The best gigs, festivals and concerts happening across regional Victoria this August
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05.08.2022

The best gigs, festivals and concerts happening across regional Victoria this August

Running Touch

The best upcoming gigs, live music and concerts in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Torquay and more this month.

Did you know that August was not named after Augustus Gloop, the gluttonous urchin from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? It makes sense when you think about it, given the book came out in 1964 and the world has been turning for several more years than the book’s existence.  

August was actually named after the First Emperor of Rome, Caesar Augustus. Unlike the rotund Gloop’s inclination for sugary things, Augustus preferred the diet of bread, small fishes, fresh hand-pressed cheese and green figs. However, he also once had 300 prisoners executed at the same time and also had his own daughter exiled. Gloop’s greediness doesn’t look too bad now.

Anyway, enjoy a Wonka Bar and check out these satisfying and delicious gigs…      

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here

Pierce Brothers – Volta, Ballarat on August 5

The passion for music the Pierce Brothers displayed in their Bourke Street Mall busking days remains as strong as ever with their latest, Into the Great Unknown

Russell Morris – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on August 5 

In 1966, at the age of 18, Russell Morris began his long musical journey with Somebody’s Image. A few years later he would strike gold with ‘The Real Thing’. 

Gwyn Ashton – Pistol Pete’s Geelong on August 5

Gwyn Ashton has called England home for over two decades, using it as a base to tour here, there and everywhere. COVID forced him to return to his hometown of Adelaide. 

Taste of Tamworth – COPACC on August 5

Led by Carter & Carter, this Tamworth Country Music Festival sampler also features nine-time Golden Guitar winner Lyn Bowtell and Jetty Road. 

C.W. Stoneking – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 5; Volta, Ballarat on August 11; and Torquay Hotel, Torquay on August 18

After an absence of more than a decade, C.W. Stoneking and His Primitive Horn Orchestra are returning to the circuit with new songs and a few surprises. 

 

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Nimbus Rooftop – Nimbus Rooftop Bar, Bendigo throughout August 

Your Nimbus Rooftop Bar month features Erica Hawkey (August 12), Liz Frencham (August 19) and Maya Rose (August 26).  

Handle Bar – Handle Bar, Bendigo throughout August 

Your Handle Bar month features Dan Simons and Chenai Boucher on August 5, Rough Rider and Louise MacGregor on August 13 and Paper Mouse on August 26.  

SupperClub Presents – The Palais, Hepburn Springs throughout August

Your SupperClub month features Gareth Hugget on August 5, Grim Fawkner on August 12, Kimberly on August 19 and Jarrod Shaw on August 26.   

Baby Velvet – The Bridge, Castlemaine on August 6

All Our Exes Live in Texas’ Hannah Croft is behind Blue Velvet, and Please Don’t Be in Love with Someone Else is her debut solo album. 

City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band – Bendigo South East College Theatre on August 6

Traditional favourites, original and contemporary works will be performed by the City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band, one of the country’s oldest pipe bands. 

Windsavers – Pistol Pete’s, Geelong on August 6

During 2020, Aaron Gillett, Benny Gerrard and Alex Stewart entered the studio. They would later emerge as blues outfit Windsavers. 

The Weeping Willows – The Palais, Hepburn Springs on August 6

Winners of three Golden Guitars and 2021 Australian Folk Music and Music Victoria Awards, The Weeping Willows fuse the Bluegrass tradition with gothic Americana imagery. 

Kav Temperley – Lighthouse Studio, Warrnambool on August 6 

With his second solo album Machines of Love and Grace set for release in September, Eskimo Joe frontman Kav Temperley reckons now is a good time to tour. 

Kitty Flanagan – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on August 6

If you have a burning question, Kitty Flanagan may well have an answer. You may not like the answer, but she’ll have one. Shows are at 5pm and 8pm. 

Jasmin Bade – Bomboras Beach Bar, Torquay on August 7 

Studying music at the University of Tasmania, up-and-coming country singer-songwriter Jasmin Bade found success with her debut single, ‘I’m Fine’. ‘Rent’ is her latest.  

Methods – Barwon Club, Geelong on August 7

Whatever method of transport you choose matters not, as long as that method reliably gets you to see Methods perform. They’ll be joined by Blue Mascara and more. 

