By Expedia, on February 13, 2020

Melbourne Playlist – Great Music by Musicians from Melbourne

One of the cultural capitals of Australia, Melbourne has a rich musical heritage, especially in live-performance. The alleys, pubs and parks of Melbourne have helped launch many world-famous musicians’ careers.


1. Can’t Get You Out Of My Head – Kylie Minogue – 2001

Australia’s pop princess, Kylie Minogue’s career has spanned multiple decades as well as genres. Whether it’s fashion, disco or dance, Kylie’s career has been one of reinvention and creativity. She has sold tens of millions of records world-wide, as well as picking up many Australian critical accolades.

2. Where I Stood – Missy Higgins – 2007

Acoustic pop artist Missy Higgins is one of Australia’s most earnest musicians. Her fourth studio album contained a book of essays as well as covers of Australian composers. She also works to keep her touring carbon neutral and pursues animal and environmental rights. All this to go along with a rising pop career with four studio albums.

3. Physical – Olivia Newton-John – 1981

An Australian icon, Olivia Newton-John has had a successful career in both music and film. Her portrayal in the film Grease turned her into a world-wide star, and her music career led her into a four-time Grammy Award winner. She remains one of the world’s best-selling artists of all-time.

4. Chains – Tina Arena – 1994

One of Australia’s best-selling musicians, Tina Arena is also multilingual and able to sing in French, Italian and Spanish. Arena is also a noted advocate for better career management by record labels and in the music industry. As one who’s managed to last for multiple decades, Arena takes very seriously the long-term management of musicians.

5. Like Demi – Nat Vazar – 2019

Melding indie pop with rock sensabilities, Nat Vazar is a fast rising talent known for her insightful songwriting. Her songs grapple with modern and contemporary social issues.

6. All Out Of Love – Air Supply – 1980

A soft rock global sensation, Air Supply was one of the best-selling artists of the 80’s. A classic love song of the decade, All Out Of Love has enduring popularity on television shows and movie soundtracks.

7. Love You Most – Laura Jean Anderson – 2018

With clever songwriting and catchy instrumentals, Laura Jean Anderson is a popular artist operating in the landscape between pop and indie rock.

8. Don’t Dream It’s Over – Crowded House – 1986

Made of New Zealander Neil Finn and Australians Paul Hester and Nick Seymour, Crowded House is one of Australia and New Zealand’s top pop acts. Crowded House had significant commercial success in the 80’s and 90’s and continues to feature on movie and television soundtracks.

9. Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap – 2009

Formed in 2005, indie rock The Temper Trap are most famous for their 2009 single Sweet Disposition. The hit charted in the top ten on Irish and UK billboards and was featured in several movie soundtracks.

10. Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet – 2003

One of the most popular garage bands of the 2000’s, Jet paved the way for Australian bands to develop their own sound independent of English and American bands. Are You Gonna Be My Girl ended up charting as one of the top indie hits of 2003.

11. Suddenly – British India – 2015

Having released six studio albums, British India is one of Australia’s most prolific bands of the 2000’s. They bring an unpolished garage band sound with indie influences.

12. Captain – Something For Kate – 1997

An eleven time nominee for the ARIA Music Awards, Something For Kate are a critically acclaimed alternative rock band originating from Melbourne. They have released six studio albums and have been a major innovator in the genre since the 90’s.

13. The Opener – Camp Cope – 2018

Led by singer Georgia MacDonald, Camp Cope are one of Australia’s most popular contemporary bands. Their sound has been described as “power emo” and have been nominated for many awards such as the ARIA, National Live Music Award and Music Victoria Award.

14. Funky Town – Pseudo Echo – 1979

An Australian new wave band, Pseudo Echo were very popular in the 80’s and are best known for their cover of Funky Town, a song originally performed by Lipps Inc.

15. Voodoo Child – Rogue Traders – 2005

One of Australia’s most popular electronic bands, Rogue Traders achieved substantial commercial success with electropop singles and hits. They had seven Top 20 hits on the ARIA Singles Chart in the 2000’s.

16. Don’t Believe Anymore – The Eternal – 2018

The Eternal are known for their dark lyrics, moody melodies and Eastern musical influences. They are often categorized as doom metal and progressive metal and are one of Australia’s best-known metal bands.

17. Georgia – Vance Joy – 2014

An indie pop sensation, Vance Joy burst onto the scene with his highly acclaimed album Dream Your Life Away in 2014. Since then, he’s continued to tour around the world as well as releasing further studio album. Georgia was one of his first singles and features his stripped down, folk influenced sound.

18. Into My Arms – Nick Cave – 1997

Singer, songwriter, author, screenwriter, actor and composer, Nick Cave wears many hats. He’s perhaps best known for the gothic rock hat he wears with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. This band made Nick Cave a gothic rock icon with his pale look and long black hair.

19. You’re the Voice – John Farnham – 1986

Originally beginning his career as a teen pop idol, John Farnham has reinvented himself as a successful adult contemporary singer. He is one of his country’s most popular performers and has had number one records in five different decades.

20. Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye – 2011

Belgian born, but Australian raised, Gotye works in indie pop and rock and is best known for his Grammy Award winning single Somebody That I Used To Know.


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