Music

Melbourne's live music scene is legendary, with gigs every night of the week, covering rock, classical, jazz, dance, rock, hip hop and rap.

Close-up shot of a stage with a guitarist's legs and a drum set.

Concerts, gigs and musicals

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

Concert halls and music venues hosting live music this week

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.

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.

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.

A commemorative gathering with a choir performing in front of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, and an audience seated on chairs in the forecourt.

Commemoration in Concert

Experience an unforgettable evening of music and reflection at the Shrine of Remembrance.

Woman holding an acoustic guitar, seated on a ball amid clouds, her head back singing.

Amy Raw Raw ROAR

Psychedelic pop art folk funk blues songs, rapping, poetry, candid stories and more.

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.

Cartoon of Charlie Brown and Snoopy standing outside in the snow in front of a small Christmas tree, with Snoopy's kennel in the background covered in festive decorations.

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Mina Yu Trio with Miss George

A night of jazz paying tribute to the nostalgic innocence of Charlie Brown and Snoopy.

The four members of the comedic Wham Bam Thank You Jam Band on a stage in front of a pressed metal wall.

The Wham, Bam, Thank You Jam

A one-of-a-kind improvised musical comedy jam where anything can happen, and often does.

Group dancing in a Melbourne laneway, led by a man in a bright green and yellow shiny outfit.

Silent Disco Tour: ABBA Theme with Disko Duk Duk

An ABBA themed silent disco tour of Melbourne, hosted by Disko Duk Duk.

Jazz vocalist Michelle Nicolle performing live on a stage alongside jazz guitarist Hugh Stuckey.

Michelle Nicolle & Hugh Stuckey

Hear jazz singer Michelle Nicolle alongside guitarist Hugh Stuckey.

Three entertainers in formal attire in front images of the Melbourne skyline and fireworks.
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Australian Pops Orchestra New Year's Eve Gala Concerts

With Caroline O'Connor and Mark Vincent, plus John Foreman and the Australian Pops Orchestra.

Man with no hair singing into a microphone live on stage, another person on stage in the background, the entire image bathed in a warm yellow-orange light.

Relax with Max

Enjoy a unique blend of funk, soul, afro-beat, R&B and gospel from these legends.

Storytime with Jane Godwin and Anna Walker

Storytime with Jane Godwin and Anna Walker

Join Jane Godwin and Anna Walker for a special Storytime.

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.

British musician Benjamin Clementine wearing dark glasses, he has an Afro hairdo and performs and sings at a piano.

Benjamin Clementine

One man, one piano, one voice: an artist of rare intensity in his purest and most powerful form.

People watching a fireworks display over the City of Melbourne from a boat on the Yarra River.

New Year's Eve Fireworks Cruise

Celebrate in style with an all-inclusive harbour and river cruise departing Docklands.

Members of group Seventh Wonder in a black and white images imposed on a beige background.
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Fleetwood Mac Orchestrated

Celebrating 50 years of Rumours.

Oktoberfest-themed illustration with man wearing a Tyrolean hat holding steins of beer, pretzel and meat, with a Melbourne tram.
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Oktoberfest at Hofbrauhaus

Celebrate German bier, food and music as the Hofbräuhaus Oktoberfest turns 58.

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 white-haired first violinist, with three other violinists playing around him.

Brahms Festival: Third and Fourth Symphonies

Bringing Brahm's large-scale compositions to life with a world-class orchestra.

Singer Anthony Gerace performing on stage in front of a spotlight.

The Sounds of Broadway

Anthony Gerace is back performing hits from some of the greatest musicals.

Two female singers, portraying country music icons, as part of the tribute show Dolly and Friends.

Dolly & Friends: Roots & Rhinestones

A candlelight acoustic celebration of the music of Dolly Parton.

Older man with grey hair wearing a blue shirt, seated outdoors on a stone bench in a garden of succulents, with a large blue harp next to him.

Harp Meditations

Unwind with guided meditation and live harp music from Michael Johnson, inspired by the Gardens.

Musicians performing on stage with guitar and double bass.

Ramble Tamble: Xmas Show

The four-piece band set Bird's alight with their tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival.

A young girl stands on stage with fallen ballerinas all around her in a production of The Nutcracker.
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The Australian Ballet: The Nutcracker

Rediscover the childlike joys of the holiday season with the magic of The Nutcracker ballet.

A band of singers and musicians in a group photo.

Fleetwood Max

Fleetwood Max perform all the epic Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks hits.

People on the back of a flatbed truck in a tree and fern setting.
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Mimpi

Exploring the intersection of experimental music, Javanese song and ritualistic dance.

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.

A man with big hair crouching down and looking straight ahead with dark coloured beams all around him.
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Mark Nunis

Mark Nunis will turn your requests into a full-blown piano party.

A girl drawing with a green pencil in a crafting room with tens of coloured picture frames on the yellow wall behind her.
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The Activity Hub

Drop into The Activity Hub at State Library Victoria for hands-on family activities.

Artwork for RocKwiz's Very Merry Christmas show, with stylized single colour depictions of host Julia Zemiro and quizmaster Brian Nankervis standing next to a red Christmas tree; on a blue background.

RocKwiz's Very Merry Christmas

RocKwiz returns with the best Christmas present you could hope for in 2026!

Six members of a rock and roll band all wearing colourful shirts and smiling.
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Vaudeville Smash'd

The wildest, most energetic live funk and disco show known to man returns to Spiegel Haus.

People dancing with fluro banners in a nightclub.

Back to the 90s Melbourne

A full two-level takeover celebrating the house, dance and party records that defined the 1990s.

Violinists playing as part of a seated orchestra.

Meet @ the Market: Session 3

A concert of profound feeling: from grief to hope and joy, paired with custom cocktails.

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.

A six-piece band standing in front of a stage curtain, posing for a photo.

Feelin' Groovy: The Simon and Garfunkel Project

Helen Catanchin and Clancye Milne perform the iconic duo’s songs.

Classical musician with long curly white hair and beard, with horizontal stringed instrument.

Mischa Maisky in Recital

Experience an unforgettable evening with legendary cellist Mischa Maisky and pianist Lily Maisky.

Mick Jagger tribute artist, singing into a microphone backlit by purple and pink lights.

Totally Stonez: The Rolling Stones Show

Capturing the sound, look and attitude that defined generations.

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.

Two people at a bar with vinyl records lining the shelves.

The best late-night bars and music venues in Melbourne

Find intimate vinyl bars, iconic band rooms and live music bars open late.

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.

Audience enjoying a performer on stage.

170 Russell

A live music venue with gigs seven nights a week.

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.

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.

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.

People outside Cherry Bar at night.

Cherry Bar

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

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

Paris Cat

Dedicated live jazz venue.

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.

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.

People seated on banquette couches at an open air rooftop bar with the Melbourne skyline in the background.

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.

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.

Discover more

Lighting bolt sign for AC/DC Lane on the side of a wall.

Melbourne music walk

Discover Melbourne’s music highlights, from music venues to busking hot spots and historic sites.

People walking across Princes Bridge at night with the Arts Centre in the background.

Entertainment

Find out what's on in Melbourne's live music venues, comedy clubs and theatres.

Arts Centre Melbourne with winter trees and blue sky, surrounded by city buildings.

Arts Centre Melbourne

With its iconic spire, the Arts Centre Melbourne is a cultural and architectural landmark.

A night tennis match at Rod Laver Arena.

Major events

From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, major events take centre stage throughout the year.