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.
Neighbourhood Youth
Where: The Workers Club, Melbourne Vic
When: 8pm-11pm, Friday Dec 2
Why: After yearly two years Neighbourhood Youth have finally returned with their sophomore EP, delivering more alt-rock gems. The group are fresh off a tour with The Pretty Littles and are hitting up The Workers Club for the official launch of their EP, with support from Horace Bones.
Tickets & Info: $8+ bf, more info here.
Polographia
When: Friday Dec 2
Why: Polographia are currently tearing through the country in support of their Friends EP, showing off their feel-good groove dance choons. This week the duo hit up Perth’s El Grotto with guests Tobacco Rat and Feels.
Tickets & Info: $15, more info here.
Satchfest
Where: Secret Location, Sydney NSW
When: 7pm – 4am, Saturday Dec 3
Why: Here is a unique one for ya – Satchfest, a mini festival set up to celebrate the life and times of former Neighbours star and Logie winner Brooke Satchwell. Featuring a Brooke Satchwell art gallery, karaoke, live stand up and even a halfpipe. With live music from the likes of Mesa Cosa, Los Tones, Racket, Bilby and Simo Soo, it’s definitely more than a gimmick, and one not to miss.
Tickets & Info: $15 on the door, more info here.
Matt & Alex
Where: Fat Controller, Adelaide SA
When: 7pm-12am, Tuesday Nov 29
Why: Much to the dismay of their adoring fanbase Matt & Alex have announced they’re stepping down from their roles at Triple J… but not before throwing sweet ‘5 raves in 5 nights’, giving everyone a chance to say goodbye. With DJ sets by Bad//Dreems, Jess Kent, Luke Million, Tigerilla and Trials at the Adelaide leg, with other dates to follow, pack your glow sticks and get ready for a hazy night you will no doubt struggle to remember
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
Jack River
Where: The Foundry, Brisbane QLD
When: 7pm-10.30pm, Thursday Dec 1
Why: I Oh You’s latest signing Jack River is taking her debut EP Highway Songs No.2 on the road for her first run of headline shows. River’s live show has had fans and critics alike raving. With support from Brightness and Seavera. This show is likely to be the last time you can catch Jack River at such an intimate venue.
Tickets & Info: $14.80, more info here.
Sun God Replica
Where: The Eastern, Ballarat Vic
When: 8pm-11.55, Saturday Dec 3
Why: Sun God Replica take all your favourite elements of ’60s/’70s rock and fuse them into a heavy garage-psych power trio. Sounds pretty irresistible, eh? The trio are headed to Ballarat’s Eastern in support of their new album and they’re taking punk rockers SWHAT and Sydney noise-rockers Zeahorse along for the party.
Tickets & Info: more info here.
These New South Whales
Where: Yah Yah’s, Melbourne Vic
When: 8pm-11.55pm, Saturday Dec 3
Why: Sydney’s favourite punk outfit and self-proclaimed buzz-band These New South Whales are bringing their unique brand of punk rock to Yah Yah’s in support of their lastest single ‘Meat Hook’. Riddled by nipple tape and awash with smoke machines and strobe lights, the trio are sure to give punters a night they won’t soon remember.
Tickets & Info: $11.44, more info here.
Rolling Blackouts C.F.
Where: The Curtin, Melbourne Vic
When: 8.30pm-3am, Friday Dec 2
Why: Rolling Blackouts C.F. Have just returned from a three-month long hiatus, but the group have not come back empty-handed. Having signed to the legendary Sub Pop Records (yes, the same Sub Pop that Nirvana called home for a while there), the band are launching their new single ‘Julie’s Place’ in their hometown. Rolling Blackouts’ ‘soft punk/tough pop’ choons will no doubt get you having a boogie, with some of Melbourne’s finest in Suss Cunts, TRG and Doona Waves taking over the support duties, and Laura Jean bringing the afterparty on the decks.
Tickets & Info: $13.50, more info here.
Lossless
Where: Boney, Melbourne Vic
When: 8pm-11pm, Friday Dec 2
Why: With menacing, pulsing beats and a pretty undeniable flow, the combination of HTMLflowers and Oscar Key Sung come together to create what has been dubbed by some as being ‘hip-hop, experimental and R&B future beats’. An odd description, maybe, but it makes for a must-see live show. The group are taking over Boney this Friday, with amazing supports in Habits and Jale along for the ride.
