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LAINEY WILSON
ROD LAVER ARENA
Lainey Wilson
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
If country music had a victory lap button, Lainey Wilson pressed it hard at Rod Laver Arena Melbourne — and Melbourne happily rode shotgun.
Before the headliner even set boot on stage, the supports made it clear this wasn’t a one-trick pony lineup. Kaitlin Butts delivered sharp songwriting and playful sass, winning over early arrivals with a voice that can pivot from sweet to steel in a single chorus. Flatland Cavalry followed with heartfelt Texas twang, their lush harmonies warming up the arena like a sonic slow-cooker. By the time their set wrapped, the crowd was primed and properly boot-scooted.
Enter Lainey all bell bottoms, big hat energy and effortless charm. Opening with high-octane swagger, she turned the cavernous arena into something that felt surprisingly personal. Country's Cool Again was pure stadium joy, thousands singing along like they’d personally lobbied for its release. Meanwhile, Things a Man Oughta Know landed with the emotional weight that launched her from breakout to bona fide star.
Mid-show, the band briefly left the stage and three bench seats appeared at the front — suddenly Rod Laver felt more Baskin, Louisiana than Melbourne Park. Wilson shared stories of her small-town upbringing before easing into a stripped-back moment that had the arena silent enough to hear a rhinestone drop. It was intimate, sincere, and a masterclass in pacing.
Of course, she didn’t let us stay misty-eyed for long. The encore roared back with Heart Like a Truck, shaking the rafters and proving that resilience sounds best with a fiddle and a bit of grit.
Lainey Wilson didn’t just play Melbourne she owned it, one yee-haw at a time.
MORCHEEBA
The Forum Melbourne
Morcheeba — The Forum, Melbourne | 17 February 2026
There are gigs where you jump. There are gigs where you shout. And then there are gigs where you gently sway with a drink in hand, wondering why life can’t always feel this effortlessly cool. Morcheeba at The Forum Melbourne was firmly in the third category.
From the moment Skye Edwards glided on stage, all velvet tones and easy charm, the room felt like it collectively exhaled. Her voice on The Sea was as pristine as ever — rich, smoky and somehow smoother than Melbourne’s best late-night espresso martini. She even kicked off her heels midway through the set, laughing it off like we were all just hanging out in her lounge room rather than beneath the Forum’s twinkling faux-stars ceiling.
Opening with Trigger Hippie, the band eased into their groove without fuss. Ross Godfrey layered dreamy guitar textures over head-nodding beats that felt equal parts ‘90s nostalgia and right-now relevance. Crowd favourite Rome Wasn't Built in a Day turned into a full-venue singalong — gentle, joyful, and refreshingly un-ironic.
Newer material from Escape the Chaos slotted in seamlessly, proving Morcheeba aren’t just here for a greatest-hits lap. A reggae-tinged take on You Don't Love Me (No No No) added bounce, before the encore leaned into playful territory with Let's Dance — which, true to form, inspired more stylish swaying than actual cardio.
It wasn’t explosive. It wasn’t flashy. It didn’t need to be. Morcheeba delivered 90 minutes of immaculate vibes — the kind of show that makes you walk out into the Melbourne night feeling cooler than you actually are. And honestly, that’s a rare and wonderful trick.
Photos by
Valentine Zhmodikov
Deacon blue
The Forum Melbourne
On a balmy Saturday night in Melbourne, Scottish pop-rock legends Deacon Blue delivered a thrilling performance at The Forum on 7 February 2026, marking four decades of songwriting excellence that continues to uplift and inspire. The packed house pulsed with energy as the band took the stage, celebrating their 2025 album The Great Western Road — a reflective yet spirited collection that sits proudly alongside classics like Dignity and Real Gone Kid. From the opening notes, Ricky Ross and co. forged a deep connection with the audience, crafting a memorable evening that seamlessly blended familiar anthems with softer, more intimate moments. Backed by stellar support from Emily Barker, the emotional arc of the evening flowed effortlessly from raucous crowd-pleasers to quieter gems drawn from across their 40-year canon. The Melbourne crowd, a mix of longtime devotees and newer fans, responded with heartfelt enthusiasm a testament to Deacon Blue’s enduring ability to craft emotive lyrics and timeless melodies that continue to resonate. By the encore, the Forum was ablaze with cheers, a fitting tribute to a band that has evolved with elegance while retaining its spark.
