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?

Musicians Behaving Badly in Melbourne

Melbourne might be known as Australia’s culture capital, but it’s also the place where plenty of musicians behave badly. These are just some of the musical stars whose behaviour we’d all rather forget.

Solange Knowles: Diva Behaviour on Derby Day

Photo by kileeTRAVELS via Trover.com

She has her own musical career but Solange Knowles surely knows she’ll always be more famous as Beyonce’s little sister. Given her station in life, you’d think she’d know better than to act like a total diva. But that’s just what she did when she visited Derby Day, part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, last November.

Rachel Finch was set to interview Solange at 1pm when PR informed her Solange was still in her accommodation and the interview would have to be pushed back. Solange reportedly arrived at 2:30 and word quickly spread she wasn’t in one of the hotels in Melbourne at all, but its shops.

But the problems didn’t stop there. She also insisted she wasn’t asked about Beyonce or her family issues (the two things anyone really cares about), and refused to pose with a Lavazza cup in the Lavazza marquee.

She’d originally agreed to play an hour-long DJ set in the marquee, but after arriving more than two hours late punters enjoyed just 20 minutes of music.

Marilyn Manson: Delivers Drunken Soundwave Set

I’m not a wowser by any means. I don’t mind a musician having a drink or two or even more before or during their set, so long as they can still deliver on stage. When things get messy and the audience doesn’t get the show they paid for, I take serious issue with the behaviour. Plenty of musicians have been drunk and disorderly on Melbourne stages, but Marilyn Manson’s Soundwave 2012 performance was one of the worst.

His set’s late start time in Melbourne was an indication of what would follow. He stumbled over lyrics and ended up mumbling most of them. The audience tried to fill in the blanks, but it was a trainwreck. Between songs Marilyn insisted he wasn’t drunk, adding he’d been sober for 15 whole minutes. He also expressed his respect for Aussie drug laws as he pulled out a white packet which he proceeded to throw to the crowd.

Marilyn’s always been a controversial figure, but “At Soundwave,” according to Vulture Magazine, “he was an offence to himself and also to those who had expected so much more from him.”

Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston: Kicked Out of Crown Towers

Is there anything more rock and roll than trashing a hotel room? It might be a music scene staple, but Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston’s antics at the Crown Towers won them no favours. During their time as soul music’s most controversial couple the pair trashed their Melbourne suite, including covering its carpets with merlot. Needless to say, hotel management didn’t care much for their star status and quickly sent them packing.

We might hate the way these celebs behave but we have plenty of #HipmunkCityLove for Melbourne. Can you remember any other bad star behaviour in the city I’ve forgotten?

Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Ideas for Music Lovers in Melbourne

Valentine’s Day might be a Hallmark holiday, but it’s easy to get swept up in the romance of the occasion. My wonderful husband is earning serious brownie points by spending the day with me at Taronga Zoo, then catching Anthony Callea playing the songs of George Michael as part of the Twilight at Taronga series. You might think all that is a super-romantic gesture, but I think he’s just happy I made the suggestion so he didn’t have to plan something.

That got me thinking, maybe I could plan a great Valentine’s Day for Victorian music lovers as part of the #HipmunkCityLove project. If you’re running low on inspiration, there’s still time to put these romantic musical ideas into practice!

Book a Hotel

Hotels in Melbourne might get a little expensive over Valentine’s Day, but it’s totally worth it for the romance it adds to an evening. Rooms are filling fast though, so I wouldn’t delay if you’re planning to book. There are still vacancies at many of the city’s top hotels including Bayview on the Park, The Hotel Charsfield, and the ultra-ritzy Grand Hyatt Melbourne.

See Boys in the Band at the Zoo

Photo by Wyld Family Travel via Trover.com

Melbourne Zoo has its own twilight concert on Valentine’s Day: Boys in the Band. This nostalgia fest features the songs of classic boy bands like Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Bee Gees, the Beatles, and Jackson 5. You can enjoy a picnic while you watch and feel good knowing that you’re helping the zoo save the eastern barred bandicoot from extinction.

