Featuring 150 artists at 90+ events over 12 regions, Always Live is Victoria's newest major event.
From the Goldfields to the Grampians, Bendigo to Bright, Melbourne to the Murray – today, Victoria’s newest major event, ALWAYS LIVE, releases further details on its ambitious state-wide celebration of live contemporary music. Here’s everything that’s on:
Dua Lipa
The UK disco-pop superstar is playing an intimate gig at St Kilda’s own Palais Theatre. It’s an exclusive and never-to-be-repeated live music experience that marks the only small theatre show of her global tour. She’ll be performing to 2,500 lucky punters on Sunday October 3, with tickets chosen by a ballot system.
Dua Lipa is playing a surprise intimate Melbourne gig at The Palais in St Kilda
Crowded House
Taking to the stage at Gateway Lakes on the banks of the Murray River are the iconic Crowded House. Performing in Wodonga, the beloved Australian 80s pop rock band will perform an unmissable gig. They’ll be joined by Angus and Julia Stone and Boy & Bear for an unforgettable show on Sunday November 13.
Crowded House set to play exclusive show on the Murray River
Sampa the Great
With the release of her latest album As Above so Below, Sampa the Great is performing at Hamer Hall at Melbourne Recital Centre on Friday December 9. Known for her explosive visuals and poignant lyricism, Sampa the Great is a formidable force in modern hip hop, kicking down the door to usher in a new wave of artistry for the genre. Sampa’s already playing two Melbourne dates, September 24 and 26, at Rod Laver Arena supporting Billie Eilish.
Sampa the Great announces Melbourne show at Hamer Hall in December
Toro y Moi
Playing a special show at Northcote Theatre on November 23. Taking place the day before he’s set to appear at John Cain arena in support of Flume’s Australian headline tour. Recognised as a pioneer of chillwave, his works traverse the terrain of indie rock, ambient and techno. It’s the first time he’s been in Australia since 2012.
Big Thief
Playing an all-ages show, Big Thief are bringing their intensely beautiful folk rock to Melbourne Recital Centre’s Elizabeth Murdoch Hall on Friday November 30. We had a glowing review for one of their most recent Melbourne shows, noting that “weaving through a solid set of tracks from both of their studio albums (and a couple of new ones), the Howler crowd were treated to an insight into what makes the Brooklyn-based band so magnetic.”
Claptone
Enigmatic German DJ and producer Claptone is bringing his intriguing event concept The Masquerade to St Kilda Beach. Joined by local acts Late Nite Tuff Guy, Torren Foote, Casey Leaver and Sasha Fern, it all goes down at The Riva on November 19. “I love to make the people curious, scared, excited, amused, anxious, euphoric, sad and happy,” he told us in our last interview with the mysterious masked DJ. “I don’t produce dance music, I create sound. Sound that reaches into your soul and touches your body.”
& so much more …
Offering something for live music fans everywhere, the ALWAYS LIVE program will see a string of world-class international artists heading to our shores, along with the cream of Australia’s music talent.
One of the country’s most celebrated and loved entertainers, multiple ARIA award-winning R&B/pop artist, songwriter and actress, Jessica Mauboy, will perform a special concert for the community of Bright alongside a line-up of incredible rising stars at the town’s Pioneer Park.
At Hamer Hall, trailblazing legends Yothu Yindi will deliver a special appearance as part of Blaktivism, which will bring together established and rising First Nations musical activists to explore and highlight the Black Lives Matter movement in an Australian context. Showcasing Yothu Yindi’s unique style, which combines the ancient song cycles of north-east Arnhem land with western rock, this show is not to be missed.
Melbourne’s The Teskey Brothers have curated a phenomenal, soul-drenched lineup of artists for their Lovely Day showcase to welcome summer by the bay at St Kilda’s Palace Foreshore. Headlining the perfect afternoon-into-evening event, The Teskey Brothers will be joined by New York R&B/soul singer Emily King, performing in Australia for the first time since 2017, with support from local artists, Elsy Wameyo and Emma Volard.
100 lucky fans can experience an intimate audience with Sophie Ellis-Bextor (UK) in the idyllic surrounds of the NGV Garden Restaurant.
‘Murder On The Dancefloor’: Sophie Ellis-Bextor announces intimate NGV Melbourne show
World Class rapper, Indigenous advocate and Shep-resentative BRIGGS will be bringing his Bad Apple Music crew for a huge night of Blak Excellence at The Curtin Hotel as part of their Bad Apples House Party, including performances from First Nation’s talent BRIGGS, Mo’Ju and Chasing Ghosts plus more to be announced.
Melbourne institution Chapter Music will be celebrating their 30th birthday with a huge all-day party. Chapterfest 30 will feature artists from their expansive roster including Melbourne’s heat beat icons NO ZU, revered Sydney songwriter Laura Jean (solo), eccentric pop auteur Gregor and future rap duo Teether & Kuya Neil, plus many more.
Returning to Footscray Community Arts for a day of music and arts synergy is FLOW Festival, featuring The Far Side (FKA The Pharcyde), Kamaal Williams, THNDO, Elsy Wameyo, Wayne Snow and more. Championing new movements in Hip Hop, Soul, RnB, Jazz and everything soulful, this culturally diverse and gender-balanced line-up provides a safe space for all communities and creatives.
