Chillin' in Banyule is back, bringing over 30 free gigs to 17 venues across the north-east suburbs throughout May.
Running from 1 May to 24 May 2026, Chillin’ in Banyule spreads across four weekends — Thursdays to Sundays — connecting local musicians with local crowds at cafes, bars, restaurants and community spaces across Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Montmorency and Greensborough.
No bookings needed for any of the gigs; just rock up and enjoy.
All performers are local to Banyule, and that’s very much the point. The series is designed to build genuine connections between venues and artists; not just for a single gig, but as the foundation for ongoing working relationships that support both the local music scene and the wider hospitality and small business community.
Chillin’ in Banyule
- When: 1 May – 24 May 2026, Thursdays to Sundays
- Where: 17 venues across Banyule
- Cost: Free, no bookings required (unless specified by individual venues)
Before the main series kicks off, there’s a launch night to get things started properly.
Stella Anning, Gordon Lewis and Lunic & Band headline an evening at Empire Music Studios in Heidelberg West on 28 April. It’s free, there’s a drink token included, and canapes will be doing the rounds, but numbers are limited, so bookings are essential.
Chillin’ in Banyule launch night
- When: Tuesday, 28 April, 6pm – 9pm
- Where: Empire Music Studios, 9 Northern Road, Heidelberg West
- Cost: Free — bookings essential
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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Chillin’ in Banyule – the artists
Launch night: Tuesday, 28 April
Stella Anning
Naarm-based guitarist, singer-songwriter and composer Stella Anning draws from jazz, neo-soul and folk traditions, with a deeply personal storytelling approach rooted in improvisation. Her influences range from guitarists Bill Frisell and Marc Ribot to vocalists Esperanza Spalding, Brittany Howard and Adrianne Lenker, resulting in music that’s emotive, raw and resonant.
In 2025 she completed two East Coast tours and played major festivals including the Clarence Jazz Festival, Folk Rhythm and Life, and the Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival. In 2026 she’s already toured South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
Gordon Lewis
Gordon Lewis has been a fixture on the Chillin’ in Banyule calendar for a number of years, and this time around he’s bringing friends, performing as Gordon and the Very, Very Handsomes.
Expect silky vocals soaring over intricate full-band arrangements, with vivid, nuanced songwriting and a proper musical journey.
Lunic
Lunic is a Naarm/Melbourne-based folk artist known for ethereal vocals and dreamy soundscapes that blend folk and indie/alternative influences.
Her music explores love, insecurity and self-reflection, capturing the tender, messy beauty of your twenties, and draws on a deep love of nature and human connection. She’s performed at Federation Square and The Toff in Town, supporting artists including Sarah Blasko and Aleksiah. Her debut EP Quiet Confessions earned national airplay across major stations.
Week one: 1 – 3 May
Pia Nesvara
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- Friday, 1 May
- The Bearded Pig, 6pm – 8pm
Pia blends her Chilean heritage with gutsy vocals, hard-hitting rhythms and bold lyrics, creating a distinctive moody soul-meets-singer-songwriter style with Latin influence. A self-taught guitarist and songwriter who started out busking in the Dandenong Ranges, she’s since performed at the National Folk Festival, Dorrigo Folk Festival and Queenscliff Music Festival. Her music explores resilience, self-belief, healing and cultural identity, weaving heartfelt stories through soulful melodies and Latin-American rhythms.
DJ Ming Ming
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- Friday, 1 May
- Vino Central, 7pm – 9pm
Melbourne DJ, producer and hula hooper Ming Ming has a passion for melodic techno and world house music, blending electronic music with Afro and Latin rhythms, oriental melodies and heavy bass grooves. Her sets are an eclectic mix that travels wide across styles, refreshing, energising and nearly impossible to resist. She’s performed at venues and festivals across Australia and Europe, including Fusion and SO36 (Germany), Earth Core and Renaissance (Australia), and L’Usine (Switzerland).
