Established in 2008, the Australasian Worldwide Music Expo has become the undisputed premier roots music industry conference of the Southern Hemisphere. Calling Melbourne its home over four days in November, AWME, in partnership with ToneDeaf and Ding Dong Lounge, bring in a lineup featuring an array of local and international heavyweights.

Ms Murphy, Estère (NZ), Bongeziwe Mabandla (South Africa) & Louis Baker (NZ)

Where? The Toff In Town, 2/252 Swanston St, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Thursday 13th November
Why? It takes a special set of circumstances to create a knockout soul singer. It requires near impossible circumstances to uncover one. Ms Murphy – the fiery and heartbreaking stage persona of Karen Andrews – knows firsthand what those circumstances entail. Ms Murphy will be supported by New Zealand’s Estère and her bassy, synth-backed harmonies; Afro-folk singer hailing from South Africa, Bongeziwe Mabandla; and the mesmerizing, Motown-era pipes of Louis Baker (NZ).
Tickets & Info: $18, thetoffintown.com

Ash Grunwald, Digging Roots (Canada) & The Bart Willoughby Band

Where? The Hifi, 125 Swanston St, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Thursday 13th November
Why? Blues and roots singer-songwriter Ash Grunwald is spending some time on home soil having travelled the world blistering through the festival circuit in American, Europe and the UK. Now it’s time we got some of his groovin’ beats. Joining Grunwald at this Hifi showcase is Canadian global alt-jam five-piece Digging Roots, and pioneers of Indigenous Australian music, The Bart Willoughby Band.
Entry & Info: $31.50, thehifi.com.au

Nahko & Medicine For The People (USA), Declan Kelly presents Diesel ‘n’ Dub, Batucada Sound Machine (NZ) & Bullhorn

Where? The Hifi, 125 Swanston St, Melbourne
When? 7:30pm, Friday 14th November
Why? Nahko and Medicine for the People are returning to Australia after their enormously successful national tour earlier this year, which included two main stage performances at the Byron Bay Blues Festival and sold-out shows along the East Coast. They’re back with their spiritually healing sound alongside Sydney dub-reggae musician and producer Declan Kelly and his Diesel ‘N’ Dub project, Batucada Sound Machine’s soulful Polynesian beats, and the acoustic force of Brisbane-based new wave brass band, Bullhorn.
Entry & Info: $35.50, thehifi.com.au

Mojo Juju, Marlon Williams, Finding Albert & Ross Ainsle & Jarlath Henderson

Where? Ding Dong Lounge, 18 Market Ln, Melbourne
When? 9pm, Friday 14th November
Why?  Mojo Juju is 5’3″ of wise cracking, sass mouthing, jump-jiving attitude wrapped up in a zoot suit and propped up on a Cuban heel. A dynamic vocalist, entertainer and songwriter, forever difficult to pigeonhole, Mojo is versatile and unafraid to challenge the boundaries of genre and style. Marlon Williams is a two-time New Zealand Music Award winning singer-songwriter touted by Rhythms Magazine as the “Artist To Watch” in 2014, and with a much-anticipated album due for release in 2015, things are only heating up. In tow are Scotland’s Finding Albert – in their debut Australian shows – and the duo of Ross Ainslie & Jarlath Henderson.
Tickets & Info: $17.35, dingdong.com.au

Hiatus Kaiyote, Myele Manzanza (NZ), Hailey Cramer & Rita Satch

Where? The Hifi, 125 Swanston St, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Saturday 15th November
Why? Grammy-conquering, genre-bending, fusion-blending four-piece Hiatus Kaiyote are certified magic. Don’t take our word for it? Just ask Prince, D’Angelo or Erykah Badu, who are all vocal fans of the Melbourne outfit. If you’ve been sleeping on Hiatus Kaiyote, catch them with Hailey Cramer and Rita Satch at the HiFi.
Entry & Info: $33.50, http://admin.moshtix.com.au

Frank Yamma, Radical Son & Tha Feelstyle (Samoa)

Where? Shebeen, 36 Manchester Lane, Melbourne CBD
When? 8:30pm, Saturday 15th November
Why? World-class guitarist and songwriter Frank Yamma is one of the headliners of AWME. The legendary Pitjantjatjara man from the central coast released the stunning albumCountryman back in 2010, and its legacy is as strong as it was four years ago. Yamma is supported by Radical Son and Tha Feelstyle.
Tickets & Info: $25.00, shebeen.com.au

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BONJAH, Pierce Brothers, Timberwolf & Kim Wempe (Canada)

Where? Ding Dong, 18 Market Ln, Melbourne
When? 9pm, Saturday 15th November
Why? Sure, the likes of BONJAH and Pierce Brothers all sound brilliant on record, there’s no denying this. But what makes these artists truly significant is their live performances. Having cut their teeth as adored buskers on the streets of Melbourne, both BONJAH and Pierce Brothers are born natural showmen who give their heart and soul each time they take to the stage. In addition to this, the blues-folk extraordinaire Timberwolf and the heart-stopping Canadian Kim Wempe will get things started.
Entry & Info: $20.40, dingdong.com.au

Melbourne Ska Orchestra

Where? The Hifi, 125 Swanston St, Melbourne
When? 7:30pm, Sunday 16th November
Why? There’s just something about ska music that is like no other. In injects such a positive vibe into the air that cannot be beat. This is no exception when it comes to the giant crew of Melbourne Ska Orchestra who will turn your Sunday well and truly into a Funday. The craziness doesn’t end there, with the The Ska Vendors and Might Duke & The Lords kicking this event into a full-blown party. Just because you’ve got work the next day doesn’t mean you can’t get a little loose, right?
Tickets & Info: $35.50, http://tickets.thehifi.com.au

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