18 killer gigs and parties happening for The Eighty-Six in October
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20.09.2023

18 killer gigs and parties happening for The Eighty-Six in October

Eighty-Six festival
Photo Credit: Tsuyoshi-Fujino
Words by Jacob McCormack

The Eighty-Six runs from October 23 - 30 along High Street.

For most of those that reside northside in Naarm/Melbourne, the 86 tramline has played some sort of role in their tales of city life. For some the route would have been used as a means of commuting to work, the city or to shuffle up and down High Street through the musical goldmines we know as Northcote, Thornbury and Preston.

A new festival, the Eighty Six is paying homage to this iconic tram line and the diversity and abundance of venues that ride its perimeter. The festival is set to take over numerous venues, hosting a potent lineup of local and international talent.

There’ll be free events to account for the expensive cost of living, as well as a celebration of food, music, beverage and all things dogs curated by none other than local legends 1800 Lasagne.

Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

Super Saturday

This event is stacked with over 200 of Victoria’s finest musicians of all genres. Spread across 40 venues of all types, this event is free. That’s right, free. Register via the website to ensure you get a dose of what will be one of the biggest spring parties in Naarm/Melbourne.

Super Saturday is happening across multiple venues on Saturday October 28, book here.

Independent Music Exchange

Networking sans pretension, full of fostering a community, The Independent Music Exchange is brought to you by Efficient Space and Butter Sessions. Countless stallholders will be selling their wares and signings will be taking place by musicians. This is the opportunity to meet, support and share.

Independent Music Exchange is dispersed along High Street on October 28 – 29.

1800 Street Party

1800 Lasagne have become Naarm/Melbourne royalty with their signature pasta recipes. At The Eighty Six they’ll be bringing their famous cheesy pasta stacks to their very own curated party. There’s also a dog parade. Come and get your bechamel fix.

1800 Street Party is happening at various venues on Saturday October 28.

Theo Parrish: All Day Long

Detroit legend Theo Parish is going all day long. Proceedings will kick off at 2pm and it’s nothing but the mixing prowess of this stalwart for hours, and hours.

Theo Parrish performs Northcote Theatre on October 29.

Otoboke Beaver

Coming in express from Kyoto, Otoboke Beaver are intense. Prepare to lose your mind for an hour. They’ll also be supported by Gut Health.

Otoboke Beaver play the Thornbury Theatre Tuesday on October 24 and 25.

Built to Spill

You can’t deny it, we all have an inherent affinity with Indie rock. Built to Spill were setting trends in the genre 30 years ago and have earnt themselves a four day residency at Northcote Social Club. Four opportunities to catch these pioneers, go and get it.

Built to Spill play the Northcote Social Club on From October 24-27.

Ros Bandt and Asa Tone

Sonic complexity in the most unlikely but compatible of pairings, this fusion of sound will hypnotise and entrance. Soft, fragile and dynamically layered sonics.

Ros Bandt and Asa Tone play Northcote Uniting Church on October 30.

Bright Eyes with War Paint

Round out the weekly grind with a Friday night two band affair. Bright Eyes will strain the heartstrings with their sombre, emotive melodies whilst Warpaint will whisk you away with their breezy and transcendental rock.

This double header will take place at Northcote Theatre on October 26 and 27.

Makaya McCraven

Immerse yourself in the deep recesses of experimentation with Makaya McCraven. In collaborative presentation with Melbourne International Jazz Festival the expansive jazz sounds of McCraven will be beamed through the Croxton Bandroom, with special guest James Bowers.

Makaya McCraven plays Croxton Bandroom on October 25.

Dennis Bovell

A forefather of the romantic reggae affectionately known as lover’s rock, Dennis Bovell has carved his influence into all things music for decades. For one night only Bovell will bring his multitudinous musical vocabulary to Bar 303. This is not to be missed.

Dennis Bovell plays Bar 303 on October 27.

Los Bitchos

Hailing from London, that’s right, Los Bitchos are a psychedelic surf-disco four piece operating out of the metropolitan streets of London. If that isn’t enough of an invitation to catch their hypnotic cowgirl, desert sounds you might as well stay home.

Los Bitchos are at Thornbury Theatre on Thursday October 26.

Unknown T

In an Australian premiere, drill front runner Unknown T is bringing his signature bars to the Croxton Bandroom.

Unknown T platy Croxton Bandroom on October 26.

Bez – In Conversation

You might know him for his dance moves, or for his percussionist layers. Perhaps even both. Regardless, the multi-skilled Mark Berry, aka Bez will be talking with Joe (Astral Glamour -RRR). It should be full of syncopation.

Catch this at the Thornbury Theatre on October 23.

The Preston Records Revue

Thornbury Bowls Club is set to be revamped into a shrine in remembrance of local music legend – Graeme Thomas. He founded Preston Records and Preston Studios and gave the norther suburbs a leg up. They’ll be music all afternoon, so go and kick a leg up for the pioneers.

The Preston Records Revue will take over Thornbury Bowls Club on Sunday October 29.

How Long Gone Live

The duo Chris Black and Jason Stewart, the men behind How Long Gone will be presenting an episode of their highly regarded podcast live. Discussing all things pop culture, music and fashion they’ll command an audience.

Witness Chris Black and Jason Stewart live at Thornbury Theatre on October 29.

Connie Constance

She’s the not-so-new indie-rocker on the scene, but she’s rising and it’s happening fast. Having collaborated with both Sleaford Mods and Swedish House Mafia, her repertoire is becoming undefinable.

Catch her at Northcote Social Club on October 23 before she explodes.

Lo-Fi Improv

Japan hip-hop royalty Kojoe and Hikaru Tanaka, excerpts from the Australian Art Orchestra’s latest work, Raw Denshi and performances from a range of Naarm/Melbourne based beat makers and Dj’s, Lo-Fi Improv is the meridian between Tokyo hip-hop and Melbourne jazz in concert form.

It’s all happening on October 29 at Apax Warehouse.

The Mark of Cain

Metal legends, The Mark of Cain have had to postpone their shows to January due to Kim Scott suffering an injury whilst cycling but we still highly recommend keeping the party going ’til next year in order to catch these famous thrashers in the flesh.

Gear up for The Eighty-Six Festival from October 23 to 31. Find out more by heading here.