One of the worst things about being a music fan is the horrible sinking feeling you get when you realise that awesome gig that you heard was coming actually turned out to be last night. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a gig guide so that you can make sure you won’t be missing any more unforgettable nights of music.
With plenty for everyone coming up this month, there’s bound to be something here that will turn your plans of a quiet night in into a memory you’ll never forget.
Groovin The Moo Sideshows
Groovin The Moo is about to kick off its 14th year as a festival, and with it comes their usual round of stunning sideshows which allows lucky punters to see some exceptional international acts strutting the local stages and performing a headline set. With acts such as Portugal. The Man, Aminé, and Royal Blood playing shows this month, these are definitely some performances you won’t want to miss.
Royal Blood
with special guests Polish Club and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
Monday, May 7th
Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD (all ages)
Aminé
Thursday, May 10th
245 Wickham, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Live Nation
Portugal. The Man
Thursday, May 10th
The Tivoli, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Tropical Fuck Storm
Tropical Fuck Storm have to be one of the most confronting bands on this list, just based on their name alone. Featuring a brutal mix of the irreverent and accomplished indie rock created by The Drones’ Gareth Liddiard, the band are getting set to release their debut album, A Laughing Death In Meatspace, very soon. Don’t miss this stunning Aussie collective when they come to your neck of the woods this month.
Thursday, May 3rd
The Foundry, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Tropical Fuck Storm
Tonight Alive
Back in January, Tonight Alive dropped the incredible Underworld – a powerful and blistering statement on self-empowerment, harnessing every element of your being and fighting against society’s constraints.
This month, the band will be taking the album on the road, performing tracks off Underworld and their spanning back catalogue, performing to adoring Aussie crowds who’ve seen the band travel on an upwards trajectory to take over the stages of Warped Tour and headline sets over the world. Supported by Between You & Me and AViVA, these are set to be some huge shows for the awesome group.
Saturday, May 5th
The Zoo, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Live Nation
Butterfingers
Back in the ‘00s, it was almost impossible to escape from the irreverent, yet infectiously catchy Butterfingers. After a decade away from the game, the group reformed recently, heading out on tour and delivering a couple of stellar singles. While there’s no word yet as to whether the group are set to release a new album, be sure you catch them out on their current tour, lest you have to wait until 2027.
Saturday, May 5th
Miami Tavern, Gold Coast, QLD
Tickets: Butterfingers
The Mavis’s
Back in the ‘90s, it was pretty hard to escape the popularity of The Mavis’s. Now, 15 years after the release of their third album, the group are reforming for the 20th anniversary of their second (and best) album, Pink Pills. This show is undoubtedly set to be a huge celebration of the brilliant rock music Australia created back in the ‘90s, so start digging out your old issues of Smash Hits, because this is going to be a huge blast from the past.
Sunday, May 6th
Stones Corner Festival, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Free Entry
Belle & Sebastian
One of the finest and most well-respected Scottish indie groups of all time, Belle & Sebastian make their much-anticipated return to Australia this month to perform songs from their newest release, the three-EP collection How To Solve Our Human Problems. Renowned for their quirky and emotional performances, a Belle & Sebastian show isn’t something you soon forget. Be sure to catch them when they take over The Tivoli on May 7th.
Monday, May 7th
The Tivoli, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: MJR Presents
WAAX
Fresh from supporting Fall Out Boy on their Aussie tour, electrifying punk act WAAX are getting set to drop their newest single ‘Labrador’, so they’re hitting the road to deliver it to their dedicated fans. With the group scoring some huge support slots recently, including Biffy Clyro, these brilliant rockers are about to be your new favourite band, so make sure you get in on the ground floor and catch them live.
Friday, May 11th
Miami Tavern, Gold Coast, QLD
Tickets: Oztix
Sarah Blasko
Sarah Blasko is one of the most brilliant singers and songwriters that Australia has to offer, and with 2018 seeing the release of her sixth album, Depth of Field, Blasko is heading out on the road to deliver her trademark stunning live shows. Supported by Ryan Downey, be sure to catch Sarah Blasko when she hits up The Triffid this month.
Saturday, May 12th
The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Oztix
Middle Kids
Middle Kids have continued their domination of the Aussie indie scene by recently releasing the stunning ‘On My Knees’, a fresh taste off their upcoming album, Lost Friends. With a penchant for writing amazing songs and delivering them with the unmatched quality that only this beloved three-piece can, 2018 is definitely shaping up to be the year of Middle Kids.
Friday, May 18th
Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Middle Kids
Cosmic Psychos
One of the world’s most respected and most beloved punk acts, Cosmic Psychos are well truly blokes you can trust to deliver a fine show. With the band recently releasing their tenth album, Loudmouth Soup, they’re set to head out on tour, delivering eager fans one of the most informative lessons in Aussie punk rock that they could ever ask for.
Friday, May 18th
The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Cosmic Psychos
Jonathan Pie
A bit of change of pace with this one, but Jonathan Pie uses the absurdity of on-the-spot reporting and the live, haphazard nature of this type of television to deliver brutal takes on the U.K. political and social situation.
Although most of his material is resolutely U.K.-aimed, the themes and Pie’s off-kilter/off-the-rail approach makes his particular brand of comedy quite universal. Having said that, his spot-on acting often means that — like Stephen Colbert — many can’t tell these aren’t actual reports.
Tuesday, May 22nd
The Old Museum, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Frontier Comedy
Totally Mild
Totally Mild have been spending quite some time now going from strength to strength, winning over fans with every piece of music they release. Going strong off the release of tracks like ‘From One Another’, from their recent album, Her, the group are at their best, and they’ll be showing off just how good they can be when they hit up the Black Bear Lodge on May 24th.
Thursday, May 24th
Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Oztix
Augie March
Arguably one of the most underrated Australian groups of all time (yes, despite topping the Hottest 100 countdown in 2006), Augie March recently released their sixth album, Bootikins, earlier this year. Equal parts fierce, emotional, and tender, an Augie March performance has the power to bring you to tears and leave you exhilarated all at the same time. Be sure to catch them when they come your way this month.
Friday, May 25th
The Zoo, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Oztix
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
Having a father who served as the drummer of a legendary rock band must be a hard act to follow, but it must be even more daunting when you decide to go out on the live circuit and recreate the brilliant music your old man made.
Well, that’s exactly what Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening aims to do, and with years of brilliant shows behind him, it appears he does it pretty well. Be sure to catch this performance of rock royalty when it comes your way this month!
Tuesday, May 29th
The Tivoli, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Ticketmaster