Enjoy Modern Boy Bands

If your partner likes their boy bands a bit younger then it’s not too late to snap up some tickets to One Direction at Etihad Stadium. Ticketmaster only has nosebleed seats left, so point your browser to TiqIQ instead. This site has some decent tickets for sale, including a few in the front row and some that are 26 percent cheaper than their retail value.

See Symphony for Free

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra are one of the best in the country, and you can see them for free this Valentine’s Day. The MSO will play a romantic show dubbed A Musical Valentine in the Sidney Myer Music Bowl featuring music from Romeo and Juliet, Porgy and Bess, to name a few. Gates open at 4pm for the 7pm show. This free gig will get packed, so make sure you arrive early to secure your possie.

Get Jazzy at the Paris Cat Jazz Club

The Paris Cat Jazz Club is also getting into the Valentine’s Day spirit with its romantic evening of entertainment. You can catch Love Songs in the Key of Dean in the Basement from 7:30 or the John Montesante Quintet and Yvette Johansson teaming up for love songs from jazz greats like Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita Baker, and Doris Day from 8:30pm in the Parisian Loft. The club no longer takes phone or email bookings, so visit the Paris Cat website to secure your tickets.

Do you go all out for Valentine’s Day or prefer to ignore the event? Let me know in the comments below.

A Music Lover’s Guide to Melbourne’s Laneways

Melbourne’s laneways date back to the Victorian era, but their historical and cultural significance has only been celebrated in recent years. They take pedestrians off the well-worn roads and house a treasure trove of cool sights. Many travel companies run laneways tours, but if you’d prefer exploring them at your leisure consider this article your virtual guide.

Where to Stay?

There are plenty of hotels in Melbourne located close to Melbourne’s laneways. The Crossley Hotel Melbourne is on Little Collins Street, but just metres from the wine bars and theatres of Punch Lane. If you’d prefer to a laneways stay, book a room at Causeway Inn on the Mall or Ibis Styles Melbourne, The Victoria Hotel. While it’s got a Little Collins Street address, the Victoria’s actually on the corner of this street and Athenaeum Place.

Once you’ve got your accommodation sorted, it’s time to start exploring!

AC/DC Lane

AC/DC Lane deserves to feature on any music lover’s Melbourne itinerary. Once called Corporation Lane, it was rechristened in October 2004 in tribute to the classic Aussie rock act. The trademark lightning bolt was left off as it contravened the Office of the Registrar of Geographic Names’ policy, but 10 years after the lane got its name this decision was reversed.

While its name is a big drawcard, AC/DC Lane also attracts music lovers keen to check out shows at Cherry Bar. It claims it’s “pretty much the best rock n’ roll bar in the world,” although its soul nights also cater for people who prefer their music a little smoother.

Block Place

It’s worth wading through the alfresco cafes on Block Place to stop by Basement Discs. This store celebrates music of all types, with an extensive catalogue of new and classic rock, pop, jazz, blues, country, folk, and world music CDs and records. It’s also a great place to pick up a lovingly refurbished vintage stereo or catch a free old-school in-store appearance. Leading acts like Stephen Cummings, Jimmy Webb, Andy White, Mick Thomas, and John Scofield have all played here over the years.

Goldie Place

With news of the imminent closure of the iconic Bennett Lane Jazz Club, jazz lovers will be looking for another place to get their fix. The Paris Cat Jazz Club on Goldie Place might just fit the bill. This intimate club’s nurtured the careers of many up-and-coming Aussie jazz artists and hosted big name international acts like Robbie Williams.

Coming Soon … Amphlett Lane

While it doesn’t have its sign yet, the City of Melbourne gave approval last year for Laneway CL1639 to be renamed Amphlett Lane. The stretch between Harwood Place and Spring Street will pay tribute to the late Divinyls frontwoman, Chrissy Amphlett.

It’s a fitting spot as it’s just behind the Princess Theatre, where Chrissy played many times with the Divinyls and also appeared in The Boy from Oz. Chrissy and her husband Charlie Drayton also signed their marriage licence in the theatre.

Expect plenty of fans to take happy snaps posing with the street sign when Amphlett Lane is officially unveiled.

