BOWLED OVER
ST. KILDA BOWLS CLUB
The Hottest 100 is upon us again, and Bowled Over is taking over the St Kilda Bowls Club to bring you a ripping day of heat, meat and beats. They’re boasting a kickarse lineup of bands outside of their Hottest 100 coverage, with your boy Harts headlining the show, Adelaide’s Grenadiers in tow, plus IV League and Bareback Titty Squad who are revved up and good to go. There’s a bloody sausage sizzle with veggie options aplenty, several pop up bars and a spot of lawn bowls or bingo if you want to bring your nanna down. Bowled Over 2016 kicks off on Tuesday January 26 from 11am until 10pm. Log on to the Bowled Over website and grab your tickets for a sweet $25 while you still can.
FATBOY SLIM
ST. KILDA BEACH
It’s been a three long years since Fatboy Slim worked the decks in Melbourne, and even longer since he’s performed a headliner in our fair city. Now, he’s bringing his weapon of choice down to St. Kilda beach for a long weekend party to rule them all. There’s a reason why he manages to score sets with over 250,000 attendees, rip out shows on the top of the Great Wall Of China, do round trips of the world from Ibiza to Vegas, Rio to London and everywhere in between – the man’s got a style loved by millions. Fatboy Slim performs at St. Kilda Beach on Tuesday January 26. Ask your mama if she’ll let you go, and then get down there and praise the guy like you should. Tickets through Dashtickets.
THE IN THE OUT
THE RETREAT
Brunswick’s best and favourite free live music venue are doing what they do best – chucking a big old’ party full of Australia’s finest bands. Ain’t you lucky. Spend your Tuesday sinking brews and catching tunes as Horns of Leroy, Abbie Cardwell and The Texicans, Suzannah Espie and The Last Word along with The In The Out all take to the stage and belt out a few solid chops. Afterwards, DJ Fee is hitting the beer garden to rip out the best in old school glam rock, New Orleans first line jazz, Mexican inspired Americana, Australian alt country or rock’n’roll, spinning those decks so hard it’ll make your head spin. And the best part? All still free. The Retreat Hotel hosts their party on Tuesday January 26. Doors open at 3pm.
EVEN
DING DONG LOUNGE
After a great summer full of Boxing Day tests, the Australian Open tennis and Falls sideshows out the wazoo, Even are going one better and announcing a final show before their drummer Matt Cotter heads back to central Australia. With a lineup featuring The Demon Parade, dream pop stunners Dead Parties and newcomers Wild Meadows, shoot on down to Ding Dong for a big night of even bigger music. Catch Even and friends at Ding Dong Lounge this Monday January 25. Doors open at 7.30pm, entry is $24.
SETH SENTRY
URBAN SPREAD AT CHELSEA HEIGHTS HOTEL
Ain’t nothing better than some hot beats to round off a hot day. Urban Spread gets this – that’s why they’re dragging lyrical larrikin and seminal spit stylist Seth Sentry down to The Heights for a pre-public holiday night of face-melting glory. This next round of Urban Spread’s Summer Series sees Sentry along with Mantra and Ivan Ooze taking over the venue for a night showcasing the cream of the Australian hip hop crop. You’ve got nothing to do the next day, so grab those tickets while they’re hot. Seth Sentry, Mantra and Ivan Ooze all perform at Chelsea Heights Hotel on Monday January 25 for Urban Spread’s Summer Series. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $39.
BURIED FEATHER
GRACE DARLING HOTEL
Good news from your feathered friends – Buried Feather have got some hot new tunes on the way and they’re more than happy to rip out a few at The Grace Darling Hotel early next week. After a year hiding in the wilderness, the psych rock act are back to unveil a tweaked line-up featuring the talents of Callum Routledge of Sheriff along with synth wizard Josh Moult returning to their ranks. Add some hypnotic guitar excursions and presto, you have a great show waiting to happen. Buried Feather are joined by Masco Sound System on Monday January 25. Doors open at 8.30pm, entry is $12.
