The Eighty-Six is a new festival celebrating one of the world's greatest music cities – it’s the biggest party a tram line has ever thrown. From October 23 to 31, venues along High Street from Westgarth to Preston – possibly the most densely concentrated strip of live music venues on the planet – will showcase Melbourne’s prolific and exciting music culture.
The festival’s marquee event is Super Saturday: on October 28, more than 40 curators will take over the area’s bars, nightclubs, bowls clubs, record stores, bocce courts and beyond. Kicking off in the early A.M. and running through to sunrise, Super Saturday is a musical journey through a variety of venues. Whether you are a yiayia, a toddler, a raver or a rocker, Super Saturday is for you – it’s a proud showcase of Melbourne’s multifaceted music scene. And with the cost of living so high, The Eighty-Six is making the entire Super Saturday program free to attend, simply register for your ticket at theeightysix.com.
Melbourne boasts a distinct culture of discovery and exploration in its bars, clubs, restaurants, cafes and galleries. These intimate experiences are what captivate travellers and excite locals. The Eighty-Six is dialling up neighbourhood vibrancy by offering hundreds of small-scale, music-focused experiences to visitors and residents – a paradise for music lovers.
Alongside Super Saturday, The Eighty-Six is presenting a range of unique and fun satellite events.
Efficient Space and Butter Sessions will present the first Independent Music Exchange, a celebration of the independent record labels that are crucial in promoting and exporting our homegrown favourites. This is a unique opportunity to meet the minds behind iconic imprints and purchase exclusive items.
The Eighty-Six Co-Founder & Artistic Director, Woody McDonald: “Melbourne is one of the world's great music cities. A hub of discovery and subculture, where art and entrepreneurial spirit are valued. It also produces a wild amount of music and is internationally considered a hotbed of musical greatness. I’ve always felt Melbourne needed a festival that stays within and elevates our grassroots environment. The Eighty-Six’s goal is to do this, and there’s currently no better area than High Street to be our festival precinct.”
Event details
The Eighty-Six Festival
Venues: Various, along High Street in Melbourne's North. See website for details
Dates: 23 – 31 October 2023
Visit: theeightysix.com