David M Western – The Bridge, Castlemaine on August 7

Born and raised in the foothills of The Grampians, the now Melbourne-based David M Western has recently released his debut album, Child Mind.  

Slowly Slowly – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on August 12

Move quickly quickly to secure your tickets to Slowly Slowly as they hope to “see some new parts of Australia, and return to some favourite spots”.  

 

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Nicolas Cage Fighter – Volta, Ballarat on August 12

The heat-seeking panthers of music, Ballarat-bred genre fusers Nicolas Cage Fighter are as Cagey as ever with The Bones That Grew from Pain

Hop it to the Top – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 12

Come enjoy an evening of ska, rocksteady, reggae, soul and RnB with Pat Powell & the Ska Vendors, Road to Ruin and Alex Burns. 

Sing a Song of Sixpence – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on August 12; Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Ballarat on August 13; and Old Church on the Hill, Bendigo on August 14 

Sing a Song of Sixpence is a writer’s round where some of the country’s finest musos come together to play tunes and share the stories behind the songs. 

WinterWild – Apollo Bay – August 12-14 & 26-28

Celebrating the full power of winter, this multidisciplinary dark arts festival brings together everything from music to beachside bonfires to yoga by the sea.

 

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The Whitlams Black Stump Band – Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff on August 13

Formed during a recording session in mid-2021, The Black Stump Band brings a country flavour to the beloved works of The Whitlams, including, of course, ‘No Aphrodisiac’. 

Munky Business – Pistol Pete’s, Geelong on August 13

There’s no monkey business here. But there is Munky Business, a NOLA funk and soul band that’s ready to head back to the venue that hosted their debut performance.  

The Blues Tram – Bendigo on August 13

Hop aboard a restored vintage Class tram #610 and enjoy the sights of Bendigo as you listen to the sweet sounds of Kerryn Fields and Grim Fawkner. 

Taylor Sheridan – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on August 13

With influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to James Taylor, songman Taylor Sheridan has supported some of Australia’s finest with what he describes as “soulfully acoustic” music. 

The Rions – Barwon Club Hotel, Barwon Club on August 13

With high school now but a memory, the four friends from Avalon who make up The Rions are setting out for their first headlining tour. There goes the neighbourhood.

 

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The Absolutely ’80s – Gateway Hotel, Corio on August 13 

From the hair to the clothes to the music, the 1980s were a magical time. Relive the music with Scott Carne, Brian Mannix, Ally Fowler and Wilbur Wilde.

Skyscraper Stan – The Palais, Hepburn Springs on August 13

Troubadour rock and roller Skyscraper Stan is currently working on his third album, due for release later in the year. Will you hear something new? 

Bret Mosley – Aireys Inlet Hotel, Aireys Inlet on August 13   

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.

Qais Essar – Volta, Ballarat on August 14

Afghan-American Qais Essar is a rabab master, the lute-like national instrument of Afghanistan. His most recent album is The Ghost You Love Most.   

Sam Teskey – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 18

Allowing the chance to express ideas that didn’t quite jam with The Teskey Brothers, Sam Teskey released his debut solo album, Cycles, last year. 

Sally Seltmann – The Bridge, Castlemaine on August 18

Singer-songwriter Sally Seltmann released her first album under the New Buffalo moniker in 2004. Under her own name, she has just dropped Early Moon

Running Touch – The Geelong Hotel, Geelong on August 19

Carmine is the colour of passion, rage, love, lust, fear and fury; it is also the debut album from Matthew Victor Kopp, known as Running Touch. 

 

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Bench Press – The Bridge, Castlemaine on August 19 (Postponed from August 5)

Who knows for sure what the one-rep max would be for Bench Press, but that matters little as the shouty post-punk outfit is set to fire up alongside K5. 

Slide My Way – Barwon Club, Geelong on August 19

Slide My Way continue to kick out jams that mix guitar-driven rock with catchy pop-rock choruses, while not being afraid to throw in a solid cover in their live show. 

The Dreggs – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on August 19

Between a date with Splendour in the Grass and heading abroad for a Europe/UK tour, The Dreggs are as keen as mustard to perform at some old favourites. 

