Ashleigh Hastings

October 2024: Spring is offically here and with it comes a boost in the Melbourne music calendar. From the Melbourne International Jazz Festival to Olivia Rodrigo, there's so much music happening in Melbourne this month. When stuck for things to do between live gigs, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 101 things to do in Melbourne before you die.  Craving a pint with your favourite local band? Here are the best live music pubs in Melbourne.

October 2024: The great thing about Melbourne is that when the mercury drops, our world-class theatre scene stays red hot. There are so many productions happening this month, we couldn't even come close to fitting them all on this list. If the razzle-dazzle of musicals is your thing, grab a ticket to Beauty and the Beast. Six the Musical is also reigning over the Comedy Theatre, or catch Pulitzer-winning play Cost of Living for humour, heart and searing observations. From the toe-tapping to the cathartic, consider this your ultimate guide to all the best theatre and musicals happening this October. When stuck for things to do between shows, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 101 things to do in Melbourne before you die.  Want something else to do this month? Check out our gig guide.

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical has finally rolled into Melbourne’s Princess Theatre, after making its Australian debut in Sydney back in May 2023. There’s a laundry list of reasons Tina goes beyond your average imported jukebox musical, making for something extra special. Australia’s national obsession with ‘Nutbush City Limits’ comes to mind, as does Turner's stirring story of overcoming domestic violence, racism and ageism to mount one of the most successful musical comebacks of all time. Factor in 37 award nominations globally, including for Best Musical at the Tonys, and it’s no surprise the blockbuster production has sold more than 600,000 tickets nationwide so far.  In Australia, the iconic role of Tina Turner is played by Kew High School alumnus Ruva Ngwenya. She’s been gracing our stages for years in the likes of The Lion King, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Ragtime and Moulin Rouge! Now, Ngwenya has taken to her leading role like a duck to water, even scoring a nomination for Best Performance in a Musical at our inaugural Arts & Culture Awards. Despite all that, she tells Time Out Melbourne that she grew up viewing singing less as a career ambition and more as a party trick she “just happened to be really good at”.  “I don’t think I grew up thinking I was going to have a musical theatre career,” says Ngwenya. “I grew up singing, it was a way of life. The neighbours could hear me coming before they’d see me and I got nicknamed ‘songbird’.” “It’s also part of the

The Melbourne Fringe Festival is in full swing and there are more than 400 events scattered throughout the city to sink your teeth into. Keep an eye out right here for our reviews – we'll update this page daily as they come to hand. Looking for more Fringe recs? Check out the weirdest, comedy and free events happening at Fringe this year. 

From October 1-20, our city will teem with independent artists, theatre-makers, comedians, dancers and risk-takers for Melbourne Fringe Festival. But times are tough, budgets are tight and sometimes forking out cash for a show just isn't on the cards. But fret not; this wonderful and gloriously weird celebration of independent art is packed with free events to catch, so you can still partake in Fringe frivolity for zilch. Looking for more Fringe recommendations? Check out the weirdest, comedy and theatre events happening at Fringe this year. 

With well more than 400 events taking place, it can be tough to know where to begin. Fret not though Melbourne, as we've combed through the program to discover some of the weirdest, wackiest and wildest events we think you'll lap up.  From music to art, weird and kooky theatre to hilarious comedy shows, cabaret and more – here are the must-see events at Melbourne Fringe 2024. Take your pick from our themed Melbourne Fringe Festival lists below!

October 2024: Spring is here and Melbourne's galleries and museums are letting the light in. However, that also means it's your last chance to see winter blockbuster exhibitions including the NGV's Pharaoh and Africa Fashion. Over at ACMI, find out the story behind one of Australia's most successful video game exports at Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition. For a look at scarily realistic dinos, head to Jurassic World: The Exhibition, or hear First People's stories of the land at Biik Milboo Dhumba – Country is Always Talking. There's always something to see in this all-embracing city of ours, so don't let the month pass you by without getting your fix of the best art, culture and exhibitions in Melbourne this October. When in doubt, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 101 things to do in Melbourne before you die.  Keen to add some art to your home? These are the best places to buy art in Melbourne.

No one does ‘weird’ as well as the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Over the decades, the Festival has seen production after production push the limits of straight-laced convention, and this year is no different – it’s as wild, wacky and weird as ever. From a play on a bus to a mysterious fairy floss giveaway, the festival is ready to serve up scoop after scoop of unbridled kookiness. Here are the shows you’d be a fool to miss.

