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Hmmm...I think Melbourne is unofficially considered the 'cultural capital', and just seems to be seen in a higher regard. Yes, because of it's size and importance Sydney has it's fair share, but I feel the culture is just more of a part of life in Melbourne and the identity. I don't have stats to back it up, but it's both popular perception and how I feel. I lived in Perth, there's definitely a lot more of an artistic/creative vibe here.
It's considered the unofficial capital by Melburnians. I've never heard anyone who doesn't live in Melbourne bang on about Melbourne being the capital of anything other than Victoria.
And seriously, Sydney is noticeably more unfriendly and has a "class divide"?
What BCC is getting at is that it's no more cultural than other big cities in Australia. Not to get into the Sydney - Melbourne debate, there's pretty much an even divide of musicals/plays/theatre, films/cinemas/film festivals, live music of all kinds, bookshops, foodies venues, etc. It's just a reputation that Melbourne has built for itself rather than it being more cultural than another city.
Yeah on the food, I've noticed a real difference between the two cities but again Melburnians never fail to mention how they are "the food capital" of Australia.
Yeah on the food, I've noticed a real difference between the two cities but again Melburnians never fail to mention how they are "the food capital" of Australia.
don't be jealous BCC. lol
on the food side, I do find it easier and more accessible in Melbourne (probably because of the layout) plus more affordable.
What BCC is getting at is that it's no more cultural than other big cities in Australia. Not to get into the Sydney - Melbourne debate, there's pretty much an even divide of musicals/plays/theatre, films/cinemas/film festivals, live music of all kinds, bookshops, foodies venues, etc. It's just a reputation that Melbourne has built for itself rather than it being more cultural than another city.
Not going to comment on other cities, but I still feel Melbourne is better in this regard
As concerts go, the Enmore + Horedern go alright, (still prefer Forum in Melbourne though for atmosphere etc). The Sydney Entertainment Centre, IMO should not hold any concerts until it sorts out its acoustics. Makes everything sound very average.
For smaller venues there is only the Basement + 505 Club. There are less jazz bars, and pubs are filled with pokies rather than bands.
Also, I am not aware of a St Kilda Festival equivalent, in Sydney.
It's considered the unofficial capital by Melburnians. I've never heard anyone who doesn't live in Melbourne bang on about Melbourne being the capital of anything other than Victoria.
And seriously, Sydney is noticeably more unfriendly and has a "class divide"?
I hear a lot of people saying it is, foreigners and other Australians. For instance we have the Melbourne Comedy Festival, one of the most well known along with Montreal and Edinburgh, and Australia's biggest Writer's Festival. Have you truly explored what both cities have to offer?
That's my observation, and many other's. In Sydney I was shoved on an escalator, a friend was told to '**** off' when asking for direction, just the general vibe. I know it's subjective. Also yes, the class divide seems greater in Sydney than Melbourne.
Not going to comment on other cities, but I still feel Melbourne is better in this regard
As concerts go, the Enmore + Horedern go alright, (still prefer Forum in Melbourne though for atmosphere etc). The Sydney Entertainment Centre, IMO should not hold any concerts until it sorts out its acoustics. Makes everything sound very average.
For smaller venues there is only the Basement + 505 Club. There are less jazz bars, and pubs are filled with pokies rather than bands.
Also, I am not aware of a St Kilda Festival equivalent, in Sydney.
Yes, we still have plenty of pokies but there are some good ones without at least.
I guess Bondi would be the closest thing to St Kilda?
on the food side, I do find it easier and more accessible in Melbourne (probably because of the layout) plus more affordable.
There's no doubt Melbourne is more easy to get around, and what's on offer is generally all bunched together, whereas Sydney is much more spread out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Postman
I hear a lot of people saying it is, foreigners and other Australians. For instance we have the Melbourne Comedy Festival, one of the most well known along with Montreal and Edinburgh, and Australia's biggest Writer's Festival. Have you truly explored what both cities have to offer?
Actually, the Sydney Writers' Festival is one of the biggest in the world and larger than the one in Melbourne based on attendance. Then there's Tropfest, the largest short film festival in the world, also in Sydney. If you want to listen to opera then Sydney easily trumps Melbourne in that regard. Opera Australia is based in Sydney and the vast majority of its performances (8 months in Sydney, 3 months in Melbourne) are at the SOH. I will give Melbourne the edge when it comes to pub music, the silly licensing laws we had in this state until a few years ago killed off pub music. To me it just seems like Melbourne does a much better job of selling it's arty type stuff than Sydney. In reality there's not much difference.
There's no doubt Melbourne is more easy to get around, and what's on offer is generally all bunched together, whereas Sydney is much more spread out.
Actually, the Sydney Writers' Festival is one of the biggest in the world and larger than the one in Melbourne based on attendance. Then there's Tropfest, the largest short film festival in the world, also in Sydney. If you want to listen to opera then Sydney easily trumps Melbourne in that regard. Opera Australia is based in Sydney and the vast majority of its performances (8 months in Sydney, 3 months in Melbourne) are at the SOH. I will give Melbourne the edge when it comes to pub music, the silly licensing laws we had in this state until a few years ago killed off pub music. To me it just seems like Melbourne does a much better job of selling it's arty type stuff than Sydney. In reality there's not much difference.
I think the other thing to consider is Melbourne does have its lane ways with eclectic shops, jazz bars etc right in the heart . In sydney you have to go to surry/newtown etc for this, while Melbourne has CBD + those equivalent such as fitzroy / st kilda.
There's no doubt Melbourne is more easy to get around, and what's on offer is generally all bunched together, whereas Sydney is much more spread out.
Actually, the Sydney Writers' Festival is one of the biggest in the world and larger than the one in Melbourne based on attendance. Then there's Tropfest, the largest short film festival in the world, also in Sydney. If you want to listen to opera then Sydney easily trumps Melbourne in that regard. Opera Australia is based in Sydney and the vast majority of its performances (8 months in Sydney, 3 months in Melbourne) are at the SOH. I will give Melbourne the edge when it comes to pub music, the silly licensing laws we had in this state until a few years ago killed off pub music. To me it just seems like Melbourne does a much better job of selling it's arty type stuff than Sydney. In reality there's not much difference.
Maybe Melbourne feels it doesn't have assets like the harbour and beaches, although the latter is a fallacy. It's a bit annoying how some people are like 'Melbourne doesn't have beaches.' Um, what? Melbourne has an extensive coastline, and some nice beaches like Brighton, further down the Mornington peninsula, and Williamstown is a pretty nice historic town.
Maybe yes, 'we' have to play up our cultural assets because that's our trump card, but I just feel that the commercialism in Sydney killed off a lot of that feel in the central city. Yes you have areas like Newtown, but for the most part the Cross or Darling Harbour is just too glitzy or seedy compared to Melbourne. Oxford St towards Darlinghurst/Paddington is a little bit like Fitzroy or Collingwood. Glebe and Balmain are pretty nice areas though.
I think the other thing to consider is Melbourne does have its lane ways with eclectic shops, jazz bars etc right in the heart . In sydney you have to go to surry/newtown etc for this, while Melbourne has CBD + those equivalent such as fitzroy / st kilda.
Yes, they've really promoted the laneways here...love em! The street art too is an asset. I also feel Sydney is less walkable, there are more motorways/expressways in the inner city, it just doesn't feel as friendly to walkers or cyclists as Melbourne does. Melbourne's grid pattern is easy to navigate, plus we have trams too.
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