Saffron Swire

July 2023: You can expect reggaeton, R&B, soul and hip-hop from around the world to rock Melbourne this month. The Colombian 'Mi Gente' singer J Balvin is set to take to the Margaret Court Arena, the British hip-hop artist Loyle Carner will perform at the Palais Theatre and over at the Rod Laver, the flautist-rapper-singer Lizzo is due to give one good-as-hell performance. If you prefer doing things old-school, why not show a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T and get tickets to Aretha Franklin: A Love Letter to the Queen of Soul or celebrate Archie Roach's songs with a concert marking the legacy of the singer and storyteller.  Whether you're after an epic performance by an international act at a festival or an intimate gig at a local live music venue, consider this your ultimate guide to all the best live music happening this July. 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.

Is there anything worse than hearing about a dream gig and then realising the tickets are sold out? Save future you the stress by beating the crowd and getting your tickets in advance with our list of the best upcoming gigs in Melbourne. RECOMMENDED: Our list of the best gigs in Melbourne this month.

New York has Broadway, London has the West End, and here in Melbourne, it's all about the East End. We're an all-singing, all-dancing city which means we are spoiled for choice when it comes to the musicals taking centre stage in the historic East End Theatre District in the CBD. From glitzy theatrical numbers, singalong musicals, to smaller-scale productions, Melbourne is an absolute haven when it comes to all things musical theatre. See for yourself by checking out the new and upcoming musicals making their way here. Book the best spot with our guide to scoring the best seats in every Melbourne theatre.

July 2023: It’s lights, camera, action for July, and you can expect an eclectic program of theatre productions and musicals. Don't miss out on your last chance to see the five-star rated productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the jukebox musical & Juliet. Or see for yourself why the hit cross-county revenge tale MTC's Is God Is is getting rave reviews. And just in time for the school holidays, the family-friendly musical Midnight: The Cinderella Musical has bippidy-boppidy-bopped its way to Melbourne. Whether you're after a sing-along musical or an edge-of-your-seat theatrical thriller, consider this your ultimate guide to all the best theatre and musicals coming up this July. 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. For many more that should be on your must-see list, discover the best Melbourne theatre and musicals this June below. Want something else to do this month? Check out our gig guide.

July 2023: It may be the season to cocoon yourself in a doona, but a cornucopia of wonderful art awaits should you venture outside. Step inside the world of First Nations art with the Lume's hotly-anticipated Connection. Don't miss out on seeing the blockbuster exhibits Rembrandt: True to Life and Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi over at the NGV. And if you're up for a trip, why not head to see the Moama Lights for an immersive sound and light trail? Or if you'd rather save your pennies, the free exhibitions Melbourne Now and Mirror: New views on photography are well worth a visit. 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 July. 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.

We get it. Sometimes there's actually TOO much to eat, drink and do in little ol' Melbs (what a good problem to have). Lucky for you, the Time Out Melbourne editors are out on the front lines sipping, snacking, seeing and playing – all so you don't have to. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. Here are our favourite things we ate, drank, saw and did this month. Want a weekly update on what's new in Melbourne? Make sure you're getting our newsletter.

Nothing beats going analog and hearing the warm crackle and pop of spinning vinyl. In the wake of the digital music revolution, bricks-and-mortar record stores took a brutal hit, but luckily vinyl has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, with sales on the rise. Is it of any surprise? Considering the 'TikTokification' of music and the fact everything is now downloadable, heading to a store and sifting through black-wax gems feels somewhat ritualistic. Plus, chatting to record shop owners and picking their brains is like encountering a bastion of infinite musical knowledge. Looking for something that is a blend of David Bowie, Afro-punk and folktronica? They've got just the LP. So if you're a seasoned crate digger looking for an obscure bootleg or just want to pick up your favourite album now that it has been remastered, check out the best record stores in Melbourne.  While we're waxing lyrical about music, why not support your local scene by hitting one of the excellent live music pubs or our picks for the best upcoming gigs.

Winter is here, which means it's well and truly the season for heartwarming broths, duvet-like trenchcoats and piping hot lattes. While the desire to igloo'ify your home and retreat under the safety of a weighted blanket may burn, why not take shelter in a gallery, theatre, or cinema? There's no better time to be indoors, and luckily, there's plenty of art, theatre and music happening in Melbourne to sink your teeth into (and a lot of it is free or super cheap). From pubs with live music to free art exhibitions, check out our cheap hacks for getting your culture fix this winter. Plans this weekend? Why not get your skates on and go ice skating in Melbourne.

