City of Yarra’s annual winter music festival, Leaps and Bounds, is heating up the streets again this July. In its 11th year, with over 40 events, spanning a diversity of live music acts, arts activities and cultural celebrations, this year’s festival is set to bring the City of Yarra to life.

“After last year’s stellar return, I’m thrilled that Yarra City Council will be hosting Leaps and Bounds once again,” Mayor, Claudia Nguyen said.

“Yarra is the beating heart of Melbourne’s live music scene. Council is proud to host an event that, for over a decade, has supported local musicians, music venues and industry, through the quieter winter months.”

A celebration of local music, the diverse line-up of live shows will hit venues across Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Collingwood, Abbotsford and Richmond from Thursday 13 July.

Spanning multiple days and nights, the festival boasts a succession of indoor and outdoor live music shows in iconic venues like The Corner Hotel, The Tote and The Night Cat.

Punters can enjoy a smorgasbord of gigs and events spanning a broad range of musical genres from electronic to hip hop to jazz and rock. Events for all age groups and every budget, including plenty of free gigs are on the program.

Last year, Yarra focused on rebounding from pandemic restrictions and cancellations to hold a much larger-scale festival, with help from the Victorian Government.

This year, Council is refining and improving the immersive social experience of Leaps and Bounds and focusing on connecting artists and community.

Opening the festival this year is Melbourne music legend, Emma Donovan, with a fundraiser gig for the Archie Roach Foundation. Donovan will play alongside local talent, Kiwat Kennell and Kee'ahn at The Corner Hotel in Richmond on opening night Thursday 13 July.

The much-lauded Smith Street Dreaming program is back, celebrating the footprint of Koorie history in Collingwood and Fitzroy and featuring some of the best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and artists.

The impressive line-up also includes local legends Cash Savage, Thando, ZÖJ, Porpoise Spit, Ayebatonye, Makepisi, Eamon McNelis’s Skellingtons Quartet & Paul Williamson’s Hammond Combo, MzRisk, THANDO, Parsnip and so much more.

This year’s festival will also include an industry day event where local businesses, artists and Victorian music industry representatives can network.

Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is proudly presented by Yarra City Council, with presenting partner PBS FM.

Smith Street Dreaming is presented by Yarra City Council, with the support of the Victoria Government.

For more information and the full program, visit Leaps and Bounds Music Festival.