Mike Noga at the Tote
While some Australia Day revellers are nursing hangovers and the merits of the best, second best or 100th best pop song of last year are being picked over, Mike Noga will be hard at work, belting out tracks at the Tote in Collingwood. Launching second single All My Friends are Alcoholics from his acclaimed album King, Noga and his band will be supported tonight, January 27, by Witch Hats and Jade Imagination, making this a true-blue, right-royal rock 'n' roll show not to be missed. King was among the most recent Australian Music Prize longlisted albums and Noga (formerly of the Drones) will play the album in full tonight. thetotehotel.com
Totally Unicorn, Totally Going Off
Wollongong's best export since legendary longhairs Tumbleweed; five-piece metal outfit, nudists and party starters Totally Unicorn are heading back to Melbourne to strip down and crank up for summer's final days. In the aftermath of the group's Dream Life album tour, Totally Unicorn have signed up with 123 Agency and announced a bunch of shows to celebrate. They'll be at Yah Yahs in Smith Street, Fitzroy, on February 24. yahyahs.com.au
Sui Zhen will be at the South by Southwest music conference.
Signed up for SxSW
South by Southwest (SxSW) in Austin, Texas, set the bar long ago as the place to be for bands trying to break through and be noticed by fans, labels, promoters and festival organisers. Three decades after it began, the annual music conference in mid-March has featured some of the biggest names in the music industry as keynote speakers, including Neil Young, Bob Geldof, Lady Gaga, the late Lou Reed and Bruce Springsteen. Melbourne acts signed up to play as this year's SxSW include Slum Sociable, Alex Lahey, Japanese Wallpaper, Woodes, Slow Dancer, Gabriella Cohen, Sui Zhen, Tim Wheatley and Totally Mild. There are 40 Australian artists, either solo performers or bands, showcasing this year at SxSW. For more information go to sxsw.com
Holler for some blues and roots
Caravan Music Club in Oakleigh is hosting the Holler Roots Music Festival on February 17, 18 and 19. Across two stages at the Caravan club, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, proprietor Peter Foley has helped put together a mighty line-up featuring Moreland and Arbuckle from Wichita in Kansas, local favourites Chris Wilson's Crown of Thorns, Three Kings, the Jeff Lang Band, Chris Russell's Chickenwalk, the Backsliders and many more. Holler is "a bold and exciting attempt to galvanise the passion for roots music that's played across a multitude of venues in Melbourne," Foley said. "We felt there was a gap ... to be filled with a tight little boutique festival that exuberantly celebrated blues and roots music." For tickets and more information go to caravanmusic.com.au
Funding has been granted for a walking tour exploring the life of Chrissy Amphlett.
Music funding
Martin Foley, minister for creative industries, has announced five recipients of the Victorian government's latest round of Rockin' the Laneways funding, a program designed to financially assist music initiatives that promote and celebrate Victoria's music history. Projects to receive funding include an interactive digital map of musical sites in Ballarat, a concert that traces the history of Melbourne Town Hall and a walking tour that explores the life of Chrissie Amphlett, who fronted the Divinyls for more than two decades. "We're proud to support these diverse projects that use creativity to celebrate and immerse audiences in our music history and heritage," the minister said. "Our music is a great drawcard for our state." Applications for the next round of funding closes on March 20 for projects and activities taking place from July 1, 2017. For details go to creative.vic.gov.au