With festivals like RISING making their way to Melbourne, we’re pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to gigs this month. There’s a little something for everyone on this list, you’re bound to find something up your alley, no matter how niche your tastes are.
Indie / Rock
The Wombats
- Location: John Cain Arena, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne, Vic 3000.
- Date: Friday June 10
- Time: 8pm
- Price: $89.90
- Genre: Indie Rock
Let’s dance to Joy Division. The boys are finally heading back to our shores. The Wombats have a love affair with down under, in their almost 20 year career, they’ve played a whopping 73 shows in Australia to date. The trio hit the John Cain stage after the release of their 2021 album, Fix Yourself, Not the World.
Motor Ace
- Location: 170 Russell, 170 Russell St, Melbourne
- Date: Friday June 24
- Time: 8pm
- Price: $71.30-$152.90
- Genre: Classic Rock
You’d be hard pressed to find a band as solid as Motor Ace, still as good now as they’ve ever been. The group only got back together in early 2019, after around 14 years apart. They’ve come back with a bang, and earlier this year, released their first song in almost 20 years, ‘Knock Knock.’
Alt-Pop
Perfume Genius
- Location: Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt St, Southbank, Vic 3006.
- Date: Thursday June 9 and Friday June 10
- Time: 7:30pm
- Price: $65-$75
- Genre: Alternative
It’s hard to find an artist in this day and age that has as much emotional depth and lyrical prowess at Perfume Genius. His music details his journeys with his sexuality, and Crohn’s disease. You’ll be able to catch him on stage ahead of the release of his album, Set My Heart on Fire Immediately, which dropped May 15.
Lucy Dacus
- Location: Forum Melbourne, 154 Flinders St, Melbourne, Vic 3000.
- Date: Wednesday June 8
- Time: 7:30pm
- Price: $79.80
- Genre: Alternative
Lucy Dacus is perhaps most commonly known for her work in group boygenius, alongside Julian Baker and Phoebe Bridgers, but she’s got a pretty killer solo career, having released 3 critically acclaimed albums to date. She’ll be coming to Melbourne courtesy of RISING, you can grab tickets here.
Andy Shauf
- Location: Max Watts, 125 Swanston St, Melbourne, Vic 3000.
- Date: Monday June 6
- Time: 7pm
- Price: $50 + BF
- Genre: Alternative
Making his Aussie debut this month is an artist you wish you’d heard about earlier. Andy Shauf effortlessly weaves his multi-instrumentality into deep songwriting, bringing it together for some music unlike anything else out there.
Indie-Pop
George Alice
- Location: Northcote Social Club, 301 High St, Northcote, Vic 3070.
- Date: Friday June 10
- Time: 8pm
- Price: $35.30
- Genre: Indie Pop
It’s heard to believe it’s ready been two years since George Alice took out the coveted Triple J Unearthed High top spot. Since then, she’s signed with the massive Loma Vista label, helping to get her amazing music to fans across the world. She’ll be joined by Stella Farnan and Becca Hatch when she hits the Northcote Social Club this Thursday June 2.
Electronic / Hip Hop
Hermitude
- Location: The Croxton Bandoom, 607 High St, Thornbury, Vic 3071
- Date: Saturday June 11
- Time: 8pm
- Price: $59.90 – $114.90
- Genre: Electronic / Hip Hop
It’s time to get down and dirty with the electronic duo dropping with their sick beats. It’s hard to believe they’ve been around since ‘03 and are still as good as they’ve ever been. Like all good shows out there, you can grab a little something extra with your gig ticket, with vinyl and cds being optional add ons. Check out more info on that here.
Metal
Murderfest
- Location: The Bendigo Hotel, 125 Johnston St, Collingwood, Vic 3066
- Date: Sunday June 12
- Time: 4pm
- Price: n/a (TBC)
- Genre: Metal
There’s nothing better than a mini local festival that shines a light on some of our best up and coming performers. The Bendigo Hotel are massive champions of this sort of thing, with regular events showcasing what our metal scene has to offer. This show will feature music from bands like Unsound, Tongue Scum, and it’ll be headlined by legends Frankenbok and Harlott.
Hip Hop
Tkay Maidza
- Location: Forum Melbourne, 154 Flinders St, Melbourne, Vic 3000.
- Date: Sunday June 5
- Time: 7pm
- Price: $65.60
- Genre: Rap
Hitting the stage thanks to the Rising festival is Tkay Maidza, the hip hop songstress making waves across the world.Tkay will be joined by up and comer Ijale for what’s sure to be a killer night out. They’ll both be hitting the Forum stage this weekend.
Grab tickets here.
