Six events, one iconic carpark, and Melbourne’s community showing up for all of it this October.
Montana’s Sterling Drake saddles up for his first-ever Australian tour
Presented by Love Police, Sterling Drake will wind his way down the east coast throughout October, playing 10 dates from Brisbane to Castlemaine along with a slot at Groundwater Country Music Festival on the Gold Coast.
The Montana native pulls from a deep well of American roots traditions, weaving cowboy and western tunes together with honky-tonk, Appalachian balladry and Celtic influences. A working rancher and horseman, he writes from lived experience, and a fair chunk of his songwriting makes room for conversations about isolation, substance abuse and mental health across rural and working communities.
Sterling Drake
- 15 October – Junk Bar, Brisbane, QLD (with William Alexander)
- 16 – 18 October – Groundwater Country Music Festival, Gold Coast, QLD
- 21 October – Eltham Hotel, Eltham, NSW (with The Bures Band)
- 22 October – The Stag & Hunter, Newcastle, NSW (with William Alexander)
- 23 October – Factory Floor, Sydney, NSW (with William Alexander)
- 24 October – Bar Yuki, Milton, NSW (with Misty Harlowe)
- 25 October – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra, ACT (with Misty Harlowe)
- 28 October – Tanswell’s Hotel, Beechworth, VIC (with Misty Harlowe)
- 29 October – Brunswick Artists’ Bar, Melbourne, VIC (with The High Street Drifters)
- 30 October – Archies Creek Hotel, Archies Creek, VIC (with The High Street Drifters)
- 31 October – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine, VIC (with The High Street Drifters), matinee
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
He won’t be travelling solo. Icelandic multi-instrumentalist Thorleifur Davidsson, a Grammy winner who produced Sterling Drake’s debut album The Shape I’m In, comes along for the ride, having previously worked with Sierra Ferrell, KALEO and Marcus King. Local players will also join the fold for select dates.
The supporting cast rotates as the run unfolds. William Alexander takes the stage for the Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney shows, The Bures Band handles Eltham, and Misty Harlowe covers Milton, Canberra and Beechworth. The High Street Drifters see out the three Victorian dates.
The tour brings together two musical cultures separated by an ocean but linked by a shared love of storytelling and folk tradition. Audiences can expect songs shaped by wide-open country, dusty honky-tonks and the quieter corners of rural life.
Closer to home, there’s plenty for Victorian listeners, with Sterling Drake calling in at Beechworth’s Tanswell’s Hotel, Brunswick Artists’ Bar, Archies Creek and a matinee at Castlemaine’s The Bridge Hotel to wrap the tour. His latest record The Shape I’m In is streaming now for anyone keen to get familiar before the lights go down.
For more information, head here.
Close Counters are throwing a $10 party to save Scott Reef – here’s why you should be there
On 14 October, Naarm duo Close Counters bring a DJ set to the grand old Sydney Road room, and every ticket doubles as a small act of reef defence.
The night is presented by the Australian Conservation Foundation as part of the Save Scott Reef campaign – a push to stop big gas drilling off the Kimberley coast. Ten bucks gets you through the door, plus a drink on arrival, which is about the friendliest deal going.
The details
Everything worth knowing before you commit:
- What: Close Counters (DJ set) for Save Scott Reef
- When: 14 October – doors 6pm, music from 7pm till 9pm
- Where: Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne
- How much: $10 plus booking fees, with a drink thrown in on arrival
- The fine print: strictly 18+
- Tickets: here
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
That early wrap means you can throw some shapes for a good cause and still make last drinks elsewhere – or simply roll home feeling quietly virtuous. Tickets are ticking along via Moshtix, and you can sign up to ACF’s mailing list at acf.org.au to follow the campaign once the house lights come back on.
A proper night out, not a lecture
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This one cheerfully sidesteps the usual worthy-cause energy. The pitch is refreshingly simple: bring your mates, hit the floor, pick up a bit about what’s happening 270 kilometres off the WA coast, and take one easy action while you’re there.
Close Counters have the pedigree to make the dancing part effortless. The Melbourne pair trade in house, soul, jazz and broken beat, and their 2025 record LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY climbed to number three on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums Chart. Tastemakers paid attention, with airplay spanning Double J, BBC Radio 1Xtra, 6Music, KEXP, RRR and PBS.
