Live music in Canberra

The Canberra live-music landscape

Canberra’s live music scene runs across three layers: the dedicated touring rooms (The Basement, UC Refectory, sideway), the chamber and jazz venues (Llewellyn Hall, Wesley Music Centre, the Street), and the nightly pub circuit (Smith’s Alternative, The Phoenix, Polish Club, Old Canberra Inn). Together they put on something across most weeknights and the entire weekend.

Indie, rock and touring shows

The Basement in Belconnen is the city’s 400-capacity indie/rock workhorse and the main stop for touring Australian acts. UC Refectory handles the bigger headliners that have outgrown the Basement, while genuine arena shows go to the AIS Arena in Bruce or the National Convention Centre in Civic. sideway in Civic is the city’s leading dance and electronic room.

Classical, chamber and jazz

The Canberra Symphony Orchestra and most touring chamber programs play at Llewellyn Hall at the ANU School of Music. Wesley Music Centre in Forrest runs an excellent Saturday afternoon chamber series. The Street Theatre in Acton books cabaret, jazz and Australian songwriters in a 200-seat room.

Pub and walk-up gigs

Smith’s Alternative on Alinga Street has live music almost every night, with $5–$25 ticket prices. The Phoenix on East Row is a small-room original-music staple. The Polish Club in Turner books jazz late-week. Old Canberra Inn in Lyneham runs Sunday folk sessions in a fire-lit beer garden.

Festivals

The big four on the local calendar are the National Folk Festival at EPIC over Easter, Spilt Milk at Commonwealth Park in late November, the Canberra International Music Festival in May, and You Are Here in March. Outside that, the Canberra Blues Festival, Groovin’ the Moo and a rotating cast of one-day festivals on the lakeside lawns fill out the year.

Outdoor and seasonal

In summer the lake-side stages at Lennox Gardens and Stage 88 at Commonwealth Park host free council-programmed concerts. The Murrumbateman wineries (Four Winds, Pialligo Estate, Mount Majura, Lerida Estate) run weekend afternoon sets through the warmer months.

What’s on this week

Scroll to the live feed below for every confirmed Canberra music event in the next two weeks. For weekend-only filtering see live music this weekend; for free pub gigs cross-reference our free things guide.