This article is part of the #‎HipmunkCityLove‬ project. Which Melbourne laneway do you love?

Photo by Jerrah Biggerstaff via Trover.com

4 Festive Tips for Enjoying Melbourne’s Carols by Candlelight

Christmas is rapidly approaching, but before we break out the roast it’s time to usher in the festive season with Carols by Candlelight, which is celebrating its 76th year. If you want to experience it live, these four festive tips will help you make the most of the event.

1. Get Your Tickets ASAP

Great tickets are still available but the selection is becoming limited, especially if you want to sit in the stalls. They’re not cheap at $180 for adults and $90 for concession holders, but knowing the money’s supporting blind and low vision kids should make it easier to part with your cash.

Lawn tickets are the most budget-friendly, especially for families. Adults cost $70, concessions are $40, and two adults and two kids can enjoy the show for $180. Arrive early though, as these tickets are unreserved. Gates open at 4:30, but many keen carollers camp out all day to claim the best piece of grass.

Carols tickets are available from Ticketmaster outlets and online.

2. Book an Innercity Hotel

It’s just not worth driving from the suburbs in to the Bowl. Traffic is usually bumper to bumper, and when you get there the parking on Linlithgow Avenue and St Kilda Road is very limited. You could utilise the parking spaces at the back of the nearby Arts Centre, but that’ll cost you $25 for the night. And with a projected finish time of 11 pm, you’ll face a really late night if you’re driving home.

Instead it’s smarter to make a night of it and book one of the innercity Melbourne hotels. I love the historic Hotel Charsfield, which boasts old-world perks like snooker and reading rooms. Catch the number 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67 or 72 tram from just outside its doors and get off at either stop 16 or 17. Both are just three minutes’ walk from the Bowl’s main gates. Then you can indulge in some Melbourne sightseeing the next day!

3. Bring Your Camera

Carols by Candlelight is always a star-studded affair and this year’s will be no different with David Campbell, Harrison Craig, Anthony Callea, Kate Ceberano and heaps more on the bill. If you’ve splurged on stall seats, make sure you bring your camera to catch performance snaps. If you arrive early you might also meet one of the stars arriving before the show, and your friends will never believe you if you don’t have the photographic evidence!

4. Brush Up On Your Carols

There’s nothing worse than catching your mug on TV as you stare blankly through those lesser known verses of “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.” Songbooks will be distributed on the night of, but these become increasingly difficult to read as the evening wears on. Start brushing up on the classics now and you’ll be in fine voice on the big day.

The 76th Carols by Candlelight hits the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on December 24. If you can’t make it to Melbourne you can catch the broadcast on Channel Nine. This post was written as part of the #HipmunkCityLove project. What do you love about the carols?

Image source: DocklandsTony @ Flickr

A Cheapskate’s Guide to Holidaying in Melbourne

Are you dreaming of a Melbourne holiday but wondering how you’ll swing it after the Christmas splurge? Never fear Sounds of Oz readers. I’ve put together a guide to enjoying a musical getaway in Victoria’s capital on the cheap.

Choose Accommodation Carefully

Accommodation will probably be your biggest expense, so it pays to think carefully before you jump in. Of course a real cheapskate would choose somewhere like Nomads All Nations Hostel or Ritz for Backpackers. But if you’re anything like me, you’d rather book a more upmarket hotel that gives you bang for your buck.

Hotel Charsfield is one of my favorite Melbourne hotels. It has fancy-pants features like reading and snooker rooms, but because it’s out of the city center it costs less than comparable four-star hotels in the CDB. It doesn’t feel like a compromise though because there’s a tram stop right outside the door.

It’s all a matter of personal taste of course, so think about what you want from your accommodation. If you’re going to spend a lot of time in your room it’s probably worth a splurge, but if you just need a bed don’t be afraid to go cheap and cheerful.

Get Cheap Tickets

Concert tickets in Australia are far too expensive, but as all of us know catching a show is a big part of the holiday experience.