Gary Wasenko
- Saturday, 2 May
- Macleod Village, 11am – 1pm
Professional accordionist and multi-lingual vocalist Gary Wasenko brings a warm, cosmopolitan atmosphere to any occasion with a wide repertoire spanning traditional music from Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, Germany and Ukraine, alongside well-known Australian favourites and timeless jazz standards. A member of the Australian Accordion Association, Gary is passionate about showcasing the accordion’s remarkable breadth and versatility across cultures, genres and eras.
Cara~May
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- Saturday, 2 May
- Sunnyside Café, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Singer-songwriter Cara~May loves to explore her creative flair through storytelling and lore, weaving originals and popular covers together with a whimsical stage presence. Expect original characters, lyrical world-building and a set that moves between playful and deeply felt.
Isabelle Davis
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- Sunday, 3 May
- New Neighbour Coffee, 11am – 1pm
Born in Melbourne and raised in Shanghai, Isabelle Davis graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre in 2019. She released her debut EP Small World in 2021 and has since released five singles, two of which appear on her debut album An Inconvenient Youth, released in late 2025. Recent theatre credits include Romeo and Juliet (Melbourne Shakespeare Company) and Share House: The Musical (Arts Centre Melbourne).
Charlotte Glover Duo
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- Sunday, 3 May
- Ivanhoe Library & Cultural Hub, 11.30am – 1.30pm
Melbourne-based vocalist Charlotte Glover is known for elegant, emotive performances rooted in jazz-funk and shaped by formal training at the Peter Vox Academy. Since last year’s Chillin’ appearance, she’s been a semi-finalist in the Two Bouys Unplugged Competition, the National Songwriting Prize and the Passport to Airlie Competition, as well as a runner-up in the Ascend Songwriting Competition. The duo has also taken things interstate, performing at Queensland’s Moreton Bay Festival.
Ania Reynolds
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- Sunday, 3 May
- Barklys Hotel, 1pm – 3pm
Ania Reynolds has been a professional musician for 25 years, serving as Musical Director for Circus Oz and Yothu Yindi and the Treaty Project among others. She performs two solo acts: a solo piano project heard in bars, restaurants and concert halls (including her op shop piano series Allegro Non Oppo), and Synthotronica, a high-energy project that’s performed across five continents and tours regularly to France and Japan. Her music is upbeat, joyful and suitable for all ages.
Week two: 8 – 10 May
AMA
- Friday, 8 May
- Archer K Music, 6pm – 8pm
Viewbank-based band AMA is made up of Ari Ghani (vocals/guitar), Alex Karageorge (drums), Liam Cameron (guitar) and Max Licata (bass). Hailing from Melbourne, this four-piece brings a tight, collaborative live sound to the stage.
Charlie & Co
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- Friday, 8 May
- The Grape and Hop Wine Bar, 7pm – 9pm
Melbourne’s newest neo-soul and funk outfit, Charlie & Co is a fresh collaboration between some of Australia’s most seasoned performers. Led by Charlotte Glover, whose powerhouse vocals fuse polish with playfulness, the band delivers vibrant, groove-soaked shows designed to get every crowd moving. Between them, members have performed at Glastonbury (UK), Dark Mofo (Tas), Moreton Bay Festival (Qld) and Brunswick Music Festival. Known for transforming venues into dance floors, Charlie & Co blends the warmth of classic soul with the spark of something brand new.
Pablo Naranjo
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- Saturday, 9 May
- Ivanhoe Library & Cultural Hub, 1pm – 3pm
Multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Pablo Naranjo has recorded four self-produced albums and collaborated with musicians from around the world, including members of the Melbourne, Vienna and Bogota Symphony Orchestras. His guitar-led music has featured in TV series, documentaries and films. His 2021 release Ecos del Frio was described as an expansive and meditative journey by Sydney’s Happy Mag, and his 2024 album Aurora’s Dream received widespread praise, with the single El Ultimo Hombre reaching semi-finalist status in the International Songwriting Competition and Unsigned Only Music Awards.
