Post-punk new-wave icons, New Order, played at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl on 8 March 2025, delivering a performance that evolved from a shaky start to a triumphant finish. The evening commenced with noticeable sound issues that plagued the first few songs, starting withthe opening track, “Transmission” (a cover of a Joy Division song). At first it wasn’t completely clear if this was intentional or not, but quickly became obvious when it continued into the next song, “Crystal”. The distorted sound also made it difficult distinguish Bernard Sumner’s vocals from the instrumentals. By the fourth song, the sound techs had…
Author: Caroline Duncan
Melati Suryodarmo’s Lapse is a performance art piece that made its Australian debut at Asia TOPA 2025, promising to delve into themes of ethical decline and societal collapse through dance, absurd imagery, and live music. However, the execution left much to be desired. The performance felt disjointed, with sequences lacking coherence, making it challenging for the audience to grasp the intended narrative. We began by standing in red-lit foyer of the Martyn Myer Arena in Southbank, watching (or in my case, attempting to watch because I couldn’t see properly through the crowd) as two black-clad performers stood silently with large red…
An electrified 60,000 strong crowd had the time of their lives on Saturday night (1 March 2025) as they packed into Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium for the first night of the Australian leg of Green Day’s Saviors Tour. This was the first time Green Day has played in Australia in seven years. The Californian punk outfit are touring to commemorate the the 30th anniversary of their seminal album Dookie and the 20th anniversary of American Idiot, both of which were performed in their entirety during the sold-out concert. Shortly after sunset, a pre-show setlist featuring classics like Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and the Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg…
Tiny, Fluffy, Sweet presented at the Arts Centre Melbourne as part of the Asia TOPA triennial, is a delightful and thought-provoking performance that delves into the world of cuteness. Created by Beijing and Utrecht-based theatre maker and artist Ran Chen, this unique performance provided both endearing content and cultural insights. The performance explores the concept of cuteness and its impact on our hearts, minds, and society. Chen’s fascination with cute animal videos, ignited during the pandemic, serves as the foundation for this production. The show begins with the first-ever recorded image of a panda and takes the audience on a…
Kylie Minogue has made a triumphant return to her hometown of Melbourne bringing her Tension tour to the city, playing over three huge sold-out nights at Rod Laver Arena. Melbourning went along to the show on Friday 21 February, paying witness to a show that left the audience in awe and demanding more from their hometown hero who last performed for crowds here six years ago. The concert kicked off with a high-energy performance of “Lights, Camera, Action,” which seamlessly incorporated elements of Benny Benassi’s “Satisfaction.” This set the tone for the night, as Kylie effortlessly transitioned into fan favourites…
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”…
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,”…