If you want cheap music, head to the city’s pubs and clubs. Melbourne has one of the richest live music scenes, and on any night of the week you can discover up-and-coming acts for free or close to it. The Labour in Vain Hotel, The Rainbow, The Drunken Poet, and The Gem always have awesome free acts.

If you insist on seeing a big show, head to a website like TiqIQ. It has big discounts on tickets to shows at Etihad Stadium and Rod Laver Arena. Just don’t make the mistake I did and get excited about artists touring around Melbourne, Florida rather than Melbourne, Victoria.

Travel during Free Festivals

I know the feeling of wanting to go away and wanting to go now all too well. But if you time your holiday to coincide with one of Melbourne’s cultural festivals you’ll have more to see for less. I’m not talking about the big festivals mind you. Events like the Melbourne Festival and Moomba bring so many tourists into the city that the hotel prices soar. Instead think about visiting during the quiet achievers.

During January, Fitzroy Gardens hosts the Sunset Series. On the second and third Saturday of the month you can soak up the sun while enjoying four great Aussie bands for free. The event also has food trucks, which are always good for a cheap feed.

If you fancy yourself a singer check out the Melbourne International Singers Festival, a four-day event which brings together choirs and singers from around the country. It’s a great opportunity to work with leading conductors and composers and have a lot of fun.

This post was written as part of the #HipmunkCityLove project. Which city would you love to holiday in this summer?

Image source: Alandot @ Flickr

4 Best Melbourne Hotels for Music Lovers

As part of the #HipmunkCityLove project, I have been looking at a lot of Melbourne hotels. I’ve been browsing the websites, writing up little blurbs about their lurks and perks, and drooling over the rooms. It’s been fun, and it’s also made me desperate for that getaway that my schedule just doesn’t allow right now. But I haven’t given up on that holiday, and when I take it I’m heading back here to decide where to go. Until then, perhaps you might like to book a room at one of these best Melbourne hotels for music lovers!

4. City Tempo

A hotel called City Tempo was made for music lovers! It’s got more than a musical moniker on its side though. It’s ideally located in the heart of the CDB, making it easy to get to any show you want or go pub-hopping on the lookout for the next big thing. It has apartments rather than rooms, so you can cook for yourself to save a bit of cash or simply enjoy the extra space. And each suite also has a HiFi system with a CD player, iPod dock, and digital radio so you can listen to your favourite tunes before bedtime.

3. Quality Hotel Batman’s Hill on Collins

More big name music acts are bypassing Rod Laver Arena for Etihad Stadium these days. Recently we’ve seen Eminem and Justin Timberlake rocking the venue, and One Direction will be there before you know it. But the sneaky stadium owners double the price of parking to $30 whenever there’s a show on! Why drive when you can walk? Quality Hotel Batman’s Hill on Collins is just a 13-minute walk from the stadium, but if you’re feeling lazy you could always catch a tram from nearby Spencer Street. This handy tram stop makes it easy to get to other gigs while you’re in town.

Quality Hotel Batman’s Hill on Collins has affordable rooms and apartment suites with kitchens and lounge areas if you’re looking for more space to spread out. Its onsite cocktail lounge and combination bar and gaming room gives you somewhere to hang when you’re not seeing shows.

2. Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

Sofitel Melbourne on Collins bills itself as the Hotels for the Arts. It’s not just its location in the heart of the theatre district that’s earned it the title, but also its commitment to music, theatre, and the visual arts. It sponsors the Victorian Opera, the Brandenburg Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and heaps more. The Sofitel also regularly offers show packages with preferential seating for theatre productions like Once The Musical and Les Mis. Its luxury rooms are a bit of a splurge, but if you feel like treating yourself it’s hard to find better.

1. Crown Towers

If money’s burning a hole in your pocket, or you just want to give yourself the chance of staying near a celeb, then book a room at Crown Towers. This opulent hotel in the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex has hosted the likes of Katy Perry, One Direction, and the late Luciano Pavarotti. Just don’t do a Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston while you’re there; the pair were unceremoniously sent packing when they trashed one of the luxury suites.

