Australia’s most beloved music quiz show, RocKwiz, is heading back to where it all began, with a strictly limited run of live shows at Hotel Esplanade this May. Taking over the iconic Gershwin Room from 26–29 May 2026, the show returns after a decade of touring theatres and festivals nationwide, offering fans an intimate, up-close experience in the very venue that helped shape its cult following. First airing on SBS in 2005, RocKwiz filmed 175 episodes in the Gershwin Room across 14 seasons before its final TV recording there in 2016.
The live shows will reunite fan favourites Julia Zemiro and Brian Nankervis, alongside Dugald and the RocKwiz OrKestra, plus a lineup of special guests yet to be revealed. Audiences can expect all the classic segments that made the show a cultural phenomenon, from “Who Can It Be Now?” and “Million Dollar Riff” to “The Furious Five” and the signature duets. Blending live music, trivia, storytelling and comedy, RocKwiz LIVE promises to capture the spontaneity and energy that defined its original run—this time without the cameras, making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
With only four shows available, this limited return marks a full-circle moment for both the venue and the show’s creators. Doors open at 7:00pm with performances running from 7:30pm until late, and notably, these shows will not be recorded for television—making a ticket the only way to be part of the experience. Presale tickets for Kwizlist members go on sale Thursday 16 April at 9am, followed by general public sales on Friday 17 April at 9am. General admission standing tickets start from $79 (plus booking fee), with theatre seating from $99 (plus booking fee), alongside VIP and VVIP packages offering premium seating, dining experiences, merchandise and access to a post-show afterparty. Visit the website on the day to find out more about tickets
The Gershwin Room, Hotel Esplanade (The Espy)
11 The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182 | (03) 8598 9079
https://hotelesplanade.com.au/
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