The lead up to Christmas – and adult life in general – can leave you pretty strapped for cash, but don’t let that deter you from your gig-going ways. Melbourne Music Week (MMW) is back for another year of incredible live music, talks and explorations of sound and, as always, there’s a huge offering of free events for all you cheapskates, penny pinchers and strict savers. And hey, without having to factor ticket costs into the equation, you can head along to as many events as you please without having to worry about how to pay rent that week. If that’s not enough incentive to head along, we’ve even done the hard yards and compiled five of the top MMW free events for you. Check out our itinerary below.
MMW Talks: Sound Healing and Music Therapy
As every music lover is well aware, sound can be extremely therapeutic, but have you ever wondered what it is about music that has such a soothing effect on our psyches? MMW’s Talks series aims to tackle this question through Sound Healing and Music Therapy, a discussion exploring the relationship between music and health featuring Head of Music Therapy at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Emma O’Brien. In addition to an in-depth conversation about the effects of music on our brains, the talk will be followed by a sound bath, courtesy of gong practitioner Mona Ruijs, followed by a DJ set by Mistletone label owner and LNWY podcast, The Witching Hour, curator Sophie Miles.
Catch MMW Talks: Sound Healing and Music Therapy at MP Pavilion, Queen Victoria Gardens on Sunday November 18 at 12pm.
Alice Skye + Friends
Following a hugely successful year for Alice Sky, the singer-songwriter will bring her latest album Friends with Feelings to the stage as part of MMW. After capturing the attention of triple j, Sky has been on a trajectory to the top, with 2018 alone seeing her win triple j’s Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards competition and the inaugural First Peoples Emerging Artist Award on International Women’s Day. She’ll be bringing along a slew of musical guests for what’s set to be a momentous performance not to be missed.
Catch Alice Sky + Friends at MP Pavilion, Queen Victoria Gardens on Sunday November 18 at 4pm.
Now Sound: Melbourne’s Listening
Since its sold-out debut at Melbourne International Film Festival, documentary Now Sound: Melbourne’s Listening has been dubbed a must-see for all music-loving Melburnians. Documenting the multi-faceted culture of Melbourne’s live music scene through interviews with musicians, venue owners, record label founders, community radio presenters and just about everyone else involved in the tight-knit community, KEWL Studios production Now Sound: Melbourne’s Listening offers an intricately detailed insight into the passionate community driving the live music scene in Melbourne’s Inner North.
Catch ‘Now Sound: Melbourne’s Listening‘ at Rooftop Cinema, CBD on Wednesday November 21 at 9pm.
Warped + LAZERTITS + Horace Bones + Hideous Sun Demon
As part of PBS’ live to air special, Fang It!, Geelong based outfit Warped will be blasting white-hot noise all over Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar. With 21 years and countless albums under their belt, Warped have been veterans of the Melbourne music scene since signing with the city’s infamous independent record label, Au Go Go. In addition to what’s bound to be a face-meltingly ferocious set from Warped, fellow local legends LAZERTITS, Horace Bones and Hideous Sun Demon will round out the occasion with some blistering tunes to keep you boogieing into the night.
Catch Warped + LAZERTITS + Horace Bones + Hideous Sun Demon at Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar on Thursday November 22 from 4pm – 7pm.
Push Over – The Push’s 30th Anniversary
Victorian youth music organisation, The Push, is celebrating its third decade with a party for the ages. Push Over is Victoria’s longest running all-ages live music event, and they’ve devised an unmissable lineup for its return. Featuring Allday, Ruby Fields, KIAN, and members of Spiderbait, Something For Kate and Jebediah, this is set to be a hell of a birthday bash. Push Over has been an integral part of Melbourne’s music history, the all-ages live event spanning 20 years and helping launch the careers of The Avalanches, silverchair, British India, The Living End, Killing Heidi and more. Returning for a special one-off event, this is certainly one to tick off the bucket list.
Happening on Saturday November 24 in Federation Square from 5pm – 9pm.
