Presented by Grace Chia and Breaknbread Productions, The Human Grey marks the official launch of Grace Chia’s latest project — a powerful new body of work exploring the spaces between light and dark, certainty and uncertainty, and the experiences that exist in between.

This special Melbourne launch night brings together live music, creative energy and community, celebrating not just the release of the album, but the artists and culture surrounding it. Hosted by Maloney, with support from Kudos, Viliani, DJ Mizhap and Bleach, expect a night of performances, connection and unforgettable moments.

Join us as Grace Chia unveils The Human Grey live.

GRACE CHIA – The Human Grey Album Launch

Popboomerang Records is proud to announce the release of ‘Shake Yer Popboomerang Volume 4’, the latest instalment in the label’s compilation album series showcasing the current crop of Australian pop/rock artists, both established and emerging.

The 22 song release will be showcased with a series of live launches, kicking off with a marathon eight-band bill on Sunday 9 August at Shotkickers in Thornbury.

From 2pm and into the evening, hear sets from Annual Leaf, David Orwell & The Department Of Main Roads, Emily Ulman, Field Monuments, Holocene, KTV, Little Faiths and Private Stash.

The compilation and other artist merch will be available for purchase on the day.

Tix are just $25 plus booking fee - a bargain for eight great artists! More money to spend at the merch desk!

'Shake Yer Popboomerang Volume 4' - Compilation Launch

Nagoya’s extreme new-wave mavericks WAPPERIN return to Australia this August for a limited run of explosive live shows.

Driven by the pounding drums of Hiroshi Hasegawa and the wild vocals and twisted keyboards of FUJIN, WAPPERIN collide jagged synths, unpredictable rhythms and off-kilter pop melodies with the raw energy of Japan’s underground music scene. Strange, playful and relentlessly physical, their performances transform the stage into a whirlwind of sound, movement and controlled chaos.

Following their successful first Australian visit in 2025, WAPPERIN return for a handful of intimate shows across Victoria.

Catch them live at Shotkickers on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, with a stacked lineup featuring:

Zero City, Electric Self, and Frons

WAPPERIN (JPN)

Loz Perkins, formerly of Face Face and Pepperjack, shares a setlist of new songs with a new band made up of members from Erin Will Be Mad and Major Bummer. Expect heartbreaking optimism straight from the chest.

Jess Shreds and the Unmade Beds bring their brand of mid-west Footscray emo songs to the stage, as we patiently await the release of their upcoming EP.

Workfriend open the night with some slowcore alt-folk fresh off the release of their new album Until It Hurts and Then Some.

Artwork by Lach Millard.

Loz Perkins

Ahead of the release of his sophomore album '10Charlie', Phil Jamieson is taking flight with his PJ Air tour - bringing songs of triumph, joy, heartache and bluster to the edges of Australia.

Experience one of Australia's most revered frontmen in an intimate setting as he navigates the turbulence of life through a rejuvenated creative lens.

Your seat on PJ Air is waiting. Boarding starts at 9am on April 13th, 2026.

Phil Jamieson - PJ AIR Tour

After honing their chops in every dive bar, saloon and honky tonk in Naarm, sorcerers of twang, Acid Arrow are set to launch their new single “Drop Your Shoulders Down”, a slow-burn crooner that aches as much as it soothes. Riding the knife’s edge between struggle and surrender, the track leans into life’s trials and the quiet strength we all need at times.

A follow up to their psyche drenched debut single "Then it Rains" that received national community radio support from RRR/PBS/4ZZZ/2SER and beyond, Acid Arrow are rollicking around Victoria and the East Coast, with rag-tag band with members borrowed from Cash Savage & the Last Drinks, Eaten By Dogs, The Baudelaires and Orville Brody.

Along for the ride Van Walker led, goth-country supergroup, BADLANDERS and smokey folk, chanteuse TERESA DUFFY RICHARDS (DUO)

Acid Arrow - "Drop Your Shoulders Down" Matinee Single Launch

Coming across the ocean, Shuv-it and Shuriken are touching down to Australia for a New Zealand take over, stopping at Shotkickers for their Melbourne leg .

With local hardcore supports, Lockjaw, Rile and Destroy joining for a chaotic night.

Shuriken + Shuv It - NZ takeover

Melody Kin is celebrating the release of her debut EP “Venus in Gemini” at Shotkickers on August 16th, bringing her neo-soul EP to life with a full band and special guests.

Coming off the back of a successful debut EP release in May, Melody has been supporting the likes of BOY SODA, MOKOMOKAI and Ella Thompson in their Naarm shows.

New music from the upcoming debut album will be shared for the first time and exclusive merch will be available for purchase.