Mumford and Sons
Heading back to Australia
The British Grammy award winning folk-rock band will support their forthcoming new album Prizefighter in an unforgettable night at Rod Laver Arena in 2026. Having performed a sold-out one-night-only return at the Sydney Opera House back in March, Mumford & Sons will now head back with their full-scale arena show in Melbourne for one of the most in-demand and hotly anticipated live shows for 2026.
THE DEAD SOUTH
The Festival Hall Melbourne
The Dead South Bring Their Wild Folk Energy to Festival Hall
Canadian bluegrass renegades The Dead South are gearing up to bring their signature blend of foot-stompin’ folk, outlaw charm, and razor-sharp storytelling to Festival Hall, Melbourne. Known for their explosive live shows and unmistakable image—suits, hats, and plenty of swagger—the quartet return to Australia with a performance set to shake the floorboards and fire up the crowd.
Fans can expect a set packed with favourites like “In Hell I’ll Be in Good Company,” “Banjo Odyssey,” and deep cuts that showcase the band’s unmistakable chemistry. Armed with banjos, cellos, mandolins and harmonies that hit like a freight train, The Dead South have built a global reputation for turning traditional bluegrass into something fresh, gritty, and irresistibly fun.
Festival Hall’s raw, historic atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for The Dead South’s rollicking energy. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering them for the first time, the night promises a whirlwind of twanging strings, thunderous rhythms and sing-along choruses that echo long after the final bow.
With their Melbourne show fast approaching, this is shaping up to be one of the standout live events of the season—an evening where folk meets fury, and The Dead South prove once again why they’re one of the most exciting live bands on the planet.
THE ARCHITECTS 2025 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
British heavyweights Architects have announced an Australian headline tour for December 2025, with special guests House of Protection and PRESIDENT.
Presented by Live Nation, Architects will be heading to our shores to promote their new album The Sky, The Earth and All Between, which debuted No.8 on the ARIA overall album chart and No.2 on the ARIA physical album chart.
TREY SONGZ
R&B superstar Trey Songz will be bringing his highly anticipated Australia tour to Melbourne and Sydney in January 2026. The tour will commence on Saturday, 24 January at The Timber Yard in Melbourne, followed by a performance on Sunday, 25 January at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney
DEACON BLUE
Scottish pop-rock legends Deacon Blue are heading down under for their long-awaited Australian tour this summer. Known for timeless hits like “Dignity”, “Real Gone Kid” and “Fergus Sings the Blues”, the band will bring their signature blend of soulful vocals and anthemic melodies to stages across the country. Fans can expect a night of nostalgia mixed with fresh energy as Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh lead a powerhouse live show celebrating over three decades of music. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to their sound, Deacon Blue’s Australian tour promises to be an unforgettable celebration of classic pop brilliance.
PARCELS
Aussie-born, Berlin-based electro-pop sensation Parcels are heading home for their highly anticipated Australian tour this summer. Known for their slick harmonies, disco grooves, and infectious live energy, the five-piece will light up stages across the country with hits from their albums Day/Night and Parcels. Fans can expect a seamless blend of funk, pop, and retro-inspired synth magic that’s made them festival favourites worldwide. With their signature style and precision-crafted sound, Parcels promise a night of pure euphoria and dance-floor bliss. Don’t miss your chance to catch them live — this homecoming tour is set to be something truly special.
LAINEY WILSON
Whirlwind tour
Lainey Wilson Brings Her “Whirlwind” Tour Down Under
Country music’s unstoppable force, Lainey Wilson, is set to make her long-awaited Australian debut with her “Whirlwind” Tour, and fans are in for a wild ride. Known for her soulful drawl, bell-bottom swagger, and chart-topping hits like “Heart Like a Truck” and “Watermelon Moonshine,” Wilson is bringing her authentic Louisiana charm to stages across Australia this summer.
Fresh off her Grammy and CMA wins, Lainey’s tour celebrates her meteoric rise and her latest album Whirlwind — a powerful blend of grit, heart, and southern storytelling. Her live shows have earned a reputation for being more than just concerts; they’re celebrations of life, love, and unapologetic country spirit.
Fans can expect a night of raw emotion, infectious energy, and a setlist packed with fan favorites alongside new tracks that showcase why Wilson is one of country music’s brightest stars. From heartfelt ballads to boot-stomping anthems, Lainey delivers it all with fire and authenticity.
With her magnetic stage presence and down-to-earth charm, Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind Australian Tour promises to be one of the must-see live events of the year. Get ready, Australia — this country queen is about to blow you away.
