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.
White Bleachers
Where? The Workers Club, 51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Friday 19th Feb
Why? After taking a few months off to record, White Bleaches are back to play The Workers Club with good mates The Shakes and Slow Driver. The guys have been making waves of late so with The Shakes and Slow Driver on board its going to be full tilt cracker of a night. So if you want to have your ears torn apart by some loud garage psych rock come down and enjoy the show.
Tickets & Info: $5, Facebook event
Paces + Alice Ivy
Where? Rocket Bar & Rooftop
When? 8pm, Friday 19th Feb
Why? To celebrate the release (and success) of ‘1993 (No Chill) featuring Jess Kent’ and his upcoming debut album Vacation, Captain Paces is hitting the high seas with a series of Ship to Shore album launch parties and Rocket are hosting his Adelaide date with a headline DJ set from the swag master himself! Special guest from Melbourne, Alice Ivy performing live as part of her tour for her new single ‘Touch’.
Tickets & Info: $10+ b/f, Facebook event
Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil) + Sean Sennett
Where? Cherry Bar, 103 Flinders Ln, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Saturday 20th Feb
Why? Mates Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil) and Sean Sennett are throwing a huge party at old Cherry this weekend with The New Originals punk band with Kate Ceberano on drums!), Bones Atlas and Fifth Friend. It’s a Saturday , it’s at Cherry, what more reasoning do you need?!
Tickets & Info: $13, Facebook event
Ella Hooper
Where? The Gasometer, 484 Smith St, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Thursday 18th Feb
Why? Ella will be hitting the stage of The Gas with the her band as part of the Collingwood Open (the roof comes off, the stars come out, and so do you. It’s all to preview her New Magic EP, the follow up to and accompanying yin to last years EP release Venom. Pop in and see what one Australia’s favourite talents has been up to lately.
Tickets & Info: $15 +b/f, gasometer.com.au
Us The Band
Where? Petersham Bowling Club, 77 Brighton St, Petersham, Sydney
When? 7pm, Thursday 18th Feb
Why? Friday night is garage night in the otherwise docile, leafy streets of Petersham. This Thursday sees shenanigans at the PBC, featuring geek rock outfit The Shrugs and garage-punk-pop band Imperial Broads will shout and hollar and smash some drums and sometimes sing in three part harmonies. Rounding off the night Us The Band (aka Jesse and Nick from bearhug) will blister through some short fast songs that will leave you jittery and excitable. Pop in!
Tickets & Info: $5, Facebook event
Dream Rimmy
Where? The Bird, 181 William Street, Northbridge, Perth
When? 8pm, Saturday 20th Feb
Why? Since their inception in 2014, Perth shoegaze masters Dream Rimmy have done an awful lot including releasing their single ‘Waves’ which they’re launching this Saturday. Featuring Regular Boys, Diger Rokwell and Pool Boy on the line up this is one local gig you don’t want to miss.
Tickets & Info: $5 – $15, Facebook event
friendships
Where? The Foundry, 228 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 8pm, Thursday 18th Feb
Why? Melbourne’s most exciting art duo friendships will be popping by Brissy on Thursday for Yowie gig series at The Foundry. If you haven’t caught these guys yet you’re in for a treat. Oh and entry is only $5 before 9pm so get on it.
Tickets & Info: $5 before 9pm, Facebook event
Little Desert + Howl At The Moon
Where? Old Bar, 74-76 Johnston St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Saturday 20th Feb
Why? Two of Melbourne’s most energetic (and underrated) bands Howl at the Moon and Little Desert are teaming up for what’s set to be an absolute corker of a show this Saturday at The Old Bar. Featuring local synth-punk buzzband Hi-Tec Emotions as support it’s a Saturday night you won’t want to snooze on.
Tickets & Info: $10, Facebook event
