Kingston Arts is proud to announce the continuation of its popular Live at City Hall program in 2025 with the launch of Sunday Sounds, a new monthly music series celebrating live music, summer spirit and community connection with a lineup of Melbourne’s most exciting musicians, DJs, and family-friendly activities. Launching on Sunday, 19 January, Sunday Sounds offers free performances, food trucks, and a pop-up bar, all set within the vibrant atmosphere of Kingston City Hall.
Presented in partnership with PBS FM and supported by Music Victoria’s On the Road Again initiative, the Sunday Sounds series lineup for January – March are:
Sunday, 19 January: Queenie + DJ Myles O’Neil-Shaw
The alter-ego of musician Eloise Thetford, Queenie has made a name for herself with live shows that shake, shudder and smoulder. Crossing country, blues and rock, Queenie’s emotive songwriting has been heard on stages throughout the country, playing at festivals including Party In The Paddock, Gum Ball, Tamworth Country Music Festival and Port Fairy Folk Festival. Before Queenie takes the stage at 3pm, DJ Myles O’Neil-Shaw will be spinning his signature Americana and alt-country tunes from 2pm. As the host of PBS FM’s 5 Feet High & Rising for over 20 years, Myles is known for his deep knowledge of country, blues, and folk, drawing inspiration from legends like Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, as well as contemporary artists like Jason Isbell and Margo Price.
Sunday, 9 February: Opelousas + DJ Crispi
Melbourne trio Opelousas brings a haunting and hypnotic twist to blues and rock. Formed in 2018 and inspired by the deep southern music of Louisiana, Opelousas blends electric guitar, fiddle, baritone guitar, and swampy percussion to create a raw, rhythmic sound. Their second album Opelousafried has received widespread acclaim, including Album of the Week on RRR and PBS, and a nomination for Best Blues Album at the 2024 Music Victoria Awards.
With dynamic vocals from Kerri Simpson and infectious guitar riffs from Alison Ferrier, Opelousas’ music feels like a sonic journey through the Mississippi Hill Country. Opealousas will take the City Hall stage at 3pm, following on from DJ Crispi.
Crispi has been a key figure at PBS FM for over 15 years, hosting more than 550 episodes of Radio City and co-hosting The Breakfast Spread for over 1000 episodes. Known for his eclectic vinyl collection, Crispi brings a world of sound to Kingston City Hall with his lively and unpredictable DJ sets.
Sunday 25 March: Global Sounds – Live PBS FM Broadcast
Rounding out the first quarter of Sunday Sounds, March’s edition takes listeners on a trip around the world with Global Sounds, featuring a live broadcast of PBS FM’s Flight 1067 to Africa and Global Village. From 2–6 PM, the sounds of traditional and contemporary world music will play from Hosts Stani Goma (Flight 1067 to Africa) and Roger Holdsworth (Global Village), presenting stripped-back live sets from some of Melbourne’s finest international musicians, alongside their signature radio programs.
Stani Goma, Australia’s longest-running African music show host, will share his deep passion for African rhythm and tradition. Roger Holdsworth brings a global perspective with acoustic-based music from every corner of the globe, offering audiences a truly international experience.
Coinciding with International Women’s Day, on Saturday March 8, Live at City Hall presents the Women of Soul Collective, featuring an all-star ensemble led by artistic director Chelsea Wilson and featuring some of Australia’s most dynamic female vocalists including Carmen Hendricks, Candice Monique, and JoysSoul Music. Women of Soul’s debut album was PBS 106.7FM and ABC Radio’s album of the week, as well as being nominated for Best Soul Album at The Age Music Victoria Awards. Over the last decade WOS has presented over 50 artists, and aim to empower women in the music industry through songwriting, recording and live shows. The Women of Soul Collective’s performance at City Hall is supported by Music Victoria’s On the Road Again initiative.
About Kingston Arts
Only 15km from the city, Kingston Arts presents a contemporary cultural program with an engaged arts community. Proudly supporting new works in performance and visual arts through grants and performance opportunities and educating through enriching programs, Kingston Arts fosters the next generation of artists and arts workers.
Kingston Arts Centre is a venue dedicated towards developing and presenting a diverse program of art and culture within the City of Kingston and the southern metropolitan region of Melbourne. The historic building has a stunning architectural style that tells the story of its history.
Shirley Burke Theatre is a character-filled boutique theatre of 167 seats in the heart of Parkdale. This theatre venue is perfect for performances, presentations and film screenings.
Kingston Arts offers an impressive array of indoor spaces available for hire, spanning three prominent arts venues.
https://www.kingstonarts.com.au/Whats-On/all-events/Live-at-City-Hall-Sunday-Sounds