One year ago, triple j’s Hottest 100 Australian Songs of All Time dropped. And oh what muffled rage, occasional impolite conversation and mashed key rants temporarily followed. Once more, a ‘Top X’ list proved there’s no pleasing everyone. People were more tickled stink than pink, and voiced so accordingly. As the democratic process unfolded, it dawned on all that when it comes to music everyone is wrong except themselves. To lean on a certain Natalie Imbruglia track that made the cut: People were left all out of faith. They were cold, shamed and lying naked on the floor. The system failed, and there weren’t even any democracy sausages. Where was this artist? Where was this song? This artist was too high, this one too low. This artist was about right – but still the wrong song.
Similar tut-tutting took place more recently when the New York Times dropped their 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters list. No Billy Joel? Well, I never! The reaction was swift, and not of the Taylor variety. She did make the list – rightly so to her devoted, inexplicably so to non-believers. Armchair scholars threw out who they felt were more deserving, lambasting the critics for their critical ways. What do these doofuses know? Now, where are my grumbling glasses?
In the end, do we just agree to disagree? Is a list for everyone, really a list for no one? Do we just accept that one person’s ‘Shivers’ is another’s ‘Read My Lips’? Never! Let them pry your cynicism towards today’s generation from your cold, dead hands. Or yesterday’s generation. Or whatever generation is responsible for the artist or thing you don’t like. In your day, whatever day it was, music was better. Things were better. It will always be better. Let all others wallow in their unrefined taste, filthy heathens. When you shuffle off this mortal coil, let them put you in the ground bottom-up blasting Joe Dolce’s ‘Shaddap You Face’. That will teach ’em.
Look, music snubs may rustle jimmies, but disappointment fades. We feel protective of our favourite artist, or movie, or sandwich – whatever the list may be. No vegemite and cheese? Outrageous! We root for our favourite artist and want for them to be represented. Yet at the end of the day, whichever way the list falls, it’s only a list. And you know how you can be assured the next Greatest Yada-Yada of All Time list will meet your every fancy? Make your own.
Oh, and Magic Dirt was still robbed, I tells ya.
I hope you enjoy July’s festivals and events…
When: UNTIL 26 JUL
Where: Geelong Botanic Gardens, Geelong
In Bloom unveils a nocturnal garden where nature awakens after sunset. Inspired by the Geelong Botanic Gardens, the experience reveals a glowing ecosystem of native flora, pollinators and shifting seasonal landscapes. Journey through immersive installations where wildflowers shimmer, habitats pulse with light and the iconic Blue Banded Bee becomes part of the story. In Bloom celebrates the interplay of nature, light and imagination in a uniquely Australian winter world.
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When: UNTIL 9 JUL
Where: Rosalind Park, Bendigo
Electric Wonderland transforms Bendigo’s Rosalind Park into a luminous after-dark experience. Explore large-scale illuminated sculptures, a 360-degree laser alley, musical stepping stones and a garden of glowing blooms. Blending art, light and sound, the immersive trail invites visitors of all ages into a playful winter nightscape. A family-friendly spectacle where the park becomes a radiant world of colour and discovery.
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Ballarat – Until July 19
Walkin’ in a winter wonderland
With thermals at the ready and your favourite beanie upon your noggin, it’s time to celebrate the season. It’s a chance to slow down and enjoy some simple pleasures to remind ourselves that the coldest of days can deliver the warmest of moments.
There’s plenty in store, but a couple of super special highlights are Winter Wonderlights and Hot Choc Showdown. Sovereign Hill’s Winter Wonderlights features all the usual good stuff, but when the sun goes down the fun really begins. Visitors can enjoy faux snow, wintry treats and music, all under the glow of stunning light projections. And who will conquer all to be crowned Ballarat’s best hot chocolate? Who will win ultimate bragging rights? With some 30 creations doing friendly battle, this warm and tasty showdown features classic flavours to the wildly creative.
