The Teskey Brothers at Sidney Myer Music Bowl
The city's annual jazz celebration is hitting all the right notes, beginning with a blockbuster hometown performance from The Teskey Brothers.
Overview
Swinging into spring is made even easier when the sounds of Melbourne International Jazz Festival take over town. And in 2026, this long-running, toe-tapping festival has a standout headliner — The Teskey Brothers. Set to open the ten-day experience with a special 10th-anniversary performance of their breakthrough debut album, Half Mile Harvest, expect a sold-out crowd at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday, October 17.
Inspired by Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Donny Hathaway and a host of deep blues traditions, Half Mile Harvest set the tone for The Teskey Brothers' star-studded future, with the album now considered a modern Australian classic. Yet the Melbourne-born blues rockers aren't taking to the stage alone. On support, what's bound to be a blissful evening in the amphitheatre is elevated by funk legend Fred Wesley and his powerhouse band The New JBs, as well as ARIA Award winner Emily Wurramara.
With the full lineup for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival revealed in August, early teasers also include acclaimed jazz supergroup Aziza, led by Dave Holland, who reunite at Hamer Hall on Sunday, October 25, and GRAMMY Award-winning New Orleans institution Rebirth Brass Band, who will make their long-awaited Australian debut at 170 Russell on Sunday, October 18. Plus, the Tomeka Reid Quartet heads to The JazzLab on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25.
Pre-sale tickets for The Teskey Brothers are available from 8am on Wednesday, July 8, with the general public sale happening from 11am on Thursday, July 9. Head to the website for more information.
Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Top image: Ian Laidlaw.
Information
- Where to Find the Best Ice Cream and Gelato in Melbourne
- The 23 Best Sunday Roasts in Melbourne
- The Best Set Menus in Melbourne for Under $100 in 2026
- Dark Arts, Hedonism and Exploration: A Weekender's Guide to Visiting Hobart for Dark Mofo
- The Best Australian Fashion Labels to Know Right Now
- The Best Private Dining Rooms in Melbourne