Melbourne’s hottest concerts coming to town this summer
No matter what your taste in music, there’s pretty much something for everyone coming to town, from Kylie Minogue to Ozzy Osbourne, Bryan Ferry to Eminem. Here’s a guide to who, where, when and why.
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YOU don’t need to travel too far to see some of the biggest names in music — they’re coming to you and they’re coming in the next few months. From Ozzy Osbourne to Kylie Minogue, pretty much every musical taste is catered for. Here’s your guide to the summer of music.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS
Where and when: AO Stage, Birrarung Marr Park
There’s an array of local and international talent this year, plus some welcome purpose built shade after last year’s scorching heat. Performers include Dean Lewis and Gretta Ray (Jan 14), Conrad Sewell and CXLOE (Jan 15), the Teskey Brothers and Odette (Jan 16), UK band Bastille and Nicole Millar (Jan 17), You Am I and Jebediah (Jan 18), Confidence Man and Total Giovanni (Jan 19), Flight Facilities, Slum Sociable and Groove City (Jan 20), Safia and Ruel (Jan 21), Ball Park Music and Bec Sandridge (Jan 22), DMA’s and Jack River (Jan 23), Birds of Tokyo and Last Dinosaurs (Jan 24), Craig David and Yo Mafia (Jan 25), Angus & Julia Stone and Alex Lahey (Jan 26) and Jet and Something for Kate (Jan 27). If you are under 18 you need a guardian with you for entry.
Ticket prices: Entry requires the $49 Australian Open Ground Pass
SO FRENCHY SO CHIC
Where and when: Werribee Park January 13
THERE’S an all-female line-up this year at this increasingly popular festival of music, food and wine (that’s also family-friendly). Music via Camille, Yelle, Clea Vincent and Clara Luciani.
Ticket price: $86
LEON BRIDGES
Where and when: Palais January 14,15
THE TEXAN soul man has sold out every show he’s played in Melbourne over the last few years and has upgraded to the Palais. The first show’s sold out, the second’s almost gone and he’ll be showcasing his second album Good Thing, as well as early favorites River and Coming Home.
Ticket price: $99.90
THE JACKSONS
Where and when: Sidney Myer Music Bowl January 16
YES, sure there’s one major thing missing from The Jacksons in 2019, and it’s not Janet. Or LaToya. No it’s Michael, but his brothers are still on the road. Jermaine, Jackie, Tito and Marlon will joined by Kool and the Gang, the Pointer Sisters and the new-look Village People, now fronted by original singer Victor Willis who won the right to use the name again after years of legal battles.
Setlist: ABC, Blame It On the Boogie, YMCA, Automatic, Celebration, Get Down On It, I’m So Excited, Can’t Stop the Music, Macho Man and more
Ticket prices: $89-$313
ELECTRIC GARDENS
Where and when: January 18, Shed 14 Docklands
British electronic act Underworld are headlining with a full live show, plus Erick Morillo, Bag Raiders, Set Mo and more. And it’s back at Docklands, home of many big raves back in the day.
Ticket prices: $85-$158
MUMFORD AND SONS
Where and when: Sidney Myer Music Bowl January 22, 23
THE British folk rockers are promising their biggest show to date. They’ve already sold the first show out, before their fourth album Delta has even been released. It’s also their biggest-sounding album to date, so upsizing makes sense. But don’t fret, they’ll play all those banjo-fuelled hits. Get there early for opening act Michael Kiwanuka.
Setlist: I Will Wait, Little Lion Man, Babel and The Cave are still being aired
Ticket prices: $109.50
RED HOT SUMMER TOUR
Where and when: Mornington January 19-20, Ballarat January 27
Joan Jett, Jimmy Barnes and the Living End are headlining this travelling rock show, which also features Diesel, Richard Clapton and Chocolate Starfish.
Setlist: Bad Reputation, I Love Rock and Roll, Khe Sanh, Working Class Man, Prisoner of Society, Tip of My Tongue, Girls on the Avenue, You’re So Vain and more.
Ticket price: $119
THE PRODIGY
Where and when: Melbourne Arena February 1
THE British electro/rock pioneers are returning with a new album, No Tourists. Few electronic acts put on a live show quite like the Prodigy, and they have no problem dipping into their past while still refusing to become just a nostalgia act.
