One of the worst things about being a music fan is the horrible sinking feeling you get when you realise that awesome gig that you heard was coming actually turned out to be last night. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a gig guide so that you can make sure you won’t be missing any more unforgettable nights of music.
With plenty for everyone coming up this month, there’s bound to be something here that will turn your plans of a quiet night in into a memory you’ll never forget.
LOUD Thursdays
If you’re a fan of all those classic indie jams of yesteryear, you’d undoubtedly be a huge fan of Melbourne’s LOUD Thursdays, which goes down at Perseverance Hotel in Fitzroy. However, what you might not know is that this night has seen so much love that the powers that be have decided to make this a weekly occurrence.
It all kicks off each Thursday at 9pm at Fitzroy’s Perseverance Hotel. Entry is free, but be sure to get in early to make sure you don’t miss out on one of coolest nights out this month.
Every Thursday
Perseverance Bar, Melbourne, VIC
More info: Facebook
Jebediah
They’re one of the most beloved Aussie alt-rock acts of the ’90s, and even now, almost 25 years after first forming, Jebediah are still out on the road, delivering some fiery sets full of all those classic indie hits you remember.
Hitting up the Chelsea Heights Hotel at the end of the month, Jebediah will be delivering a brilliant set as always. Supported by The Diecasts and Super Duper, this is undoubtedly going to be one ripper night of tunes – don’t miss this one!
Thursday, March 29th
Chelsea Heights Hotel, Chelsea Heights, VIC
Tickets: Oztix
Gogol Bordello
Long considered a cult band, Gogol Bordello have been spending much of the last two decades slowly breaking their way into the mainstream. Now, they’re bringing their gypsy-punk tunes to an eager crowd at Melbourne’s 170 Russell. Dress in plenty of purple, because this show is going to be something to write home about!
Wednesday, March 14th
170 Russell, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Bluesfest Sideshows
It’s one of the biggest festivals in Australia, and as usual, Bluesfest have delivered one amazing lineup full of rock royalty and up-and-coming gems. Of course, if you can’t make it up to Sydney for this year’s event, the festival has you covered with a series of sideshows making their way to town.
Kicking off between the last week of March and the first week of April, Melbourne will be receiving sideshows from the likes of Benjamin Booker, Robert Plant, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Canned Heat, Newton Faulkner, Gomez, Youssou N’Dour, Juanes, Walter Trout, and more. With a series of artists that diverse, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
Saturday, March 24th – Wednesday, April 4th
Various Locations, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Bluesfest
Jack River
Jack River (or Holly Rankin if you’re reading her passport) has had such huge success in the last few years that we’re slowly losing that ability to catch her at small club shows where tickets are still available at the door. With Jack River set to hit up Howler on March 22nd, this could be one of your last chances to catch this awesome muso before she keeps on moving up in the world, playing bigger and bigger venues as her profile rises.
Thursday, March 22nd
Howler, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Moshtix
Mia Dyson
This week sees Mia Dyson, one of Australia’s finest blues and roots exports, releasing her brand new album, If I Said Only So Far I Take It Back. To celebrate, Dyson is set to hit up Melbourne’s Gasometer Hotel on March 23rd to launch the record to a hometown crowd. With six albums to her name, Mia Dyson has plenty of tunes under her belt to turn this into one of the biggest gigs you’ll see this month.
Friday, March 23rd
The Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
More info: Facebook
Pop Will Eat Itself
For most of the late ’90s and the ’00s, fans wondered if we would ever see a full-scale reunion of Pop Will Eat Itself. Thankfully, in 2010, the band announced they were going to be delivering all the hits we’ve come to know and love again. Back in Australia once more for another highly-anticipated tour, don’t miss Pop Will Eat Itself when they hit up Max Watt’s this week with Caligula and Carter USM’s Jim Bob.
Friday, March 9th
Max Watt’s, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Metropolis Touring
A Day On The Green
If ’90s alternative rock is your thing, then there’s no way you could look past the monster lineup that is descending upon Geelong next week as part of A Day On The Green. Featuring sets from The Living End, Spiderbait, Veruca Salt, the Lemonheads, Tumbleweed, and The Fauves, this is going to be one amazing throwback to the decade where music attained perfection.
Sunday, March 11th
Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, VIC
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Hockey Dad
Hockey Dad are going gangbusters right now, having scored the highest-placing Aussie album on the ARIA charts recently, and scoring triple j’s Feature Album this past week. Now, to celebrate the release of their second album, Blend Inn, the Windang boys are heading off on tour. Sadly, with all their shows sold out, here’s hoping you’ve already got yourself a ticket. With the boys playing three shows from March 8th-10th at the Corner Hotel, these shows are going to go off.
Thursday, March 8th
The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC (Sold Out)
Friday, March 9th
The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC (Sold Out)
Saturday, March 10th
The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC (under 18’s matinee) (Sold Out)
King Krule
Back in October, King Krule released his long-awaited second album, The Ooz, to widespread critical acclaim. Now back in the country for a series of highly-anticipated shows, he’s set to play a gig this week at The Croxton Bandroom, which will undoubtedly be one you’ll be talking about for years to come.
Thursday, March 8th
The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Oztix
Kamasi Washington
Kamasi Washington has spent years academically trained jazz musician who knows how to adapt to a changing musical landscape. After having released his first record as a bandleader in 2004, the saxophonist started to collaborate with a vast array of jazz and hip-hop musicians, such as Herbie Hancock, Snoop Dogg, and Wayne Shorter, rapidly increasing his profile.
Hitting up Melbourne’s Forum Theatre later this week, this is set to be one of the most immersive and intriguing shows you’ll witness any time soon. Don’t sleep on this one!
Friday, March 9th
The Forum, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Jens Lekman
Sweden’s finest indie-pop artist is making yet another trip to Aussie shores for what is sure to be some of his best shows yet. With plenty of shows scheduled around the country, there’s no excuse to not catch the accomplished musicianship, and acerbic wit of Jens Lekman when he brings one of his stunning performances to your neck of the woods.
Friday, March 16th
The Night Cat, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Eventbrite
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIwIAbcLFhI
Camp Cope
Camp Cope have just released their huge second album, How To Socialise & Make Friends, and they’re getting set to deliver their huge tunes to Aussie audiences with an album launch tour. With Chastity Belt coming along for the ride, Camp Cope are set to hit up Thornbury Theatre on March 15th, where they’ll be delivering one of the most important rock shows that you’ll witness this year.
Thursday, March 15th
Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Oztix
Middle Kids
In just a couple of months, Middle Kids are set to drop their hotly-anticipated debut album, Lost Friends. But before they do that, they’re heading out on tour, taking their immersive live show to the people to give them a taste of what’s to come. With the band hitting up Howler on March 19th, eager fans are set to be given one heck of a performance from one of Australia’s brightest talents.
Monday, March 19th
Howler, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Moshtix
You Am I Plays Spinal Tap
What could be better than the sheer concept of one of Australia’s most irreverent and accomplished rock bands paying tribute to one of the world’s most famed fictional bands? Well, very little. In fact, there is almost nothing that could top the idea of You Am I playing the music of Spinal Tap. This is set to be a pretty special show with some pretty memorable moments in the pipeline.
Friday, March 23rd
Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Eventbrite
