Yarra’s Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is back in 2021 - lighting up our city and bringing back music and live entertainment. Traditionally a venues-focused program, this year Leaps and Bounds embraces new spaces and old, delivering an expanded program of music and activations from 16-25 July.
Going above and BEYOND expectations, the program features multiple block parties and all day open air events as well as cosy, curated evenings.
Highlights of this year’s festival include:
• ‘Fitzroyalty’ programmed by Mary Mihelakos to celebrate the soul, funk, blues and hip hop legends of Brunswick street, featuring Dan Sultan, 1200 Techniques, Swingin’ Sidewalks and more. Saturday 17 July at the Fitzroy Mills from 3pm-9pm.
• The Killjoys playing their ARIA winning debut 'Ruby' in full for a special one-off performance. Produced by Jane Gazzo. Friday 16 July at The Fitzroy Town Hall Ballroom from 7pm.
• The ninth iteration of Smith Street Dreaming, celebrating Koorie history in Collingwood and Fitzroy with performances by some of the best established and emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and artists. Saturday 24 July at Atherton Gardens from 1-5pm.
• Live At Charcoal Lane, which offers guests an extended sit-down, catered experience with a focus on native Australian ingredients, paired with intimate performances by First Nations musicians. 16-17, 20-21 July at Charcoal Lane from 6pm-9pm
• One-day community festival FesTAVARES, which will feature music, food and culture of Australians of African descent in the lane named after beloved community advocate Antonio Tavares. Sunday 25 July at Tavares Lane from 2-10pm.
The program also features a Winter Wonderland Roller Disco in the Collingwood underground and at the Corner of Victoria and Nicholson St, Sounds of Richmond will spread the live music love all weekend at a free open-air block party.
Festival-goers can head down to Fitzroy Town Hall to compete in the deadliest live quiz show, BlakWiz 2021 (Leaps and Bounds Music Festival Edition) or attend a fabulous intergenerational LGBTIQ elders Dance Club for rainbow elders and allies. Making sure all-ages are catered for, PBS presents Rock-A-Bye-Baby to provide entertainment for our youngest music lovers and their carers.
In 2021 Leaps and Bounds Music Festival + BEYOND runs alongside another of Yarra’s favourite events, the Gertrude Street Projection Festival (21-25 July).
And of course as a festival established to first and foremost support the sustainability of the live music sector, Leaps and Bounds will ensure Yarra’s beloved live music venues are pumping, with over 50 gigs programmed for all tastes and wallets.
For more information and tickets, visit lbmf.com.au.
