The best gigs happening in Melbourne this month

Ready to make a racket? AO Live (formerly Finals Festival) is taking over the Australian Open this summer with its biggest line-up yet. 

The three-day musical and entertainment extravaganza will take place at John Cain Arena from January 23-25, and features a world-class roster of global artists and DJs for some off-court action. 

Curated by Untitled Group, highlights include pop sensation Benson Boone, who will open the series following his show-stopping performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, and a performance by the Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer Kaytranda.

The final day of AO Live will dovetail with the Women's Final on Saturday, January 25. It will feature a set by legendary DJ Armand Van Helden (known for floor-filling hits such as 'My My My' and 'You Don't Know Me'), before 'Tik Tok' and 'Timber' singer Kesha closes out the festival. It's the first time Kesha has visited Australia in seven years, and this will be her only Melbourne show.

Tickets start at $89 and include an Australian Open ground pass, so you can enjoy the action on both the court and on the stage. For more info, visit the website. 

Want more music? Check out the best gigs in Melbourne this month.

Whack on something dazzling and dust off your dancing shoes as the much-loved NGV Friday Nights returns this summer. The popular event returns for 18 weeks during the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at NGV International. 

This world-premiere exhibition features more than 180 works, including an NGV-specific piece transforming the iconic Waterwall and an installation of giant balloons in the Great Hall called 'Dots Obsession'. The blockbuster showing has taken over the entire ground floor of the gallery, filling it with works from the artist best known for her unique use of dots.

From December 20 until April 18, you can take an after-hours journey through immersive installations, including Kusama’s beloved infinity rooms. Grab a tipple from one of the multiple bars (including the Moët and Chandon Champagne Bar and the Four Pillars Gin Bar), or enjoy a set menu at the NGV Garden Restaurant from acclaimed Aussie chef Martin Benn. If a snack is more your vibe, head to the Great Hall or Gallery Kitchen for a Japanese-inspired menu.

The trendy tunes are another key drawcard of NGV Friday nights, with DJs performing in the Great Hall every night. These musicians have been chosen to compliment the energy of Kusama’s work with upbeat J-pop and electro rhythms. The stacked line-up includes Small Fry, Jnett, Aqueerius, Rainbow Chan and takeovers from both Midsumma and Asia TOPA. 

NGV Friday Nights runs from December 20 until April 18. For further information and to book tickets visit the NGV website here.

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Keen for more? These are the best exhibitions in Melbourne this month.

Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Finneas is performing an exclusive headline show at Forum Melbourne on January 13, 2025. 

You might know Finneas for his work writing and producing with his superstar sister Billie Eilish, or for the fact that he’s won ten Grammys so far from 18 nominations. Or, perhaps you know him from his debut album Optimist, which earned him a Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist category. 

These days, Finneas is about to release his sophomore album For Cryin’ Out Loud, which promises to be his most emotive and uplifting album yet. If the lead single ‘Cleats’ is anything to go by, we’re expecting groovy, summer-friendly tunes.

A bona fide star in his own right (and the man responsible for many of your favourite Billie Eilish hits), Finneas is one show you don’t want to miss. For more information and to get tickets, Ticketek is the place to go.

Want more music? Here are the best gigs happening in Melbourne this month

Get ready to bask in the Texas Sun right here in Melbourne, because soulful singer-songwriter Leon Bridges is coming to town. He released his new album Leon (which was six years in the making) last November, and now he’s ready to serenade Sidney Myer Music Bowl for a single Melbourne date.

The Texan singer-songwriter is known for his powerful live sets, with this one expected to draw from his entire career-spanning catalogue of songs. This will be the sixth time Bridges has visited Australia and the Melbourne show is just one stop on a national tour that also includes dates in Brisbane, Bowral and Sydney. 

Support for the Melbourne gig comes from fresh local favourites Glass Beams, who’ve been generating buzz due to their mysterious identities and unusual fusion of surf rock and traditional Indian music. Also warming up the crowd are Los Bitchos, a sun-soaked instrumental four-piece from London.

Catch the action on Thursday, January 23 at the bowl. Tickets are on sale now over here for $119.90.

Feel like a boogie? Here's our guide to the best summer music festivals in Melbourne.