There’s nothing we love more than celebrating Melbourne’s arts culture. We have a notoriously talented music scene, and we’re the music capital of the world, which is why there’s an entire week dedicated to it!
Melbourne Music Week is not just about standing in a crowd watching live music. You’re invited to immerse yourself in activities, learn, play & create, and feel all the emotions that come with the act of enjoying music.
For their 10th birthday, Melbourne Music Week will be celebrating with over 300 artists across 70 events from November 14th – 23rd. Spanning endless genres, tastes and interests, dig deep into the program and you’ll be sure to uncover a hidden gem. Who knows, you may even find your new favourite artist. The spread of talent hails from all over the world, including local favourites Kllo, CC:DISCO! and Stonefield, as well as international headliners Baths, Robert Henke and Steve Gunn.
Treat your ears to some snazzy sounds, catch a film, or perhaps learn something new at a workshop. We seriously urge you to head along and experience something new. The program can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know where to start, so we’ve put together a guide to start you on your way.
If you like…
Jazz/Electronic
- Curated by WAT Artists, check out the Summer Night Market – a free event at The Queen Victoria Market featuring performances from Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange, Memphis LK, Sunnyside and more. Feast on some street food, soak up the evening heat and enjoy some tasty live tunes.
- Travelling all the way from Germany, the home of electronic music, is one of the MMW headliners, Robert Henke. Showcasing his recent project, Lumière IIIx, audiences should prepare to be moved by his exclusively extended light & visual display to accompany his set, which is sure to be a special treat for his return to Melbourne. Henke’s unique laser production paired with his deep, experimental audio is an experience not to be missed.
Indie/Rock
- Yet another international headliner is New York’s Steve Gun. Taking over the Redmond Barry Reading Room at the State Library for an intimate showcase of his latest work, The Unseen In Between. Featuring supports from New Zealand’s Tiny Ruins and our very own, Grand Salvo.
- Head to the MMW Hub and prepare for a multi-sensory music experience at Kubik, where you can catch 4 artists for just $10. The night features Stonefield, Body Type, June Jones and Eagle Eye Jones, and is proudly presented by Jack Daniel’s.
Acoustic
- A walk through the Melbourne CBD is never complete without catching a glimpse some of our talented buskers. Songs of Melbourne is a free, city-wide event showcasing the public’s top voted street performers.
- Embrace Melbourne’s multiculturalism and explore the relationship of culture and music at Under the Olive Tree. This family friendly event is to be held at the Immigration Museum, where audiences will enjoy performances by artists from Melbourne’s Arabic and Jewish communities.
Disco
- Melbourne’s disco-house queen, CC:DISCO and France’s Raphaël Top-Secret will take over Kubik in Alexandra Gardens to open up the venue. Leave your woes at the door and enjoy a night of feel-good disco tunes! If you’re feeling a little lost in the MMW program and can’t find something you like, you’d be in very safe hands with CC:DISCO and Raphaël Top-Secret. It would be hard not to enjoy this gig!
- Combining their own 10th birthday with MMW’s is Melbourne-based disco/soul label, Hopestreet Recordings. Come and celebrate at Over Under Away: Celebrating 10 Years of Hopestreet Recordings at Melbourne’s new 24 hour club, Colour. Be treated to afrobeat, disco, house and soul boogies as the label showcases its best beat makers.
Hip Hop
- Fancy seeing 10 hip hop/soul artists in one sitting? Catch Espionage presented by The Operatives at Kubik in Alexandra Gardens for performances by Billy Davis & The Good Lords, Jarreau Vandal, Jordan Dennis and more.
- Celebrate and appreciate Melbourne’s First Nations talent at the YIRRAMBOI x Whitehart collaboration. Enjoy soul, R&B and trap sets from Soju Gang, Paul Gorrie and more.
Educational
- Everyone knows that listening to music makes us feel certain emotions, but we don’t all know how and why this happens. Come along to Can You Feel It? at the MPavillion and learn from psychology experts Dr. Amanda Krause and Dr. Nikki Rickard about how what we listen to influences and changes our mood.
- Get educated about the carbon impact of the music industry at Sustainability and Music – a free talk at the MPavillion. Learn from a panel of educated and informed speakers featuring Ross Harding, Berish Bilander and more. And, on the note of sustainability, take note that the Kubik venue in Alexandra Gardens is powered by 100% renewable energy, which is equal parts awesome and impressive.
Experiential
- Instead of kicking back and watching the music, take the front seat and join in on a Sing Session with Ainslie Wills! Head to The Toff In Town, grab a lyric sheet, and join in on the singing for an experience unlike your usual gig. Make sure you purchase your ticket soon though, as spots are limited.
- Learn how to make music from the comfort of your own device at Process Lab: Mobile Music Making. Lead by Ableton Live trainer, Matt Ridgeway, participants will have the opportunity to learn techniques for music-making with small devices such as mobile phones, pocket synths and drum machines.
Before you finally hang up your dancing shoes, finish off your festivities at the underground closing party on November 23 at Hamer Hall. Early bird tix are already sold out, so jump online to ensure you don’t miss out!
This is just a tiny snippet of the full program, so check out the lineup, get organized, and purchase your tickets @ mmw.melbourne.vic.gov.au/program/
When: November 14th – 23rd 2019.
Where: Multiple venues across Melbourne’s CBD.
Tickets: Free and ticketed events ranging from $10-$70.
