December, oh what a night.
Cor blimey, where did the year go? It feels like just yesterday when 2021 brought out the sun, shining bright on a new, hopeful year. That didn’t really work out too well, hey? But here we are, hoping you’re well.
You may be asking yourself, other than ‘who in tarnation uses cor blimey anymore’, have we seen the end of the worst? Will 2022 deliver what we hoped 2021 would in terms of a more free-flowing year? We hope so. We hope as much as we hope the new Matrix movie isn’t rubbish. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We still have one month left to go. We have Christmas. We have the Boxing Day Test. There are going to be presents to return. There will be New Year’s resolutions to make.
We also happen to have some cracking gigs… Just make sure you have your proof of double vaccination. Cheers.
Keep up with the latest in local events via our website.
Matt Joe Gow & Ben Mastwyk – Saints @ Sailors, Portarlington on December 2 & Pistol Pete’s, Geelong on December 3.
Enjoy a double dose of Americana featuring Music Victoria award-winner Matt Joe Gow and Music Victoria nominee Ben Mastwyk.
*Please note Matt will perform solo at Major Tom’s, Kyneton on December 18
Find out more here.
Mundane Jane – Barwon Club, Geelong on December 2
Mundane Jane plays a high-energy, melodic brand of rock and roll that’s good for the heart and soul. They will be joined by Methods and Juneau Blue.
Bakers Eddy – Barwon Club, Geelong on December 3
With their debut album due in March 2022, Melbourne outfit Bakers Eddy is getting the party started with relationship-driven single ‘My Baby’s like Cigarettes’.
Tix here.
Tom Harrington – Handle Bar, Bendigo on December 3
With an acoustic guitar in hand, Central Vic artist Tom Harrington weaves indie-folk songs that would be just as home on the coast. He launches new single, ‘Be There Soon’.
Free entry, no bookings.
Client Liaison – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on December 3
Clear December 3, because that is when Client Liaison release Divine Intervention and it is going to require your full, undivided attention.
Find out more here.
Snake Valley – The Eastern, Ballarat on December 3 & Barwon Club, Geelong on December 4
At the time of writing, gold was $82.08 per gram in Australia. Just imagine how prices will soar when it comes to the release of Snake Valley’s Price of Gold 7”?
Find out more here.
Alpha Wolf – Tonic Bar, Bendigo on December 3, Barwon Club, Geelong on December 5 & Volta, Ballarat on December 9
Taking their name from the Liam Neeson movie The Grey, Alpha Wolf is a Tasmanian-bred metalcore outfit who have lined up a whole bunch of heavy-hitting shows.
Tickets here.
Kim Salmon – The Bridge, Castlemaine on December 4
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.
Tickets here.
Lettuce Fest – The Eastern, Ballarat on December 4
Get your intake of vegetables with Lettuce Prey, Rocky Ravic, Matt Murray & the Durry Busters, Esoteric, Barracouta, Cosmonaut and Bush Wizard.
More info here.
Son Quba – The Bridge, Castlemaine on December 5
Founded in 2016 under the tutelage of Cuba’s El Son Entero, Son Quba is an eight-piece Latin ensemble who performs traditional Cuban music and original compositions.
Tickets here.
Slide My Way – Barwon Club, Geelong on December 9
Geelong outfit Slide My Way will be playing their local this month in support of new single, ‘Mr Wilding’. They will be supported by Juneau Blue and Violet.
Tix here.
Forever Son – Barwon Club, Geelong on December 10
Welcome to Alchemy Park is the upcoming new album from Forever Son, due for release December 3. Support comes from BIN and Stress Walters.
Tickets here.
Seth Sentry – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on December 10
Throughout 2020, Seth Sentry’s Super Cool Tree House provided fans with some Sunday bliss. The songs from that have come to form an album of the same name.
Tickets still available here.
The Seven Ups – The Bridge, Castlemaine on December 10
As refreshing as the drink that resembles their name, The Seven Ups is a heavy groove septet who has recently released their fourth album, The Old World.
Tickets here.
The Badloves – The Palais, Hepburn Springs on December 11
The Badloves made a splash straightaway with their debut album Get on Board and its single ‘Green Limousine’. They’re still going as strong as ever.
Find out more here.
Four Lions – Farmers Lane, Bendigo on December 11
Four Lions have come up with their fifth album, Wide Awake. The band set about making a ‘stadium rock’ album after watching The Killers and Jack Riewoldt at the 2019 Grand Final.
