There's a free, three-day music festival taking over Melbourne this month with a heck of a lineup

Words by Juliette Salom

Carlisle Street will be coming alive with the sound of music and community spirit this November 22 to 24 for Balaclava Boogie.

Strap yourselves in for a weekend of nothing but moving and grooving to the beats of Balaclava as Balaclava Boogie makes one heck of a return this November. What’s shaping up to be a jam-packed weekend of tapping toes and swinging steps, come along and traverse your way through the musical streets of Balaclava – and all for free.

Taking over the backroads and side streets of the Carlisle Street precinct for the weekend of November 22 to 24, Balaclava Boogie’s hotly anticipated three days of music, markets and parties will be providing just the right tunes for you to swing right through the end of spring as local legends and Aussie icons soundtrack the transition into summer.

Read on to find out just some of the sonic heroes taking over Balaclava’s streets this month.

Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

Better Than Sex

Friday November 22, from 7pm
18+
Pause Bar, Balaclava

Kicking off the festivities on Friday November 22 at Balaclava’s beloved Pause Bar are Naarm locals Better Than Sex. While the band’s name may hint at some sort of sugary-sweet enthusiastic optimism, don’t let it deceive you. Better Than Sex are known for their haunting existential dread that underpins their expansive instrumentals and grandiose storytelling.

Arabella & The Heist will also be playing at Voodoo Love Child Speakeasy, so definitely check that out.

Carlisle Street Market

Saturday November 23, 9am-1pm
22 Dianella Lane, Balaclava
More info here

Day two of Balaclava Boogie welcomes back the treasured Carlisle Street Market on Saturday November 23. The final instalment in their monthly series over spring, this edition is a must-visit as you’re wandering the streets of Balaclava. Featuring stalls that spotlight local makers and sellers, you’ll no doubt be going home with some goodies. You can find the market around the back of Carlisle Street, at Dianella Lane Parking.

There’ll also be an Open Mic hosted by Stacey Pommer (Espy Open Mic) at the Ol Fruit & Veg Shop.

Duke Street Picnic Party

With DJ Cassette Walkman
Saturday November 23, 1pm to 7pm
St Kilda Library, St Kilda

The library is throwing a party, and everyone is invited. This all-ages event at St Kilda Library will see DJ Cassette Walkman takeover Duke Street (the library’s rear entry) with an afternoon of tasty tunes and picnic hits. The perfect way to spend a day out in St Kilda after you’ve hunted around the Carlisle Street Markets, Duke Street Picnic Party invites you to sit back and relax, or dust off the dancing shoes and get grooving.

Sunday Session

Rear of 202 Carlisle Street, Balaclava

The final day of Balaclava Boogie is where you’ll find the real meaty part of this hot steaming pie of a festival. Sunday November 24 will see a plethora of performers take the stage and give Carlisle Street a concert they won’t forget. From 1.30 to 8pm, you can find all these musicians at the rear of 202 Carlisle Street.

There’ll also be The Jettson’s Band and Glass Merchant (Lazr Bees) at the Balaclava Hotel.

DJ Mermaid

Sunday November 24, 1 to 1.30pm

Everyone’s favourite mythical aquatic creature is back in Balaclava. DJ Mermaid will be setting the stage for the opening set of Sunday’s festivities with all your rock’n’roll needs.

Primary Scream

Sunday November 24, 1.30 to 2pm

Primary Scream are next on Sunday’s agenda to groove you through lunchtime and into the sunny afternoon. The perfect set to sit back with and tuck into a Carlisle Street feed as you let the tunes dapple down onto you like the golden sun.

Kiwat Kennell

Sunday November 24, 2.15 to 2.45pm

Naarm-based Kiwat Kennell is a Torres Strait Islander musician whose cultural background and own personal history informs his exquisite storytelling through song. Genre-blending, sound-bending and barrier-breaking, this is a set you don’t want to miss.

A Whale Called Phoenix

Sunday November 24, 3 to 3.45pm

They may be born and bred all over the country, but A Whale Called Phoenix are St Kilda superstars. Settle in for an afternoon of SoCal-inspired 70’s tunes and let A Whale Called Phoenix whisk you away on a sonic tidal wave.

Bernadette Novembre

Sunday November 24, 4 to 4.45pm

With an anticipated debut album on the horizon, you just know that whatever Bernadette Novembre brings to the Balaclava stage is sure to be beautiful. Drawing on influences of 1960’s French and Italian artists, this Avant-indie alt rock musician will be providing a dreamscape of a set.

Alma Zygier

Sunday November 24, 5 to 5.30pm

Things are heating up as jazz and blues up-and-comer Alma Zygier alights the stage with her red-hot flame. Sink deep into Alma’s striking vocals and let her lead you the way on this journey of beautiful music and immaculate vibes.

Hot Machine

Sunday November 24, 5.45 to 6.45pm

Balaclava is about to get spicy with the arrival of Hot Machine. This 5-piece rock band knows how to pull off a wild and energetic show, with their classic rock and heavy finesse brewing a contagiously fun atmosphere to their shows.

Kylie Auldist

Sunday November 24, 7.15 to 8.15pm

Get ready to bow down; Melbourne’s high priestess of soul is coming to Balaclava town. Known for her phenomenal solo work, as well as being the front woman of The Bamboos, she is an absolute legend of the Melbourne music scene. Kylie Auldist will be headlining Balaclava Boogie, topping off the Sunday Sessions with a set that will need to be seen to be believed.

Afterparty: Chloe’s Drag Battle

Sunday November 24, 8.30 to 11pm
18+
Voodoo Love Child Speakeasy, St Kilda

The party doesn’t stop there. If you’re still itching for a dance, the afterparty will be kicking Balaclava Boogie on well into the night. Head on over to Voodoo Love Child Speakeasy at 143 Chapel Street in St Kilda for a evening you won’t forget.

You can check out all things Balaclava Boogie on IG here.

This article was made in partnership with Balaclava Boogie.