Third time was the charm as I finally got to see Merpire perform for her album launch on Thursday night at Brunswick’s Howler. It was fantastic to finally hear the songs from MILK POOL live, and while I was gutted to have missed the early shows this year, I honestly think seeing them performed with a full band was probably the best possible live experience.

I think I’ve always held a pretty set idea of what a Richard Ashcroft album sounds like, so Lovin’ You definitely opened my eyes to how diverse he is as an artist. From the pop-inspired Lover to the dance vibes of I’m a Rebel and the rock edge of Heavy News, there was a much wider variety of genres than I expected.

Take Five Five tracks you should have a listen to this week. Scroll to the end to listen to them all together on our playlist. The Terrifying Lows and Queenie - Pretty Pictures This haunting, broody duet captures the end of a relationship from both sides. It's a down-tempo, emotional track that captures the complex feelings when you know a relationship is over, but there's still a lot of love there.

Janet Devlin returned this month with an extended version of her album Emotional Rodeo - Not My First Emotional Rodeo.  Speaking on the deluxe album Janet shared “When I left Nashville after doing 24 songs in three days for Emotional Rodeo, I knew I was going to have to do a deluxe! There was no way I was going to fit all my favorites onto one album alone and I definitely wasn’t going to let them stay on my computer collecting dust!

We all know the cost of seeing live music can quickly add up, and while it's great to support bands at paid shows as much as you can, there's also a fab range of free music events in Melbourne throughout the year. Check out the suggestions below to see some great free live music in and around Melbourne CBD. We'll also regularly update this when we hear of new events.

5 things support acts should do “Are you excited for <main act>” the lead singer of the support band mumbles while I’m at a gig recently. Well of course I’m excited for the main act that’s the whole reason I’m here! And this happens way too often - support acts having little audience connection nor making the most of the opportunity in front of them, so as a regular audience member at a gig here's 5 better things a support act can do instead:

Reverend and the Makers announce new single UFO, and a bunch of tiny gigs to celebrate. Sheffield veterans Reverend and the Makers have undergone numerous transformations in their time as a band. Latest single UFO feels like a continuation of their self-proclaimed “Radio 2 era” and is another soulful, softer track akin to earlier releases Haircut and Late Night Phonecall…

The Wombats returned to Melbourne last night for a joy filled evening at Festival Hall. The Wombats lead singer Matthew Murphy and I have shared a special bond since someone threw my jumper at his face almost twenty years ago at a venue in Blackpool (of all places). Not sure he’s aware of our special bond, but trust me it’s there.

Tipped as one of the hottest live bands in recent years Wunderhorse are regularly credited as building their fan base “the old fashioned way” (I.e. gigging and lots of it). That’s how I discovered them. A friend sent me a video saying they’re one of the best live bands they’ve seen in a long time, gave them a listen, and here we are a year or so later at a packed Forum for their inaugural Australian tour.

It’s been a minute, (four years, to be exact) since Biffy Clyro last released an album, but they’ve returned with Futique, and it hits in all the right ways. I’ve been Biffy fan since Only Revolutions an album I played obsessively in my car back in the day, but I’ll admit, their last couple of albums left me a little less enamoured.

Gans is good for the soul…. ...such a fitting opening to this debut album release from Birmingham duo GANS. These genre-bending artists have taken elements of everything from indie and post-punk to techno when crafting this album. Pre-released singles I THINK I LIKE YOU and IT’s JUST LIFE gave us a glimpse of what to expect - heavy beats and at times, even heavier lyrics - but even these insights don’t do justice to the versatility and variety on offer on…

A run down of where to find the best live music in Melbourne this October! Links below will jump you straight to the date you're looking for, or you can scroll to browse all events. September's gig guide is here! Oct 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18…

Lola Young has quickly followed up on the blow-up success of TikTok super hit Messy with her new album I’m Only F**king Myself. Opening with F**K EVERYONE an angrier, rocky/dance number hints at a change in direction for I'm Only F**king Myself, but this quickly gives way to a more familiar Lola Young sound and I’m grateful that while she’s experimented musically she’s not strayed too far from what feels authentically her.

Red Rum Club released their latest album BUCK this week, a rocky, delightful little record. Red Rum Club are definitely one of those underrated bands. They’re just going about it, making great music and not really blowing up in a way they deserve. BUCK is a perfect example of this. It’s Queens of the Stone Age meets early Arctic Monkeys and it’s fab.

Brisbane jangle trio People Mover drop their new album Cane Trash this Friday. A collection of songs shaped by the Queensland heat and distinct visions of childhood homes, Cane Trash captures the messiness of being in your twenties through glistening guitars and melodies that stick like a seatbelt in summer. The juxtaposition between the upbeat jingly guitars and the more sedated delivery of the sad, sentimental lyrics is a welcome refresh from many more typical indie bands.

Suede release latest album Antidepressants this week. I know Suede have been sporadically releasing music over the past 20 years, but there’s something that hits just a little differently about a Suede album in the same year Oasis are touring and a new Pulp album also dropped. My 9-year-old self is having a ball!! While I could take or leave some of their other more recent albums, this one really hit the brief.

All of the best live music in Melbourne this September

Taking you on a journey from catchy pop-rock to jazzy funk inspired numbers to more dreamy ethereal tracks, Bleak Squad's Strange Love is an album driven by rhythm and a clear passion for music. Bleak Squad emerged from a desire to create more music, and you can feel the enjoyment resounding through the songs.  The album opens with catchy single…

In Your Absence At a snappy 15 minutes this 4 track release is a great quick listen. Blending their trademark sound of 2000s emo with just a touch of metal OCHISIA have produced a high energy yet emotional release with In Your Absence. The EP contains their two previously released singles (Remains of Yesterday and Drenched) and two new tracks - …

I don’t know what I expected from Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, the latest album by Ethel Cain. I still listen to Preacher's Daughter quite a lot so it’s hard not to make direct comparisons between the two and I’m going to come out and say it, Willoughby Tucker just isn’t as good. The tamer choices, the obligatory pop break away track in…

Hayley Williams drops 17 new singles. It’s not an album, it’s a playlist. I don’t know why, and honestly, I don’t really care. Each single comes with its own little cover art image that reflects the theme and lyrics of the song which is super cute. Hayley’s pride at being able to do this fully independently is palpable and it quickly overshadows any questions you might have as to the more unusual release format.

All the best live music in Melbourne this August! Links below will jump you straight to the date you're looking for, or you can scroll to browse all events. July's gig guide is here! August 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25…

My initial feelings on the new K’s album ‘Pretty on the Internet’ is that it’s all a bit too soon. Their last album I Wonder If The World Knows was only released last year. Although, they’re certainly not the only ones doing this and it’s left me wondering if this is the new state of the music industry where up and coming artists are pressured to release new music every 5 minutes (and don’t even get me started on the 35 different album varieties).

It’s the moment the world has been waiting for. The Oasis Reunion tour has begun. We arrived at Heaton Park for Oasis under slate grey Mancunian skies on Wednesday. Fortunately the weather did brighten and made for the perfect day. After their initial Mancunian shows on the weekend spirits and expectations were high (as were the number of bucket hats). I think it would be incredibly difficult for this band not to live up to fans hopes - it’s been a dream of many for years and something we didn’t dare hope nor expect to see.