When the Victorian Music Development Office released the findings of its Music Consumer Insights, those who have experienced live music in Melbourne gave a collective, knowing nod.
Not only did Victorians score the highest in terms of supporting local acts: 55% preferred Australian live music to 45% of international; but the report found that Melbourne has the most live music venues in the world per capita.
It makes sense then, that tickets to shows from Michigan rock favourites Greta Van Fleet are selling out nation wide; and acts like Troye Sivan and Amity Affliction are also clocking mass streams in the lead-up to their headline dates.
Melbourne may be spoilt for choice when it comes to live shows, but just which acts are not-to-be-missed?
We’ve put together our Top 7 hot ticket shows for September, so take out that bucket list, scratch off ‘skydiving’ (it’s overrated and Ryan Reynolds nearly died doing it) and add on Greta Van Fleet, Stella Donnelly, and more of the below.
Greta Van Fleet
The rock quartet behind eargasms like ‘Highway Tune’ (which topped the US rock chart upon release), and ‘You’re The One’ picked up a Grammy Award for their debut record From the Fires in 2017.
Now, with new LP Anthem of the Peaceful Army in tow, the band has sold out their shows in Brisbane and Melbourne and after adding a second Melbourne show on September 7, the band has just released final tickets.
They’ve also added Gab Winterfield’s Golf Alpha Bravo project as tour support. So, on top of Greta Van Fleet’s retro-infused rock stylings and stadium-style stage presence, expect clean reverb guitar tones, mid and up-tempo rhythms, and melodic basslines to boot.
We wouldn’t sleep on this one, after all, Led Zeppelin, Elton John and Jack White have all confessed their love for the band.
Saturday, September 7th (Final Tickets Released)
Festival Hall, Melbourne, VIC
Wagons
Wagons’ triumphant return to the stage with their first new music in five years is more than enough to get you out of the house on a Friday night.
With new album Songs From The Aftermath already receiving critical acclaim for its evangelical fist-raising and carefully crafted lyrics, the Americana-makers are staying outlaw inspired for this highly-anticipated show at The Croxton.
BYO swamp rock madness.
Friday, September 6th
The Croxton, Melbourne, VIC
Dune Rats
One of Australia’s most entertaining bands out at the moment, and an absolute staple at music festivals across the country, Dune Rats are set to take over The Croxton Bandroom on September 12.
The Crowd Smurfing Tour, will see the trio joined by Adelaide’s West Thebarton and Auckland’s Miss June to bring us addictive power rock jams like ‘No Plans’ and ‘Scott Green’.
Thursday, September 12th
The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne, VIC
Palaye Royale
After making their Australian debut at the inaugural Good Things Festival last year, pop-punk trio Palaye Royale are finishing up their US tour with Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie to head back Down Under.
The support for the band is already bonkers. NME in the UK said they were picking up where My Chemical Romance left off, and their musician advocates include James Iha (The Smashing Pumpkins / A Perfect Circle), Corey Taylor (Slipknot / Stone Sour), Andy Biserak (Black Veil Brides) and Sleeping With Sirens’ Kellin Quinn.
Saturday, September 14th
The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
The Amity Affliction
Australia’s metalcore heroes The Amity Affliction are gearing up to embark on one massive tour this September, with a huge concert locked in at Melbourne Arena on September 16.
Bringing Underoath, Crossfaith, Pagan, Trophy Eyes and Make Them Suffer along for the ride, this show is more Monday night mini-fest that weekday gig.
As Tone Deaf already reported, we can assure you plenty of tinnies will be slung as flailing limbs crawl over bodies during the chorus of ‘Open Letter’.
Monday, September 16th
Melbourne Arena, VIC
Stella Donnelly
Stella Donnelly is here to steal your heart and teach it a lesson; and we couldn’t be more proud.
Not only has she been making waves here in her hometown of Australia, but she was a crowd favourite at SXSW in Austin Texas, and in July she performed a handful of songs for Seattle station KEXP.
On her Beware of the Dogs tour, Donnelly will bring her usual beaming smile and mischievously crafted lyrics to The Corner Hotel on September 22.
Sunday, September 22nd
The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Troye Sivan
Troye Sivan released his pop perfection LP Bloom in August last year and consequently sent our collective heads into a flurry. The record hit #1 on iTunes in 46 territories and iTunes Top 5 in 70 countries.
Bloom also debuted at #3 on the ARIA Album Chart, #4 on the US Billboard 200 and Top 10 in many countries including the UK.
Now the pop star is undertaking a headline tour of Australia, stopping in at Margaret Court Arena on September 25. This show will almost definitely sell out.
Wednesday, September 25th
Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, VIC
