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’s 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.
The Walking Who
Where? Shebeen Band Room, 36 Manchester Lane, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Saturday 14th February
Why? One of favourite psych-tinged alt-rockers from Sydney are making their way down south this weekend in support of the release of their brand-spanking new single ‘With Roses‘. The group are fresh from a stint in sunny old Iceland, having performed at the epic Airwaves festival as well as recording new material in the mythical playground of the north. The guys are responsible for some of the most interesting music to emanate from Aussie shores at the moment, if you’re in Melbourne this Saturday, there’s nowhere else you should be.
Tickets & Info: $11.00 www.facebook.com & https://shebeenbandroom.ticketscout.com.au
Status Factory: Eleventeen Eston & The Conversation, Gunns, Felicity Groom & More
Where? Rosemount Hotel, 459 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth
When? 7:00pm, Friday 13th February
Why? It must be pretty tiring to hear us say this week after week, but far out, Perth seriously has the best local stuff going on ’round the clock. For a ridiculous price of only $10.00 any of those on the west coast can witness six, yep six talented homegrown legends take to the intimate Rosemount stage this Friday night. The lineup of this epic evening includes Eleventeen Eston & The Conversation, Gunns, Felicity Groom, Flower Drums, Runner and Golden String. We don’t want to seem selfish, but would someone bring this show to the east coast?!
Tickets & Info: $10.00 www.facebook.com & http://rosemounthotel.com.au
Left.
Where? Black Bear Lodge, Level 1/322 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 14th February
Why? Rising Sydney electronic duo Left. having smashed into 2015 with quite a bang, have just released their stellar debut LP Sirens last week. The group are heading up north to the ever-cool Black Bear Lodge for a free show this weekend, performing their stunning cinematic tunes like ‘When My Body Sleeps‘. That’s not all, the guys will be supported by the beautiful Fieu.
Tickets & Info: Free Event, www.facebook.com & www.blackbearlodge.com.au
Peter Bibby
Where? The Bird, 181 William Street, Northbridge, Perth
When? 8:00pm, Tuesday 10th February
Why? It seriously feels like this legend does not stop touring, and why would he when his fanbase keep expanding? To be fair, the very Aussie folk-country rocker has just released of his killer debut record Butcher/Hairstylist/Beautician, which will see him perform an epic homecoming tonight at The Bird. This is the first gig he’s played in Perth with “The Bottles” aka Johnny, Nick and Lyndon. Supports are Galloping Foxleys.
Entry & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & www.williamstreetbird.com
Mundane Mondays: Truly Holy, Good Morning & Palm Springs
Where? The Old Bar, 74-76 Johnston Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Monday 16th February
Why? Getting out of bed on a Monday is damn hard, we definitely know, but when there’s a gig this good waiting for you at the end of the day, it becomes a whole lot easier. The start of next week will see three of Melbourne’s favourite local acts give it their all. Truly Holy will be banging-out their burning alt-rock tunes, Good Morning will lull you into a stupor with their super breezy low-fi sounds whilst the country-stained two-piece of Palm Springs charm the hell out of all punters.
Entry & Info: $5.00 , www.theoldbar.com.au
Lepers & Crooks
Where? The Great Britain Hotel, 447 Church Street, Richmond, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 14th February
Why? These guys have been rightfully crowned as one of the hardest working bands in Australia right now, the five rockers having embarked on a strenous national tour that has pitstops in rural towns all over the country. This weekend the Sydney quintet will hit Richmond watering hole The Great Britain Hotel, the band prepped to electrify audiences with hits like ‘Her Kiss‘. Supports include Zuzu Angel and The Strange.
Entry & Info: www.facebook.com
Sex On Toast
Where? The Evelyn Hotel, 351 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Saturday 14th February
Why? Looking for somewhere to take your sweety this valentines but haven’t got a thing sorted? Worry not, the groovin’ jams of Sex On Toast have got you cover. Taking place at the ever-arousing Fitzroy venue The Evelyn Hotel, the local group alongside Vaudeville Smash and Boogie Monster will be getting things pretty damn hot’n’heavy in a night of sensual tunes that’ll get your motor running.
Entry & Info: $15.00, www.facebook.com & http://evelynhotel.com.au
I Know Leopard
Where? Brighton Up Bar, 77 Oxford St. Darlinghurst, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 14th February
Why? Things are most certainly heating up for the crew of I Know Leopard, who’ve just come off their Triple J Unearthed performance at Sydney’s Laneway Festival last week. This Saturday marks the band’s first headline show of 2015, which they’re super stoked to announce both fresh material and brand-spanking new members. In addition to this, their pals Battleships will be supporting. To get you prepare, check out the beautiful pop tune ‘Perfect Picture‘.
Entry & Info: $13.30 www.facebook.com & http://tickets.oztix.com.au
Seahorse Divorce
Where? Crown & Sceptre, 308 King William Street, Adelaide
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 12th February
Why? Brisbane five-pice Seahorse Divorce will find their feet in South Australia this Thursday, the band gearing up to perform tunes from their diverse EP Public Transport Fantasy Sequence which could don the genre label from anything from jazz, al and indie rock, pop with at times almost pop-punk vox, making for one hell of a live show.
Tickets & Info: http://thesceptre.com.au
