The Espy's November is a month of big costumes, bigger choruses and zero subtlety.
It’s all on the cards for The Espy this November.
It opens with a drag-and-burlesque Rocky Horror screening, then moves through a house duo from LA, a metal band revisiting its debut album, a Nashville-style country night, a 2000s pop and emo grudge match and the Black Seeds to close it out.
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show with The Pelvic Thrusts
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- Date: Sunday 1 November, 5pm
- Room: Gershwin
- Tickets here
Melbourne’s most notorious shadow cast, The Pelvic Thrusts, are bringing the cult classic to the Espy in a more intimate cabaret format, with the cast performing among the audience. Expect drag, burlesque and all the glam, punk chaos of the midnight screenings that have followed this film since 1975.
Dress up, sing along and shout your best call-backs. There are prizes for best dressed and showbags for interacting with the film, so newbies and lifelong fans are both covered.
Niiko x Swae
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- Date: Monday 2 November, 9pm
- Room: Gershwin
- Tickets here
Childhood friends turned LA dance duo Niiko x Swae land in Australia for a run of shows packed with high-energy house, pop hooks and festival-sized drops. They’ve remixed Bebe Rexha, John Legend and Armin van Buuren, and teamed up with Tiësto and Tears for Fears on ‘Rule The World (Everybody)’.
First-release tickets are gone, so move fast.
Good Music House Party
- 6 November
- Room: Gershwin
- Tickets here
Good Music House Party is back with its Weekend Forever tour, rounding up some of the country’s most buzzed-about up-and-coming bands for a night that feels more like a mate’s place than a venue.
The Slims and NoTurns are on the bill with a special guest still to be named, and the Good Music DJs keep the party going between sets.
Bring your mates, pick a favourite band and stay for the DJs. 18+.
Elm Street – 15 Years of Barbed Wire Metal
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- Date: Sunday 8 November, 2pm (wraps 6:30pm)
- Room: Gershwin
- Tickets here
Melbourne metal heavyweights Elm Street return to the room where they launched their debut album, Barbed Wire Metal, to play it front to back for its 15th anniversary. Original bassist Brendon Farrugia rejoins on guitar, making it a five-piece with extra firepower.
The album will be available on vinyl for the first time. It’s a Sunday matinee, so you can get your metal fix and still be home for dinner.
Nashville Fridays w/ Y.O.G.A., Sarah Catania and Briana Lee
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- Date: Friday 13 November, 7pm
- Room: Gershwin
- Tickets here
The Espy’s country night gets a rowdy headliner in Y.O.G.A., the solo project of Peking Duk’s Reuben Styles, where outlaw country meets late-night rave energy. He’s joined by Sarah Catania and Briana Lee for a mix of Nashville hits (think Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and Luke Combs) and their own originals.
The Queens Country crew lead the line dancing. Hats, tassels and denim are all encouraged.
Oops!.. I’m Emo Again: 2000s Pop vs Emo Party
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- Date: Friday 20 November, doors 9pm
- Room: Gershwin
- Tickets here
It’s the question that split every 2000s bedroom: did pop or emo win the decade? DJs go back to back until late, flipping between My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Green Day and blink-182 on one side and Britney, Rihanna, Katy Perry and Avril on the other.
Bring your best iPod playlist memories and pick a side.
The Australian Doors
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- Date: Friday 20 November, 7pm
- Room: Basement
- Tickets here
This tribute act channels the swirling keys, blues-soaked guitar and wild-eyed swagger of the original 60s psychedelic rockers. The frontman takes on the Jim Morrison role, with the hits all present, from ‘Light My Fire’ to ‘Riders on the Storm’.
Break on through to the other side, Basement style.
Unfurnished Theatre: First Times
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- Date: Thursday 26 November, doors 7:30pm
- Room: Basement
- Tickets here
Fourth floor theatre’s one-night cabaret returns for its second edition, with a lineup of established and emerging local performers backed by a live band. The theme is ‘First Times’, and each performer has picked a musical theatre song that marks a first in their career or life.
Expect a night that’s part showcase, part confessional.
Emily Frydas – ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough’ Single Launch
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- Date: Saturday 28 November, doors 6:30pm
- Room: Basement
- Tickets here
Melbourne singer-songwriter Emily Frydas launches her debut single with a night of dreamy indie pop and heartfelt songs. She’ll play with a full band, including new and unreleased tracks that haven’t been heard live before.
Grace De Vos and James Vass open from 7pm.
The Black Seeds
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- Date: Sunday 29 November, 7pm
- Room: Gershwin
- Tickets here
Aotearoa’s funk, soul and reggae pioneers return with their eight-piece live show, still going strong since 1998. Special guests are yet to be announced.
Sunday night, sorted.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with The Espy.
