The best way to start 2022 is with some live music.
It’s been a rocky start to the year and already we’ve missed out on way too many gigs, concerts and festivals – and it’s been a week. Despite the new density limits and wave of COVID sweeping the state, shows are still back in a big way, so getting a ticket to see your favourite Australian act really is a must. Gone are the days of taking live music for granted.
We’ve compiled a list of the best gigs to hit up this month. Just remember to check band or venue socials to keep up with the latest updates. This is an ever-changing situation so remember to be kind to all the staff facilitating these shows.
On another note, thank you for sticking by us throughout 2021. Seriously, if we were to randomly select five of our readers to attend a concert with five randomly chosen individuals from any other publication, we would be trying to sneak backstage with you every single time. You’re the best around, and dare we say it, nothing’s ever gonna keep you down.
*Make sure you have proof of your vaccination. Cheers.
Boy & Bear – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 8
At Golden Retriever Studio features a batch of Boy & Bear songs performed acoustically, including their cover of Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’.
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Jasmine Bade – Anglesea Hotel, Anglesea on January 8
When country-pop artist Jasmine Bade first heard Kasey Chambers sing, singing is all she wanted to do. So much so, in fact, she would later intern at The Bluebird Café.
Good Morning – The Bridge, Castlemaine on January 8
Duo Good Morning wish you all a good morning, noon and night with their double single release ‘Mollyduker / Keep It’, with both Stefan and Liam singing a tune.
Mirrors – Volta, Ballarat on January 8
With a signing to Resist Records, a new single in ‘Beneath the Sand’ and a spot of touring to do, Gippsland outfit Mirrors is a band with a grand plan.
Fairtrade Narcotics – Barwon Club, Geelong on January 8
A blend of prog-rock, hip hop, jazz and soul, Fairtrade Narcotics weathered the lockdown storm to come up with their debut EP, s p a c e d.
TRACKS – Warrnambool Laneway Bar, Warrnambool on January 8
Dance until your feet hurt with Bradley Zero, CC:DISCO!, Harvey Sutherland, Liam Gubbins, Liquid Sessions, Oscar Hayes, Tim Munro, Raglan Presents and Sunnyside.
Summer Sundays Festival – Botanical Gardens, Ballarat on Sundays throughout January
The free concert series Summer Sundays returns in 2022, taking place January 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 4-8pm. A fireworks display will take place on Jan 16 at 9:30pm.
Find out more here.
Felipe Baldomir – Paper Rock Scissors, Halls Gap on January 9 and Hire a Kombi Farm, Marcus Hill on January 16
Hailing from Uruguay but arriving in Sydney in 2018, Felipe Baldomir is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has converted a van into a “rolling home and studio”.
Jack Botts – Halls Gap Hotel, Halls Gap on January 14; Volta, Ballarat on January 15; and Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool on January 16.
With more than 250,000 monthly Spotify listens, Jack Botts is a chippy-turned-busker making the most of his new career. Slow Mornings is his latest EP.
Touch Sensitive – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 14
Touch Sensitive is the project of Michael Di Francesco, who first came to our attention through Van She. He’s pretty good however you know him, though.
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Bob Log III – The Eastern, Ballarat on January 14
If you only have one party with a musician this year, you could do worse than knocking it over early with slide guitar one-man party band Bob Log III.
LongBoys – Barwon Club, Geelong on January 14
If there is a band that would wear a noise violation complaint like a badge of honour, it would be genre mashers LongBoys. Look out for their debut full-length album in 2022.
The Smith Street Band – The Palais, Hepburn Springs on January 14 & 15
2021 marks the ten-year anniversary of The Smith Street Band’s debut No One Gets Lost Anymore. Ah, where does the time go, hey?
Frenzal Rhomb – Volta, Ballarat on January 14 and Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 21
With absolutely no scientific proof to back up the claim, those who regularly listen to Frenzal Rhomb are 10X less likely to catch a cold than those who don’t.
Summer in the Parks – Bendigo on January 14, 21, 26 & 28
Three Outdoor Cinema events will take place at Garden for the Future on January 14, 21 & 28, while various Australia Day celebrations will take place on January 26.
Great Australian Beer Festival – Johnstone Park, Geelong on January 15
Beer by itself is pretty good. Food by itself is pretty good. Music by itself is pretty good. But when you combine them all, it’s fantastic.
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Katy Steele – The Bridge, Castlemaine on January 15
Katy Steele was just out of high school when Little Birdy found themselves in a record company bidding war. Almost 20 years later, the magic is still there.
Deuce – The Eastern, Ballarat on January 15
Comprised of visual artist and musician Kayleigh Heydon and Curtis Wakeling (The Ocean Party, Pop Filter), Deuce are launching their self-titled debut.