If you haven’t heard of LickYourPhone Media, we’ve got just one question for you – where have you been? From enticing food videos to laser-focused digital marketing strategies, this award-winning hospitality marketing agency knows how to get you the hungry customers you deserve. How? By unlocking the power of social media for your hospitality business. Consider this a PSA: If you're in the hospitality industry and you're looking for marketing help, you've found it. These guys have made it their speciality and they're hungry for success. So how can they help you? Through social media management, influencer marketing, appetising videography, photography, digital ads, events and more.  LickYourPhone Media has quickly grown into a sizzling success story. With a client list full of big names like Coca-Cola, Salumerie, Celsius, TokyoTaco and L’Auberge du Bout du Monde, it’s no wonder LickYourPhone is getting so much attention. In fact, after working with LickYourPhone on their opening strategy, L’Auberge du Bout du Monde went from very quiet to being booked out seven weeks in advance. Plus, on Salumerie's opening day, the expert team were able to help the venue sell 100 sandwiches in 20 minutes.  In case you were still in any doubt about the fact that LickYourPhone Media has some serious marketing props, let's take a look at the trophy cabinet. This crew has clocked 12 awards for best social media marketing agency, as well as 17 finalist spots. They also picked up Company of the Ye

Melbourne’s dynamic cultural deviants, the Huxleys, are presenting a grand slam queer takeover of the sporting world this Melbourne Fringe. The Winner Takes it All is for everyone who’s ever felt excluded from sport, or just anyone who wants to live out their sport fantasies in high-camp regalia and be captured in a series of joyous and surreal photographs.  Like many young queer people, the seeds of Garret Huxley’s fraught relationship with sport were sown early in life. “Sport highlighted my differences and made me an easy target for playground bullying, and so I spent twelve years of my life trying to get out of every sporting activity possible,” explains Huxley. “A teacher once ordered the class to triple-jump into the sandpit. I refused to do it. My inner body temperature felt like 100 degrees because I was in the unwanted spotlight.” Thankfully, according to Will Huxley “there are no winners and losers in this magical world”.  Both agree that Melbourne Fringe is a lucky dip – you never know what you’re going to get. However, that’s also the special nature of a festival that gives independent artists room to experiment and dream up wild, weird and magical ideas that may not find a place elsewhere. So, without further ado, the Huxleys present Time Out readers with their favourite choices for Melbourne Fringe 2024. Looking for more Fringe recommendations? Check out the weirdest, music, free and theatre events happening at Fringe this year. 

An intimate dinner party. Shakespeare with netball. A three-day rave. Juggling like you’ve never seen it before. When it comes to enthralling theatre, you can always count on the Melbourne Fringe Festival to sign, seal and deliver a whole bunch of eclectic productions, and this year is no different.  With more than 400 events taking place, picking a production can feel laborious. To make things easier, we’ve rounded up the best theatre at this year's Fringe so you don’t have to.

From musicals based on much-loved and seriously messed up kids’ TV shows to gothic horror reimagined via icons returning to the stage after decades away, this year in theatre is shaping up to be one of the strongest we’ve seen in quite some time.Here are a few shows we know you’ll want to catch before it’s too late to say you were there. 🖼 The best Australian art galleries🔍 Australia's greatest museums 👀 The best art exhibitions to see in Australia this year

Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Finneas is performing an exclusive headline show at Forum Melbourne on January 13, 2025.  You might know Finneas for his work writing and producing with his superstar sister Billie Eilish, or for the fact that he’s won ten Grammys so far from 18 nominations. Or, perhaps you know him from his debut album Optimist, which earned him a Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist category.  These days, Finneas is about to release his sophomore album For Cryin’ Out Loud, which promises to be his most emotive and uplifting album yet. If the lead single ‘Cleats’ is anything to go by, we’re expecting groovy, summer-friendly tunes. A bona fide star in his own right (and the man responsible for many of your favourite Billie Eilish hits), Finneas is one show you don’t want to miss. For more information and to get tickets, Ticketek is the place to go. Want more music? Here are the best gigs happening in Melbourne this month

The colourful creatures that make up ACMI’s latest, world premiere exhibition burst to life from a single drawn line, before growing and changing right before your eyes. The more you move and interact in the space, the more animated these curious characters will get, morphing between forms and textures for a hyperreal experience.   Beings is the name of this innovative exhibition, which will stick around until September 29. The name refers to the friendly digital critters seemingly ‘living’ in the exhibition’s large-scale digital screens, just waiting for you to come and play. These generative digital artworks are constantly changing, which means no two people will see the same exhibition, and each time you visit will also be unique. So, how do these joyful (and seemingly magical) creatures remain so responsive to their environment? The technology behind Beings is an impressive mix of video game engines, evolving algorithms and visual effects software usually used in film. All these fancy technologies combine to produce what promises to be a bunch of fun lil’ (or not that little) guys who want to hang out and play, becoming more active in response to your presence.  The folks behind this exhibition are a UK-based art and design collective called Universal Everything. They specialise in “soulful technology” and they’ve created 13 brand-new artworks for this premiere curated by ACMI.  Beings is suitable for all ages, so you can bring along the whole fam. Tickets will go on sale

