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 are 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.
Julia Jacklin
Where? Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane QLD
When? 7:30pm – 10:30pm, Wednesday 27 July
Why? Julia is on track to be one of 2016’s breakout artists, with an enthralling voice and some genuine minor hits under her belt. She’s kicking off a three-date local tour this weekend, before heading off on a massive international expedition. Catch her playing the cosy Black Bear Lodge tonight with Sydney band Middle Kids and Alex L’Estrange, because the venues will be getting bigger very soon.
Tickets & Info: $15, more info here.
Habits
Where? The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy VIC
When? 8:30pm – 12:03am, Saturday July 30
Why? The nicest goths you’ll ever meet, Habits are one of the best live acts to catch at the moment, and they’re bringing together an assortment of their favourite acts that they haven’t yet shared a bill with for one night at the Evelyn. Bahdoesa, Karli White, Callan, slimbillgates and Wahe (DJ) may be unfamiliar names, but if they’ve all been handpicked by Habits, you know they’re going to put on a great night.
Tickets & Info: $10 on the door, more info here.
Cool Sounds
Where? The Eastern, Ballarat VIC
When? 8pm – 12am, Friday July 29
Why? Cool Sounds are midway through touring their debut album across Australia, and are stopping by Ballarat with wonderful Melbourne lads Hollow Everdaze in tow, alongside Robot Fox and Gangz. They’ll also be following it up with a show at Adelaide’s Hotel Metro the following night with The Aves and Ghyti.
Tickets & Info: More info here.
Hommage
Where? Cherry Bar, AC/DC Lane, Melbourne
When? 8pm – 12am, Friday July 29
Why? Possibly our new favourite name for a tribute act, Hommage will be playing songs by “the biggest, reddest one” Josh Homme at rock central Cherry Bar. The band includes members of My Left Boot, Sheriff, and Redro, and they’ll be joined by Redro Redriguez & His Inner Demons and Palmerslum.
Tickets & Info: $13, more info here.
Soviet X-Ray Record Club
Where? The Brightside, Brisbane QLD
When? 8pm – 12am, Friday July 29
Why? Lush Brissy post-punk band SXRRC are releasing their first single since 2015, and taking it on the road to celebrate, starting in their hometown this weekend. Even better, they’ll be supported by Sydney faves Hedge Fund, as well as Big Bad Echo, Max Chillen and the Kerbside Collective.
Tickets & Info: Free entry w/ RSVP, more info here.
Miles Brown
Where? The Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane QLD
When? 10pm – 1am, Thursday July 28
Why? Our recent premiere of Miles Brown’s gothic bogan spiritual love story should tell you everything you need to know. Miles, of indefinable cult band The Night Terrors, has just released his debut solo LP Séance Fiction, and will be joined by 100% & SEZZO SNOT for a free night of electronic prog-goth pop and other assorted goodies as part of The Woolly Mammoth’s free (and so far excellent) O.K. series of shows.
Tickets & Info: Free entry, more info here.
Hey Geronimo
Where? Newtown Social Club, Sydney NSW
When? 8pm
Why? Indie rockers Hey Geronimo just dropped their album ‘Crashing Into The Sun’ to positive reviews (as well as a pretty solid Like A Version), and are on the second leg of their launch tour, starting with Sydney this weekend and Brisbane the following week. They’ll be joined at the NSC this weekend by WildHoney and WASTERS.
Tickets & Info: $15, more info here.
Drunk Mums
Where? Waywards, Newtown NSW
When? 8pm-11:00pm, Friday July 29
Why? Good old Drunk Mums are kicking off their Australian tour this weekend at Waywards, before darting around the south/east. Catch them this week in Sydney while they’re feeling fresh, supported by Service Bells and one of our new punk faves The Jim Mitchells.
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
Moses Gunn Collective
Where? Barbara, Brisbane QLD
When? 9pm-12pm, Saturday July 2
Why? The psychedelic sounds of Moses Gunn Collective are coming to Barbara tomorrow night, and it’s only a fiver for a nice, intimate night with the local five-piece ahead of their full-blown Dream Girls Tour this August.
Tickets & Info: $5, more info here.
Animaux
Where? The Workers Club, Fitzroy VIC
When? 8:30pm – 11:30pm, Friday July 29
Why? Animaux received a groundswell of love from local punters when they first brought their horn-infused choons to Melbourne five years ago, but never quite gained the love of triple j. Now, with frontwoman Alex Lahey tearing up our radios solo, our beloved Animaux are thankfully jumping back into the fray. They’ll be supported at The Workers this weekend by singer/songwriter Woody Pitney and Dhana Bhutan.
Tickets & Info: $10 + b/f / $15 on the door, more info here.
House Of Beige DJs (Remi & Sensible J)
Where? Rocket Bar, Adelaide SA
When? 9pm-5am, Saturday July 2
Why? Creative collective/studio/Remi’s record label House of Beige are sending he and Sensible J along to spin some tracks at Rocket Bar with MERYL CREEP, LL Cool Dre, and Mojo. Should be a fun one.
Tickets & Info: $10 before 11pm/$15, more info here.