Corn Nut Creek
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- Saturday, 9 May
- Plat Coffee, 3pm – 5pm
Corn Nut Creek are storytellers who weave Appalachian traditions with a unique chamber-folk style, built on lush harmonies, intricate clawhammer banjo and a lilting fiddle. From New York and Melbourne, the duo met in Hong Kong over ten years ago and became spirit sisters in friendship and song. Nominated for two Australian Folk Music Awards in 2024 for their album Hearts in Bloom, the record sat in the top ten Australian Metro AMRAP Charts for two consecutive weeks and was featured in Country Queer and The Alternate Root (US). A new album is expected in 2026.
BBGs
- Saturday, 9 May
- Bar Eight, 7pm – 9pm
BBGs are a trio playing a mix of British, Aussie and American well-known songs, think Oasis, INXS, Coldplay and Adele, with an acoustic vibe that keeps things interesting through highs and lows across their sets.
Paul Molloy Acoustic
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- Sunday, 10 May
- Oregon Xpress, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Solo acoustic performer Paul Molloy covers a wide range of songs from the 1960s to now. An experienced singer and guitarist, he’s performed in pubs, clubs, bars, cafes and at private functions across solo, duo and full-band settings.
Siren
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- Sunday, 10 May
- The Train Yard Cafe, 12pm – 2pm
Siren is a sassy trio specialising in original and borrowed songs across an eclectic range of genres. Gutsy lead vocals, creamy harmonies and plenty of instrument swapping keeps this dynamic trio fresh and fun, fusing disco, pop, folk and heartbreak country. You’ll want to boogie, sing and chill all at once.
Week three: 14 – 17 May
Moose & Caz
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- Thursday, 14 May
- Ivanhoe Library & Cultural Hub, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Chris “Moose” Nash is an acoustic singer-songwriter whose songs are deeply rooted in Melbourne, drawing from three decades of life in this city and exploring the environment, nightlife, memorable characters and abstract narratives. Accompanied on cello by Carolyn “Caz” Gannell, a veteran of the shoegaze scene through her work with Laura, together they craft adult contemporary music with genuine depth. Moose is currently recording his debut album, due in early 2026.
Dr. Doctor (Darcy & Ross)
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- Friday, 15 May
- Plat Coffee, 3pm – 5pm
Dr. Doctor is a duo featuring Ross on lead vocals, a seasoned singer who has taken lead roles in many bands and musical productions, and Darcy on lead and rhythm guitar with harmony vocals. Together they cover many styles and genres, primarily well-known classic songs from rock, pop, country and soul, and enjoy reimagining songs in unexpected ways.
Brothers in Alms
- Friday, 15 May
- JagaJaga Bar, 7pm – 9pm
Brothers in Alms performs well-known classic songs in a semi-acoustic style, aiming to deliver genuine listening pleasure. Each performer brings over 35 years of individual experience across weddings, concerts, cafes and pubs.
Dan James
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- Saturday, 16 May
- Sunnyside Café, 11am – 1pm
Dan James has a laid-back style and smooth voice, providing the perfect acoustic backdrop, with the ability to ramp things up and fill the dance floor when the vibe calls for it. He’s played pubs and cafes as well as a wide range of private events, and is comfortable catering to diverse audiences.
Ned Burnham
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- Saturday, 16 May
- The Bearded Pig, 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Acoustic guitarist and vocalist Ned Burnham has performed at open mic nights and local fairs, and has played to audiences of up to 12,000 people at the Diamond Creek Fair. He performs with a mix of acoustic guitar, vocals and backing tracks.
Acoustic Foxx
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- Sunday, 17 May
- New Neighbour Coffee, 11am – 1pm
Acoustic Foxx is rooted in grunge rock while also delving into acoustic ballads with touches of blues and folk. Though he’s played in hard rock and pop/country rock bands, the acoustic solo project is where he lives, having played music since his early teens and gigged from his late teens right through to today.
Not My Lane
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- Sunday, 17 May
- Montmorency Reserve, 12pm – 2pm
Not My Lane is a young duo with big energy: ukulele and guitar player and powerhouse vocalist Lila Smith, and energetic drummer Lucais Ireland, who met through their local music school and joined forces in late 2024. Since then they’ve performed widely at local and regional festivals, busked at local markets and laid down original tracks in the recording studio. They cross genres, challenge expectations and bring their own unique style to a growing catalogue of originals and covers.
