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.

Frida

Where?  The Gasometer, 484 Smith St, Collingwood Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Friday 18th September
Why? HopeStreet Recordings, Melbourne’s leading light of funk and soul, is celebrating the launch of its first imprint label, Wyall Style Records this Friday night, with the debut release ‘Slowly’ by lo-fi indie pop band Frida. Formed from key members of cinematic soul institution The Cactus Channel Frida will be supported by indie pop talents Tully On Tully and Plastic.
Tickets & Info: $12.75, Facebook event

Garrett Kato

Where?  Black Bear Lodge, 322 Brunswick Street
Fortitude Valley Mall, Brisbane
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 17th September
Why? Byron Bay rocker Garrett Kato will be playing an intimate show at Black Bear Lodge off the back of a well-received showcase at this years Canadian Music Week and an amazing response to his single ‘UFO’s. He is releasing ‘Headlights’, the heart warming second single from his heavily anticipated album That Low And Lonesome Sound – head along to see what all the fuss is about.
Tickets & Info: $13.30, blackbearlodge.com.au

Doctopus

Where?  The Velvet Lounge, 639 Beaufort St, Perth
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 17th September
Why? One of our fave psych garage crews Doctopus are playing at the velvet lounge every thursday night in September, which means you’ve already miss two opportunities to catch ’em live. The upcoming show features support from Apples and The Drools. Start the weekend a day early!
Tickets & Info: $12.25, Facebook event

Ecca Vandal

Where?  GoodGod Small Club, 55 Liverpool St Chinatown, Sydney CBD
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 17th September
Why? One of this country’s most exciting upcoming talents  Ecca Vandal is launching her brand new single and video ‘Father Hu$$la’ with a string of local shows. Stopping off in Sydney this Thursday she’ll be bringing indescribable her noise pop to Goodgod with support from special guests Kid Kairo.
Tickets & Info: $12, moshtix.com.au

Woodlock

Where? Glen Waverley Community Centre (700 Waverley road, Glen Waverley
When? 6:30pm, Friday 18th September
Why? Melbourne (via the way of New Zealand) folk rock trio Woodlock cut their teeth playing busking the streets of Melbourne and have managed to sell an impressive 26,000 EP’s independently while doing so. Over the past year or so the band have seen their fan-base swell quite incredibly due to their unwavering dedication to performing live. If you want to catch a band that knows exactly how important a live show is – don’t miss these guys.
Tickets & Info: $10, www.myfs.org.au

Koi Child

Where?  GoodGod Small Club, 55 Liverpool St Chinatown, Sydney CBD
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 19th September
Why? By now, the breezy port of Fremantle, WA has a reputation for birthing some of the worlds’ best alternative music. Enter Koi Child, the combined forces of local hiphop party starters Childs Play, nu-jazz quartet Kashikoi. The band have among so many other things recently played Bigsound, Groovin The Moo, supported The Preatures and Hiatus Kaiyote aaaaand worked with Kevin Parker on their latest single. Just huge.
Tickets & Info: $10, moshtix.com.au

Beaver

Where?  Crown and Anchor, 196 Grenfell St, Adelaide
When? 8:00pm, Friday 18th September
Why? Things are set to get rowdy at The Crown and Anchor Hotel on Friday September 18th when Adelaide punk stalwarts Beaver take to the backroom stage and drag along with them some impressive talent including Adelaide three-piece act Dilettantes, Melbourne punks Del Lago and yet another Adelaide three-piece act Secondhand Squad. As usual Adelaide proves itself to be just as much the city of hard rock as it it the city or churches.
Tickets & Info: $5, Facebook event