The best upcoming gigs, live music and concerts in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Torquay and more.
We’re heading towards the end of the financial year, and we have a deal for you. Each new person who subscribes to our mailing list will receive a free Phillips LaserDisc with bonus movie*. The mighty power of a laser provides superb sound and picture quality, while its ease of use will guarantee any family member can use it – even your stupid kid. The Phillips LaserDisc is the media player of a future generation, today.
LaserDisc’s are built tough. It doesn’t matter if you drop them or throw them. They simply won’t break. You can karate kick these bad boys and they’ll still play. Speaking of karate kicking, one of the five movies available for choice is the 1992 Jonathan Brandis and Chuck Norris classic, Sidekicks. If you have ever dreamt of saving the day with Chuck, this movie is two thumbs up. Two awesome, red-blooded thumbs up. You also have Air Force One, Batman Forever, Fortress or Weekend at Bernie’s. You can’t have them all, but you can’t lose. That is our guarantee.
You also have these simply splendiferous gigs.
*Yeah, we’re lying. No one is receiving a free Phillips LaserDisc and/or movie.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Thelma Plum – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on June 4
So many people have had their hearts ripped out with cancelled shows, but Thelma Plum has your back. Her Making it up to You tour will feature a little of the old, and the new.
British India – Tonic Bar, Bendigo on June 3 & Barwon Club, Geelong on June 4
Nominated for multiple ARIAs, British India are playing their first shows of 2022, and they could not be more excited. Seriously, they’re 10/10 excited.
View this post on Instagram
Bret Mosley – Piping Hot Chicken Shop, Ocean Grove on June 4
Bret Mosley has been a ranch hand, a fur trapper and a computer programmer among his 1001 careers. The Texas-born, NYC-native also plays a mean slide guitar.
Comedy Roadshow – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on June 4
Are you a big belly laugher or a reserved chuckler? Are you a snorter or a chortler? All are welcome at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival roadshow.
Cassells – Volta, Ballarat on June 4
Following the release of single ‘Tent Lantern’, Jordan James Cassells, better known simply as Cassells, is hitting his local venue with a full band.
Baby Blue – Major Tom’s, Kyneton on June 4
Having supported the likes of Jordie Lane, Ella Hooper and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Baby Blue is the kind of band with whom everyone wants to be friends.
Burning Love – The Engine Room, Bendigo on June 4
Coinciding with Bendigo’s Elvis exhibition, Burning Love explores the genres popularised by the music legend. Freya Josephine Hollick will shake her hips on June 4.
Paul Dempsey – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on June 4
You won’t want to be caught napping here, as Paul Dempsey has announced a trim and tidy five shows of solo, intimate performances.
Above the Bit – The Bridge, Castlemaine on June 5
We’re a sucker for a new partnership, so Luke Watt joining Nigel Wearne for blues-country-outlaw folk outfit Above the Bit has us feeling pretty good.
Mark Wilkinson – Barwon Club, Geelong on June 10
Sydney-based songman Mark Wilkinson is heading out for his first national tour since 2019, and with a new album due for release mid-year, that’s a lot to like.
San Cisco – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on June 10
San Cisco are doing one final lap with their 2020 album Between You and Me, after which, well, who knows what the Fremantle trio will get up to.
The Smith Street Band – Volta, Ballarat on June 10 & Torquay Hotel, Torquay on June 11
The Smith Street Band’s postponed 2021 shows are coming your way, with the band hitting some of their favourite haunts around the country.
Castlemaine Jazz Festival – Castlemaine from June 10-12
Enjoy a bumper line-up that includes Anita Harris Trio, Double Take, Breakout, The Old Married Couple, Harry Coulson, Jade Kerber and many more.
National Celtic Festival – Portarlington from June 10-13
The wonderful line-up for NCF includes Laura Flanagan, Bush Gothic, Claymore, Siobhan Owen, Maria Forde, Tim Scanlan Trio, Pete Denahy and Out of Hand.
View this post on Instagram
Hannah Acfield – The Palais, Hepburn Springs on June 10; Old Church on the Hill, Bendigo on June 11; and Ararat Town Hall, Ararat on June 29
More than a decade ago, Hannah Acfield released two EPs before joining her brother for The Acfields. No Light Without Shade is her debut solo full-length release.
Black Jesus Experience – Volta, Ballarat on June 11
Ethio-Jazz, funk, groove and hip hop come together through Music Victoria award-winners, Black Jesus Experience.
