Announcing the highly anticipated return of Leaps and Bounds Music Festival, Yarra’s premier celebration of local live music.

This July, we're bringing you the best of local and international music and art – all set against the stunning backdrop of Yarra. As we support and uplift our local artists, you'll have the opportunity to discover new sounds, connect with fellow music fans, and embrace the diversity that defines our city. 

This festival is the perfect way to warm up the winter months with a unique multicultural experience. We've also lined up some of the best venues in Yarra for you to take in the sights and sounds of the festival. 

Presented by Yarra City Council, in partnership with PBS FM and Plakkit, our festival will immerse you in a diverse range of genres and musical experiences.

Emma Donovan + Singing Our Futures (Fundraiser)

Thursday 13 July, 2023 

Emma Donovan leads the festival’s opening night celebrations and lends her support to the ‘Singing Our Futures EP launch’ on the night. Over the last year the Archie Roach Foundation has been hard at work with the inaugural program ‘Singing our Futures’ (SOF), which is a mentorship experience that helps emerging First Nations artists on their songwriting and recording journeys. This year’s artists include Kee’ahn, Kiwat Kennell, Madi Colville Walker, Ridzy Ray and Maylene Yinarr.

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Uptown Jazz Cafe takeover of the Fitzroy Town Hall

Friday 14 July, 2023

Uptown Jazz Cafe is doing a take over of Fitzroy Town Hall and bringing Eamon McNelis’s Skellingtons Quartet and Paul Williamson’s Hammond Combo to the Ballroom.

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ZÖJ Live

Friday 14 July, 2023

There is no celebration here. As you read this, women and girls around the world struggle against legally enshrined gender inequality and discrimination. Experimental duo ZÖJ perform a dark, romantic, and poetic set of structured improvisations that bring these injustices and human rights abuses into focus.

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Leap In For Love

Sunday 16 July, 2023 

‘Leap in for Love’ is a celebration of our Transgender and Gender Diverse Community through music, film and conversation. The event is hosted and performed by Trans and Gender Diverse kids from Collingwood College, as well as parents from the school’s Proud Pride Parent Group. Students performing will be joined on stage by Melbourne rock/punk musicians and allies Cash Savage (Cash Savage and the Last Drinks) as well as some of Melbourne’s favourite drag queens.

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Makepisi: The Spirit Of African Voice

Thursday 13 July, 2023

Makepisi is a five piece acapella line up singing contemporary and traditional South African songs. In the style of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the group showcases this assembly of powerful black voices. This is a space for the artists to share their culture with the audience, through song and discussion.

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Visit our website to explore the amazing line-up of artists and venues that will be igniting the soundwaves of our city this winter. 

VIEW LINEUP