The Bad Plus live in Melbourne

Experience The Bad Plus live on October 21st

The Bad Plus will perform at the Melbourne Recital Centre on October 21, 2026. The ensemble is recognized for its distinctive approach to jazz, often described as adventurous and iconoclastic. Emerging in the early 2000s, The Bad Plus gained prominence by reinterpreting rock and pop compositions—such as those by Nirvana, Blondie, and Radiohead—through a rigorously improvisational jazz lens, alongside original compositions. Their style blends post-bop jazz sensibilities with elements of avant-garde and indie rock, characterized by unconventional arrangements, dynamic interplay, and a strong rhythmic drive.

The Melbourne Recital Centre, opened in 2009, is a purpose-built concert hall dedicated to classical music and chamber music performance. Located in Southbank, it is renowned for its acoustics and intimate setting. The Centre features three primary venues: the 1000-seat Elisabeth Murdoch Hall – where The Bad Plus is scheduled to perform – the smaller Salon, and the intimate Primrose Potter Salon. It hosts a diverse program including orchestral performances, recitals, contemporary music events and cross-genre collaborations.