This will be a heavenly Sunday afternoon of RnB and neo-soul joined by friends and local powerhouses Tyla Moonchild and Isadora.

Melody Kin "Venus in Gemini" EP Launch

AKEY is a queer, trans non-binary powerhouse of Australia’s nu-jazz scene. Their sound synthesises up-tempo future-sonic jazz with hip-hop breakbeats, luscious synth harmonies, and Afro-Cuban grooves. A genre-smashing keyboardist, they’ve toured globally, supporting icons like Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan and Thundercat. After their Amsterdam-label debut Yoofee/Graze on Wicked Wax, AKEY returns with 'fk me & (only then) call me a f**', a song that defiantly puts the finger up to the hate speech spouted by those who don't hold the queer card, a song longing for connection beyond judgment, and a meditation on identity, vulnerability, and resilience.

For AKEY, music is both sonic liberation and social activism—driven by community, defiance of norms, and an audacious commitment to authenticity. Performing alongside AKEY are some of Australia’s leading improvisers: drummer Jordan Pereira, bassist Stephen Lane, flautist Kasinda Faase and vocalist Priscilla Stanley.

AKEY will be supported by two hand-selected Naarm-based acts who champion their community:

Kuzco is a Australian/Maori keyboardist, producer and club DJ who has been straddling herself across the realms of the underground electronic and dance scenes. As Akey's ex-housemate, she’s also been a deeply revered figure as a heavyweight touring keyboardist, with projects like Harvey Sutherland, Middle Name Dance Band and Gordon Koang.

Girls Night In is an all-female nujazz collective, experimenting with contemporary textures and styles. Led by virtuoso guitarist Cinnamon Laddin Catron, the group features vocals, bass, drums, keyboard, saxophone, cello and viola, promoting rich, layered arrangements and dynamic, collaborative ensemble playing.

Poster design by @hivoltageharvey

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation who are the Custodians of the land on which we are so grateful to host this event, and recognise their continuing connection within the music community.

7:30 pm - 8:00 pm: Doors open

8:00 pm - 8:45 pm: Kuzco (DJ)

8:45 pm - 9:30 pm: Girls Night In

9:30 pm - 9:45 pm: Kuzco (DJ)

9:45 pm - 10:45 pm: AKEY

This event is a safe space for people of all identities. Shotkickers has a flat entry, is wheelchair accessible, has gender neutral bathrooms and an accessible bathroom. Strobe lighting will not be used during this performance. Street parking is available. The closest accessible parking bay is less than 50m from the venue. The closest tram stop is within 100m. The closest accessible tram stop (Super Stop) is within 600m. The closest train station is within 300m. This venue has a wide selection of seating options.

AKEY Single Launch

Skin Thief are heading to Europe!!

To celebrate this incredible milestone the Melbourne based progressive post metal trio are hitting the road for one more Australian tour before they head overseas to support Full Contact Safari Records label mates Khan on their European Tour.

Come see them off on August 21 at Shotkickers with special guests Myriad Drone and Stigg.

8pm Doors

Stigg - 8:30pm

Myriad Drone - 9:30pm

Skin Thief - 10:30pm

Skin Thief Europe Send-Off Tour

Melbourne's Ultimate SOAD Experience System Of A Don't are teaming up with Insignificant Other Limp Bizkit Tribute Band from Sydney, and Melbourne's only Female-fronted Rage Against The Machine Tribute Killing In The Dame .

Described by some bloke off Facebook as "Hands down the best nu-metal tribute band in Australia" you DON'T want to miss System Of A Don't as they triumphantly return to the stage after a 7 month hiatus. Bring your pogo stick and get ready to Bounce & Shimmy as you're Hypnotised and Mezmerized

After playing sold out-shows around NSW, Insignificant Other are bringing their nu-metal party to VIC!

The band look and sound just like the real thing, and with a setlist stacked full of Bizkit bangers including Nookie, Rollin, My Way and Break Stuff, they're guaranteed to put the bounce in the mosh pit.

Killing In The Dame will Wake Up the crowd Like A Bomb, bringing the same killer groove and explosive energy as the originators of rap-metal, playing everything from Bombtrack to Renegades of Funk.

System of a Don't + Insignificant Other + Killing In The Dame

Following the release of “Subaru”, which found a warm home on Triple J and earned some lovely praise from listeners and presenters alike, Isabelle Skye returns to the stage with her band to play honest indie-pop with a soft edge for her first show in a little while.

Come get cozy and spend your Saturday afternoon with us along with Lucy Clough (solo) and Jim Jim's at Shotkickers. Tickets available online or on the door

Shotkickers

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