Image Credit: Nick Mckk

Girls on the avenue to Meatloaf; serving up your gigs this month

There's a bit of something for everyone this month in live music

Music is red hot this winter as veterans head into town, local legends launch albums and EP’s, and popular players hit up our favourite venues.

Jump in to check out the best gigs getting around this month!

Keep connected to your live music scene here. 

Karise Eden & Greg Gould – Golden Vine Hotel, Bendigo on August 1

Come along and hear Karise Eden and Greg Gould salute the worlds of jazz, blues and soul through the works of Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, James Brown, Prince and more. 

Seedy Jeezus – Stone Vault Studios, Fyansford on August 1

If there is a time to be blasphemous, perhaps it is now as Seedy Jeezus return to Geelong for the first time in almost a decade. Their new album is Damned to the Depths. 

Wet Kiss – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on August 1

Pucker up and show some love to antic-glam-rock outfit Wet Kiss as they launch album number two, Thus Spoke the Broken Chanteuse. 

 

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Bleak Squad – Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff on August 1

Bleak Squad is a supergroup of art-rock royalty featuring Mick Turner, Mick Harvey, Adalita and Marty Brown. Strange Love is their debut album. Matt Davis is your special guest. 

Bron Lewis – The Open House, GAC on August 1

Those who can’t do, teach. And those who no longer teach, enter comedy. Or so it is for Bron Lewis, whose new show, Who’s Talking?, will take you back to your high school days. 

Richard Clapton – Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads on August 2

Described by rock historian Ian McFarlane as “one of the most important Australian songwriters of the 1970,” Richard Clapton keeps on keeping on.

Jess Ribeiro – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on August 2

There is nothing quite as magical as the mixtape. Jess Ribeiro is releasing an album titled Mixtape, which features a bunch of b-sides and demos from her Summer of Love days.  

C.O.F.F.I.N – Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on August 2 & Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 8 

With a generous serving of full-force, boogie rock and roll mixed with punk energy, C.O.F.F.I.N is where performance and social justice collide.   

Luke Howard – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 3

As one of the country’s foremost practitioners of contemporary classical music, composer and pianist Luke Howard weaves wordless stories with ease. 

Celeste Barber – WCPA, Ballarat on August 3

Celeste Barber has but a simple dream: to be a back-up dancer for Janet Jackson. She’s bringing her rhythm to the nation in her new show that talks about all this. 

The Owls – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on August 3

Who likes free stuff? Who likes free stuff on a Sunday afternoon? Then get your sweet patootie down to The Bridge for some tunes with jangly alt-country outfit The Owls. 

Dave Graney & Clare Moore – Ararat Town Hall, Ararat on August 5

Despite releasing two albums last year, Dave Graney and Clare Moore just keep on giving and giving. Come cosy up with the couple and a night of tunes. 

Graeme Connors – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on August 5 & Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 6 

Containing 217 songs penned by the artist, My Lyrical Life is the new book from songman Graeme Connors. It’s also the name of this tour, which has enabled him to revisit forgotten gems. 

The Preatures – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 7 & Torquay Hotel, Torquay on August 8

It has been ten years since The Preatures released their debut album Blue Planet Eyes, and in celebration off on a nice little tour. 

 

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John Waters: Radio Luxembourg – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on August 8

From ‘Where Do You Go to My Lovely’ to ’Waterloo Sunset’, ‘To Love Somebody’ to ‘My Generation’, John Waters and his band power through the British Pop Invasion. 

Black Rheno – Medusa Bar, Geelong on August 8

Just because they serve up a mix of sludge, groove and grind doesn’t mean Black Rheno is immune from love. They just do it differently. ‘A Bad Ass Love Song’ is their latest single. 

Jungle Jim Smith – The Taproom (Shedshaker Brewing), Castlemaine on August 8 & handle bar, Bendigo on August 10  

Armed with his trusty three-string cigar box guitar, six-string and shed-built foot drums, Jungle Jim Smith is a one-man blues machine with a rock and roll heart.

Chocolate Starfish – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo on August 9

Chocolate Starfish return with their popular Bat Out of Hell celebration, and this time they’re accompanied by a six-piece string section. A selection of Chocolate Starfish songs opens the show. 

Slow Grind Fever – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on August 9

Melbourne’s smokiest slow dance party returns to Castlemaine, and they have that ’80s fever. Come journey through slow grinding ’80s R&B, druggy disco, erogenous goth and more. 

