Before the year is over, the Victorian government will ensure the state is absolutely stacked with special one-off concerts from some of the world’s biggest international and local musicians as part of the newly conceived Always Live Victoria program. Originally pitched to Dan Andrews by the late, great Michael Gudinski as a 10-day statewide music festival, Always Live will now stretch over almost three months and include already-announced concerts like Nick Cave at Hanging Rock and Billy Joel at the MCG, as well as other concerts including an intimate show from Dua Lipa at St Kilda’s Palais Theatre in Melbourne.
Considering Dua Lipa, now one of the world’s biggest – and most credible – pop stars is now big enough of an act to command arenas and crowds in excess of 20,000, this show in particular will be an incredibly rare experience. The Palais Theatre has a capacity of just over 2,500 fans, making it an incredibly intimate performance and the only small theatre show on the schedule for the singer’s current global tour.
The state-sponsored music festival, which stretches across October, November and December, will also feature the likes of emcee Sampa the Great, legends Crowded House, Yothu Yindi and Magic Dirt, and other acts like ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Many of these will be intimate shows as compared to the usual concert format. For example, Ellis-Bextor will be playing in the gardens of the National Gallery of Victoria, while American indie rock band Big Thief will take the stage at Melbourne Recital Centre.
In total, there will be 90 shows in regional venues across the state, stretching well outside of Melbourne to towns like Horsham, Queenscliff and Bendigo, as well as Hanging Rock in the Macedon Ranges. The Victorian government has ponied up $14 million to support the ambitious event, which should make up for the state losing out to Sydney for the first-ever international SXSW, which the harbour city will host next year.
We’ve rounded up some of the highlights from the Always Live Victoria program below but you can always head through to the official website for a detailed schedule and to find tickets to the events, including the Dupa Lipa Melbourne show.
Always Live Victoria Highlights
- Dua Lipa at Palais Theatre, Melbourne – Sunday, October 3rd
- Toro Y Moi at Northcote Social Club – Wednesday, November 23rd
- Big Thief at Melbourne Recital Centre – Friday, November 30th
- Sampa the Great at Hammer Hall – Friday, December 9th
- Crowded House, Angus & Julia Stone, Boy & Bear at Gateway Lakes, Wodonga – Sunday, November 3rd
- Nick Cave and Warren Ellis at Hanging Rock – Friday, November 25th and Saturday, November 26th
- Tash Sultana with various guests – Ocean Sounds, Churchill Island – Saturday, December 10th
