Melbourne Lindy Exchange

Bands

We are excited to welcome an incredible lineup of live music at MLX 2023!

The Skellingtons

Led by award-winning trumpeter and singer Eamon McNelis, The Skellingtons play evocative, swinging tunes from the 1930s and 1940s. Repertoire includes songs from the catalogues of Billie Holiday, Lil Hardin, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Hoagy Carmicheal and more. Eamon McNelis was the 2010 winner of the Wangaratta Jazz Award for Brass, and is known for his work with Flap!, The Big Idiot Club, JAZZPARTY, The Meltdown and many others.

Featuring Justin Fermino on saxophone (Cope Street Parade, The Handle Bars), Jono Brown on double bass (The Railway Gang, The Roadhouse Romeos), Ryan Griffith on guitar (Ryan Griffith Trio, Shamdoogie) and a rare Melbourne appearance from the incredible Sydney drummer Abby Constable.

The Georgia Brooks Band

Georgia Brooks is thrilled to be back on the late night backroom MLX set. Joined by an incredible team of musicians who are amped to be playing to the wee, silly hours of the morning, the Georgia Brooks Band will be playing your favourite slow tunes, blues tunes and ballads to keep you dancing through that late night MLX hysteria. The band will feature dancer favourite Sean Loughran on drums, Steve Grant on keys, Brennan Hamilton-Smith on reeds and Robbie Finch on bass.

The Oz Big Band

The Oz Big Band has been performing for the community including Swing Dance events in and around Perth since the 80s. Having developed a quality all of its own, it’s no surprise they’re one of Australia’s most sought after dance bands! Since 2010 they have held a residency at The Mustang Bar, Northbridge, toured regional WA, and made several appearances at Hullabaloo and MLX.
On the mic, vocal extraordinaires Leah Guelfi and Justin Gross lead the band through many Swing Dance favourites. They’re a 17-piece band that knows how to “wind it up, and let it go!”

Chonk

Chonk is one of Melbourne‘s hottest swing outfits specialising in the music of Count Basie and the Benny Goodman sextet. Chonk brings an energy and authenticity to their music that excites both the ears and the feet. Combining the talents of some of Melbourne’s most established musicians as well as its rising stars, Chonk captures the fervour and passion of swing in the 1940‘s along with the creativity and edge of early Bebop. Whether you want to dance to stomping rhythms or sit and listen to romantic melodies, Chonk will have you grinning ear to ear.

The Brunswick Big Band

Brunswick Big Band has only entered the performance space this year, but they sure have entered with a bang! They are an 18-piece band that get together each week to play swing, funk, Latin and contemporary jazz. Between the hurricane of horns and rambunctious rhythm section, the dedicated band has a lot of sound to brighten your day.