Waverjanes, BBQ Bob, Rowie, Bern Carrol & The Lovelies, The Times, The Land Brothers
Written Warning Bushfire Relief Show at Lucky 13 Garage, Moorabbin
Written Warning
Bushfire Benefit at The Tote, Collingwood
Jen Cloher, Romy Vager (RVG), Sui Zhen, Lai, Jess Ribeiro, Cool Sounds
Celtic Nations Bushfire Relief Concert at The Concert Lounge, Croydon
Claymore
ZOOS Vic Benefit Gig at Westernport Hotel, Hastings
Coverdrive
Saturday 1 February
Bushfire Benefit at The Tote, Collingwood
Total Control, HTRK, Alice Skye, Civic, Disco Junk Bank, The Snakes
Blues n Grooves for the Bush at The Catfish, Fitzroy
Bushfire Relief Fundraiser - Orange Peels at The Grace Darling, Collingwood
Orange Orange, Arbes, Maseta
Macedon Ranges Bushfore Relief Concert at Kyneton Town Hall, Kyneton
Lloyd Spiegel, Taylor Sheridan, Geoff Achison, Scott Darlow, Marcie Jones
Sunday 2 February
We Are One - Bushfire Relief Concert at Windy Hill, Essendon
Brian Mannix, Taylor Henderson, Silvie Paladino, Scott Darlow, Harriett Allcroft, Team Dream, Bethany Fisher
Beer for Bushfire Relief at Coburg RSL, Coburg
The Drunken Poachers, The Quarry Mountain Dead Rats, James Ellis and The Jealous Guys, The Devil Goat Family String Band, Brooke Russell, Rattlin’ Bones Blackwood, Gareth Leach plus more
Tuesday 4 February
Playing The Flame - LEVEL 1 at Workers Club, Fitzroy
nightlight, Bastian Hues, SIORE, Koko
Wednesday 5 February
We Love The 90s! Bushfire Relief Fundraiser at The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick
Hosted by Dylan Lewis, Jane Gazzo and Leigh Whannell
Thursday 6 February
Victorian Bushfire Relief Dinner at River's Edge Events, Melbourne
Tanya George, Danny Walsh and Kat Mear, DJ Relaxative and Miss Goldie
Bushfire Fundraiser at The Retreat Hotel, Brunswick
Freak Fandango, Mystery Guest, Lewis Coleman
Friday 7 February
Playing The Flame - LEVEL 2 at The Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood
Oh Daisy, Bridget Allan, Louise Gaul, Madi Leeds
Bushfire Benefit at The Berg Seltzer, Brunswick
Castilles, No/Trauma, Pam Salmon, WÜRST NÜRSE, SheOak, Gemma O'Connor, Jess Ludlow, DJ Mr Sharp
Saturday 8 February
Sundown at McClelland: A Fire Relief Benefit at McClelland Sculpture Park & Gallery, Langwarrin
Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier, Kutcha Edwards, Gena Rose Bruce, Afrovival, Charlie Owen, The Mudcakes, Chaliah Hilton-Cronin
Tuesday 11 February
Playing The Flame - LEVEL 3 at The Tote, Collingwood
Tamara97, Trace Decay, Plaza-trg, half/cut
Thursday 13 February
Playing The Flame - LEVEL 4 at Laundry Bar, Fitzroy
Mythic, Kara, Jinks, Mikado
Sunday 16 February
Women of the North Benefit Concert at The Chalice Hall, Northcote
Sonia Serin, Cate Taylor, Tori, Joyce Prescher, Jo Hannan, Harper Bloom, Libby Ingels, Megan Kennedy, Kristin Rashmi
Saturday 22 February
Country’s On Fire at The Old Bar, Fitzroy
Murlocs, Hollie Joyce, Baked Beans, Bones and Jones, Chitra, Gus, Grand Pine, Phaedo, Fillmores, Forever Son, Pollyman, Jack Meredith
Saturday 29 February
Animal Festy at the Bendi at The Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood
Tess Guthrie, Mr Eugene, Lara Prokop
Thursday 5 March
2nd AustralAsian WorldTurboJugendDays at Last Chance Rock n Roll Bar, Melbourne
Keggin, I have a Goat, The Stripp, Fckups
Friday 6 March
2nd AustralAsian WorldTurboJugendDays at Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood
Garlic Nun, The Balls, Wolfpack, The B-flat sharps (aka Dr Colossus)
Wild Thing Presents Bushfire Relief Show at The Workers Club, Fitzroy
Ebonivory, Glass Ocean, Chino Saturn & Intrøspect
Saturday 7 March
2nd AustralAsian WorldTurboJugendDays at Spotted Mallard, Brunswick
Muscle Car, Turbobelco, The Destrends, Filth Dimension, Bastard North, BRUCE!, Neptune Power Federation, Grindhouse, Dicklaser, The Dusty Rhodes, The Dirty F-Holes, The Glycereens, Glen and the Peanut Butter Men, Australian Kingswood Factory
Sunday 8 March
2nd AustralAsian WorldTurboJugendDays at Whole Lotta Love Bar, Brunswick
Redro Redriguez and his inner Demons, Psycho Moto, Suicide Country Hour, Levitating Churches, Jono Barwick
Saturday 11 April
On the BRINK Festival at 247 Joys Rd, St Helens Plains
Neil Murray + local live entertainment