Balaclava Boogie Music Crawl

Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 November 2025

Carlisle Street is about to swap its coffee cups for guitars, bagels for basslines, and boxing gloves for drumsticks!

On Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November, the Balaclava Boogie Music Crawl will transform 18 quirky venues into mini music stages. Think bands in barbershops, violins in vintage interiors, Latin grooves in pizzerias, jazz in cake shops, and indie rock in speakeasies.

The lineup is just as eclectic as the venues: Adalita, Archer, Xani, Daisy Kilbourne, Max Koenig, Alex Burkoy, Charlie Lane, Mathilde Anne, Hysteric and more.

From the smooth vibes of Savion Cakes & Bagels, to beats in UBX Boxing Gym, and indie anthems at Pause Bar & The Local Taphouse, the Boogie is a celebration of music where you least expect it.

Shows are FREE and staggered across the weekend — so grab a drink, order a meal, and let Carlisle Street surprise you.

Book a spot at your fave venue to avoid missing out! *

* As this is a FREE event, if you are more than 10mins late, your spot may be given up to the next arriving patron.

Schedule

Saturday

Archer

Archer is a folk musician. A country blues crooner poet. Singing by the Rivers, singing in the nursing homes, singing for the children. He is an author, has written hundreds of songs and spends most days Planting Trees and feeding delicacies to a giant Cow.

Archer recently featured in the cult classic documentary “I’m Wanita” and is busy recording an album with producer Michael hohnen (Gurrumul) and composer Erkki Veltheim. A unique and captivating voice.

Daisy Kilbourne

Daisy Kilbourne is a soul-stirring artist hailing from the spirited small town of Daylesford, with a heart firmly rooted in the music of the ’70s. Daisy’s talent and love for song run deep, inspired by the legacy of her late father, Wayne Kilbourne, a revered songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Daisy’s sound is a modern reflection of her influences — a rich blend of folk, rock, and soul that evokes the raw emotion of the Laurel Canyon scene.

With an Album on the horizon, her audience can expect a collection of heartfelt, contemplative tunes that blend storytelling with an unmistakable rawness — the kind that stays with you long after the music fades.

Saskia Robin

Born and raised in Naarm/Melbourne, Saskia Robin is a singer, guitarist and songwriter who takes most of her inspiration from her parents’ 90s CD collection. Her sound, earning comparisons to Hole, PJ Harvey and Olivia Rodrigo, has evolved into a unique blend of guitar, candidly raw vocals, and lyrics that hit a little too close to home.

With an EP already in the works, Saskia Robin is set to make a fierce impact on Australia’s alternative-rock music scene.

Adalita

Adalita is a formidable Australian rock icon. She has cemented her well-earned place in the music industry as a highly respected solo artist, since first exploding into the local consciousness back in 1991 as a founding member and principal songwriter of legendary Australian alt rock band, Magic Dirt.

Adalita continues to work on a slate of creative collaborations, is a regular guest speaker and judge at arts events, and enjoys mentoring emerging artists, film composing and acting. She’s also a passionate photographer and filmmaker.

DJ Upstairs

DJ Upstairs is a Melbourne-based Congolese DJ, producer, and entertainer.

Inspired by his Congolese roots and global sounds, he blends Afro-Congo, Kompa, Rhumba, Amapiano, house, and global electronic grooves into high-energy sets that celebrate culture and community.

Xani

Xani Kolac is a violinist, composer, and improviser redefining what the electric violin can do in contemporary and improvised music. With a Master’s degree in Music Performance (Improvisation) from the Victorian College of the Arts, Xani has spent over a decade pushing the boundaries of her instrument. Her unique sound is shaped by influences ranging from Jimi Hendrix and Stuff Smith to Kosmiche Musik explorers CAN, to art pop pioneers like Camille and Bjork, alongside her deep roots in jazz and improvisation.

Balaclava Boogie Takeover @ Bar For Now

An all-day takeover featuring Bar For Now residents alongside some of Melbourne’s most beloved selectors. Expect a journey through Disco, House, Cosmic, Downtempo, and a wide range of eclectic sounds – all powered by a beautiful vintage JBL sound system.

Free entry all day and open to all, so just turn up!

4pm – Kieran Hoop
6pm – Princey
8pm – Hysteric

Dan McKay

Daniel McKay studied extensively with Australia’s most highly respected guitar pedagogue Timothy Kain, with whom he earned the degrees of Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from the Australian National University.