Ed Sheeran
His Back
Ed SheeranLoop Tour
Global superstar Ed Sheeran makes his hotly anticipated return, heading back to Australia and New Zealand for a massive run of stadium shows with the Loop Tour.
YUNGBLUD
Idiols world tour
YUNGBLUD Brings the ‘IDOLS’ Tour Down Under
Get ready, Australia — YUNGBLUD is coming back and he’s louder, bolder, and more unapologetic than ever. The British rocker’s highly anticipated IDOLS Tour is set to ignite stages across the country this summer, promising a chaotic mix of rebellion, raw emotion, and boundless energy.
Known for his genre-bending sound and electric live shows, YUNGBLUD has built a loyal following of fans who connect deeply with his messages of self-expression, inclusivity, and defiance. Expect explosive performances of hits like “Lowlife,” “The Funeral,” and “Fleabag,” along with new anthems from his upcoming project that push his punk-inspired sound even further.
From Melbourne to Sydney, Brisbane, and beyond, the IDOLS Tour isn’t just another concert — it’s a full-blown celebration of youth culture, individuality, and freedom. Fans can expect a night of sweat, screams, and solidarity as YUNGBLUD turns every venue into a cathartic, high-voltage release.
Tickets are already selling fast, so if you’re ready to join the revolution, grab yours now — and prepare to lose yourself in the madness of YUNGBLUD’s IDOLS Tour.
YUNGBLUD: loud, fearless, and unmissable. Australia, it’s your turn.
RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE
Get ready Melbourne — the genre-defying American four-piece Rainbow Kitten Surprise are descending on the city for a headline show at Forum Melbourne on Friday 23 January 2026.
Known for weaving emotional lyricism with explosive alt-rock energy, RKS arrive fresh from a whirlwind year of sold-out sets in North America and festival appearances that left crowds breathless. With their upcoming record Bones on the horizon, this Australian stop marks the first headline tour Down Under — and Melbourne’s in the spotlight.
Expect an unforgettable night of soaring vocals, dynamic guitar riffs and the kind of live intimacy that makes standing at the floor worth every second. Whether you’re already a die-hard or new to their sound, this is one night you’ll remember. Tickets are already moving fast — don’t wait.
ARCHITECTS
Get ready, Melbourne—on Thursday 11 December 2025,
The formidable Architects will roar through the doors of Festival Hall for a headline show you won’t forget. Fresh from the release of their acclaimed eleventh studio album The Sky, the Earth & All Between—which debuted at No. 8 on the ARIA overall chart and No.2 on the physical chart—the Brighton-born metalcore titans are primed to deliver Australia their full-on heavy-music spectacle.
Expect a setlist packed with new classics, blistering riffs and the signature emotionally charged intensity that fans have come to love. Support comes in the shape of genre-bending acts House of Protection and PRESIDENT, making this not just a headline show, but a full-scale night of bold sonic exploration.
Whether you’re plunging into the pit for the breakdowns or watching the spectacle from the wings, this is one event Melbourne’s heavy-music fans have been waiting for.
Whether you’re plunging into the pit for the breakdowns or watching the spectacle from the wings, this is one event Melbourne’s heavy-music fans have been waiting for. Tickets went on general sale 21 July—so act fast if you haven’t locked yours in
LEWIS CAPALDI
Lewis Capaldi Live at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Scotland’s breakout superstar, Lewis Capaldi, returns to Australian shores this December — and Melbourne’s iconic Rod Laver Arena will be the stage for his long-awaited homecoming.
A comeback worth waiting for
After a hiatus focused on health and self-care, Capaldi has made a triumphant return with renewed energy, heart and a fresh chapter in his career. His upcoming Melbourne shows mark his first major Australian headline performances since his was-cancelled 2023 tour.
Hits like “Someone You Loved”, “Before You Go”, “Forget Me” alongside his recent single
Capaldi isn’t just back: he’s back with purpose. His narrative — from chart-dominating debut to stepping off the stage for self-care, then returning stronger — gives his upcoming shows a rare emotional weight.
Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena offers the perfect intimate yet arena-scale setting: think emotional vulnerability meets big-stage spectacle.
