With the return of ALWAYS LIVE just around the corner, we’ve decided to shout out a handful of the ones to watch on the mammoth At Series program.
Soon, ALWAYS LIVE will take over the state to host more than 100 shows across Victoria, using Melbourne as its epicentre for 17 sweet days. This year, for the first time, the festival has launched its AT Series, packed with intimate live events held in 40 of the city’s most cherished local venues.
From November 22 to December 8, from the Corner to the Gaso, an extensive and diverse set of intimate live events that celebrate the state’s vibrant music scene is set to take over. If you’re thinking of snagging tix, look no further. These are the acts we’re most excited about.
ALWAYS LIVE 2024
- 22 November – 8 December
- Get tickets at www.alwayslive.com.au
Explore Melbourne’s latest arts and stage news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Anees
- 22 November
- Max Watts
- With PANIA
- Tickets here
Whether singing the slow jam hooks or doing the tongue-twisting raps, Anees doesn’t disappoint. This genre-defying American sings straight from the heart and you better bet he can get anyone to revel in his grooves. Accompanying him on the day will be Melbourne-raised PANIA, who has a fresh, soul-stirring sound that will knock your socks off.
BANKS
- 27 November
- Northcote Theatre
- With special guests
- Tickets here
BANKS never ceases to amaze audiences everywhere she goes with her heartbreaking pop RnB magic. With milestone shows only being staged in London, New York, Los Angeles and now Melbourne, the American sensation will play an ANZ-exclusive one-off show at Northcote Theatre, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of her debut album Goddess.
KAIIT
- 1 December,
- Matinee 1:30pm, evening show 7:30pm
- The Toff in Town
- With that Kid Maz and Harry Swift
- Tickets here
With hard bars and smooth-on-the-ear melodies being sung with the biggest pride, it’s easy to see why Kaiit got co-signed by Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. This Melbourne neo-soul singer invites you into a soulful evening at the Toff where she will be sharing unreleased songs, including two Victorian exclusive previews of her new album with special guests That Kid Maz and Harry Swift.
Grace Cummings
- 5 December
- Athenaeum Theatre
- Tickets here
Melbourne singer-songwriter Grace Cummings started as a drummer doing Jimi Hendrix and AC/DC covers with her band, but her solo endeavours that came after are more reminiscent of Paul Kelly and Bob Dylan. Her majestic voice is a force to behold, as it is on her newest album Ramona which has beautiful introspective lyrics and heavenly compositions that fit her vocals like a puzzle.
The Victorian alt-rock singer-songwriter will play her final Melbourne show for the year with an all-Victorian line-up at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre presented by Supersonic and 3RRR.
Bôa
- 1 + 2 December
- Corner Hotel and Northcote Theatre
- With special guests
- Tickets here
Having only released two full-length albums within three decades, a TikTok-fueled resurgence of their 1998 hit Duvet brought Bôa into the studio again, followed by the long-awaited release of their newest album Whiplash which did not disappoint!
I mean who doesn’t like some good ol’ sweet alt-rock love songs? Pick up tickets now and get mellowed by old and new tunes of the UK band at the Corner Hotel and the Northcote Theatre.
Andy Shauf
- 3 December
- Corner Hotel
- With Annie Rose Maloney
- Tickets here
If there’s one thing to expect from Andy Shauf‘s songs is that the emotional pen game does not pull any punches. That is more apparent than ever in the Canadian singer-songwriter’s eighth album Norm which features some devastating reflective lyrics carried by some excellent folk instrumentals and dynamic arrangements.
Andy will be performing alongside Annie Rose Maloney and she’s got her fair share of folk and country tunes to cry to as well. Don’t forget to bring tissues!
Sarah Blasko
- 6 December
- Northcote Theatre
- With special guests
- Tickets here
Prepare yourselves for a night of sentimental and moody pop-rock anthems, as three-time ARIA winner Sarah Blasko takes on the stage at the Northcote Theatre. The prolific songwriter will be performing her classic hits as well as songs from her latest album I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain which is due to be released on the first of November.
Jack White
- 7 December
- Corner Hotel, Richmond
- With special guests
- Tickets here
Fresh off his latest album No Name, rock legend Jack White will be returning to the Corner Hotel – the place where he came up with the iconic Seven Nation Army riff. There’s not much left to be said when it comes to this guitar virtuoso, just look forward to a handful of explosive punk energy, wicked bluesy riffs and fiery vocal performances throughout the evening.
Sex Mask
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- 7 December
- The Evelyn
- With special guests
- RSVP here
With super unapologetic verses, genre-fluid song compositions, a volatile vibe and some catchy pop bits sprinkled in, Sex Mask is everything you want from a post-punk band. Book now so you can witness this Melbourne trio blow the roof of the Evelyn for free. Damn good deal!
Northcote Social Club Songlines 30th Anniversary Show
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- 8 December
- Northcote Social Club
- Tickets here
On the last day of ALWAYS LIVE, Northcote Social Club will host an extraordinary night of performances from the finest First Nations musicians – The Richard Franklin Band, Leonie Whyman, Crooked TP, Sky Shaw and Dylan Kerr.
This special event marks the 30th anniversary of Songlines, celebrating three decades of championing First Nations music and culture.
To follow up on everything about ALWAYS LIVE, head here.