They’re seasoned festival hands, too, having graced Glastonbury, Love Supreme and The Great Escape overseas, alongside two sold-out shows at London’s Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. Back on home turf, they’ve lit up Meredith, Falls, Strawberry Fields and Party in the Paddock.
Why Scott Reef is worth showing up for
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Scott Reef isn’t exactly a household name, and that’s part of the problem. This remote, world-class coral system perches on a narrow sliver of sand barely two metres above the waterline – and it absolutely teems with life. Among the locals:
- More than a thousand species, from tiny coral polyps to migrating giants, rivalling the diversity of World Heritage-listed Ningaloo
- Endangered pygmy blue whales, which pass through on their long migration
- Green and hawksbill turtles, nesting on Sandy Islet across the summer months
- The dusky sea snake, whose last known refuge sits right here
The threat comes from Woodside’s Browse proposal, which would drill up to 50 gas wells around the reef. Conservation groups warn of seismic blasting, potential spills and seabed subsidence that could sink the very sandbanks where turtles lay their eggs.
Western Australia’s own environmental regulator flagged the risk as unacceptable, while ACF says a single condensate spill could threaten 39 endangered Australian animals. The campaign also points to the broader Burrup Hub – of which Browse forms a part – locking in decades of climate pollution. These are waters that carry deep significance for First Nations people, too.
The bigger picture
Nights like this matter beyond the dancefloor. Grassroots gigs turn a distant policy fight into something you can actually feel a part of, and they hand a fragile ecosystem a louder voice than a petition alone ever could. A packed room in Brunswick is its own kind of statement.
Big gas versus a delicate reef full of whales, turtles and one seriously rare sea snake. Turning up has rarely felt this painless.
Get tickets here and join ACF’s mailing list here.
This article was made in partnership with OP Events.
Section 8 is stacking its October lineup with book swaps, thrift markets, dance cyphers and more
Section 8 is known for keeping Melbourne’s nightlife buzzing seven nights a week, but this October the beloved carpark venue is stepping into the sunshine with a run of wholesome, community-focused daytime events.
Sitting alongside its usual nightly programming, the laneway institution is hosting six separate daytime gatherings throughout the month, covering everything from thrifted fashion and cat-themed markets to collective reading sessions and street dance culture.
It’s a chance for punters to experience Section 8 in an entirely different light, minus the late-night crowd.
Each event brings its own flavour, but the throughline is community: independent creatives, local makers and Melburnians looking to connect over a shared interest, whether that’s books, breaking or BBQ.
October at Section 8
- Nocturne Pop Up Store – 4 October, 3-6pm, free entry
- Sip, Thrift & Munch – 10 October, 12-4pm, free entry
- West in the Gap – 17 October, 12-5pm, free entry
- Literary Lounge Book Swap – 18 October, 12-3pm, ticketed
- Teef Club Market – 24 October, 12-4pm, free entry
- Book Doof – 25 October, 12-5pm, pay as you feel
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
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Kicking things off is Nocturne, an afternoon at Section 8 built around movement, sound and creative expression, with pop-up stalls from Gnomeboys, Donsteppa and Chreees showcasing independent clothing labels and art prints alongside fresh BBQ.
Next up, Sip, Thrift & Munch turns the venue into a secondhand shopper’s paradise, mixing preloved fashion with day drinking, coffee and Filipino style BBQ in support of Melbourne’s local fashion community.
West in the Gap follows, bringing the city’s westside hip hop and breaking communities together with open cyphers, live MCs, dance showcases and an exhibition battle, plus a curated art gallery, streetwear pop-up and live screen printing.
The Literary Lounge Book Swap invites punters to bring a book they’re ready to part with and leave with something new, no rules attached, while mingling over a drink with future friends.
Teef Club Market brings its cat-themed mini market to the venue, with local artists selling handmade, cat-inspired goods, running workshops, live portraits and flash embroidery for the cat-obsessed among us.
Rounding out the month, Book Doof returns for a two-venue takeover with Section 8 and Aster, offering three hours of quiet reading followed by two hours of socialising, all set to an ambient playlist for those wanting a break from their phones.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Section 8.
