Your gig guide for the first month of 2025 !
In 1699, writer Jonathan Swift, no relation to Taylor, penned life resolutions that included “not to be fond of children, or let them come near me hardly”. Whether he was just being a touch wry, I am not sure. I never met the bloke.
It is, however, that time of year when around four in ten well-intentioned Australians set out to make a resolution, only for the majority to stumble like a drunken climbing stairs in thongs. If one was to vandyke more frequently than one would like, cutting back on drinking is a popular resolution for those with an inclination for such an indulgence. Me, I’ve decided to quit drinking for good. From now on, I’ll be drinking for evil.
Learning a new language is a popular choice, and indeed an ambitious and admirable pursuit. For someone whose pronunciation of the word indubitably falls short of being indubitable, any attempt to learn a new language beyond curse words has revealed itself an obstacle too great. Still, you can’t go wrong with sprinkling a little colour in your vocabulary. Try the Russian Chtob tebe deti v’sup srali, which, I am led to believe, translates to ‘May your children shit in your soup’. In what circumstance would you feel the need to say such a thing, I choose not to speculate. Maybe ol’ Swift would know – Jonathan, not Taylor.
Learning a new skill is another popular resolution. Perhaps learning to speed read fits you. Or, in a slight variation, learning to speed weed would enable you to help out in your nana’s garden.
Here is to your 2025 and a year of possibilities. I hope you enjoy these January gigs…
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
January gigs:
Jack Botts – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 2
Surf-rock singer-songwriter Jack Botts spent six months touring throughout the US, the UK and Europe, but returned home for the Australian summer. ‘Get Through’ is his latest single.
Hot Chip – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on January 2 (DJ set) & Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 3
Comprised of Alexis Taylor, Joe Goddard and a talented crew of merrymakers, the indie-pop meets house beats fusion of Hot Chip is heading to Australia. Get ’em while they’re hot.
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Mini Band Stack – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on January 3
Not one, not two, not three, but four bands are ready to get your 2025 started. You have Batpiss, Frenzee and Delivery, with new band Public Figures to get the party started.
Good Guy Hank – Shedshaker Brewing, Castlemaine on January 3
The heartlands of Scotland and the musical metropolis of Melbourne have given birth to Good Guy Hank, a trio of fine folk singing about heartbreak, joy and everything in-between.
The Black Sorrows – Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool on January 3, Birregurra Town Hall, Birregurra on January 4 & Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 12
With hits including ‘Hit & Run’, ‘Chained to the Wheel’ and ‘Harley & Rose’, there is many a hoarse voice following a Black Sorrows show.
Juicy Romance – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 4
The first Saturday night in January is always a big one. Shake off the post-Christmas and post-NY blues with Juicy Romance and her bag of tricks.
Mark Seymour & the Undertow – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 5
With more than a dozen Hunters & Collectors albums, a handy number of solo releases and a few with the Undertow from which to choose, you’ll be spoilt for choice here.
Kingswood – Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool on January 5
With their past Hometowns Tour taking in 100+ shows right around the country, every man and his dog knows a little something about the rocking ways of Kingswood.
Pete Murray – Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads on January 8 & Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 14
You could say songman Pete Murray was a late bloomer, having first picked up the guitar as a 21-year-old. He has certainly made up for time, and is far from calling it a day.
Relays – Major Tom’s, Kyneton on January 10
They may be a touch shameless, but non-politically correct outfit Relays are not nameless as they continue to make their mark in the underground punk scene. Their self-titled album is out now.
The Whitlams – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 10 & Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool on January 11
Take a journey back to the mid-’90s with The Whitlams as they provide a soundtrack to summer. All albums will be given a go, with a focus on 1999’s Love This City.
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Malcura – Aireys Pub, Aireys Inlet on January 11
Starting out music life as buskers in Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall, heavy flamenco outfit Malcura pack more than a little punch. They are working on a third album.
BUNT – Dive Bar, Geelong on January 11
BUNT is a German artist, producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist. At the time of writing, his track ‘Clouds’ (featuring Nate Traveller) had more than 2.3-million SoundCloud streams.
Slow Grind Fever – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on January 11
Dance away in a haze of smoke and red lights as the Slow Grind Fever crew spin the slowest, spookiest, sweetest and swinginest old records they can find.
Tobiahs – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 11
Through combining elements of house, pop and garage, Lebanese-Australian producer Tobiahs continues his vision to create lyric-driven dance music.
Garden Lane – Barwon Club Hotel, Barwon Club on January 12
From metal riffs to punk anthems to folk tunes, pretty much everyone is catered for when it comes to Garden Lane. Joining them will be Carly Jorja and Violet.
Ross Wilson – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on January 16
You’ll be getting your Daddy Cool. You’ll be getting your Mondo Rock. You’ll be getting decades of sing-alongs as Ross Wilson & the Peaceniks keep the good times rolling.
Pacific Avenue – Volta, Ballarat on January 16 & Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 17
‘Lucy’ is the latest single from Pacific Avenue, a track that explores the notion that everyone has a version of Lucy – something or someone they hold dear.
Shannon & the Clams – Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on January 17
With their garage-psych sound, Shannon & the Clams just want to make you feel good. Their latest album is The Moon is in the Wrong Place.
Spacegoat & friends – Golden Vine Hotel, Bendigo on January 17
Not only do local favourites Spacegoat have some new tunes for you, they also have some fine company in Whisperhead, Vault Hill and Inherit Nothing.
