ALWAYS LIVE, Victoria’s newest major event, has unveiled an epic state-wide program of live music set to take place at the end of this year.
In a huge coup, disco-pop superstar – and Kylie Minogue collaborator – Dua Lipa will perform an intimate show at Melbourne’s iconic Palais Theatre for 2,500 lucky fans. The only theatre show on her massive global tour, attendees will get to see the UK singer as audiences never have before.
Dua Lipa is far from the only household name taking part in ALWAYS LIVE. Pop-rock icons Crowded House will perform at Gateway Lakes on the banks of the Murray River, with Angus & Julia Stone and Boy & Bear offering wonderful support. Fresh from supporting Billie Eilish on the Australian leg of her tour, acclaimed rapper Sampa the Great will showcase her new album, As Above, So Below (releasing September 9th), at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall.
Also at Hamer Hall, pioneering Indigenous rock band Yothu Yindi will put on a special show as part of Blaktivism, which will bring together established and rising First Nations musical activists to explore and highlight the Black Lives Matter movement in an Australian context. Multiple ARIA Award-winner and The Voice judge Jessica Mauboy will perform a special show for the community of Bright at the town’s Pioneer Park, accompanied by an incredible lineup of rising stars.
Dua Lipa isn’t the only act holding an intimate evening, with British pop favourite Sophie Ellis-Bextor doing likewise in the idyllic surrounds of the NGV Garden International Restaurant. Other highlights include US indie-folk band Big Thief, who just released the instant-classic album, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, will bring their hauntingly beautiful music to the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Murdoch Hall for an all-ages show.
“It’s exciting to see the program for ALWAYS LIVE bought to life, a new major event which reaffirms Victoria as the music state of Australia and Melbourne as one of the leading music cities of the world,” ALWAYS LIVE chairman Matt Gudinski says.
“ALWAYS LIVE was a dream my late father had to reassure our states’ live music roots and I am proud to be part of the team making it a reality. Whether it’s Billy Joel at the MCG, Dua Lipa at the Palais Theatre, Nick Cave at Hanging Rock or one of the many unique events which make up the program, Victoria is the place to be if you love live music.”
Featuring over 180 artists across 90 events, there will be something for everyone at ALWAYS LIVE. You can check out the full program of shows, events and performances at the official website.
ALWAYS LIVE Regional Shows
OK Motels (Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, Vintage Crop, Bad Bangs & more)
Friday, October 28th-Sunday, October 30th
Charlton
Crowded House (with Angus & Julia Stone & Boy & Bear)
Sunday, November 3rd
Gateway Lakes, Wodonga
Jessica Mauboy
Saturday, November 12th
Pioneer Park, Bright
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis (with Courtney Barnett)
Friday, November 25th & Saturday, November 26th
Hanging Rock
Queenscliff Music Festival x First Plays (Baker Boy, Isabella Manfredi, Middle Kids & RVG)
Friday, November 25th-Sunday, November 27th
Queenscliff
Almost Summer Festival
Friday, November 25th-Sunday, November 27th
Capital Theatre, Bendigo
Isaiah Firebrace
Sunday, December 4th
Girgarre Sound Shell, Echuca
Alice Skye
Saturday, December 10th
Sawyer Park Sound Shell, Horsham
Tash Sultana (with Pierce Brothers, Kim Churchill & more)
Saturday, December 10th
Churchill Island
ALWAYS LIVE Metro Shows
An Exclusive Evening with Dua Lipa
Sunday, October 3rd
Palais Theatre
Bad Apples House Party (Briggs, Mo’Ju & more)
Saturday, November 5th
The Curtin
Blaktivism: Yothu Yindi
Saturday, November 5th
Arts Centre Melbourne
Chapterfest 30
Saturday, November 5th
Northcote Theatre
Flow Festival
Saturday, November 5th
Footscray Community Arts Centre
An Intimate Audience with Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Thursday, November 11th
NGV International Garden Restaurant
Claptone
Saturday, November 19th
The Masquerade, Riva
Jess Cornelius
Saturday, November 19th
The Night Cat
Toro Y Moi
Wednesday, November 23rd
Northcote Social Club
Frente 30 Years of Marvin the Album
Thursday, November 24th
Brunswick Ballroom
Big Thief
Friday, November 30th
Melbourne Recital Centre
Lovely Day
Sunday, December 4th
Palaise Foreshore
Rockin’ the Burbs
Saturday, October 22nd-Monday, October 31st, Sunday, December 4th
Palace Foreshore
Sampa the Great
Friday, December 9th
Palace Foreshore