Sacred Cowboys return from Europe for a run of rare Victorian shows
Sacred Cowboys carry four decades of Melbourne noise lightly, and the band returns in November for three rare Victorian shows.
The group first jolted the nation in 1982 with a nihilistic turn on Countdown, and Sacred Cowboys have kept that contrary streak going ever since. Frontman Garry Gray and bassist Mark Ferrie built the outfit out of the city’s early punk and post-punk underground, Gray having cut his teeth in proto-punk mob Negatives and Ferrie in the fledgling Models.
The name came from an episode of 1960s spy caper Get Smart, a wink that summed up a band happy to shrug off genre tags, fashion cycles and industry hype in favour of something rowdier. Their records have surfaced across Europe and Australia in the years since, keeping a loyal following on both sides of the world.
Sacred Cowboys
- 20 November – Church, Geelong
- 22 November – Northcote Social Club, Northcote (afternoon show)
- 27 November – Young Street Tavern, Frankston
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Last year Gray and Ferrie pulled in Tim Deane, Anthony Paine and Damien FitzGerald, and the reshaped line-up cut In The Manifesto, out early in 2026 through Beast Records in France and Torn & Frayed at home. It marks the first full-length from this version of the band, and the results lean into the same restless, blues-flecked punk that made their name.
A European stint followed the release, taking in a ferocious set at the Binic Folks Blues Festival on the coast of Brittany, where the five-piece held the seaside stage with the kind of grit that has long defined them. Now they bring that momentum back to Victoria for a short spell.
Expect the older material and the newer cuts to sit side by side, from the swagger of Cosmic Circus Escapees to deeper pulls across their catalogue. For a band this seasoned, three intimate rooms across Geelong, the inner north and the bayside make for a tidy little homecoming worth catching before they slip off again.
For more information, head here.
The Safety Dance hitmakers Men Without Hats are finally touring Australia
The Canadian new-wave outfit behind The Safety Dance and Pop Goes The World are packing up their full live show and lugging it around the country, and it lands as the first proper Australian run for the complete band. Fronted by founder, songwriter and singer Ivan Doroschuk, Men Without Hats own one of the most instantly recognisable catalogues of the 80s.
When The Safety Dance first hit radio in 1983, Australia went all in, pushing the single to number five on the national charts and ranking it the 23rd biggest release of the year. The rest of the planet followed suit, with the track landing at number three in the United States, number two in New Zealand and number six in the UK. Its gloriously odd medieval-themed video became an MTV staple, and the song has barely left the cultural conversation since.
Men Without Hats Australian tour
- 26 May, King Street Band Room, Newcastle
- 27 May, Factory Theatre, Sydney
- 28 May, The Gov, Adelaide
- 29 May, Max Watts, Melbourne
- 30 May, The Triffid, Brisbane
- 1 June, Rosemount Hotel, Perth
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Then came Pop Goes The World in 1987, another worldwide smash that proved Men Without Hats were never a one-hit wonder. Both tracks have kept popping up everywhere in the decades since, soundtracking films, TV, ads and sport. They’ve turned up in McDonald’s and Super Bowl campaigns, a Tide push built around Pop Goes The World, and even got adopted as a terrace chant during UEFA Euro 2024.
The Safety Dance has since racked up more than 240 million Spotify streams, with the band pulling around 1.8 million monthly listeners. Doroschuk first formed Men Without Hats in Montreal back in 1978, steering the group from its punk roots into the thick of the 80s synth-pop boom. That legacy earned a place in the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, and the family thread runs on, with Colin Doroschuk’s daughter Sahara Sloan joining on keys and vocals in 2023.
There’s fresh material too, with new record On the Moon out now and its singles I ❤️ The 80s and In Glorious Days each clearing 1.5 million YouTube views. The live line-up rounds out with Doroschuk on vocals, Sloan on keys and vocals, Sho Murray on guitar and Adrian White on drums. Tickets go on sale 2 October 2026 at 9am.
For more information, head here.
