The ultimate Melbourne live gig guide

Find a show in Melbourne, from intimate gigs to epic festivals and live musical theatre.

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

Free performances

A violinist plays in St Paul's Cathedral.
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Lunchtime Concerts

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

A group of people seated around a table in a pub like setting, some of them singing.
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Sea Shanties and Folk Songs

Join this free weekly celebration of rollicking and spirited singing.

A busker performing in the street playing an electric guitar with his head facing downwards looking at the instrument.
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Bourke Street Mall Busking

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

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.
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Music Matinee

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

Light beams form geometric planes and vast three-dimensional environments.
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PRESENCE

A totalising encounter of lasers and sound.

Still from an immersive cinematic experience featuring surreal architecture and drawings of humans transformed into video.
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XYZZY REDUX

Experience projections on the façade of Hamer Hall.

Pianist seated at the piano with candelabra, two male opera singers standing nearby.

Safe and Sound: The Minh Story – Healing Through Music

A Night at the Opera: a moving musical journey inspired by the true story of Minh Duong.

The four female members of the Flinders String Quartet posing in front of a vintage yellow and green Melbourne tram.
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Flinders Quartet Open Rehearsals

Three open rehearsals offer a rare opportunity to observe the Flinders Quartet prepare to perform.

Music festivals and live concerts

Fish-eye lens view of a mall venue with musicians on a small stage surrounded by audience.
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Mellowdias Thump

An improvised soul and rap music event featuring live bands, producers and DJs.

A lighting display that shows a red design with a square and a light above and below.
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Now or Never

Twelve days of art, ideas, music and technology await - a festival of new dimensions.

The Dome reading room of State Library Victoria showing the upper level balconies, and rows of desk fanning out from the centre, all bathed in a pink light.

Library Up Late x Now or Never

State Library Victoria transforms after-dark for Now or Never with music, art and innovation.

A pianist in a white road plays the piano while looking upwards, holographic shapes flowing in the background.

Philip Glass: Piano Etudes + In the Upper Room

A unique concert experience celebrating the legacy of visionary composer Philip Glass.

A musician performing on stage with purple-lit cloud like patterns as a backdrop.

SOMNIA: William Basinski / Bendik Giske

An overnight, durational sleep concert featuring landmark works music. Note: sold out

A large green toned area with people gathered for a breathwork class, a projected The Breath Haus sign.

The Breath Haus x Now or Never

An invitation to slow down and experience sound, breath and space in a profoundly different way.

DJ Derrick Gee wearing a white shirt, and glasses, he has shoulder length dark hair and is in a room with a blurred background.

Derrick Gee’s Radio Hour

Part music talk show, part communal listening experience.

DJ and producer Zalina, her hands resting on either side of her head, wearing a strapless top, her long dark hair falling past her shoulders.

Chuleo Club: A.Chal/Slim Soledad/LIZZ/Dinamarca/Zalina

Rooted in Latinx club sounds, community and underground energy: loud, intimate, unrelenting.

A man seated at a grand piano plays while a woman in a white spotted evening dress sings in a hotel lobby.

The Grand Jazz Dinner Show

A spectacular live jazz dinner-and-show with a four-course menu and matched wines included.

Two members of Octave One, a Detroit techno music group, both wearing black clothing and looking directly at the camera.

Finding Figaro: Octave One/Sleep D x Hybrid Man/JNETT/Baby G

An all-night journey through electronic music’s past, present and future.

Headshot of sound and light artist Robin Fox, a man with a thick long white beard and long hair, wearing sunglasses, standing in front of a rocky coastline and water.

Closing Night: Robin Fox/MY DISCO/Jeho Yun + Kyoungjin So

Where industrial force and rhythmic intensity collide.

Dancers in a group leaping into the air with arms raised on ropes.
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Zerial

The ultimate cabaret spectacular, packed with powerhouse vocals, aerial performances and dance.

A person dressed as Elton John, with big glasses and feathered shoulder pads, seated at a piano on stage with two spotlights.
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The Music of Elton: 40 Years of MSO x Elton John

The MSO celebrates the music of Elton John.

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.

Ragged-edge photo from contact sheet, two men, one with hands clasped in front of him, the other seated brushing his hair from his face.

The Teskey Brothers: 10 Years of Half Mile Harvest

Kicking off the Melbourne International Jazz Festival with a day of soul, funk, jazz and blues,

A crowd of young music fans enjoying an outdoor concert from the front row railings.

Live at the Gardens: Push Over | 40 Years of The Push

The Push celebrates 40 years of championing young people and Australian music.

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.

Singer-songwriter Cat Power, wearing denim, standing in front of cotton fields.

Live at the Gardens: Cat Power

The American singer-songwriter returns to perform her album The Greatest in full.

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.

The four band members of the Hoodoo Gurus.

Live at the Gardens: Hoodoo Gurus

Hoodoo Gurus 45th anniversary Rewind Tour – All Killer, No Filler at Live at the Gardens

A live performance of The Cat Empire band alongside a full symphony orchestra on a large stage, in front of a seated audience.

