MUSIC NEWS: Round Sound Announce New Venue The Round + Month of Music
Round Sound: Meet Naarm/Melbourne's newest performing arts venue The Round with a month of music featuring Kate Miller-Heidke, Ben Lee, Peppy Smears, an Industry Day and more!
The Round, Naarm/Melbourne's state-of-the-art performing arts centre, is kicking off the month of May with an incredible lineup of music events as part of the inaugural Round Sound festival presented by On The Road Again and Music Victoria. This celebration of local and emerging talent will feature intimate performances, industry workshops, and networking opportunities for music lovers and industry professionals alike.
Friday 3rd May acclaimed singer-songwriter Ben Lee launches the Round Sound program taking the stage for a night of romantic anthems, clever wordplay and indie pop classics, "I'm thrilled to be one of the first performers at The Round in May. Of course, the arts in Australia has taken a beating. There is only one way forward: more effort, more ideas, more spaces for creativity and expression, more risk, more courage, more opportunity. I'm in the corner of anyone who knows the value of bringing humans together in a space, to connect with each other, with artists and with their own imaginations, says Ben Lee.
Offering something for everyone, drag provocateur and drag queer Peppy Smears comes to Underground Cabaret on Friday 10th May. Born in Tasmania, and born of the drag scene in Naarm/Melbourne; Peppy draws inspiration from icons such as Annie Lennox and David Bowie with a sprinkling of Elton John; a glamdrogynous painted man armed with puns, sass and a touch of crass.
Round Sound also presents an opportunity for Melbourne’s East to connect and grow at its Industry Day on Saturday 11th May. The day will be filled with must-see showcases, including a performance by acclaimed artist Eliza Hull. Aspiring musicians can also attend workshops on live music marketing, accessibility in the industry and releasing music. The day culminates with a highly anticipated set by acclaimed artist Kate Miller-Heidke as part of her Catching Diamonds tour. This is a special opportunity to see Kate in an intimate, stripped-back setting, accompanied by her long-term collaborator Keir Nuttall on guitar. Thursday 18 May, the captivating Kay Proudlove will bring a performance of Dear Diary. Dear Diary takes us on a journey through Kay’s teenage diaries, through a collection of intimate and vulnerable stories and songs.
The month concludes on Friday, 31st May with a special event presented by Over Our Dead Body, a new artist-run initiative founded by acclaimed musicians Alex Lahey and Gordi. This intimate evening will shine a spotlight on emerging artists, curated and endorsed by these established artists. "You shouldn't have to live in the middle of a city to hear good live music. We're stoked to team up with Music Victoria and The Round to bring some of the very best songwriters going around to Nunawading." – Sophie Payten (Gordi)
The Round is an integral part of Melbourne East's vibrant performing arts community, hosting many local and community groups, and presenting a diverse professional theatre and music season, showcasing the best productions from around the country. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, The Round features highly functional and versatile indoor and outdoor spaces accentuated with opulent finishes and is a highly accessible space. This state-of-the-art venue boasts a 600+ seat proscenium theatre with a mechanised orchestra pit and industry-leading fly system, a 200+ seat studio theatre or event space, a beautiful light-filled function centre, creative studios, and a sound shell for outdoor events
"Round Sound is an incredibly exciting initiative that will shine a spotlight on this beautiful new venue and the vibrant contemporary music community. This amazing month of music will provide a platform for emerging and established artists to connect with new audiences. As Melbourne's newest performing arts centre, we're thrilled to welcome the music community through our doors to discover a full month of amazing Sounds at The Round." - Josh Sanders, Programming Team Leader - The Round
Victoria has a strong network of Performing Arts Centres (the VAPAC network) that present a broad range of work from theatre, dance, cabaret, circus, comedy, live music, and more. Music for the Stages as part of On The Road Again, a Victorian Government initiative delivered by Music Victoria to support the return of live music events across the state, with a focus on contemporary music acts, programmed and working with local curators.
This May, Round Sound at The Round offers a unique experience with local music educator Box Hill Institute taking over the foyer and bringing it live with live music from student ensembles, plus a chance to see some of Australian music's biggest names, discover Naarm/Melbourne's next generation of musical talent and gain invaluable industry insights.
Round Sound Program May 2024
Friday 3 May - Ben Lee
Time: 7:30 pm
Tickets
Friday 10 May - Peppy Smears
Time: 8:00 pm
Tickets
Saturday 11 May - Round Sound Industry Day with Eliza Hull
Time: 12:00 pm
Tickets
Saturday 11 May - Kate Miller-Heidke (selling fast)
Time: 7:30 pm
Tickets
Saturday 18 May - Kay Proudlove's Dear Diary
Time: 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Tickets
Friday 31 May - Over Our Dead Body
Time: 7:30 pm
Tickets
The Round is located at 379-399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading.
For more information visit: www.theround.com.au