Among them is the Hotel Warrnambool, which is hosting its second Big Day In featuring live music, an all-day barbecue, a magician and raffles.

Kicking off the musical festivities will be Lost In Suburbia from 2pm, followed by up-and-coming Port Fairy group Melva Vs Salvador, John Hudson Allstars and the Louise Clancey Band.

The Hotel Warrnambool will also be hosting an Australia Day “warm-up” on Wednesday night featuring Jason Bull.

If you’re more interested in listening to Triple J’s Hottest 100, The Loft is the national youth broadcaster’s official Warrnambool venue, with the countdown for the world’s largest music poll starting from noon.

It will follow up the Hottest 100 with live music from two top Melbourne bands — indie-pop group Red Ink and rock ‘n’ rollers Zuzu Angel. Its warm-up gig on Wednesday night features punk band The Go Set.

Red Ink are also performing at the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens on Australia Day as part of the Stone Bridge Summer Music Festival alongside fellow Melbourne band Skipping Girl Vinegar and local acts Crude Agenda and Tommy Lie from 3pm.

The Whalers Hotel will also celebrate local music, with Rhys Crimmin & The Toms performing. The Whalers Hotel will warm up for Australia Day with a return visit from DJ and Playboy bunny Sarah Robertson.

Original Australian music will also be celebrated at Port Fairy’s Caledonian Inn, with an extended residency from Hamilton-connected band Centre & The South and regular visitors The Sons Of May.

From Wednesday night, the two bands will perform five gigs in five days including an Australia Day concert from 4.30pm. They will be joined on Australia Day, Friday and Saturday night by Matt Damon & The Quality Lightweights.

n For Australia Day event details, see The Standard tomorrow. For a full list of other Australia Day gigs around the region, check out Thursday’s Offbeat page.

mneal@standard.fairfax.com.au