Welcome to February, folks.
Do you feel the love in the air? We do at Forte, but we’re super romantic types. We love nothing more than a sunset walk on the beach, hand in hand with our most loved as time drifts by just for us. We love finding our way home with our favourite dessert from a little hole-in-the wall and snuggling up on the couch with a good bottle of wine, watching Bloodsport or Kickboxer. We’re not fussy, as they’re both awesome.
Valentine’s Day is coming. It’s time to buy a wonky teddy that says ‘I Luv U Beary Much’ for the light in your life. It’s time to buy a sad, wilting rose from the supermarket. It’s time to buy a copy of Wrong Bet or Double Impact. No need to be fussy, as they’re both awesome.
And just so you know, February is also loaded with great gigs. Enjoy.
Just remember to check band or venue socials to keep up with the latest updates. Restrictions are ever-changing so remember to be kind to all the staff facilitating these shows.
Bendigo Chamber Music Festival – February 2-6
The third Bendigo Chamber Music Festival will once again serve up a world-class classical music festival celebrating chamber music, community spirit and Bendigo.
Polaris – The Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, Geelong on February 4
Their metalcore skills remain the same, but with Covid continuing to be a force, the lyrics of Polaris’ ‘Vagabond’ have taken on a new meaning.
Shane Nicholson – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on February 4
25 years ago, Shane Nicholson with Pretty Violet Stain released the EP Blush. Since then, he has won 11 Golden Guitars, as well as APRA Song of the Year in 2021.
The Big Chill – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on February 4
The soundtrack to 1983’s The Big Chill will be brought to life by Karise Eden and special guest Mick Moriaty, alongside John Grant and The Big Chill Band.
Dirty Dance Machine – Barwon Club, Geelong on February 4
Dirty Dance Machine has let their guard down with single ‘Cryin’ on my Records’. But really, who among us hasn’t shed a tear to a song before?
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Lloyd Spiegel – Volta, Ballarat on February 4
One of the country’s finest bluesmen, Lloyd Spiegel is adding new depth to his tunes by bringing on board trombonist Lisa Baird and drummer Tim Burnham.
DEAD – The Eastern, Ballarat on February 4
Like everyone, DEAD have felt the frustrations of recent times. Fortunately, it has given them time to come up with new songs, new stage shorts and a new album.
Harry James Angus – The Bridge, Castlemaine on February 4
For two decades, life was all about music. And while nothing much has changed, lockdown has brought out a creativity that had long been dormant for Harry James Angus.
Keep up with all the festival news, reviews and interviews here.
Thy Art is Murder – Tonic Bar, Bendigo on February 4 and Barwon Club, Geelong on February 6
Politics, privatised prisons, environment, the planet and the pharmaceutical industry were all topics that helped inspire Thy Art is Murder’s fifth, Human Target.
Grindhouse – Barwon Club, Geelong on February 5
Grindhouse are launching new album Sex, Punk, Power with a bunch of friends, including Sacramento Sweaters and Juliet Seizure & the Tremor Dolls.
Kim Salmon – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on February 5
Rocking and rolling since the mid-seventies, Kim Salmon is showcasing his latest album Haunted Grooves, a collection of stories left to him by friends no longer with us.
Andrew Swift – Gateway Hotel, Corio on February 5
Backed by his band, two-time Golden Guitar winner Andrew Swift is hitting the road in support of album number two, The Art of Letting Go.
Cable Ties – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on February 5
Plenty of people had something nice to say about Cable Ties’ Far Enough album, including NPR and Rolling Stone. But what really matters is whether you like it.
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Palm Springs – The Bridge, Castlemaine on February 6
A collection of songs from Palm Springs (Erica Dunn and an evolving cast of collaborators) will feature recent offerings, as well as music from long-out-of-print 7” and tapes.
Gareth Skinner – The Eastern, Ballarat on February 6
Melbourne-based cellist and soundtrack composer Gareth Skinner has sound-tracked more than a dozen films and TV productions. His latest album is In Turmoil.
