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.
Suicide Swans
Where? The Bearded Lady, 138 Boundary St, West End, Brisbane
When? 7:30pm, Saturday 30 May
Why? Probably our favourite pick of this week is a gig up in Brizzy this Saturday night, headlined by the cosmic country rockers, Suicide Swans. The five-piece draw on a plethora of sonic elements from psychedelica to country as well as experimental and pop to produce an incredible sound perfectly exemplified on tunes like ‘Safe In Our Arms‘. They’ve enlisted some unreal supports, too, with both The Baudelaires and The Demon Drink set to perform.
Tickets & Info: Facebook
Ngaiire
Where? Howler, 7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick, Melbourne
When? 7:30pm, Wednesday 27 May
Why? She’s killed it at Glastonbury, not to mention supporting the likes of Alicia Keys and John Legend, and now she is back to charm the hearts of Melbournians. We speak of course of the extremely talented futuristic soulstress, Ngaiire, the artist responsible for the killer tune, ‘Around‘. Ngaiire will be hitting Brunswick’s Howler this Wednesday night with support from Sarah Belkner, making this an evening of lady-lead live music not to be missed.
Tickets & Info: $12.30, www.moshtix.com.au
Punktured: Them Sharks, Blindspot & More
Where? The Rosemount Hotel, 459 Fitzgerald St, North Perth
When? 7:30pm, Friday 29 May
Why? For those in Perth this weekend, we’ve got the gig just for you. Meet Punktured, an evening dedicated to up-front and unabashed punk rock in all its various flavours. This instalment of the event will feature Them Sharks, Blindspot, The Light The Dark, At The Spacejam, Castle Bravo and Hope Street. The last Punktured sold out, so make sure you get in early. This is the perfect release for those of you who’ve had a tough week, come and let it all out the right way.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, Facebook & http://rosemounthotel.com.au
Kim Killspeed
Where? LazyBones Lounge Marrickville, 294 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, Sydney
When? 9:00pm, Saturday 30 May
Why? Looking to let your hair down this Saturday night and groove to some brilliant live music? We’ve got you covered. Enter Kim Killspeed who are launching their EP Ultrasound. Described Killspeed as “their biggest show of the year” they are stoked to throw a huge party to honour the extended player’s release. Not only that, Piperlain and Lion Calamity will also be performing, too.
Tickets & Info: $15.00, Facebook & www.reverbnation.com
Pearls
Where? The Tote Hotel, 67-71 Johnston St, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm Saturday 30 May
Why? Unless you’ve been living under a rock, there’s simply no way you haven’t heard (and more than likely fallen in love with) Pearls’ infectious tune, ‘Pretend You’re Mine‘. This Saturday night the glam rock troupe are hitting The Tote, and they’ve got a very interesting cast of support performers including Power as well as Japanese band Sundays & Cybelle and hailing from Taiwan.
Tickets & Info: $13.30, Facebook & http://thetotehotel.oztix.com.au
KUČKA
Where? Black Bear Lodge, Level 1/322 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 30 May
Why? There’s no denying the rise of Kučka, the outlandish electro-pop priestess rightfully touted as one of Australia’s most exciting acts on the touring circuit right now. With a forthcoming EP set to for release some time this year, Kučka will be performing both old and new music, including ‘Recovery‘, this weekend in Brizzy. Don’t miss your chance to catch one of Australia’s most intriguing musical artists strut her stuff. Floria to support.
Tickets & Info: Free Event, Facebook & www.blackbearlodge.com.au
Harrison Storm
Where? Shebeen, 36 Manchester Lane, Melbourne CBD
When? 8:30pm, Saturday 30 May
Why? After a successful launch of his EP just a few weeks ago, singer-songwriter and all-round charmer, Harrison Storm, is taking to the intimate inner-city dwelling of Shebeen to deliver another spell-binding set of beautiful tunes, perfectly demonstrated by the likes of ‘Sense of Home‘. Storm will be joined by an all-star cast of supports, including the Europe-bound Amistat and the stunning Gena Rose Bruce. We suggest snapping up a presale as this gig will probably sell out.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, Facebook & https://shebeenbandroom.ticketscout.com.au
The Serra
Where? Pirie & Co. Social Club, 121 Pirie Street, Adelaide
When? 9:00pm, Friday 29 May
Why? Attention Adelaide, if you want to hit up a great venue with cheap beer and ripping live music, drag your booty down to Pirie & Co. Social Club this Friday night, because they’ve got just the night for you. Hitting the stage for a headlining slot are local indie rockers, The Serra, the quintet responsible for the addictive EP Proof of Concept, who are performing for free with supports from The Monikers and Clarke & White.
Tickets & Info: Free Event, Facebook & http://pirieandco.com.au
Big Winter
Where? Grace Darling Hotel, 114 Smith Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Friday 29 May
Why? This Melbourne four-piece are super amped to announce the arrival of their debut EP, Small Things, and to celebrate, they’re throwin’ one helluva shindig at local Collingwood watering hole. Check out their title track here, and while you’re at it, have a listen to their mint list of support acts including, Playwrite and Mike Waters and patches.
Tickets & Info: $13.50, Facebook & www.stickytickets.com.au