CHILD
CHERRY BAR
Forged by hard rock and tempered by blues comes Child, ready to take over Cherry Bar for a night of sonic destruction to help you celebrate the long weekend. Their self titled debut took a look through the pinhole of the band’s unashamed roots, taking pride in upholding traditions born in Australian rock that gave birth to AC/DC, The Easybeats, Rose Tattoo, Billy Thorpe and many more. This will probably by the only reason that Cherry Bar lets a child into the premises, so get on down and try not to question the legality of the situation. Child takes over Cherry Bar on Monday January 25. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $13. There’s also a free can of Melbourne Bitter or VB on entry. Fuckin’ straya.
WHITE SUMMER
THE WORKERS CLUB
After spending a good part of their career hanging out in the picturesque hinterland of Phillip Island, White Summer started writing the songs they wanted to write – blues heavy rock music with more grit than you’d find under your fingers. Fast forward to 2016, they’ve got new singles on the horizon, new clips in the works, and a new reason to head out on Monday January 25 with a show at The Worker’s Club. Strap yourself in for some killer burly rock from the boys when the doors open at 8pm. Entry is $10.
DAN KELLY
RICHMOND THEATRETTE
After pleasing a few ears with last year’s release of Leisure Panic!, Dan Kelly is kicking off 2016 with a very special holiday show as part of the Richmond Theatrette Summer Series. Kelly and his Dream Band will be launching the video for Everything’s Amazing, the second single off the album, alongside a stocked bar full of Mountain Goat varieties to slake that hard earned holiday thirst. The seated event comes with a strict limit of 150 tickets available for sale, so get on to this one as soon as you can. Dan Kelly performs at the Richmond Theatrette on Monday January 25. Doors open at 7.30pm, entry is $22.
DJ SEAN SIMMONS
THE B.EAST
The B.East are holding a long weekend party featuring a deadly combination of tinny specials, gin fantagronis and Australian grub specials done B.East style. DJ Sean Simmons will be spinning the decks with some of your favourite old time Australian rock’n’roll from 7pm onwards just to keep things in theme, rounding out on what’s to be a good holiday night of partying, boogying and pigging out. The party kicks off on Monday January 25 from 7pm onwards. Entry is free.
JOSH CASHMAN
PENNY BLACK
Josh Cashman is kicking off 2016 with a bang, headlining a huge free show at The Penny Black with pals Anna – O and Daniel Luhrs. With guitar faithfully in hand, Cashman has been dominating the streets and venues of Melbourne through his memorable brand of alternative folk-pop tunes. It’s a public holiday, it’s free, what other excuse do you need? Josh Cashman performs at The Penny Black on Monday January 25. Doors open at 9pm.
DOAKES
BIMBO DELUXE
Fitzroy’s favourite cheap pizza joint is hosting a party on the long weekend with some weirdly tantalising specials with a homegrown twist. Besides chucking a rarely held rooftop party once the night rolls in, the team at Bimbo Deluxe are serving up Vegemite and Cheese pizzas all day for $4. Will Vegemite on pizza be better than Vegemite with chocolate? Only one way to find out. Head over to Bimbo Deluxe from 12pm onwards on Monday January 25. Stick around later in the evening to catch Doakes, Luke Vecchio, Donny and Pete Large in action.
TIGERFUNK
LUCKY COQ
The team at Lucky Coq are throwing on a long weekend party almost as supreme as the pizza of the same name. Hit up the venue and keep your silly season rolling as they host two parties in the one venue. Upstairs will feature the talents of Clancey, Pakatak and Tigerfunk, whilst downstairs holds Malpractice, Jens Beamin and Matt Radd. Stacks of DJs, oceans of beer, endless good times. Catch Lucky Coq’s long weekend party on Monday January 25. Doors open at 7pm, entry is free.
MOJO JUJU
THE CURTIN
Mojo Juju takes over The Curtin this public holiday eve to drop some of her distinctive mix of blues, soul and R&B upon revellers ears. After kicking 2015 square in its arse with the launch of her new album at Sydney Opera House, two epic national tours, sound-tracking a German film, releasing a back catalogue in Europe and nabbing a handful of awards, she’s not ready to stop the party just yet. That said this will be the last show Mojo Juju performs before running to an undisclosed tropical location. Catch Mojo Juju at The Curtin this Monday January 25. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $25.