Setlist: Firestarter, Breathe and Voodoo People are still in the set, folks.
Ticket prices: $91-$111
SO POP
Where and when: Melbourne Arena (the venue formerly known as Hisense Arena) February 2
THE retro tours continue, this one with a side order of cheese and novelty hits. This combines Aqua, Blue, Vengaboys, B*Witched, Eiffel 65, the Outthere Brothers, Lou Bega and Mr President for a night of hits that won’t tax the mind but should move the feet.
Setlist: Barbie Girl, All Rise, We Like to Party, C’est La Vie, Blue, Mambo No.5 and Coco Jambo for starters.
Ticket prices: $99 — $249 for the VIP package
LILY ALLEN
Where and when: The Forum February 6 and 10
THE outspoken British singer/songwriter opened her heart on latest album No Shame. Her live shows are equally soul-baring, playing most of the record plus some old gems.
Setlist: Prepare for Smile, Not Fair and F--- You and nearly all of No Shame.
Ticket prices: $99.90
LANEWAY FESTIVAL
Where and when: Footscray Park February 9
UPGRADED venue so you should actually be able to get a good spot to see Gang of Youths, Courtney Barnett, Camp Cope, Baker Boy, Parquet Courts, Methyl Ethel, Jon Hopkins, Middle Kids and more. And speaking of kids, the event is now open to punters aged 16 and older.
Ticket price: $175
MS LAURYN HILL
Where and when: Sidney Myer Music Bowl February 13
SHE is touring her classic debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, to celebrate it turning 20. Factor in she runs on Ms Lauryn Hill time so what you get in killer vocals you may lose in punctuality.
Setlist: Ex Factor, Lost Ones, Doo Wop, Everything is Everything and more
Ticket prices: $117 to $259 for VIP ticket
EMINEM
Where and when: MCG February 24
NOT only the first rapper to play the ‘G, Eminem is very close to selling the entire venue out. With twenty years in the game, Eminem has now crossed several generations — the angry youths who lost themselves in Lose Yourself have passed it down to their kids, just like AC/DC and Kiss in the rock world.
Setlist: good mix of new material with hits — expect Stan, Sing for the Moment, Kill You, The Way I Am, Monster, Like Toy Soldiers, My Name Is, Lose Yourself and more.
Ticket prices: from $112 for the cheap seats to $740 for the top VIP package.
ZOO TWILIGHTS
Where and when: Melbourne Zoo from January 25 to March 9
THE line-ups get bigger and better every year — basically you get to watch live music at the back of the zoo, you can bring a picnic or buy delicious food and alcohol there and it’s all ages. Plus all proceeds go to stopping Eastern Barred Bandicoot become extinct. A lot of the major shows have already sold out, but you can still nab tickets for Briggs, Alice Skye and Archie Roach on January 26 (that date’s no accident), plus Aloe Blacc (Feb 22) and Marlon Williams (March 8)
Ticket prices: varies for each ticket but family tickets available
PHIL COLLINS
Where and when: AAMI Park, February 1 and 2
PHIL Collins hasn’t toured here for over 20 years. And it wasn’t that long ago he’d basically retired. But he’s back, despite having a few health issues which means he’s no longer drumming on stage — his teenage son is now tackling that, including that solo from In the Air Tonight. If you read his brutally honest new autobiography, Not Dead Yet, you’ll be impressed that after a post-retirement battle with the bottle he’s still here. He’ll be 68 when he tours here, so after such a long time away this could be your last chance to see him.
Setlist: no new material means wall to wall hits. Easy Lover, I Missed Again, Against All Odds, Take Me Home, Another Day in Paradise, You Can’t Hurry Love, In the Air Tonight and even Genesis classics Throwing It All Away, Follow You Follow Me and Invisible Touch.
Ticket prices: $121 to $535 which is about the only VIP package left.
JOHN BUTLER TRIO & MISSY HIGGINS
Where and When: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, February 7
Have to love a local double headliner. Triple really, when you throw Dan Sultan into the mix.
