From Bag Raiders to Boston Manor, August is packed with stellar gigs this month across regional Victoria.
Truth be told, I’ve been feeling pretty rundown recently. As one does, I booked in to see my doctor. Took a while, but such is the way of the world. I told him I was feeling lethargic a lot of the time, and so the questions came. He asked how work was going. I told him, work’s good. How the company had employed more people and it’s a better balance now. Less stress is good. He asked how everything with me and the wife was. Great, good as gold, I told him. We recently celebrated our anniversary with a getaway. She also got a promotion at work.
And how about those kids of yours, he asked. Happy and healthy, I said. Jack just started footy. He loves it. He’s got a great left foot. And Ally, she makes friends like a duck takes to water. He went on to ask about my sleep. Am I getting enough, am I waking regularly? You know the drill. I told him it is lights out as soon as my head hits the pillow and I don’t wake up until the alarm buzzes eight hours later. I could sleep through anything.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
What about exercise? Are you getting enough? Absolutely, I told him. I run, walk, cycle or lift weights depending on the day. It varies, but I seldom skip out. Unfazed but determined to find his cause for concern, he next asked about my diet. Not bad, doc, I told him. I’m a simple meat and potatoes kind of guy. I also eat eight bags of Skittles a day. What, he responded incredulously. Eight bags, I repeated. I eat the red ones, the orange ones, the yellow ones, the purple ones. I love the things. Ah, he exclaimed excitedly, I think I see the problem. You need to eat more greens.
Eat your greens and enjoy these August gigs in regional Victoria…
August Gig Guide
Jebediah & Magic Dirt
Torquay Hotel, Torquay on 2 August
Good friends playing good music in a good venue. What’s not to love? Jebediah has a new album in OIKS, and they’ve invited their good pals in Magic Dirt to help them launch it.
Rowena Wise
Major Tom’s, Kyneton on 2 August
Inspired by the folk artists of the 1960s and described as “carefully etched indie folk”, Rowena Wise is hitting the road to welcome her debut album, Senseless Acts of Beauty.
Crosstrack
Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on 2 August
From the team who brought you Back from the Dead comes Back from the Dead 2: Electric Boogaloo, a musical extravaganza featuring hard rockers Crosstrack, No Wuckas and Chuck.
Fall and Resist
Volta, Ballarat on 2 August
The mighty musical forces of Geelong and Ballarat combine to bring you metal outfit Fall and Resist. They’ll be joined by Wallet Inspector, Ironstone and Terrestrials.
Goldfields Gothic Festival
Maldon from 2 – 4 August
Tours, exhibitions, performances, workshops and family-friendly activities await you at the festival that isn’t afraid to explore the dark side of history.
Bag Raiders
Torquay Hotel, Torquay on 3 August
It’s a super special treat as dance music magicians Bag Raiders head to the Torquay Hotel for the first time. Their new tune (with Boston Bun) is ‘Save Me’.
Em Rusciano
Civic Hall, Ballarat on 3 August
Diagnoses of autism, ADHD and early menopause have led to “complete ego death” for Em Rusciano. But she is fighting the good fight through her new show, Outgrown.
Nunchukka Superfly
ONI Streetwear, Castlemaine on 3 August
Their name is lethal, but their game is punk. Formed in 1995, Nunchukka Superfly is launching an album that was once thought dead and buried. DEAD will support (also with new LP).
Crybaby
Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads – 3 August
With a tidy balance of global club, hip hop, techno and everything in between, the DJ skills of Crybaby are in hot demand. The line-up also includes Phones n Sleeves, Party McCarty and Blake.
Caitlin Harnett & the Pony Boys
The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on 3 August
Caitlin Harnett and her crew promise to have you laughing, crying, singing, dancing and drinking on their Passin’ Through tour, which sounds a pretty fun way to spend an evening.
Witchgrinder
Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on 3 August & Volta, Ballarat on 16 August
Now that metal/industrial outfit Witchgrinder have finished their capital cities run, it’s time to go regional. Or RegionHell, as the band is calling it.