DJ FRANKIE G-SPOT
BRUNSWICK HOTEL
You’ve got the day off. Good for you. Why not reward yourself by slinking down to The Brunny and getting a few $6 Coopers schooners down your old drink hole? While you pre-occupy yourself with the curiosity of performing your Friday night ritual on a Tuesday day, The Brunny will have vinyl spinning in the beer garden from 1pm with DJ Frankie G-Spot and DJBJ along with six whopping bands tearing the stage up from 4pm in the front bar. Carn mates – get down to The Brunny on Tuesday January 26 and have a bloody ripper. Doors open at 1pm.
MUNDANE MONDAYS
THE OLD BAR
Holy goddamn YES. Mundane Monday has fallen on the same date as a public holiday, meaning you can do your damn hardest to max out your blood alcohol levels with a guilt free Tuesday morning hangover. Pop your head in, grab the first round of $15 Mountain Goat and watch Clinkerfield romp around on the recently updated Old Bar stage. Catch this very special holiday edition of Mundane Mondays at Old Bar this Monday January 25. Doors open at 7pm, entry is $5.
THE AUDREYS
THE SPOTTED MALLARD
The Spotted Mallard are taking some of Australia’s best into custody over the long weekend, as The Audreys and Harry Hookey (Kasey Chambers’ Band) are swept into the Mallard’s ever-gallant hall. With the release of The Audrey’s 2014 album Til My Tears Roll Away, the band turned into something tougher, grittier and highly memorable with Rolling Stone naming it as “a record of abandon and grace”. Head on over to The Spotted Mallard this Monday January 25 and catch The Audreys in action. Doors open from 6pm, entry is $30.
BAGSVDK
SOOKI LOUNGE
Ex member of Behind Crimson Eyes Dan Kerby is taking to the stage at Sooki Lounge for a public holiday evening to remember. The hard rock stalwart has toured since 2009, and has managed to share the stage with the likes of Iron Maiden, Bullet For My Valentine and Avenged Sevenfold alongside touring spots on Big Day Out, Homebake and Pyramid Rock. What the future holds for Dan, who can say. Dan goes head to head with DJ Bags, a popular Melbourne based party DJ who boasts former UK residencies and ongoing appearances at local hotspots across town. Catch Bags vs. DK for a banger of a night this Monday January 25. Doors open at 9pm, entry is $7.
THE MORELAND CITY SOUL REVUE
THE UNION (BRUNSWICK)
All aboard the soul train. Choo choo. The Moreland City Soul Revue is taking an all-star cast of musos to play some smooth old soul and frisky funk this public holiday eve. Not only are they bringing something with flavour to your earholes, they’ve got their Moreland City Soul Revue fried chicken dinner served and hot to go. Grab a side of music with your main course of chicken when the Moreland City Soul Revue takes over The Union in Brunswick this Monday January 25. Doors open at 7.30pm.
BLACK ACES
WHOLE LOTTA LOVE
Black Aces are celebrating the long weekend in cracking fashion, hosting an exclusive listening party for their debut album release Shot In The Dark at Whole Lotta Love. What kind of an evening would you be having if you weren’t sitting around with a frothed beverage, listening to some good old bloody Aussie pub rock? There’ll be special merch giveaways too if that helps win you over. Catch Black Aces for their super special launch show this Monday January 25. Doors open at 8pm.
CHILLI CHALLENGE
BAHA TACOS
Baha Tacos are running their second annual chilli challenge this long weekend, and it’s about to get hotter than ever. 20 entrants will battle it out over five minutes, devouring tacos in an epic challenge to show who can handle the heat, whilst weeding out those who should get out of the kitchen. Their chef Mundy is whipping out an array of chillies – from habaneros down to ghost chillies right up to their face melting treasure aptly named How I Met Diablo. Not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. All entrants get a t-shirt; winner takes home a case of Red Hill Beer and a chilli pack. Trek to Rye and catch Baha Tacos’ annual chilli challenge from 12pm onwards. Free entry with music running late.
MAT CANT
THE VIC BAR
Vic Bar are running two parties over the long weekend on both Monday January 25 and Tuesday January 26. Expect a good session of classic vibes from Mat Cant and Get busy as they spin hip hop and party jams to accompany their delicious $10 bar menu and sneaky all night drink specials. They’ll be launching a free barbecue from 4pm on the Tuesday, too – get your mouth around that. Head over to The Vic Bar for their long weekend double party. Doors open on from 4pm each day, entry is free.
