Eight unmissable gigs and events to see at Leaps and Bounds Music Festival 2021 Leaps and Bounds 2019 - image by Naomi Lee Beveridge
Words By August Billy
Leaps and Bounds Music Festival kicks off on Friday July 16.
No interstate travel? No worries. The 2021 Leaps and Bounds Music Festival program proves that Melbourne has more than enough talent and diversity to pack a ten-day festival full of live music, talks, markets and special events. After running the 2020 instalment virtually, this year’s LBMF will be a celebration of what makes the City of Yarra such a special live music ecosystem.
There are mini-festivals such as the soul, funk and hip hop extravaganza Fitzroyalty and label showcases from Bad Apples, The Push and Rockhopper Records. There are also intimate shows at The Tramway and The B.East, Sunday sessions at The Tote, late night parties at The Night Cat and even a First Nations trivia night.
Brunswick Ballroom takes over the venue formerly known as Spotted Mallard.
The venue is run by Andrew Kay and Will Ewing with Melbourne Music Hall of Famer Mary Mihelakos looking after music bookings and Emma Calverley handling comedy events.
“After a year of doom, gloom and significant hardship for many in our live performance industry, we are thrilled to have been able create a dynamic new home for our performing artists and audiences to enjoy. The BRUNSWICK BALLROOM will be a venue which celebrates the best of live music, cabaret and comedy plus of course, wonderful food and wine. This distinctive venue will present the best Melbourne, Australia and the world has to offer across the full range of live performance genres. Whether it is a live band, a comedian, a classical pianist or a major cabaret star they will all find a new home at the BRUNSWICK BALLROOM,” said Andrew Kay.