There's nothing quite like the music scene in Melbourne. Any night of the week in pretty much any stretch of the town, you can catch live tunes—be it howling, foot-stomping rock 'n roll in sticky-floored pubs, sultry jazz in booth-seated lounges, or melodic electronic at one of the several dance-floor destinations.
After a two-year hiatus that hit pause on the live music industry, Melbourne and Victoria, in general, have swung back into action with a gig guide and festival line-up absolutely stacked with local and international talent.
To get the read on the biggest shows happening and coming to town, check out the best music events in Melbourne for 2023:
NTS In Narrm
Born out of London's cultural haven of Hackney in the city's northwest, NTS is a global radio platform championing quality producers, DJs, and musicians from all over the globe. Bringing its independent and cultural community clout, NTS In Narrm will be throwing a 12-hour party featuring top international acts such as Shy One, Soichi Terada, Sister Nancy. They'll al who'll also be joined by a stacked lineup of local talent from DJ Pgz, Zjoso and Yawung. Early bird tickets are only $49 so score them quickly.
THE DETAILS:
When: 12pm until 12am, Sunday 19 March
Where: Northcote Theatre, 216 High Street, Northcote
To find out, click here.
Ability Fest
The world would be a far better place if there were more festivals like Ability Fest, but for now, we can relish in the fact that the country’s most inclusive event is planning a triumphant return this November. For the uninitiated, behind the festival is Dylan Alcott. The man has worn many hats which include Paralympic Gold Medalist, radio host and public speaker, and now he’s coming together with Untitled Group (Beyond The Valley, Grapevine Gathering) once again for a banger of a party, made for people of all abilities.
It's all happening Saturday 25 March at Birrarung Marr. Highlights from the bill this year include—but certainly aren't limited to—Hilltop Hoods, Sampa the Great, Meg Mac, BROODS, SHOUSE, DZ Deathrays, Telenova, Alex Lahey and a stack more. You can sign up for presale here, with presale tickets available for purchase at 6pm on Monday 23 January. General release will be ready to roll at 12pm, Tuesday 24 January.
THE DETAILS:
When: Saturday 25 March, 12pm onwards
Where: Birrarung Marr, Naarm/Melbourne
For tickets and more information, head this way.
Pitch Music & Arts Festival 2023
One of Victoria's foremost celebrations of music and art, Pitch is returning for 2023 with an absolute belter of a line-up. Taking place across the labour day weekend, from Friday 10 March until Tuesday 14 March in the Western Victorian region of Moyston—at the footsteps of the Grampians. On the bill for the festival's sixth instalment is a collection of local and international mind melters from RONA and Mildlife to Four Tet, Fatima Yamaha, Âme, Ben UFO, Leon Vynehall and many many more. To score tickets you'll have to register for the ballot, which you can do over here.
THE DETAILS:
When: Friday 10 to Tuesday 14 March 2023
Where: Moyston, Victoria
To find out more, click here.
Bon Iver Is Headlining Tasmania's Mona Foma
Coming in for a one-night-only performance in February 2023, Bon Iver and creator Justin Vernon will take over the Tasmanian music and arts festival in Nipaluna/Hobart. The entire stadium will be transformed into a soundscape of the Winsconsin-produced atmospheric folk music including tracks from their seminal albums 'For Emma, Forever Ago 22, A Million and more. Tickets for the festival go on sale in November, keep an eye out here.
THE DETAILS:
When: 6pm until late, Tuesday 21 February 2023
Where: MyState Bank Arena, Hobart, Tasmania
To find out more, click here.
Always Live Victoria
Always Live is a state-wide celebration of live music, a historical collection of some of the biggest names in the business at some of the most unique spots across Victoria. The full lineup has something for everyone from Nick Cave at Hanging Rock to Dua Lipa at the Palais Theatre, Claptone along the St Kilda beach, Sampa The Great at Hamer Hall and so so much more. In total there are over 50 different artists playing at over 90 events around every corner of the state. Tuck into the full program here.
THE DETAILS:
When: Various times
Where: Various locations
To find out more, click here.
Check out everything happening in Melbourne over here.
Image credit: Ben Gibson (supplied)
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