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.
Miles Brown
Where? The Curtin, 29 Lygon St, Mebourne
When? 8pm, Saturday 26th March
Why? Get around the launch of Miles Browns hilariously named album Séance Fiction with a rag-tag bunch of Melbourne musos bringing up the rear. If you ever wanted to see psychedelic electronica side by side with the noise heavy garage rock of Deaf Wish then now is your time.
Tickets & Info: $10, Facebook
Docotopus + Spaceman
Where? Mojo’s Bar, 237 Queen Victoria Street, North Fremantle.
When? 8pm, Thursday 24th March
Why? It feels like we write about Docotopus and Spaceman every week, but they’re just so damn prolific (and so damn fun!) This week they’ll be combining forces and taking over Mojo’s with their mates Moistoyster and The Kramers in tow. Get on it.
Tickets & Info: $5-10, Facebook
Contrast
Where? Yah Yah’s, 99 Smith St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 9pm, Thursday 24th March
Why? Post-punk shoe gazers Contrast are so stoked on the release of their new track they’re gunna rock Yah Yah’s to the foundations. Joined by jangle-popers Bad Family and the drones of the Black Heart Death Cult I can’t think of a better place in Melbourne to have a few tins and get rowdy on a Thursday night.
Tickets & Info: $10, Facebook
Piano Day
Where? Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, 25 Bennetts Lane, Melbourne
When? 7pm, Monday 28th March
Why? Piano Day 2016 plays host to a stack of our finest Pianists including Luke Howard, preforming a series of intimate piano performances. Plus if Luke and all his mates wasn’t enough incentive, entry is by donation and all the proceeds go to Entertainment Assist, supporting the mental health of Aussie entertainers.
Tickets & Info: $5-10, Facebook
Parading
Where? Union Hotel Newtown 576 King St, Newtown, Sydney
When? 8pm, Friday 25th March
Why? The Melbourne noise-pop quartet comprising ex-Witch Hats guitarist Tom Barry, guitarist Keith Mason (White Woods), drummer Tom Coleman (Pageants) and bassist Ash Buscombe (Witch Hats, Melbourne Cans) have just followed up on their 2013 album Swallowing a Sunflower with an absolutely stunning new single ‘Butterfly’ and to celebrate they’re popping by Sydney for a show this Friday.
Tickets & Info: $5-15, Facebook
A Gazilion Angry Mexicans
Where? Cherry Bar, AC/DC Ln, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Saturday 26th March
Why? Getting loose has never been a problem for this mental four piece. With their EP finally released, and a lengthy tour finally over this EP Launch is set to be larger than your average Saturday night. Definitely a good bet if you want to mosh away the week and get properly stuck into the long weekend.
Tickets & Info: $13, Facebook
Denpasar
Where? Black Bear Lodge, 3222 Brunswick St, Brisbane
When? 7:30pm, Thursday 24th March
Why? Brisbane collective Denpasar have just dropped their brand new single ‘Breeze’ and to kick off its release the guys will be playing a Thursday evening show at Black Bear Lodge. If you’re a fan of ’90s era Blur and Supergrass these guys could be your new faves.
Tickets & Info: $5-10, Facebook
Nicholas Allbrook
Where? Pirie Street Social Club, 21 Pirie Street, Adelaide
When? 9pm, Thursday 24th March
Why? Nicholas Allbrook the multi-talented man of many monikers has just shared his latest solo offering ‘Advance’ – the first taste from his forthcoming second LP, and to celebrate Allbrook will be heading out on a national headline tour in support of the single this March. If you get the opportunity to catch this guy in action we recommend you don’t miss it.
Tickets & Info: $10, www.moshtix.com.au
