ALWAYS LIVE celebrates all that encompasses Victoria's spectacular live music sector. Showcasing the many voices, faces and spaces that shape its colourful and thriving eco-system, it aims to continuously bolster the state's standing as Australia's capital of contemporary live music.

The 2023 program featured 17 days of live music events of all scales and styles, created and curated for Victoria, spanning Melbourne’s CBD, suburbs, and key regional locations across the state. The program was made up of free and ticketed events, putting over 420 major international and Australian headline acts, as well as emerging local talent, on stages. 2023 highlights included Christina Aguilera (USA), Zach Bryan (USA), Eric Prydz(SWE), Jessie Ware (UK) and King Stingray.

Art in its many guises has been making its mark here for the longest time. It’s in our DNA - festivals, parades, installations, street art, live music, theatre and film are every day and expected encounters. The community, the traders and the tourism sector recognise the immense social, psychological, cultural and economic value this brings to the region, and how these elements shape life at street level.

Always Live represents a way back and a way forward for our communities. We know what the arts ‘centre stage’ has the power to muster, and we’re ready for it. The past 18 months has been difficult for many traders and for members of our local community. Today, businesses that are the beating heart of the Dandenong Ranges (B&B’s, hospitality, tourism, art and craft, entertainment), stand at a crossroads. We feel the tide is turning though and change is here. Always Live hits our collective, creative sweet spot - it gets us back to dreaming the good stuff.

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A HUGE SHOUT out to the Always Live team and Metro trains for choosing our incredible neighbourhood to make this all happen.

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Also a massive thank you to our hilltop sponsors BELL Realestate and OPTUS. Again, these two WONDERS have helped get this event lit!

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