Jimmy Barnes to perform free concert in Melbourne’s CBD

Melbourne’s upgraded City Square will briefly open on Sunday for a free pop-up concert, with rock legend Jimmy Barnes set to perform alongside two other stars.

Melburnians will get a preview of the upgraded City Square when rock legend Jimmy Barnes takes to the stage for a free pop up concert on Sunday.

The Cold Chisel frontman will perform with Kate Ceberano and Ian Moss at the public space following eight years of construction as part of the Metro Tunnel Project.

After the performance, City Square will be closed off again until the area is permanently reopened on November 30.

The show will reignite City Square’s legacy of holding iconic concerts with the precinct having previously welcomed Kylie Minogue, AC/DC, Crowded House and Missy Higgins.

Jimmy Barnes and Kate Ceberano. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

It comes as the square received a major upgrade, transforming it into a space for events, retail and hospitality.

The area features five escalators which lead down into a two-tiered concourse to new retail spaces which are expected to welcome shoppers next year.

The square was closed in 2017 for the construction of Town Hall Station, one of five new underground stations.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams spruiked the redeveloped City Square ahead of its reopening to the public.

“City Square has had a serious glow-up – it’s greener, more welcoming, a proud new gateway to the Metro Tunnel, and we’ve got some true Aussie legends to help us kick it off,” she said.

Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos encouraged Victorians to “join the fun”.

“Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital – open and bustling for everyone to enjoy this summer with these free pop-up events,’ he said.

“I encourage people to come into the CBD and join the fun”.

The new Town Hall Station. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The performance, which kicks off at 1:30pm, is supported by the state government’s new ALWAYS LIVE Melbourne Vibes program – a series of free, pop-up live music events running in the city this summer.

In recent months, Victorians have been treated to a list of stellar artists including Oasis, Metallica, AC/DC, Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey, Pitbull and Addison Rae.

Barnes is currently on tour for his Working Class Man 40th Anniversary.

The singer returned to the stage following a series of health battles that forced him to take a break from performing.

In 2023, he underwent open heart surgery after a bacterial infection spread to a heart valve.

In August last year, he was forced into the ICU after the infection spread to his hip while he was on his Hell of a Time tour – just weeks before the Chisel reunion shows were due to kick off in honour of their 50th anniversary.

The 9km Metro tunnel has been built between South Yarra and Kensington to connect the Sunbury line to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines and take them out of the City Loop.

Originally published as Jimmy Barnes to perform free concert in Melbourne’s CBD