A stellar lineup of Melbourne musicians is set to honour Tom Waits' pioneering album Rain Dogs in an anniversary spectacular at Brunswick Ballroom this February.
The show marks both the 40th anniversary of Rain Dogs and a decade of local artists paying tribute to Waits’ distinctive catalogue. Dave Graney leads an ensemble cast including alt-country troubadour Lachlan Bryan, alongside Brooke Taylor, Delsinki and Maggie Alley for an exploration of Waits’ output from 1977-1987.
The performance will dive deep into Waits’ darkly poetic world, bringing his signature blend of jazz, blues and avant-garde rock to life through classics like Downtown Train, Clap Hands and Jockey Full of Bourbon.
10 Years of Tom
- Sunday February 9, 2025
- Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne
- Doors 6pm, show starts 7:30pm
- Kitchen open throughout
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
The backing band reads like a who’s who of Australian music, featuring Ben Franz of The Waifs, Quivers drummer Holly Thomas, Trial Kennedy’s Stacey Gray and former Circus Oz musical director Ania Reynolds.
Two ticket tiers are available for the 18+ show. General admission is priced at $59.77, while premium reserved seating including a meal comes in at $100.57. The premium option includes both standard table arrangements and social table seating for solo attendees looking to connect with fellow Waits enthusiasts.
The timing of this tribute is particularly poignant, celebrating four decades since Rain Dogs helped cement Waits’ reputation for genre-bending experimentation. The album marked a pivotal moment in his career, showcasing his evolution from jazz-influenced beginnings to a more experimental sound that would influence generations of musicians.
This latest iteration of the Tom Waits tribute series continues a tradition that has become a fixture in Melbourne’s music calendar over the past decade, bringing together diverse interpretations of his extensive catalogue.
Tickets are available until 7:30pm on show day for general admission, while premium dining bookings close at 2:30pm to accommodate kitchen preparation. Book here.