Earlier in 2018, Melbourne was named the live music capital of the world — attracting bigger audiences to live gigs than all of the big sporting events combined. Any seasoned Melburnian knows that this rings true, and not only now, but across decades gone by. Indeed, music history has made all over the city.
The Melbourne Music Bus Tour takes a trip through this rich heritage, during a two-hour journey hosted by Melbourne musicologist Bruce Milne and music journalist Mary Mihelakos. Departing from the Australian Music Vault at Arts Centre Melbourne across six dates between October 2018 and March 2019 — and at 11am and 2pm on each date — this vibrant bus ride zooms through the likes of Richmond, Collingwood, St Kilda and Port Melbourne, and stops at a heap of past and previous venues, laneways and places of significance. The Dogs in Space house, the Nylex Clock sign, Mushroom Records, The Espy, Chrissy Amphlett Lane and Rowland S. Howard Lane are really just the beginning.
If it inspired a song, featured in a music video or proves an important space for Indigenous music, then it's highly likely that it's on the tour. Previous seasons have sold out, so nab your $69 ticket and prepare to hop on board. Oh, and you might have some famous company, with Deborah Conway, Adalita, Cash Savage, Clare Moore, Paul Stewart, Stephen Cummings, Kim Salmon and Dave Graney among those that have been picked up along the way on past trips.