August’s live music events in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs
One of the country’s oldest Chinese orchestras, two legendary blues musicians and a tribute to Janis Joplin are among the highlights this month.
Matthew Sims
July 21, 2026
From a ska punk sextet to a folk rock duo, here are some of the gigs to check out across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in August.
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Lior
Joined by a string quartet, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Lior will be playing reimagined versions of some of his biggest hits, including “Daniel” and “This Old Love”, as well as selections from his orchestral collaborations with renowned composer Nigel Westlake.
When: Saturday August 1, 7.30-9.30pm
Where: Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Cost: $65
Tell Mama! Karise Eden Sings Janis Joplin
From her audition on The Voice at the age of 19, Karise Eden has set herself apart from the more manicured tones of Australia’s pop artists with her raspy and textured voice.
Heavily inspired by American singer-songwriter Janis Joplin, Eden is taking it one step further by performing a range of her classic hits like “Maybe” and “Cry Baby” alongside a selection of original songs, all backed by a full live band.
When: Friday August 7, 7.30-8.40pm
Where: Karralyka Centre, 22A Mines Road, Ringwood East
Cost: $65
Things of Stone and Wood
Forming in 1989, Australian folk rock band Things of Stone and Wood has seen a couple of breakups over the years.
Two of the founding members – Michael Allen and Greg Arnold – are coming together to perform songs off their new acoustic album Rae St and unplugged versions of their greatest hits.
When: Friday August 7, 8-10.30pm
Where: Burrinja Cultural Centre, 351 Glenfern Road, Upwey
Cost: $40
Dave Hole and Geoff Achison
At 78 years old, Australian blues legend Dave Hole tears through a range of classic blues covers and original tunes using his distinctive slide guitar style.
First entering the scene in 1989, blues singer-songwriter and guitarist Geoff Achison has built a name as a solo artist and frontman.
When: Friday August 14, 8.30-11pm
Where: Oakleigh Carnegie RSL, 95/97 Drummond Street, Oakleigh
Cost: $55
The Bennies
Ska punk group The Bennies will be playing songs off their 2011 debut LP Party! Party! Party! and their 2016 release Wisdom Machine.
When: Sunday August 16, 6.30pm
Where: Sooki Lounge, 1648 Burwood Highway, Belgrave
Cost: $46.95
Grindhouse, Swidgen & Fungoose
Different styles of rock will be the theme of the evening, with garage punk/rock ‘n’ roll quartet Grindhouse, hard rock and metal three-piece Smidgen and fuzz rock foursome Fungoose.
When: Saturday August 22, 8.30-midnight
Where: The Belgrave Hotel, 1645 Burwood Highway, Belgrave
Cost: $15
Chao Feng Chinese Orchestra 44th anniversary concert
Australia’s oldest and largest non-profit Chinese orchestra Chao Feng has been performing since 1982.
The concert includes performances from the entire orchestra, as well as alongside solo renditions on three traditional Chinese instruments – the guzheng, shaoqin and dizi.
When: Sunday August 23, 4pm-6pm
Where: Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Cost: $38
Kew Court House Live
Built in 1888, the Kew Court House venue has an 80-seat capacity.
August performances will include The Hackney Sacks on Thursday August 6 and jazz singer Fem Belling on Saturday August 28.
When: Multiple dates, 7.30-9.30pm
Where: Kew Court House, 188 High Street, Kew
Cost: $25-$35
Thumbnail Image Credit: Ian Ritter
While You’re Young
The lineup on this one-day showcase of young local bands and artists includes singer-songwriter John Yanko, rock and pop artist Hannah Underwood, Belgrave-based alternative rock outfit Chasing Planes and pop-punk group Motion Blur.
When: Saturday July 4, 4-8pm
Where: Sooki Lounge, 1648 Burwood Highway, Belgrave
Cost: $17
Vika and Linda
Sisters Vika and Linda Bull started out as backup singers in The Black Sorrows, and have since released nine studio albums after becoming a blues and soul duo in 1994.
When: Sunday July 12, 4-6pm
Where: The Round, 379-399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading
Cost: $89
Monash Musique
Celebrating the week-long Bastille Day French Festival, this one-night-only performance will involve a performance from Parisian Can Can Dancers and an interactive French folk dancing workshop.
Melbourne-based band La Mauvaise Réputation will play a range of 1930s Parisian jazz and gypsy swing throughout the evening.
When: Friday July 17, 7-9pm
Where: Clayton Hall, 264 Clayton Rd, Clayton
Cost: $20
Beccy Cole
Since first jumping on stage at the age of 14 in her mother’s band Beccy Cole has won 11 Golden Guitars.
When: Friday July 24, 7.30pm
Where: York on Lilydale, 138 York Road, Mount Evelyn
Cost: $89.90
Lior
Joined by a string quartet, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Lior will be playing reimagined versions of some of his biggest hits, including Daniel and This Old Love, as well as selections from his orchestral collaborations with renowned composer Nigel Westlake.
When: Friday July 24, 8-11pm
Where: Burrinja Cultural Centre, 351 Glenfern Road, Upwey
Cost: $70
Lido Jazz Room
Inspired by the Manhattan jazz bars that popped up in the 1980s, the Lido Jazz Room hosts local and international performers.
The lineup in July includes jazz pianist Bob Sedergreen on Saturday July 4 and Saturday June 25.
When: Every Friday and Saturday, 8-10pm
Where: Lido Jazz Room, Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
Cost: $32
Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows
Forming in 1983, The Black Sorrows has released 20 studio albums and toured internationally over the past 43 years.
The band’s hits include Chained to the Wheel, Harley + Rose, Hold On To Me and The Chosen One.
When: Friday July 31, 8pm
Where: York on Lilydale, 138 York Road, Mount Evelyn
Cost: $50
Bodyjar
More than 25 years after Bodyjar released the breakthrough LP How It Works, the pop-punk quartet celebrates the album’s hits on an Australian tour.
When: Friday July 31, 7.30-11pm
Where: Sooki Lounge, 1648 Burwood Highway, Belgrave
Cost: $59.90