Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox played at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on 10 February with their Magic & Moonlight tour, taking the crowd on a trip back in time with their signature vintage vibes. Known for flipping modern pop hits into retro classics, PMJ delivered a night full of jaw-dropping performances, killer vocals, and a whole lot of old-school charm. The setlist was a wild mix of some of the biggest tunes from the past 30 years reimagined as 1920s jazz, swing, and Motown bangers. Think “Basketcase” by Green Day, the Spice Girls’ “Say You’ll Be There” and Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass”…
Author: Caroline Duncan
Australian speciality coffee roasters, Toby’s Estate, has opened a brand-new flagship café in Melbourne in Rose Street Fitzroy. Melbourning was invited to visit the cafe and take part in its premium and immersive coffee experience. Stepping inside the cafe, I instantly noticed the central bar featuring elegant wood panelling and rich plum-red tones. Around the bar are stools so patrons can pull up a seat and watch the coffee making first-hand – whether its the baristas on the espresso machine, or the alchemists at work on the row of filtered coffee pots. There are also regular tables around the perimeter…
A Brunswick mural featuring billionaire Space Karen, Elon Musk, and the iconic Doge dog of meme fame has been defaced and ultimately painted over and removed in recent days in response to Musk performing a Nazi salute at Donald Trump’s inauguration. Painted by local street artist Lushsux, the mural was on private property in the carpark of firm Process Partners and had gained attention as a quirky nod to internet culture and Musk’s association with cryptocurrency, particularly Dogecoin. Located on Percy Street, the artwork depicted Elon Musk pointing at the iconic Doge meme shiba inu – a nod to Musk’s…
Celebrating 50 years of unparalleled showmanship, Penn & Teller captivated the audience at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on January 23, 2025 with a performance that masterfully blended magic, comedy, and intellectual intrigue. The world-famous magician duo are celebrated for their innovative, comedic, and often irreverent approach to magic. They’ve become icons modern magic through their hit Las Vegas residency, TV shows like Fool Us, and performances that seamlessly blend humor, intellect, and deception. K Known for their distinct dynamic – tall Penn who is the vocal and often profane storyteller and smaller Teller as the silent but expressive partner—they’ve redefined the…
Bearded is a new Australian musical by Sean Donehue and Nick Waxman,currently captivating audiences at Theatre Works in St Kilda. Set against the backdrop of Australia’s 2017 marriage equality debate, the production delves into the lives of queer best friends Ace and Bet as they navigate societal and familial pressures. The narrative centres on Bet, whose father, Richard, is a conservative political candidate campaigning on “family values.” To support his ambitions, Bet conceals their sexual identity by entering a “bearded” relationship—a heterosexual facade designed to mask one’s true orientation. This arrangement propels the characters into a journey that reflects on…
The Australian premiere production of the famed Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen – currently playing at The Playhouse in Melbourne – offers a heartfelt exploration of teenage isolation and the complexities of social media. Dear Evan Hansen follows Evan, a socially anxious high school student, whose therapist encourages him to write letters to himself to boost his confidence. When one of these letters is found on the body of Connor Murphy, a troubled classmate who dies by suicide, Connor’s family mistakenly believes Evan was his close friend. Evan, unable to correct them, becomes entangled in a lie that spirals out…
Around 12,000 Melburnians packed into Federation Square yesterday (2 January 2025) for a free pop-up concert by iconic pop star Robbie Williams – with less than 24 hours’ notice. From the moment he stepped onto the stage, Williams exuded charisma and energy, captivating the massive crowd that had gathered hours in advance – kicking off 2025 for Melbourne in a spectacular manner. Opening with his classic hit “Let Me Entertain You,” he immediately had the audience singing along, setting the tone for an electrifying performance. Throughout the 45-minute set, Williams delivered a series of fan favourites, including “Better Man,” “Feel,”…
Better Man, the biopic of Robbie Williams directed by Michael Gracey in cinemas now is an absolute blast from start to finish. It follows the tale of Williams’ rise to stardom, joining the boy band Take That in the 1990s, his departure from the band and his subsequent rise to fame as a solo artist. The film doesn’t shy away from exploring Williams’ struggles with addiction, self-doubt, and fame. It dives deep into the toll that stardom took on his mental health and relationships, portraying these moments with raw honesty and emotional weight…and oh yeah, he’s played by a CGI…
I don’t know about you but I still have several litres of Christmas trifle in the fridge here and can’t even think about 2025 yet. But for some people the day after Christmas has become the first day they can snare hot cross buns from the supermarket. There’s an added bonus for those looking for their HCB fix this year – as Coles’ hot cross buns hit shelves today, 20 cents from every six and nine pack of Coles brand hot cross buns sold donated to Redkite in a delicious mission to make a difference and help support families facing…
After a whirlwind of legal drama, Raygun: The Musical – a show about Australia’s Olympic breakdancing performer/meme Rachael Gunn is set to go ahead in 2025 under a new title. The show by comedian Steph Broadbridge faced cancellation due to legal threats from the Olympian. It will now debut as Breaking The Musical: A Completely Legal Parody Musical with performances scheduled in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney from February to May 2025. The controversy erupted when Gunn, also known as Raygun, claimed the original show misused her intellectual property and demanded $10,000 in legal costs. The backlash was significant, with Gunn…
Melbourning had the pleasure of attending the launch event for Patron’s new prestige El Alto Tequila at Electric in Prahran. From the moment I took my first sip of the drink I was handed on arrival – served neat in a flute – I was captivated by the aroma from its blend of fresh herbs, maple, cinnamon, and a hint of sesame oil. I was struck by both the smoothness and complexity. The flavours unfolded beautifully, starting with a rich caramel and vanilla base, then moving to subtle notes of fresh fig and a hint of white pepper. The balance…
In a move to enhance public safety and accessibility, the Yarra City Council has introduced a ban on e-scooter parking on narrow footpaths. The decision comes after numerous complaints from residents about e-scooters blocking pathways, posing risks particularly to visually impaired and disabled pedestrians1. Starting in January 2025, the council will geofence all footpaths narrower than two meters across the municipality. This measure aims to prevent e-scooters from being parked inappropriately and ensure that footpaths remain accessible to everyone1. The council has also requested detailed data from e-scooter providers on complaints and usage patterns to better enforce the new regulations.…