News
All aboard for live music gigs like no other

14 March 2024

Victorian music lovers can look forward to experiencing gigs like no other when SOUND TRACKS stops in Shepparton, Rochester and Echuca next month.
Soundtracks 2023. Image: Nick McKinley

The 2024 edition of SOUND TRACKS will transform Shepparton’s Star Bowl bowling alley on Saturday 6 April before taking over a restored sleeper train for a music-fuelled trip from Melbourne to Echuca and Rochester from Friday 19 April to Sunday 21 April.

Presented by Victorian music event promoter OK Motels in partnership with Music Victoria, SOUND TRACKS is an event series that fuses together live music and regional hospitality, encouraging local and visiting music fans to see incredible Australian acts while exploring unique spaces and places in regional Victoria.

On Saturday 6 April Shepparton’s Star Bowling Alley becomes the OK Star Bowl, featuring a lineup including jazz, funk and soul band Surprise Chef and Barkaa, along with live DJs and food by Shepparton Culture Kitchens.

Then from 19-21 April, SOUND TRACKS will go on tour, with music lovers catching gigs aboard the train during an overnight journey from Southern Cross station to Echuca. On 20 April passengers will wake to enjoy a breakfast on Echuca railway station platform, before having time to explore the town.

From Echuca, the train will travel to Rochester where train travellers will join crowds at local pubs and the Rochester Shire Hall for a feast of performances by legendary Australian band Magic Dirt, Watty Thompson and His Total Fire Band, Queenie, Troy Firebrace, DJ Milo Eastwood and jazz artist Sam Boon, with more acts to be announced.

Proudly backed by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Community Support Fund, SOUND TRACKS aims to support flood impacted areas across regional Victoria, boosting tourism, stimulating local businesses and strengthening local communities.

Last year, tickets to SOUND TRACKS’ debut event, a train journey from Melbourne to Charlton, were snapped up in less than 24 hours.

Beyond SOUND TRACKS, the Victorian Government’s Live Music for Flood Recovery program last year supported over 30 music events in flood-affected towns across regional Victoria, including Rochella at Rochester, a music festival that attracted more than 1500 people.

For information visit www.sound-tracks.au