LIVE MUSIC
- Live bands
- International and underground DJs
- Legendary venues
In the footsteps of New York, Melbourne has become a city that never sleeps. And that’s a good thing. Live music gigs rock out (or get jazzed up, or go classical, or whatever your fancy) throughout the week, playing everything from massive arena venues to more intimate back bars.
The city is a regular port for the biggest international acts, while also boasting a vibrant and diverse local scene centred on the many pub venues, which have long cultivated live music.
Details for most gigs and venues appear in Melbourne’s free street papers, Beat and Inpress, and weekly lift-outs in the Age and Herald-Sun newspapers.
Rock, grunge, punk, funk, techno, jazz, blues, hip hop you name it and Melbourne will have a venue playing it and a social set embracing it. The biggest overseas acts touring, from Coldplay to U2, usually head to Melbourne Park, where they fill the 15,000-seat Rod Laver Arena, or nearby Vodafone Arena, which seats 10,500. A few have even taken stage on the hallowed grounds of the MCG.
Other big-name bands prefer the older ambiance of venues like the Palais Theatre in St Kilda, the Forum on Flinders Street or Melbourne's original big-name-band venue, Festival Hall (also home to boxing and wrestling events).
For outdoor concerts and festivals, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the King's Domain is a favourite for combining music and picnics.
Nightclub venues for live music and major DJ appearances include the Metro, Ding Dong Lounge, Revolver Upstairs, the Hi Fi Bar & Ballroom and the Palace Entertainment Complex in St Kilda.
A few underground DJ club suggestions include Honky Tonks, FFOUR, the Cherry Bar and onesixone in Prahran.
The best pubs offering regular live acts include the Corner Hotel, the Esplanade, the Rainbow, the Evelyn, the Prince Band Room, Northcote Social Club, the Old Bar, The Spot, the Tote, the Dan O'Connell, Pony and the Empress.
Specialty jazz and blues venues include the famed Bennetts Lane Jazz Club and Manchester Lane. Tony Starr's Kitten Club has a top room that hosts a variety of intimate performances, from acoustic to jazz and comedy (not necessarily at the same time!).