Māori storyteller Irihipeti Waretini has created a new exhibition of photography, multimedia art and film centred around the Māori matriarchy. Māreikura - Ka rere te rongoā (the medicine flows) is happening now at the CBD’s Immigration Museum, until late February 2025.  The exhibition, which is Waretini’s first solo showing, features 15 striking photographic portraits of Māori women, all of whom have moko kauae – aka traditional chin tattoos. Also included is an intricately carved pou (pillar).  ‘Māreikura’ is a te reo Māori term meaning matriarch or noble-born woman, such as those seen in the portraits. According to Waretini, “moko kauae has direct systemic healing mechanisms for Māori and anyone who beholds us wearing it.  “So naturally, it would be a key part of my first solo exhibition”, she says. “When the missionaries and early settlers arrived in Aotearoa, they brought with them their culturally specific understandings of the role and status of women, which was and is very demeaning to the importance and status of the Māori Matriarchy within Māori society. “Every opportunity we take to centre our Māreikura, we are returning to the ways in which we acknowledge the natural order of the universe, the interrelationship or whanaungatanga of all living things to one another and to the environment, and the overarching principle of balance, and securing an Indigenous future.” Māreikura is free to attend for members and children. Tickets for adults are $15, or $10 for seniors.

  Let go of 2024 and welcome the year to come at Let Them Eat Cake, the longest-running arts, culture and dance music festival in Melbourne. Hosted on the beautifully manicured gardens of Werribee Park Mansion, you can look forward to an absolutely hectic roster of artists.  This year’s line-up is full of big names from across the globe and local party starters. Australian acts include C00kie, DJ JNETT, Moktar, Pretty Girl, Soju Gang and more. From overseas, you’ll be treated to sets from Flansie, Interplanetary Criminal, Jyoty, Kettama and Prozak. After a long year, it's time to feel the bass through rumbling speakers and let our eyes feast on kaleidoscopic light shows and digital screens. Register for presale before 9pm on Wednesday, September 18, with ticket presales happening from Thursday, September 19. For more information, head to the Let Them Eat Cake website.  For the morning after, bookmark this page on Melbourne's best hangover meals. 

This September, the Regent Theatre’s grand stage will transform to host a full-scale ballet production dedicated to the life and writings of Oscar Wilde. World-famous choreographer Christopher Wheeldon has been commissioned to create Oscar for the Australian Ballet, a world-premiere production that intertwines Wilde’s biographical facts with his works of fiction to draw parallels between the artist and the art. Wheeldon is the same choreographer who created the Australian Ballet’s much-loved production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, but this is the first time he’s choreographed a work specially for the company. The composer for that production, Joby Talbot, has also come onboard for Oscar, after recently working on the feature film Wonka.  The ballet will explore Oscar Wilde’s life story, which saw him become one of London’s top literary figures before being convicted of gross indecency for homosexual acts and sentenced to two years hard labour (the maximum punishment at the time). Expect flamboyant costumes, high-drama and queer romance. As well as drawing on Wilde’s penchant for lampooning his peers with thinly veiled fictionalised references, the ballet also draws inspiration from two of his most lauded works, The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Nightingale and the Rose. Known for his plays and writings dripping with wit, Wilde’s writings also ultimately signalled the beginning of his downfall. Oscar plays at the Regent Theatre from September 13-24. The production run

The Japanese Film Festival (JFF) returns for its 28th edition this spring, presenting ten fresh feature films in partnership with the Japan Foundation. Running from October 21 until November 3, the festival will present an eclectic mix of Japan’s best and latest cinema. In addition to new release films, there will also be a special series showcasing the classic works of director Shohei Imamura, known for his focus on the experience of the lower classes.  Opening JFF this year is Mom, Is That You!?, a commentary on Japanese workplace culture that promises to be as heartwarming as it is cutting. Fans of period films will enjoy Shadow of Fire, a historical drama set amongst the ruins of World War II.  If laughs are what you’re after, opt for The Dancing Okami to see the place where tap dancing and traditional Japanese hospitality meet, or A Samurai in Time, which pays homage to Japan’s most famous samurai stuntman, who died on-screen more than 50,000 times.  Manga lovers can see the long-awaited epic feature Sand Land, or the award-winning Let’s Go Karaoke. If romance is more your thing, Our Secret Diary serves up a bittersweet high school love story.  Elsewhere in the festival, younger viewers and nostalgic grownups will enjoy The Imaginary, an animated treat directed by a former Ghibli animator. For the thrillseekers out there, Out follows the real experience of a 17-year-old former gang leader, while Matched traces a sinister story of online dating gone wrong.   Screenings fo

