Can’t settle on one gig a night, or just too broke to function? Presented by V MoVement, the Live Music Safari section of Melbourne Music Week is for you. With a heap of free gigs taking place tomorrow night across 14 venues, you can wander around Melbourne to your heart’s content, soaking up live music as you go.
MMW has already served up a stack of memorable moments this year, with an array of incredible gigs at the Hub venue of the State Library and many more dotted around the city – and with a few days left, there’s clearly still plenty more to come.
With so much awesome music to check out, we thought we’d put together a list of everything there is to see as you head out on safari tomorrow night across the plains of the Melbourne CBD.
Groeni, Lossless & More
9pm – 2am, Belleville
NZ producer Groeni has been picking up a bit of attention on our shores of late, and is heading over from his hometown of Wellington for a great gig with his Wondercore Island labelmates. He’ll be joined by the indefinable (and always amazing live) hip hop/RnB outfit LOSSLESS, bolstered by Vulture St. Tape Gang, SO.Crates and Wondercore Island DJs.
This’ll be a great night of tunes at Belleville, and you can find out more here.
Baro, Milwaukee Banks & ESESE
7pm – 12am, 1000 £ Bend
Hip hop heads score a triple threat here with one of the best young MCs in the country, Baro, being joined by a damn solid team of Melbourne electronic hip hop stalwarts Milwaukee Banks and enormous soul/hip hop crew ESESE.
Make sure you get down early to this one to nab a spot, as we’re sure it’ll fill up fast – check it out here.
Black Milk, SAATSUMA & More
4pm – 1am, Section 8 and Ferdydurke
The hip hop keeps coming, this time from Detroit rapper Black Milk, who’s making his way to the twin venues of Section 8 & Ferdydurke for another brilliant gig. Emerging neo-soul talent SAATSUMA and multi-instrumantalist (and occasional keytar user) Yeo will be joined by Average Rap Band and Strict Face, so there’s plenty to keep you happy all arvo.
Kicking off from 4pm, Section 8 will pack out quick, so don’t miss out – check it out here.
Dan White (Live), Cale Sexton (Live) & More
5pm – 5am, Lounge
Lounge and Heads With Tales bring you a killer double pairing of live sets from electronic talents Dan White and Cale Sexton, backed by a stack of talent in Mos Howieson (live), Prequel, Eleventeen Eston, Rat & Co DJs, Shedbug, ACM (live), Ben Fester, Jennifer Loveless and Nali (live) to keep the electronic vibes pumping for twelve hours.
Whether you just want to pop by and sample some beats, or stick around for a 12hr marathon, have a look here.
JPS, SILENTJAY & More
9pm – 3am, The Mercat
Melbourne’s legendary Mercat is sadly not long for this world, so there’s no better time t0 head along than its final MMW – especially with a lineup like this. The legendary JPS (The Operatives) is joined by the entire Operatives crew, including multi-talented producer (and Hiatus Kaiyote backing singer) SILENTJAY, the future hip hop/funk of Amin Payne, and heaps more.
Soak up as much Mercat love as you can, and have a look at the full lineup here – the first 200 through the door get a free 7″.
Miles Brown, Geryon & More
6pm – 12am, Loop Project Space & Bar
Loop is teaming up with it records to curate a night of music with their brilliantly eclectic roster, which includes theremin maestro and dark synth master Miles Brown, alongside Geryon, ASPS, SHOUSE, Kandere, Sow Discord and Nina Buchanan.
If you’re in for some “one-off, one-of-kind glimpses” into some of the more unique corners of Melbourne’s creative community, you can’t go past it.
Jarrow, Jess Ribeiro & More
7.30pm – 3am, The Curtin
The Curtin is playing host to a showcase of some of our best emerging indie and alt-country, this lineup is rock solid. Jarrow is on the up and up with his signature take on garage pop, Jess Ribeiro and Jim Lawrie are doing great things, and Oh Pep! speak for themselves.
With the promise of another secret act on the cards, and DJs keeping the tunes flowing, this is definitely one of the highlights this year – take a look here.
Pearls, Loose Tooth & More
7pm – 12am, The Toff in Town
MMW regulars I OH YOU are throwing an awesome bash at the Toff with the one-two punch of emerging bands Pearls and Loose Tooth, backed by DJ Emoceans and I OH YOU DJs.
These guys always put on a great show, so you know you’ll be in safe hands – more info on this one here.
Baptism of Uzi, Closet Straights & More
7pm – 12am, Bella Union
The not-as-violent-as-they-sound Baptism of Uzi will be heading up a nicely-curated lineup of bands from local labels and vinyl enthusiasts Cobra Snake Necktie Records and Love & Theft Recording Co.
Closet Straights, Howl at the Moon, Legends of Motorsport and Saint Jude also on the cards, so there’ll be plenty of pop and rock vibes to keep you warm – find out more here.
Hue Blanes, Horns Of Leroy & More
6:30pm – 12am, Bennetts Lane Jazz Club
While this one is obviously a must for jazz-lovers, it’s not just your average night of sultry tunes; instead, the talented Hue Blanes will take a freeform approach to the night to “workshop, create and digitally share unique takes on some of the most significant, life-changing songs of our time”.
Sounds good to us, and Xani Kolac & The Twoks and Horns of Leroy are great picks for supports. If you’re at all into jazz, we’re sure you’re already sold, but you can also find out more here.
Little Desert, Taipan Tiger Girls & More
7:30pm – 11:30pm, The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar
The dynamic dup of The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar and Crinkle Cut Records are bringing you a celebration of Melbourne’s bustling, thriving, vital, visceral, and other words meaning alive and awesome underground music scene.
Featuring Taipan Tiger Girls, Little Desert, and Ohms, the event will be recorded by local production label Crinkle Cut Records and when you’re not enjoying the wonderful music that’s on offer, you can grab a bite at the bar and sample the newly upgraded kitchen menu.
While you are there grab a bite at the bar and sample the newly upgraded kitchen menu.
Andee Frost, Spike Fuck & More
8pm – 3am, Hugs&Kisses
Melbourne is a city that rewards a little effort. Sure, you can enjoy the Botanic Gardens, Flinders St Station, and Federation Square, but wander out further and start exploring the catacombs and the vast, interlocking alleyways and you’ll find some incredible treasures.
Among those treasures, just up a flight of stairs, is Hugs & Kisses, where the underground is upstairs. It’s members only, but everyone is welcome and this time around you’ll be partying with your fellow members to Andee Frost, Spike Fuck, and more.
Cocoa Noire, Bryce Lawrence & More
9pm – 5am, Ding Dong Lounge
One of Melbourne’s most iconic live music spaces, Ding Dong Lounge, and Dance Party Pyrotechnics Association are patterning to bring you another face-melting evening of live music for Melbourne Music Week 2016’s Live Music Safari.
This “disco inferno” will feature the 11-piece Dance Party house band, as well as exclusive performances from Cocoa Noire, Bryce Lawrence, and resident dance party disc burners Dance Party DJs.
Phil Stroud, DJ JNETT & More
9pm – 5am, Boney
Crown Ruler & Melbourne Music Week Laneway Safari are teaming up to bring you Phil Stroud Live at Boney, launching his debut, self-titled LP on Good Company Records. This unique drummer, percussionist, and producer combines a jazz background with hypnotic, percussive house instrumentals.
For this very special live music event, Stroud will be performing with his five-piece band, who’ll travel all the way from the West Coast to link up with keys player and Boney resident Jack Doepel (Krakatau). Don’t miss this one!