Brunswick Music Festival has been a staple of Melbourne’s live music scene for ages now, bringing and breaking killer acts from all corners of the globe, but always living up to that strong local music reputation that Brunswick just oozes out of every pore.
So, Brunswick Music Festival is coming back with a bang in 2022, and it’ll all be going down between March 4 – March 14. As always, the program is jam packed with a variety of performers that cover a bunch of different genres: you’ve got rock performers, folk groups, panel discussions and a whole heap more. You’re bound to find a show up your alley.
The main array of shows take place at Brunswick’s iconic Gilpin Park, then you’ve got a heap taking to The Brunswick Ballroom stage, but some of the best gigs will be popping up at heaps of other iconic spots throughout the suburb, encouraging all you locals to make the most of the amazing things Brunswick has to offer.
With a massive variety of performers hitting Brunswick’s stages over the 10-day period, it’s hard to know where to start, so we’ve broken down the massive program so it’s a little bit easier to find something up your alley.
What you need to know
- The Brunswick Music Festival transforms the suburb into a live music extravaganza.
- There’s a variety of shows at a range of different prices
- It all takes place from Friday March 4 – Monday March 14
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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Beat’s picks by date
Opening Night After Party presented by WAT Artists & Crown Ruler
- Rubix Warehouse
- Friday March 4
- Electronic
If you’re an electronic fan, this opening night event is the show for you. Some of Melbourne’s biggest names in electronica, WAT Artists and Crown Ruler, have worked together to curate an amazing list of up and comers and uber-talented local favs.
The show will feature music from Jazz, Kalyani, Kia, and Strange Interactions. grab your tickets here.
- Small Time
- Saturday March 5
- Panel / Talks
Calling all budding musos and industry moguls, you needn’t look any further than this event. It’ll dive into the tricky waters associated with pursuing a career in the wacky arts industry. Reserve your spot to this free event here.
- The Jazzlab
- Tuesday March 8
- Jazz
For a bit of a different live music flavour, check out this killer show happening on Tuesday March 8. Audrey Powne is one of Melbourne’s most prolific jazz performers, the dual trumpeter and vocalist having played with some mammoth names like Vince Jones and Maceo Parker. Tickets are only $10, grab them here.
- Brunswick Mechanics Institute
- Wednesday March 9
- Instrumental
Nomads Like Us have been lauded for their amazing live music experience, you’ll be moved by the music they produce. The pair bring audiences into their world through their partly-improvised sets, each playing the piano in a way that will stick with you for a long time.
You can catch the duo at Brunswick Mechanics Institute, check out some more info and grab your tickets here.
Heartsville Records Launch Party
- Stay Gold
- Thursday March 10
- Rock
Country rocker Ben Mastwyk is quickly gaining traction in the Aussie live music scene, with his great mix of country and rock. He leads the pack for a great foray into the world of Heartsville Records, where he’ll be joined by Katie Bates, Queenie and Part Country DJ.
COVID wrecked my tour Merch Market
- Small Time
- Sunday March 13
- Market
If you’re reading this on Beat, which you are btw, there’s no doubt you know the insane struggles musos have had to face over the last few years, with many still struggling to find some semblance of normality.
This is exactly what this event tries to remedy, with bands and musos bringing some of the merch they’ve got from cancelled tours, so you can head to Brunswick, meet them, and support them directly. If you’ve ever been stuck for something to wear for Aus T Shirt Day, this is the event for you.
It’s happening at Small Time. Check out more info here.
Beat’s picks for Gilpin Park
Brunswick’s Gilpin Park is being transformed into a live music mecca across the 10-day festival, you can catch some of our biggest musos while sitting on a picnic blanket and enjoying the beautiful weather.
- Alt Pop
- Saturday March 5
Gordi is one of Melbourne’s most popular musicians, having toured the world with her unique blend of folk and alt-pop. She’s garnered a lot of attention back home too, being played regularly on Triple J and featuring across many festivals across the country. Gordi’s will be joined by Madi Colville-Walker and the Folk Bitch Trio.
Book it in here.
- Rock / Punk
- Sunday March 6
Poison City is one of Melbourne’s greatest record companies, having worked with mammoth groups like Camp Cope. This show is a display of their coolest up and comers, as well as some bands that have garnered a lot of attention in recent times.
It’ll feature music from MOD CON, Flyying Colours, Body Type, and the Michael Beach Band. Book in your tickets here.
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- Soul
- Saturday March 12
Kaiit is a must-see artist across the entire Brunswick Music Festival program. Her stunning voice, coupled with neo-soul instrumentation truly makes for some incredible music, which finds a new life on the live music front.
She’ll be joined by other talented performers in PRICIE and ThatKidMaz, it’s truly set to be an amazing night of music at Gilpin Park, grab your tickets here.
- Rap
- Saturday March 12
Ziggy Ramo has quickly gone from strength to strength with his deep lyricism, holding up a mirror to Australia when it comes to issues with race. He’ll hit the Gilpin Park stage with an immense amount of energy that might just go down as one of the best shows across the festival.
He’ll be joined by BLESSED. Grab your tickets here.
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Bad Apples Presents Music for The Mob
- R&B
- Monday March 14
Briggs’ Bad Apples gives amazing opportunities and a voice to some of our best Indigenous and First Nations performers. Audiences will get to enjoy music from Birdz, The Merindas, Chasing Ghosts, and Soju Gang. Grab your tickets here.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, dive into all the other events happening at The Brunswick Music Festival here.