Indie darlings Frente will celebrate the 30th anniversary of multi-platinum, internationally lauded Marvin the Album. Spawning era defining classics like ‘Accidentally Kelly St’, ‘Labour of Love’ and ‘Ordinary Angels’, Simon Austin and Angie Hart will perform this special album in full and together for the first time in years at Brunswick Ballroom.
The Rockin’ the ‘Burbs series will see a line-up of Aus-rock icons take to the stage at some of Melbourne’s most iconic suburban heritage venues. Names include Magic Dirt, Wendy Matthews, Kate Ceberano, The Black Sorrows and many more.
Metro Melbourne dates:
- An Exclusive evening with Dua Lipa (UK), Palais Theatre – Sunday 3 October
- An Intimate Audience with Sophie Ellis-Bextor (UK), NGV International Garden Restaurant – Thursday 11 November
- Big Thief (USA), Melbourne Recital Centre Friday – 30 November
- Bad Apples House Party: Briggs, Mo’Ju Chasing Ghosts and more, The Curtin Hotel – Saturday 5 November
- Blaktivisim: Yothu Yindi, Arts Centre Melbourne – Saturday 5 November
- Chapterfest 30, Northcote Theatre – Saturday 5 November
- Claptone (GER): The Masquerade, Riva – Sat 19 November
- Frente 30 Years of ‘Marvin The Album’, Brunswick Ballroom – Thursday 24 November
- Flow Festival, Footscray Community Arts Centre – Saturday 5 November
- Jess Cornelius (NZ), The Night Cat – Saturday 19 November
- Lovely Day, Palais Foreshore – Sunday 4 December
- Rockin’ the Burbs, Various – Saturday 22 – Monday 31 October Sunday 4 December, Palace Foreshore
- Sampa the Great, Hamer Hall – Friday 9 December, Palace Foreshore
- Toro Y Moi (USA), Northcote Social Club – Wednesday 23 November
Check out Melbourne’s most comprehensive gig guide here.
Unique accommodation meets live music event, as cult music series OK Motels makes its way back up the Calder for a special ALWAYS LIVE edition in the north-central Victorian town of Charlton. Featuring Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, Nice Biscuit, Elizabeth, Vintage Crop, and a stack more, this one promises good times and plenty of old-fashioned country hospitality.
Then in Bendigo, catch some rays at the inaugural Almost Summer Music Festival. Bringing a bounty of hot talent, the line-up features 16 acts including Black Cab, Gabriella Cohen, Kardajala Kirridarra, Pookie and more, over three stacked days. Think squelchy pop-disco, flirty folk, edgy hip hop, new school R&B, motivated slackers and alt-country – an unmissable happening.
The new additions add to the jaw-dropping roster of previously announced shows. These include Billy Joel at Melbourne Cricket Ground with Tina Arena, which sold out within a day; Nick Cave and Warren Ellis at Hanging Rock in the Macedon Ranges with Courtney Barnett playing two nights; Khruangbin at Sidney Myer Music Bowl in an exclusive line up with Kamasi Washington and Mildlife; Amyl and the Sniffers headlining cult festival Chopped in Victoria’s Goldfields; Tash Sultana headlining Ocean Sounds in Phillip Island; Baker Boy, Isabella Manfredi, Middle Kids and RVG in the Queenscliff Music Festival program; plus Alice Skye performing in Horsham and Isaiah Firebrace performing near Echuca as part of Hometown.
Regional Victoria dates:
- Almost Summer Festival – Capital Theatre, Bendigo – Kardajala Kirridarra, Black Cab, Bananagun, Cool Sounds, Pookie, Phoebe Go, Suzi +++ Friday 25 – Sunday 27 November 2022
- Chopped Festival – Carisbrook – Amyl and the Sniffers plus Andy Golledge, C.O.F.F.I.N, Smoke Witch and many more, Friday 2, Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 December 2022
- Hometown: Alice Skye – Sawyer Park Sound Shell, Horsham – Saturday 10 December 2022
- Hometown: Isaiah Firebrace – Girgarre Sound Shell, near Echuca – Sunday 4 December 2022
- Jessica Mauboy – Pioneer Park, Bright – Saturday 12 November 2022
- Nick Cave & Warren Ellis – Hanging Rock – Supported by Courtney Barnett, Friday 25 & Saturday 26 November 2022
- OK Motels – Charlton – Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, Nice Biscuit, Elizabeth, Vintage Crop, Bad Bangs, Skyscraper Stan, Kino Motel, Smarts, Baby Cool, Enola and more, Friday 28 – Sunday 30 October 2022
- QMF x First Plays – Queenscliff Music Festival – Baker Boy, Isabella Manfredi, Middle Kids & RVG, Friday 25 – Sunday 27 November 2022
- Tash Sultana (Ocean Sounds) – Churchill Island – Tash Sultana with Pierce Brothers, Kim Churchill, Kee’ahn, Little Green and Mark Howard, Saturday 10 December 2022
Keep up to date with Always Live by heading to their website.