Head here for more info.
Social Haunts – Barwon Club, Geelong on December 11
Social Haunts have re-opened the doors to their business of punk rocking like no other, so hopefully you’re up to speed with their album Trash Art.
Tix here.
Ryan Downey – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on December 11
Love and curiosity come together on Ryan Downey’s new art rock album A Ton of Colours, the follow-up to his AMP-nominated Running.
Tickets here.
Bellarine Music Festival – Bellarine Estate on December 11
Kick back in a vineyard with Brian Mannix and The Androids, Chantoozies and Taxiride.
Tickets here.
Tijuana Cartel – The Bridge, Castlemaine on December 11 & Barwon Club, Geelong on December 12
Tijuana Cartel has been spreading high-energy, guitar-driven joy since the 1990s. Their latest release is the technicoloured Acid Pony.
Find out more here.
Dami Im – The Palais, Hepburn Springs on December 12
Since winning the fifth season of The X Factor Australia, Dami Im has represented Australia at Eurovision and released six albums. Her latest is My Reality.
Tickets here.
Bellarine Music Festival – Bellarine Estate on December 12
The joy of festivals is back in full swing, with this one playing host to Ross Wilson & the Peaceniks, The Badloves and King Canyon featuring Jimmy Cupples.
Tickets here.
El Tee – The Bridge, Castlemaine on December 12
It has been a little over a year since El Tee released her debut album Everything is Fine. Now comes the time for her first Australian tour.
Tickets here.
Quivers – The Eastern, Ballarat on December 16 and The Bridge, Castlemaine on December 17
You know what they say: some jangle pop a day keeps the doctor away. Melbourne outfit Quivers are back with album number two, Golden Doubt.
Get your tix here.
Sirens – Barwon Club, Geelong on December 17
Dream-pop psych outfit Sirens have become a bit of a household name at Geelong’s Barwon Club recently, which makes news of their self-titled debut most welcome.
Tickets here.
Bellarine Music Festival – Bellarine Estate on December 18
The day festival is back again with Daryl Braithwaite and JR Reyne.
Tickets here.
Sex on Toast – Volta, Ballarat on December 18
Sex on Toast can make anything sexy, even COVID, as they showed with their single ‘Take Your Mask Off (and Love Me Tonight)’.
Tickets here.
Sweet Dream DJs – Volta, Ballarat on December 18
Back in the days of the old Karova schoolyard, the Sweet Dreams DJs found life. They’re set to celebrate their fifth birthday in style with help from Wax’o Paradiso and more.
Tickets here.
Lillian Albazi – Bendigo Bank Theatre, Bendigo on December 18
An album inspired by her Dad, After-Image is the debut release from Melbourne jazz vocalist Lillian Albazi. The album features a guest appearance by Tony Gould AM.
Find out more here.
Hop it to the Top Ep V – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on December 18
Enjoy an evening of ska, rocksteady, reggae, soul and rhythm and blues with the likes of King Stone, The Ska Vendors and Funky Kingston with Mohair Slim and Fabulous Fez.
Tix here.
Rambal – Old Church on the Hill, Bendigo on December 18
After several failed COVID-related attempts to bring Rambal to town, Bendigo is finally getting a taste of one of the country’s finest blues/soul acts.
Find out more here.
Ska Nation – Ti Tree Hotel, Warrion on December 18 & 19
A huge line-up that includes The Bennies, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, The Resignators, Loin Groin, Ska Vendors, The Kujo Kings, Admiral Ackbar’s Dishonourable Discharge and more.
Tickets available here.
Al Matcott – The Bridge, Castlemaine on December 19
Al Matcott has been a drummer and guitarist/singer in a handful of bands, but with his debut EP You Can Be Anyone the spotlight is all on him.
Head here for tix.
Knight and Day Festival – Kryal Castle, Ballarat on December 30 & 31.
A two-day alternative music festival featuring Parkway Drive, Polaris, Alex Lahey, Bakers Eddy, The Chats, The Getaway Plan and Hellions.
Tickets here.
Be Forgot – Lot 19, Castlemaine on December 31
Cash Savage & the Last Drinks lead a NYE party that’s sure to be most triumphant. Also on deck will be King Stingray, Dallas Woods, James Ellis & the Jealous Guys and more.
Tickets here.