What do the songs 'Total Eclipse of the Heart', 'Rehab', 'I Will Survive' and 'Man! I Feel Like A Woman!' have in common? Let's not beat around the bush here; they are some of the best karaoke songs of all time, and luckily in Melbourne, there are a number of places to put your singing skills to the test.  Whether you're partial to a big belter of a ballad or a cheesy pop classic, see if you have what it takes to make the big leagues with a trip to one of the city's many karaoke bars. While you're at your most confident, head over to our favourite bars for dancing, or have a boogie at these bars that play disco.

If Sydney is the pretty sister and Melbourne has all the personality, Adelaide has won the genetic lottery because the ‘City of Churches’ is blessed with both. While the city may have been snubbed in the past for being dull by its interstate rivals, the capital city of South Australia is having the last laugh with its world-class wine regions, eclectic cultural calendar and a thriving bar and dining scene to boot.  Whether it’s the drool-worthy chicken skin sandwich from Africola, a wine-tasting in the paradisial McLaren Vale wine region, a Caprese-style Martini from Fugazzi or a landmark exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), there is plenty of things to do, see and devour.  If you don't know where to begin, consider this your official guide on making the most of a long weekend getaway in Adelaide and its surrounds. Looking for more weekend getaway ideas? Here's a guide to Daylesford, the Grampians and the Great Ocean Road. 

Maybe you're OK with bare walls and prefer to keep things minimalistic, or maybe that one Pulp Fiction poster you've had since university still has pride of place. Or maybe, it's time for you to channel your inner art connoisseur and buy some art for your home.  The trouble is, where to even begin? We can often feel intimidated when buying art, or worry that we can’t afford to invest in an original piece. But there’s a huge world of art out there, with something for every taste and budget. Here's where to buy art in Melbourne, no matter what your budget looks like.  Looking for more art? Here's our list of the best art galleries in Melbourne, and the best exhibitions on this month.

Melbourne might have a reputation for being dark, brooding and almost always full of people wearing black – but don't be fooled, we love a good chuckle. You'll find live comedy venues dotted throughout the city, with regular nights to send your ribs tickling. From clubs, pubs and bars, you can get tickets throughout the week and at a pretty good price point. Some venues have a comedy night once a week, and others serve up laughs multiple (or almost every) single evening. Plan one for every night of the week with the following list, perfect for a great ab workout – minus the sit-ups. Laughing for hours on end is thirsty work. Refresh and refuel at one of the city's best bars. 

Open House Melbourne (OHM) is back, meaning it's that special time of year when we can have a peek inside some of Melbourne's most alluring buildings. But permissible prying aside, OHM serves as an important chance to reflect on the past, present and future of design and its role in binding the fabric of our dear city together.  Taking place on Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30, this year's OHM theme is Collective City, and it asks the question: how will we reinvent, repurpose and adapt our city to live better together? The program explores perspectives and projects that speak to the power of the collective, offering an eclectic range of experiences for families, students and architecture lovers to sink their teeth into.  Highlights of the program include Making Home, which will explore the best of Victoria's social and affordable housing; a first look and tour of the new Holocaust Museum; a film that will celebrate the career of celebrated Melbourne architect Kerstin Thompson; and a tour around 16 modern and historical Melbourne homes like Gantry House and Lippincott House. But it's not all about nosing around people's houses this year. OHM is also offering activities for all ages, such as Footscray market food tours led by local foodie Joyce Watts. There will also be Plant Swap, an exhibition for gardening communities of all sizes and scales at the Emely Baker Centre.  More than 115 venues are also part of this year's program, such as Heavenly Queen Temple, Former Will

Shake off the Sunday blues and spend the afternoon listening to acoustic sets by some of Australia’s finest musicians.  On July 2, Welcome to Thornbury will present Hometown Sound, a free event that kicks off at 2pm and will run until late.  You can expect performances from the likes of alt-rockers British India and indie-rock outfit Delta Riggs. Also on the star-spangled line-up is Jackson Phelan of the pop-rock quartet Rat!hammock and singer-songwriter Stevie Jean – who recently announced she is a part of Rebel Wilson’s directorial comedy and musical debut. Along with the free performances, Hometown Sound will have discounted pints on tap – what’s not to love? You can book a spot at Welcome to Thornbury for Hometown Sound on the website here.  Make a day of it and check out our neighbourhood guide to Thornbury.