The Cartridge Family – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on February 6
Old-time country is on full display with The Cartridge Family, an outfit that sits perfectly alongside The Carter Family and The Delmore Brothers.
John Williamson – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on February 8 & 9; GPAC on February 15; and Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on February 19
Since his Richmond GTV9 studios performance in 1970, John Williamson has become a voice of Australia over five decades. He isn’t done yet, but he is slowing down.
Sing a Song of Sixpence – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on February 10 & Old Church on the Hill, Bendigo on February 11
A writers’ round of music and stories featuring Mick Thomas, Van Walker, Charm of Finches, Sarah Carroll and Grim Fawkner (line-ups vary venue to venue).
Approachable Members of Your Local Community – Barwon Club, Geelong on February 11
If a band name is a reflection of the band, then Approachable Members of Your Local Community are just that. Single ‘Just Say It’ is their newie.
Hachiku & Soaked Oats – The Bridge, Castlemaine on February 11
Rejoice, because dream-pop’s Hachiku (I’ll Probably Be Asleep) and New Zealand indie quartet Soaked Oats are teaming up for a co-headlining tour.
Didirri – Volta, Ballarat on February 11 & Barwon Club, Geelong on February 18
There is an awful lot that has gone wrong in recent times, which makes Didirri’s What Could Possibly Go Wrong tour rather fitting.
By the C – Torquay Common, Torquay on February 12
Beachside festival By the C welcomes a bunch of Aussie favourites for a grand old party, including Icehouse, Missy Higgins, Birds of Tokyo and Pete Murray.
A Blue Evening – Annie’s Hall, Macedon on February 12
Enjoy the sounds and sights of a mini-fest under the mountain, featuring performances from Millar Jukes & the Muscle, Aplegate, Pollyman, Aunty Blue, Koko and Mykayla Pain.
Town Folk Festival – The Bridge, Castlemaine on February 12
The Bridge, Shedshaker Brewery and Boomtown Winery have teamed up for Town Folk Festival, featuring Maple Glider, Jess Ribeiro, RVG and a whole stack more.
Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission – Volta, Ballarat on February 12 & Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on February 13
Mick Thomas and his crew are hitting the mean streets of Victoria in support of their latest album, City’s Calling Me.
Clowns – Barwon Club, Geelong on February 13
When Clowns wrote single ‘Does it Matter?’, they set out to write the most Clowns song of all time. So you’ve got it, complete with punk bits, garage bits and sing-a-long bits.
Kid Presentable – Volta, Ballarat on February 17
Blending classic hardcore with modern metalcore influences, ACT heavy-hitters Kid Presentable are touring their new release, Modern Living Fear.
The Murlocs – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on February 17
Bittersweet Demons is The Murlocs’ latest, a “reflection on the people who leave a profound imprint, the saviours and hellraisers and assorted other mystifying characters”.
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Kelly Brouhaha & Great Aunt – Pistol Pete’s, Geelong on February 18 & Old Church on the Hill, Bendigo on February 19
Get ready for a double dose of Americana with Kelly Brouhaha and Great Aunt, a duo comprised of Megan Bird and Chelsea Allen.
Mildlife – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on February 18
Mildlife are the grooviest of groovers this side of hell, making a big splash with their krautrock and jazz-infused debut Phase as well as its follow-up, Automatic.
Ajak Kwai – Major Tom’s, Kyneton on February 18 & The Bridge, Castlemaine on February 19
South Sudanese/Australian vocalist Ajak Kwai and her band are heading out in support of their 1970’s South and West African nations-inspired EP Red Sands.
Riverboats Music Festival – Echuca-Moama, February 18-20
Boy & Bear, Weddings Parties Anything, Baker Boy, Vika & Linda, Sarah Blasko, Shane Nicholson and Liz Stringer is just a wee taste of what is on offer at Riverboats.