Head across the hallway to your besties’ apartment and get ready to giggle – everyone’s favourite '90s sitcom is setting up shop at The Fullerton Hotel, and you can get involved. The Friends Experience is taking over level one of the CBD hotel from Thursday, September 26 – so you and your friends will soon be able to relive unforgettable moments from the show, for the ‘gram or just for the mems.  More than 25 years after it first graced our TV screens back in 1994, it’s safe to say Friends is still one of the most beloved shows of all time – it’s certainly our go-to comfort watch. Now, those craving more of the show’s hilarious energy can perk up their days (geddit?) by staging a photoshoot in the show’s iconic coffee house, settling into Chandler and Joey’s ultra-comfortable recliners, or taking a seat on what is perhaps the world’s most recognisable couch.  And of course, you can’t recreate Friends without also striking a pose in Monica’s spotless kitchen and splashing around by the famous fountain from the opening credits.  The Friends Experience has attracted more than a million visitors around the world and tickets for “The One in Sydney” go on sale tomorrow. The 45-minute nostalgic experience will set you back $25 per person, and the interactive sets are suitable for all ages. You can join the waitlist for tickets over here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:  Want fun now? Here’s what’s

Melbourne’s home of writing and big ideas, the Wheeler Centre, is hosting a festival of ideas featuring a stellar line-up of locally and globally renowned writers, performers and creatives. The third annual edition of the Wheeler Centre’s Spring Fling kicks off on October 3 for an expanded month-long program to help Melbourne shake off the winter chill, regardless of how the actual weather may betray us. Expect panel discussions, lectures, live podcasts and performances. The festival will take place at the Wheeler Centre, as well as other venues around the CBD including the Athenaeum, the Capitol Theatre and ACMI. There are also a few regional events sprinkled around Victoria.  Hear from stellar homegrown talents like journalist Lucia Osborne-Crowley, who was one of only four reporters admitted to Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial. Filmmaker, satirist and writer John Safran will unpack his new memoir Squat, about the time he spent squatting in one of Kanye West’s LA mansions. Elsewhere, national treasure Noni Hazlehurst will take us behind the scenes of her career, while Ben Shewry, chef-owner of acclaimed restaurant Attica, will record an episode of popular podcast Marieke Hardy is Going to Die.  Alone Australia winner Gina Chick will share her incredible journey to Victory, while groundbreaking author Bruce Pascoe and partner Lyn Harwood will host a special experience at the Moat, reflecting on sustainable food and land management practices.  Proud Bundjalung and Widubul-Wiabul wom

Horizon, a double bill from Bangarra Dance Theatre, is a groundbreaking work unlike anything the renowned company has produced before. For the first time ever, Bangarra tells a cross-cultural story paying homage to the First Peoples of the Oceania region, beyond just (so-called) Australia. We begin with Kulka, the opener by Sani Townson. This powerfully percussive piece throbs with energy, with a cracking pace set by what can only be described as aquatically aligned EDM beats pumping through Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse. The shapes are sharp and the lifts are as elevated as our heartbeats as the dancers cluster in the form of crocodiles, birds and other clan animals of the Saybaylayg people of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait). A reflective panel upstage creates mesmerising reflective mirages, as innovative floor projections enhance the narrative. While the fast-forward feel of Kulka hooks us in, it also creates a slightly rushed feeling, leaving us wanting more as the conclusion hits. Next up is Horizon’s meatier work, The Light Inside. This hotly anticipated two-parter unites the creative forces of two distinguished First Nations choreographers: Moss Te Ururangi Patterson and Deborah Brown.  Part one, Salt Water, is choreographed by Brown, a distinguished Bangarra alumna and descendant of the Wakaid Clan, Badu Island and the Meriam people of Murray Island in the Torres Strait. It’s a tribute to the people of Zenadth Kes and their connection to land and sea. Part two, Fresh W

Heidelberg-based still-life painter Libby Haines hardly needs an introduction, but here’s one just in case. She’s the artist whose notorious regular Instagram drops sell out in just seconds, with half of Melbourne seemingly vying to get their hands on one of her coveted originals. Haines’ colourful oil paintings revel in the messy mundanity of everyday life, capturing domestic scenes through rich textures and saturated hues. Rather than striving for tidy perfection, her work embraces unconventional angles to capture a sense of chaos and emotion. What does that look like? Think overflowing tablescapes, lipstick-kissed glasses and well-loved bouquets.  After amassing a devoted following of more than 100,000, Haines is now presenting her fifth solo show at Fitzroy’s A-N Studio. Titled Table Manners, the exhibition will create a lively dinner party scene, where each painting is interconnected to form an animated home filled with food and guests.  Come down to Brunswick Street on the weekend of September 14-15 to check it out. As for painting proceeds, Haines will donate 10 per cent to the PARA Foundation.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Want more? Check out the best art and exhibitions happening in Melbourne this month.