Catch award-winning Ghanaian hip hop, Irish rap and Aussie dance rock legends at Prince Bandroom this October
Prince Bandroom has an eclectic lineup this month, from club nights to country stars, dance rock to dance rap, grunge ghosts to a farewell tour that’s almost definitely absolutely the last one.
It’s shaping up to be a month of parties.
vSee what’s on this October and book fast – f5ve and The Deep have already sold out.
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
Ilan Bluestone
- 3 October
- Tickets here
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Fan of driving basslines and soaring synth in your dance music? Chances are you’ve heard London-based producer Ilan Bluestone’s recent hits like ‘Will We Remain?’, ‘Let Me Know’ and ‘I Believe’.
He’s been touring the globe off the back of his debut studio album ‘Scars’. Before he continues on to perform shows at Electric Zoo, Transmission Prague and London’s Brixton Electric later this year, he’s stopping in at Prince Bandroom.
He’s performed live at London’s Wembley Arena, the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, EDC Las Vegas and New York’s Madison Square Garden. This is a truly world class act.
f5ve + THE DEEP: f4n m33t australia
- 8 October
- SOLD OUT
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Fan of hyperpop hooks and genre-bending pop? Chances are you’ve heard Tokyo’s inter-dimensional dream agents f5ve, off the back of viral hits like ‘Underground’ and ‘Sugar Free Venom’ feat. Kesha.
They’re making their Australian debut at Prince Bandroom, joined by South Korean electronic-pop artist The Deep, presented by AETERNA & TEG Dainty.
f5ve have sold out headline shows in LA and London and topped Apple Music’s J-POP charts in 20 countries. A genuine global pop act, live for the first time on home turf.
Sarkodie
- 9 October
- Tickets here
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As a Ghanan hiphop icon and pioneer of African rap, Sarkodie’s reputation precedes him worldwide.
Catch this multi-award-winning powerhouse for one night only.
Sarkodie (the stage name of Michael Owusu Addo) is renowned for his charismatic live performances, often rapping in the Ghanan language, Twi. It’s his first time touring Australia, and the bandroom is selling VIP tickets, so don’t miss your chance.
Guttermouth – One Last Time farewell tour
- 10 October
- SOLD OUT
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Guttermouth has a reputation for wild tours and unfiltered punk rock behaviour (which saw them banned from Canada). But frontman Mark Adkins is done, this is the last go around the circuit. For real, this time. The Californian punk outfit formed in 1989 and the chaos hasn’t stopped since then. After over 20 years of visiting Australia, this gig is one of just seven shows – and this one’s on Adkins’ 60th birthday. Who knows what will happen when things kick off?
Stella Lefty
- 11 October
- Tickets here
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Rolling Stone called her a “country superstar”, and Stella Lefty is on the rise.
This LA-based artist is one of the most exciting new names in country, and this is one of only two headline shows she’s playing in Australia, as well as Strummingbird.
Famed for her stage presence, her music mingles pop and country elements with earnest, insightful storytelling.
Her single ‘Boston’ has now surpassed 170 million global streams, she’s performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and her EP, Is This Heaven?, debuted at No. 9 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.
Ghosts of Grunge – The Voices That Lived Loud and Died Young
- 16 October
- Tickets here
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Neither a cover band nor a tribute act, this is a show honouring late, great grunge legends who died too young: Layne Staley (Alice in Chains), Chris Cornell (Soundgarden), Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots), Shannon Hoon (Blind Melon) and Kurt Cobain (Nirvana).
Each song from these bands will draw you on a journey through the complexities, chaos and emotional depths of the sound that defined an era, executed by a live band of pros.
An homage for the true fans.
SPANK x RE-UNITED presents IN FULL BLOOM
- 17 October
- Tickets here
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Your favourite club night is back, a 7 hour session with 5 killer DJs kicking off from 9pm.
Headlining is special Guest Sgt. Slick, globetrotting DJ and producer who’s been spinning house, dance and disco for decades, Club veteran Adrian V is bringing disco house and soul, and they’re supported by local talent Milan, Miss Karts and Romy D. Plus, expect a performance from Danza Talent dancers.
Rogue Traders – ‘The Anthems’ 21st Anniversary Tour
- 22 October
- Tickets here
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It’s a milestone birthday for the Rogue Traders, and you’ll want to join in the celebrations.
