Arts Centre Melbourne And The Australian Music Vault Presents Melbourne Music Bus Tour

Back by popular demand, the previously sold out Melbourne Music Bus Tour returns this October for 12 guided tours until March 2019. Having had a successful first edition, Arts Centre Melbourne and the Australian Music Vault invite punters to jump on board to explore Melbourne's rich musical history.

The Melbourne Music Bus Tour departs from the Australian Music Vault at Arts Centre Melbourne taking music lovers to rock 'n' roll heartlands Richmond, Collingwood, St Kilda and Port Melbourne. Throughout the two-hour experience, they will be guided by Melbourne musicologist Bruce Milne and music journalist Mary Mihelakos.

"There's musical history on every street and corner of Melbourne. There's colourful (sometimes outrageous) tales too. I have stories to tell but I love to hear stories from other people as well. Get on the bus and let's explore and share. And have some fun," Milne said.

A lifetime resident of this great city, Bruce has been involved with Triple R since its fledgling years and founded the iconic independent record store and label Au-go-go Records and now co-owns Greville Records. Bruce introduced rock bar culture to Melbourne when he established International Bar and was licensee of The Tote, as documented in the film Persecution Blues. If you've ever watched an Australian music documentary, chances are Bruce was in it.

This is a music tour like no other. Discover the past of dimly lit band rooms, untold stories from the recording studios and secrets from side-of-stage. From AC/DC to Z, hear about the revolutionary musicians who've shaped the scene.

With surprise stop-offs to pick up unannounced guests from Melbourne's live music scene, you never know who might join you on the bus. Past guests include Deborah Conway, Adalita, Cash Savage, Clare Moore, Paul Stewart, Stephen Cummings, Kim Salmon and Dave Graney.

The bus will pass current venues, iconic laneways, important indigenous music spots, music video locations and places which have inspired some of our most loved songs. These sites include Armstrong Studios; Bakehouse Studios; Champion Hotel; Crystal Ballroom; the Dogs in Space house; The Espy; The Exford; Faraday Street; Muchmore Ballroom; Mushroom Records; the Nylex Clock sign; the Old Greek Theatre; the Palace; Punters Club; Richmond Recorders; Sing Sing Studios; Tiger Lounge and The Venue. The tour will also travel to Chrissy Amphlett Lane, Charcoal Lane, Rowland S. Howard Lane and AC/DC Lane.

Open daily and featuring a free permanent exhibition, digital and interactive experiences and an extensive learning program, the Australian Music Vault charts the story of contemporary Australian music from the 1950s until today. It showcases the iconic people, events and places that define Australian music in a purpose-built exhibition space within Arts Centre Melbourne's Theatres Building on St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Patrons of the Australian Music Vault are co-founder of Mushroom Records Michael Gudinski, music legend Ian "Molly" Meldrum, pop icon Kylie Minogue, Indigenous singer-songwriter Archie Roach and Australian singer-songwriter Tina Arena. The Australian Music Vault has welcomed over 500,000 patrons since it opened in December 2017.

Arts Centre Melbourne is a fitting home for the Australian Music Vault. Much of the exhibition's rich content is drawn from the Australian Performing Arts Collection, the nation's leading specialist collection documenting Australia's music, circus, dance, opera and theatre heritage. Established in 1975 and now formally recognised as a state collection, it consists of over 600,000 items including costumes, designs, programs, photographs, posters, personal memorabilia and archival material.

The Melbourne Music Bus Tour, alongside the Australian Music Vault, builds on Melbourne and Victoria's reputation as a cultural destination by exploring and celebrating Melbourne's unique music history. There are music city tours on offer in cities such as London, New York, Seattle, Liverpool and Los Angeles; Melbourne now joins this list.

Arts Centre Melbourne and the Australian Music Vault presents Melbourne Music Bus Tour

Tour Dates
Saturday 6 October 11:00am & 2:00pm
Saturday 17 November 11:00am & 2:00pm
Saturday 1 December 11:00am & 2:00pm
Saturday 12 January 11:00am & 2:00pm
Saturday 16 February 11:00am & 2:00pm
Saturday 16 March 11:00am & 2:00pm

Tour Duration: 2 hours (please allow additional time in case of unexpected traffic)
Book at artscentremelbourne.com.au or 1300 182 183

Melbourne Music Bus Tour is all ages, however children must be accompanied by an adult.

Please arrive at the Australian Music Vault 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. The bus will return to Arts Centre Melbourne at the conclusion of the tour. Latecomers will not be admitted.