Ukulele Death Squad – The Bridge, Castlemaine on August 20

There perhaps exists no instrument as grand as the ukulele, and only those with the most nimble of fingers can master its greatness. Enter Ukulele Death Squad. 

 

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IKON – Major Tom’s, Kyneton on August 20

While often on tour in Europe during winter, dark alternative outfit IKON are instead headlining gothic festivals in Melbourne and shows in Kyneton. 

The Black Sorrows – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on August 20 

With the release of Saint Georges Road last year, The Black Sorrows released their nineteenth album, while Joe Camilleri raised his bat to fifty albums. 

Keaper – Volta, Ballarat on August 20

Keaper released their sophomore EP Fade earlier in the year, for which the band was kind enough to create a poetic visual piece to help bring it to life. 

Liz Stringer – Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff on August 20

Following a North America and European tour with Midnight Oil, Liz Stringer returns to woo the music world with her recent release, First Time Really Feeling

 

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Michael Plater – Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine on August 20

UK-based Australian multi-instrumentalist Michael Plater returns to Castlemaine for the first time in several years with his bag of experimental, folk, psyche, indie and noir. 

Xibalba & friends – The Eastern, Ballarat on August 25

A Southern California band, an Aussie band and a New Zealand band walk into a room. It’s on like Donkey Kong with hardcore punk outfit Xibalba, Honest Crooks and Saving Grace. 

Huxton Creepers – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 26

Formed in 1984 and disbanded in 1989, Huxton Creepers were part of a new generation of punchy power pop and ‘60s-inspired rock. Take a trip back to your glory years. 

GRIM – The Eastern, Ballarat on August 26

Sludge metal/hardcore punk outfit GRIM are cutting sick in Vic, and they’re bringing along Endless Bore, Good Time Aussie Bogalars and Bush Wizard for the ride. 

Baker Boy – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on August 26

With a showing at 2021’s AFL Grand Final, Yolngu artist Baker Boy’s star power continues to rise as he hits the road for his first headlining regional tour.  

The Vanns – Geelong Hotel, Geelong on August 27

Whether it’s selling out a capital city tour or clocking up millions of plays of their ‘Hey, Ma’ Like a Version cover, there’s not a lot The Vanns can’t do.  

 

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Richard Clapton – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on August 27 

An iconic name in the Australian music industry, Richard Clapton released a covers album of equally grand names last year titled Music is Love (1966-1970).  

Sionnach Rua’s Great Irish Songbook – The Palais, Hepburn Springs on August 27

Irish-born and bred songman Gallie is behind Sionnach Rua’s Great Irish Songbook, a music and story catalogue that will make you feel like you’re in the heart of Ireland. 

Drencher Festival – Barwon Club, Geelong on August 27

Get wet with the hard-hitting sounds of Remains, I Am Duckeye, Vexation, System of a Don’t, Strange Unit, Deadweight 80, The Archanan, Mortuary Sickness and Get Rekt. 

Bendigo on the Hop – Various locations, Bendigo on August 27

Indie brewers from around the country will set up shop in Bendigo to showcase their beers in various bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants at Bendigo Beer’s flagship event. 

Frenzal Rhomb – Volta, Ballarat on August 27

Frenzal Rhomb are nearing the end of their Gone to the Dogs tour; a tour, which despite its name, has not gone to the dogs at all. 

 

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Adam Brand – Corio Hotel, Corio on August 27

A healthy selection of his greatest hits, plus new single ‘All or Nothing’, will be on offer when 12-time Country Music Award-winner Adam Brand takes to the stage.  

Juan Alban – The Bridge, Castlemaine on August 28

While many love him as the former frontman of Epicure, just as many love him for his solo craft. Resentments Central is his most recent album.  

Shaun Kirk – Old Church on the Hill, Bendigo on August 30

Songman Shaun Kirk made a triumphant return to stages, selling out his Worth the Weight tour post-COVID. ‘Holding onto Hope’ is his new single.

Thirsty Merc – Volta, Ballarat on August 31

Throw another shrimp on the barbie because Thirsty Merc have dropped Celebration, a covers album of some of Australia’s best-known (and not so known) tracks.