Join Natalie Bassingthwaighte, James Ash, Tim Henwood and Cameron McGlinchey as they mark the occasion with a party of their dance rock classics, from the iconic ‘Voodoo Child’ to ‘Watching You’.
With a suite of top ten hits and multiple platinum selling albums, there’s a night of certified bangers ahead – and they’ll also be playing a few songs from their new album, Midnight Alarms.
MC Pat Flynn
- 31 October
- Tickets here
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Following sold-out shows across Ireland and the UK, MC Pat Flynn is bringing his singular Irish stylings to St Kilda for a night of fast-paced dance-rap.
His freestyling has caught online attention across the globe, with his catchy tracks currently sitting at over 100 million streams.
He’s only playing a handful of shows down under, so you’ll want to catch him here.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Prince Bandroom.
Meg Washington returns to the Corner Hotel for the venue’s 30th birthday
Meg Washington heads to the Corner Hotel on 22 October as part of the Richmond venue’s 30th birthday celebrations, bringing her full band and five albums’ worth of material along for the ride.
The four-time ARIA Award winner has spent two decades weaving jazz, pop, folk and musical theatre into something entirely her own. She’s also widely known as the voice of Calypso on Bluey, and her most recent album GEM won the 2025 AACTA Award for Best Original Song via the Paul Kelly collaboration Fine, featured in the film How To Make Gravy.
Meg Washington
- Corner Hotel, Richmond, Melbourne
- 22 October, doors 8pm
- 18+, tickets $59
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
GEM, Washington’s fifth studio record and her first original material in five years, landed in August 2025 through her own Batflower Records. The title is her name spelled backwards, and the album was built alongside producer Ben Edgar. It features collaborations with Paul Kelly and American songwriter Kevin Morby across nine tracks that dig into nature, creativity and self-determination.
Washington’s history with the Corner runs deep. Back in 2010, she became the first artist to play five consecutive sold-out headline shows in the bandroom, a milestone that cemented her place in the venue’s story long before this anniversary rolled around. Fifteen years later, she’s heading back to the same stage as part of the 30 Years Young program, a six-week run of gigs celebrating the artists and community that have shaped the Corner since it opened its doors in 1996.
Presented by Craft Music, this one lands on the venue’s Everything’s Going to Be Fine Tour run. With special guests still to be announced, expect a set that stretches across Washington’s full catalogue in a room that clearly means something to her.
For more information, head here.
Leon Bridges adds second and final Live at the Gardens show
Melbourne’s long weekend just got a whole lot louder. Leon Bridges has announced a second and final Melbourne show for his Happiness Anytime tour, doubling the fun for local fans.
Following huge demand from yesterday’s presale, Leon Bridges will now play two nights at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne as part of the Live at the Gardens series, with the newly added show landing on 7 March.
The original date, 6 March, falls across the Labour Day long weekend, meaning fans can make a proper weekend of it.
Joining Leon Bridges across both Melbourne shows are special guests 54 Ultra and Surprise Chef, rounding out a lineup that spans soul, indie pop and cinematic instrumental grooves.
Leon Bridges – The Happiness Anytime Tour
- 6 March 2027 – Live at the Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, VIC (Lic. All Ages)
- 7 March 2027 – Live at the Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, VIC – NEW SHOW (Lic. All Ages)
- Tickets here
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
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The tour ties in with the rollout of Leon Bridges’ fifth studio album, Happiness Anytime, with the final instalment, Part 3, landing on 25 September via Columbia Records.
Parts one and two are already out in the world, blending the sun-soaked warmth of his 2015 debut Coming Home with the looser, groove-heavy spirit of his Khruangbin collaborations.
The 12-track record was produced by J Lloyd-Watson and Lydia Kitto of British trio Jungle, with lead single Talk It Over — filmed in Amsterdam — capturing the record’s focus on movement and joy.
Across six Australian tours, Leon Bridges has worked his way from intimate theatres to sold-out Opera House Concert Halls, major arenas and some of the country’s best-loved wineries, and is known for turning his live shows into genuine celebrations.