You’re probably thinking we are better now, better now, with the news that Post Malone has extended his tour to include dates in Australia, and you’d be right. The award-winning singer and rapper is officially headed Down Under as part of his If Y’all Weren’t Here, I’d be Crying tour supporting his fifth album Austin, released on July 28. As well as performing a one-off date at the Melbourne Showgrounds on November 30, Post Malone has announced a string of dates where he’ll stop by Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Perth and Ballarat.  Malone – whose real name is Austin Richard Post – continues to cross boundaries and produce music that fuses elements of hip-hop, rock, pop and R'n'B. After first breaking onto the scene in 2015 with the diamond-selling ‘Congratulations [feat. Quavo]’, Malone has achieved back-to-back number ones on the Billboard Top 200, received countless multi-platinum certifications worldwide and continues to fire out one chart-topper after the next. Concertgoers can expect to hear all of the Post Malone hits like the Grammy Award-nominated ‘Rockstar [feat 21 Savage]’, ‘Sunflower’, ‘I Fall Apart’, ‘Psycho [feat Ty Dolla Sign]’, ‘Better Now’ and many more.  “I love y’all so much and I’m so excited to get out and do some more shows for y’all,” said Post Malone on his upcoming tour. “Help me put a baby through college and come on out. Some cool new production, new songs, and a very very handsome man up on stage. Sending love to you and yours.” Vodafone c

What better place to throw a party than at the palatial Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens? Well, this August, you can expect the building to transform into an electric hive of art, technology, ideas and music when the brand-new festival Now or Never kicks off. The World Heritage-listed building will host a flaming line-up of local artists and international headliners, marking the historic attraction's first large-scale live music performance in more than two decades. The program includes an exclusive performance by American singer, songwriter and producer Kelela, who will be supported by the genre–traversing musician serpentwithfeet. There will also be a club night co-hosted by Untitled Group, including a live set from German house and techno producer Âme, plus Axel Boman, Ayebatonye, dameeeela and CC:Disco! On top of that, Never Permanent – presented by the internationally acclaimed design festival, Semi Permanent – is coming to Melbourne for a one-day sojourn on August 24. The festival will be headlined by none other than the director and screenwriter Roman Coppola, as well as featuring an array of talented creatives like Ta-Ku, Serwah Attafuah and Mindy Seu. You can expect to hear from a smorgasbord of thought-provoking keynote speakers and panel sessions with leading creative visionaries.  All that and so much more. Other program highlights include a larger-than-life art trail along the 1.2-kilometre promenade in Docklands and a projected illumination onto the

UPDATE: As mentioned on stage at Glastonbury, Lewis Capaldi is taking some time off and has now confirmed that he will not make it to Australia & New Zealand next month for Splendour in the Grass or his sold-out run of headline tour dates due to health reasons. From Lewis: “The fact that this probably won’t come as a surprise doesn’t make it any easier to write, but I’m very sorry to let you know I’m going to be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future. I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I’d hoped 3 weeks away would sort me out. But the truth is I’m still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette’s and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.”  You can read Lewis Capaldi's full statement here. Hold us while we wait for Lewis Capaldi’s Australasian tour this coming July. Known – and adored – for his impish humour and dulcet balladry, Scotland’s very own ‘Beyoncé’ (as Capaldi refers to himself) will soon grace these shores to tour his second album, Broken By Desire To be Heavenly Sent, with performances at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on July 14 and 15, 2023.  After tickets originally went on sale, the first Melbourne show – scheduled for July 15 – sold out, but Capaldi has since added a second date, taking place on July 14.  The 26-year-old singer will be supported by the Grammy Award-nominated