“Plagiary’s text and imagery is generated by hyper-intelligent computer programs with broad creative freedom,” reads a sign outside Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Studio. “It may include offensive language, concepts and context.”  This AI-directed dance work constructed by award-winning Australian choreographer Alisdair Macindoe is playing as part of the second-ever Now or Never festival, a new addition to Melbourne’s cultural scene focused on the intersection of art, sound, technology and ideas. From where we’re sitting, Plagiary couldn’t better exemplify those themes. After passing several similar ominous warning signs on the way in, it’s hard to know what to expect from this 55-minute experience. As we’re each handed a pair of cardboard glasses and told it’s fine to capture the show on our phones, my curiosity level spikes to an 11. Why would a group of dancers, surely the natural antagonists of creativity-crushing artificial intelligence, decide to love thy enemy? The ensemble cast is already onstage as we take our seats, hidden not-so-well behind a clear plastic screen, toying with racks of costumes and bouncing around in their individual warm-up routines. A pre-show announcement from a computer-generated voice explains that each dancer will receive instructions from an earpiece, which they are free to interpret as they see fit. We in the audience also have choices to make: watch the screen to perv at the AI-written prompts the performers are interpreting, or slip on ou

The Palace Cinemas franchise was started by the Zeccola brothers, who arrived in Melbourne in 1957 and opened cinemas for the purpose of screening Italian films to fellow migrants. In the late 1990s, Palace launched the Italian Film Festival as a showcase of the latest movies from the homeland. This spring, the festival returns to celebrate 25 years of la dolce vita from September 20 until October 17. Opening the festival is Gloria!, which marks the directorial debut of Italian singer, songwriter and actor Margherita Vicario, who also co-wrote the film. Gloria! Follows a maid at a Venetian refuge, whose hidden talent helps inspire an uprising. Vicario will be present at the opening night gala, which is happening at the Astor Theatre.  Bid the festival arrivederci at the closing night Australian premiere screening of Conclave. This all-star papal thriller features Oscar nominees Stanley Tucci and Ralph Fiennes as part of a brilliant ensemble cast, playing Cardinals gathered at the Vatican to elect a new Pope.  In between, enjoy a month-long Italian feast of films including psychological thriller Trust, investigative mystery A Dark Story and ensemble drama Family Matters. Italian comedy lovers will also delight in box office hit A World Apart, small-town story Life’s A Beach and face-your-fears tale Volare.  For fans of the classics, the Italian Film Festival is hosting a special 50th anniversary screening of The Godfather Part II. The beloved film will be shown in lavishly res

After selling out two Australian shows in mere minutes last year, Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Finneas is returning Down Under in January 2025. You might know Finneas for his work writing and producing with his superstar sister Billie Eilish, or for the fact that he’s won ten Grammys so far from 18 nominations. Or, perhaps you know him from his debut album Optimist, which earned him a Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist category.  These days, Finneas is about to release his sophomore album For Cryin’ Out Loud, which promises to be his most emotive and uplifting album yet. If the lead single ‘Cleats’ is anything to go by, we’re expecting groovy, summer-friendly tunes. A bona fide star in his own right (and the man responsible for many of your favourite Billie Eilish hits), Finneas is one show you don’t want to miss. Here are all the details about his 2025 Australian tour. When and where are Finneas’s Australian shows? Finneas will kick off his 2025 tour at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on Thursday, January 9. He’ll then perform at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Saturday, January 11, and wrap up with a headline show at Forum Melbourne on Monday, January 13.  When do Finneas tickets go on sale in Australia? General tickets for Finneas’s three exclusive Australian concerts go on sale on Wednesday, October 2 at 4pm local time via Ticketek (for Sydney and Melbourne) or Ticketmaster (for Brisbane). Is there a presale for Finneas’s Australian