New Jersey’s 54 Ultra, the solo project of JohnAnthony Rodriguez, brings a mix of synthy indie rock and Latin-soul influences to the support slot, fresh off sets at Coachella and Lollapalooza and a support run with Malcolm Todd.
Melbourne’s own Surprise Chef round out the bill, with their cinematic, film-score-inspired sound landing them praise from Questlove ahead of their new album Frogs In A Pond, due October 23.
Tickets went on sale today at 9am local time via Ticketmaster.
For more information, head here.
Cuban bass, Balinese gamelan and robotic strings: JOLT Arts spring season has it all
JOLT Arts has unveiled its Spring 2026 season, spanning robotic sound machines, Afro-Cuban collaborations and inclusive experimental festivals across Melbourne.
Founded in 2008, JOLT has spent almost two decades working with artists across cultures and abilities, with 50 per cent of its programming involving artists with disabilities, well before the NDIS existed.
The organisation’s cross-cultural work also runs deep, with roughly 25 per cent of its annual activities happening in Japan, alongside an ongoing partnership with the African Sunset series.
JOLT Arts director James Hullick doesn’t mince words about the difference between talking inclusivity and doing it.
“Delivering on an inclusive mindset out in the community is a hell of a lot more work and mindfulness than simply whinging on the socials. While Australia debates cross-cultural interaction JOLT simply gets on and shares it. Our artists do the heavy lifting, while the media does the heavy gasbagging,” he says.
“But the answer is for you – the public – to get up and get down to see what really goes on when cultures share and collide. We can lead the world in our grace and kindness to each other.”
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
Sensible Serenades
- 2 October, JOLTED Arts Space, 342 High St, Northcote
- Doors 8pm
- Tickets here
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Now on its third instalment, Sensible Serenades brings together three of Naarm’s independent acts, Mat Rigby, Cooper Lower and Quiet Coven, for an intimate night at JOLTED Arts Space.
Mat Rigby is only 18, but he’s already racked up more than 75k followers and millions of views online, purely off the strength of his voice, without an official single to his name. Grandpa Bob had a lot to do with it apparently, guitar always in hand, and once a seven year old Mat got his own for his birthday, that was that.
Cooper Lower splits his time between songwriting, producing and performing, with stages across Europe, North America and Australia under his belt and a co-writing resume that stretches well beyond Melbourne, including a composing credit on Netflix film Misie (2025). He’s gearing up to drop his debut album, reaching out, somehow, a self-produced record that doesn’t shy away from grief, rage, heartbreak and desire.
Rounding out the night are Quiet Coven, the duo of Anna O’Bryan and Al Newstead, whose unhurried, quietly powerful songwriting has already found fans at Triple R and PBS thanks to their two debut singles, Stillness and Certain About Something.
Presented by Sensible Antixx Records, the series is all about digging up new artists worth keeping an eye on.
The Mande Spirit
- 3 October
- Doors 7pm
- Tickets here
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Part of the JOLT African Sunset Residency, The Mande Spirit brings master musicians Amadou Suso, Aboubacar Kouyate and Mohamed Camara together for a night of Mandé music drawn from Mali, Guinea and The Gambia.
Suso’s kora playing carries the show, all shimmering strings and soulful melody, while Kouyate’s griot heritage grounds it in centuries of oral tradition and Camara’s percussion keeps the whole thing moving.
Curated by Stani Goma, the residency has been running since June, pulling together African and diasporic artists across genres, and this performance marks the second-last stop before it wraps up with the Melbourne Africubismo Project on 10 October. Supported by Revive Live, an Australian Government initiative.
The Sonobots
- 28 October, Northcote Social Club, 301 High St, Northcote
- Doors 7.30pm
- Tickets here
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Fresh off a Sydney Opera House performance, The Sonobots return to Melbourne with a new work from Hullick and the BOLT Ensemble, exploring what happens when live musicians perform alongside self-built robotic sound machines.
Special guest Peter Knight joins a lineup featuring some of Australia’s most respected experimental musicians. The Amplified Elephants, Australia’s leading electronic ensemble of neurodivergent artists, support and perform alongside The Sonobots on the night.
Proudly Supported by The Robert Salzer Foundation.
