One of Melbourne’s most iconic music venues turns it on in July.
Live music, comedy and pop tribute shows come to The Espy Basement and the world-renowned Gershwin Room this month.
There’ll be headline shows by hyped glam rockers, up and coming pop and indie acts, and Australian soul royals, plus an all-ages afternoon live sesh, and tributes to Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams.
Some things never go out of style, and The Espy is one of them.
Check out our gig guide here.
Comedy at The Espy: David Rose, Robyn Reynolds & Evan Hocking
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- Wednesday 1 July
- Espy Basement
- Free with RSVP
These three Melbourne-based comedians will be taking the stage in the Espy Basement for a night of LOLs. Robyn Reynolds was nominated for best newcomer at last year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Evan Hocking has opened for Dave Hughes and is the co-host of the Good Banter podcast. David Rose has notched up 20 million views online and opened for Vir Das and Modi Rosenfeld.
Shy Ivy
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- Thursday 2 July
- Espy Basement
- Free with RSVP
Local trio Shy Ivy are gearing up for their debut headline show in the Espy Basement with support from The Robbies and The Routine. Having released their first single, Squeeze, at the end of April, Shy Ivy are launching their latest release, Tucked In, at the Espy.
Jett Blyton
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- Friday 3 July
- Espy Basement
- Tickets here
Sydney-based pop artist Jett Blyton is just 19 years old, but he’s enjoying a surge in popularity. Blyton’s single Apeshit went viral last year, and his latest, American Heartthrob, has also reached an international audience, including notable fans Sabrina Carpenter and Audrey Hobert. Blyton’s American Heartthrob tour comes to the Espy Basement for his biggest Melbourne headline show to date.
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough: Michael Jackson Club Night
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- Friday 10 July
- Gershwin Room
- Tickets here
This event is exactly as advertised: there’ll be DJs playing Michael Jackson hits to a busy dance floor. You can expect to hear the titular Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough, from 1979’s Off the Wall, as well as all of Jackson’s big hits from the 80s, such as Billie Jean, Beat It, Human Nature, Smooth Criminal and Bad, plus 1991’s Black or White, and many more.
Starcrazy
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- Friday 10 July
- Espy Basement
- Tickets here
Sydney glam rock and power pop outfit Starcrazy are touring in support of their latest single, Prove Myself. Since forming in 2020, Starcrazy have received the support of Alice Cooper, opened for Redd Kross, Baby Animals, Faster Pussycat and Wednesday 13, and had their single, The Big Time, played during Major League Baseball games. They describe their sound as a cross between Jane’s Addiction and Cheap Trick.
Kylie Vs Robbie – The Ultimate Pop Tribute Show
- Saturday 11 July
- Gershwin Room
- Tickets here
It’s more than a quarter of a century since Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue teamed up for the iconic single, Kids, which appeared on Minogue’s album Light Years (along with another Williams co-write, Your Disco Needs You) and Williams’ album Sing When You’re Winning. The two artists’ glorious careers will be celebrated in this live show starring Rachel Rischin and Paul Hogan, along with dance choreography and plenty of audience interaction.
Beneath The Noise feat. Mailey, Elyzium Falls and Devil’s Darling
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- Saturday 11 July
- Espy Basement
- Tickets here
The mission of the Beneath the Noise live music series is to foster community around local bands and to provide a platform for the stars of tomorrow. Or, as they say in their event blurb, to remind everyone that “the biggest bands all started on the smallest stages.” The second instalment of Beneath the Noise features metal bands Elyzium Falls and Devil’s Darling and grungey shoegazers Mailey.
Repented: Bring Me The Horizon Appreciation Night
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- Friday 17 July
- Gershwin Room
- Tickets here
Bring Me the Horizon released their debut album, Count Your Blessings, in 2006. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the band recently re-recorded the whole album, which is being released as Count Your Blessings: Repented. Emo and pop punk party collective Taking Back Saturday are coming to Melbourne for a BMTH appreciation night, with DJs playing music from all seven of the band’s albums, plus other alternative hits.
drest
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- Saturday 18 July
- Espy Basement
- Tickets here
Tristan Doyle is drest, an indie rock and pop musician whose music will appeal to fans of Dominic Fike, Ruel and Role Model. drest’s new single, pyromania, has been supported by triple j’s Anika Luna, and he’ll be launching it in style at the Espy with support from Matilda Pearl.
RAWKUS Live: Alice Isabella, Emma Yue, Fauna, The Pearlies
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- Sunday 19 July
- Espy Basement
- Tickets here
RAWKUS Live is a joint project for the City of Port Phillip’s Unsigned Youth Events committee and Rock Academy Australia. It’s an all ages afternoon affair in the Espy Basement, featuring sets from emerging indie-pop singer-songwriter Alice Isabella, folk pop singer-songwriter Emma Yue, indie and garage rock band Fauna, and jangle pop outfit The Pearlies.
Grand WaZoo
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- Saturday 25 July
- Gershwin Room
- Tickets here
Led by former Kush trumpeter arranger, John Montesante, Grand WaZoo regard themselves as Australia’s most “authentic, respected and enduring” soul ensemble. The 14-piece band, featuring a big horn section and multiple vocalists, are celebrating 45 years of soul music with a show in their hometown of St Kilda. They’ll be playing 1960s and 70s soul, Motown and R&B, plus some originals.
For everything happening at The Espy, head here.