What do the likes of Stephen King, Werner Herzog, Annie Lennox and Iggy Pop have in common? Well, they are nothing short of iconic.  And 'iconic' is exactly what you can expect from this year's Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (MDFF) theme. Back for its eighth iteration, MDFF will string together more than 40 of the most captivating local documentaries alongside a cavalcade of the world's best ones.  MDFF will take place online from July 1 until July 23 and in-cinema from July 21 until July 30 at Cinema Nova. The opening night will kick things off with Dig Deeper, a film about divergent Aboriginal artists who use their stories as a driving force to create urban art. The closing night of MDFF will spotlight The Trust Fall: Julian Assange, a documentary about WikiLeaks, Assange himself and the wider issues surrounding press freedom.  Other highlights of this year's 2023 program include Werner Herzog: Radical Dreamer, where the director shares an insider's look into the filmmaking process with never-before-seen excerpts, interviews and archival footage. The Invisible Extinction by Stephen Lawrence follows globetrotting scientists on their life-or-death quest to find ancestral microbiome before it's too late. And Annie Lennox, from Euryhmics to campaigner, the journey of a pop icon by Lucie Cariès will dive into the life of the formidable performer.  Also returning are MDFF's free masterclasses. This year's topics include AI and Documentary Filmmaking, Filming in a Developing

Once upon a time… in a land far, far away, there lived a kind-hearted protagonist forced into servitude. A gaggle of nasty step-relatives. A charming prince. A fairy godmother. A misplaced slipper. A race against time before the clock strikes midnight. And a Tarantino-esque search for the perfect foot.  Unless you have been shacked up in some ivory tower, the fairy tale of Cinderella will be a familiar one. It is a story that has endured throughout the centuries, and the character has seen many incarnations. In Germany, there was the Brothers Grimms’ Aschenputtel. In China, there is Yeh-Shen. In Mexico, there is Adelita. And let’s not forget Greece’s tale of the Little Saddleslut – if you think the name is eyebrow-raising, wait till you hear about the cannibalism.  The rags-to-riches story has also resulted in an arsenal of films such as Into the Woods, Ella Enchanted, Ever After, Cinderelly, Cinderelly, A Cinderella Story, Cinderella, Cinderella II, Cinderella III – to name but a few. Some might say the world doesn’t need another Ella, but in this environmentally conscious – and commercially convenient – era of recycling, she seems here to stay. So when a production like Midnight: The Cinderella Musical presents itself as a fresh take on the time-tested tale, you can’t help but hope it’ll be an interpretation that truly shakes things up. Sadly, however, this ‘fresh’ take on the story is about as ripe as a pumpkin in the peak of summer.  The musical – almost a decade in the m

Get ready to pop, six, squish next year, when the musical on everybody’s lips arrives in Melbourne with a star-spangled cast. Chicago is the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history, and it's just been announced that it will take over Her Majesty’s Theatre in March, 2024. You can expect a show-stopping production full of murder, greed, exploitation, adultery and treachery featuring hit songs like ‘All That Jazz’, ‘Roxie’, ‘Cell Block Tango’ and ‘Razzle Dazzle’. Created by theatre heavyweights John Kander, Fred Ebb and choreographer Bob Fosse, Chicago has been no stranger to awards, winning six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy over the years.  Based on the 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, Chicago is set in the midst of the decadence of the Roaring Twenties. It traces the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her side-lover after he threatens to walk out on her. In a desperate bid to avoid conviction, she hires Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her crime into a slew of sensational headlines.  “Chicago continues to be as fresh, vibrant and relevant as the day we opened on Broadway,” said producers Barry and Fran Weissler. “The legendary John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse created a near-perfect musical. Whether you’re a seasoned theatregoer or a first-timer, Chicago delivers must-see entertainment.”Pre-sale tickets for Chicago will be released on August 14, with general tickets on sale from August

Joanne O’Connell has spent decades finessing the skin of models, influencers and fashionistas, equipping her with all the tools to master picture-perfect skincare. Her bespoke skin clinic in Malvern, JoSkinFitness, offers evidence-backed and result-driven treatments where each experience is tailored to address your skin’s needs.  Treatments at JoSkinFitness include microdermabrasion, SkinCeuticals peels, dermaplanning and Dermafrac micro needling. All treatments include complimentary add-ons such as LED light therapy, calming sheet mask, a cryo-cooling facial massage and more. JoSkinFitness has also recently acquired the holy grail of laser technology – the Cutera Laser Genesis – which is the go-to complexion laser proven to stimulate and increase dermal collagen production and improve fine lines and wrinkles. The cherry on top? There’s zero downtime, so you can enter the clinic grey-faced and strut out of there gleaming luminously.  Discover more about the treatments and book an appointment here. Feeling like a good pamper? Check out the best nail salons in Melbourne.

