From Japanese punk legends to Grand Final parties with Eskimo Joe, the gigs are sizzling for September
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30.08.2024

From Japanese punk legends to Grand Final parties with Eskimo Joe, the gigs are sizzling for September

Words by Chester Ogilvie

Legends and laughs make up the bulk of Septembers local gig guide and we're not complaining!

Does there exist in this world a more retched conversation to find yourself in, a more soul-crushing abyss of despair that laggardly drifts as if it were a strung-out sloth rafting on a lake of tar, one that elicits inner screams of torture so guttural that the guardians of Hell themselves would put their arms around you in compassion and offer you a ‘you right, buddy’, one where your very life is sucked from you like the 1980’s horror film Lifeforce, than hearing about one’s travels?

Oh look, there’s a picture of you hiking. Wow, I’ve never seen mountains before. Oh look, there’s a picture of you taking an oversized bite of a local dish. You are a silly goose. Oh look, there’s a picture of you doing a starfish pose in front of a cheeky sounding sign. Yes, I suppose the sign does kinda sound like cock. Oh look, there’s a picture of you wistfully staring at the sea. I bet you’re thinking of potatoes. Please show me 200 more pictures.

Anyway, September 27 marks World Tourism Day. Enjoy your travels, folks. And enjoy these great gigs… 

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

Yamandu Costa

Geelong West Town Hall, Geelong on September 1

Dubbed “The Paganini of the Guitar” by late German conductor Kurt Masur, Grammy-winner Yamandu Costa is widely regarded as one of the finest exponents of 7-string guitar.

The Wolfe Brothers

Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on September 1 

With a lazy three Golden Guitars added to their collection in 2024, The Wolfe Brothers bring the total to nine. The country stars are indeed livin’ the dream.

Kate Miller-Heidke

Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on September 1 & Echuca Paramount Cinemas, Echuca on September 26 

From her greatest hits to her original musical numbers, covers to the odd request, Kate Miller-Heidke is serving up a little bit of everything on her Catching Diamonds tour. 

Piano Bar Comedy Ballarat

throughout September

It’s a month of laughs at Ballarat’s Piano Bar Comedy Festival, with the venue hosting Dave O’Neil (Sep 3), Dave Thornton (Sep 10), Vanessa Larry Mitchell (Sep 17) and Lehmo (Sep 24). 

King Brothers

Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on September 5

Formed in 1997, Japan’s legendary blues-punk outfit King Brothers are hitting Australian shores for the first time since 2016. They’ll be joined by The Meanies and Grinding Eyes.

Bleeding Through

Volta, Ballarat on September 5

Back in 2014, Orange County metalcore outfit Bleeding Through played some of their final shows in Australia before disbanding. Back in business, they’re hungrier than ever. 

Sweet Talk

Golden Vine Hotel, Bendigo on September 5

Bonding over late nights, music, classic songwriting and improvised jams, Sweet Talk are now delighting with their sweet tunes. ‘Real Good Cookin’’ is their latest single. 

Pauly Fenech

The Sphinx, Geelong on September 5

Games, parody songs, stand-up comedy and never-before-seen footage are all part of Outback Outlaw Comedian, the new show from Pauly Fenech. 

The Tap Pack

Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on September 5  

Picking up where the Rat Pack left off, The Tap Pack gives a modern makeover to crooners from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, to Ed Sheeran and Michael Bublé

Richie Weed plays Strays

The Bridge, Castlemaine on September 6

Widely known as the frontman of Tumbleweed, Richie Weed has stepped out on his lonesome with debut solo album, Strays. He’ll be joined on the night by Immigrant Union.

World Music Series

Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine throughout September

The Northern Arts Hotel’s World Music Series continues with Yirrmal (Sep 6), Ms Onur Kurt & DJ Luqman (Sep 7), Namrock House (Sep 13) and Trudy Fatnowna Edgeley (Sep 21). 

Majak Door

Torquay Hotel, Torquay on September 6

Recently adding cello and violin, the psychedelic indie-rock of Majak Door keeps getting more flavoursome. Here the band will perform their album Fantasy Camp in its entirety. 

King, Cash & Carl

The Taproom (Shedshaker Brewing), Castlemaine on September 6

Featuring Trent McKenzie, Adrian Whyte, Nick Carrafa and David Cosma, this is a tribute to the music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins. 

