The Espy in December: local rock and folk, Queen and Oasis tributes, and a full-venue NYE party
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02.12.2025

The Espy in December: local rock and folk, Queen and Oasis tributes, and a full-venue NYE party

Words by August Billy

One of Melbourne’s most iconic music venues turns it on in December.

Across the Espy Basement and the venue’s nationally recognised Gershwin Room, the December calendar is packed with live music.

There are intimate folk gigs, local rock and indie, throwback blues and rockabilly, tributes to Queen and Oasis, and full-venue NYE party. So, what are you waiting for? Get down to The Espy this December.

Check out our gig guide here.

Pierce Brothers

Local sibling folk duo the Pierce Brother have a new album called Moonrise, and they’re hosting an intimate album listening party in the Espy Basement. They’ll be talking about each track individually, doing some pared back performances, and saying hello to everyone present.

Flynn Gurry

 

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Flynn Gurry will wrap up his Espy residency across three Thursdays in December. Gurry, a folk and pop songwriter from Warrnambool, has recently supported King Stingray, Ash Grunwald, Kim Churchill and Cold Chisel’s Ian Moss. Supporting Gurry will be Umbra Moon (Dec 4), Joel Andrew B (Dec 11) and Olivia Lay (Dec 18). All dates are free entry.

Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird

Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird will hit the Espy Gershwin room as part of the regional tour behind their fourth album, Rosewater Crocodile, which landed in July. Responding to a comment on Instagram questioning why the Espy was considered a regional venue, band leader Lachlan Rose said, “long have we yearned to bestow our music upon the unchartered and distant realm of St Kilda.” It’s the band’s last gig of the year.

King’s Vengeance

 

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Heavy rock trio King’s Vengeance are launching their debut album Overthrown in the Espy Basement. Expect plenty of heavy riffs influenced by classic rock, blues and metal artists such as Led Zeppelin, KISS, AC/DC, Metallica and Motorhead. They’ll be supported by psych- and blues-rock band El Bebe and aggressive metal crew Hard Mercury.

Sunday Blues: Kid James

 

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Sundays in the basement are all about blues and blues-adjacent music. Rockabilly nut Kid James takes over on December 7, showcasing the fruits of a lifetime spent immersed in the music of Johnny Cash, Warren Smith, Charlie Feathers and Elvis Presley.

VOXNEON

 

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There are covers bands and there’s VOXNEON, who tackle the hits of the 70s, 80s and 90s with scientific prevision. The band’s new show, Underneath the Radar, includes the synth-driven classics of Underworld, Depeche Mode, Buzzcocks, Devo, Human League, Real Life, New Order, Soft Cell, Simple Minds, Pseudo Echo, Gary Numan and more. Each song is recreated using vintage hardware synthesisers, electronic drums and arrangements as near as possible to the originals.

RAPTOR

 

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Mornington Peninsula rock band RAPTOR are taking over the Basement for their biggest show to date. They’ll be playing covers and originals with support from alt-rock and metal crew Valenta and rising indie quintet Swordfish.

The Best-of Fest ’25

The Best-of Fest ’25 is taking over the Gershwin Room with a showcase of Melbourne’s standout voices and emerging artists. Spread across two stages, the afternoon promises non-stop entertainment with performances on both the iconic Main Stage and The Lounge, plus DJ sets throughout. It’s an all-in celebration of the local talent that’s made waves across the city’s venues and festivals this year. Doors open at 1:30pm.

Sunday Blues: The Hornstars Xmas show

 

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Since 2016, funk ensemble The Hornstars have been single-minded in their pursuit of a funky good time. The nine-piece will be bringing their jazz, blues, soul and reggae-influenced funk to Espy Basement for a Sunday Blues Christmas edition on December 14.

Straying ‘A’ Live

The Strays will lead a rockabilly revival on December 19. Frontperson Dizzy Davidson has plenty of experience on the Espy stage, having performed with his previous bands RockADees and Runaway Boys. He’s also played guitar with Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats). Davidson and the Strays will be playing high energy rockabilly and punkabilly in the Basement, joined by Jan-Hell (burlesque set) and 4tress.

Cold Heart

  • 21 December
  • Free entry

Cold Heart play old-school, stripped back country and rockabilly. They’ll put on a honky-tonkin’ good time in the Espy Basement on December 21. It’ll be to the taste of fans of genre greats Hank Williams, Faron Young, Webb Pierce, Johnny Horton, Buck Owens, Moon Mullican, Ernst Tubb and all the early Sun Records artists.

Queen Rhapsody

 

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‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, someone was singing, “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” One of Australia’s leading Queen tribute acts, Queen Rhapsody, come to the Gershwin room on Christmas Eve with several stockings full of Queen classics, from Bohemian Rhapsody to Don’t Stop Me Now and I Want to Break Free.

NOASIS

The third Ashes Test kicks off at the MCG on December 26. But if you don’t feel like forking out hundreds of dollars to be there in person, the Espy has you covered. The big game will be on at The Espy all day, then at 7pm, the doors to the Gershwin Room will open, where the world’s finest Oasis covers band, NOASIS, will be crushing through all the Gallaghers’ biggest hits.

T-Wiz Live

Comedy meets live music in the Espy Basement when T-Wiz Live rolls in on December 27. Hosted by Tony Marks and Warwick Capper, the night features a headline performance from the Karly Jewell Band alongside an intimate set from Nicole Shenko. On the comedy front, T-Wiz Faces returns for Heat #2, where rising comedians battle it out for a spot in the national finals. Regulars Doug Chappell, Johnny Burgos and Brett the Comedian round out the bill. Doors at 7pm.

Chromeo on NYE

Canadian synthy funk duo Chromeo are DJing in the Gershwin Room on NYE. The GRAMMY-nominated duo’s DJ sets are equal parts retro throwback, future fantasy, and dance-floor magic. There’ll be DJs in all other areas of the pub, plus tickets get you a drinks and canapes package. See out the year in style at the Espy.

For everything happening at The Espy, head here.

This article was made in partnership with The Espy.

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