All aboard the E.V. Nautilus for Love Lust Lost, the most expansive theatre show to ever take place in Melbourne. Prepare to descend into an underwater theatrical playground where a 360-degree immersive experience – held across three levels – will fuse spoken word, dance, circus and sound in a feast for the senses.  During Love Lust Lost, passengers will embark upon a strange craft helmed by the unpredictable Captain Anderson and delve into a subterranean world where madness roils, dreams unfurl and mysteries are uncovered. At one of Melbourne’s last original picture theatres and dance halls, the Austral Theatre in Collingwood, this adults-only adventure will involve a multi-layered plot that traces nine characters and the lengths they will go in the pursuit of love and lust.  Theatregoers are encouraged to move through the venue at their own pace, following the residents of the underworld. However, if you prefer to steer your own ship, you are instructed to let your curiosity and instinct guide you. For those needing a splash of Dutch courage before or after the voyage, there will be a bar offering salty bites and plenty o’grog.  All performances for Love Lust Lost last 75-90 minutes and tickets go on sale to the general public on July 3. Pre-sale tickets are available to waitlist members from June 28. Discover more by visiting the website here. Prefer to keep all water-based fun above ground? Check out the best spas and bathhouses in Melbourne. 

Australia fires out talent like artillery, and one of these many cartridges is the drummer, producer and artist G Flip. The non-binary musician – born Georgia Claire Flipo – may now live in LA with their wife, Selling Sunset’s Chrishell Stause, but they will be making a return to their Melbourne hometown for the Drummer Australian Tour.  The singer is set to perform eight shows across Australia in 2023, with two Melbourne dates scheduled for August 29 and September 2.   G Flip first sprang onto the music scene in 2018 with their breakout single ‘About You’, which was released with independent record label Future Classic. Since then, they have dropped a bevy of singles and EPs – like ‘Killing My Time’, ‘Be Your Man’, ‘Drink Too Much’ and ‘Hyperfine’ – with lyrics that tend to revolve around themes of rebellion, persevering and falling in love.  For the past few years, the artist has garnered one accolade after another. As well as regularly dominating Triple J’s Hottest 100, their album About Us amassed more than 180 million streams to date and they have performed at a host of festivals like Splendour in the Grass, Spilt Milk and many more.  Tickets to see G Flip at Melbourne's Forum Theatre are on sale now, and you can snag them on the Frontier Website here. Why not make a night of it and book a table at one of Melbourne's best bars. 

You may not talk anymore, but the singer-songwriter Charlie Puth still wants your attention. The Grammy-nominated singer and pied piper of catchy pop songs has announced he will embark on his first-ever Australian tour later this year.  Produced by Live Nation, The Charlie Puth Presents The “Charlie” L Experience will kick off in Brisbane before arriving at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena to perform on October 29 and October 30.  Born in New Jersey, Puth began playing piano at four and later attended the Manhattan School of Music as a jazz piano major. The singer then started up his own YouTube channel, where he posted viral cover songs and original music. But it was his collaboration with rapper Wiz Khalifa on his debut single ‘See You Again’ – featured in the movie Furious 7 – that jumpstarted Puth's career.  Following the success of ‘See You Again’, Puth released his debut album Nine Track Mind in 2016, which included the singles ‘Marvin Gaye’ and ‘One Call Away’. He continued to release new music, such as the chart-topping songs ‘Attention’ and ‘We Don’t Talk Anymore’ featuring Selena Gomez.  Puth has released three studio albums in under a decade and amassed eight multi-platinum singles, four Grammy nominations, three Billboard Music Awards, a Critic’s Choice Award and a Golden Globe nomination. He has also collaborated with several artists such as Meghan Trainor, James Taylor, Katy Perry and John Legend, and also helped co-write songs for bands like One Direction and M

