Here’s your detailed guide to every event happening at The Espy this month.
Buckle up, you guys, because The Espy will be bumping from the start of May until the finish. While beach days may be behind us, you can still get a taste of that sweet salty air from your comfortable seat at The Espy – beer in hand, of course.
And if that’s not enough to get you down there, we’re sure the events calendar will be. From massive dance parties to hilarious comedy with plenty of free gigs, up-and-comers and day time sessions in between.
Without further ado, here she is!
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
The Robbies
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- 8 May
- Tickets here
Alt-rock-folk trio The Robbies are throwing a hometown EP launch party in the Espy Basement to celebrate their fresh release Millipede Microphone. They’ll be joined by local rockers The Hollows and BLOOM for a night of musical goodness with plenty of energy.
Shilo | Hot May Night
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- 8 May
- Tickets here
Get ready to belt out some Sweet Caroline because Shilo is bringing a full-on Neil Diamond celebration to the Gershwin Room for a Hot May Night. Prepare yourself for all the classics from Cracklin’ Rosie to Solitary Man delivered with that crowd-pleasing energy that turns the whole room into one big singalong.
LUDES
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- 9 May
- Tickets here
LUDES, the five-piece electro-dance outfit hailing from Melbourne, are bringing the funk, grooves and good times to the Espy Basement on Saturday night alongside Please People and Real Good Company. It’s gonna be a sweaty, smiley basement session, so get in early because these ones tend to fill up.
Project Mayhem
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- 15 May
- Tickets here
Widely adored cover band Project Mayhem is cranking out a massive night of 90s and 2000s rock anthems in the Basement, covering the likes of Linkin Park, Blink-182, Foo Fighters and more. One night wasn’t enough, so get ready for round two. It’ll be a high-energy nostalgia bomb that’ll have you screaming every chorus like it’s 2003 again.
Don’t Change – Ultimate INXS | Stay Young Tour
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- 15 May
- Tickets here
Don’t Change are delivering the full Ultimate INXS experience in the Gershwin Room as part of their Stay Young Tour. All the swagger, hooks and anthems from the Aussie legends, played live with serious love and energy. If you grew up on INXS, this Friday night tribute is non-negotiable.
Lara Buchanan
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- 16 May
- Tickets here
Rising local talent Lara Buchanan is hitting the Espy with her Gold Town material, bringing catchy, heartfelt originals that blend fresh alternative-pop sounds with real Melbourne heart. It’ll be a great chance to catch an artist on the rise in one of the city’s most loved rooms.
HamilTown: Hamilton vs Hadestown Club Night
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- 22 May
- Tickets here
Singing Hamilton and Hadestown bangers all night in a club? YES THANKS! Best of Both Worlds is taking over the Espy Gershwin Room for a massive Hamilton vs Hadestown tribute party where the DJs will be spinning show tunes from both musicals plus a huge stack of your favourites from Wicked, Rent, Mamma Mia, Grease, The Greatest Showman, Six, Heathers and heaps more.
Albert Park
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- 23 May
- Tickets here
Albert Park are stepping back into the spotlight with the launch of their debut EP Punch Drunk Albert in the Gershwin Room at The Espy. This punchy, hook-laden pop-rock release is packed with heart, romance, and high energy, blending raw emotion with infectious melodies that sit somewhere between nostalgic ’60s jangle and gritty ’90s swagger.
Highline
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- 23 May
- Tickets here
Highline are rolling through with their Afterview Tour, celebrating the release of their second studio album in the Espy Basement. Backed by special guests Amanduh and Manorism, it’ll be the kind of gig that feels both new and comfortably familiar.
Frankie Venter
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- 24 May
- Tickets here
Rising New Zealand pop star Frankie Venter is bringing her debut EP A Big Deal To Me to the Espy Basement for an all-ages Sunday afternoon show. Fresh off a massive year that included opening for Coldplay at Eden Park, touring with Six60, and a sold-out run with Malcolm Todd, the fast-rising Aotearoa talent is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young pop voices around.
RocKwiz Live
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The legendary RocKwiz returns to where it all began for four massive nights in the Gershwin Room. Hosted by Julia, Brian, Dugald and the full RocKwiz OrKestra with special guests each night, it’s music trivia, live performances and chaotic interactive fun filmed in front of a pumped crowd. These are St Kilda institutions, so get in early because they always sell out.
From the Tokyo Underground: SISTER PAUL
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- 28 May
- Free entry
Japanese underground legends SISTER PAUL are stopping in for a one-off free show on Thursday night, and it’s an absolute steal. These New Wave rockers bring Tokyo’s tightest beat, a fiercely original style, and a visual spectacle that sucks you in before smashing you with their tough, rocking sound. They’re in Australia launching their new 3-track 7” vinyl EP Burn Up My Heart, and this is their only southside Melbourne gig.
St. Kild ‘N’ Doom | Megalomania The Australian Black Sabbath Tribute Show
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- 30 May
- Tickets here
St Kild ‘N’ Doom are coming for one massive night of doom and groove metal. This crew is delivering the full Birmingham sound as close as you’ll get to Ozzy right now. On support, local heavy hitters Rawtism bring their barrage of punching riffs, blistering solos and gravel-throated screams while three-piece groove metal rippers Emperor Moth serve up tight ‘90s-inspired grooves.
Brendon Siemsen Trio
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- 31 May
- Free entry
Brendon Siemsen Trio are wrapping up May with a chilled Sunday session in the Espy Basement, and best of all, it’s completely free entry! The Melbourne guitarist leads a groove-driven trio pulling original instrumental tracks from his EP Soul Story, blending smooth jazz, blues and rock with plenty of melody and improvisation.
For more information on The Espy, head here.
This article was made in partnership with The Espy.