The Bendigo Blues Tram – Bendigo on August 9 

Enjoy the sights of Bendigo from aboard a restored vintage class tram #610 as you enjoy the sounds of Maggie Alley and Grim Fawkner.  

Lovin’ Locals – Medusa, Geelong on August 9

Gather your friends. Gather your family. Gather your neighbours. It’s the Lovin’ Local showcase featuring Melbourne indie rockers Skiptons, The Burbs, Astral High and Garden Lane. 

Hamoris Lian Timor – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 10

A cultural project from Timor-Leste, Hamoris Lian Timor (Reviving the Sound of Timor) is a powerful tribute to generations who carried their culture across oceans. 

Nate Faker – The Taproom (Shedshaker Brewing), Castlemaine on August 13; Piano Bar, Ballarat on August 15; and Major Tom’s, Kyneton on August 16  

Formed in 1996 by Nathan Hudson, Faker would carve out a special place in the Australian songbook. As Nate Faker, Hudson reimagines Faker’s catalogue. 

Russell Morris – Costa Hall, Geelong on August 15

ARIA Hall of Famer and legendary Australian songman Russell Morris is hanging up his guitar, but not before he performs one last run. Hear all your favourites one more time.  

Violet – Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on August 15

Ain’t it grand when everything comes together? After slugging it out for months, three-piece alternative outfit Violet release their debut EP, If Anything at All. 

 

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HZED – Medusa Bar, Geelong on August 16

Calling it their most honest and explosive work to date, ‘Heartbreaker’ is the new single from Melbourne’s HZED. 74 Kings and Desert Kingdom & the Hidden Charms support. 

Simon Hudson – The Taproom (Shedshaker Brewing), Castlemaine on August 17

Following a tour of Japan, Simon Hudson will find his local feet in Castlemaine. The soulful singer-songwriter blends world, roots and folk. 

Pete Murray – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on August 17 & Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 23 

Songman Pete Murray is not doing things by halves as he continues his 50+ date tour in solo acoustic mode. He is joined by Rachael Fahim and Brett Wood. 

KILAT – Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on August 22

With influences from Nusantara and ancient Javanese imagery, script and traditions, KILAT burst through the flames with their raw black metal.  

Tommy Little – The Play House, GAC on August 22

There are moments in Tommy Little’s life where he has thought, yep, I’m proud of that. There are moments in Tommy Little’s life where the opposite runs true. This show contains those moments. 

One More Weekend – Medusa Bar, Geelong on August 22 

It’s got the fuzz that creates buzz. It’s got riffs for days. It’s ‘Aunty Meredith’, the new single from Melbourne alt-rock outfit One More Weekend. Ivy Black supports.  

Pavements – Star Cinema, Eaglehawk on August 22

The undisputed heavyweight of indie rock, Pavement is the star of this Alex Ross Perry multi-layered documentary experiment. Watch it here. 

Northlane – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 22 & Wool Exchange, Geelong on August 23

For the first time in three years, metalcore outfit Northlane are heading to the regions. They’ll be joined by Ocean Grove and Mirrors. 

Michael Ward – Aussie Hotel, Shepparton on August 23

With his fusion of alt-country, gritty blues and roots, Michael Ward has spent decades touring the country. New music is coming in 2025. 

Jordie Lane & Band – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on August 23

He may be Nashville-based, but Melbourne-born Jordie Lane’s heart remains true blue. His latest album is Tropical Depression. 

Diesect – Volta, Ballarat on August 24

It’s a passport-heavy night of loud tunes as nü-metalcore outfit Diesect celebrate new single, ‘Hide from the Light’, with the UK’s Graphic Nature, New Zealand’s No Life and Perth’s Darkmatter.  

Diesel – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine – August 28

Whether you love him best as Diesel, Johnny Diesel or Mark Lizotte, this show has you covered as Diesel performs two sets powered entirely by audience requests. 

 

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Leo Sayer – The Story House, GAC on August 29

If his sold out 2024 and 2025 UK tours proved anything, it’s that there are still plenty of people who feel like dancing. Join Leo Sayer in a performance of boundless energy and joy. 

Melbourne Ska Orchestra – Wool Exchange, Geelong on August 29 & Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 30 

Hailing from the badlands of brass and the frontiers of funk, the mighty big sound of Melbourne Ska Orchestra is touring their new album, The Ballad of Monte Loco. 

Oceanique – Popcultcha, Geelong on August 30

Comprised of twin sisters Maddy and Jess, Oceanique sets a course for warm and heartfelt storytelling with seamless harmonies. 

Words by Chester Ogilvie