Melbourne is considered one of the great live music cities of the world and Music City is a stunning, historical tribute to the people and performances that made it all possible. The life’s work of photographer Brian Carr, Music City offers a rare and unfiltered window into Melbourne’s music scene as it evolved over the last six decades.

This stunning collection of black and white, and colour photographs includes some of the world’s biggest names on stage in Melbourne: Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, Bonnie Raitt,and Sharon Jones, as well as musicians who cut their teeth in their hometown at much-loved venues like the Corner in Richmond, and Fitzroy’s Rainbow Hotel.

Archie Roach, Marcia Hines, Ross Hannaford, Paul Kelly, and many more of Australia’s best feature alongside international stars and lesser-known bands and performers. But, like the scene itself, Music City is bigger than the gigs. It shines a light on the people behind the line-up, the quiet heroes of a city’s live music revolution: community radio stations, presenters, and venue owners, who so often sweated the details so the show would go on.

With a powerful foreword by Melbourne’s very own Chris Wilson, as well as a tender nod to the relationship between audience and performer, this collection will captivate music fans, Melbournians and lovers of culture or history. For anyone who was lucky enough to be there and everyone who wasn’t. As Chris Wilson writes, ‘Steeped in working class style, punching above its weight. Melbourne knows how to have a good time,’ and Music City is a must.