It's been more than 30 years since Kylie Minogue, unquestionably the Australian queen of pop, first burst onto the global music scene with 'The Loco Motion'. She's since gone on to become an international household name and her spark hasn't dimmed at all, with tunes like ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’, ‘All The Lovers’ and ‘Padam Padam’ (released in 2001, 2010 and 2023 respectively) consistently reinstating her position as one of the world’s true pop stars. And though she’s famous across the world, Kylie holds a special place in Aussie culture. To quote Jacob Elordi, the pop princess is “a national treasure. Period.”, so it feels right that she’s kicking off her world tour – her biggest since 2011 – here on home soil. When are Kylie's Melbourne shows? After lighting the fuse for the Tension Tour in Perth and continuing through Adelaide, Kylie will grace Melbourne with her presence during three Melbourne shows on Thursday, February 20, Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22. All shows will take place at the massive Rod Laver Arena.  When do Kylie Melbourne tickets go on sale? General tickets for Kylie’s Melbourne shows will go on sale on Wednesday, October 2 at 1pm Melbourne time via Ticketek. If you’re buying for the Kylie fans in your life, you might need to cut a few from the list – there’s a limit of ten tickets per purchase for general sale tickets (and a limit of six for presale tickets). Is there a presale for Kylie’s Melbourne shows? If you’re a Frontier Member

Luke Combs is no stranger to success, but the announcement of his summer 2025 tour proves that when it rains, it really does pour. Combs is about to be the first country artist to headline a full stadium tour Down Under, making for his fourth Aussie headline tour. He's playing six huge shows including two in Melbourne.  Hailing from North Carolina, Combs began singing in groups before hitting the local gig scene. In 2014, he headed to Nashville to pursue a music career, where his single ‘Hurricane’ earned him a contract with River House/Columbia Nashville. Ever since, Combs’ country melodies have earned him Billboard Music Awards’ Top Country Artist, seven Grammy nominations, four Academy of Country Music Awards and two iHeart Radio Music Awards, with his latest album Father and Sons setting the stage for his next big tour. Here’s everything you need to know about getting tickets in Melbourne. When is Luke Combs coming to Melbourne It’s set to be a sizzling summer as Combs graces the Melbourne stage. After shows in Sydney and Brisbane, Combs will wrap up his tour Down Under with two shows at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8.   Who are the support acts for Luke Combs’ Melbourne shows?  Headed back Down Under after making their Aussie debuts at CMC Rocks QLD last year, country singers Jordan Davis and Mitchell Tenpenny will join Combs in Melbourne. Tamworth’s 18-year-old singer-songwriter Lane Pittman will also join the tour. When do Lu

Pop girlies, it’s time to live out your teenage dream! Katy Perry has announced she’ll be heading Down Under in 2025 for a huge Australian tour celebrating the release of her (ahem, controversial) new album called 143.  Despite some backlash from those unhappy that Perry is still working with infamous producer Dr Luke (who has faced allegations from fellow artist Kesha), there are nevertheless countless KatyCats out there purring at the chance to see her live. If you just can’t resist the chance to scream the lyrics to ‘Firework’ alongside thousands of others, we’ve got all the info you need about Katy Perry’s Australian 2025 tour. When is Katy Perry going on her 2025 Australian tour? Get ready to roar as Katy Perry kicks off her Lifetimes Tour at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on Monday, June 9. She’ll then head to Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena for two huge performances on Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13. Perry will round out the tour with a show at Brisbane Entertainment Centre on June 17 and at Perth’s RAC Arena on June 22.   When do Katy Perry Australia tickets go on sale? Tickets for Katy Perry’s Australian shows will go live at 10am local time on Friday, October 4. That means you’ve got just over a week to get your ducks in a row. Will there be a presale for Katy Perry’s Australian tour? For an artist this big, presale is a no-brainer. Here’s the rundown: Telstra presale: from 10am local time on Friday, September 27 Snaffle presale: from 9am local time on Tuesday, Octo

From Kylie to Charli, Sabrina to Tay Tay, 2024 will go down in history as the year of the pop girlies. And though her recent (ahem, controversial) album hasn’t necessarily been met with the same acclaim as some of the year’s other major releases, Katy Perry's role in 2024's musical landscape is undeniably another feather in this year’s pop-girlie cap. Despite some backlash from those unhappy that Perry is still working with infamous producer Dr Luke (who has faced allegations from fellow artist Kesha), there are nevertheless countless KatyCats out there purring at the chance to see her live. If you just can’t resist the chance to scream the lyrics to ‘Firework’ alongside thousands of others, we’ve got all the info you need about Katy Perry’s Sydney 2025 tour.  When is Katy Perry going on her 2025 Sydney, Australia tour? Get ready to roar, because Katy Perry will bring the Lifetimes Tour to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena for one fireworks-fuelled huge night in winter 2025. The single Sydney show is set to take place on Monday, June 9 – though we’ve got a feeling additional dates will be released. When do Katy Perry Sydney tickets go on sale? Tickets for Katy Perry’s Sydney shows will be available on Friday, October 4 from 10am local time. That means you’ve got just over a week to get your ducks in a row. Will there be a presale for Katy Perry's Sydney show? For an artist this big, presale is a no-brainer. Here’s the rundown: Telstra presale: from 10am on Friday, September 27 Snaffl

