Loving live music isn’t just about attending music festivals and seeing an international artist’s massive arena show.
Even the biggest of big-name headliners started in the trenches, on the sticky carpets and bandrooms of your local bars and pubs – which is exactly where you should be if you want to discover your new favourite band or venue.
Here are our picks for this week’s best local gigs from Aussie talent – from Perth to the East Coast – and all for the price of a good meal.
Drunk Mums
Where: The Foundry, Brisbane QLD
When: 8pm – 11pm, Saturday Jan 7
Why: The Mums celebrate the release of their first ever 7″ record, Leather – four tracks of “pure punk and classic rock”, just as we’d expect. You can already pick this one up from Pissfart Records (love it), but why not swing down to The Foundry and grab a copy in person? Supports from Draggs and Voiid, too, so you’re in for a good one.
Tickets & Info: $12.75, more info here.
The Tambourine Girls
Where: Slyfox, Sydney NSW
When: 7pm – 3am, Thursday Jan 5
Why: The project of former Deep Sea Arcade guitarist Simon Relf, the eclectic guitar outfit The Tambourine Girls bring us into the new year with a free gig tonight, joined by Sydneysiders Easy Street as well as Lennie Tranter and the Bagism Revelation.
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
Nice Biscuit
Where: The Foundry, Brisbane QLD
When: 8pm – 12am, Thursday Jan 5
Why: Get down to The Foundry tonight to catch a band with seven members for only ten bucks. Throw in supports, and that’s an even bigger bargain. How do they even afford beers after the set? You’ll get a ripper set from groovers Nice Biscuit as they launch their new single ‘Upside Down’, joined by The Delicates and Gooby Jim.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
https://soundcloud.com/nicebiscuit/upside-down
Total Giovanni DJs
Where: Fat Controller, Adelaide SA
When: 10pm – 5am, Saturday Jan 7
Why: The official after-party for stacked local festy Here’s To Now will see Melbourne party-starters Total Giovanni take to the decks to keep the choons rolling at Fat Controller long after the festival is over. These guys bring it wherever they play, live or on the ones and twos, so you’ll be in very safe hands.
Tickets & Info: $12.90, more info here.
Hayden Calnin & More
Where: Gasometer
When: 6:30pm – 11am, Thursday Jan 5
Why: This one tonight is an absolute bargain, and it’s all for a good cause. Hayden Calnin, Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird, Fan Girl and plenty more cram into the Gaso to raise money for mental health organisation Headspace and its local Collingwood branch. What a way to spend a Thursday evening, and make a bit of a contribution.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
Coronation II
Where: Badlands Bar, Perth WA
When: 7pm – 1am, Saturday Jan 7
Why: Badlands keeps it as heavy as ever with a self-described demonic gathering of acts, both local and international. Hometown heroes Wardaemonic lead the charge, joined by Singaporean visitors Balberith, and a host of other heavy bands from VIC and WA. For those still missing Soundwave, this is a very tidy mini-fest for just $15 – although maybe even a little heavier.
Tickets & Info: $15, more info here.
Faux Bandit
Where: The Brightside, Brisbane QLD
When: 8pm – 11pm, Thursday Jan 5
Why: This Brissy duo impressed us yesterday with their new EP Flex, packing a big sound for a two-piece, and are launching the record tonight at their hometown haunt of The Brightside, with Ornifex, Alastyn and Fox Ache supporting, all for a tenner.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
Winter Moon & More
Where: The Evelyn, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm – 1am, Friday Jan 6
Why: Friday brings us Rock For The Rainforest, a night of rock, psych and punk at The Ev all in aid of protecting our rainforests, with proceeds being donated to GECO, a grass-roots environment group. Winter Moon and The Dead Amigos head the lineup with a whack of rock and blues, rounded out by Monkey Grip, Creek and The Hustle – should be a great night of choons.
Tickets & Info: $12, more info here.
