This week sees Victoria’s scenic coastline taken over by iconic artists for a full ten days as part of the inaugural Southside Live festival.
Taking place at the St Kilda Foreshore, and presented by City of Port Phillip, Southside Live is described as an event where all are welcome, and music is what matters.
Kicking off on Friday, June 24th and running until Sunday, July 3rd, Southside Live is a free, all-ages event which features a program filled with an array of genres, including jazz, soul, funk, orchestral, RnB, indie, rock and more.
Boasting a number of Victoria’s beloved musicians, including Mitch Tambo, Hiatus Kaiyote, Adalita, Briggs, The Black Sorrows, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, Freeds, and much more, Southside Live features more than 20 bands and music acts across its 10-day runtime.
And it’s not just for older audiences either, with an additional children’s program during the school holidays featuring the likes of the Teeny Tiny Stevies and Bluey.
“St Kilda is known and loved for its live music so we’re delighted On the Road Again funding will help us stage Southside Live, a live music program to warm up the colder months,” said City of Port Phillip Mayor Cr Marcus Pearl in an accompanying statement.
With a stage set up on the south beach lawn looking out to the bay, audiences are set to be provided with scenic winter views of the coast, along with hot food, mulled wine, and winter market stalls on offer. Additionally, light and neon displays will combine to help celebrate live music and St Kilda in winter.
Southside Live takes place as part of the Victorian Government’s On The Road Again initiative, which sees over 100 live gigs taking place across Melbourne suburbs.
Serving as one of the first events for the $4 million metro leg of the initiative, Southside Live joins the likes of Illuminate The River, the MoPo Winter And Spring Sessions, the Chapel Fringe Sessions, and the Leaps and Bounds + BEYOND 2022 Festival which serves as a mini-festival that will showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, African and LGBTQIA+ musicians.
On The Road Again initially kicked off back in December, with a $5 million program which aims to support live music events in regional and outer suburban areas following the two-year closure of many venues as a result of the COVID pandemic. The initiative continued soon afterwards with a large number of pop-up performances which presented more than 700 street performances throughout the Melbourne CBD.
“On The Road Again has reignited live music in regional Victoria and on the streets of Melbourne’s CBD, and will now kick-start a huge line-up of live music events across inner Melbourne,” said Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson.
“This massive line-up of events will appeal to every music fan, provide new opportunities for musicians and performers, support local businesses and get our live music scene pumping like never before.”
Southside Live
Mitch Tambo
Hiatus Kaiyote
Adalita
Briggs
The Black Sorrows
Emma Donovan & The Putbacks
Freeds
And More
Friday, June 24th – Sunday, July 3rd
St Kilda Foreshore, St Kilda, VIC
More Information: Southside Live
