Locating Local Music
Updated: Sep 14, 2021
Glenferrie’s burgeoning youth and hospitality culture provides an excellent environment for the creative arts, with live music growing in popularity, particularly with COVIDSafe outdoor events and entertainment.
After the council’s ‘Jazz in the Park’ concerts in January, local jazz lovers eagerly await the reopening of the renowned Lido Cinemas Jazz Room (675 Glenferrie Road) later in the year.
In the meantime, Glenferrie’s local bars, restaurants, and hospitality venues are already hosting an array of upcoming live music events.
Cam, owner of Nevermind Bar (336 Burwood Road), notices that their love for live music really resonates with their patrons. Currently, ‘Nevs’ hosts live acoustic musicians every Thursday and Friday nights, and look forward to reintroducing bigger bands and events, especially their popular electronic dance music DJs, and launching their first ever Record Fair on May 8.
Those looking for easy-listening entertainment can find live musicians for acoustic Sunday sessions at The Kilburn (348 Glenferrie Road) and every Friday and Saturday night at the nearby Glenferrie Hotel (324 Burwood Road). With resident artists Nat Allison and Adam 2, manager Drayson said locals can expect lots of unique covers of familiar and favourite classics. “We just want to bring some life back into the local pub scene, create a fantastic atmosphere, and continue to support local artists after such a difficult period.”
As part of the Boroondara Arts programme, throughout the year council’s Hawthorn Arts Centre (360 Burwood Road) hosts performances by local, nationally and internationally renowned musicians across a range of popular and niche genres, all listed on the ‘Events’ page at boroondara.vic.gov.au or in the program guides from Hawthorn Arts Centre.
Boroondara Youth (Level 1/360 Burwood Road) provide a studio and jam space, workshops, and performance and promotional opportunities for local musicians under 25. With the support of council and the state government, their volunteer collective ‘Solar Productions’ organise safe, drug and alcohol free live music events and gigs for young locals, by young locals, promoted on their ‘Boroondara Youth’ Facebook page.
The prestigious annual ten-week Boroondara Eisteddfod will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2021 with a huge encore concert on 21 July at the Hawthorn Arts Centre featuring performances from this year’s eisteddfod winners, standout performers, and alumni. Competition and event details can be found here.
Hawthorn is also home to the internationally renowned Australian Boys Choir as well as community choirs welcoming virtuosos of any skill levels, Swinburne Chorale and Hummingsong Women’s Choir. Often performing at council events, Glenferrie Brass and Boroondara Brass Bands practice weekly at Glenferrie Oval, while the Hawthorn Pipe Band will honour their 106-year history on 17 July with their annual Legacy Concert at the Hawthorn Arts Centre.
Creative Music for Schools (795 Glenferrie Road) operate music lessons for children in schools around Melbourne, while Glenferrie locals looking to pick up a new instrument can find their equipment needs at Awave Productions (341 Burwood Road), call ahead on 9813 1833.
Whether you are looking to play or simply support local live music, Glenferrie’s options are steadily expanding.
