A stage with a grand facade to look like a building, with crowds waiting for a band to come on stage.

The ultimate Melbourne live gig guide

Find the best Melbourne concerts, new music venues and hidden gigs with our handy guide.

Free performances

A live concert event at Fed Square at night, with a large, enthusiastic crowd gathered near a stage barrier.

RISING: God Save The Queens

A free, all-ages block party amplifying Pasifika culture heads to Fed Square as part of RISING.

The organ pipes inside St Paul's Cathedral, with a circular stained glass window on the rear wall behind the organ.

RISING: Voiceless Mass

A Pulitzer Prize-winning composition in St Paul’s reckons with history, power and silenced voices.

Red-lit dance crowd on a crowded dance floor.
Until

Hartbeats Live Jazz

Live jazz, DJs and deep grooves every Sunday till late at Whitehart Lane.

Head and shoulders of Melbourne composer and guitarist Cam Butler, standing outside; black and white.

Cam Butler: World Forever Premiere Album Launch

Melbourne musician Cam Butler presents his new work for organ, strings and rock ensemble.

A group of people seated around a table in a pub like setting, some of them singing.
Until

Sea Shanties and Folk Songs

Join this free weekly celebration of rollicking and spirited singing.

A violinist plays in St Paul's Cathedral.
Until

Lunchtime Concerts

Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral and fine music during a weekly lunchtime concert.

A cello leaning against a black grand piano, and a violin resting on its side in front of the sheet music rest on the piano.
–

Music Matinee

Enjoy live and free music concerts at Scots Church on select Tuesdays throughout the year.

The interior of St Patrick's gothic cathedral, featuring towering stone arches and large, ornate stained glass windows, with the pipes of the organ visible in the lower half of the image.

Lumen Christi! Organ Recital

Hear an inspiring concert of organ music through the ages, with a guest choir.

A busker performing in the street playing an electric guitar with his head facing downwards looking at the instrument.
Until

Bourke Street Mall Busking

Meet Melbourne's marvellous musicians and more in the iconic Bourke Street Mall busking program.

Music festivals and live concerts

A band performs live on a stage with purple lighting and bright blue light beams shining outwards from the back.

RISING: Day Tripper

The festival-within-a-festival returns.

Singer Vera Blue with her long auburn hair blowing across her face.

Vera Blue x MSO

Vera Blue and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra unite for a collision of intimacy and scale.

The three male members of the rock band DMA's in a room, all looking directly at the viewer, two of them wearing caps.

Live at the Gardens: DMA'S

DMA'S unveil a headline tour to mark the announcement of their upcoming fifth studio album.

A photo of the four members of the band Wolf Alice sitting on a grassy field outdoors.

Live at the Gardens: Wolf Alice

UK rockers Wolf Alice return to Australia in December and headline Live at the Gardens.

An image of two men, Saul Williams and Carlos Niño, standing in a field of yellow wildflowers with green hills in the background.

RISING: Saul Williams Meets Carlos Niño & Friends

Saul Williams and Carlos Niño perform their mountain-born live album of spiritual jazz-poetry.

The interior of State Library Victoria's iconic Domed Reading Room during a nighttime event.

Library Up Late x RISING

Immerse yourself in a night dedicated to inspiration and imagination at State Library Victoria.

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on stage, playing live to an audience.
–

ABC Classic 100 in Concert

Enjoy the fourth edition of the popular live edition featuring highlights from the countdown.

The five members of the indie rock band Wednesday, all looking at the camera, slightly smiling, standing outdoors in a forest setting.
–

RISING: Wednesday

Wednesday bring their slacker poetics, gnarly riffs and an Asheville twang.

Singer Dami Im, wearing a decorative headpiece on the top of her head, and holding her long sparkly gloves up under her chin.
–

Dami Im: Stormy Weather

Spend an intimate evening with multi-platinum and gold-certified artist Dami Im.

A person in profile on a stage, wearing black tight pants, a black singlet and black boots holding a microphone stand as if about to sing into the microphone.

RISING: TR/ST

TR/ST bring floor-filling, electro-goth from Toronto on their first trip to Australia.

English electronic music producer Daniel Avery, with shaggy tousled hair half covering his eyes, looking at the camera, wearing a jacket and seated at a table.

