The first round of artists for the Untitled Group’s new drive-in gig series at Flemington Racecourse has been announced, with kitsch-pop superstars Client Liaison headlining the first show in July.

They’ll be joined by singer-songwriter Owl Eyes and more Aussie talent – including Alex Lahey, Northeast Party House and Baker Boy – to follow.

The Drive-In is a pop-up live-music precinct that will take over the racecourse’s grassy bowling lanes for 12 large-scale, socially-distanced gigs – for up to 500 cars – where you can drive in, wind down your windows and move to the music (while comfortably seated).

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It’s from the same team behind Pitch Music & Arts, Ability Fest, Beyond the Valley, and some of Melbourne’s most colossal warehouse parties.

The scene took a major hit when the coronavirus pandemic forced shutdowns and cancellations. “It was crippling for the live music sector,” Filippo Palermo, one of Untitled Group’s directors, told Broadsheet. “We had a number of music festivals and tours that had to be postponed or cancelled – some for as many as 7000 people.”

The idea for drive-in gigs came from overseas, “but some [of those were] just promoters bringing in a small truck stage. So we’re going all-out on [production quality],” Palermo explained.

The Drive-In’s stage will be 15 metres wide and 12 metres high, with three mammoth screens “so you don’t miss a beat”. And punters will be allocated a parking space based on their car size to ensure optimum viewing – small cars up front, big cars out back.

The site, which can comfortably hold up to 500 cars, will be entirely accessible. And your car is where you’ll stay unless you’re going to the bathroom. To maintain social distancing, there’ll be contactless ticketing and temperature checks at the gate. Plus, you’ll be able pre-order food and drinks for delivery to your car.

Each gig, which will run at around four hours, will feature a headliner and supports, plus an extended program of films and comedy is on the way.

Pre-sale tickets are $65 and go on sale Thursday June 18 at 3pm. Sign up here.

Dates and line-up:
Friday July 10 – Client Liaison, Owl Eyes
Saturday July 11 – Alex Lahey, Alice Skye
Sunday July 12 – Winston Surfshirt, Mwanje

Thursday July 16 – Boo Seeka, Creature Fear
Friday July 17 – Running Touch, Set Mo
Saturday July 18 – Lime Cordiale, Micra

Friday July 24 – Ball Park Music, Big Words
Saturday July 25 – Northeast Party House, London Topaz
Sunday July 26 – Baker Boy, Close Counters

the-drive-in.com.au