Congratulations to the Forum Melbourne, which took out the People's Choice Favourite Live Music Venue at the 2025 Time Out Melbourne Arts & Culture Awards, presented in partnership with the Australian Cultural Fund.
An old 'talkies' theatre, and then a Christian Revivalist hall – the Forum Melbourne has a long and storied history stretching right back to when it first opened in 1929. With its grand facade and copper-domed clock tower, it quickly became a local landmark. At one point, it even featured the largest seating capacity in the Southern Hemisphere.
Since 1996 though, it's been one of Melbourne's premier live music and cabaret venues, playing host to everyone from Oasis and Madonna to Harry Styles, Katy Perry, Tame Impala and Ozzy Osbourne. It's also been used for film festivals, comedy shows and smaller-scale live performances.
But a big part of what makes the Forum Melbourne so loved is the design elements. Large Roman-style statues and gargoyles adorn the alcoves and flank the wide concert stage – the majority of which were cast directly from the originals. And throughout the entire auditorium is that famous cerulean blue ceiling, depicting a vast night sky complete with twinkling stars and accurately placed constellations. It's said to imitate the Mediterranean sky and give the feeling of being seated in an open-air theatre.
These days, it remains a rite of passage to attend a concert here for any Melbourne music lover. To find out more and what gigs are coming up, head to the website.