Melbourne Summer Gig Guide

So Frenchy So Chic may just be the closest you’ll get to France without having to go the distance (or splashing out the cash). Enjoy the spoils and sounds of France with contemporary French music partnered with mouthwatering macarons, crepes, cheese, wine and gourmet pre-packed picnic hampers full of treats. French Champagne will be flowing as you and your friends uncover your inner Francophile, don’t miss it. 

This annual summit of music and art celebrates creativity in various forms, as visual art, new media and contemporary tunes all come together to create something entertaining, interactive and truly memorable. Following the success of the 2016 event, the Sugar Mountain Sensory Restaurant will also be returning in 2017 with an exciting collaboration with the muso’s who crafted the soundtrack to Netflix sensation Stranger Things to showcase the connection each of our senses, taste included, have to one another. Tickets are moving quickly so snap some up before they all run out!

If you want to do a good deed but have some fun in the process check out this year’s lineup for Melbourne Zoo’s live Zoo Twilight gigs. Bands such as The Rubens, The Living End, Ball Park Music and Teagan & Sara will hit the stage at various points through the sunny months of the year, all in the name of fighting against wildlife extinction. All dollars raised through ticket sales go towards saving the Eastern Barred Bandicoot. 

Glass Animals, Jagwar Ma, Nick Murphy (formally known as the one and only Chet Faker), Aurora, Tash Sultana, Tame Impala – these are but some of the big names due to front the Laneway stage this January. There’s a bunch of local newbies and up and comers playing too as the Laneway team curate the best of new music and bring it to your eager ears. 

So by now your wallet is likely feeling the post-festive season pinch but you don’t want to miss out on the summer vibes – St Kilda Festival is your savior. This event is free with live music, dance, workshops, rides, food and market stalls and so much more all along the St Kilda foreshore area. Major roads are closed to accommodate the thousands that flood the streets on the main festival day. Check the website from January for the full line up of bands. 

Night owls rejoice! The all-nighter that is White Night Melbourne is returning on Feb 18 and everyone’s invited. Be one of the hundreds of thousands to flock the streets of Melbourne for this free celebration of sight, sound and culture. Events, installations and live performances take place across the CBD from 7pm-7am the following morning, so be sure to get your caffeine fix before you hit the streets to roam. 

This annual Melbourne celebration draws in the crowds year after year, with plenty to keep all ages busy. Aside from the iconic Birdman Rally and Parade there’s usually a live music stage with a bunch of performances from some of the city’s best musos so you can get your groove on after taking a spin on some of the carnival rides. 

For the 11th annual festival this year Golden Plains is adopting a supernatural, full moon party theme to align with the sky for the three day affair. This campout, headlined by Neil Finn and The Specials, takes place a few hours out of Melbourne but is certainly worth considering if you have some extra days to spare outside of the city around the long weekend.