Image credit: Laura Du Ve.

April is chock full of gigs, here’s our guide to the entire month

Back in the days of the old schoolyard when I used to laugh a moderate amount, I was always the Easter egg hoarder. I could let those little colourful packages of pleasure sit for days or weeks.

My younger brother would Cookie Monster his, leaving little but a trail of discarded foil and an insatiable desire for more. He would then, of course, come looking for mine like a seagull at a fish and chip convention. I would, of course, acquiesce. I was a sucker. Speaking of which, I used to suck, and still do, chocolate eggs rather than munch them up like a savage. You gotta savour that flavour. Go on, try it. Once you go suck, you never duck back. 

Easter is around the corner, and the air is filled with a sense of mild indifference. There are no Easter Bunny letters being sent off to wherever the Easter Bunny resides. Easter Island, I would assume. And while there are a number of Easter songs out there, it is not quite on the level of Christmas. There is no All I Want for Christmas is You equivalent.

There is no All I Want for Easter is a Cadbury Creme Egg (or the ‘I don’t want the inferior Cadbury Creme we have today. I want the original ones before they changed their formula and shrunk the product, the ones that stood as a glorious symbol of Easter joy. Now they’re disappointment wrapped in promises, a betrayal of chocolate and the untainted joy of childhood. To tamper with the fabric of such chocolate divinity deserves every criticism now and forevermore. Yeah, I know, people moan about this every year and it’s kind of boring and futile, but damn it, I’m still going to ride this train to a more hopeful world of chocolate nirvana. Those things used to be better. Everything used to be better. Well, not really. That’s a ridiculous thing to say. Still, those were. Man, I just want things to be as I remember them to be’ song).

I will be the first to admit it is not quite as catchy, but you better believe Mariah Carey would nail it. 

So, whether you are an Easter egg smasher or a careful foil older, a gluttonous gorger or a hideaway hoarder, a muncher, nibbler or flavour savour, a bunny breaker, carton connoisseur, Humpty Dumpty numpty or Rocher rocker, I hope Easter comes with a sweet treat or two. Too much chocolate does not exist. 

I hope you enjoy April’s gigs… 

Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Barwon Club Hotel (@barwon_club)

Greg Arnold – The Golden Vine Hotel, Bendigo on April 3

From Things of Stone and Wood classics to solo gems, you’re in for a special night with Greg Arnold. He’s joined here by Simon Marks and Toby May. 

Katie Noonan & Karin Schaupp – Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff on April 3 & The Capital, Bendigo on April 5

They enjoyed it so much the first time around that Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp decided to do it all again with Songs of the Southern Skies Volume 2. 

Stand Atlantic – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on April 4

Pop-punk outfit Stand Atlantic have performed more than 500 times globally over the past five years, making them a favourite of the genre. Was Here is their latest album.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Torquay Hotel (@torquayhotel)

Sweet Talk – Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool on April 4

Formed over a bond of late nights, ’70s grooves, classic songwriting and improvised jams, Sweet Talk always seem to have the right words to say.  

Surf Trash – The Wool Exchange, Geelong on April 4

Over the last couple of years, melodic surf-pop-punk outfit Surf Trash has played shows across the US, Canada, Europe and the UK. Their debut album is The Only Place I Know. 

Ziggy Alberts – The Oat & Anchor Hotel, Port Fairy on April 4 & 5  

Rooted in traditional acoustic folk, the spirited and finely moustachioed Ziggy Alberts released his latest album, New Love, last month. Enjoy some new tunes here. 

Good Sniff – Bird Rock, Jan Juc on April 5

Can you smell what Bellarine Peninsula bass and drum duo Good Sniff is cooking? That would be their sophomore EP, That’s it, Tiger. Sargent Baker is along for the ride.  

Brett Franke – Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford on April 5

Armed with his trusty 12-string guitar, Brett Franke powers through a collection of original foot-stompin’ blues and roots, funk and progressive acoustic tunes.  

Dave Graney & Clare Moore – Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine on April 5 & 6 

Not content with just one release, Dave Graney and Clare Moore delivered two albums in 2024. And now they’ve promised further releases in 2025.  

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gloria (@wildgloriosa)

Wild Gloriosa – Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on April 6

A marriage of smooth and soulful influences, Wild Gloriosa is the brainchild of Gloria Ragesh. ‘All Wishes Come True’ is her new single. Madeline Cope supports. 

David Francey – Ballarat Trades Hall, Ballarat on April 10 

David Francey is a Canadian folk songman with three Juno Awards and three Canadian Folk Music Awards under his belt. He is joined here by Kris Mizzi.  

Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats – Volta, Ballarat on April 11

Written throughout the pandemic and a time of reflection on what has been and what could be, Those Were Days is the new album from Skyscraper Stan and his crew. 

Ruby Gill – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine on April 11

Ruby Gill is back in business with her sophomore album, Some Kind of Control. She describes it as “looser, gayer and even more raw”.

Mia Wray – Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on April 11 & Volta, Ballarat on April 12

Mia Wray is taking her debut album hi, it’s nice to meet me to the streets. The album gets its title from a moment when Mia felt she was saying hello to herself for the first time in a long time.  

Andy Golledge & Queenie – Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel, Creswick on April 11 & The Taproom (Shedshaker Brewing), Castlemaine on April 12

Andy Golledge and Queenie may be touring their Takin’ in the Sights show, but you’ll be the one takin’ in the sounds of this sweet little co-headlining run.    

Ash Grunwald – Kyneton Town Hall, Kyneton on April 11 & Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on April 26

Living by the motto ‘surf by day, jam by night’, Ash Grunwald continues to sell out shows right around the country with his foot-stompin’ blues. Kathleen Halloran supports.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ash Grunwald (@ashgrunwald)

Baxter – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on April 12

Hailing from the UK, Baxter is about as hot a name in the UK underground dance and techno scene as there is. Come along to discovery why.  

