Lorne Theatre & The Clam Have Your Weekends Sorted With Long Hot Summer Series

The idyllic Lorne Theatre is one of the titular Victorian town’s most prized installations, erected in 1937 as Lorne’s prime destination for entertainment. After a storied 87 years, the venue still shines as both a cinema and a multi-purpose venue for all manner of live events. Case in point: the ongoing Long Hot Summer series of free and ticketed happenings, for which the Lorne Theatre team have linked up with their mates next door at The Clam.

The shows kicked off earlier this month, with legends like James Ware, Milo Eastwood, Al Matcott and Sweet Whirl all taking to these prestigious stages. And this weekend – on Saturday March 2, to be exact – The Clam will host a free show headlined by fast-rising Melbourne DJ Darcy Justice, supported by Japan’s own Sisi (resident DJ of the Rainbow Disco Party) and the idiosyncratic duo of Jack Danzey and Barry Sunset. Head here for more info on this show.

Wrapping up the concerts will be a one-two punch from Japanese psych-rockers Minami Deutsch and dancefloor debonaire Adrianna. Both will headline their own shows next Sunday (March 10), with former band taking over Lorne Theatre (with support from Leah Senior) and the latter DJ hitting The Clam. You won’t even need to decide which show you’ll head along to: Adrianna’s free gig starts at 9pm playing through until 1am, while Minami Deutsch’s kicks off at 5pm. Head here for details on show #1, and here for tickets to show #2.

Our hot take? That Minami Deutsch show is going to be one of the best of the year – we saw the band absolutely crush it at the Meredith festival in 2022 (when they made their Australian debut) and if the videos we’ve seen online give us any indication, they’ve only gotten better and better since. And with The Clam also hosting the Dolmade Parde next Sunday – a mezze of gorgeous Greek food, ouzo, wine and music from 4-7pm – it’s bound to be a day we’ll truly never forget.

At the heart of the Long Hot Summer series is Lorne itself. A seaside paradise on Louttit Bay, and a beloved hotspot on the Great Ocean Road tourist drive, Lorne is a real treasure of culture and character – and it’s just a two-hour drive out from Melbourne CBD, perfect for a weekend getaway (especially given its wealth of scenic walks, beautiful beaches and amazing restaurants). The Golden Age Cinema plan to bring more diverse programming to Lorne Theatre in the coming months, too, so we’re keen as heck to see this sleepy town become a bustling new mainstay in the regional touring scene.