Experience Melbourne’s music scene at its most vibrant and exhilarating best. Get up close and personal. Jazz fiends and punks, metal heads and dread heads, dub, hardcore, slowcore and grindcore, they all have their place in Australia’s music capital.
HOT IN THE CITY
If you don’t mind a late night and you want to be in the thick of the action, the city is the place to be. Disappear into one of Melbourne’s original venues hidden down dark laneways and up stairwells. Thursday through to Sunday is the best time to catch up-and-coming bands in sweaty clubs like a, Cherry or Pony.With live shows running as late as 2am and drinks served till 6 or 7 in the morning, you’ll be having breakfast on your way home before you know it.
NORTHSIDE CITY LIMITS
Visit Fitzroy and Collingwood – the spiritual home of the north’s arts and music scene. Wander Brunswick and Johnston streets on a weeknight and stumble across latin rhythms, jazz and big band along with rock, indie and hardcore. Join the revellers on the weekend and spend a night at Melbourne’s home of rock and roll, The Tote. Catch indie rock and solo acts at The Old Bar, rockabilly, psychedelic and rock at Yah Yah’s, or take walk up Brunswick Street to catch young hipster bands and indie pioneers at the Workers Club.
NEW BRUNSWICK AND NORTHCOTE
If you’re staying out Brunswick way, head down to the Cornish Arms on Sydney Road for roots, folk and country or try the Empress of India in North Fitzroy – a Melbourne institution and a popular spot of low-key indie bands and solo artists. If you’re up on High Street in Northcote catch a quiet set in the comfy bandroom of the Wesley Anne or walk over to the Northcote Social Club – one of the city’s best concert clubs and the host of a secret show by The Pixies back in 2007.
SOUTHSIDE OF THE WORLD
Jump on the Sandringham train line or the 96 tram and head south to St Kilda, Windsor and Prahran. Explore the waterfront and Luna Park then catch hairy-chested rock bands, solo acts, comedy and DJs at the Esplanade Hotel. Hear the sounds of the eighties for a second time with young hipster bands
and students on the dance floor at Revolver, Chapel Street, or take your chances with a mix of styles at the Butterfly Club.