Daniel has toured as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and Europe – the latter made possible through funding from the Australia Council – and has released CDs with long time ACO assistant leader, violinist Zoë Black [d’aujourd’hui on Move Records], Duo 19 with fellow guitarist Tonié Field [Fluid Lines on Move Records], Guitar Trek [Asturias: The Spirit of Spain on ABC Classics, Six Fish on tall Poppies] and a self-titled solo CD. Since 2014 Daniel has been a member of the Melbourne Guitar Quartet, who can be seen regularly throughout Victoria and as part of the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Local Heroes program.

Nina Clare

Nina Clare is a Melbourne based singer/songwriter. A passionate and prolific songwriter, at sixteen years old, she has already amassed an impressive repertoire of over one hundred original songs.

Drawing inspiration from artists like Greta Ray, Maisie Peters and Taylor Swift, Nina sings about everyday girlhood, relationships, and teenage love and despair. Performing in school bands, musicals, and a variety of solo gigs for the past five years, Nina continues to build an exciting future in music. With her heart on her sleeve, and guitar in tow, she’s ready to hit a stage near you!

Alex Burkoy

Ever since arriving in Australia from Ukraine in 2000, Alex has been constantly evolving his instrumental skills and applying them to various projects and bands predominantly based in Melbourne. He is an improvisational multi-instrumentalist, contributing violins, guitars, bass and other string instruments to many performances, recordings and he has travelled extensively around Australia, Canada, Western Europe and beyond.

Most often spotted as the multi-instrumentalist with Anna Smyrk or The Fifth of Nisan, he joins Balaclava Boogie with just a few instruments in hand, but plenty of improvisational versatility, psychedelic loops and Eastern European flare.

Remy Sayers

St Kilda local Remy Sayers vibrantly combines Folk and Rock music, creating a blend of hard-hitting lyrics, indelible melodies, and vocals raspy and sweet.

The multi-instrumentalist and gifted writer draws inspiration from artists like Big Thief, You Am I, and Haley Heynderickx, but takes cues from all kinds of genres.

Remy writes with understanding and capacity beyond her years, and her songs reliably capture the hearts and minds of her audience wherever she goes.

Charlie Lane

“Sunny pop, melancholy and self aware lyrics” are words often used to describe Charlie Lane. Sweetly unique, charming and honest, the indie pop songwriter explores themes of darkness, grief, hope and acknowledgement in her songwriting, expressed in her own style of indie pop.

Artistically diverse, Charlie is involved in all creative elements of her music, working in new media and illustration, designing cover art for her last two EP’s, Charlie is music and vision.

As a woman with invisible disabilities, Charlie Lane is leading a change in the music industry, wanting to see a more inclusive movement within the industry.

David Cosma

With inspiring lyrics, sumptuous melodies, and a one-of-a-kind guitar style (playing upside down – true southpaw), David delivers impassioned live performances that leave audiences deeply moved and energized. His music weaves rich, luminous textures with stories shaped by life experience, pop culture, and nostalgic flair – instantly captivating listeners.

Having shared the stage with legends like Mark Seymour, Brian Cadd, Russell Morris, Pete Murray, and Jeff Martin, David is a seasoned performer who knows how to connect with crowds, from intimate gatherings to major festival stages. His latest recordings span Melbourne and the iconic Sun Studios in Memphis, blending international polish with homegrown soul. Catch him live, November 8 at Ms Carlisles as part of Balaclava Boogie 2025!

Distasteful Microwaves

The Distasteful Microwaves are a young indie rock band from Port Phillip, Melbourne. Mixing emotional ballads with loud, guitar driven tracks, their music shifts from quiet reflection to high energy moments that get a crowd moving. The band formed in 2024 during a high school music camp and quickly began performing at school events and backyard shows. Their lineup is Millie on vocals, Georgie and Felix on guitars, Lucian on bass, and Tommy on drums. Together, they bring a mix of grit, melody, and energy to their performances.

Inspired by artists like Kings of Leon, Smashing Pumpkins, and Radiohead, The Distasteful Microwaves draw on alternative and classic rock sounds while shaping their own style. With original songs (plus more in the works) and a name you won’t forget, they’re carving out a place in Melbourne’s underground music community.

A.O. Jay Tobi

Rooted in the rich rhythms of the African continent and uplifted by global grooves, Tobi and the sub sol band bring a powerful fusion of afrobeat, highlife, jazz and soul to every stage they step on. Led by the nigerian-born vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Tobi, the group channels a timeless energy through polyrhythmic percussion, sweet guitar riffs and that ignite dance floors and uplifts the spirit.

