10 of the best live music venues

Melbourne – as if we’re surprised – has been voted the world’s most liveable city for the fifth year in a row. Sitting comfortably at the top of the leaderboard with Adelaide, Sydney and Perth – as well as three Canadian cities – also in the top 10, we’re firmly solidified as a world leader in education, economy, environment and culture.

The live music scene of Melbourne, however, hasn’t always been so lucky. Plagued by noise complaints, licensing issues and the continual threat of developers buying out, numerous venues have been forced to close their doors despite being thriving businesses and additions to the live music scene. The Palace Theatre closed last year after a lengthy battle with developers, who plan to put a luxury hotel on the Bourke Street site – though the theatre building is yet to be demolished.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. According to the APRA AMCOS report ‘Economic & Cultural Value of Live Music In Australia 2014’, Melbourne is still Australia’s live music capital “due to its multitude of venues, its calibre and concentration of local acts, and its history and legacy of producing world-class artists and musicians”.

Despite having lost such seminal venues as The Palace, the East Brunswick Club and The Empress, the city is still bursting at the seams with great places to see music. Here are 10 of the best:

The Forum Theatre

Easily one of our most historic live music venues, seeing a gig at The Forum is definitely an experience. With faux Greco-Roman décor and statues and a ceiling painted like a night sky – twinkling stars included – the 1,500-capacity venue is stunning, the acoustics are perfect and they serve a cracking mojito.

COMING UP:  RÜFÜS, October 22 and 23 – tickets. The Australian indie-dance trio return to celebrate their new single as they get ready to release a second album and play a huge run of festival shows over the summer.

The Corner Hotel

Possibly the most iconic of all of Melbourne’s venues, The Corner has been a stalwart of our music industry for more than 70 years and has played host to some of the world’s greats, including Mick Jagger and Queens Of The Stone Age. Get to the venue early for an excellent pub feed on the rooftop, too.

COMING UP: MEG MAC, September 26 to 29 – tickets. The soul-pop singer has had to add an extra three dates to the Melbourne leg of her national tour, straight off the back of a support slot on D’Angelo’s North American tour.

Northcote Social Club

Another long-standing member of Melbourne’s music community, The Northcote has just had a massive refurbishment, but don’t worry – the bandroom hasn’t lost its grungy charm. It’s the place that kickstarted careers like Courtney Barnett, who played sets between serving at the bar before she became a global star.

COMING UP: I’lls EP launch – September 12 – tickets.The Melbourne electronic newcomers will launch their stunning new EP Can I Go With You to Go Back to My Country next month after impressing crowds at Splendour In The Grass last month.

The Workers Club

Easily the cosiest little venue to snuggle up in on a cold Melbourne night, The Workers Club bandroom has played host to hundreds of stars while they were up-and-coming. Littered with candles and very cheap jugs, they have a brilliant new kitchen complete with vegan options – or you can nip across the road to Breizoz, easily Melbourne’s best creperie.

COMING UP: L-Fresh The Lion, October 30 – tickets. Political, thought-provoking hip-hop from one of the newest additions to the seminal Australian hip-hop label Elefant Traks. Fresh from a UK tour and a new single release, this is probably the last run of such intimate shows for L-Fresh.

Howler

It’s your archetypal Cool Brunswick Bar (mason jar cocktails included), but with a swanky bandroom hidden at the back. Get there early to have a few drinks in the partially outdoor, greenery-filled bar before heading back to see your gig in the small but roomy venue space.

COMING UP: Bahamas (with Fraser A. Gorman), September 30 – tickets. The Finnish-Canadian, whose joyous folk-rock inspired the likes of Noah And The Whale, is finally hitting our shores for a run of shows including the Brisbane Festival. Paired perfectly with the infallible Fraser A. Gorman, this is a show not to be missed.

The Tote

It’s grungy, it’s a little bit grubby, more often than not it’s incredibly rowdy – but The Tote in Collingwood is an institution; another Melbourne venue synonymous with our hallowed live music scene. A pioneering venue in Australian rock’n’roll, it’s the venue our dads think of with a fond smile and sometimes a shudder as they remember many nights of 1980s debauchery that you definitely don’t want all the details of.

Shadow Electric

After stuffing your face at Lentil As Anything, head over to Shadow, nestled in the grounds of the Abbotsford Convent. With plenty of space for dancing even at a sold-out show, it’s a venue made just as much for socialising as it is for enjoying the music – and it’s always a hit.

COMING UP: Hunting Season EP Launch, August 29 – tickets. Mix folk, rock’n’roll and disco and you’ll be presented with Hunting Season. With support from Melbourne up-and-comers (and party animals) REIKA, get on your dancing shoes because this show will get big.

Shebeen Bandroom

A newcomer on the venue circuit, Shebeen was acquired by Corner Presents – the legends behind the Corner Hotel and Northcote Social Club – and is quickly becoming a perfect venue for more intimate shows. Located on the CBD’s Manchester Lane, it’s super-central, super-convenient and super-fun.

COMING UP: Baio, August 18 – tickets. Probably best known as Vampire Weekend’s bassist, Chris Baio has a little-known solo side project, from which he’s about to release a solo album in September. This is his only Melbourne show, and it’s set to be a big one – the new record is full of instant hits.

The Grace Darling Hotel

It’s a double venue! An upstairs bandroom and a smaller basement space that proves the perfect fit for jazz and funk sets, Collingwood’s Grace Darling is the perfect way to while away an entire day; afternoons at the bar and an evening at a gig. Quick foodie tip: try their salted caramel ice-cream – it’s second to none.

COMING UP: The Vernons, November 13 – tickets. Blues rock from the Gold Coast? Well, I never. The Vernons have had a whirlwind year, taking the stage with acts like Stonefield and Wolfmother, and topping the iTunes Blues charts. Join them as they launch new single Snap My Fingers.

The Evelyn Hotel

Any venue that provides couches around the dance floor is a winner in our eyes. Completely chilled-out with a host of great local beers on tap, the Ev is the perfect place to take a big bunch of friends for a relaxed Friday night.

COMING UP – Hiatus Kaiyote, September 12 – tickets. Without a doubt the best soul band in Australia, Grammy-nominated Hiatus Kaiyote put on a smashing live show. This homecoming gig at The Evelyn will be a special one; concluding a world tour at the place they first started playing. Awwww.