Always Live 2024

Back for a third year running in 2024, Always Live is a 17-day Victoria-wide celebration of contemporary live music. Running from November 22 until December 8, from Gippsland to Geelong and Ballarat to Bendigo, this year’s program features a host of free and low-cost events, with a spotlight on grassroots and regional venues.

American DJ Anyma is set to have his first Australasian appearance, bringing his viral live production Genesys to Melbourne on November 23 after a six-show sold-out residency at Sphere in Las Vegas. The mind-bending show at Flemington Racecourse will feature the largest screen in the southern hemisphere, built especially for the occasion. Missed out in tickets? You can also attend the Anyma after-party with Cassian.

Multi-talented American powerhouse St Vincent is the subject of this year’s An Intimate Audience With, which combines big names and intimate settings so fans can get up close and personal with their faves. On November 28, she’ll be performing a stripped-back set at the Crown Aviary, with sweeping views of Melbourne, alongside a Q&A and three-course meal (including a cocktail on arrival). Previously, Always Live hosted An Intimate Audience With disco superstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor at NGV’s Garden Restaurant, and separate events with Jessie Ware and Angie McMahon in Farmer’s Daughters. It’s St Vincent’s first time back in Australia since 2018, and she’ll also have shows at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda and Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat this year.

Other major highlights include a one-night-only show from Californian punk rock icons The Offspring at The Forum, Jack White at The Corner Hotel, Missy Higgins at Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Sarah Blasko at the Northcote Theatre and the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine, Chet Faker and Mildlife at the Royal Botanical Gardens, and Aussie legend Tina Arena performing at Mornington Racecourse for the 30th anniversary of her 10-time platinum album Don’t Ask. Arena will be joined by American crooner Richard Marx and special guests including Daryl Braithwaite, Kate Ceberano, Southern Sons, and 1927.

On November 22, Always Live and Summer Camp present Tramp, a queer party at PICA headlined by Jojo Siwa, featuring a DJ set by Bimini (UK), Jaguar (UK) and many, many more. Other festival highlights include the Jamaican Music and Food Festival at Williamstown’s Seaworks on December 7, Luliepalooza at beloved Abbotsford rock’n’roll venue Lulie Tavern, and the return of Blaktivism at Arts Centre Melbourne, headlined by Yolŋu superstar Baker Boy and featuring Uncle Bart Willoughby, Yung Warriors, Selwyn Burns, Amos Roach and more.

In partnership with youth music organisation The Push and Triple J Unearthed, The Push All-Ages Tour graces a host of regional venues with rotating line-ups.

Folk Sounds presents Steph Strings, Didirri and Kee’ahn on a four-show regional tour across Gippsland. There are a number of free events too, like Yerambooee and Garage Band at Fed Square, or End of the Line in Frankston and Belgrave.

And that’s only some of it. The jam-packed program features more than 400 artists in total.

Browse the full Always Live program.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Visit Victoria.