Always Live is a major event that celebrates contemporary music across the state. And now, they’ve added even more massive shows to their stacked line-up. Over 150 artists will play at over 90 events in 12 regions around the state. Expect intimate performances in restaurants, arena-style shows and more, from right here in Melbourne all the way to the Murray River. Here’s what we know so far about the Always Live program.
Always Live
Dua Lipa
UK disco-pop icon, Dua Lipa, will play an unprecedented, intimate performance in an exclusive event. She will take the stage at the Palais Theatre, in front of only 2,500 lucky fans. This event will be the only small show on her global tour, and will present Dua Lipa in a way that audiences have never seen her before.
Crowded House
Beloved rock band Crowded House will also perform in an unexpected place as part of Always Live. They will appear at Gateway Lakes on the banks of the Murray River for an exclusive performance in Wodonga. They will be joined by Angus & Julia Stone, as well as Boy & Bear.
Sampa The Great
Certified queen Sampa the Great is coming to Melbourne to showcase her latest album, As Above so Below. Sampa is a force to be reckoned with in modern hip hop, with explosive visuals and poignant lyricism. Her Melbourne show will be fresh off her Australian tour support slot with Billie Eilish.
Jessica Mauboy
ARIA award-winning R&B/pop artist Jessica Mauboy will perform a special concert in Bright, along with a line-up of rising stars at Pioneer Park.
Other performances around the state
Future performances include Nick Cave and Warren Ellis performing at Hanging Rock, Tash Sultana headlining Ocean Sounds on Phillip Island, Amyl and the Sniffers headlining Chopped festival in Victoria’s Goldfields, Baker Boy at Queenscliff Music Festival and a First Nations concert series called Hometown, that will feature Isaiah Firebrace near Echuca and Alice Skye in Horsham.
Here’s the Always Live program so far:
Melbourne Shows
Dua Lipa (UK)
When: Sunday October 3
Where: Palais Theatre
Rockin’ the Burbs
When: Saturday October 22 to Monday October 31, and Sunday December 4
Where: Various
Flow Festival
When: Saturday November 5
Where: Footscray Community Arts Centre
Bad Apples House Party: Briggs, Mo’Ju Chasing Ghosts and more
When: Saturday November 5
Where: The Curtin Hotel
Blaktivisim: Yothu Yindi
When: Saturday November 5
Where: Arts Centre Melbourne
Chapterfest 30
When: Saturday November 5
Where: Northcote Theatre
Sophie Ellis-Bextor (UK)
When: Thursday November 11
Where: NGV International Garden Restaurant
Claptone (GER): The Masquerade
When: Saturday November 19
Where: Riva, St Kilda
Jess Cornelius (NZ)
When: Saturday November 19
Where: The Night Cat
Toro Y Moi (USA)
When: Wednesday November 23
Where: Northcote Social Club
Big Thief (USA)
When: Wednesday November 25
Where: Melbourne Recital Centre
Frente 30 Years of ‘Marvin The Album’
When: Thursday November 25
Where: Brunswick Ballroom
Khruangbin with special guests Kamasi Washington and Mildlife
When: Saturday December 3
Where: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
Lovely Day
When: Sunday December 4
Where: Palais Foreshore
Sampa the Great
When: Friday December 9
Where: Hamer Hall
Regional Victoria
OK Motels: Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, Nice Biscuit, Elizabeth, Vintage Crop, Bad Bangs, Skyscraper Stan, Kino Motel, Smarts, Baby Cool, Enola and more
When: Friday October 28 to Sunday October 30
Where: Charlton
Jessica Mauboy
When: Saturday November 12
Where: Pioneer Park, Bright
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis with special guest Courtney Barnett
When: Friday November 25 and Saturday November 26.
Where: Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges.
Almost Summer Festival
When: Friday November 25 to Sunday November 27
Where: Capital Theatre, Bendigo
Queenscliff Music Festival
When: Friday November 25 to Sunday November 27
Where: Various venues around Queenscliff
Chopped Festival: Amyl and the Sniffers, Andy Golledge, C.O.F.F.I.N, Smoke Witch and more
When: Friday December 2 to Sunday December 4
Where: Carisbrook
HOMETOWN: Isaiah Firebrace
When: Sunday December 4.
Where: Girgarre Sound Shell, near Echuca.
Ocean Sounds:Tash Sultana, Pierce Brothers, Kim Churchill, Kee’ahn and more
When: Saturday December 10.
Where: Churchill Island, Phillip Island/Millowl.
HOMETOWN: Alice Skye
When: Saturday December 10
Where: Sawyer Park Soundshell, Horsham
For more information, click here.