Crown always has a jam-packed events calendar, so make sure you book tickets to a show while you’re there. Icehouse, Jon English, and Chocolate Starfish are all scheduled to play in the coming months.

Where do you like to stay when you’re heading to Melbourne for a gig? Please share your comments below!

Image source: Michael Coghlan @ Flickr

Escape the City & Stay Near St Kilda Road on Your Next Melbourne Music Trip

Music lovers heading to Melbourne tend to stay in the centre of town, but it’s worth taking a journey out of the city. The area around St Kilda Road has much more than gardens going for it. In fact, there are plenty of musical attractions that make this underappreciated part of Melbourne worth a look.

Sidney Myer Music Bowl

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is a fabulous shell-shaped outdoor amphitheatre on the lawns of the King’s Domain. Local businessman Sidney Myer was inspired to commission the venue after attending a show at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl. He established free, open air concerts with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 1929, and these continue to this day.

The Bowl recorded the largest crowd for a free concert on Aussie soil in 1967, when around 200,000 people turned out to see The Seekers play. It’s also hosted the likes of AC/DC, The Beach Boys, Crowded House, R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Bon Jovi, Swedish House Mafia, The Black Keys, and Neil Young. And every Christmas you can catch a who’s who of local stars spreading festive cheer at the annual Carols by Candlelight.

The Magic of Moomba

Every March, St Kilda Road comes alive with the annual Melbourne Moomba Waterfest. This free family event is the largest free community festival in the country and one of Australia’s longest running events. Kids love the birdman rally, water sports, and crowning of Moomba monarchs, but music lovers are much more interested in the top artists that play Moomba every year. And there’s been some serious talent in the past including ABBA and Neil Diamond. AC/DC, Tex Perkins, Daryl Braithwaite, and adopted Aussie Kimbra have also graced the Moomba stage.

Hamer Hall

You’ll also need to get out of the city centre to see a show at Hamer Hall, formerly known as the Melbourne Concert Hall. With 2,661 seats, it’s the largest venue in Southbank’s Arts Centre complex. However, it’s still much more intimate than seeing a show at Rod Laver Arena or the MCG. It’s home to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the preferred Melbourne performance venue for the Australian Chamber Orchestra. It’s also a great place to catch performances from contemporary acts like Tripod, The Gloaming, Kate Ceberano, Train, and Ben Folds performing with the MSO in the coming months.

Hamer Hall is currently receiving $128.5 million of upgrades including new and expanded foyer spaces, better disability access, and improved acoustics.

Plenty of Places to Stay

The area around St Kilda Road also has some great hotels which put you an easy walk from these great musical attractions. Bayview on the Park has exceptional views of Albert Park Lake and Golf Course, and its mid-priced rooms won’t put a hole in your pocket. The Hotel Charsfield is a bit ritzier, with a French restaurant on site and cool snooker and reading rooms. Both hotels have tram stations out front to get you into the CDB for those inner-city gigs.

This article is part of the #‎HipmunkCityLove‬ project. Which part of Melbourne do you love?

Image sources: Alan Lam @ Flickr; Rachel Hofton @ Flickr

A Music Lover’s Guide to Melbourne

It occurs to me that Melbourne tends to get overlooked on my blog. Sure I’ll write about the fabulous bands that hail from the city and mention the ones passing through, but considering its status as one of the country’s music capitals, it gets a pretty raw deal. I’m on the Central Coast of New South Wales, so the shows I review tend to be in my local area or in Sydney or Newcastle. Even Brisbane gets a look in when I’m visiting friends. But I haven’t visited Melbourne in years.

It wasn’t always this way. I have fond memories of making my way to Melbourne to catch Human Nature supporting John Farnham on his “I Can’t Believe He’s 50” tour. I can’t say that I know how old John Farnham is now, but I reckon 50’s a distant memory. I was back again when Invertigo launched their awesome and underrated album Forum. Now all but a select few would ask “Invertiwho?” Melbourne, it’s been far too long.

So in the interest of levelling the ledger, and completing an assignment I have for the #‎HipmunkCityLove‬ project (yes folks, gushing about music isn’t the only writing I do), I think it was time I thrust Melbourne into the spotlight. And so I bring you, a music lover’s guide to Melbourne.

