Stars, Stripes and Sounds

This immersive cinematic experience allows you to experience the USA’s rich musical roots without having to leave Melbourne. Presented in IMAX 4K Laser Digital, America’s Musical Journey traverses the legendary live music scenes of New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Nashville and beyond while tracing the origins of jazz, country, soul, the blues and rock and roll. Featuring jazz bandleader Jon Batiste (pictured), singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc, Cuban-American pop powerhouse Gloria Estefan and smooth narration from none other than Morgan Freeman, this filmic journey will please music buffs of all ages.

WHEN From 7 September

WHERE IMAX

Image: Stanford Live

Live and Local

To celebrate the release of a new album, local duo No Mono will take to the Howler stage in Brunswick to perform their special brand of dark synth as part of a national tour. If a moody, mid-week gig in an intimate venue is up your alley, then no look further.

WHEN 6 September

WHERE Howler

Image: Jeff Anderson Jnr

Game On

See the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra perform Final Symphony: Music from Final Fantasy in full, symphonic surround sound. Following sell-out shows around the globe, the Australian premiere of this highly anticipated concert series featuring music from the cult video game is sure to be appreciated by gamers and non-gamers alike.

WHEN 28–29 September

WHERE Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne

Melbourne Festival

An annual celebration of innovation within the performing arts, the Melbourne International Arts Festival program features a diverse range of unconventional musical performances from around the globe. Standouts include a return to the stage for cult English post-punk outfit The The, a collaboration between Ryuichi Sakamoto and German glitch maestro Alva Noto, and an ambient symphony created with a hundred battery-operated keyboards by Japanese experimental sound artist Asuna (pictured). Your eardrums won’t be the same after boundary-smashing performances like these.

WHEN From 3 October

WHERE Various venues across Melbourne

Rock of Ages

American rock gods Queens of the Stone Age grace Melbourne with their presence for just two nights as a part of the Villains world tour. With support from C.W. Stoneking and The Chats, Melbourne is set to witness a blistering, high-energy performance from charismatic frontman Josh Homme, who has described Australia as his “home away from home”. Welcome back, Josh.

WHEN 7–8 September

WHERE Margaret Court Arena

Image: Andreas Neumann

Art After Dark

The National Gallery of Victoria breaks curfew by staying up late for NGV Friday Nights, offering live music and after-dark access to the exhibition, MoMA at the NGV: 130 Years of Modern and Contemporary Art. This month, gallery goers can book to see the exhibition and hear the likes of New York-based electric bassist Linda May Han Oh, homegrown jazz group Speedball, and gifted local jazz vocalist Chris McNulty. Doors open at 6pm, so there’s never been a better reason to leave work on time.

WHEN Until 6 October

WHERE NGV International