Forget the worm. Early birds get the best gigs this October with an epic calendar of shows at Bird’s Basement.
Nesting in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, Bird’s Basement should be your go-to this month for all things jazz performances, cover bands and music icon themed cocktails.
Sit back and sip on a Nina Simone as the artists that grace the stage of this legendary bar whisk you into a world of sonic dreams.
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Boasting a roster of original music-makers and renditions of beloved classic icons, Bird’s is one of those places that you’ll come for your favourite songs and leave with some new ones.
Read on to find out what the word is at Bird’s this October.
The Jazz Alchemists
The Jazz Alchemists are back for their fortnightly takeover of the Basement. Presenting their enchanting melodic improvisations for three nights over the month of October – October 2, October 16 and October 30 – Bird’s is giving you more than enough chances to catch these magic-makers in action.
My Leonard Cohen
- Thursday October 3
- Tickets here
Calling all Leonard Cohen fans. Stewart D’Arrietta and his band are honouring the late great artist and the powerful contributions he made to music. With Cohen’s music still having a profound effect on audiences to this day, this is your chance to watch it come alive again.
The Sharp: Celebrating 31 years of This is the Sharp
- Friday October 4
- Tickets here
The Sharp are back and are as sharp as ever. Celebrating over three decades of their debut album, This is the Sharp, a combination of both the original bandmates and some new additions are throwing a party in the Basement this October to reflect on the last 31 years of Sharp history.
Yacht Rock Revival
- Saturday October 5
- Tickets here
Swap out the boat for the Basement this October as yacht rock makes its returns to the shores of Melbourne. A tribute to all the smoothest songs from the ‘70s, Yacht Rock Revival is all about reliving the light, breezy rock music of the glory days.
The Harmonix Experience
Any fan of the Harmonix Experience will be counting their lucky stars this month. The fortnightly performances from this troupe of soulful sonic geniuses gives audiences not one but two very special chances to catch the Harmonix Experience at Bird’s on October 9 and October 23.
Alma Zygier and Band
- Thursday October 10
- Tickets here
Bird’s Basement is about to be shaken up on this Thursday night in October. Alma Zygier and her band is bringing their fair share of jazz and blues with grit and grime to the CBD stage. Expect a vocal range that stretches for miles and the kind of playing that makes heads turn.
Matt Von Roderick
- Friday October 11, Saturday October 12
- Tickets here
- Matt Von Roderick, trumpet and vocals
- Steve Sedergreen, piano
- Phillip Rex, bass
- Felix Bloxsom, drums
Over two nights at Bird’s, American superstar trumpeter and singer will be showing the Basement what he’s made of. Matt Von Roderick has played all over the globe, impressing audiences with his uplifting message and poignant sound. A little birdie tells us that his shows on October 11 and October 12 are not to be missed.
Eurogliders
- Thursday October 17
- Tickets here
Gliding both across continents and across decades, Eurogliders are landing in the Bird’s Basement on this Thursday in October to show audiences that they’re not quite done yet. While the story of Grace Knight and Bernie Lynch began as a love story, today it continues as a story of great music finding a home in the hearts of their listeners.
Steve Kilbey
- Friday October 18
- Tickets here
From prolific Sydney band The Church to a decorated solo career of endless collaborations, Steve Kilbey is dishing it all up at Bird’s this month. His performance in the Basement will cover his extensive musical offerings over the last 50 years in the industry, as well as all the reflections and reminiscences that are attached.
Rick Price
- Saturday October 19
- Tickets here
Recorded in Nashville, now having made its way to the heart of Melbourne, Rick Price is bringing his 12th studio album to audiences this October. Hometown marks the most recent record of original material from Rick after the previous album in 2015. Hometown provides the perfect opportunity for fans of Rick – both old and new – to hear the latest masterpieces in the flesh.
Mick Harvey with Amanda Acevedo
- Thursday October 24
- Tickets here
Little Birdies are in for a treat with the legendary muso Mick Harvey making a Basement appearance this month. Joined by Mexican singer Amanda Acevedo alongside a string quartet, the artists will perform Mick’s latest release, Five Ways to Say Goodbyes. With musical nods to The Birthday Party, The Bad Seeds and other projects Mick has been involved in over his career, you wouldn’t want to miss this exciting performance.
The Official Blues Brothers Revue
- Friday October 25, Saturday October 26
- Tickets here
Both Friday October 25 and Saturday October 26 will see the Official Blues Brothers Revue visit Australia. The Blues Brothers themselves have officially sanctioned The Official Blues Brothers Revue as the only Blues Brothers live show, making this show with Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty a rare performance.
Tom Burlinson
- Thursday October 31, Friday November 1
- Tickets here
Closing out October with a bang, Australian icon Tom Burlinson is bringing a swinging salute to the masters of the genre with his musical production Now We’re Swingin’ on October 31 and November 1. The show is a montage of all the swing legends who put the genre on the map. From Tony Bennett to Robbie Williams, if you’re a fan of swing, you’ll be a fan of Tom Burlinson.
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This article was made in partnership with Bird’s Basement.
