We don’t think you ever really need an excuse to go out and catch some great live and local gigs, but if you do, the fact that next Monday 9th June is the Queen’s Birthday public holiday is a bloody good one.

In honour of her majesty’s benevolence, we’ve put together a list of the best shows happening across the country – starting tonight and through to Sunday night (suck eggs, work!) – so you make sure you don’t waste your long weekend on wondering how not to waste it, or worse, tidying the house. Plus, don’t forget our wrap-up of this week’s best local gigs for under $15 – you can still catch a bunch of great local talent too.

So, cheers for the long weekend, Elizabeth. In the words of the Beatles, “Her Majesty’s a pretty nice girl…”

Melbourne

Queen’s Birthday Tribute to Queen

Where? Yah Yahs, 99 Smith St, Fitzroy
When? Sunday 8th June, 8pm
Why? To honour both her majesty’s holiday and the return Down Under of the Adam Lambert-fronted rock band themselves, You Am I guitarist Davey Lane has wrangled a super band, called The Stormtroopers In Stilettoes (bravo!), to pay tribute to Queen. Filling in for Freddie Mercury on the night will be a turnstile of ace guest vocalists, including Vika & Linda Bull, Joel Silbersher, Mojo Ju Ju, Laura Imbruglia, Adam Cole, (Bugdust) and Laura Davidson. Belting along to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and the rest of the Queen catalogue like champs? Her majesty would want you to have it that way – heck, she gave you the Monday off to ensure you do.
Tickets & Info: $18 from Trybooking, $20 on door if still available.

Twin Beasts

Where? The Corner Hotel, 57 Swan St, Richmond
When? Friday 6 June, 8:30pm
Why? It’s Friday, you’ve just clocked off, and you’re looking for a way to kick off an epic long weekend. Do it the right way with Melbourne five-piece, Twin Beasts, who are throwing a launch for their highly-awaited album, Badlove. The sophomore record has been advancing streaming here at Tone Deaf since the end of April, and it’s powerful, rollicking and loud while also being incredibly intense and soulful. It’s a versatile, exciting and an extremely promising start to 2014 for the band, and seeing it launched in the flesh is as good as it’s going to get. Joined by Cherrywood, Immigrant Union and Mightiest Of Guns.
Tickets & Info: $16+bf through Corner Hotel’s website.

The Bennies

Where? Ding Dong Lounge, 18 Market Ln, CBD
When? Friday 6 June, 8:20pm
Why? Cheeky kings of punk rock party vibes, The Bennies have had a huge 2014, starting off with their ‘Knights Forever’ tour (their biggest to date), then their debut tour of New Zealand, a coveted spot on the Soundwave lineup, as well as conquering China in their second visit in 12 months. Now these rowdy lads are ready to shotgun some tinnies at Ding Dong Lounge for the Queen’s Birthday weekend, which they’ve appropriately renamed ‘Bong Weekend’. Supporting The Bennies are brain-melting ska outfit Rainbows In Space.
Tickets & Info: $14.30 through Oztix.

No Zu, Holy Balm, Roland Tings

Where? The Liberty Social, 279 Flinders Ln, CBD
When? Saturday 7 June, 9pm
Why? The second night of the three-day weekend sees some of Melbourne’s eclectic beat-makers converging at The Liberty Social’s basement for a night of sticky, sweaty club action. Presented by SUGARYAMA, Saturday night is a showcase featuring the collective’s favourite providers of next-level heat-beat action, boasting a finely-picked curated bill consisting of No Zu, Sydney’s Holy Balm, Roland Tings, HTRK (DJ set), Otologic, and Peace Pipe vs Salvador.
Tickets & Info: $20+bf through Moshtix.

A Guy Called Gerald

Where? Lounge, 243 Swanston St, CBD
When? Saturday 7 June, 10pm
Why? With 9 albums spanning a 25-year career, A Guy Called Gerald has built a genre-blending body of work that crosses everything from acid house to jungle drum and bass. The Berlin-based, Manchester-born electronica veteran is a revered international name, so he’s a must-see for any self-respecting club kid when he plays a rare set at Lounge on Saturday night.
Tickets & Info: $20+bf through Resident Advisor.

