Kew Court House's original lock-up cells now form the foyer for a 2026 Melbourne concert series spanning blues to psychedelic rock.
Live music in Melbourne is moving into an 1888 magistrates’ court with red-brick walls and a second life.
Matsumura Blues Festival Inc has locked in its 2026 Jailhouse Concert Series at Kew Court House, bringing blues, indie folk, bluegrass swing, psychedelic rock and Americana to the converted magistrates’ court at 188 High Street, Kew.
Original lock-up cells have been preserved in the foyer, creating an unusually atmospheric entry point for what’s become a boutique concert series. With only around 80 tickets per show, the theatre-style setting offers something closer to an intimate living room performance than your standard venue experience.
Melbourne Jailhouse Concert Series 2026
- Where: Kew Court House, 188 High Street, Kew
- When: February–August 2026
- Capacity: Around 80 per show
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Matsumura has curated a lineup spanning folk, alt-country, blues and gypsy-jazz for 2026. Sand Pebbles kick things off in February with two sets of hypnotic psychedelic rock. Matt Joe Gow brings his award-winning alt-country songwriting in March. April sees The Hootie Tooties deliver bluegrass and gypsy-jazz influenced by Tom Waits and Jerry Garcia, complete with four-part harmonies and tongue-in-cheek lyrics.
CJ Commerford & The Supertones arrive in May with ’70s big-band blues and soul. June features a double bill with Garry Allen Blues Band and Suzie So Blue. August wraps the series with Australian alt-folk artists Kris Mizzi, Amy Vee and Anna Weatherup teaming up for what’s essentially a mini folk fest.
Founded and run by volunteers, Matsumura Blues Festival has received support from the City of Boroondara and Rotary Club of Balwyn through community-strengthening grants. On 21 November 2026, the organisation was awarded an Australian Government Revive Live Grant to continue concerts into late 2026 and early 2027.
Kew Court House faced potential demolition before being preserved and reimagined as a cultural hub. Now it functions as both heritage site and active venue, connecting the building’s past with Melbourne’s current music scene, and we think it makes for a wonderful pair.
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