Fed Square’s summer season returns from 4 February 2027 with free live music from Tuareg desert blues group Tinariwen and Dutch psychedelic rock band Altın Gün, candlelit sets by Thelma Plum and Drifting Clouds, Garage Band’s fifth year and a full outdoor cinema program.
Tinariwen and Altın Gün will share a free one-night-only double bill at Fed Square on 27 February as Open Air at the Square returns for summer 2027.
The program runs from 4 February to 8 March and turns the Melbourne CBD site into a free outdoor venue for live music, cinema, street dance and cultural events. Fed Square Director and CEO Katrina Sedgwick said the season continues a familiar Melbourne pattern. “There’s something special about the way Melbourne comes together at Fed Square over summer. Open Air transforms the Square into a meeting place for extraordinary music, creativity and culture, bringing people together to discover new sounds, see some of Australia’s most-loved artists live and share unforgettable moments under the stars.”
“This year’s program celebrates the incredible talent and cultural diversity of Melbourne and the world, with experiences for everyone to enjoy – all free, and right in the heart of the city.”
Tinariwen’s Saharan blues rhythms meet Altın Gün’s psychedelic rock on 27 February in the most high-profile music booking of the season. Both acts bring established international followings to a free public stage.
Garage Band marks its fifth year on 13 February. The program, created by Melbourne artist and musician JOF, supports emerging Victorian musicians through mentorship, workshops and performance. Special guests include Frankston garage rock band The Gnomes, formed by singer-guitarist Jay Millar from a Bandcamp bedroom project that later moved onto the Melbourne pub circuit, released an album and toured internationally. Rising Melbourne four-piece Salmon Sisters also appear, bringing a mix of garage punk, rock ‘n’ roll and blues.
Candlelight Concerts present two intimate outdoor performances. ARIA Award-winning singer-songwriter Thelma Plum performs on 9 February. Arnhem Land group Drifting Clouds follow on 10 February with synth-pop and disco grooves that incorporate lyrics in the Yolngu language. Both shows are free and all-ages.
The Afro-Caribbean Carnival returns on 20 February, curated by Stick Mareebo. Jamaican reggae and dancehall artists King Yellowman and Queen Ifrica headline, joined by Melbourne’s Tribe Soundsystem for a day-to-night program of music, food and sound system culture.
Outdoor cinema on the upgraded Big Screen forms a major part of the season. Midsumma Movies – Australian Shorts opens the program on 4 February in partnership with Melbourne Queer Film Festival and Midsumma Festival. Valentine’s Day on 14 February offers a double feature of Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love (2000) and Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011).
Silent Cinema with Live Scores runs from 15 to 19 February. The series pairs silent films with new live scores, including The Phantom of the Opera (1925) with a DJ score, a centenary screening of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927) with The New Pollutants, Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari with Brazilian composer Alcides Neto, and W.W. Young’s Alice in Wonderland (1915) with Kasinda and Agaracha Orchestra.
From 22 to 25 February the And the Oscar Goes To series screens In the Heat of the Night (1967), Moonstruck (1987), Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and A Fish Called Wanda (1988). Music documentaries follow from 1 to 8 March, including Live Aid (1985) and Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz.
Additional cultural events include They Will Be Kings on 5 February as part of Midsumma Festival, the Australian-Indonesian twilight fair Nongkrong: Pasar Senja on 6 February, and ON&ON: Street Dance Festival from 16 to 21 February, presented with Cypher Culture and featuring the return of City Sessions freestyle battles.
Full program details are available at fedsquare.com/events/open-air-at-the-square.
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