Tickets & Info: $10 on the door, more info here.
Bedroom Suck
Where: The Curtin, Melbourne Vic
When: 8.30pm-11.55pm, Saturday Dec 3
Why: Brisbane-turned-Melbourne label Bedroom Suck are back and are bringing their annual bash to Melbourne’s The Curtin, taking over two stages with some of Australia’s finest, including The Senegambian Jazz Band, Terrible Truths, Evelyn Ida Morris and Dag to name but a few. If that’s not enough to get you chomping at the bit, there’ll even be a DJ Death Battle featuring Sui Zhen and Sanpo Disco, and heaps more fun to be had.
Tickets & Info: $12, more info here.
Grenadiers
Where: Crown and Anchor, Adelaide SA
When: 9pm-12am, Friday Dec 2
Why: Grenadiers have spent the last month bringing their hard rock to the masses and tearing through Australia. This week sees the band play the final show of their tour in Adelaide, and support from Rat Catcher and Stork promises to make it one of the hardest-rocking nights Adelaide has seen for a while. After weeks on the road this show promises to be a big one, so bring your ear plugs and get ready to mosh.
Tickets & Info: $14.10, more info here.
Foreign/National
Where: Old Bar, Melbourne Vic
When: 2pm-11pm, Sunday Dec 4
Why: It’s been a tough few weeks in Melbourne, with the cold weather just refusing to go away, but it seems this is all turning around with warmer weather hitting this Sunday. The Foreign/National crew are headed to Old Bar to take advantage and are putting on a BBQ with $10 jugs, throwing in a brief live set and a few DJ sets from the likes of Sunbeam Sound Machine, Dorsal Fins and Saskwatch… Oh, and it’s free entry.
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
Pearl Jam TEN 25th Anniversary Celebrations
Where: Cherry Bar, Melbourne Vic
When: 8pm-5m, Friday Dec 2
Why: Melbourne’s renowned premiere rock ‘n roll bar, Cherry Bar is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Pearl Jam’s seminal album TEN. With members of The Pass Outs, Warbirds, I Am Mine and Smoke Stack Rhino performing the classic album in full, it’s time to pull out your finest flannel shirt and put on your best Eddie Vedder impression.
Tickets & Info: $13, more info here.
Pastiche, Jaala & More
Where: Yarra Hotel, Melbourne Vic
When: 8pm-11pm, Friday Dec 2
Why: After releasing their debut self-titled album earlier this month, Pastiche are headed to Melbourne’s Yarra Hotel to celebrate. Pastiche’s weird blend of art rock and electronica is sure to excite or at least confuse … how do they do that with the vocals? With excellent support from Jaala and Hollow Everdaze, punters of the Yarra Hotel are no doubt in for a treat.
Tickets & Info: $10 on the door, more info here.
Mouth Tooth
Where: The Toff in Town, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm – 11pm, Thursday Dec 1
Why: Post-folk duo Mouth Tooth are celebrating the vinyl release of their new LP with a little help from Sarah Mary Chadwick and Sweet Whirl. Semi-casual attire is recommended, and don’t miss out on a bunch of red wine specials.
Tickets & Info: $15 more info here.
Heart Beach
Where: Northcote Social Club, Melbourne VIC
When: 9pm – 12.00am, Monday Dec 5
Why: Earlier this month Heart Beach dropped their self-described ‘Girl-Guy Skuzzy Pop’ album, so naturally they’re celebrating at the Northcote Social Club alongside Summer Flake, Quivers and Redspencer. That’s a damn good lineup, before you even realise that it’s free entry.
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
IVEY
Where: Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane, QLD
When: 7pm-11pm, Thursday Dec 1
Why: Alt-poppers Ivey have just released their new single ‘Last Week’ and are doing a lap of the east-coast to celebrate. Next stop, a free show at Brisbane’s Woolly Mammoth with Concrete Surfers. Definitely recommended!
Tickets & Info: FREE, more info here.
FRIDA
Where: The Curtin, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm-11.45pm, Thursday Dec 1
Why: Frida have dropped their brand new dreamy alt-pop EP I Want In Your Head and are taking over The Curtin this Thursday to launch it, bringing along rockers Fan Girl and Darling James for the ride. We like ’em all, and can guarantee a delightful Thursday evening.
Tickets & Info: $10 on the door more info here.