There will be no ringing in the new year at Falls Festival, as organisers have just announced they are taking a year off to "rest, recover and recalibrate."  Secret Sounds made the announcement on Wednesday, May 17, saying: "After an impressive 28 years ringing in the New Year with some of the world's biggest acts, the Falls team are today switching on their OOOs and taking this New Year's season off to rest, recover and recalibrate." Originally held in bushland in Lorne since 1993, the music event is one of Australia's longest-running festivals, recently running annually in both Byron Bay and Freemantle. But in recent years has struggled to find a permanent home amidst a series of crises. In 2019, it was cancelled due to extreme heat and risk of bushfire. In 2020 and 2021, the festival was cancelled because of Covid-19 lockdowns.  The co-CEO of Secret Sounds and Falls producer Jessica Ducrou said the past few years have seen unprecedented change in the live music space, both on stage and behind the scenes. "While the Falls reboot in 2022/23 was full of amazing moments and we were thrilled to reconnect with our Falls fam, our team needs a break," Ducrou said. "So this year, we'll take the time off to enjoy the holiday period and allow some space to re-imagine how Falls will look in the future." Watch this space for any further updates. Want more? These stories are popping off right now:  Yay! Platypuses just arrived in the Royal National Park after being locally extinct for 5

Have you ever had a meal so moan-worthily good you wish you could take a memento home with you? Well, now you can. Food For Everyone has just dropped its much-anticipated 2023 poster series, including prints of Melbourne staple recipes like Attica's jelly bean ice cream, Lune's coconut pandan croissant and Cibi's miso soup. Since first launching in August 2020 to fundraise for Foodbank during the height of the pandemic, Food for Everyone's Artist Collections have strived to interweave stories about food, explore ways of seeing and celebrate the artistry on both the canvas and the plate. Food for Everyone also donates ten meals per poster purchased to its charity partner SecondBite. The second collection features a brand new series of limited-edition culinary posters featuring works by Nadia Hernández, Simon Fitzsimon, Max Blackmore, Carla McRae, Aretha Brown and Libby Haines. Gemma Leslie, the founder of Food for Everyone, curated the series and paired chefs and artists to platform the best creative voices in food and art. "Playing matchmaker between our chefs and artists is so much fun," said Leslie. "We undertake a lot of research first to make sure they are creatively and energetically matched but ultimately there is a lot of chef between the chef and the artists. The most exciting part of the whole process is seeing how each artist has interpreted the recipe. And, of course, sharing the final artwork with the chef." The posters are available in two sizes ($120 for an A2

There will be no ringing in the new year at Falls Festival as organisers have just announced they are taking a year off to "rest, recover and recalibrate."  Secret Sounds made the announcement today saying: "After an impressive 28 years ringing in the New Year with some of the world's biggest acts, the Falls team are today switching on their OOOs and taking this New Year's season off to rest, recover and recalibrate." Originally held in bushland in Lorne since 1993, the music event is one of Australia's longest-running festivals, but in recent years has struggled to find a permanent home amidst a series of crises. In 2019, it was cancelled due to extreme heat and risk of bushfire. In 2020 and 2021, the festival was cancelled because of Covid-19 lockdowns. And then, in 2022, the festival was held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl after organisers were blocked from staging the event in Murroon. The co-CEO of Secret Sounds and Falls producer Jessica Ducrou said the past few years have seen unprecedented change in the live music space, both on stage and behind the scenes. "While the Falls reboot in 2022/23 was full of amazing moments and we were thrilled to reconnect with our Falls fam, our team needs a break," Ducrou said. "So this year, we'll take the time off to enjoy the holiday period and allow some space to re-imagine how Falls will look in the future." Watch this space for any further updates. Wanting to warm up this cold weather? Here's where to drink mulled wine in Melbourn

Happy tenth birthday to Dark Mofo, which returns to Nipaulina/Hobart from June 8-22 for a fortnight of eerie nocturnal revelry. Run by the Museum of Old and New Art, you can expect a brooding program full of public art, live music and performance – includinga set by gothic popstar Ethel Cain, a giant Korean teddy bear with laser eyes, and the annual nude solstice swim.  Taking place across a host of venues in Hobart, Dark Mofo’s opening night celebration The Gathering will take place in the Hanging Garden’s Cathedral and Odeon Theatre, featuring First Nations artists such as BARKAA, Tasman Keith, dameeela and many more. Other musical highlights include Max Richter’s multilingual composition reading of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and gigs by Thundercat, Ethel Cain and punk-rock icons Black Flag, who will perform a one-off exclusive Australian show.  Art and performance highlights include Florentina Holzinger’s A Divine Comedy, an Australian premiere that reimagines Dante’s imaginary journey through hell, purgatory and heaven; Giant Teddy, a new commission from EJ Son who has given a teddy bear lasers for eyes and a camera that feeds live surveillance to a separate space in Hobart; and a 70-minute film by Soda Jerk about the psychotropic spectacle of American politics from 2016 to 2021.  Back and bigger than ever, Night Mass: Exstasia will be Dark Mofo’s late-night event taking over three city blocks to create a sprawling metropolis of artworks, performances, coc