From Sabrina Carpenter to Taylor Swift, 2024 is proving to be the year of the pop girlies. Lately, Katy Perry has joined in on the renaissance, by releasing a (ahem, controversial) new album called 143.  Despite some backlash from those unhappy that Perry is still working with infamous producer Dr Luke (who has faced allegations from fellow artist Kesha), there are nevertheless countless KatyCats out there purring at the chance to see her live. If you just can’t resist the chance to scream the lyrics to ‘Firework’ alongside thousands of others, we’ve got all the info you need about Katy Perry’s Melbourne 2025 tour.  When is Katy Perry going on her 2025 Melbourne, Australia tour? Get ready to roar, because Katy Perry will bring the Lifetimes Tour to Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena for two huge nights in winter 2025. The Melbourne shows are set to take place on Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13, 2025. When do Katy Perry Melbourne tickets go on sale? Tickets for Katy Perry’s Melbourne dates will be available on Friday, October 4 from 10am local time. That means you’ve got just over a week to get your ducks in a row. Will there be a presale? For an artist this big, presale is a no-brainer. Here’s the rundown: Telstra presale: from 10am on Friday, September 27 Snaffle presale: from 9am on Tuesday, October 3 Katy Perry Melbourne ticket prices It’s no surprise that ticket prices are still under wraps, but we’ll update this post as soon as more information comes to hand. For an arena

Update Monday September 23: We really have been blessed down here in Melbourne. Due to massive demand, Dua Lipa has just announced an impressive fifth Melbourne show on March 17, 2025. Tickets for this bonus show will go on sale at 10am this Wednesday, September 25 over here. All other Australian shows are now sold out, so this is your chance. No it’s not an illusion, Dua Lipa is indeed starting the 2025 leg of her world tour right here in Melbourne and we’re radically optimistic that we’ll be able to get tickets now that new dates have been agged. With three Grammys, seven BRITs and some serious dance training under her belt, we can’t wait to see Dua give us everything Down Under. So, start stretching now and prepare to get physical, because tickets for the Australian leg of Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour go on sale at 1pm today. Here’s all the info you need to make sure you catch her before she goes Houdini.  When is Dua Lipa going on her 2025 Melbourne, Australia tour? Dua Lipa will start the Australian leg of her Radical Optimism Tour with three massive Melbourne shows, the second of which has just been announced due to popular demand. It’s all happening on Wednesday, March 19, Thursday, March 20, Saturday, March 22 at Rod Laver Arena. Update: Dua has just announced a fourth Melbourne show, so we like our chances. When do Dua Lipa Melbourne tickets go on sale? This is not a drill, people! Training season is over and tickets are on sale TODAY. Scoring these tickets is su

No, you’re not hallucinating. Dua Lipa is indeed starting the 2025 leg of her world tour right here in Australia, and you wanna believe that anything could stop us from getting tickets… you might well be right, because competition will be tight. With three Grammys, seven BRITs and some serious dance training under her belt, Dua is a star – and we can’t wait to see her give us everything Down Under.So, start stretching now and prepare to get physical, because tickets for the Australian leg of Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour go on sale soon – with not one, not two but three Sydney shows currently confirmed. Here’s all the info you need to make sure you catch her before she goes Houdini.  When is Dua Lipa going on her 2025 Sydney, Australia tour? After kicking off her tour in Melbourne with four shows, Dua Lipa will close out the Australian leg of her Radical Optimism Tour with three massive Sydney shows. The high-octane events will be going down on Wednesday, March 26, Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29 at the Qudos Bank Arena.  When do Dua Lipa Sydney tickets go on sale? This is not a drill, people! Training season is over. Scoring these tickets is sure to be the fight of our lives, so you’d best be prepared. General ticket sales begin at 1pm local time on Friday, September 20 over here.  Is there a presale for Dua Lipa’s Sydney show? If you’ve got an Amex (or your bestie does), your presale has already begun. Artist presale kicked off at 12pm local time on Thursday, Sep