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Bendigo, Castlemaine, Maldon and Inglewood – weekends throughout July
Among the fields of gold
Joy, sorrow, triumph and longing can all be found in classical music – often within a single piece. It’s a wordless expression that connects directly with the listener. It’s transportation back hundreds of years, where every note carried weight. Inspired by historic architect William Vahland’s vision of making Bendigo the ‘Vienna of the South’, weekends in July will present sixteen classical concerts throughout Bendigo, Castlemaine, Maldon and Inglewood.
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Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre – July 3-5
Gouda after midnight, cheddar to the dawn
In the near-words of Eurythmics, sweet dreams are made of cheese. So smile, fromage freaks and pinot partisans, this is the festival for you. Some may even say it is brie-lliant, if they fancied a pun. Mould will serve up more than fifty of the best in Australian artisan cheeses from around the country. Meanwhile, Pinot Palooza celebrates more than a decade raising a glass to the diversity of the Pinot Noir. Once again, you can expect more than fifty examples from Australia and beyond.
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Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool – July 4
Every single one’s got a story to tell
Cuddle up to curiosity as the Get Lit Storytelling Festival serves up three sessions of in-conversation discussions. Session one features Zambian-born film-maker, historian and author Santilla Chingaipe and educator and social justice advocate Mary Coverdale. Session two features Belfast-born author Chris Flynn and journalist Matt Neal. Session three features award-winning author Hannah Kent and VPLA-winning author Rachel Morton. Come for a story, leave with much more.
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Seaworks, Williamstown – July 5 & 6
Can I have a bit of chocolate?
There are two undeniable truths about chocolate: Violet Crumbles are superior to Crunchies, and life is a little sweeter with it. Hosted by Bean-to-Bar Makers, a choco-riffic number of exhibitors will come together to celebrate all that is chocolate, from demonstrations as to how beans are made into chocolate, through to tastings and sales of products. Note that most exhibitors will offer no-sugar-added, all-natural, organic, vegan, gluten-free and/or kosher products.
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Nationally – July 5-12
I come from a land down under
Through celebrating and recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, NAIDOC Week is a chance to reflect on the past, while also asking how we can move forwards together. It’s a reminder that reconciliation isn’t just a moment – it’s a movement. This year’s theme is ‘50 Years of Deadly’. The best thing you can do is check out the website below for local events.
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When: Until 12 JUL
Where: Chadstone, Melbourne
Chadstone’s inaugural Light to Night Festival transforms the centre into a city-scale celebration of art, food and music. Across a month-long program, explore immersive installations beneath the iconic gridshell roof, shifting from day into after-dark wonder. At its heart, RONE’s HOME exhibition reimagines a familiar Australian weatherboard house in an unexpected setting. There are dining experiences inspired by Melbourne Food and Wine, large-scale light sculpture works and live performances.
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When: 16 – 26 July
Where: Various venues, City of Yarra
City of Yarra’s cherished winter music festival, Leaps and Bounds, returns in 2026 with a full ten-day programme, shining a spotlight on the artists, venues, DJs, promoters and collectives that have made Yarra one of Australia’s most vital live music communities. Public Figures, Daisy Kilbourne, Immy Owusu, along with LittlePalooza, a free, fully accessible all-day party at Lulie Tavern are amongst the programming.
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The Engine Room, Bendigo – July 16 & Phee Broadway Theatre, Castlemaine – July 17
Witty, witty, witty as you can be
In 2018, Women of Wit threw the keys to the comedy Cadillac to the best new, emerging and established women in stand-up comedy. It worked an absolute treat, helping to launch radio and television gigs while entertaining sold-out audiences across Victoria.
Your line-up is Janty Blair, Simone Amohanga, Cath Styles, Mel McGlensey and Laura Davis, alongside locals including Cath Styles, Jess Patterson, Julieta Mateo and Patti Fawcett.
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Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads – July 17
They get their local hero, somebody with the right style
Whether your local has the best parma in town or a friendly familiar face to greet you, there’s nothing quite like a place that feels like home. Here, the local takes on a music flavour. Two stages will play host to a tidy number of artists and DJs, allowing you to be up close to your favourite band one moment, and share a beer with them at the bar the next. Your line-up is Intermood, 1982, Mt. Pleasant, The Spit, MER/LO, Lizard Lounge, Boogie Riverside, Ella Joan, Bigfoot Sighting and Unx + Fletch.