The Whitlams Black Stump Duo

Echuca Paramount Cinemas, Echuca on September 6

Tim Freedman and Ollie Thorpe’s acclaimed piano and pedal steel duo breathes new life into fan favourites including ‘No Aphrodisiac’ and ‘Blow Up the Pokies’. 

Flaming Wreckage

Volta, Ballarat on September 6 & Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on September 7

With a growing reputation as one of the country’s finest metal outfits, Flaming Wreckage are on the warpath in support of their latest album, Terra Inferna. Black Lava and Fall and Resist will assist.

Quivers

The Eastern, Ballarat on September 6 & The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on September 7 

If the feedback of their previous album is anything to go by, Oyster Cuts, the new album from Quivers, is sure to be chock-full of choice cuts. 

Jimeoin

COPACC, Colac on September 6 & The Play House, GAC on September 7 

Some questions can just nag away at you. Like, how do you address someone whose name you have forgotten? Jimeoin is here to answer life’s little questions in new show, Who’s Your Man!? 

echodelta

Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, Geelong on September 7 

Join the movement, embrace the moment and dance the night away at echodelta. Leading the movement is triple j’s Shantan Wantan Ichiban.  

Alarms

Trash Cult, Eaglehawk on September 7

Gritty punk-rock and moody post-punk with noisy washes of shoegaze undertones is a bit of a mouthful, but that is Bendigo’s Alarms. The Orphans and No Hope will also be on deck. 

Amarillo

Major Tom’s, Kyneton on March 7

The alt-folk project of Jac Tonks (Fountain Lakes) and Nick O’Mara (Raised by Eagles) are set to shake it in support of their recent album, Golden Mountain.  

Rennie Pearson

Mechanics Institute Hall, Apollo Bay on September 7

Grounded in Celtic music traditions, songman Rennie Pearson weaves together tunes and tales as he takes the listener on a journey through Ireland, Scotland and Maritime Canada. 

Dune Rats & FIDLAR

Torquay Hotel, Torquay on September 7

Musical buddies Dune Rats and FIDLAR have come together for a co-headlining tour where the party won’t stop until every attendee has left the building fully satisfied.  

Sooshi Mango

Civic Hall, Ballarat on September 7; Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on September 9; and Costa Hall, Geelong on September 14

Brothers Joe Salanitri, Carlo Salanitri and their friend Andrew Manfre are out there making their Nonna proud. Come on and tango with Sooshi Mango. 

She

Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine on September 8

She is the wonderful trio of eleven-time Golden Guitar winner Beccy Cole, thirteen-time Golden Guitar winner Felicity Urquhart and ten-time Golden Guitar winner Lyn Bowtell. 

Dan Kelly’s Regional Crisis

The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on September 8

Set for release this month, GOLDFEELS is the new album from Dan Kelly, one that serves as an ode to the Dja Dja Wurrung lands of the Central Victorian Goldfields. 

Lifeline Comedy Gala

Geelong West Town Hall, Geelong on September 13

Headliner Dilruk Jayasinha will be joined by Luke Massey, Johnny Katts, Kelsey De Almeida and Sarah Maree Cameron for a night of laughs to raise funds for a great cause. 

Fridge

Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on September 13

In 1991, in the far away state of Tasmania, Fridge entered the surf-fuzz-grunge world. They’ve been recording and re-recording some jams recently, so help welcome them back. 

Taxiride

Founders & Co, Lara on September 13

Get set, everybody, Taxiride are on their way. 25 years since the release of their debut album Imaginate, it’s time to cosy up with the band with this acoustic performance. 

Choirboys

The Capital, Bendigo on September 13 & Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on September 14

For the Jennys and the Johnnys and everyone else, Choirboys are lifting the lid on Australian rock and roll as they venture out with the part song, part story Run to Paradise extravaganza. 

triple j’s One Night Stand – Friendly Societies Park, Warrnambool on September 14

One Night Stand’s back, alright. Your line-up is G Flip, Ruel, What So Not, Thelma Plum, Sycco, Dice and a triple j Unearthed winner. Proceeds will be donated to Support Act. 

In Fuzz We Trust

Stone Vault Studios, Fyansford on September 14

Fuzz is good, fuzz is great. All hail fuzz. Get on down to an all-ages show (with guardian only) featuring Budd, Lucifungus and Smoke Witch. 

Melbourne Ska Orchestra

Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on September 14

Following a 20-year anniversary tour which included headline performances in Indonesia and Mexico, the 21-piece international ska outfit MSA is still out there giving and giving. 

