Valley Sounds festival is transforming Moonee Valley into music playground this winter.
Moonee Valley will transform into a vibrant music hub with Valley Sounds 2025 bringing free performances to venues across the municipality. The free micro-festival brings Ella Hooper, Radical Son, Stiff Gins and many more to local venues for a two-weekend celebration.
The Valley Sounds 2025 festival, programmed as part of Moonee Valley City Council’s Igniting Creativity Strategy, invites music lovers to experience everything from acoustic sets to high-energy performances at local venues. This free micro-music festival aims to support the local night-time economy during the cooler months, giving residents and visitors alike an excuse to rug up and experience live music in their neighbourhood.
Valley Sounds
- When: 23 May – 1 June 2025
- Where: Various venues throughout Moonee Valley including bars, restaurants and unexpected locations
- Find out more here
Valley Sounds 2025 lineup
- Ella Hooper
- Radical Son
- Stiff Gins
- Amutha
- The Great Emu War Casualties
- Dan Vogl
- Gabby Steel
- Aydan x Rgnz
- Cooper Lower
- Trasch Talkin
- Annie and the Make Believe
- Paulo Almedia
- Bella Ciao
- Kimba & Ryan
- Sunshine Tip
- Y Street
- Permanent Vacation
- JoysSoul Live Band
- The VoidDecks
- The Hidden Charms
- Fem Belling
- Billy Cart
- Local the Neighbour
- Jarabi Band
- La Descarga
- Sherry
- Tartie
- Amaya Laucirica
Check out our gig guide, our stage guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
Opening night extravaganza
Valley Sounds kicks off on Friday, 23 May at Penny Lane Palace Cinema Rooftop with a triple-bill of exceptional talent. Multi-award winner Ella Hooper headlines the evening, bringing her extensive musical experience that stretches back to her early days with Killing Heidi. The iconic Australian artist has evolved significantly throughout her career, making her an unmissable act for music enthusiasts.
Also gracing the opening night stage is Radical Son, known for magnetic performances that blend hip hop and soul with a powerful connection to country and cultural roots. His spell-binding vocals have earned him a reputation as one of Australia’s most compelling performers.
Completing the opening night lineup is Amutha, a vocalist, DJ and producer whose passion for rave culture creates transformative experiences for audiences. Her energetic set will start the festival on a high note, open to the public from 6:30pm.
Bowls club turned rock venue
The Essendon Bowls Club transforms into an unlikely music hub on Saturday, 24 May, hosting a diverse lineup of performers. International post-pop art rockers, The Great Emu War Casualties, headline this venue with their impulsive, expressive and eccentric style that has captivated audiences with infectious rhythm.
The bowls club will also welcome Billy Cart at 1pm and Local the Neighbour at 2:30pm, creating an afternoon of musical discovery in this surprising venue. Meanwhile, Hold Bar and Eatery hosts Fem Belling from 7pm the same evening.
Sunday sessions
The festival continues on Sunday, 25 May with performances across multiple venues. Centreway Stage presents a day of diverse sounds, beginning with Paulo Almeida at 11am, followed by Jarabi Band at 12:30pm and La Descarga at 2pm.
Meanwhile, Pin Oak Beer and Wine offers a more intimate setting with Sherry at 3pm and Tartie at 4pm. As the evening arrives, The Valley Cellar Door welcomes Amaya Laucirica for a 6pm performance.
After a brief break, Valley Sounds returns on Thursday, 29 May with performances at three venues. 400 Gradi hosts Bella Ciao from 6:30pm, while Saros Bar and Dining welcomes Kimba & Ryan, and Lulu’s Social presents Annie & The Make Believe, both from 7pm.
Weekend crescendo
The festival builds to a crescendo with a packed schedule across Friday, 30 May and Saturday, 31 May. Mt Alexander Hotel hosts Dan Vogl from 6pm on Friday, followed by Cooper Lower at 7:15pm. The same venue welcomes Aydan x Rgnz at 7pm on Saturday.
Holmes Hall features Katie Dey on Friday at 7pm, followed by Sunshine Tip at 8.30pm. On Saturday, the JoySoul Band kick off at 5.30pm and Gabby Steel plays at 7pm.
Deluxe becomes another music hotspot with Trasch Talkin (7pm), Permanent Vacation (8:15pm) and Y Street (9:30pm) on Friday, followed by The VoidDecks (7:00pm) and The Hidden Charms (8.30pm) on Saturday.
The festival closes on a high note with the all-Indigenous female group Stiff Gins performing at Edward Abbott Wine Bar at 2pm on the final day, offering audiences one last chance to experience the diverse musical talent Valley Sounds has to offer.
Valley Sounds 2025 represents more than just a series of performances – it’s a celebration of community and local culture during the winter months. The festival, presented by Moonee Valley City Council in partnership with the Live Music Office, OneMusic Australia and APRA AMCOS, has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia.
By transforming everyday venues into vibrant performance spaces, Valley Sounds creates unexpected music experiences throughout the municipality, inviting both residents and visitors to discover the rich cultural landscape of Moonee Valley.
For more information, head here.
