Live music at Transport Hotel
Top-notch acts perform at this city landmark throughout the week across two levels
IF YOU WERE wondering where to find free live music in the city, look no further than Transport Hotel in Federation Square, which is proudly supporting local music talent. Thursday through Sunday there is a live act per forming on the rooftop at Transit Bar, while on the ground floor Transport Public Bar has live sessions Saturday and Sunday – and the standard is light years beyond your typical pub covers band. For starters, Americana trio the Rechords boasts an energetic live per formance showcasing hillbilly, bluegrass, alt countr y and traditional rockabilly with hints of classic vocal groups of the ’60s. Tiana Martel and her band, meanwhile, offer American folk, blues, soul and rock’n’roll, from dir ty, contagious guitar-driven rockers to yearning tender blues ballads. Think Bonnie Raitt, Gary Clarke Jr, John Mayer, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Elvis. Steve Purcell’s Pearly Shells play late ’50s/early ’60s dance music at its best. Get ready to jump and jive as Purcell leads his band front and centre on the double bass. Guitarist Andre Warhurst has collaborated with Clare Bowditch, Jet and Spiderbait’s Kram, and at Transport Hotel he applies his soulful tonsils to blues, soul and rock’n’roll. The formidable line-up of Rodney Gilbert (drums/vocals), Ashley Gaudion (sax/vocals), Dannie Bourne (keys/vocals) and Paul Griska (bass) makes up the Shuffle Club – a hot blend of swing jazz, boogie and blues. These guys are sharp, talented and hilarious, and they know it. Multi-instrumentalist Jules Boult seamlessly spans blues, jazz, soul and country. From behind the keys, he leads the Redeemers, a rotating lineup of some of Melbourne’s best players and occasional internationals. Boult has toured the US several times and really knows his New Orleans street jazz and party blues. A warm presence and amazing soulful voice characterise the frontwoman of the Nardia Rose Band, who delivers funk, soul and jazz with loads of sass. And Anna-lee and the Double Lovers bring together members of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, the Moonhops and the Rechords to play exotica, jazz, jump blues and the R’N’B of the late ’50s and early ’60s. You can check the gig guides at transpor thotel.com.au to find out who’s playing, or join the mailing list to be sure to keep up to date. The music program is expanding over the spring and summer months, so stay tuned. You can make a night of it at Taxi Kitchen with casual pubstyle dining in the Public Bar or head up the stairs to more sophisticated dining at Taxi Kitchen. Follow it up with some cocktails, city views and live tunes on the rooftop at Transit Bar and you’ve got the makings of a per fect spring evening right there.
Every Thursday to Sunday there’s free live music in the Public Bar and on the rooftop