Setlist: They’ve got new albums, but never disappoint when it comes to playing the hits. Fingers crossed for some collaborations too.
Ticket prices: $99.90
RNB VINE DAYS
Where and when: Mt Duneed Estate Geelong February 9
THINK RNB Fridays but outdoors at a winery. Music comes from previous RNB Fridays headliners Nelly and Craig David, plus the first Australian tour by UK girl band All Saints, plus Amerie and Yo Mafia.
Setlist: Hot in Herre, 7 Days, Never Ever, Ride Wit Me, Pure Shores, Fill Me In, One Thing, Dilemma, Walking Away, Just a Dream, I Know Where It’s At.. we could keep going..
Ticket prices: $129 — $189
BRYAN FERRY
Where and when: A Day on the Green Rochford Wines February 23, MCA February 26
THE voice, face and suit of Roxy Music returns for his first solo tour in years. He’s playing plenty of Roxy material, from early material Ladytron, Virginia Plain and In Every Home a Heartache through to hits Avalon, More Than This, Jealous Guy and Love is the Drug. He’s joined on the winery show by a reformed I’m Talking, plus Models and Died Pretty.
Setlist: See above, plus solo gems like Slave to Love and Let’s Stick Together
Ticket prices: indoors $96 — $146, winery $114 to $398
ARCTIC MONKEYS
Where and when: Rod Laver Arena February 26
THE British rock band divided some with their arty sixth album, Tranquillity Base Hotel & Casino, but that didn’t stop it topping charts. They’re one of the few bands of their era who can still play arenas and indeed the bulk of their latest setlist is made up of previous album AM, mainly as they’re probably the ones best suited to arenas. Bad news, they generally now only play one song from their debut album — at least it’s I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.
Setlist: a good mix of key album cuts and jams like Crying Lightning, Do I Wanna Know and RU Mine.
Ticket prices: from $99.90 to $199.90
BANANARAMA
Where and when: The Forum February 22
READY for girl power 80s style? Bananarama are back to being a duo and return to Australia with their own band as well as special retro guests Tiffany (last seen on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here) and Amber.
Setlist: Venus, Cruel Summer, I Heard a Rumour, I Want You Back, Love in the First Degree and more.
Ticket prices: $99.90
EAGLES
Where and when: Rod Laver Arena March 5, 6
Deacon Frey has stepped in to replace his late father Glenn, as well as country star Vince Gill, who join Eagles icons Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit.
Setlist: All the classics you’d expect plus some of Walsh, Henley and Gill’s solo tunes.
Ticket prices: $199.90-$399.90
DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL
Where and when: Flemington Racecourse, March 11
Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Anthrax, Judas Priest, Alice in Chains, the Amity Affliction, Rise Against and more in a day full of heavy rock at the world’s loudest festival
Ticket prices: $196.73 to $391.74
HAPPY MONDAYS
Where and when: The Forum March 9
THE 24 party people playing their iconic Pills`n’Thrills and Bellyaches album in full, with Shawn Ryder, Bez and Rowetta all back in the band and back in the room.
Playlist: Step On, Kinky Afro, Bob’s Yer Uncle and Loose Fit from that album worth the price of admission alone.
Ticket prices: $89.90 or $199.90 for a VIP meet and greet if you dare
KYLIE MINOGUE
Where and when: Sidney Myer Music Bowl March 13
Our Kylie hasn’t played the ‘Bowl since she and her sister (and their big hair) graced the stage at a Young Talent Time concert back in 1987. That will change in 2019 when Kylie brings her Golden tour home, with her mate Jake Shears along for the ride. The reviews from the UK leg were glowing and it’ll be a warm up for when she headline Glastonbury later this year. The last time Kylie played outdoor in Melbourne was with Nick Cave at the Big Day Out in the 90s. You know this is going to be a special night for artist and audience.
Setlist: Lots of Golden and lots of hits — Confide in Me, In Your Eyes, Can’t Get You Out of My Head (mixed with Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain), Love at First Sight, Wouldn’t Change a Thing, Spinning Around, Especially For You, Slow, Kids, Wow and Better the Devil You Know to name a bunch.
Ticket prices: $113.90 to $149.90
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