LIVE MUSIC
- International and underground DJs
- Legendary venues
- Live bands
Famous for a vibrant and diverse live music scene, Melbourne is often labelled the musical capital of Australia. With pubs and clubs featuring original music all week long, and big venues catering to touring acts – you're spoilt for choice.
Take your pick from rock venues in the inner north, blues and jazz bars in the city, techno and hip hop clubs in Prahran or Latin tunes in Fitzroy. The city's music scene is as varied as the many cultures that call Melbourne home. Pick a genre. Your musical tour of Melbourne begins here.
Details for most gigs and venues appear in Melbourne's free street papers, Beat and Inpress, and weekly lift-outs in the Age and Herald Sun newspapers.
Palais Theatre
One of the city's most beautiful concert venues and the pride of St Kilda. The Palais hosts everything from rock and soul to comedy and crooners.
Forum Theatre
From Cat Power and The Dirty Three to film festivals and comedy, the Forum impresses with its ornate architecture and blue-sky ceiling.
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
This much–loved amphitheatre near the Botanic Gardens is a summer favourite for outdoor concerts, festivals and cultural events.
The Palace
At the top of Bourke Street near parliament house is the old Metro, now the Palace – features club nights, guitar bands and techno.
Ding Dong Lounge
Full of skinny jeans and attitude, this city dive is a great place to check out up and coming local bands and the occasional indie tour.
Revolver Upstairs, Bandroom
At the lively end of Chapel Street, Revolver is one of the oldest and most popular student venues with live bands performing most nights.
Cherry
Down AC/DC lane in the city, this hole in the wall rock club has been a firm local favourite for years.
Northcote Social Club
The success story of recent times, the Northcote Social Club features the best of local and touring bands every night of the week.
The Corner Hotel
Sticky carpet, cheap drinks and a killer kitchen upstairs – a Richmond treasure featuring a diverse range of local and international acts.
Esplanade Hotel
Affectionately known to the locals as 'The Espy', this St Kilda pub is known for its live bands, pool tables and its backpacker appeal.
Evelyn Hotel
In the middle of Fitzroy, punters can shoot pool, relax in the beer garden or see live bands performing most nights of the week.
Prince of Wales, Bandroom
In the beating heart of St Kilda, this stalwart of the live music scene boasts the best of local and international bands and DJs.
Roxanne Parlour
Three floors up in the city centre, Roxanne is an indie favourite showcasing local bands and up-and-coming DJs.
Bennetts Lane Jazz Club
Join serious jazz aficionados in this dimly lit city club for some syncopated tunes played by the nation's best.
Tony Starr's Kitten Club
Bust through the lurid green door and head up to the Galaxy Space to hear jazz, swing, cabaret or catch the odd theatre performance.
The Night Cat
Dance the night away to blisteringly loud Latin rhythms from a 12–piece band, or head down for the odd house music night.
Large concert venues
Rod Laver Arena
Hisense Arena
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Gig guides
www.melbournegigs.com.au
www.liveguide.com.au
www.beat.com.au