A reimagining of the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens has opened up in the NGV garden. 'Temple of Boom', by Australian architects Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang, has replaced the incredibly popular 'Pink Pond', which has been the centrepiece of outdoor events at the gallery for the past year. The Greek-style temple features overlapping large-scale artworks (like floral motifs and optical illusions), which are evocative of the vibrant colours long since lost from the facade of the original building from over two thousand years ago. Taking its name from the vibrations of music, 'Temple of Boom' will act as a meeting place and colourful centrepiece for all of the upcoming NGV summer events, including a series of curated performances, programs and live music. The NGV has recently unveiled new vibrant works by Melbourne-based contemporary artists Aretha Brown, Creature Creature, Manda Lane, Chuck Mayfield, and Resio on the temple. In this second phase of painting, Temple of Boom – a contemporary reimagining of The Parthenon on the Acropolis - has been adorned with large-scale works inspired by Greek mythology and diverse connections to culture and nature.   Photograph: Sean Fennessy "One of the most famous examples of classical architecture, the Parthenon in Athens, is often viewed as a potent symbol of Western art and culture," says Tony Ellwood AM, director of the NGV. "This thought-provoking work by Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang invites us to consider how we create and im

Mona’s annual summer jamboree of art and music returned to Tasmania this year, and the flaming hot line-up of acts and performances for Mona Foma 2023 rendered it one for the books. More than 360 artists played across both weekends in Launceston and Hobart, and we were lucky enough to soak up some of the magic in Hobart, where the likes of Peaches, Bikini Kill, Angel Olsen, Pavement and Vieux Farke Touré coalesced for a weekend chock-full of punk, indie rock, soul, R&B and electropop tunes. On top of seeing these internationally acclaimed artists perform on the Mona lawns, we got to watch the polymathic composer Nico Muhly join forces with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (TSO), see Amber McCartney’s contortion dance in Baby Girl, revel after-hours at The Party and listen to the Songs for Freedom concert at sundown which paid an emotive tribute to the family of John Pat through music, vision and story.  While there were countless favourite moments from this year’s Mona Foma, we have tried our best to narrow it down to seven, so here goes: Getting schooled by the teaches of Peaches  Photo Credit: Mona/Jesse Hunniford The electro-pop star Peaches – real name Merrill Nisker – took to the Mona lawns in a filthily fruity performance. The singer kicked off proceedings wearing a vulva hat which, in retrospect, rated relatively low on the salacious scale. Peaches would go on to perform within a giant inflatable penis to sing the song 'Dick in The Air', descend into the crowds to sp

It appears Rolling Stone woke up and chose violence with its recently released “200 Greatest Singers of All Time” article. The publication, shared on New Year’s Day, spotlighted who they deemed to be the 200 greatest singers in history. Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin fittingly took the crown, followed by Whitney Houston, Sam Cooke and Billie Holiday.  However, the list has since ignited quite a furore for not only snubbing Canadian treasure Celine Dion but also for the number of Australians mentioned in the list, which stands at a grand total of zero.  The Aussie comedian Em Rusciano took to social media to slam Rolling Stone’s list, calling for an “international inquiry” into why the likes of Kelly Clarkson and Kurt Cobain got a mention but Antipodean legends such as John Farnham and Tina Arena didn’t make the cut. Let’s not forget the omittance of international pop-princess Kylie Minogue and what about the brooding goth rocker Nick Cave? Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker? The legendary Paul Kelly? AC/DC’s Bon Scott? Olivia Newton-John? Rick Springfield? INXS’s Michael Hutchence? Sia? Iggy Azalea? Keith Urban? Delta Goodrem? King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard? Courtney Barnett? Natalie Imbruglia? Daryl Braithwaite? Australia, we ride at dawn. Keen to celebrate Aussie music? Here are Melbourne's best upcoming gigs.