Regional music push hits Lorne

LIVE music returned to Lorne over the weekend, with a free pop-up event drawing crowds to the Great Ocean Road town for a day of coastal performances.

The free pop-up event, part of the Victorian Vibes series, featured sets from Augie March, Middle Kids and Azure Ryder, turning the seaside setting into a live music hub and attracting visitors from across the region.

The event forms part of Always Live’s push to take major Australian acts beyond Melbourne and into regional communities.

Always Live chief executive Psyche Payne said the event captured everything the series was designed to achieve.

“Lorne is such a gorgeous coastal town,” she said. “The idea of bringing some of these gorgeous Australian artists down to play by the sea was too good to pass up.”

Visitors and residents enjoyed a series of live music events in Lorne on Sunday. Photo: Marcus Coblyn.

Payne said the setting added something special for both artists and audiences, with the coastline forming a dramatic backdrop and the relaxed atmosphere helping create a strong sense of community.

“It brings energy to the artists as well,” she said. “They really embrace the excitement of playing in unique locations.”

Augie March was among the standout acts, with Payne saying the band relished the chance to perform in Lorne.

She said feedback from both musicians and audiences had been overwhelmingly positive, with many out-of-town visitors making the trip specifically for the event.

“The artist is always so thankful for the opportunity,” she said. “They’re really proud to be involved in something that showcases the Victorian towns.”

The pop-up live music series began in Ballarat and will continue to travel across regional Victoria. Photo: RC Stills.

Payne said that access remains central to the project, particularly for younger people and regional audiences who may not otherwise get the chance to see live acts of that calibre.

“Music is such a fundamental part of community connection,” she said.

The Lorne event follows the series’ opening stop in Ballarat and comes as Always Live continues its journey through regional Victoria, with more towns set to be announced in the coming weeks.

Payne said the organisation will keep rolling out new locations fortnightly, with the next announcement due via the Always Live website and social media channels.

Geelong and the Bellarine are among the regions expected to feature in the lineup.