Tag: free concerts

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Courtyard Sessions Brings Free Music to Sydney

Sydney is a pretty expensive place to live. Once you’ve spent money on a mortgage or rent, there’s never a lot left for having a good time. Thankfully there’s the Courtyard Sessions, a series of free weekly gigs held in the Seymour Centre’s courtyard each Friday from February 8.

This is such a diverse concert series featuring everything from folky opener Caitlin Harnett to drag superstars Betty Grumble and Aaron Manhattan. No matter what you’re into, there’s something here for you.

With great music, good food, and cold drinks, the Courtyard Sessions are the perfect way to wind down after a busy week. Check out the full program and get yourself to one of these top nights.

8 February 2019 – Caitlin Harnett (6 pm start)
15 February 2019 – St Joan (6 pm start)
17 February 2019 (Fair Day) – TANZER (DJ set) with Betty Grumble and Aaron Manhattan (4:30 pm start)
22 February 2019 – Kim Sheehy (6 pm start)
24 February 2019 – Liam Gale & the Ponytails (5:30 pm start)
1 March 2019 – Z-Star Delta (UK) (6 pm start)
8 March 2019 – Alice Terry (6 pm start)
15 March 2019 – Secret Headliner and Support Set from AIM Student (6 pm start)

Image used with permission from Heath Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Themed Free Concerts Hit Werribee This Month

I think there’s something so special about parents and their children coming together to appreciate live music. So I want to make sure you all know about Wyndham City’s Friday LIVE Series which all kicks off on February 10.

Each night is themed and designed to celebrate some of Australia’s big name acts and introduce music lovers to some up and comers they’re bound to enjoy. It all kicks off with the ‘80s Family Fun show headlined by Pseudo Echo on the 10th. The Songwriters Showcase is on the next week, with Go Americana the following week closing the festival.

It all happens at Station Place, Werribee, from 5 pm to 10 pm on the nights below. There’ll be food and beverage vendors, so round up the entire family and check it out!

10 February 2017 – ‘80s Family Fun: Pseudo Echo, Happy Enchilada, Trent Hamilton, Jessica Paige, Troy Barrett, and Niall Dunsmore.
17 February 2017 – Songwriters Showcase: Charles Jenkins, Shaun Kirk, Little Georgia, Lisa Mary Drake, Jack Gramski, and Van Walker.
24 February 2017 – Go Americana: Dan Parsons Trio, Stetson Family, Gretta Ziller, The Weeping Willows, and Nigel Wearne.

Image used with permission from Remedy PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne’s Best Free Concert Series

The gigs at Etihad Stadium and Rod Laver Arena might cost a small fortune, but Melbourne also offers some fabulous free shows. Treat yourself to some fabulous tunes on a budget at these free Melbourne concert series.

Fed Square Live: Free Tunes at Federation Square

Photo by Gagascat via Trover.com

Enjoy some of Melbourne’s best up-and-coming acts unplugged at Federation Square as part of Fed Square Live. This free concert series runs from early November to late March every year, with the current season wrapping up on March 26. Shows run from 5:30 to 7:30pm every Thursday, which makes them perfect for an after-work pick-me-up. Tourists will also find the events ideally located near many Melbourne hotels, including The Westin Melbourne and Citigate Melbourne.

Sunset Series: Free Alternative Music at Sundown

If your tastes veer towards the alternative, then the annual Sunset Series is for you. The free cultural event takes over Fitzroy Garden’s Stage Lawn in the second and third weekend of January. The 2015 line-up was awesome, with acclaimed local quartet APES, South American Roots band Madre Monte, and genre-bending five-piece The Tiger and Me all taking the stage. Bring a picnic or grab a bite to eat from the growing fleet of food trucks during the 2016 season.

Sidney Myer Free Concerts: Free Nights with MSO

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra brings culture to the masses with its Sidney Myer Free Concerts in the Myer Music Bowl. Presented in conjunction with the University of Melbourne, these themed events feature timeless music performed by one of the most celebrated symphonies in Australia. There are typically three shows in February every year. They usually kick off at 7pm, but are so popular that it’s worth being there when gates open at 4.

Winter Music in the Valley: Essendon Symphony Orchestra’s Winter Warmers

The Essendon Symphony Orchestra believes that free concert series shouldn’t be restricted to the warmer weather. Its Winter Music in the Valley concert series brings classical music to a range of historic suburban Melbourne venues during the cooler months. This year’s series will be held every Sunday from June 15 to July 6. It kicks off at St Martin de Porres in Avondale Heights before travelling to St George’s in Travancore, followed by St John’s Uniting Church in Essendon. The ESO will play the final Winter Music in the Valley concert at Moonee Ponds’ Clocktower Centre.

Fairfield Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series: Free Entertainment Outside the CDB

If you feel like getting out of the hustle and bustle of innercity Melbourne, head to suburban Fairfield for the Fairfield Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series. Shows run from 5pm to 7:30 pm every Sunday in February, so they’re ideally suited to families. Each gig features a range of world music acts who will take you on an aural journey from Eastern Africa to the American South. The Fairfield Ampitheatre is an easy five-minute walk from Fairfield Station. The train trip from Melbourne to Fairfield takes just 16 minutes.

This post was written as part of the #HipmunkCityLove project. Which free shows do you love in Melbourne?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free Concerts for Australia Day

What are you doing this Australia Day? Sure you could celebrate with a barbeque like last year, but with so many free concerts happening around the country there’s no reason to stay in!

Australia Day Live – Parliament House, Canberra
Technically this show is the day before, but the line-up is so fantastic it deserves a mention. From 6:30 pm acts like Jessica Mauboy, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Dan Kelly, Wendy Matthews, Gurrumul, and Brian Cadd, will play Parliament House. Pre-show entertainment starts at 3:30 so arrive early to get a good spot!

Rocksong Festival – The Rocks, Sydney
More than 70 of this country’s finest singers and songwriters will play across nine stages in The Rocks. From 11 am to 9 pm you can see big name acts like Christine Anu, Holly Throsby, Kid Confucius, The Herd, and Tina Harrod.

James Morrison – Kings Domain Gardens, Melbourne
Australia’s iconic jazz trumpeter James Morrison will play a free show in the gardens from 12:30 pm. If you’ve never seen James live you don’t want to miss this.

Survival 2009 – Fremantle Park, Fremantle
This Aboriginal cultural festival features performances by Fitzroy Xpress Yabu Band, Abmusic Band, and indigenous dancers and performers. Join in the fun from 1 pm.

Australia Day Concert – South Bank Piazza, Brisbane
Finish off Australia Day with performances by Clare Bowditch, The Gin Club, and Gentle Ben and his Sensitive Side. It all kicks off at 7:30 pm, but with acts like this you’ll want to arrive early for a good view.

A Day on the Beach – Kingston Beach, Tasmania
There’s not a lot happening in Tassie, but some local bands will play at A Day on the Beach. The event, which starts at 10 am, also features sand castle competitions, water and beach sports, a kids gym, a treasure hunt, and an old fashioned Aussie BBQ. It sounds like fun!

Australia Day Concert – Elder Park, Adelaide
From 10 am Adelaide will celebrate Australia Day with a massive free concert. Lee Kernaghan will headline the show, which also features All Stars, Acoustic Juice, and Patrick McMahon. There’ll also be face painting and other kids activities, making this event one for the whole family.

Image source: Euthman @ Flickr