Africubismo + Guests
- 29 October, Northcote Social Club, 301 High St, Northcote
- Doors 7.30pm
- Tickets here
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Africubismo is a new transcontinental collaboration tracing the shared musical roots of West Africa and Cuba, featuring percussionist Ray Pereira, Gambian kora master Amadou Suso, Cuban bassist Yunior Terry Cabrera and saxophonist Julien Wilson.
Rather than replaying old repertoire, the group builds original compositions bridging griot storytelling, Cuban rhythmic structures and contemporary jazz. Gamelan DanAnda joins the BOLT Ensemble on the same bill, bringing the interlocking sounds of Balinese gamelan gong kebyar into the mix.
Safe in Sound Festival
- 31 October, Drill Hall (Snuff Puppets)
- 1 November, JOLTED Arts Space, 342 High St, Northcote
Now in its fourth year, Safe in Sound returns under artistic director Robbie Avenaim, presented in partnership with JOLT Arts, Out Hear, Make It Up Club and Liquid Architecture.
The festival platforms mentored and professional artists with disabilities alongside established sound artists, with a lineup including vocalist Karina Utomo, modular synth artist Mat Watson and vocalist Steven Hagiliassis; sculptor and sound artist Victor Meertens with the Noise Scavengers; a surreal spoken-word “dining” performance from Tête-à-tête; David Shea and Jay Euesden’s meditative sound work; and a genre-colliding DJ set from DJ 2 and Astrid Hullick. Supported by Creative Australia.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with JOLT Arts.
The Espy Battle Of The Bands GRAND FINALE
For the first time in many years, The Espy’s famous Gershwin Room will hold a Battle of the Bands. With 25 bands across 5 heats, and a prize pool that is a huge leg up for an up & coming band, this series just might help you find your next favourite Melbourne band.
The competing bands below are the winners of their respective heats, who will come out as the ultimate winner?
Charlotte Bridie – Heat 1
Everlyne – Heat 2
Pepper La Floyd – Heat 3
Operation Karma – Heat 4
The Masons – Heat 5
Supported by The Espy, Shout Out Loud Printing, OPM Design, Indiana Hayz Photography, Mudbrick Studios, Beat Magazine & Rock Academy Australia.
Soldiers Road Presents: Espy Basement Live
Get ready for a massive afternoon of live music as Soldiers Road brings a stellar lineup of emerging local talent to the iconic Espy Basement for a special all-ages event.
Showcasing five incredible acts, this gig is a celebration of the vibrant local music scene, packed with energy, diverse sounds, and a mix of crowd favourites and original music.
Grab your tickets now and support the next generation of emerging artists!
Lineup:
Microwave Dinner – Microwave dinner is a 3 piece math rock / indie band from South East Melbourne, blending cool rhythms, groovy riffs and musical influences from all sorts of genres.
John Yanko – Melbourne singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Yanko creates music that reveals genuine warmth and heart. Backed by his electrifying band, he delivers passion-driven, high-energy live shows across Melbourne’s vibrant music scene and local festivals.
Soldiers Road – Melbourne five-piece Soldiers Road brings a diverse rock sound to the stage, blending 90s grunge and alternative rock with classic hits. Drawing from their experience playing local venues and festivals, the band delivers an energetic live set that connects with the crowd. You can expect a blend of familiar tracks and a first look at some new original material.
XANDRI – Naarm-based queer singer-songwriter XANDRI fronts one of Melbourne’s most exciting emerging pop-rock live acts. Known for powerhouse vocals, emotionally charged songwriting and magnetic stage presence, XANDRI’s music blends soaring pop hooks with rock grit, sharp wit and unapologetic vulnerability.
Klara & The Suns – Klara & The Suns are a four-piece alt-rock band who’ve started finding their footing in Melbourne’s ever-growing local music scene. Being inspired by the likes of Soundgarden, Black Sabbath and Veruca Salt, they hope to inspire girls of all ages to play music they believe in.
GOODBOYS
Two-time GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum and over 6 billion streams deep, Goodboys are one of dance music’s biggest exports and they are coming to Melbourne for the first time.
