Your Guide to Melbourne Music Week 2013

Melbourne Music Week has once again delivered a delicious program of events to satisfy all musical cravings. With 110 events, 230 artists, in 60 different locations all over this musically gifted city, there sure is a lot to see over just 10 days. For lovers of local music, over 75% of the musical acts are from Victoria, which makes us both immensely proud and also excited to find a new favourite artist. With such plentiful offerings, it can be a bit tricky to know exactly where to start when sifting through the program. Our guide is here to help you choose events depending on what you want to get out of this year’s MMW, whether you want to find new music, rub shoulders with industry folk, or just party somewhere you might never get the chance to again.

Party Somewhere Unusual

MMW throws parties that think outside the box, and it’s a three-way tie for best party venue this year. As part of the Label Series, I OH YOU’s fourth birthday party is going to be held at Flagstaff train station, and is sure to be an underground dance party to remember. We only hope you’ve already secured yourself a ticket, this one has already sold out, and with acts such as Yacht Club DJs, Goldfields and Indian Summer DJs it’s not hard to see why. Speaking of Melbourne’s illustrious public transport, the Red Bull Music Academy Tram Jam is set to take us on an incredible musical journey too. Trams will be departing from The Espy, Howler and The Corner, and will all travel to the city to arrive on time and in style to the MMW Official Closing Party, Discolypso. Finally, the Aarght Records Swallowed By The Future party is going to be held in the Melbourne University Underground Car Park, which has a striking resemblance to Bruce Wayne’s batcave and was also featured in Mad Max. Here, you can check out Tyvek (USA), The Ooga Boogas, and just generally run amok on campus.

Be Part of the Performance

MMW’s Self-Made section is all about interaction and participation. We cannot go past C’mon Everyboney! where members of The Harpoons, Open Swimwear and Monnone Alone are joining forces to make one excellent super-group. The fun doesn’t stop there, they are bringing a hoard of musicians and percussive instruments along with them, and everyone in the crowd — no matter what level of musical skill you posses — will be joining in to cover some classics. Another event we won't be missing out on is the Hip Hop Hotties party, with the rap-blastin' babes dropping it like it’s hot all night long. Again, the fun doesn’t end there, the event will also include hair braiding and nail makeovers, a zine stall, secondhand clothes stalls, and a sneaker swap. This is a block party not to be missed.

Rub Shoulders with Industry Folk

If you want to take this opportunity for some professional and creative development, we recommend you check out the Face The Music events to meet tastemakers, radio presenters, and record label gurus. Two events in particular that have us in a tizzy include Small Rooms, Big Dreams and The Sounding Board. Small band rooms have played a big role for many of Australia’s biggest acts, and Small Rooms, Big Dreams features booking agents from venues such as Old Bar, Boney, and the Gasometer hotel discussing the importance of these venues. The Sounding Board will host a gaggle of radio presenters and record label folk, who will listen to your music and discuss how you can better your chances at being picked up by a station or label.

Grab a Bite (and a Slice of the Action)

The flagship venue for this year’s MMW will be The Residence, located at the lower terrace of Birrarung Marr and constructed by The Peoples Market. The Residence will host a number of events this MMW, including The Lunchbox Series, presented by Mess+Noise. It will feature tasty acts performing lunchtime jam sessions during the festival, and it won’t cost you a single cent. Check out Banoffee, Jimmy Tait, Ross Maclennan, Wintercoats and Early Woman while chowing down on some delicious grub from The Peoples Garden.

Melbourne Music Week is on from November 15-24, 2013. All the details are on their website.