We’re looking forward to the warmer weather and the new year, we have a feeling 2026 is going to be a blast!

We’ve celebrated our tenth birthday and now it’s time to look forward to playing some our biggest shows ever with old and new friends alike. Rock Academy 42 will be bigger and better than ever before, and after smashing an amazing 10th Birthday show at The Espy on October 4th, now it’s time to get ready again with summer shows at The Espy and The Prince Bandroom.

The video of Rock Academy 42 will be available on YouTube from Saturday, October 26.

If you’re aged 12-19 years old and keen to write, rehearse, record and perform music, then Rock Academy is the place for you. You’ll meet like minded teenagers to write, jam and perform with and create networks that may last a lifetime.

There are limited numbers, so be quick and lock in your place.

Week One

• Mon-Thu, January 5th – January 8th, Songwriting & Rehearsals at Bakehouse Studios, Richmond
• Saturday, January 10th, Live Show, in the Gershwin Room at The Espy.

Week Two

• Mon-Thu, January 12th – January 15th, Songwriting & Rehearsals at Bakehouse Studios, Richmond
• Saturday, January 17th, Live Show, at the Prince Bandroom, St.Kilda.

Rock Academy is the most unique band initiative ever created with all creative decisions made by the participants, no pre-approved song lists to choose from, choose what you and your band mates want to play to amaze your friends and family at the end of week show on a fair dinkum Melbourne Rock stage.

So if you haven’t been to Rock Academy before it’s time to step up and rock.

The lowdown

On Monday, we kick it off with a spotlight session, where everyone gets to play, meet each other, and mingle.

The mentors will construct the bands and then you’ll head off to a rehearsal room with your bandmates and start working up a cover song, get creative, and feel free to bend the genres and the rules.

On Tuesday morning we start with a Songwriting workshop led by our amazing mentors, getting you started on your way to writing your original song. After the workshop, you’ll join a different band and with your new bandmates head to your rehearsal room to co-write your original song.

On Wednesday morning we may or may not have some instrument workshops with specialist pro players, and then it’s back to rehearsals of originals and covers.

Thursday is a day to polish both your cover and original, and get to the finer points of each song in readiness for the live performance.

On Saturday you’ll be on stage at one of Melbourne’s great band rooms in front of an adoring audience.

Mentors for our 42nd Rock Academy in Melbourne will feature the irrepressible Phil Ceberano, the Australian icon Dave Graney and many more to be announced.

Fees for the week are $645 (incl gst), payable either wholly, or in two parts – deposit ($250) and balance ($395).

Book Now & Get Loud!