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.
FOAM
Where? The Bakery, 233 James Street, Northbridge
When? 8:00pm, Friday 27th March
Why? A couple of weeks back one the finest garage punkers from the WA dropped their searing new single ‘You Look Nothing Like Your Picture, But I Like You Still’ and this weekend the smokin’ hot trio will be launching their forthcoming EP The Feeling Is Mutual. This is going to be an absolute belter night of local live music, with Hideous Sun Demon, Super Best Friends, Shit Narnia, Skullcave and Childsaint spinning tunes after the bands.
Entry & Info: $13.00, www.facebook.com & www.nowbaking.com.au
Spookyland & Sunbeam Sound Machine
Where? The Spotted Mallard, 314 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Melbourne
When? 9:00pm, Thursday 26th March
Why? Want to catch not one but two of Australia’s best rising musical talents at one show…for free? Sounds too good to be true, but we’re here to tell you that it’s all real. Ghost-folker Spookyland will make their way south of Sydney to headline the show, performing tracks like the epic ‘The Adventure Song’ whilst local dream-pop extraordinaire Sunbeam Sound Machine opens the night with his floating kaleidoscopic songs like ‘Wandering I‘. If only these guys had a donation box, because you’re going to feel real guilty for witnessing such quality for free.
Entry & Info: Free Event, www.facebook.com & www.spottedmallard.com
Big Smoke, Good Morning & Shiny Coin
Where? Howler, 7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick, Melbourne
When? 7:30pm, Saturday 28th March
Why? Calling all fans of lo-fi rock and dreamy tunes, this Saturday night in Melbourne is the place you need to be. A trio of brilliantly talented artists will be performing at the ever-cool warehouse venue, Howler, with the acoustic twang Big Smoke delivering their whimsical songs ‘Try A Little Love’. Office favourites Good Morning will place punters under their spell with their sleepy track ‘Don’t Come Home Today‘ whilst Shiny Coin turn up the pace with their garage-pop anthems ‘Green Smoothie.’ Three quality bands for only ten bucks, it’s almost rude!
Tickets & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & www.h-w-l-r.com
Parking Lot Experiments
Where? Goodgod Small Club, 53-55 Liverpool Street, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Friday 27th March
Why? Melbourne’s musical oddballs have recently dropped a cathartic new single ‘Live Long‘ and because it’s so damn good, they’ve hit the open road to perform it, among a collection of other sublime tracks from their backpacks to live music fans across Australia. The four-piece will be joined by Tiger Choir, Tennis Boys DJs (Collarbones) and Chunyin this Friday night.
Tickets & Info: $7.00, www.facebook.com & www.goodgodgoodgod.com
The Vendettas
Where? Cherry Bar, 103 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
When? 7:00pm, Friday 27th March
Why? Melbourne five-piece The Vendettas are stoked to announce the arrival of their brand-spanking LP Bystander and Destroyer is here, and they want you to get down with them this Friday night in celebration. They’ve got some massive supports to help kick this party into overdrive, with both The Graveltones and Australian Kingswood Factory set to light the night on fire. Rock ‘n roll fans, get your ass into the CBD, this is not a night you can afford to miss.
Entry & Info: $13.00, www.facebook.com & http://cherrybar.com.au
Aerials
Where? Black Bear Lodge, 1/322 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 7:00pm, Friday 27th March
Why? Local trio Aerials are gearing up for one hell of a show this Friday night at your favourite Brizzy home of live music, the band being compared to outfits like Muse for their cinematic and climatic tune ‘Burn Burn Burn’ – a track we’re certain explodes when belted-out in a live setting. Supporting the killer outfit are Interim, Monks of Mellonwah and The Iron Eye. If you’re all about some chunky riffs and want to have a head-bang, this is the perfect gig for you.
Tickets & Info: $13.30, www.facebook.com & www.blackbearlodge.com.au
The Naysayers
Where? Ding Dong Lounge, 18 Market Lane, Melbourne CBD
When? 9:00pm, Friday 27th March
Why? Garage rockers The Naysayers play music as sharp dapper attire. Hailing from Melbourne, the guys never fail to impress with their late ’60s influenced yet eclectic style, the quartet responsible for the rocking groove ‘Fools Gold Rush‘. The lads will be joined by special guests Kit Convict and Thee Terrible Two and From Oslo.
Entry & Info: $9.20, http://dingdong.oztix.com.au
Pirie & Co. 1st Birthday! Ft. PACES
Where? Pirie & Co., 121 Pirie Street, Adelaide
When? 7:00pm, Saturday 28th March
Why? What do you do when one of your city’s adored homes of live music celebrates a birthday? You join in on the damn party, and why wouldn’t you when they’ve enlisted the likes of Gold Coast producer PACES, a man who recently dropped the sublime tune ‘Nothing’s Forever‘ featuring the insanely talented Kučka. We’d suggest jumping on the pre-sales, this badboy is probably going to sellout.
Entry & Info: $13.70, www.facebook.com & www.moshtix.com.au
Sea Legs
Where? Brighton Up Bar, 1/77 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 28th March
Why? Central coast indie rock quartet Sea Legs have hit the open road this week performing infectious hits from their catalogue including the memorable ‘Christopher Strong‘. This is a band that definitely needs to be caught live, and to make this show even better Sea Legs will be joined by their pals Nova & The Experience.
Tickets & Info: $15.30, www.facebook.com & http://tickets.oztix.com.au