Burning Love – The Engine Room, Bendigo on June 11
Coinciding with Bendigo’s Elvis exhibition, Burning Love explores the genres popularised by the music legend. Cool Sounds will shake their hips on June 11
Tek Tek Ensemble – The Bridge, Castlemaine on June 11
Featuring members of many familiar bands, the Tek Tek Ensemble perform tunes inspired by tropical jungles, late night Balkan weddings, 1960’s chic and shamanistic desert rituals.
Mona Bay – Barwon Club, Geelong on June 11 & The Last Inn, Anglesea on June 12
Circus Dogs is the newie from Mona Bay, an album forged through the band’s anxieties about climate change, societal issues and generational frustration.
View this post on Instagram
Kutcha Edwards – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on June 15
Singer-songwriter Kutcha Edwards will showcase his new album Circling Time through themes of country, birth, youth, politics, love, culture, healing and hope.
DZ Deathrays – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on June 17
As the name suggests, Positive Rising: Pt 2 is the second instalment of DZ Deathrays’ two-part album and packs a moodier punch than its predecessor.
Cate Le Bon – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on June 17
Indie icon Cate Le Bon is lending her services to heaps of albums of late, but here she comes to Australia with a full band and her acclaimed album Pompeii.
Reece Mastin – Barwon Club, Geelong on June 17 & The Palais, Hepburn Springs on June 25
Last year, Reece Mastin celebrated ten years since taking out 2011’s X Factor. He also has new material in the works, so hopefully you hear some.
Brad Cox – Tonic Bar, Bendigo on June 17; The Bridge, Castlemaine on June 18; Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, Geelong on June 24; and Highline Bar & Lounge, Warrnambool on June 25
In support of his Nashville-penned break-up song ‘What Brought You Back’, country songman Brad Cox is taking his full band on the road.
Warrnambool Storytelling Festival – Warrnambool, June 17-July 3
This 17-day festival of storytelling launches at the Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on June 17 with a special appearance by singer-songwriter Tom Richardson.
Stars & Bars Festival – The Hygeia, Geelong on June 18
Take to the high seas on a cocktail cruise featuring the starry sounds of Henry Wagons & the Only Children and Nathan Seeckts.
View this post on Instagram
Jem Pryse – Old Church on the Hill, Bendigo on June 18
Following his showing at Groovin the Moo, Jem Pryse is keeping the good times rolling with a show that will highlight his recently released debut album, Seek.
Jaguar Jonze – Barwon Club, Geelong on June 19
If you haven’t heard Deena Lynch, otherwise known as Jaguar Jonze, on the radio, you have probably seen her on The Project on in The Guardian. And you’re sure to be seeing more.
Sunset Stranger – The Bridge, Castlemaine on June 19
Sunset Stranger is the project of Melbourne guitar picker Stephen E. Stanisic and his band of merry music makers. Enjoy two afternoon sets.
Dr. Colossus – Barwon Club, Geelong on June 19
Simpsons-themed doom rock specialists Dr. Colossus are putting on an all-ages afternoon show. Mmm, all-ages afternoon show.
Kyle Lionheart – Volta, Ballarat on June 24
‘Shelter’ is a deeply personal song from Kyle Lionheart, a track that serves as a reminder to never let him lose everything that is important to him again. You’ll hear it on tour.
Dirty Pagans – Barwon Club, Geelong on June 24
Following a couple of EPs, stoner doom metal outfit Dirty Pagans dropped The Family. If you don’t like your family, you can join the family of Dirty Pagans instead.
Women of Wit – The Engine Room, Bendigo on June 24 & Phee Broadway Theatre, Castlemaine on June 25
Making its debut in 2017, the Bendigo-born Women of Wit show continues to make even the most cold-hearted cynic laugh aloud. Line-up not available at time of writing.
Negative Waves – Barwon Club, Geelong on June 25
A totally positive music fest featuring Cosmic Psychos, Bored!, Hits, Stiff Richards, Civic, Tiger by the Tail, Ute Root, Swedish Magazines and many more.
Geoff Achison – Founders & Co, Lara – June 25
One of the country’s best blues guitarists, Geoff Achison began his apprenticeship many years ago under the ‘Godfather of Australian Blues’, ‘Dutch’ Tilders.
The Warrains – The Bridge, Castlemaine on June 26
Kel and Chris are behind The Warrains, a well-travelled outfit who have been performing a mix of acoustic, folk and country for more than fifteen years.
Lisa Mitchell – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on June 30
She has kept us waiting, but you know what they say about good things. Lisa Mitchell has finally released her fourth album, A Place to Fall Apart.
View this post on Instagram
