2000s pop favourite Christina Aguilera leads the lineup for Victoria’s 18-day, statewide music festival, ALWAYS LIVE. The 2023 event is happening from Friday, 24th November to Monday, 11th December, bringing the likes of dance veteran Eric Prydz, UK disco-pop act Jessie Ware, drag superstar Trixie Mattel, alt-pop performer Caroline Polachek, and elusive British alt-R&B singer Jai Paul to venues around Victoria.
Australian-based artists Amyl and the Sniffers, Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos, Amy Shark, Alex Lahey, Tones and I, The Chats, and Angie McMahon will play shows and front up for in conversation events in Melbourne and regional Victoria. A.B. Original will lead a First Nations event in Shepparton with Miss Kaninna and DRMNGNOW, while Cosmic Psychos have locked in three 40th anniversary parties in Castlemaine. See the complete 2023 ALWAYS LIVE program below.
Miss Kaninna – ‘Pinnacle Bitch’
Taylor Made: Taylor Swift Tribute
Friday, 24th November – Northcote Theatre, Northcote VIC (sold out)
Saturday, 25th November – Kryal Castle, Ballarat VIC
Sunday, 26th November – Northcote Theatre, Northcote VIC (sold out)
- Alex The Astronaut
- Charley
- Clare Bowditch
- Clementine Ford
- Em Rusciano
- Emily Wurramara
- Kate Miller-Heidke
- Lisa Mitchell
- Sophia J Smith
Amyl and the Sniffers
w/ Dumb Punts
- Friday, 24th November – Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan (sold out)
- Saturday, 25th November – Pier Hotel, Frankston VIC (sold out)
- Sunday, 26th November – Volta, Ballarat VIC (sold out)
- Friday, 1st December – Torquay Hotel, Torquay VIC (sold out)
- Sunday, 3rd December – Dart & Marlin, Warrnambool VIC (sold out)
- Tuesday, 5th December – The Cube, Wodonga VIC
- Friday, 8th December – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne VIC (U18s)
The Jezabels & Middle Kids
w/ Alex Lahey
- Friday, 24th November – Kryal Castle, Ballarat VIC
Christina Aguilera
w/ Jess Mauboy, Natalie Bassingthwaighte & M8riarchy
- Saturday, 25th November – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne VIC
Holy Holy
w/ Aleksiah
- Sunday, 26th November – Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster VIC
Ainslie Wills
Solo performance + in conversation with Penny Moodie (The Joy Thief)
- Sunday, 26th November – Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne VIC
Mushroom 50 Live
Sunday, 26th November – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC
- Amy Shark
- Christine Anu
- DMA’S
- Gordi
- Hunters & Collectors
- Jimmy Barnes
- Missy Higgins
- Paul Kelly
- The Temper Trap
- The Teskey Brothers
- Vika & Linda
- + more – complete lineup
Emma Donovan and Friends: Live and Acoustic
Sunday, 26th November – Ian Potter Centre, Melbourne VIC
- Emma Donovan
- Kee’ahn
- Kiwat Kennell
- Maylene Yinarr
- Katie Aspel
- Janaya Roach
Gold Country Music Festival
Sunday, 26th November – Kryal Castle, Ballarat VIC
- The Wolfe Brothers
- Casey Barnes
- Andrew Swift
- Taylor Moss
- Max Jackson
ILLY
w/ Nooky
- Wednesday, 29th November – Plaza Tavern, Werribee VIC
The Temper Trap
w/ STUMPS
- Wednesday, 29th November – Pier Hotel, Frankston VIC
Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos
w/ BATTS
- Wednesday, 29th November – Performing Arts & Convention Centre, Wangaratta VIC
Angie McMahon
Q&A hosted by triple j’s Lucy Smith
- Wednesday, 29th November – Victoria by Farmer’s Daughter, Melbourne VIC
Soul Trains featuring Lee Fields (USA)
Wednesday, 29th November – Howler, Brunswick VIC
Friday, 1st December – Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury VIC
Saturday, 2nd December – Corner Hotel, Richmond VIC
Sunday, 3rd December – Mamma Chen’s, Footscray VIC
- Lee Fields
- Surprise Chef
- Ella Thompson
- Miss Goldie
- Pop-Up Record Store
Gena Rose Bruce
w/ Feign Jima
- Wednesday, 29th November – Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne VIC
An Intimate Audience With Jessie Ware
Q&A hosted by ABC’s Virginia Trioli
- Thursday, 30th November – Victoria by Farmer’s Daughter, Melbourne VIC
Casey Barnes
w/ Taylor Moss