RISING: Daniel Avery

UK producer Daniel Avery is an auteur of otherworldly club bangers.

Musician wearing a black leather jacket with cropped hair.

Julius Rodriguez

New York's Julius Rodriguez brings his electrifying trio to Bird's Basement for one night only.

A blue cone spotlight used during a live performance, creating a dramatic effect in a dark environment.

Ground: Nikita Zabelin

An immersive audiovisual performance by Nikita Zabelin blending modular synthesis, laser and space.

Welsh musician Cate Le Bon wearing a fluffy white jumper, holding her clenched fists up to her cheeks, gazing intently at camera, she has a shaved head and is standing in front of pale pink draped fabric.

RISING: Cate Le Bon

Welsh songwriter Cate Le Bon is here with her surrealist pop mastery.

A pale pink image, in the centre are motifs from Gilbert and Sullivan musicals, including a Union Jack stamp, a clocktower, a police car, a yellow flower, and a woman in a dress with a tight bodice.
–

Gilbert & Sullivan: A Musical Celebration

Enjoy a sparkling concert of wit, whimsy and song with highlights from GIlbert and Sullivan.

A person dressed as Elton John, with big glasses and feathered shoulder pads, seated at a piano on stage with two spotlights.
–

The Music of Elton: 40 Years of MSO x Elton John

The MSO celebrates the music of Elton John.

The musical artist Saint Levant, wearing dark trousers and a white shirt holding a saxophone by his side, leaning against a wall, with buildings in the shadows behind him.
–

RISING: Saint Levant

Fluid, futuristic Arabic sounds from pop’s rising star.

Portrait of Australian theatrical legend Caroline O’Connor AM, smiling while looking up with her hand on her cheek.

Orchestra Victoria with Caroline O’Connor: Music and Me

Theatrical legend Caroline O'Connor AM is joined by Orchestra Victoria for a special concert.

The back of a conductor in front of a choir all dressed in black with books open.

Mass of Deliverance

Hear the MSO Chorus and musicians perform two of John Rutter's radiant pieces of music.

Three classical musicians surrounded by glittering scolls and stars.

The Wagner Gala Concert

A landmark, one-night-only musical event to mark the reopening of the Ian Potter State Theatre.

Four members of the Irish folk band The High Kings posing in a serious way with a backdrop of an Irish flag.

The High Kings: The Rocky Road Tour

A celebration of Irish folk on a global stage.

The four members of the band Dry Cleaning in a dimly lit domestic interior, standing or seated around a kitchen table with a jigsaw puzzle in pieces in front of them.

RISING: Dry Cleaning

London art-rockers Dry Cleaning arrive with their sardonic wit, surreal imagery and Secret Love.

Musician Anaiis, who is looking directly at the camera while wearing a white, pleated, architectural garment with a large, voluminous collar.

RISING: Anaiis

Experience the stylistically rich soul songwriting of anaiis.

French pianist, Lucas Debargue, reclining back in a chair, wearing glasses, a beige jacket, maroon knitted jumper and an olive green scarf.

Live at Toorak: Lucas Debargue

French pianist, Lucas Debargue, shares a programme of shimmering colour and brilliance.

Musician Sean Kuti in profile, singing into a microphone on a darkened stage, one arm raised in the air above his head.

RISING: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80

Sean Kuti and Egypt 80 arrive with pioneering afrobeat and live-affirming energy.

ABBA tribute band BABBA dressed in white and gold tunics with their hands on their hips.

BABBA

See the most exciting and musically accurate tribute to ABBA in the world.

Range of K-pop themed face masks in black.

Happy Town Korean

Specialising in K-pop albums and related merchandise.

Books on display inside Readings bookstore.

Readings Books & Music

Readings offers an outstanding range of products, from cutting-edge music and DVDs to classic texts.

The outside view of Manchester House.

TS Bookshop

A specialty bookstore offering texts on philosophy, lifestyle, wellness and spirituality.

A record store with wooden shelving.

Wax Museum Records

A wide range of new and used vinyl, CDs, tapes and music-inspired clothing.