The Cat Empire with Orchestra Victoria

Enjoy a night of live music at the Bowl when The Cat Empire performs with Orchestra Victoria.

A bar table with cocktails and snacks.

Mr Mills

Visit Mr Mills' Music Room every Friday for live music and limited-edition gin cocktails.

Special offer
Two individuals talking to each other inside Melbourne Museum at night, with blue lighting.
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Nocturnal: Museum After Dark

Experience Melbourne Museum after hours, when the doors stay open and the night belongs to adults.

Visitors enjoying an evening event at the National Gallery of Victoria, seated on stools under shadowy lighting.
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NGV Friday Nights: Cartier

NGV Friday Nights shine with Cartier, featuring live music, flims, food and drinks.

Illuminated panels with shades of red on a black background.
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Melbourne International Jazz Festival

A city-wide celebration of jazz, improvisation and boundary-pushing contemporary music.

Three African drummers wearing colourful clothing while drumming with their hands on stage.
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African Music and Cultural Festival

Celebrate the best of African culture with music, food, fashion, film, dance and art.

Violinist Augusta McKay Lodge looking over her shoulder holding her violin in her right hand.
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Vivaldi's Legacy: Australian Brandenburg Orchestra

The woman who inspired Vivaldi. The story history almost forgot.

Sepia toned collage of American composer and songwriter Burt Bacharach, behind him are three female singers from the 1960s and 70s, singing into microphones they hold.

The Burt Bacharach Songbook

The Burt Bacharach Songbook promises an evening of superb musicianship and stunning vocals.

Musical theatre and live scores

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

An awe-inspiring experience for the whole family.

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

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

A full orchestra on a stage in front of a large cinema screen showing a still from the movie Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Celebrate 25 years of The Fellowship of the Ring with Howard Shore’s score performed live.

Singers and dancers on a theatre stage in a scene from A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, with spotlights and stage sets.
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A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

An inspiring, exhilarating, energetic musical memoir.

Six female performers on a purple lit stage in costumes and striking poses, all singing into microphones they hold in their hands.
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SIX the Musical

SIX the Musical makes its royal stage return to Melbourne's Comedy Theatre.

Singer Macy Gray, icily staring at the camera, with an outfit that features feathered shoulders.

Macy Gray: The Encore Tour

This September, Macy Gray returns for her largest ever tour of Australia.

Opera, orchestras and classical music

An orchestra conductor with his left arm outstretched in front of him, and holding a baton in his right hand; a swirl of blue as the background.

Australian World Orchestra: Stravinsky, Mills, Shostakovich

Celebrate 15 years of the Australian World Orchestra with three monumental works in one night.

Violinist Augusta McKay Lodge looking over her shoulder holding her violin in her right hand.
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Vivaldi's Legacy: Australian Brandenburg Orchestra

The woman who inspired Vivaldi. The story history almost forgot.

Many silhouettes of people on a a stage with a stage backdrop of buildings in yellow and green tones.

Metropolis: Sounds of Cinema

Showcasing the MSO’s commitment to contemporary symphonic music.

Pianist seated at the piano with candelabra, two male opera singers standing nearby.

Safe and Sound: The Minh Story – Healing Through Music

A Night at the Opera: a moving musical journey inspired by the true story of Minh Duong.

Seated musician playing a keyboard instrument with music.

Handel and Bach

Featuring Handel's Water Music and JS Bach's The Art of Fugue.

Three young musicians seated together in a row against a wood panelled wall; black and white.

Austral Salon of Music September Recital

A recital from three young musicians from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.

Opera singer Sumi Jo performing on stage in an evening gown with arms outstretched.

Sumi Jo Melbourne Masterclass

Grammy-winning soprano Sumi Jo mentors emerging opera singers in a rare public masterclass.

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.

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

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

Opera singers, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Georgia Wilkinson, smiling and standing next to each other in front of a black background.

Morning Melodies: Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Georgia Wilkinson

Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Georgia Wilkinson perform at this Morning Melodies concert.

A person in a pink suit with a large headdress and heavy make-up, smiling and holding a microphone.

Opera Up Late with Reuben Kaye

A wild ride through the world of opera with a decidedly queer lens.

Two performers on a stage, a man dressed in a suit, looking at a man with his arms outstretched suspended by an aerial rope above a low pool of water.
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Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan

A dazzling new operatic work by some of Australia’s most acclaimed creative talents.

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.

Two people standing in front of a large pink spiky wall of speakers in an exhibition space.
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Reverb: A Journey into Sound

ACMI and RISING present Reverb: A Journey Into Sound, 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.

People seated outside the brick Caretaker's Cottage bar on a winter's day as light is fading.

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.

People walking around inside a bar with a large monitor on the wall screening a sporting match.

Transport Public Bar

A 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.

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 Tue 28 Jul 2026

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

Playhouse

A large drama theatre located within the Arts Centre Melbourne.

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.

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.