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.

High Tails

Where? Newtown Social Club, 387 Kingstreet, Newtown, Sydney
When? 7:30pm, Thursday 25 June
Why? Sydney guitar pop heros High Tails will be hitting the road to celebrate the release of this killer new single ‘Information’ which includes this special Sydney hometown headline show. Having been on the road supporting fellow indie rocker Millions, the band have had plenty of recent training will be ready to tear Newtown a fresh one. Supported by Otto Da Fe and hot local name Le Pie this is one pre-weekend party you won’t wanna miss.
Tickets & Info: $13, www.newtownsc.com

Bad//Dreems

Where? The Crowbar, 243 Brunswick St, Brisbane, Queensland
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 27 June
Why? Thanks to a string of absolute ripper singles and a tight live show Adelaide’s Bad//Dreems are quickly becoming modern day Aussie rock legends. The band were scheduled to tour with The Black Keys but due to Patrick Carney’s ongoing shoulder injury the tour was cancelled. Whilst this wasn’t great news for Bad//Dreems fans, in good spirit, the band have bounced back and will be taking their rugged brand of underground guitar rock up the east coast this June including a show at The Crowbar in Brissy, with support from Bris locals Mining Boom and Kitchen’s Floor.
Tickets & Info: $13.00, Facebook event

Grey Marle Music ‘Vol. 1’ Party

Where? The Mercat, 456 Queen St, Melbourne
When? 10:00pm, Saturday 27 June
Why? This one is for the late night club dwellers. Local collective Grey Marle Music have in their relatively recent history been pushing the boundaries of progressive dance, electronic and late night club sounds. Featuring acts Chiefs, DEER, Dugong Jr and Fossa Beats on their roster, the crew’s ‘Vol.1’ mix will be launched this Saturday. The only way to cop this 40 minute long extravaganza of unreleaseds, edits, remixes, originals and more by Chiefs,DEER, Dugong Jr and Fossa Beats is by being one of the first 200 attendees thru the door and being handed a limited edition ALCH designed tissue packet that has your individual download code printed on it, so don’t miss it.
Tickets & Info: $10- $15, Facebook event 

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Where? Cats/ Rocket Bar Rooftop, 142 Hondley St, Adelaide
When? 9:00pm, Friday 26 June
Why? In celebration of three hug he years of mayhem, Adelaide’s Party crew Cats are throwing a HUGE birthday celebrations. Having taken over Rocket Bar last weekend, they’re back again this Saturday with an even bigger celebration. Featuring Aussie whiz kidsＵＶ ｂｏｉ فوق بنفسجي , cln, Lonelyspeck and some of the naughtiest drink specials we’ve seen in ages and only $15 entry this is the party to end all parties.
Tickets & Info: $15.00, Facebook event

Mallee Songs

Where? The Catfish, 30-32 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 27 June
Why? One of Melbourne’s most talented but understated acts Mallee Songs will be launching their brand new album titled Natural Times this Saturday at one of our regular haunts The Catfish. With support from Melbourne mainstays Lehmann B Smith, T.V and Yffer this is set to be an evening of thoughtful songwriting and moving musicianship.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, Facebook Event

Hideous Sun Demon

Where? The Odd Fellow, 9 Norfolk St, Fremantle
When? 8:00pm, Friday 26 June
Why? the Perth band with the best name award goes to garage rockers Hideous Sun Demon, who this Friday will be celebrating the release of their new Vinyl release SWEAT. Also featuring on the line up will be  Nicholas Allbrook (POND/ Tame Impala and a million other projects), HAMJAM, The Darling Rangers and  ‘Fuck off mum i’m 12 now’ djs… do we really need to explain any more?
Tickets & Info: $10.00, Facebook event

RocknRolla 3 Party

Where? The Prince Public Bar, 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Friday 26 June
Why? This one if for the dirty old rock dogs. Now in its third installment RocknRolla 3 is truly embracing its aesthetic by having Melbourne’s most talked about rock act The Cherry Dolls headlining its latest edition. At their hard rocking best, The Cherry Dolls have just wrapped up their The Last Time tour where they impressed audiences nation wide. In fighting fit form they’re definitely one act not to miss.
Tickets & Info: FREE, Facebook event

Rare Finds Presents Okenyo

Where? The Standard Bowl, Lvl 3, 383 Bourke St, Surry Hills, Sydney
When? 7:30pm, Friday 26 June
Why? Club nights are one of the most editing and social ways to discover new music, and Sydney collective Rare Finds have been doing a pretty excellent job curating such a night. Now in their third edition after hosting two events in April and May strongly supported by the Sydney music community, Rare Finds continues to work towards the goal of curating one of Sydney’s strongest showcases of Australian indie artists. Having been announced for Splendour In the Grass 2015, Okenyo, will showcase her enigmatic soul-infused electro-pop, check out why she’s been featured at prestigious music industry showcases like CMJ and BigSound.
Tickets & Info: FREE, Facebook event

Fox & Fowl

Where? Black Bear Lodge, Lvl 1/322 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Queensland
When? 5:00pm, Saturday 27 June
Why? Brisbane based indie pop outfit Fox & Fowl recently announced a three date East Coast tour to showcase their new sound this June. The tour saw them pop by Sydney and Melbourne before getting set to play a headline show at Black Bear Lodge in Brissy. The band’s energy and ability to pen killer pop tunes has forced them into the Australian music spotlight this year, so local QLD brothers and sisters – don’t miss ’em.
Tickets & Info: $12.00, Facebook event

Áine Tyrrell

Where? The Toff In Town, Lvl 2, 252 Swanston St, Melbourne
When? 7:30pm, Thursday 25 June
Why? Having raised an impressive $15k via Pozible to record her stunning debut album Queen Of Swords on a bus journey into the Australian outback, Irish-born, Australia-based Aine Tyrrell has a number of impressive achievements under her belt including winning Queenscliff Music Festival’s ‘Emerging Talent 2014’. Quickly establishing herself as an artist to watch on the Australian music scene with her honest and passionate live performances, Aine’s ability to connect and interact with her audience will be on full display at the intimate show on Thursday night at The Toff when she launches the single ‘Where Were You’.
Tickets & Info: $12.00, Facebook event