Overview
Having announced it'll transform the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) into its official hub for this year's nine-day outing, Melbourne Music Week (MMW) has just dropped the rest of its boundary-blurring program — and it's jam-packed full of surprises.
Out to turn traditional live music formats on their heads, MMW is bringing gigs to even more unexpected places, including a revolving musical celebration up on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. Here, punters and artists will take to the skies together, and be treated to a MzRizk-curated program featuring shows by DRMNGNOW, Soli, Kalala and more.
As the city's longstanding temple to rock 'n' roll, Cherry Bar will play host to all-day laneway shindig Civic Sounds, dishing up live tunes from rock royalty Regurgitator and R&B singer Nai Palm (lead vocalist from Hiatus Kaiyote). BATZ, All The Colours and the Girls Rock! crew are also set to make an appearance.
Meanwhile, psychedelic experience The Dark Space Project will see The Toff enveloped in darkness, inviting guests to immerse themselves in a soundscape without visual distraction. In keeping with the immersive theme, you can also join your bestie for the two-person, multi-sensory VR experience Want It To End, enhanced by live tunes from progressive rockers Fierce Mild.
The nine-day lineup also features MMW: Talks — with chats on everything from Melbourne's late-night economy, to sound healing and music therapy — a huge show by You Am I in the Town Hall (using the historic Grand Organ) and performances at Flemington Bowls Clubs and the State Library of Victoria.
Ever-popular all-ages event Push Over will then help wrap things up on November 24, pulling together acts like Ali Barter, Ruby Fields, and legends from Jebediah and Spiderbait for a free, music-filled party in Federation Square.
Melbourne Music Week 2018 will run from November 16 to 24, at various venues across the city. Tickets are on sale now, with the full program at the MMW website.