The London duo behind “Piece Of Your Heart” with MEDUZA (#2 UK, GRAMMY-nominated, 3.5 billion streams) and “Lose Control” with MEDUZA and Becky Hill (2 billion and counting), they’ve built a signature sound of infectious vocal hooks, melodic basslines and euphoric, radio-ready energy whilst taken it to the Tomorrowland Mainstage, EDC Las Vegas, UNVRS and Ushuaïa Ibiza.
NOW, they’re bringing it to the Gershwin Room.
The Ians
THE IANS are a Naarm/Melbourne-based band of pirates who simply play very, very, very good high-energy rock.
Formed by childhood friends Red Jacket Rick (vocals/guitar) and Ratty Redbeard (bass/vocals), the band has reached its highest evolution with powerhouses Magpie Zac (drums), Red Ocelot aka Black Jacket Red (guitar) and Dusan the Gypsy (guitar).
The only thing tighter than this tight-knit crew is their command of their craft and stage. Creatively, THE IANS worship anything wild and free. Their compelling songwriting evokes a spirit of adventure and risk in their audience, aided by high-octane performances. The rough edges of the band are balanced with poignant themes, lyrics and sounds, striking a balance between hi-T energy and vulnerability.
Joining The Ians are Indtiko & Walls and Waves
With a firm nod to the musical era that spawned the likes of Pil, Wire, Pavement,Joy Division, Roxy Music, Minutemen, Fugazi and many more: INDTIKO can be best described as a rousing concoction of pulsating rhythms, epic guitar sounds, deep water carnival sonic synths and occasionally discordant melodies. All fronted by a poetic semi unhinged preacher man who promises no real salvation.
Walls and Waves are a Mexican band Fusing a gothic atmosphere with tribal pre colonial time and cultures from Mesoamérica. This band crafts hypnotic soundscapes that collide with snarling riffs and ritual-like rhythms. Their music is equal parts chaos and atmosphere echo-drenched melodies, dreamy / latin percussion & dreamy /grunge-punk guitars with explosive drums, and lyrics that flirt with the surreal and the defiant. Their new album ‘atoms’ had its first single launch ‘pentagon’ at retreat hotel with the ‘red heart rising’ gothic support.
Good Music House Party
*not at a house.
cool bands + music you can dance to.
live sets from hatchie, loose content, paint.
18+ event.
Radio Monash Presents: Back On The Waves
Did ya miss us?! Radio Monash is back with our fourth edition of BACK ON THE WAVES, this year bigger and better than ever before! Showing off 12 local acts over 4 stacked nights of live music, this year we’re rocking it on The Espy Basement stage in St Kilda, with a focus on providing more affordable access to Naarm based live music!
There is something for everyone at this residency, with bar, live music, and THE BEST VIBES. Bring your friends, grab your FREE tickets, and let’s get this party started!
‘PSYCHED!’, OUR DEBUT NIGHT OF BACK ON THE WAVES, FEATURING THE CRYSTAL SHIP, WIZARD TRICKS AND CALLYSTHA
21:30 – 22:30: The Crystal Ship
20:45 – 21:15: Wizard Tricks
20:00 – 20:30: CALLYSTHA
19:30: DOORS
Accessibility info:
The Espy is accessible throughout the venue, with the exception of the Basement, which is not wheelchair accessible.
Accessible bathrooms are available in the Public Bar, Main Bar, Mya Tiger, Green Room, and Balcony.
If you have any questions about accessibility or need assistance planning your visit, please contact the venue directly and our team will be happy to help.
The basement has 8 stairs down to it from inside the venue, and the staircase from the outside of the venue has 7.
This is an 18+ event. Please bring a current & valid photo ID. The venue reserves the right to refuse entry. MSA encourages responsible consumption of alcohol.
This event is proudly brought to you by the Radio Monash, a division of the Monash Student Association.
Radio Monash is an entirely student-run and operated radio station based on the Clayton campus of Monash University. Around in various guises since its humble beginnings in 1972, Radio Monash has a proud history of supporting the thriving Melbourne music scene.
Radmon has developed a fearsome reputation for inspiring and cultivating a passion for the music industry among the generation’s brightest young minds, and helping Radio Monash members develop valuable skills that are fiercely sought after in a wide variety of industries. These include events management, public relations, journalism, and plenty more.