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Bendigo – July 17-19
I just wanna be a sheep
It’s time to recognise the humble sheep and celebrate all that is woolly at this festival that is sure to be a shear (thank you) delight. This is a fleece fiesta, where sheep are the stars. And it doesn’t matter if you don’t know your merinos from your mohair, you’ll be welcomed to the flock.
Events include Sheep Competitions, Sponsors & Breeders Cocktail Party, Central Vic Yard Dog Championships, Shearing, Woolcraft, Festival of Lamb, Australian Wool Fashion Parades, Stud Masters Muster, Australia’s Largest Fibre Market, Careers & Technology Hub, Australian Fleece Competition, Ram Sales, Cattle Precinct and Women of Wool.
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Echuca-Moama – July 23-26
Sometimes you got, still, the blues for me
From the slow, soulful bends of a guitar string, to the sound of a harmonica slicing through the air, it’s time to let the blues breathe. Come celebrate the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival as they pen another love letter to the genre.
Your line-up includes 19-Twenty, Amin & Lachlan, Anna Scionti, Bek Jensen, Brett Wood, Cam Walter Blues, Cass Eager, Charlie Bedford, Corey Legge & the Legacy, Eddy & the Exciters, Elly Poletti, Frank Sultana Blues Band, Geoff Achison and the Souldiggers, Greg Nunan & the General Jacksons, Jack and the Axes, Jeff Lang & Dom Turner, Jesse Redwing, Jesse Valach & the Testaments, Jim Hocking’s Blues Machine, Kathleen Halloran, LILG, Liz Ohlback & the Mercy Train, Michael Vdelli and the Art of Dysfunction, Nathan Cavaleri, Nick Charles, Oscar Ladell, Otis Namrell Band, Pete Campbell & the Lazy Dog, Phil Coyne and the Wayward Aces, Phil Para, Ray Beadle, Rory Phillips Trio, Salt & Steel, Sam Buckley Band, Sammy Owen Blues Band, Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones, The Honey Badgers, The McNaMarr Project, White Lightning and Yarn & the Boogiemen.
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Apollo Bay – July 24-26
Beautiful words, they come from you
There is undoubtedly a place in the word for scrolling and bite-sized information. But there is also a place for taking a seat around a campfire at night, where stories are told and conversations run wild and free. WORDfest is that campfire. 2026’s theme is ‘What it Means to be Human’.
Events include WordPlay Kids Day, Poetry & Pies, Warm Winter Words Author Panel Sessions, The Great De(Bay)te, Writers Workshop and WORDfest Book Club. Your guests include Andrea Rowe, Sofie Laguna, Toni Jordan, Mark Mupotsa-Russell, Robbie Arnott, Rhett Davis, Hannah Kent, J.P. Pomare, Christian White, Louise Milligan and Gina Chick.
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Theatre Royal, Castlemaine – July 31
Your guitar, it sounds so sweet and clear
From bedroom noodlers to seasoned pros, come marvel at fretboard wizardry at its finest. Vibe with the vibrato. Bask in the bends. Revel in the riffs. Get with the groove. You’ll be looking for a new guitar after this one.
Your line-up is Ana Popović, Geoff Achison x Jimi Hocking (Screaming Jets), Brett Garsed (John Farnham Band), The McNaMarr Project (Andrea Marr, John McNamara), Bill Barber, Angus Burchall (John Farnham Band), Andrew Fry, Shane Gilbert and Richard Tankard.
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When: 24 JUL – 1 AUG
Where: Various Venues, Bright
Victoria’s High Country embraces the cold with the Bright Winter Festival. The Winter in the Village shopping night takes over Barnard Street as a glowing winter wonderland with roaring fire pits, live music, carollers, food trucks, and late night shopping. There Family Fun Day hits Saturday with entertainment and activities for the whole family, and the festival culminates with the Winter Ball the following weekend.
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