Author(s): Brian Carr (Photographer)

Music

Music City offers a rare window into Melbourne’s music scene as it evolved over the last six decades.

In this stunning collection of black & white and colour photographs by Brian Carr, many of Australia's most beloved musicians (Archie Roach, Marcia Hines, Paul Kelly, to name a few!) feature alongside international stars (including Ray Charles and Sharon Jones).

Carr also beautifully captures lesser known performers, and the community itself. Much-loved venues like the Corner in Richmond, and Fitzroy’s Rainbow Hotel make an appearance, as do the people behind the line-up, the quiet heroes of a city’s live music revolution: community radio stations, presenters, and venue owners, who so often sweated the details so the show would go on.

With foreword by Chris Wilson, as well as a tender nod to the relationship between audience and performer, this collection will captivate music fans, Melbournians and lovers of culture or history. This is a book for anyone who was lucky enough to be there and everyone who wasn’t.

As Wilson writes, ‘Steeped in working class style, punching above its weight. Melbourne knows how to have a good time,’ and Music City is a must.