Melbourne’s RISING festival returns this May/June, once again lighting up the city with a sprawling program of music, art and late-night mischief. As always, the music lineup spans generations and scenes, pulling together legends, cult favourites and some of the most interesting artists working right now.
With shows spread across Melbourne Town Hall, Hamer Hall, Max Watt’s and beyond, there’s plenty to dive into. If you’re looking for a place to start, here are five gigs worth locking into your RISING schedule.
Lil’ Kim
Sat 30 May – Festival Hall
Hip hop icon Lil’ Kim heads to RISING to celebrate two of the records that defined her career: Hard Core and The Notorious K.I.M.. A major figure in late-90s rap, Kim built her reputation on sharp lyricism, huge hooks and a stage presence that pushed hip hop into bold new territory.
With a catalogue packed with classic singles and club staples, this show is set to be one of the biggest throwback moments of the festival.
Cate Le Bon
Wed 3 June – Melbourne Town Hall
Welsh songwriter Cate Le Bon has spent the last decade building a strong reputation, both as a solo artist and as a producer for artists including Wilco, Deerhunter and St Vincent.
Her music blends off-kilter pop with funky textures and beautifully layered arrangements. Her latest album Michelangelo Dying continues that approach, leaning into hypnotic grooves and understated melodies.
Yasiin Bey & Brian Jackson present Gil Scott-Heron
Thu 28 May – Forum Melbourne
One of the most unique performances in this year’s lineup sees Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) and Brian Jackson revisiting the work of Gil Scott-Heron.
Jackson was Scott-Heron’s longtime collaborator, helping shape huge tracks including “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”. With Bey joining him on stage, the show revisits Scott-Heron’s mix of politically rooted jazz and soul. It’s a rare chance to see this material performed live by artists who had a hand in its legacy.
Dry Cleaning
Sat 30 May – Forum Melbourne
London band Dry Cleaning have become one of the standout acts from the UK’s recent wave of post-punk bands. Fronted by Florence Shaw’s distinctive spoken delivery, their songs combine sharp guitar work with lyrics that read like a conversation.
Their latest album expands the sound slightly with synthier textures and groove-led rhythms, while keeping the band’s dry humour front and centre.
Day Tripper
Sat 6 June – Melbourne Town Hall/Max Watt’s
If you’re only locking in one big day of music at RISING, Day Tripper is a good place to start. The festival’s “festival-within-a-festival” takes over Melbourne Town Hall and Max Watt’s for a multi-room marathon of live music, with audiences free to move between stages across the day.
This year’s lineup features Kae Tempest, Saul Williams, Chicago jazz pioneer Kahil El’Zabar, indie favourites The Bats, and experimental pop acts including Chanel Beads and Discovery Zone. The best way to approach it is to wander between rooms and see where the day takes you.
RISING takes over Melbourne from 27 May – 08 June 2026 with a packed program of music, art and performances across the city. For tickets and further details, head to the official RISING website HERE.
Image Courtesy of RISING Festival