With such strong demand, these shows promise a special atmosphere: communal sing-alongs, cathartic moments and With such strong demand, these shows promise a special atmosphere: communal sing-alongs, cathartic moments and pure pop-ballad
If you’ve been longing for a night where heartfelt lyrics meet big-stage pop energy, this is it. Lewis Capaldi’s Melbourne run feels more than a concert — it’s a moment of connection, return and celebration. Whether you’re singing along to “Someone You Loved” at the top of your lungs or catching the sting of a new ballad, this one’s going to stay with you.
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar has just announced that he’ll be returning to Australia this December, headlining two big stadium shows in Melbourne and Sydney.
These gigs mark Lamar’s first major solo-stadium return to Melbourne since his 2022 tour.
Given his cultural weight—Grammy wins, a Pulitzer, his recent Super Bowl performance—it’s a major get for Melbourne’s live-music.
These gigs mark Lamar’s first major solo-stadium return to Melbourne since his 2022 tour.
Given his cultural weight—Grammy wins, a Pulitzer, his recent Super Bowl performance—it’s a major get for Melbourne’s live-music
The Melbourne shows will feature high-production values: lighting, visuals, likely pyrotechnics and an immersive stage set-up (given Lamar’s recent shows abroad). Rolling Stone noted that in his recent US shows with SZA he and SZA “were strictly business… with movement, strong vocals, and a mesh of creative screen animations, pyrotechnics.
Jelly Roll
Rod laver Arena
Jelly Roll
Down Under 2025 Tour
Tuesday 28 to Wednesday 29 October 2025
7:00 pm
Rod Laver Arena
Rod Laver
Jelly Roll brings his Down Under 2025 tour to Rod Laver Arena this October, joined by special guests Shaboozey and Drew Baldridge.
Jelly Roll, 2023 CMA New Artist of the Year, will bring his chart-topping album Beautifully Broken to the stage, performing standout tracks including radio smash “Liar” and the platinum-certified international no.1 “I Am Not Okay”. The track topped the country radio charts in the US, Canada and Australia, striking a powerful chord with fans. Last year, Jelly Roll earned his fourth GRAMMY nomination, including Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance for “I Am Not Okay”.
Shaboozey holds an impressive record in Australia, with his hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” spending three consecutive weeks at no.1 on the ARIA Singles Chart, marking just the second time an independent release has reached the top spot.
TELE NOVA
Telenova
Before there upcoming shows at The art factory Sydney 11th September and The Night Cat 13th September we caught up with the guys for a quick chat and the famous 5 questions.
The atmospheric, cinematic art-pop trio hailing from Melbourne formed in early 2020 during an APRA AMCOS songwriting camp in Melbourne. The trio consists of lead vocalist, songwriter, and filmmaker Angeline Armstrong, along with multi-instrumentalists and producers Edward Quinn (formerly of Slum Sociable) and Joshua Moriarty (of Miami Horror) .
Their sound is often described as a shadowy, sample-driven blend of alt-pop, art-pop, trip-hop, electronica, and touches of blues, R&B, indie folk, and cinematic textures—some even call it “cinema for your ears” .
Their first full-length album dropped on 16 August 2024 via Fiction Records and EMI, debuting at 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart and 3 on the vinyl chart . Critics called it “bigger, bolder, and more ambitious,” with memorable tracks such as “Power,” “Margot,” and “Discothèque Inside My Head” .
Angeline background in film heavily influences their visuals. Notable music videos like “Teardrop” and “Discothèque Inside My Head” are mini cinematic experiences, often directed or co-directed by her and laden with surreal and dreamlike imagery.
Who or which bands inspired you to make music?
Jack Johnson definitely got me in to playing the guitar. And then from there is kind of went to Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Mars Volta and Radiohead.
If you could open a show for any artists, band dead or alive who would it be?
I think it would have to be Radiohead, purely to see what an act of that size do as thier pre show routines. Perusing over all their gear would be nice too.
Do you have a favurite show or venue you played at?
I love playing in Greece. Athens to be specific. It’s got a nice element of chaos to it and the people there really connect with the tunes.
Whats the best advice you can give to anyone wanting to start a band?
Be prepared to embrase a whole heap of mistakes. Whether it’s touring or wiritng or in the studio. We’ve been doing this for 5 years but the mistakes are sometimes what makes it fun.
What’s next for you?
Bitcrush EP is being released today I believe and then some Sydney / Melbourne shows in September where we’ll be debuting a whole heap of new songs. Cannot wait.
Thanks again to Edward Quinn. For taking the time to answer the questions.
Photo gallery to come as I will be shooting at there Melbourne show.
So keep a look out.
See ya there.