Bellarine on the Rise
Barwon Club Hotel, Barwon Club on 4 August
Featuring some of the finest of the fine from the Bellarine, this is an all-ages event featuring Bones & Jones, Carly Jorja, Paraquay, Brunette Red Dress and Heath Robertson Band.
Missy Higgins
Costa Hall, Geelong on 4 August
An “anniversary tour with a difference” is how songwoman Missy Higgins is describing The Second Act tour, which celebrates 20 years since the release of her The Sound of White album.
Hassall & Maddy Petch
The Taproom (Shedshaker Brewing), Castlemaine on 4 August
Hassall self-describes herself as ‘Australian sharehouse pop’. Maddy Petch moves towards indie-pop. Together they will provide an evening of heart-led relatability.
Emma Donovan
Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on 4 August
Explaining her new album ’Til My Song is Done, Emma Donovan plans on singing until she can sing no more. This is her first solo album in twenty years.
The Deserters
Ararat Town Hall, Ararat on 7 August
Brooke Taylor and Delsinki are behind new collaboration The Deserters. Hopefully there will be an album out this year, but for now there’s room to enjoy the moment.
Ben Lee
Piano Bar, Ballarat on 7 August; Piano Bar, Bendigo on 8 August; and Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff on 9 August
Songman Ben Lee may have been making music since the early ’90s, but he’s far from hanging up the boots. He will release new album This One’s for the Old Headz in September.
Daniel Connell
The Engine Room, Bendigo on 8 August
They say he’s affable. They say he’s loveable. They say he’s very, very funny. They say a lot of nice things about Daniel Connell, so it’s time to find out why.
Jim Jeffries
Deakin University, Geelong on 8 August
What is it that they want? I don’t know, but comedian, TV host and podcaster Jim Jeffries sure does as he sets forth on his Give ’Em What They Want tour.
Rawtism
Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on 9 August
With a fondness for creating chaotic-psycho live shows, Rawtism are coming for you with their raw, shredding, thrash metal. They’ll be joined by Forklift Assassins, Mülshlucka and In the Esky.
Ross Noble
Civic Hall, Ballarat on 9 August
You may have a hard time keeping up at times, but that is part of the ride. Join Ross Noble in his 21st stand-up tour, Jibber Jabber Jamboree.
Religious Observance
The Eastern, Ballarat on 9 August
After two years of hard work, the heavy-hitting Religious Observance recently released their fourth studio album, 7 Years of Neglect. Tumor and Good Time Aussie Bogalars support.
Bollard
Trash Cult, Eaglehawk on 9 August
It’s another serving of post-punk, shoegaze and art rock as Bollard cough up their fourth release, the EP I Was Wide Open. Good Moon, Solder and I Sleep You Dream support.
Rum Jungle
Torquay Hotel, Torquay on 9 August & Volta, Ballarat on 10 August
Following sold-out shows in the UK and EU, Rum Jungle are back in town and ready to mingle. Their latest single is ‘Did the Morning Let You Down’.
The Belair Lip Bombs
Volta, Ballarat on 9 August & Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on 10 August
Taking their name from a skateboard wheel from the ’80s, The Belair Lip Bombs are rolling their indie rock around the country. They’ll be joined by Sunfruits, Holly Hebe and Underlay.
DEAD
Trash Cult, Eaglehawk on 10 August
The downright deadly heavy duo DEAD teamed up with some of their favourite artists and friends for their new album, Burn Us Clean. Sydney’s Potential will join them here.
Promises Promises
Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on 10 August
Performed by Janet Ross-Fahy, Promises Promises is a two-hour tribute to the music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, who together produced a whopping 73 Top 40 US hits.
Northeast Party House
Torquay Hotel, Torquay on 10 August
Sometimes a band just wants to get the party started and then be the last to leave. Northeast Party House’s new album, Enhancer, reflects the band’s commitment to uplifting one’s spirits.
Mood Spill
The Taproom (Shedshaker Brewing), Castlemaine on 10 August
Having recently released their debut self-titled EP, indie-rock outfit Mood Spill are out to show it sounds even better live.
Come Together
Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff on 11 August
Presented by FReeZA QMF, Come Together is a celebration of emerging musicians from Geelong and beyond. Eight bands/artists will be serving it up.
