State Library Victoria today announced its program for Melbourne Music Week, which is set to transform the Library into a music wonderland from 11 to 19 November.

During the nine-day music extravaganza, the Library will delve deep into the vaults to reveal some extraordinary items in its collection including never-before-displayed, rare vinyl records from the 1940s to today, and specialist fanzines inspired by the Melbourne music scene – the largest public collection of its kind in Australia.

“Music has had a place within the Library’s collection since its early days. A lot of people might be surprised to know that we have a vast array of music-related material from around the world, covering all periods and styles, from prehistoric to pop,” said Justine Hyde, Director of Library Services and Experience, State Library Victoria.

“It’s great we’re able to showcase some of these incredible items in our collection for Melbourne Music Week,” she said.

The State Library’s program will include discussions with Melbourne live music icon and cartoonist Fred Negro about the St Kilda scene in the 80s and beyond, and a performance of literary-inspired songs by ARIA award-winner Monique Brumby and inimitable singer-songwriter Rebecca Barnard, of Rebecca’s Empire fame.

As the Hub for this year’s Melbourne Music Week, the State Library’s historic Queen’s Hall will be transformed into a band room, bar and performance space. The iconic domed reading room will play host to live shows, and the Library’s forecourt will come alive with all-ages performances and DJ sets.

On AIR: 40 years of 3RRR, a free exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of Triple R will also open during Melbourne Music Week, with a special preview from 9pm on Thursday 17 November. This first-ever exhibition showcasing Australia’s most successful community radio station will take you through Triple R’s 40-year evolution from its humble beginnings as an educational broadcaster at RMIT’s city campus to a station with 440,000 listeners tuning in every week and its own digs in Brunswick.

State Library Victoria is the 2016 Hub for Melbourne Music Week. The program will run from 11 to 19 November. Owned and delivered by the City of Melbourne.

For more information:
www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/melbourne-music-week