From a ska ensemble with dozens of members to a range of world-renowned folk singer-songwriters, here are some of the gigs to check out across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in September.
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Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Formed in 2003, Melbourne Ska Orchestra is a ska band consisting of a morphing live lineup ranging from 18 to 36 musicians.
When: Friday September 4, 8pm
Where: York on Lilydale, 138 York Road, Mount Evelyn
Cost: $75.50
Nathan Cavaleri
Touring with B.B. King at the age of 16, Nathan Cavaleri is an Australian blues-rock singer, songwriter and guitarist.
First rising to fame in the 1990s, he made a comeback in 2019 following struggles with anxiety.
When: Sunday September 13, 2-3:15pm and 6-7:15pm
Where: The Round, 379-399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading
Cost: $57
Liz Young with Kris Mizzi
Violinist Liz Young has experience across a wide range of genres, including rock, classical traditional folk, country and Argentinian tango.
Kris Mizzi blends precise fingerpicking on guitar with a gentle vocal style.
When: Friday September 18, 8:30-11pm
Where: The Concert Lounge, Croydon Bowling Club, corner of Mt Dandenong Road and Civic Square, Croydon
Cost: $27
Cathy Dobson, Tim Ireland and Ian Green
Cathy Dobson has recorded six albums, with influences including country, blues, folk and rock.
Tim Ireland is a Yarra Valley singer-songwriter, who draws on family history, Australian characters and his lived experience to write his songs.
Ireland will be joined by Ian Green on harmonica and ukulele.
When: Saturday September 19, 2026 8-10:30pm
Where: Upwey Belgrave RSL 1 Mast Gully Road, Upwey
Cost: $25
Daniel Champagne
This NSW singer-songwriter is a touring machine, playing hundreds of shows around the world each year. The live show draws on his seven albums.
When: Sunday September 20, 6-7:15pm
Where: Box Hill Town Hall, 1022 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill
Cost: $45
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