Brunswick Music Festival celebrates community and global sounds across eight days of programming.
Brunswick is about to get loud – Brunswick Music Festival is back for its 38th edition this March.
Running from 1-8 March, the festival delivers an eight-day celebration of the suburb’s contribution to Melbourne’s live music fabric. Curated by local legend MzRizk and produced by Merri-bek City Council, Brunswick Music Festival centres on community this year, with programming that reflects the wildly diverse sounds echoing through the suburb’s streets.
Brunswick Music Festival
- 1-8 March
- Various venues across Brunswick
- Gilpin Park closing concert is free
- Tickets and info at brunswickmusicfestival.com.au
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
The Sydney Road Street Party kicks everything off on 1 March with four stages spanning surf-punk to South African jazz, Turkish classical to Pasifika harmonies. Roving performances and pop-up acoustic sets will take over the strip, with iconic venues throwing open their doors for family-friendly performances, cultural storytelling and exhibitions.
International heavy-hitters anchor the program, with Japanese hip-hop pioneer DJ Krush, Cretan sibling duo the Xylourides, French disco icon François K, and spiritual jazz vocalist Ganavya all touching down. Brunswick Ballroom hosts a collaboration between Crown Ruler and Research Records featuring Alfi Antico & Go Dugong alongside Khaled Kurbeh and RAFET, while Rita Bass delivers a multi-sensory experience through Dreamache’s Eternity is a Terrible Thought. Horns of Leroy bring their big brass energy to shake the Ballroom’s foundations.
The suburb’s beloved venues get their moment too, with Howler, The Retreat, Jazzlab, The Bergy, Bar Spontana and Co Conspirators all programming special shows throughout the week. The Neighbourhood Noise program activates spaces including Counihan Gallery, Brunswick Library, Balam Balam Place and Blak Dot Gallery with live performances and interactive installations. Next Wave presents a playful audiovisual installation by Leon Rodgers at the Mechanics Institute.
New partnerships see a pop-up exhibition at Found Sound, the return of That Paper Joint collaboration, and intimate experiences at correspondences studio. The whole thing wraps up on 8 March with a free closing concert at Gilpin Park from 2-8pm, featuring Fred Leone X Radio For Ghosts, Allysha Joy, Cool Out Sun, Jace Clayton and Pirritu.
For more information, head here.
