Melbourne Music Week‘s landmark 10th year officially kicks off tonight and, oh boy, organisers have a wild 10 days of events planned for us.

We’re talking a huge opening night party in the CBD, kicking off at 4 pm today and running through to around 5 am with over 100 FREE performances. If you had any other plans, now’s the time to cancel them.

Over the next 10 days, you can head to Melbourne Music Week’s 2019 Hub Kubik in Alexandra Gardens to catch local and international music acts playing every evening. Music will be on the streets too as the Songs of Melbourne busking program brings together more than 20 buskers performing unique versions of some of PBS listeners’ favourite songs. If you’re all about that DIY life, you can even create your own music adventure as a slew of the cities best venues open their doors for a Live Music Safari.

If all of this spins your head a little, artist Sarah Mary Chadwick is here to help and will now run us through her top 6 DO NOT MISS performances at Melbourne Music Week 2019.

1. THE NATIVE CATS

I have had the pleasure of knowing Julian and Chloe for years, playing with them and seeing them play dozens of times. They are a unique and arresting live act and Chloe’s lyrics are ambitious and vivid, big tumbling narratives on a knife-edge. Highly recommend.

Playing in Live Music Safari: Max Watts ft. ANTI FADE x Aarght Records
Thurs 14 Nov | 7.30pm – 12am @ Max Watts

2. JUNE JONES

June is another singular and fluent performer. I played her album launch at Howler in October – it was a huge vibe, evocative and realised. I enjoy seeing people who work on their craft to find new ways of doing and saying – June seems to be constantly doing this and it’s great to watch it move and change.

Playing Jack Daniel’s Presents Stonefield + Body Type + June Jones
Mon 18 Nov | 7 – 11pm @ Kubik – Alexandra Gardens

3. GRAND SALVO

Paddy is an amazing musician. His ability to arrange and compose music is super impressive. His songwriting is delicate yet always rides on top of the sometimes quite elaborate and detailed instrumental arrangements. I love Paddy’s music and the thoughtful and deliberate way he makes it.

Playing Steve Gunn (US) + Tiny Ruins (NZ) + Grand Salvo
Fri 22 Nov | 9pm – 12.30am @ State Library Victoria

4. EVELYN IDA MORRIS

Ev is a prolific, hugely talented and memorable musician. I’ve worked with them on two of my records and I trust them to deliver an idiosyncratic and challenging piece of work.

Playing Live Music Safari: LOOP ft. Dead End Film Festival
Thurs 14 Nov | 7pm – 12am @ Loop Project Space & Bar

5. DEUTSCH AMERIKANISCHE FREUNDSCHAFT (DAF)

DAF wear lots of leather which makes me horny. Must see.

Playing DAF (GER) + Total Control + Dark Water
Sun 17 Nov | 6 – 11pm @ Melbourne Town Hall

6. ME (SARAH MARY CHADWICK)

I have grown into the songs which were composed to the Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ, and I’m looking forward to playing them at St Paul’s, and making God’s house My house for the night.

Tues 19 Nov | 7.30pm – 8.30pm @ St Paul’s Cathedral

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You can check out the full Melbourne Music Week program here.