City of Stonnington is bringing Sunset Sounds back to two of its most beautiful public parks this month.
Over two funk-filled weekends this month, the free Sunset Sounds will showcase musical talent from around Australia, both young and old, in the name of liveability and well-being.
For the 10th straight year, City of Stonnington is bringing a line-up of jazz, soul and blues-inspired acts to its parks. The event has grown so large that no single Sunday can contain it, so lucky for us it’s being spread across two weekends and two beautiful parks. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic rug and shack up for long, lazy Sunday afternoons of wonderful tunes.
Bring your own snacks or don’t, as some of Melbourne’s best food trucks will be there as an accompaniment to the musical festivities. The events are free, all-inclusive, accessible and suitable for patrons of any age.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Sunday 14 January
- Located at Central Park, Malvern East
- Featuring JAZZPARTY and Squid Nebula, hosted by DJ Lyndelle Wilkinson
- Music starts from 5pm
- Includes food trucks
January 14’s event will be held at Central Park in Malvern East and headlined by the eclectic JAZZPARTY. They’ll be supported by Squid Nebula, with MC and DJ duties belonging to PBS’s own DJ Lyndelle Wilkinson.
JAZZPARTY belie easy musical categorisation. The group blends elements of jazz, rock n roll, calypso and even some polka elements to sound at once timeless yet oddly modern. At times tongue in cheek and at times deathly serious, they are always entertaining. Their compositions skulk along with the composure of a black cat, as they build on their grooves with ever-changing musical flourishes and instrumentation. It is hard to think of a headliner better suited to a Sunday afternoon in the summer than JAZZPARTY.
Squid Nebula are a Naarm supergroup of sorts, comprising members from several groups spanning several genres in the area. They are fronted by Naarm-based, proud Noongar woman Bumpy. The group have a futuristic sound, combining jazz and funk grooves with reverb-soaked and psychedelia inspired guitar riffs.
Bumpy’s vocals are smooth and effortless, as they glide over the intricate compositions of the group underneath. DJ Lyndelle Wilkinson, host of PBS’s The Afterglow, has a musical taste that fits in perfectly with the two acts, and will no doubt provide a great compliment to the performances.
Sunday 21 January
- Located at Victoria Gardens, Prahran
- Featuring Mama Kin Spender and Danika Hosted by DJ Elle Young
- Music starts at 5pm
- Includes food trucks
The event on January 21 will be held at Victoria Gardens in Prahran. This Sunday has a more blues and folk-inspired line-up, headlined by Mama Kin Spender. On main support is Danika, and on MC and DJ duties is PBS’s DJ Elle Young.
Mama Kin Spender is made up of ARIA-nominated artist Mama Kin and Melbourne-based multi-instrumentalist Dingo Spender. The pair have released one album and several singles of beautiful folk-inspired jams. The duo combines blues guitars, and heavy and simple drum beats with some more modern electronic flourishes to create a sound that’s all their own.
On top of these original compositions, they layer endlessly catchy hooks, with the pair’s voices complimenting and playing off one another perfectly. I know I said it’s hard to imagine a better Sunday afternoon headliner than JAZZPARTY, but Mama Kin Spender certainly gives them a run for their money.
Main support Danika is partial to stripped-back, country and folk-inspired instrumentals with some slight jazz and soul flavour. She expands on these instrumentals with melodic hums and vocal melodies. The beats often swell and build with her ethereal vocals, erupting in moments of true beauty and impact.
Her songs are as beautiful as they are emotional, she is truly an emerging and unique talent in the Naarm scene. Danika and Mama Kin Spender will be flanked by DJ Elle Young, host of PBS’s Headhunters, who will be complimenting the acts with groovy tracks from around the world and witty hosting skills.
Start your 2024 off right by getting down on the 14th or 21st of January (or both!) for some of the best free live music Melbourne has to offer, in some of its most gorgeous public parks, surrounded by delicious food trucks, all in the name of liveability, wellbeing and togetherness.
Find out more here.
This article was made in partnership with City of Stonnington.
