Earlier this year the line up for Melbourne Festival was announced and as usual it contained a diverse array of music, arts, theatre, dance and comedy events.

Held from the 10th until the 26th of October, and with a mammoth selection of events the lineup can leave punters with a little too much choice for their own good.

From the Pop Crimes Rowland S Howard tribute, to the old time stylings of Tuba Skinny  and the universally loved Urthboy, there is plenty on offer regardless of your taste.

So where do you start? What are the essentials must sees? These are the burning questions you’ll no doubt be asking yourselves.

But don’t fret we’ve made things a little easier by selecting a few music highlights that you almost certainly cannot miss.

Jeff Mills

Where? Arts Centre, Hamer Hall
When? 10pm, Friday 10th October
Why? Jeff Mills is a legend of the Detroit techno scene, since the mid-1980s he has been considered one of the world’s most foremost techno producers. the scope of Mills’ musical talents however reaches much wider than ‘pure techno’ having composed music for films, dance and contemporary arts projects. Melbourne Festival plays host to Mills’ foray into classical music, working alongside the MSO his show promises to be a sonic adventure not soon forgotten.
Tickets & Info

Pop Crimes

Where? Foxtel Festival Hub
When? 8pm Thursday 23rd & Fri 24th October
Why?  Rowland S. Howard is arguably one of Australia’s most influential guitarist and most admired musical figure in history. So what could be a more fitting tribute to the late great talent’s 55th birthday than a hometown hosted event bringing together original members of his bands and key collaborators from his illustrious career for two special concert performances? Featuring Adalita, Harry Howard, Mick Harvey, TJ Howden, Brian Henry Hooper, Ed Kuepper, Genevieve McGuckin, Hugo Race, JP Shilo, Conrad Standish, Jonnine Standish, Craig Williamson, it’ll no doubt be a moving tribute to a worthy musical figure.
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Nils Frahm

Where? Foxtel Festival Hub
When? 6pm, Saturday 11th October
Why? Berlin composer Nils Frahm matched the beautiful and lush with the challenging and experimental. His shows at Melbourne Festival will see Frahm work across two pianos and a suite of vintage synthesisers, Frahm builds intricate webs of sound and effect. Admired for his unconventional approach to the age-old piano, Frahm is one of the key composers of this generation. Hurry the first two shows have already sold out!
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Tuba Skinny

Where? Foxtel Festival Hub
When? 8pm, Friday 17th – Sunday 19th October
Why? This one is for fans of Treme, you know that HBO show that’s a bit slow but the music is amazing? Yeah, this is some real life Treme vibes going on here. Driven by their love of Depression-era blues and hollerin’, take-no-prisoners jazz, their sound will wrap you right and draw you into a different era before you even have time to ay the word ‘washboard’. This will be Tuba Skinny’s fourth Australian tour, so obviously we can’t get enough – get along and find out what the fuss is.
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Urthboy: Make Me A Mixtape

Where? Foxtel Festival Hub
When? 8pm, Sunday 26th October
Why? Hip Hop luminary and undoubtedly one of Australia’s most admired and respected songwriters Tim Levinson aka Urthboy will be celebrating his love of mixtapes with his new show ‘Make Me A Mixtape’. Already performed at Brisbane Festival earlier this year, Urthboy will be bringing along friends Bobby Flynn, Mantra, Thelma Plum, Ella Hopper and Henry Wagons to curate a night of rap, remix, song and spoken word, creating a live, realtime mixtape of riotous anecdotes and bittersweet lived experiences.
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Buck 65

Where? Foxtel Festival Hub
When? 8pm, Wednesday 22nd October
Why?  Called by some as ‘the Tom Waits of hip hop’ Canadian art rap-renegade Buck 65 shouldn’t be in anyone’s shadow- no matter how legendary. Though starting out as a hip hop artist, Buck’s music now blurs the line between art, rap, hip hop and songwriting. A true champion of alternative hip hop.
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Since I Left You

Where? Foxtel Festival Hub
When? 11pm, Friday 10th & Saturday 11th October & 8pm Sunday 12th October
Why? No matter whether you’re sick of the follow up rumors or not, there’s no denying that The Avalanches 2000 LP Since I Left You is a modern classic. Sydney’s Astral People have produced a euphoric tribute to the unforgettable LP, teaming up with the electro-pop wonder-kid Jonti and a 17-person orchestra to bring the album to life, song by seminal song. Joyous and uplifting this is definitely an Aussie event not to miss.
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