Jay Howie
handle bar, Bendigo on 11 August
With a deep-rooted appreciation for blues, rock and folk, songman Jay Howie is a huge Led Zeppelin fan whose latest release is the album High Tide.
Shorrock & Cadd
The Play House, GAC on 11 August
‘Little Ray of Sunshine’, ‘Reminiscing’, ‘Ginger Man’, ‘Arkansas Grass’, ‘Cool Change’ and ‘Help is on its Way’ are a few old favourites you can expect to hear on The Two Amigos tour.
Jess Locke
Major Tom’s, Kyneton on 16 August
Life, hey? It’s not always easy to make sense of, but that is part of its beauty. Asking what it is and what it can be, Real Life is the latest release from Jess Locke.
Taylor Henderson
Golden Vine Hotel, Bendigo on 16 August
He has kept fans waiting, but the word on the street is that Taylor Henderson will be releasing a new album later in the year. You may just hear a new song or two on the night.
The Smith & Western Jury
The Eastern, Ballarat on 16 August
Given they travelled to Texas to record their debut album, Hotel Texas is a most appropriate title from hard-hitting alt-country outfit The Smith & Western Jury.
Tubular Bells
The Play House, GAC on 16 August & Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on 21 August
Following a sold-out 50th Anniversary run in the UK and Europe, Tubular Bells in Concert returns to Australia. Enjoy the magic of Mike Oldfield’s magnum-opus.
Pizza Death
Trash Cult, Eaglehawk on 17 August
If you are going to die of something, it may as well be from gluttonous pizza intake. And so it is you’ll find Pizza Death singing about three things: pizza, death and death by pizza.
Dave Hobson & Colin Lane
The Play House, GAC on 17 August
Friends for more than 25 years, Dave Hobson and Colin Lane test out whether the grass is greener on the other side in their popular show, In Tails.
Noah Vernon
Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on 17 August
It is high-fives everywhere as Geelong’s Noah Vernon releases his EP, This EP Took 5 Years. He will be joined by Madeliene Cope and Grace Terpstra.
Grace Cummings
Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on 17 August
Melbourne’s Grace Cummings took a trip to Los Angeles to work on new album Ramona, which has been called a reflection on grief, self-destruction and emotional violence.
Little Ravers
Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on 17 & 18 August
As Australia’s premier family-friendly rave and festival brand, Little Ravers is a place where adults and kids can come together to create memories and enjoy dance music.
Telenova
Volta, Ballarat on 17 August & The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on 30 August
Releasing their debut album Time is a Flower later in the month (August 16), Telenova are hitting the road. You can check out single ‘Power’ now if you would like.
San Cisco
Volta, Ballarat on 18 August
With Under the Light, WA-bred indie-pop trio San Cisco have made it to the five-album mark. With it, the band searches for meaning and stares down moral ambiguities.
Luke Watt
The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on 18 August
With the help of his many fans through Pozible, folk-blues singer-songwriter Luke Watt was able to come up with his new, self-titled album. Enjoy a free Sunday afternoon show.
RESPECT
The Story House, GAC on 18 August
Performed by ‘Soul Mama’ Angie Narayan, RESPECT is a loving tribute to the life, love, tragedy and triumph of the great Aretha Franklin.
friendlyjordies
The Sphinx Hotel, Geelong on 22 August
All hail the PowerPoint presentation as friendlyjordies hits the road with his new show, A Call to Neckbeards. Here he tackles the Byzantine Empire.
Between You & Me and Teenage Joans
Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on 22 August & Volta, Ballarat on 23 August
The 1800 Painless tour sees Between You & Me and Teenage Joans join forces to spread the good word of pop-rock. Call their hotline today.
The Stems
Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on 23 August
For forty years, give or take a break or two, the garage punk of The Stems has been rocking on the stereo since ‘At First Sight’ appeared on the Young Einstein soundtrack.
Lady Sings the Blues
The Open House, GAC on 24 August
Prinnie Stevens honours the songs, hurt and struggles of powerhouses including Billie Holiday, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston.