Musical theatre, opera and live scores

The full cast of the musical Book of Mormon on stage singing and dancing, with a painted sky coloured background and other theatre props.
Until

The Book of Mormon

Australia’s biggest ever musical comedy returns this February.

A smiling woman with blond hair holding up a whole cherry pie in a dish in front of her chin, with steam rising from the pie.
Until

Waitress The Musical

The irresistible Broadway hit about resilience, friendship and hope.

A blue image with a couple dancing, a chandelier, a staircase, palm tress and other symbols from musicals.
–

Encore! Songs from the Musicals

The magic of musical theatre in a star-studded showcase of hits.

Two performers wearing pale clothing, the man behind a women, whose arm he is hanging onto, against a cloud like backdrop.
–

La Bohème

Puccini’s classic Bohemian love story is about youth, beauty, passion and heartache.

A still image of David Bowie as a character from the movie Labyrinth.

Labyrinth: In Concert

Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert with a live band is coming to Melbourne.

A still depicting a scene from the musical La La Land, featuring the male and female leads dancing at night against a backdrop of the twinkling valley of LA behind them.
–

La La Land in Concert

Enjoy a 10th anniversary screening of the film with a full live orchestra.

A still image from the movie How to Train your Dragon 2, showing a boy riding a dragon with other dragons flying around them.
–

How to Train Your Dragon 2 in Concert

An awe-inspiring experience for the whole family.

A young boy in a red woolen jumper looking scared with his hands to his cheeks, two bad men looking through the window behind him.
–

Home Alone in Concert

Experience the beloved comedy classic with John Williams' charming score performed live by the MSO.

A movie still from the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on a large screen at Hamer Hall, while an orchestra play the live score seated on the stage underneath the film screening.
–

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert

Relive every magical moment as the music brings life to a story that has enchanted the world.

The best listening rooms and bars playing vinyl

Diners at tables on an outdoor rooftop overlooking Myer and other city buildings, including central couple with drinks and snacks.

Her Melbourne

A four-storey mega venue celebrating modern food, drinks, music and art.

A room with coloured vinyl records displayed on illuminated shelves and a person standing in front a mixing desk with four turntables.
–

RISING: The Vinyl Factory – Reverb

ACMI and RISING present The Vinyl Factory: Reverb, a major exhibition of vinyl culture and music.

Table of coffees, sandwich and cakes, one hand holding coffee raised over table to left.

Good Measure

Stylish and fun neighbourhood-style cafe by day, bar by night.

A couple walking into a brick cottage in the city.

Caretaker's Cottage

Smart drinks, top tunes and good times in a beautiful old cottage.

Melbourne music venues

Three tiers of seating at Hamer Hall.

Hamer Hall

This multi-level concert hall is the largest venue at the Arts Centre.

Exterior of the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Melbourne Recital Centre

Combining cutting-edge architecture and acoustic innovation with a unique focus on music.

Ornate architecture of dome and tower of Forum Melbourne, with Federation Square in the foreground.

Forum Melbourne

This theatre with its iconic architecture is one of Melbourne's most popular live band venues.

People outside Cherry Bar at night.

Cherry Bar

An iconic laneway bar hosting a lineup of local and international rock'n'roll acts.

Audience enjoying a performer on stage.

170 Russell

A live music venue with gigs seven nights a week.

Crowd of people waiting to be served at the bar area of the Toff in Town.

The Toff in Town

A boutique bar and bandroom offering late-night cocktails in train carriage booths.

Trombone player and band playing on a stage with smoke and lights.

Bird's Basement

Live jazz venue where patrons can dine while watching performances.

Back view of a musician and musical equipment silhouetted on a stage facing the audience with sparkling lighting effects.

Max Watt's

This basement live music venue has hosted some of rock music's biggest acts.

Interior of Murmur Bar with a very dimly lit red padded curved bar.

Murmur Piano Bar

Follow the sound of a distant piano to discover one of Melbourne’s best kept secrets.

Packed audience inside Rod Laver Arena - the centre court for the Australian Open tennis tournament.

Rod Laver Arena

The centrepiece of the Australian Open each January, the venue is also a popular concert arena.

Woman singing on stage of Rock & Roll dive bar and packed audience dancing and singing along.

The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar

A late-night rock 'n' roll dive bar with live music every night.