Checkerboard Lounge

Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on September 15

Fire, virtuosity and improvisation fuel the blues, classic soul and roots stylings of Checkerboard Lounge. Roller Coast is the band’s latest album.  

Dave Graney & Clare Moore

Blarney Books, Port Fairy on September 15

Taking time to carefully choose a title that reflects the climate in which we live, (strangely)(emotional) is the latest release from Dave Graney & Clare Moore. 

Thee Cha Cha Chas

Major Tom’s, Kyneton on September 15

When the sun sets on the Kyneton Daffodil Festival parade, the one-woman, one-man garage punk outfit Thee Cha Cha Chas will party hearty, or hardy if you prefer. 

Greg Arnold

Ararat Town Hall, Ararat on September 18

Although best known for his work in Things of Stone and Wood, Greg Arnold has steadily built an impressive solo career. In the Sky is his latest album. 

Dave O’Neil

COPACC, Colac on September 18

Following sold-out shows across the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Dave O’Neil is taking his Overweight Lightweight show on the road. 

Hello for Help fundraiser

Piano Bar, Bendigo on September 19

Lifeline is an essential service for those struggling with mental health. This fundraiser features Brett Blake, Tommy Dassalo, Robyn Reynolds, Ash Greblo, Luke Morris and more. 

merci, mercy

Volta, Ballarat on September 20

Being sad and tired shouldn’t prevent you from being a hottie. So says Merceedes Thorne, better known as merci, mercy, on her catchy new single, ‘Angel’.  

Barwon Club Blow Out

Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on September 21

This won’t suck, but it will blow. The Barwon Club Blow Out features Daddy Issues, Blowers, Program, Leatherman, Public House, De Porsal and more.

Rose Tattoo

Golden Vine Hotel, Bendigo on September 21

Under the banner of the Southern Stars, which holds a special meaning for frontman Angry Anderson, Australian rock royalty Rose Tattoo are out to do the thing they do best. 

Gentle Ben & His Shimmering Hands

Major Tom’s, Kyneton on September 21

For a chosen few, it is the essence of men. For Brisbane swamp rockers Gentle Ben & His Shimmering Hands, Brut is their new album.   

Benny J & the Psych Ward

Trash Cult, Eaglehawk on September 21

Enjoy an evening of all-star talent as Benny J is joined by his gang comprised of Davey Lane, Link Meanie and Matt Cotter. The Plastic Section will be there as well. 

Sarah Carroll & the Big Fuss

Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on September 22

What’s all the fuss about? That would be the release of Sarah Carroll and her crew’s NQR&B album, an album celebrating Carroll’s great loves and her singular life. 

Daryl Braithwaite

Kyneton Town Hall, Kyneton on September 22

ARIA Hall of Famer Daryl Braithwaite will take you on a journey through his career with hits including ‘The Horses’, ‘As the Days Go By’ and ‘One Summer’. Taylor Sheridan supports. 

Watty Thompson & His Total Fire Band

The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on September 26

Put another dime in the jukebox, baby, because indie-bush bard Watty Thompson and his crew are touring new single, ‘Rock & Roll’. 

Eskimo Joe

Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads on September 26

Having just wrapped up a major tour and with shows ahead with TISM and more, Eskimo Joe are keeping in shape with a show in Barwon Heads. 

X-Coast

Torquay Hotel, Torquay on September 26

Fresh off a world tour, Bojan Cizmic, better known as X-Coast, is bringing his nostalgic rave sound to Torquay. He will be joined by Lucas Boston and Mordi. 

Dan Sultan

Anglesea Memorial Hall, Anglesea on September 26 & 27

The Sound Doctor is chuffed to present Dan Sultan for an evening of song and storytelling. He will be joined by Daisy Kilbourne on the 26th and Bumpy on the 27th.   

The Real Grand Final

Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on September 27

It’s a grand ol’ musical Grand Final with MACËY, Wöølworths\\Flushot, Tommy Dynamite and the Explosions, The Grimwoods, Scud, Blyss, Kristol Patrol and Racoo.  

Seedy Reed

Aireys Pub, Aireys Inlet on September 28

With origins that stretch back to 1993 and London-based art-rock combo Gaw Nihc, the sound machine that is Seedy Reed is heading out for some fun in the sun.

For all this and more head to our gig guide which is constantly updated with gigs happening in regional Victoria.