Sweet Nothings
- Sunday, 17 May
- Barklys Hotel, 2pm – 4pm
Sweet Nothings brings together pianist and vintage keyboard aficionado Joel Smithard, in heavy demand across Melbourne’s music scene, and Blin Vanheems, who fronted her band Daisy West for years with a powerful voice and a gift for holding an audience. Together they explore old school dreamy jazz classics with sensitivity, warmth and an unashamedly nostalgic spirit. Heartfelt, timeless and a little like an old movie.
Week four: 21 – 24 May
Eamonn Connor
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- Thursday, 21 May
- JagaJaga Bar, 6pm – 8pm
Naarm/Melbourne-based pop artist and songwriter Eamonn Connor creates bright, emotionally honest music that sits between modern pop and soulful R&B, with catchy hooks, tight grooves and late-night drive storytelling. His work blends polished production with live-band energy, shaped by years of performing across Victoria and building a grassroots audience show by show. He has released multiple EPs, including Last Chance Romance, and continues developing a growing catalogue of original music.
Sage Marie
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- Friday, 22 May
- Ivanhoe Library & Cultural Hub, 1pm – 3pm
Indie pop folk artist Sage Marie is making waves with a captivating sound and heartfelt lyrics, pairing her enchanting voice with ukulele in sets that work for all ages. She produces her own music and has performed at Federation Square and appeared on local television. Her music celebrates acceptance, resilience and the strength to move forward.
Paul Howard Duo
- Friday, 22 May
- Bar Eight, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Led by singer-songwriter Paul Howard, the Paul Howard Duo delivers original Australian folk rock with evocative vocals and emotional depth. Drawing inspiration from life’s many experiences, including love lost and found, memorable places and faces, Paul’s music defies easy categorisation, though its authenticity and storytelling draw comparisons to The Whitlams.
Toby Aitken
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- Saturday, 23 May
- Heidelberg Artists Society, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Currently studying jazz at the University of Melbourne, Toby Aitken performs regularly with various groups, bands and as a solo artist. He writes folk, pop and jazz songs on piano and loves to sing along; it’s his main passion and it shows.
Dean Wittmann-Lamb
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- Saturday, 23 May
- Oregon Xpress, 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Dean Wittmann-Lamb is an experienced solo performer working through a catalogue of classic songs across many decades, all delivered in a soulful acoustic vibe.
Coconut Shy
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- Saturday, 23 May
- The Grape & Hop Wine Bar, 6pm – 8pm
Indie/folk alternative-rock outfit Coconut Shy formed in Naarm/Melbourne in 2025, when singer-songwriter Joseph Mackey brought together bassist Dylan Noble, lead guitarist Timothy Chivers and drummer Matthew Meehan-Lam. Beginning as a solo bedroom project, the act evolved into a full four-piece with a sound that spans soft acoustic fingerpicking, heavier strumming, introspective lyrics and catchy choruses. Music made for singalongs around a campfire, road trips to the beach and rainy afternoons indoors.
Tia, Matt & Priit
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- Sunday, 24 May
- The Train Yard Cafe, 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Tia, Matt and Priit are a trio consisting of vocalist and songwriter Tia Kaal (24), whose neo-soul style draws comparisons to Amy Winehouse, keyboard player and songwriter Matt Kaal (26), and Priit Kaal, a seasoned pub rock musician from the 1980s. They perform original music alongside select covers, and are excited to be back as part of this year’s Chillin’ in Banyule programme.
The Hook Turns
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- Sunday, 24 May
- Archer K Music, 3pm – 5pm
Sam Baseggio (lead vocals), Fergus Tough (lead guitar and vocals), Jack Fray (bass) and Gordon Davies (drums) make up a Melbourne-based cover band that’s proof rock ‘n’ roll doesn’t end when the kids arrive; it just starts a little earlier in the evening. Drawing on their Xennial upbringings, the band covers everything from soulful pop to light rock classics, bringing nostalgic energy and a reminder that music is about connection, community and getting to bed by 10pm.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Banyule City Council.
