Overwhelmed By All The Talent At Melbourne Music Week? This Is A Great Place To Start

U-Bahn

We’ve been pretty open about our stance on U-Bahn here at The Music. They moved quickly on their debut album, which started mostly as frontman Lachlan Kenny’s bedroom recordings, and we’d have been more than happy to listen to their Devo-leaning art-punk ad infinitum. But as they’ve settled as a band, their sound, aesthetic and live show have matured into something entirely their own. Come for the synth, stay for the flute solos.

When & where: Thursday 14 November at The Curtin, from 6pm.

P-UniQue

Last year The Music premiered P-UniQue's video for Effort and quite frankly, we've loved her ever since. We caught her again at BIGSOUND this year and watched the crowd fall in love with her too. Chances are you'll feel the same about her when she plays at MMW. Pro-tip: warm up before attending and wear comfortable shoes because you're going to want to dance.

When & where: Thursday 14 November at City Wide, from 6.30pm.

Sarah Mary Chadwick

Seeing Sarah Mary Chadwick perform is kind of crushing and comforting in equal measure - it’s doubtful there's an artist in this city with more raw emotional weight behind their music. This year she released The Queen Who Stole The Sky, an album City of Melbourne commissioned her to record live on the 147-year-old grand organ in Melbourne Town Hall. She’s playing music from the record on the T C Lewis Organ in St Paul's Cathedral for MMW and it’s going to be special.

When & where: Tuesday 19 November at St Paul's Cathedral, from 7.30pm.

Mwanje 

Mwanje has been low-key on people’s radars for a few years now. She’s had guest spots on her sister Sampa The Great’s Birds And The BEE9 and The Return sets, as well sharing stages with her - anyone who saw the younger Tembo's support slot at Sampa’s recent album launch is obviously already on board and probably could have skipped on to the next entry. Back in April she released her debut single, The Divine, an airy neo-soul track punctuated by languid sax that showed she's more than capable of striking out on her own.

When & where: Thursday 21 November at Kubik, from 7pm.

June Jones

June Jones dropped her debut solo album, Diana, earlier this year and we were goddamn blown away. Also known for fronting Two Steps On The Water, Jones has developed a very solid fanbase and it's not hard to understand why. She's just wrapped a run of shows with Seeker Lover Keeper and we reckon she'll be swept up for another big tour immediately so catch Jones while you can. 

When & where: Monday 18 November at Kubik, from 7pm.

Kee'ahn

Looking for a very striking voice that's going to knock your socks off and maybe make you cry a little into your beer? Then look no further than Kee'ahn because that's what happened to us when we saw her perform at an International Women's Day event earlier this year. 

When & where: Thursday 14 November at The Toff In Town, from 7.30pm. 

The Native Cats

The ANTI FADE x Aarght Records joint showcase is definitely a hot ticket and The Native Cats are always a must-watch. Hypnotic bass loops and vital lyricism ("Burn the branches back onto the trees/Burn the colour back into the leaves"), sparse drum machines and digital odds and sods fed through a KORG from a Nintendo DS - it’s a combination that really leaves an impression.

When & where: Thursday 14 November at Max Watts, from 7.30pm.

Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir

Honestly, they had us at disco choir. The Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir know how to bring the party. Don't believe us? This Sunday morning crowd at Revolver gets it. Check out this version of Fleetwood Mac's Dreams and try not to dance. 

When & where: Saturday 16 November at Kubik, from 8pm.

Kang JJ x Karate Boogaloo

Music In Exile are a not-for-profit that provide support for refugee and migrant musicians in living Melbourne. There are three MIE artists collaborating with three Melbourne bands for this event and we’re extremely keen to see all of them. Kang JJ x Karate Boogaloo just jump out in particular since the latter are The Cactus Channel's wonky funk rhythm section and extremely boogie-worthy.

When & where: Thursday 21 November at The Curtin, from 8.30pm.

Ausecuma Beats x Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange

Actually, we need to double down here. Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange are on the MIE bill and there ain't no party like a Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange party. You'll go from minding your own business, quietly watching them in the crowd, to suddenly realising you've been dancing for four hours (we may or may not know from experience *insert shrug emoji here*). Combined with Ausecuma Beats' irresistible percussion? We're kind of worried about our legs.

When & where: Thursday 21 November at The Curtin from 8.30pm.