Press Club – Barwon Club, Geelong on February 19
Press Club intended to record their latest in Berlin, but then the world pooped the bed. They still recorded it, which is the good news, and will release it in 2022.
Icecream Hands – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on February 19
The band with the stickiest hands in the business, Icecream Hands, notch up 30 years in 2022. In 2020, they released their seventh album, No Weapon but Love.
Ballarat Beer Festival – North Gardens, Ballarat on February 19
More than 150 brews from around Australia will be on show at the Ballarat Beer Festival, not to mention some fantastic food and equally fantastic music, including Russell Morris.
Funk’N’Fest – North Gardens, Ballarat on February 20
Whether you enjoy it as a companion to the Ballarat Beer Festival or as a standalone event, this new addition to the festival scene will win you over in a heartbeat. Enjoy a day of the freshest funk, soul and RnB with Kylie Auldist, Women of Soul, Mayfield, Lake Minnetonka and Moreland City Soul Revue.
Bad//Dreems – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on February 20
As well as celebrating ten years in the game in 2022, Adelaide “outsider rock” outfit Bad/Dreems will also release a new album late this year.
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Glenn Shorrock – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on February 20
A founding member of The Twilights, Axiom and Little River Band (later known as LRB), Glenn Shorrock is not ready to hang up the guitar just yet.
King Canoe – The Bridge, Castlemaine on February 20
Eight musos from Melbourne’s soul and reggae music scene have teamed up for King Canoe, an instrumental dub reggae outfit with all the right moves.
Pierce Brothers – The Space Studio, Warrnambool on February 25
International touring is a no-go at the moment, but that has allowed for the Pierce Brothers to explore new territory on home soil. Their loss is our gain.
Kate Ceberano – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on February 25
Across her three-decade career, three-time ARIA-winning singer-songwriter Kate Ceberano has released more than 25 albums. Her latest is Sweet Inspiration.
Emma Donovan & the Putbacks – The Eastern, Ballarat on February 25
If you take Emma Donovan’s optimistic, impassioned and honest songwriting and place it in front of The Putbacks’ music, you have the makings of something special.
Bliss n Eso – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on February 25 & 27
Local hip hop would not have reached the heights it has without Bliss n Eso, whose new album The Sun features Chillinit, Dizzee Rascal and Kasey Chambers.
Eliza Hull – The Bridge, Castlemaine on February 26
The music of Eliza Hull has featured on Awkward, Teen Wolf and Saving Hope. This year, the singer-songwriter will add a new EP to her collection.
Moaning Lisa – Volta, Ballarat on February 26
Moaning Lisa is a fuzzed-out, life-affirming alt-rock act. Canberra-bred but Melbourne-based, their debut album is Something like This but Not This.
Bad Bangs – Major Tom’s, Kyneton on February 26
Forget your character-building exercises and instead just grab a copy of Character Building, the debut album from garage rockers Bad Bangs. It will do you wonders.
Cookin’ on 3 Burners – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on February 26
The hard-hitting Hammond organ trio Cookin’ on 3 Burners will make you move. They will make you groove. And they will make you smooth.
Down South Fest – The Star of the West Hotel, Port Fairy on February 26
Move aside, folk music. Port Fairy’s Down South Fest welcomes some bands you have been warned about, including Amyl and the Sniffers, Stiff Richards and Blonde Revolver.
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Norwood – Barwon Club, Geelong on February 27
Melbourne-based Nathaniel Peacock and Olivia Bolmat are Norwood, and they’re launching new double single ‘Affairs’ / ‘I Know, it Looks Bad’.
SummerSalt – North Gardens, Ballarat on February 27
Rock your summer ankle socks off with the Aussie-flavoured line-up of Xavier Rudd, Birds of Tokyo, Missy Higgins, Pete Murray and The Waifs.
Orpheus Omega – Volta, Ballarat on February 27
Orpheus Omega’s debut album Bleed This Way turned ten last year, and the melodic death metal band is bringing out the black forest cake to celebrate.