Shaun Kirk – Major Tom’s, Kyneton on April 12

Following a 2024 that saw him recharge his batteries, Shaun Kirk kicked off 2025 by playing his first festival in the US. Now, the blues and soul troubadour is back on home soil.  

Jeremy Beggs – Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford on April 12

With roots in Americana, folk and rock, Jeremy Beggs is the heart-on-his-sleeve type of performer. ‘I Just Wonder’ is his latest single. 

The Bendigo Blues Tram – Bendigo on April 12

Enjoy the sights of Bendigo from aboard a restored vintage class tram #610 as you enjoy the sounds of Don Morrison and Anna Scionti.     

Adam Kay – The Story House, GAC on April 12

Following a sold-out run in Australia and New Zealand last year, BAFTA-winning comedian Adam Kay returns with his diaries-based show, This is Going to Hurt. 

Land Down Under – Gateway Hotel, Corio on April 12

Celebrating Australian music of the ’80s, Land Down Under is a hit factory featuring tunes from Men at Work, Olivia Newton-John, Split Enz, AC/DC, INXS, John Farnham, Kylie, Midnight Oil and more. 

A Whole Lotta Shaking – The Capital, Bendigo on April 13

Featuring Ezra Lee, Rick Hudson and Tommy McEwan, A Whole Lotta Shaking is a tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis, Ricky Nelson and Buddy Holly. 

Hussy Hicks – The Space Studio, Warrnambool on April 13

Take a little Americana, blues, country, folk and rock, mix it all together, and you get Hussy Hicks, the eruptive duo of Leesa Gentz and Julz Parker. 

Rufous Whistler – Ararat Town Hall, Ararat on April 16

Named after a species of whistler found in New Caledonia and Australia, Rufous Whistler is the moniker of contemporary folk singer-songwriter Vinny Russell. 

Tracks Party – Torquay Surf Life Saving Club, Torquay on April 18

Get on the right track with Tracks Party, a Rip Curl Pro feast featuring Rum Jungle, Bakers Eddy, Pisco Sour and DJ Eddy Plus. Ticketholders go in a draw to win a Burzerk Oracle E-bike.  

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Resignators (@theresignatorsska)

The Resignators – The Taproom (Shedshaker Brewing), Castlemaine on April 19

A seven-headed brash and boisterous ska-punk monster, The Resignators will clock up 20 years doing their thing in 2025. Their energy levels remain through the roof. 

The Swell Sessions – Torquay Surf Life Saving Club, Torquay on April 19 

The Swell Sessions are a series of fundraisers for the TSLSC. Here you have Bad//Dreems, The Pretty Littles, The Miffs and Good Sniff. 

Highly Contagious – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on April 19

It’s contagious. It’s outrageous. To your wellbeing it’s advantageous. Join Gut Health, Alien Nosejob, Gregor, Palm Springs, Miss Brenna O and Silicone Prairie DJs for a night of tunes. 

ANZAC Day Eve Show – Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong on April 24

How much rockin’ can one person do in a night? Join Dirty Wasabi, Poppin’ Mommas, Sacramento Sweaters and Mulshlucka to find out. 

Beat’n Tracks presents – Odessa at Leavers Hotel, Creswick on April 24 & The Taproom (Shedshaker Brewing), Castlemaine on April 27 

Dripping with delta blues, gospel and old-time folk, multi-instrumentalist Karl S. Williams teamed up with percussionist Sally Wiggins to bring his songs into new territory. 

Mess Esque – Red Hill Hotel, Chewton on April 25

Formed during COVID years, Mess Esque is the winning combination of Mick Turner (Dirty Three) and Helen Franzmann (McKisko). Jay Marie, Comfort Me is their latest album. 

Up the Guts Comedy – Mozart Hall, Warrnambool on April 26

The mighty mulleted one returns to Warrnambool as Chris Franklin is joined by Lars Callieou and David Tulk in an evening of laughs. 

Ilaria Crociani – Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel, Creswick on April 26

Awarded the 2021 ABC Jazz Composer Commissioning Fund in 2021, Ilaria Crociani considers herself an emerging talent in her fifties. Connecting the Dots is her latest album. 

John Course – The Wool Exchange, Geelong on April 26

In the Australian house music world, John Course sits comfortably towards the top. Join him for a night of classics and future anthems. 

Floyd Thursby – Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford on April 26

From busking in the streets of Iran to playing in nursing homes to performing for the Prime Minister of Vietnam, folk songman Floyd Thursby has a colourful resume.  

Late, Late at Night – The Engine Room, Bendigo on April 26 & Ararat Town Hall, Ararat on April 27 

Written by Kieran Carroll and starring Sydney performer Jackson Carroll, Late, Late at Night is a pop-rock stage adaptation of Rick Springfield’s autobiography. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Torquay Hotel (@torquayhotel)

DICE – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on April 27

Embracing spontaneity and pushing the limits of comfort to discover new experiences is behind the new single from DICE, ‘Chasing Hearts’. Dear Sunday and Dizzy Days support. 

Ross Noble – Kyneton Town Hall, Kyneton on April 29

Step inside the mind of Ross Noble and take a wander around as he presents his latest show, Cranium of Curiosities. What’s in store, nobody knows – not even the man himself. 

Daoirí Farrell – Bendigo Bank Theatre, Bendigo on April 30

A product of Dublin’s famous club An Góilin Traditional Singers, Daoirí Farrell has been performing solo for almost a decade. His most recent album is The Wedding Above in Glencree. 

Words by Chester Ogilvie