It’s official, La Niña is wrapping up. That means, hello sunshine and good bye rain, it’s time to get out and enjoy a summer of live music. The Levee is ready to welcome folks with live music and good times. Fantastic venues along the embankment are keeping the weekends in Maitland lively and thriving!
Check out the different places where you can see incredible live music, usually for free.
LIVE AT THE LEVEE
LIVE at The Levee has been bringing musicians from across the region to the precinct for over four years. With the new year fast approaching you are going to want to lock in some major key LIVE at The Levee events in your calendar.
LIVE at The Levee presents Changing Tides on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 January is something you won’t want to miss. Attendees can enjoy live music from a floating stage on Maitland’s Hunter River. Then in February LIVE at The Levee will be having a huge street party on Sunday 26 February where local musicians will bring The Levee to life.
For more details on upcoming events be sure to stay up to date at thelevee.com.au/live-at-the-levee
THE IMPERIAL HOTEL
This Maitland institution was built over 170 years ago and is famous for keeping the riverside rocking. The Imperial will be pumping out majestic music throughout November. Live music kicks off every Friday and Saturday night from 9.00pm to midnight. All acts perform in the bistro area for after dinner service.
Come by for a fabulous meal and stay for some tunes. On Fridays they always feature soloists and Saturdays are for duos, trios and the occasional band. The Imperial is a family friendly place where the music isn’t overpowering but you also want to listen and tap your feet. They have an amazing chef and recommend trying whatever is listed on the specials board as it’s always the chef’s creation.
Hot tip: according to the music manager Nathan Lane, they occasionally get in a Hunter based band in called The Avenue, and whenever they play the venue gets so packed they have to turn people away.
THE BELMORE HOTEL
Like The Imperial, The Belmore Hotel right down the road has live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The pub and budget accommodation is no frills and lots of thrills. Friday and Saturday night they bring in either musicians or DJs and will even take you home in a courtesy bus. Some weekend entertainment comes with a cover charge, but often it’s free.
Prior to COVID they were a nightclub, but they’ve done heaps of renovations and emerged without it. They still do a late night trade though where you can boogie into the night as they close at 3.00am.
Visit their website to learn more about their DJs this month. Manager Chris Meehan is particularly looking forward to the Fleetwood Mac cover band on Saturday 26 November.
These three locations are a great starting point for live music at The Levee, but keep an eye out for more music opportunities too. For example, a new tapas restaurant called CJ’s on The Levee plans to feature small unplugged acts for Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions. Owners Chantal and Josh Speelman are in the process of organizing their venue to make sure they can bring live music and a vibe to The Levee in 2023.
Peruse through the list above to plan your weekends in November in Maitland. Here’s to warm summer nights and the rush of live music by the Hunter River.