Melbourne

NOTICE: This Pride March, Riff Raff Radical Marching Band Melbourne will be marching with Iranian queer rights activists of the newly-formed group Feminista Melbourne. This is in solidarity with LGBTQIA+/Queer Iranians who are facing increased repression from the Iranian regime, in response to the pro-democracy Woman, Life, Freedom movement. You can check out their incredible global art installations and performance art on Instagram @feminista.melbourne 

Since 2013, the Melbourne chapter of Riff Raff Radical Marching Band has been hitting the streets supporting movements for social and environmental justice, and bringing music and colour to rallies and marches. We are an inclusive community band, inviting people of all musical skill levels and ages to join us to support activist causes that we believe in. We play at protests, parades, campaign launches, fundraisers, and an assortment of other gigs.

It’s super easy to get involved, all you need to do is sign up to our mailing list here, and come along to our rehearsals. We rehearse fortnightly, Monday nights at 6-8 PM at Catalyst Social Centre, 146 Sydney Rd, Coburg. Just pick up an instrument, and come down! If you want to play an instrument, but don’t own one, contact us via Facebook or email, and we’ll arrange a percussion instrument for you and teach you how to use it! Alternatively, you could sing with us (we even have megaphones for that) or form a supporting dance troupe.

Please ‘like’ our Facebook page here, and please sign up to our mailing list here

Our email address is riffraffmelbourne@gmail.com

“When We All Throw Abbott Out”

March in March, 15th of March 2014

Songs

These are some of the pieces we play down in Melbourne:

Active

  • When The Saints Go Marching In (Bb Major)
  • I Feel Like Funkin it up (F Major)
  • Down By the Riverside (Bb Major)
  • St Thomas (Bb Major)
  • Shake It Off
  • Bella Ciao (D minor)
  • A Message to You (Bb Major)
  • Killing in the Name
  • Do Whatcha Wanna
  • Which Side Are You On?
  • Wade in the Water
  • Call Me Maybe

Infrequent

  • Beds are Burning
  • Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan
  • Solidarity Forever (Bb Major)
  • Let My People Go
  • Breuges Tanz
  • Can’t Touch This
  • Sisters Are Doing it for Themselves

You can find the sheet music for some of these pieces below

Sheet music

Bella Ciao (D minor)

A Message to You (Bb Major)

Ain’t Nobody

I Feel Like Funkin’ It Up (F Major)

Wade in the Water (arr. Mac Gordon)

Shake It Off (Tay Tay – arr. Miranda Hill)

Call Me Maybe

Which Side Are You On?

Last updated February 2023

8 Responses to Melbourne

  1. Finlay Batts says:

    Hey. I used to be pretty handy with a trombone and looking for a band. Still play occasionally so not horrible. Saw you guys on Sunday at the rally and emerge fest and keen as to get involved. Any chance I can come along and have a play? I also work at Melbourne Uni at the gym so only a short walk to union house on a Thursday. Look forward to hearing from you.

    • Jeanette says:

      Hey Finlay, did anyone ever reply to you?

      We’ve been on a bit of a break but our first rehearsal for 2014 is this Sunday 2 March at 11am in Brunswick West.

      Send me a text if you want the address! 0422 222 880. 🙂

    • Naima says:

      Hi Finlay! I know this is very belated but Riff Raff are currently rehearsing on Thursday nights at M.U. union house 6-8, preparing for the big Climate Change Rally on the 27th of November. We’d love you to come and play – give Sully a call on the above number for more info. P.s. We rarely check this webpage, obviously! Sorry about that!

      Naima.

  2. Peter Hinton says:

    Hi play the trombone a little and my daughter and a friend can do some percussion was wondering if it’s ok to just turn up and join in ?
    What are the tunes you guys have chosen ?

    Cheers,
    Peter

    • Miranda says:

      Hi Peter!

      I’m so sorry this has taken so long. We don’t seem to get notifications from this website…

      We’d love to have you along! We’re setting up more regular rehearsals this year, so if you are still keen, please join our facebook group, or email us at riffraffmelbourne@gmail.com and we’ll add you into our information list!

      Thanks!

      Miranda.

  3. Shazza says:

    Hi, How do we join up?
    xxxx

  4. Tatiana Bystrin says:

    I have a marching drum for sale cheap if anyone is interested. It has a harness and a mallet.
    I’ve just put it on ebay for $60

  5. Josie says:

    Hi,
    Just wondering if you’d be able to perform at our local event coming up.
    We would need from you is a 2-3 minute performance which includes choreography, instruments and outfits.

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