Kublai Khan TX
Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, Geelong on 23 August
With a growing reputation as one of the finest of their craft today, metalcore outfit Kublai Khan TX are heading to Australia for their first headline tour. Terror, Guilt Trip and Splinter support.
Agapi & Other Kinds of Love
The Engine Room, Bendigo on 23 August
Luka Lesson presents this spoken word and hip hop theatre show based on The Symposium, a text written by Plato. Come with him on a journey through different kinds of love.
Jordie Lane
The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on 23 August & Ararat Town Hall, Ararat on 28 August
Recorded in Nashville, Jordie Lane has called his forthcoming new album Tropical Depression (August 16) his first-ever record label release.
Full Flower Moon Band
The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on 24 August
Emphasising expansion and diversity, Megaflower is the third album from Full Flower Moon Band. The ‘mega’ element refers to moving in all directions the band wanted.
Langue de Chat
Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine on 24 August
With guitar, double bass, vocals and the humble accordion, Langue de Chat will transport you to a bal-musette in Paris, or a youthful romance in Rome.
Eric Bogle
The Capital, Bendigo on 24 August
While beloved for his song ‘The Band Played Waltzing Matilda’, songman Eric Bogle’s music has been recorded by Joan Baez, Mary Black, Donovan, Slim Dusty, Billy Bragg and The Pogues among others.
Drencher Fest
Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on 24 August
The big and bad Drencher Festival returns. Your line-up includes Snake Mountain, Nicolas Cage Fighter, Pizza Death, Hidden Intent, Munitions and Bog Monster.
Software Update
Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on 25 August
Influenced by the likes of Clowns, Drunk Mums and Uranium Club, Geelong-bred Software Update are crafting their own blend of punk rock. ‘God Help Me’ is their new single.
Boston Manor
Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on 29 August
While in town as support on Trophy Eyes’ tour, British rock outfit Boston Manor will take time to do a few headlining shows of their own. Sundiver is their upcoming fifth album.
Burn the Floor
Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on 29 August
Headlined by Human Nature’s Phil Burton, Burn the Floor celebrates the art of ballroom dance to a soundtrack of INXS, Cold Chisel, John Farnham, Sia, AC/DC and more.
The Tap Pack
Costa Hall, Geelong on 29 August & Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on 31 August
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
Grim Rhythm
Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on 30 August
Sometimes a bit of a breather is best for the creative juices of an artist. So, following a hiatus, instrumental rock trio Grim Rhythm are feeling the fire once more.
Lucy Wise
Newstead Mechanics Institute, Newstead on 30 August
Warm up with an evening of acoustic, traditional folk, roots and pop sounds from Lucy Wise. The following day, Lucy will be teaching a song accompaniment workshop at Newstead Arts Hub.
Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice
The Eastern, Ballarat on 30 August
Back from a Euro tour, Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice are open for business as they welcome new album, Total Reality. They’ll be joined by It Thing.
Celeste Barber
Costa Hall, Geelong on 30 August
With subjects including freeing nipples, inappropriately texting therapists and the life of a Taylor Swift backup dancer, Celeste Barber’s Backup Dancer tackles the big ideas.
Charlie Owen
Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on 31 August
From his work with Tex Don and Charlie, Beasts of Bourbon and The New Christs through to his many collaborations, Charlie Owen’s passion for the guitar can be felt before a lick is played.
The Ians
Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on 31 August
Come sail the seas with pirate rockers The Ians and you’re guaranteed a booty-ful time. Joining them will be Tonemarrow, Sole Mage and BRAND.
The Wolfe Brothers
Gateway Hotel, Corio on 31 August
With a lazy three Golden Guitars added to their collection in 2024, The Wolfe Brothers bring the total to nine. As the tour name suggests, the country stars are still livin’ the dream.
Kate Miller-Heidke
WCPA, Wendouree on 31 August
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.
Heartline
Volta, Ballarat on 31 August
Since making their debut in 2019, Adelaide alternative-metal outfit Heartline have made quite the name for themselves. Their latest EP is Pink Lemonade.
Keep up to date with all of the hottest gigs in regional Victoria here.
