Live music, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The lost in the riff bit

This is the bit where we plug in and turn up the volume to do a little humble bragging about our live music scene.

No matter what you’re into you’ll find it here, that’s because, from the city centre to the suburbs, venues big and small provide the incubators that develop some of Australia’s most exciting new talent. Iconic places like Cherry Bar, The Tote, The Corner and The Espy.

But that’s just a taste of what’s on offer and just a small part of the reason why live music is the unbeatable beating heart of Melbourne.

Mic drop.

Tickets

Get tickets through these outlets:

Gig guide

Find gigs via Music Victoria's gig-guide, on beat.com.au or plan your musical adventures well ahead with our Big Gigs list.

Cherry Bar

Live music

Now in new digs, this old soul of the Melbourne scene was founded in 2000 by the drummer of the Cosmic Psychos, and is a launching-pad for local rockers.

Hotel Esplanade

Live music

St Kilda's iconic 'Espy' is back after an extended hiatus. And with three stages, 12 bars and two restaurants, there's something for everyone.

Northcote Social Club, Northcote, Victoria, Australia

Northcote Social Club Bandroom

Live music

Featuring a never-ending line up of hometown heroes, interstate bands and international artists, this is the quintessential Melbourne bandroom.

Revolver Upstairs

Live music

Climb the stairs from Chapel Street and catch young bands, up-and-coming songwriters and touring DJs at a good old indie institution.

The Corner Hotel

Live music

Queue up to see international bands or local stalwarts most nights of the year at this classic Melbourne pub and live music joint.

The Forum

Live music

Catch local heroes and international artists at this spectacular venue where the architecture and interior design add a fairytale edge.

The Prince Bandroom

Live music

Walk past the famous chalk board sign out front and head upstairs to catch the hottest indie, rock, hip hop and soul acts when they come to town.

The Tote

Live music

The spiritual home of punk and indie-rock bands, there's no better place in Melbourne to catch a band than in the sweaty bandroom at the Tote.

Kingswood, The Workers Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Workers Club bandroom

Live music

This revamped pub is a favourite with the indie/arts crowd. Catch up-and-coming indie, electro and hip hop live music acts.

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The Corner Hotel, Richmond, Victoria, Australia

8 great gig venues in Melbourne

Celebrate Melbourne live music as it pulses through these iconic bandrooms, gig venues, clubs, pubs and jazz basements.

Ravi Coltrane at Bird's Basement, Melbourne jazz

Jazz clubs

Art & culture

Need a night of soothing sounds? From big bands to sultry soloists, Melbourne has a brilliantly diverse jazz scene to tap into.

Groovin The Moo, Goldfields, Victoria, Australia

Music festivals

Entertainment

Melbourne and Victoria dance all year with music festivals celebrating rock, alternative, techno, folk, jazz and all types of music and performance.

Polyester Records, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Record stores

Shopping

Visit an independent record store in Melbourne. Find secondhand bargains, obscure new releases and live in-store performances.

Theatre Royale, Castlemaine, Goldfields, Victoria, Australia

Regional music venues

Live music

See live music in an eclectic mix of venues in regional Victoria and discover fine local talent along with touring acts from Australia and overseas.

Big gigs

Art & culture

Plan ahead and get yourself tickets to the big gigs and big names bringing it to Melbourne's stadiums, concert halls, band rooms and amphitheatres.

Melbourne live music neighbourhoods

Art & culture

Head north, south, east and west to find Melbourne's best live music neighbourhoods.

Made From Melbourne

Art & culture

Celebrate live music in Melbourne with the creation of a guitar made from timber from some of our most iconic venues.

Brunswick

Destinations

Pull up a stool at any one of Brunswick's cool cafes, buzzing bars and effortless eateries. Shop, catch a gig, and get a feel for the old-meets-new creative vibe.

St Kilda

Destinations

Prepare to play in St Kilda, where you can kick up your heels by the seashore, by the stage at live music venues or on the whirligigs at Luna Park.

Fitzroy

Destinations

Perch in a Brunswick Street bar and celebrate the way that sometimes the more things change, the more they stay the same in this bohemian enclave.

Collingwood

Destinations

Peel back the inner-city onion that is Collingwood and discover layers of local history, creative character and effortless charm.

Prahran

Destinations

Independent, proud and even a little bit fancy – Prahran delights with its mix of boho charm, an innovative foodie scene and high street fashion.

Richmond

Destinations

You won't go hungry in Richmond, whether packing in footy pies, brunching in cosy cafes, or gobbling Vietnamese treats or pizza slices after a gig.

Northcote

Destinations

Pay respects to hipsters of yore who settled Northcote with cafes, bars and shops, and to the planning fortunes that afforded Ruckers Hill its views.

Boilermaker House, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Late night bars

Food & wine

Tuck into a tipple while everyone else is tucked in bed. These Melbourne bars will keep the light on for you well after the last tram has gone home.

Melbourne live music neighbourhoods

Art & culture

Head north, south, east and west to find Melbourne's best live music neighbourhoods.

Record stores

Shopping

Visit an independent record store in Melbourne. Find secondhand bargains, obscure new releases and live in-store performances.

The Australian Music Vault

Museums

The Australian Music Vault is a free exhibition showcasing the Australian music story, interactive and digital experiences, iconic objects from the Australian...

Live music

The lost in the riff bit

Tickets

Gig guide