Every village boasts at least one live music venue to enjoy the sonorous and melodic. The locals tend to keep these a well-kept secret, but when primed liberally with a few of those aforementioned ales, here’s what we managed to get out of them:

Amelia from Daylesford – “I love the Spa Bar here and the Daylesford Cider Company for an ale and some great music. Down the road in Hepburn, I head to the Old Hepburn Hotel or the Blue Bean Love Restaurant for a feed and some tunes and Bellinzona’s Cellar Door is a ripper.”  Damian from Woodend – “I go to Holgate’s on a Saturday night for my live music hit. Major Tom’s in Kyneton is also great for music and burgers. Those who are more culturally inclined like the Lowland Farm at Mount Macedon for chamber music… it’s a different kind of jam though isn’t it?”

Here’s a list of a few others… (the locals involved requested to remain anonymous for fear of being chased out of town for letting the proverbial cat out of the potato sack).

Castlemaine: The Bridge Hotel, The Criterion Hotel & The Taproom

Bacchus Marsh: Flanagan’s Border Inn & The Royal Hotel

Trentham: The Cosmopolitan Hotel & The Pig & Whistle Hotel

Daylesford: The Spa Bar & Daylesford Cider Company

Other favourites: Radio Springs Hotel, Lyonville Mount Macedon Hotel, Mt Macedon The Farmers Arms, Creswick Evans Wine & Cheese Bar, Romsey Wine O’Clock Wine Bar, Gisborne Scrub Hill 1869, Newlyn Baringo, New Gisborne.

The Palais in Hepburn reopened on November the 15th, showcasing local artists, musicians and performers. After a stunning restoration to return it to its original art deco splendour, it is set to become one of the premier music venues in regional Victoria.