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Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Sidney Myer Music Bowl
4
About
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is located in the Kings Domain Gardens, close to Arts Centre Melbourne and the Southbank entertainment precinct. This hugely popular summertime venue stages everything from free summer symphonies to performances from some of the biggest names in entertainment. It is home to Carols by Candlelight and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's free summertime concert series. Capacity varies, depending on event type. Getting there: If you are driving to the venue, Arts Centre Melbourne car park is a short walk with entry from the rear of Sturt or Kavanagh Streets. Otherwise it is a short walk from Flinders Street Station or a tram ride up St Kilda Road.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles185 reviews
Excellent
91
Very good
62
Average
19
Poor
7
Terrible
6

Caroline J
Hanoi, Vietnam3 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
I bought 10 tickets for Carols by Candlelight, in the stalls, row T for the cost of approximately $2000, which from the seating map indicated shelter from the weather due to the sails overhead.
There was no notification that this was not the case.
On the night, the rain was incessant to the point that an hour and a half into the event only three of us were left, the others leaving, absolutely soaked to the point that it was not enjoyable anymore.
I understand that’s it an outdoor event and inclement weather is a risk but for the price I paid I would have expected a notification that the seats chosen would expose us to the weather (like you do when buying a concert ticket seat with restricted viewing), so you have a choice whether you want to upgrade to seat further up the front or buy a ticket on the lawn where you would pay considerable less and get just as wet!

I emailed Vision Australia to give them feedback and never got a reply! I guess as long as they get their donations, they don’t really care about their audience.

My advice - don’t buy a ticket in the stalls unless you can get one in rows A - R
Written 19 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jmm
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
Went to see Crowded House on Friday 8 April. The venue was overcrowded, there was absolutely no room to sit or stand on the lawn opposite stage - 1.5 hours before the concert started. Clearly the tickets had been oversold. We sat on the side of the hill and could not hear Crowded House - it was extremely muffled and we ended up leaving after the first two songs in disbelief. We spent $600 on tickets and they were completely wasted. I have been to various concerts at Sidney Myer Music bowl that were amazing, clearly there was an issue on the night that was unresolved. We spoke to one of the groundsmen outside the venue who also agreed that the sound was faulty and he had noted that during the sound check the sound was poor. So clearly there was a problem here on the night and Sidney Myer Music Bowl and Ticketek should be providing a full refund as we didn't get to hear anything. They should also be extremely mindful of the amount of people they are letting in as clearly this was oversold and that destroys the quality of the experience for everyone.
Written 11 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,657 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is a Melbourne icon. It was the gift of Sidney Myer, retailer and philanthropist. The Myer Music Bowl is used, mainly in the warmer months, especially for the annual Christmas gala, which is a highlight of the festive season.
Written 23 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lauren H
London, UK11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2018 • Friends
I went to The xx concert here, and had lawn tickets (so you essentially stand on a hill behind the seating).

I was extremely nervous prior to going that it wouldn’t be a good experience - I wouldn’t be able to see, I wouldn’t be able to hear.

However, we very easily found a spot to stand and could have gone higher up the hill for a better view if we wanted. They had giant screens hanging from the roof that you could see if someone tall stood in front of you. And the sound was actually really good - I would be happy to stand anywhere in the venue, as we walked around a little bit and it was clear from wherever we stood.

There were great food trucks up on the hill, and we saw a few people who had prepared a picnic and were sitting during the earlier acts (such a good idea - will definitely do this at some point).

And as for standing outside - it rained EXTREMELY hard. We thought we were being hailed on at one point. But no matter how heavy the rain got we could still hear, and it had a bit of a festival vibe with everyone in ponchos having a good time anyway.

Definitely would go here again - all my worries were totally relieved.
Written 13 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KayM123
Melbourne, Australia108 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2012 • Family
Saw Gotye there from the top of the hill. He was excellent but venue seemed to be the wrong one for his concert and didn't do him justice. Very poor sound quality,so quiet and distorted that people started chatting and that was really all you could hear. Saw a few people walk out. Smokers all around us and couldn't see through the people in front of us. Had to keep moving to get a glimpse of the stage. I wouldn't go there again and felt that I had been ripped off! (night cost around $200)
Just outside the venue you can sit on the grass with more space, your own food and wine and a comfy chair if you like for free! The sound is exactly the same as on the other side of the fence. That is definately the way to go.
Written 12 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Barbara102
Melbourne, Australia69 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2018
Loved the performance. It's riveting, lively, irreverent and true to Shakespeare and no doubt reflects the original Globe experience where audiences felt a part of the play. it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the story by reading the play or watching a DVD . The Holllow Crown is a good start. There is no need to pay a lot for tickets. We sat in the middle tier of Section D and row A in this and in Section E was in full sun for matinee performance. Fortunately we could move back but there was still scaffolding and structural columns obscuring some of the show. In my opinion the best seats are F to I. Mid and top rows have seats. Lower tier are stepped down seating, so you may be leaning back on someone's legs. It's a very intimate venue.
Written 17 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jgfMelbourne
Ascot Vale, Australia250 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2017 • Solo
The Pop Up Globe is a replica of Shakespeare's theatre constructed at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl. It's a production by gifted Kiwis. Four of Shakespeare's play are featured.
The season runs until mid January 2018.
I studied 2 Shakespeare plays in school but since then have felt his plays out of reach. Not so at Pop Up Globe's theatre. The joyous, witty, enthralling plots, dances and bloody battles are so close you can feel them, especially for the 'groundlings' (audience members who pay only $20 to stand in front of the stage throughout the whole performance). If you go as a groundling I suggest you accept a plastic poncho when offered.
I have seen 4 plays. I knew little of any of them. I started with a ticket to Much Ado About Nothing. So witty, funny, contemporary at moments; and so, so well done. Extraordinary cast and direction. I loved it so much I've since enjoyed As You Like It, Henry V, and finally, Othello. Othello - OMG!
Melbourne school kids are lucky at the moment as they get to experience, as do all the audience, Shakespeare plays performed as he wrote them: close-up, audience participation, superb costumes, and relevant to his times.
Ticket prices vary from cheap, stand up tickets, to expensive 'royal' seats above the stage. There are 4 levels, including the groundlings. I preferred the middle level with a seat with a back.
Each performance is for about 2 hours, 40 minutes with a 10-15 minute film interval. There are matinees and evening performances.
In the end, doesn't matter where you sit (or stand). Don't miss this opportunity.
New Zealanders do Shakespeare in a unique way!
Written 14 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bruce S
Melbourne, Australia51 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2017 • Couples
What a great show! The actors were so engaging and entertaining. We were groundlings and really enjoyed beings so close to the stage. Standing for 2.5hrs requires a bit of fitness and comfortable footwear but worth it.
Written 7 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

thevonbibras
Sydney4 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
The slopping theatre style chairs, get in the way if you are at a festival or dance concert and you want to have a boogie.
Written 1 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Victorianlad
Melbourne, Australia17,901 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
This ageing submerged venue for concerts such as Blind Citizens Australia's Christmas Carols is fondly remembered by many Melburnians as a way to enjoy a glass of wine and a picnic while listening to music, with family members spread out on the grass using picnic rugs.

However on my most recent visit I got up fairly sore from the ground, no doubt a sign of advancing age. It did not help when I spilt some wine.

However, the bowl is easily accessed by tram down St Kilda Road from Flinders Street railway station, or one can easily walk across the Yarra River in a southerly direction.
Written 19 October 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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