- Published:
- Sunday 23 November 2025 at 11:30 am
The Allan Labor Government is opening the Metro Tunnel in seven days – and today, we’re giving Victorians a sneak peek of one of Melbourne’s most iconic public spaces before it opens, along with a free pop up live music performance to celebrate.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today announced Jimmy Barnes, Kate Ceberano and Ian Moss will kick off the ALWAYS LIVE Melbourne Vibes series at the upgraded City Square following eight years of construction as part of the Metro Tunnel Project.
The trio of iconic Australian artists will take the stage from 1:30pm – reigniting City Square’s legacy of holding iconic concerts with the precinct having previously welcomed AC/DC, Crowded House, Kylie Minogue and Missy Higgins.
The performance has been supported by the Labor Government’s new ALWAYS LIVE Melbourne Vibes program – a series of free, pop-up live music events running in the city this Summer, activating key CBD precincts and laneways, bringing more people into the city and strengthening the creative and hospitality sectors that define our city.
The program has been shaped in response to the Labor Government’s consultation with Melbourne hotel and restaurant businesses.
The surprise performances are backed by a major events bonanza over the past month – with thousands of Victorians enjoying the Spring Racing Carnival and legendary performers including Oasis, Metallica, AC/DC, Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey, Pitbull, Addison Rae, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Diljit Dosanjh and many more.
As part of the Metro Tunnel Project, the square has received a major facelift – transforming it into a space for events, retail and hospitality, complemented by new landscaping and artworks.
A new Smoking Ceremony dish developed with Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy OAM forms the centrepiece, surrounded by 12,000 custom-laid pavers.
At the Collins Street end of the square, five escalators lead down into a two-tiered concourse – a grand ‘square beneath a square’ – set to host new retail offerings when it opens next year.
The square was closed in 2017 to support construction of Town Hall Station — one of five new underground stations which will welcome passengers next Sunday. It served as one of three “keyholes” allowing crews to build the station deep beneath Swanston Street without disrupting the city above.
The Metro Tunnel is the biggest transformation of Victoria’s rail network in 40 years, doubling the size of Melbourne’s underground rail system, adding hundreds of new services each week and paving the way for more trains, more often.
From next Sunday, public transport will be free every weekend for every Victorian, everywhere, until 1 February – when the new Metro Tunnel stations will be fully integrated into the wider network as part of the Big Switch.
Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams
“City Square has had a serious glow-up – it’s greener, more welcoming, a proud new gateway to the Metro Tunnel, and we’ve got some true Aussie legends to help us kick it off.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
“Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital – open and bustling for everyone to enjoy this summer with these free pop-up events. I encourage people to come into the CBD and join the fun.”
Quote attributable to ALWAYS LIVE CEO Psyche Payne
“ALWAYS LIVE Melbourne Vibes pop-up event series will attract people and positive activity to the places and spaces for which Australia's live music capital is renown.”