Interior showing a crowded bar, with people sitting at tables, people waiting at bar counter for service.

The Drunken Poet

With live Irish music, the Drunken Poet is a real locals' pub - cute, cosy and friendly.

Paris Cat bar and small tables with red lamps on them.

Paris Cat

Dedicated live jazz venue.

A performer wearing a bikini and holding a firestick above her open mouth in a small cabaret venue.

Speakeasy Theatre

A lively, historic vaudeville theatre featuring burlesque, cabaret, comedy and circus every week.

Aerial view of Marvel Stadium lit up at night.

Marvel Stadium

A multi-purpose stadium in the heart of Melbourne's Docklands precinct.

Crowded outdoor bar.

Section 8 Bar

A funky outdoor bar with drinks served from a converted shipping container.

Diners at tables on an outdoor rooftop overlooking Myer and other city buildings, including central couple with drinks and snacks.

Her Melbourne

A four-storey mega venue celebrating modern food, drinks, music and art.

Hands holding glasses over pizza and snacks on a table.

Transport Public Bar

Bustling pub in Federation Square with tasty pub meals and an impressive range of drinks.

Basement cocktail bar with small tables.

Beneath Driver Lane

A basement bar serving a wide range of cocktails, French bistro-style bar food with live music.

Tightly packed crowd watching a band play on stage.

Festival Hall

Concert and sporting venue with a long history of hosting local and international acts.

Aerial view of Sidney Myer Music Bowl showing open grassy area, covered stage and city beyond.

Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Popular outdoor venue that hosts Melbourne's annual Carols by Candlelight.

Aerial view of Melbourne and Olympic Parks including tennis courts and arenas.

Melbourne and Olympic Parks

The Melbourne and Olympic Park precinct hosts around 600 events annually.

Heritage-listed Athenaeum building, with columns and ornate capitals.

Athenaeum Theatre

This heritage-listed venue hosts comedy, music and theatre.

Turquoise banquette seating and tables in long room with arched doorway, red curtains and backlit bar.

The Colonial Hotel

Traditional pub serving comfort food with a Mediterranean influence.

Audience in curved rows of seating looking towards the stage curtain inside the Regent Theatre.

Regent Theatre

This landmark theatre is one of Melbourne’s premier live performance venues.

Curved interior bar of The Curtin Hotel, with pictures on wall.

The Curtin

Traditional pub with fried chicken, cold beer, and live music from local and international acts.

Two people strolling in a laneway bar.

Whitehart Bar

A container bar in a converted car park hidden down a city laneway.

Drinks lined up on a shelf and wooden wall in front of a birdcage ornament.

Transit Rooftop Bar

Large rooftop bar in Federation Square, with expansive views of the Melbourne skyline.

Interior of The General Assembly, a busy bar with a large light feature.

The General Assembly

Bar and restaurant with live acoustic music, street art and a simple, delicious menu.

Singers and musicians performing in a dark underground bar with blurred people.

Wax Music Lounge

A bar and live music venue from the team behind Melbourne's legendary Wax Museum Records.

Last updated on Thu 7 May 2026

Only In The City

Only in this City of Ours
A street art covered wall in a laneway.

Meyers Place

Explore one of Melbourne's most iconic laneways, filled with bars, restaurants and murals.

A Ferris wheel in the city at sunset with colourful reflections on the river.

Melbourne’s most Instagrammable experiences

You won't need filters at the city's most photogenic spots.

A family of four standing in a grand library with antique desks, large white walls and a dome ceiling.

Things you can only do in the city

There's only one place to find these rare Melbourne experiences and secret spots.

Discover more

A man playing the violin on the street

Where to find buskers in Melbourne

All the city spots to catch a live show from Melbourne's best buskers.

Performance space and seating inside La Mama Courthouse.

La Mama Courthouse

One of the great independent theatres of the city with a focus on diversity and inclusivity.

Tiers of theatre seats in the Playhouse, observed from the stage.

Playhouse

A large drama theatre located within the Arts Centre Melbourne.

The red interior of the cabaret venue Viva, with a central stage surrounded by curved rows of seating, each with small tables nearby.

Viva

A cabaret venue in North Melbourne.