Here’s a fun fact for all the indie sleaze aficionados out there: it’s been 20 years since Vegas-formed rockers the Killers catapulted into the culture with their ARIA number one debut album Hot Fuss. If that reality has suddenly got you thinking about ‘When You Were Young’, you’ll be stoked to learn that the band is heading Down Under to celebrate. That’s right, the Killers are embarking on an Australian tour. Better yet, it’s all happening this summer, which means the Melbourne dates are about to go on sale. Read on for everything you need to know and you’ll be feeling like ‘The Man’ when you snatch up some tix.  When are the Killers going on their Melbourne, Australia tour 2024? If you’re a Melburnian fan of the Killers, consider today your lucky day. The global superstars are running two different shows during their Aussie tour and Melbourne and Sydney are fortunate enough to get both.  On Thursday, December 12, the band will perform their Rebel Diamonds Concert, featuring chart-toppers from across their prolific career. The very next night on Friday, December 13, they’ll also be performing the Hot Fuss album in its entirety – what a treat! Both all-ages shows will take place at Melbourne’s massive Rod Laver Arena, which ought to work well with the Killers’ anthemic sound.  When do tickets for the Killers go on sale? This tour has been announced a few months in advance, which means ticket sales are imminent. General sales start today at 4pm local time, so get in quick!. M

From international hits to hyper-local global premieres, Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) has just revealed a packed season for 2025. Bridging the familiar and unexpected, the upcoming season looks set to spotlight new talent and ideas. According to artistic director Anne-Louise Sarks, the season reflects the company’s “passion for stories of all kinds”.  “And each will do what only theatre can do: put you there in the room, with actors and audience, sharing a special experience that exists only for one night,” she said. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming season. What shows are in Melbourne Theatre Company’s 2025 season? 37: Opening on January 28, 37 makes a rare return after emerging as a favourite of MTC’s 2024 season. This powerful ensemble drama digs deep into the history of Aussie Rules as a national obsession and the sport's complex relationship with First Nations People.  Never Have I Ever: Opening on February 20, this lively comedy bills itself as a Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf for the modern era, written by The Guilty Feminist podcast host Deborah Francis-White.  The Robot Dog: Opening on March 5, this intercultural sci-fi comedy imagines a not-too-distant future featuring (you guessed it) a robot dog. Expect AI, ethical dilemmas and big feelings. The Removalists: Opening on March 15, this classic play returns to the Melbourne stage under the direction of MTC artistic director Anne-Louise Sarks. The Removalists takes an unflinching look at power a

Indie sleaze aficionados and karaoke lords, this one’s for all of you. The people who brought us 'Mr Brightside' – a song that started as an indie melody and morphed into the most-commonly belted bangers of all time – are coming Down Under, celebrating 20 years since the release of their ARIA number one debut album Hot Fuss with an epic Australian tour. Better yet, it’s all happening this summer, which means tickets for the Sydney leg at Qudos Bank Arena are about to go on sale. Read on for everything you need to know and you’ll be feeling like ‘The Man’ when you snatch up some tix.  When is the Killers Australia tour – including Sydney dates? If you’re a Sydney-based fan of the Killers, consider today your lucky day. The global superstars are running two different shows during their Aussie tour – and both Sydney and Melbourne are fortunate enough to get both.  On Friday, December 6, the band will perform their Rebel Diamonds Concert, featuring chart-toppers from across their prolific career. The very next night on Saturday, December 7, they’ll also be performing the Hot Fuss album in its entirety – what a treat! Both all-ages shows will take place at Sydney’s massive Qudos Bank Arena, which ought to work well with the Killers’ anthemic sound.  When do Killers Sydney tickets go on sale? This tour has been announced a few months in advance, which means ticket sales are imminent. General sales commence this Thursday, September 12, at 4pm local time. Sydney tickets are through T

We’ve all heard the chatter: the local music industry is doing it tough right now and the economy is to blame. From Falls Festival to Spilt Milk, festival cancellations are popping up everywhere we look, and it’s hard not to get down in the dumps wondering what will become of our beloved Aussie music industry. However, a new report from ticket resale marketplace Tixel and culture marketing agency Bolster Group has crunched the numbers, and the result is (dare we say it) a glimmer of hope. The report surveyed nearly 3,000 music fans in order to take an annual snapshot of the nation's live music landscape, as well as how and when music fans buy tickets. If you’ve read the news lately, you’d be forgiven for thinking that essentially no one is forking out for gigs anymore, but the report, titled Front Row Centre, has revealed that this sentiment might be a bit of an overstatement. Yes, almost everyone is tightening their belts right now as inflation continues to hit us for six, but it turns out that for most Aussie fans, live music is still high up on the must-do list. Despite the current state of the economy, 56 per cent of respondents said they still consider live music a priority. Better yet, two-thirds of fans said they attended either the same number or even more live music events than they did last year. These encouraging stats are music to our ears, because we all know that local artists need our dollars more than ever right now. Speaking of supporting local musos, one maj