Cash Savage and the Last Drinks – Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool on January 17
Before zipping off for a few shows abroad, Cash Savage and the Last Drinks will bring their storm to local crowds. So This is Love is their most recent album.
Speed – Volta, Ballarat on January 17
Hardcore outfit Speed are doing what we’ve all missed: bringing the flute back to the game. They’re also generating a lot of buzz with their debut album, Only One Mode.
Effie – The Story House, GAC on January 17
Feminism, racism, sexism, wokeism, pronounism and goodlookingism will all get a working when Effie comes to town with new show, UpYourselfness.
Kat Greta – Medusa Bar, Geelong on January 17
Live looping and percussion accompany classic rock, folk and retro pop in the musical world of Kat Greta. She will be joined by Hilda Green and Trinity Jayne.
Wil Anderson’s Wilegitimate – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on January 17
We are always discovering new things about family. When Wil Anderson discovered something about his dad when organising a gift for his 80th, he figured it would make for a good show.
Mathilde Anne – Paper Scissors Rock, Halls Gap on January 18
Taking the rawness of grunge to shape her indie pop-rock, Mathilde Anne is a neurodiverse voice shaking up the scene. Her debut album is Normal.
Henry Wagons meets Johnny Cash – Art Gallery of Ballarat, Ballarat on January 18
Australian music outlaw Henry Wagons pays tribute to American music outlaw Johnny Cash on a night featuring his late-career American Recordings (1996-2006).
Twist & Shout – The Story House, GAC on January 18
The Williams Brothers and their first-class band are set to salute rock and roll with tunes from Elvis, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers, Little Richard, Del Shannon and more.
SummerSlam – Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on January 18
SummerSlam is back with its big summer party. The line-up includes O.R.B., Vintage Crop, Blonde Revolver, Straight Arrows, Billiam & the Split Bills and Kosmetika.
The French Garden Party – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on February 18
A series of intimate, solar-powered concerts is making its way around Australia featuring the fabulous French sounds of Malo’, Ysé and Geoffrey Le Goaziou.
Beyond Vegas – Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on January 19
Starting life as a virtual band with no thoughts of hitting the stage, rock outfit Beyond Vegas are now happily touring their new album, Destination Unknown.
Hoodoo Gurus & Magic Dirt – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on January 22 & Costa Hall, Geelong on January 23
In 1984, Hoodoo Gurus released their debut album, Stoneage Romeos. This is your chance to hear it live in its entirety. They’ll be joined by Magic Dirt.
Daryl Braithwaite – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 23
ARIA Hall of Famer Daryl Braithwaite will take you on a stroll through his career with hits including ‘The Horses’, ‘As the Days Go By’ and ‘One Summer’.
G-String Nicotine – Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on January 23
Get hooked on G–String Nicotine as they bring their raw, unapologetic punk-rock energy to the stage. They’ll be joined here by Apollo Project and Electric Stardust.
The Southern River Band – Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool on January 24
They work hard and play harder. Come join The Southern River Band on their mission to save the world with rock and roll. D.I.Y. is their new album.
Mystery – Medusa Bar, Geelong on January 24
Formed in 2010 by a bunch of twelve- and thirteen-year-olds, heavy rockers Mystery have been jamming with the devil ever since. Mind Pollution is their latest album.
Patrick James – Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel, Creswick on January 24
On Glory Days, the new album from singer-songwriter Patrick James, you’ll find a bunch of songs that brought him back to his early songwriting roots.
The Hard Quartet – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on January 24
With its members having provided your soundtrack for decades, The Hard Quartet is an indie-rock supergroup comprised of Stephen Malkmus, Matt Sweeney, Emmett Kelly and Jim White.
Rose Tattoo – Gateway Hotel, Corio on January 25
They’re the mean machine going as strong as ever. Join rock and roll bad boys Rose Tattoo as they serve up the music that has been kicking you up the backside since 1976.
Choof – Medusa Bar, Geelong on January 26
Words including ruthless, extreme and outrageous have been linked to outlaw grind outfit Choof. A Very Special Blend of Psychology and Extreme Violence is their upcoming debut album.
Damien Rice – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on January 28
More than twenty years after the release of his debut album O, Irish songman Damien Rice can still charm an audience like few others.
Trophy Eyes – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on January 30 & Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 31
After a healthy year of touring locally and abroad, Trophy Eyes took rest for just long enough to catch their breath. Another big year for the band is ahead, including Download Festival.
The Schizophonics – Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on January 31
Rumour has it you can still smell the sweat generated from the last time The Schizophonics were in town. Get ready for another dose of high-voltage rock and roll.
Pierce Brothers – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on January 31
The Pierce Brothers have entered the vinyl world, giving breakout EP The Night Tree a makeover in honour of its tenth anniversary. It’s also the reason for this tour.
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Dreadnaught & The Eternal – Volta, Ballarat on January 31
Dreadnaught drops their new album Shutdown a Heartbeat this month. The Eternal released their latest Skinwalker in 2024. It’s a double album launch, with some special friends in attendance.
I Love Rock and Roll – Medusa Bar, Geelong on January 31
If you want to rock and roll all night, this one’s for you. It’s a smokin’ four-band stack featuring W.O.M.B.A.T, Gnome, Software Update and Willie J’s 6v6s.