Amazing Music Venues

Scroll through the tours I’ve covered and you’ll see The Corner Hotel in Richmond mentioned time and time again. It simply gets the best bands around. Just make sure you turn up early to see your favourite, because the back of that long main room is a LONG way back.

The Tote’s story is one of survival. It’s been threatened by the establishment, but its passionate supporters ensure that this venue endures. Its sticky carpets and walls strewn with gig guides are iconic. It might be looking a little long in the tooth, but it’s still got plenty of punk attitude.

170 Russell is all about eclecticism. In just the next week it’ll host smooth U.S. soul singer D’Angelo, laid back Aussies The Beautiful Girls, and hard-rocking industry veterans The Mark of Cain. No matter what’s playing the sound is superb, and its innercity location puts rooms at the Crossley Hotel Melbourne within stumbling distance.

And I can’t forget about The Espy, the home of everyone’s favourite music quiz show RocKwiz. It’s another venue that celebrates diversity. You might hear an acoustic singer-songwriter one night and a metal act the next. It’s currently up for sale, so let’s hope the buyer keeps its rich tradition of live music excellence alive.

Fabulous Festivals

Before it took Australia by storm, St Jerome’s Laneway Festival was one of Melbourne’s best kept secrets. It all began in 2004 when just 1,400 folks turned out to see up-and-comers The Presets and Architecture in Helsinki play. The organisers have always had a knack for finding the best new acts before they hit the big time. There are more household names now, but it’s the smaller artists that provide the real surprises.

Melbourne Music Week is another local gem, a 10-day celebration of the city’s eclectic music scene. There are always stacks of free and ticketed events and performances from some of Victoria’s most well-known musicians and the next generation of superstars. The shows are complemented by panel sessions and workshops.

And why should the grownups have all the fun? Playfest is the city’s first one-site music and arts festival designed with kids in mind. Yo Gabba Gabba, Sam Moran, The WooHoo Revue, and Em Rusciano will delight the littlies. And if the sound of hundreds of screaming children starts to grate, mums and dads can visit the garden bar! It hits the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on November 21 and 22.

Awesome Record Stores

As an old school music fan, I love a city that still has proper record stores. You know the places; the ones with guys behind the counter that can turn you onto a band you’ve never heard of and stacks of imports and rarities.

Greville Records opened its doors in the late 70s, and while the musical landscape’s changed a lot since that time but you wouldn’t know it browsing the vinyl here. You can spend hours thumbing through the more than 20,000 LPs and more than 10,000 45s of every genre imaginable of almost every conceivable genre.

From Greville Records, it’s just a short stroll to Obese Records on Izett Street, which is so popular with the hip hop crowd that it spawned its own record label.

Record Paradise is another great option, no matter where your music taste lies. There’s new vinyl on one wall and classic artists on another. The store is closed from Sunday to Tuesday though, which can be a little inconvenient if you’re craving a vinyl fix.

And of course I could go on. I’m 800 words in and I know I’ve just scratched the surface. But it’s beer o’clock on a Friday, so I’m turning it over to you. Dear readers, what are your musical highlights of Melbourne?

Image sources: Remixyourface @ Flickr; Murasaki-Claire @ Flickr

Singhala Music Parties with Free Melbourne Shows

Singhala Music is celebrating its second birthday with four big shows. And best of all for music lovers, entry to each one is completely free!

Four of Melbourne’s premium music venues will host the performances on Singhala’s anniversary, November 22. Each event will feature ten bands from Singhala’s bulging booking roster. At £1000 Pound Bend you can see King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and guests. Cherry will host The Frowning Clouds, The Bluebottles, and Sam Cooper & Band. John Curtin Bandroom has one of Singhala’s biggest success stories, Eagle and the Worm, as well as some special guest artists. Head to Pony to catch Barbariön, Baptism Of Uzi, The Murlocs, Fraser A Gorman & Laura Imbruglia, and a solo set from Stu Mackenzie.

Will you join the party?

Image used with permission from Shows in Space Publicity