Merri-bek dwellers are spoiled for choice when it comes to musical talent, never more than during the annual Brunswick Music Festival, when international and local acts come together for a celebration of great music. This year, you can look forward to nine jam-packed days, featuring more than 40 gigs across the suburb and surrounds.
Everything kicks off with the famous Sydney Road Street Party on Sunday, March 2. This mammoth, free one-day festival takes over Brunswick’s main road (which happens to be the longest continuous shopping strip in the southern hemisphere). Last year, the party caused absolute scenes on social media when multiple dance parties randomly erupted. So, who knows what will unfold at this year's edition.
Over two huge nights at Gilpin Park, expect to see the powerhouse First Nations rapper that is Miss Kaninna co-headlining with Kenyan singer-songwriter and rapper Elsy Wameyo on March 7. Dream team, if you ask us. Then on March 8, hip-hop royalty Bahamadia hailing from the United States. What an honour to catch this legend in the Northern 'burbs.
For some free entertainment you can't go wrong with Bulleke-bek Journey, a day of live music across some of Brunswick's most beloved venues like Beast, the Lomond, Rubix, Stay Gold and the Moldy Fig. From bass-heavy beats to punk, hardcore, bluegrass, alt-country and New Orleans jazz, there is a rich variety of sounds to explore.
For the first time, Brunswick Uniting Church will also be hosting an unexpected one-off At the Altar of Us – an intimate showcase of Queer talent featuring Ruby Gill, Porpoise Spit and Merpire. Then make sure to check out Brunswick Ballroom for a wide array of intimate shows from Americana trio Bonny Light Horseman to Balinese Gamelan orchestra Gamelan DanAnda.
The Brunswick Music Festival line-up is so vast that we recommend exploring the website to find the gigs that best fit your taste. Thankfully, many events are within walking distance so you can easily set up a gig crawl. Tickets are on sale now here, where you can also find more information about each event.