- Thursday, 30th November – Commercial Hotel, South Morang VIC
Northeast Party House
w/ WIIGZ
- Thursday, 30th November – Village Green, Mulgrave VIC
BLAKTIVISM
Friday, 1st December – Hamer Hall, Melbourne VIC
- King Stingray
- Uncle Bart Willoughby
- Deline Briscoe
- Emma Donovan
- Tasman Keith
- Sorong Samarai
- Suga Cane Mamas
- The Kulin Nations Songwomen (Dr Lou Bennett, Mandy Nicholson, Isobel Paipadjarook, Renee Sweetman, Corrina Eccles)
- Kaiit
- Birdz & Fred Leone
Cosmic Psychos 40th Anniversary
Friday, December 1st – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine VIC
- The Chats
- Cosmic Psychos
- Blowers
- Affordable Repayments
- Dead Clampets
Saturday, 2nd December – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine VIC
- Amyl and the Sniffers
- Cosmic Psychos
- The Prize
- Pat Todd (USA)
- Southeast Desert Metal
- Thee Cha Cha Chas
- Boondal Boys
Sunday, 3rd December – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine VIC
- Dune Rats
- Cosmic Psychos
- The Unknowns
- Pat Todd (USA)
- Meatbeaters
- K5
Jamaican Music and Food Festival
Saturday, 2nd December – Seaworks Maritime Precinct, Williamstown VIC
- General Levy (UK)
- DefStar (UK)
- Spikey Tee (JA)
- Fitzroy Lee (JA)
- Flames Eye (JA)
- Heartical Hi Powa
- Housewife’s Choice
- + more
The Music of Ennio Morricone & the Spaghetti West
Saturday, 2nd December – Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne VIC (Matinee)
Saturday, 2nd December – Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne VIC (Evening)
- The Counterfeit
- Freya Josephine Hollick
- The Tedesco Brothers
- John McAll
Sandy Festival
Saturday, 2nd December – Sandringham Beach Foreshore and Sandringham Village VIC
- Clare Bowditch
- Blanco Tranco
- Pirritu
- Sophia J Smith
Summer Camp
Saturday, 2nd December – St Kilda Marina, Melbourne VIC
- Jessie Ware
- Trixie Mattel
- Brooke Candy
- Kito
- Meg10
- Rebecca Black
- + more – complete lineup
Emma Donovan
w/ Pirritu
- Sunday, 3rd December – Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne VIC
Jai Paul
- Monday, 4th December – 170 Russell, Melbourne VIC (sold out)
- Tuesday, 5th December – 170 Russell, Melbourne VIC (sold out)
- Wednesday, 6th December – 170 Russell, Melbourne VIC
Ruby Fields
w/ Adam Newling
- Thursday, 7th December – York on Lilydale, Mt. Evelyn VIC
Eric Prydz
- Friday, 8th December – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC (sold out)
- Saturday, 9th December – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC (sold out)
- Sunday, 10th December – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC
Music In The Park
Saturday, 9th December – Mornington Park, Mornington VIC
- The Cat Empire
- The Veronicas
- Budjerah
- Kaiit
- Pierce Brothers
- + more
End of The Line Williamstown
Saturday, 9th December – Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown VIC
- Alex Lahey
- Alice Skye
- Meghna
- Philly
Hometown: A.B. Original
Saturday, 9th December – Victoria Lake Park, Shepparton VIC
- A.B. Original
- Miss Kaninna
- DRMNGNOW
- + special guests
The Orbweavers
Afternoon show
- Saturday, 9th December – Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne VIC
Zach Bryan
- Saturday, 9th December – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne VIC
Maximum 80s
Sunday, 10th December – Kryal Castle, Ballarat VIC
- 1927
- Eurogliders
- Mark Gable (Choirboys)
- Chantoozies
- Sean Kelly (Models)
- Real Life
- Brian Mannix (Uncanny X-Men)
- Scott Carne (Kids in the Kitchen)
- Fred Loneragan (Machinations)
- Steve Williams (Wa Wa Nee)
Mo’Ju: Collaboration and Creation
In conversation
- Sunday, 10th December – The Capitol, Melbourne VIC
Caroline Polachek: The Spiraling Tour
w/ True Blue
- Sunday, 10th December – Forum, Melbourne VIC (sold out)
- Monday, 11th December – Forum, Melbourne VIC (sold out)
Caroline Polachek In Conversation
Hosted by Brodie Lancaster
- Sunday, 10th December – The Capitol, Melbourne VIC
Further Reading
ALWAYS LIVE Announces Free Soundbox Lineup: Rebecca Black, Chappell Roan, DJ Trixie Mattel + More
Zach Bryan Moves Melbourne ALWAYS LIVE Show to Flemington Racecourse