Steph Strings – Barwon Club, Geelong on January 21; Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool on January 23; Mountain Grand Hotel, Halls Gap on January 28 and Volta, Ballarat on January 29
Celtic, blues and coastal fingerstyle indie-rock are all part of Steph Strings’ repertoire, a multi-instrumentalist who is heading out in support of single ‘Dusty Road’.
Pacific Avenue – Barwon Club, Geelong on January 15
To paraphrase Eddy Grant, we gonna rock down to Pacific Avenue. The alternative rock outfit’s latest offering is ‘Easy Love’, a track about falling in love effortlessly.
The Grogans – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on January 16
The Grogans are a trio of mates who couldn’t quite decide on surf, punk, blues, garage, psych, rockabilly or reggae, so they throw it all in the mix.
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Tex Perkins & Matt Walker – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on January 16
Like so many, border closures have separated Tex Perkins and Matt Walker. But now they’re reunited and it feels so good.
Icehouse – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on January 19
In 2022, Icehouse’s ‘Great Southern Land’ turns 40. Some may say that is four decades where we have continued to use our Australian anthem instead of this song.
The Meanies – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on January 21
It’s not quite as new as when they were originally going to tour, but all that matters little as The Meanies are finally getting to tour their latest, Desperate Measures.
Dave Graney & Clare Moore – Volta, Ballarat on January 21, Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on January 22; and Shedshaker Brewing, Castlemaine on January 28
With more than 40 albums under their belt, including their latest Everything Was Funny, you never quite know what you’re going to get from Dave Graney and Clare Moore.
Newstead Live Music Festival – Newstead January 21-24
Kerryn Fields, Michael Waugh, Rich Davies & the Low Road, Khristian Mizzi, Charm of Finches, Cat Canteri and Justin Bernasconi are among the performers.
Husky – The Bridge, Castlemaine on January 22
Those circumstances we all know and hate have prevented Husky from touring Stardust Blues, but now they’re good to go. Expect some other treats, too.
Ron McPherson Fundraiser – Barwon Club, Geelong on January 25
Legendary local photographer Ron McPherson is in bad shape, so a little fundraiser featuring Swedish Magazines, Poppin’ Mommas and more has been put together.
Even – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on January 27
Melbourne royalty Even released their debut album way back in 1996, but time has not made them musically weary. Reverse Light Years was released in October.
The Black Sorrows – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on January 28; and The Palais, Hepburn Springs on January 29
An Aussie BBQ playlist isn’t complete without a song or two from The Black Sorrows, the Melbourne-bred favourite who has been around since the early eighties.
Bad Bangs – Barwon Club, Geelong on January 28
Forget your character building exercises and instead just grab a copy of Character Building, the debut album from garage rockers Bad Bangs. It will do you wonders.
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Bait (with live score) – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on January 28
Bait became a hit when released back in 2019, winning the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut. Enjoy the film with a live score provided by Gwenno Saunders and Sia Ahmad.
Parsnip – The Bridge, Castlemaine on January 28
Parsnip is a band rich in good music and potassium, and they’ll be providing a Backyard Fest curtain raiser at The Bridge with help from Sunfruits and Aplegate.
Mildlife – The Eastern, Ballarat on January 28 and Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on January 29
Mildlife are the grooviest of groovers this side of hell, making a big splash with their krautrock and jazz-infused debut Phase as well as its follow-up, Automatic.
Dr. Colossus – Barwon Club, Geelong on January 29
I’m a Stupid Moron with an Ugly Face and a Big Butt and My Butt Smells and I Like to Kiss My Own Butt is the new album from Dr. Colossus. What more is there to say?
Emma Donovan & the Putbacks – The Bridge, Castlemaine on January 29
When singer-songwriter Emma Donovan joined forces with Melbourne funk and soul band The Putbacks, it became the best combo since strawberries and cream.
Red Hot Summer Tour – Bendigo on January 29
Bendigo’s leg of the travelling Aussie-bred rockathon features Jimmy Barnes, Hoodoo Gurus, Jon Stevens, Diesel, Vika & Linda and Chris Cheney.
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Ross Wilson & the Peaceniks – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on January 29
Ross Wilson is hitting the road with the Peaceniks to play a bunch of his greatest hits. And with 26 ARIA top 40 songs, there is plenty from which to choose.
Grace Cummings – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on January 30
With Melbourne singer-songwriter Grace Cummings set to release her second album Storm Queen in mid-January, it’s time to limber up with single ‘Heaven’.
Emily Barker – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on January 30
If you have ever wondered who performs the theme to Wallander, well, that would be Emily Barker. If you dig that, check out her 2020 album A Dark Murmuration of Words.
Charlie Wilde – Barwon Club, Geelong on January 30
Charlie Wilde is an indie-folk artist who dropped his debut single, ‘Low Fidelity’, in 2019. Now he blesses us with his debut EP, Allihies.
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