Whether singing in yoruba, english or pidgin, Tobi’s commanding presence and deep lyrics carry echoes of fela kuti, Angelie Kidjo and modern day afro fusion legends.

Their music is not just heard: it’s felt. Come ready to move, connect and celebrate the heartbeat of Afro Western Jazz music.

Shaky Stills

Melbourne’s own original country western, tex mex, trucker and western swing band play only the best dancing & drinking songs. They deliver the prime cuts and take no detours performing with their incredibly tight sound, three part harmonies, classic 7″ singles arrangements and big-hearted honesty.

Sunday

DJ Upstairs

DJ Upstairs is a Melbourne-based Congolese DJ, producer, and entertainer.

Inspired by his Congolese roots and global sounds, he blends Afro-Congo, Kompa, Rhumba, Amapiano, house, and global electronic grooves into high-energy sets that celebrate culture and community.

Mathilde Anne

When Mathilde Anne tells her story, you know she’s speaking for you too. Whether in haunting beauty, or lyrically shooting from the hip, Mathilde speaks her mind.

Mikhaell

Mikhaell is excited to bring a dynamic, multi-genre set of original music that blends African rhythms with modern sounds.

Their performance weaves together Reggae, Rumba, Rhythm & Blues, and Hip Hop, creating a soulful yet uplifting experience that is suitable for all ages. Their mission through music is simple: to spread love, joy, and cultural connection.

Max König Saffron Quartet

Saxophonist extraordinaire Max König showcases his talent for bringing to life vibrant middle eastern and Eastern European melodies in an intimate acoustic quartet setting. The repertoire ranges from great canon of Persian folk music, Arabic Tarab and folk music and Eastern European Jewish Klezmer.

Performing alongside Max is in-demand interstate and international Persian touring artists Reza Kashi on Oud/Tar/Setar and Sina Motamed on Kamancheh, and veteran percussionist Rosco Heck on darbuka / riq / framedrum.

Zoe Marshall

Zoë is a Naarm/Melbourne-based vocalist, producer, pianist, and songwriter also known as MOZË. Drawing from her roots in soul, her songwriting is rich in synths and big in vocals.

Zoë’s performances hold you in space of intimacy, vulnerability and cinema.

Synthotronica

Award-winning musician and composer Ania Reynolds has performed her original music across five continents, been the Musical Director for Circus Oz and Yothu Yindi and the Treaty Project, shared a saxophone solo duet with Femi Kuti and played baritone sax hanging upside down at the National Theatre in London. Her all-original sound combines Afrobeat, Dub/Reggae, Cumbia, Samba and Ska, and has been described as ‘wonkadelic’, ‘techno-jazz’, ‘Steampunk Swing’ and ‘cosmic funk’.

She entertains audiences the world over, including yearly tours in France, the Tokyo International Baritone Saxophone Festival, Buskers’ World Games and the Gwangju International Festival of Recollection, South Korea, Honk! Festival Rio de Janeiro and many more. Forecast: Groovy, with the chance of triangle solos.

Marcelle

Marcelle is an Australian based singer/songwriter who breathes rock and soul. Performing, recording and collaborating locally and abroad, she is known for her unique voice and its potent quality. Earthy and effervescent in equal measure, Marcelle brings soulful charisma to songs she has written and reimagined.

Max König

“The saxophonist cuts a towering figure, swaying back and forth, threading a mystical tapestry of ornamentations, blowing rapid fire, stream-of-consciousness improvisations.”

Max König and his first class band are a unique sound, sight and spirit to behold. The two sets at Savion Cakes And Bagels will showcase the band’s exciting traditional Jewish Klezmer music repertoire.

Balaclava Boogie Music Crawl

Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 November 2025

Schedule

Saturday

Archer

Daisy Kilbourne

Saskia Robin

Adalita

DJ Upstairs

Xani

Balaclava Boogie Takeover @ Bar For Now

Dan McKay

Nina Clare

Alex Burkoy

Remy Sayers

Charlie Lane

David Cosma

Distasteful Microwaves

A.O. Jay Tobi

Shaky Stills

Sunday

DJ Upstairs

Mathilde Anne

Mikhaell

Max König Saffron Quartet

Zoe Marshall

Synthotronica

Marcelle

Max König

The Carlisle Street Traders Association respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.