The lost in the riff bit

This is the bit where we plug in and turn up the volume to do a little humble bragging about our live music scene.

No matter what you’re into you’ll find it here, that’s because, from the city centre to the suburbs, venues big and small provide the incubators that develop some of Australia’s most exciting new talent. Iconic places like Cherry Bar, The Tote, The Corner and The Espy.

But that’s just a taste of what’s on offer and just a small part of the reason why live music is the unbeatable beating heart of Melbourne.

Mic drop.

Tickets

Get tickets through these outlets:

lasttix.com.au

moshtix.com.au

oztix.com.au

ticketek.com.au

ticketmaster.com.au


Gig guide

Find gigs via Music Victoria's gig-guide, on  beat.com.au or plan your musical adventures well ahead with our Big Gigs list.

Highlights

The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, Victoria

ALWAYS LIVE overview

Events
Get ready for a state-wide celebration of contemporary music, as ALWAYS LIVE takes over intimate and large-scale music venues across Victoria.
Cherry Bar, Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cherry Bar

Live music
Now in new digs, this old soul of the Melbourne scene was founded in 2000 by the drummer of the Cosmic Psychos, and is a launching-pad for local rockers.
Hotel Esplanade, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Hotel Esplanade

Live music
St Kilda's iconic 'Espy' is back after an extended hiatus. And with three stages, 12 bars and two restaurants, there's something for everyone.
Northcote Social Club, Northcote, Victoria, Australia

Northcote Social Club Bandroom

Live music
Featuring a never-ending line up of hometown heroes, interstate bands and international artists, this is the quintessential Melbourne bandroom.
Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne - Photo: James Gillet

Revolver Upstairs

Live music
Climb the stairs from Chapel Street and catch young bands, up-and-coming songwriters and touring DJs at a good old indie institution.
The Corner Hotel, Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Corner Hotel

Live music
Queue up to see international bands or local stalwarts most nights of the year at this classic Melbourne pub and live music joint.
The Forum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Forum

Live music
Catch local heroes and international artists at this spectacular venue where the architecture and interior design add a fairytale edge.
The Prince Bandroom, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Prince Bandroom

Live music
Walk past the famous chalk board sign out front and head upstairs to catch the hottest indie, rock, hip hop and soul acts when they come to town.
Tote, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia

The Tote

Live music
The spiritual home of punk and indie-rock bands, there's no better place in Melbourne to catch a band than in the sweaty bandroom at the Tote.
Kingswood, The Workers Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Workers Club bandroom

Live music
This revamped pub is a favourite with the indie/arts crowd. Catch up-and-coming indie, electro and hip hop live music acts.

More music

The Corner Hotel, Richmond, Victoria, Australia

8 great gig venues in Melbourne

Celebrate Melbourne live music as it pulses through these iconic bandrooms, gig venues, clubs, pubs and jazz basements.
Ravi Coltrane at Bird's Basement, Melbourne jazz

Jazz clubs

Art & culture
Need a night of soothing sounds? From big bands to sultry soloists, Melbourne has a brilliantly diverse jazz scene to tap into.
RISING 2022 at the Forum Melbourne

Music festivals

Entertainment
Melbourne and Victoria dance all year with music festivals celebrating rock, alternative, techno, folk, jazz and all types of music and performance.
Polyester Records, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Record stores

Shopping
Visit an independent record store in Melbourne. Find secondhand bargains, obscure new releases and live in-store performances.
Theatre Royale, Castlemaine, Goldfields, Victoria, Australia

Regional music venues

Live music
See live music in an eclectic mix of venues in regional Victoria and discover fine local talent along with touring acts from Australia and overseas.
The Forum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Big gigs

Art & culture
Plan ahead and get yourself tickets to the big gigs and big names bringing it to Melbourne's stadiums, concert halls, band rooms and amphitheatres.
Live Music, Melbourne

Melbourne live music neighbourhoods

Art & culture
Head north, south, east and west to find Melbourne's best live music neighbourhoods.
Made in Melbourne. Photo by Jay Hynes

Made From Melbourne

Art & culture
Celebrate live music in Melbourne with the creation of a guitar made from timber from some of our most iconic venues.

Live music neighbourhoods

Bar Romantica, East Brunswick

Brunswick

Destinations
Pull up a stool at any one of Brunswick's cool cafes, buzzing bars and effortless eateries. Shop, catch a gig, and get a feel for the old-meets-new creative vibe.
Luna Park, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

St Kilda

Destinations
Prepare to play in St Kilda, where you can kick up your heels by the seashore, by the stage at live music venues or on the whirligigs at Luna Park.
Localing Tours, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Fitzroy

Destinations
Perch in a Brunswick Street bar and celebrate the way that sometimes the more things change, the more they stay the same in this bohemian enclave.
Collingwood childrens farm, Melbourne

Collingwood

Destinations
Peel back the inner-city onion that is Collingwood and discover layers of local history, creative character and effortless charm.
Chapel Street, Prahran. Photo by Fabio Oliveria

Prahran

Destinations
Independent, proud and even a little bit fancy – Prahran delights with its mix of boho charm, an innovative foodie scene and high street fashion.
People dine outside The Blacksmith Bar on Swan St, Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria.

Richmond

Destinations
You won't go hungry in Richmond, whether packing in footy pies, brunching in cosy cafes, or gobbling Vietnamese treats or pizza slices after a gig.
Northcote Social Club

Northcote

Destinations
Pay respects to hipsters of yore who settled Northcote with cafes, bars and shops, and to the planning fortunes that afforded Ruckers Hill its views.

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Food & wine
Tuck into a tipple while everyone else is tucked in bed. These Melbourne bars will keep the light on for you well after the last tram has gone home.
Live Music, Melbourne

Melbourne live music neighbourhoods

Art & culture
Head north, south, east and west to find Melbourne's best live music neighbourhoods.
Polyester Records, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Record stores

Shopping
Visit an independent record store in Melbourne. Find secondhand bargains, obscure new releases and live in-store performances.
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The Australian Music Vault

Museums
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