The Operatives’ 10th Birthday

Where? The Revolt Artspace, 12 Elizabeth Street, Kensington
When? Sunday 8 June, 3pm–1am
Why? Over the past decade The Operatives have been at the helm of the country’s bustling underground electronic scene, responsible for tours of ground-breaking international musicians and an ever-growing collective of local talent. To celebrate their anniversary, The Operatives are celebrating with a huge party featuring one of their biggest line-ups to date. The pioneering taste-makers have hand-selected the likes of Koreless, Sinjin Hawke, Stwo, Sango, Mark Pritchard, Sampology, friendships, Pomo, S I L E N T J A Y and Amin Payne to play all under one roof. Simply put, it’s going to be massive. For a taste test, check out the special mixtape Melbourne-based audiovisual duo friendships made for Tone Deaf ahead of their set on Sunday.
Tickets & Info: $65+bf through Dash Tickets.

Sydney

N’Fa Jones

Where? Beach Road Bondi, 71 Beach Rd, Bondi
When? Friday 6 June, 8pm
Why? London-born, Aussie-converted hip hop MC N’Fa Jones is absolutely killing 2014. The 34-year-old and former 1200 Techniques frontman’s new album Black + White Noise was named Tone Deaf’s Record of the Week at the end of March, with our reviewer writing “[it] is a testament to N’fa, who has produced a forward thinking album based on his own style whilst also retaining the fundamentals of rap and hip hop. It is a record that not only hip hop purists, but music lovers far and wide will enjoy.” Now lucky Bondi beach babes have the chance to see him for free at the start of the Queen’s Birthday weekend. You’d be silly not to.
Tickets & Info: Free entry.

Wolf & Cub

Where? Newtown Social Club, 387 King St, Newtown
When? Saturday 7 June, 8pm
Why? Last year Adelaide psych outfit Wolf & Cub released their esteemed third album Heavy Weight, which was the four-piece’s first studio effort since 2009. Now the band are taking their assured and dynamic live show onto the road again, including their Saturday night show at the Newtown Social Club supported by Cabins and Zeahorse. If you’re a Sydneysider looking for some droning alt-rock, this one has your name on it.
Tickets & Info: $13 through Ticketscout.

No Good: Winter

Where? Petersham Bowling Club, 77 Little Brighton St, Petersham
When? Sunday 8 June, 12:30pm
Why? We’ve plugged it before, we’ll plug it again. Sydney’s new favourite label, No Good, are proud to announce their inaugural quarterly festival, No Good: Winter. The collective have grown out of their monthly events, and now they’re moving onto a bigger-scale bash to showcase some of the best and most innovative music Sydney’s sprawling scene has to offer. Delivering the goods with their first lineup, it features the likes of Rainbow Chan, Maatzi, Loose Change, Simo Soo, Moon Holiday and Yon Yonson.
Tickets & Info: $35+bf through Oztix.

Brisbane

The Getaway Plan

Where? The Brightside, 27 Warner St, Brisbane
When? Friday 6 June, 8pm
Why? Melbourne-based alternative rock troupe The Getaway Plan have locked in a slew of dates this year, including headlining this night of punk, hardcore, metal and garage at The Brightside to get the three-day weekend into gear. They’ll be joined by Hey Denise, Far From Paris and Atripwithsid.
Tickets & Info: $24 from thebrightsidebrisbane.com.au

Brightside Queen’s Birthday Bash

Where? The Brightside, 27 Warner St, Brisbane
When? Sunday 8 June, 8pm
Why? The Brightside are making the most of old mate Lizzie giving us a day off by throwing a Masquerade Ball on Sunday night, promising that things will get very funny very quickly. Grab a mask, get into the festivities, and let the Brightside DJs take the reigns inside and out with the very best punk/party/hardcore tunes all night long. There’s an acoustic set from Awaken I Am, plus live performances from We Were Giants and Beth Lucas. Oh, and friendly drink prices.
Tickets & Info: The Brightside Facebook event

Adelaide

Frente

Where? The Gov, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh
Why? Currently touring in support of the 21st anniversary reissue of Marvin The Album, Frente bring the nostalgic warm-n-fuzzies to the City of Churches this long weekend. If you’re wondering if a room full of people singing along to ‘Accidentally Kely Street’ and New Order covers 21 years after the fact still cuts it, according to our own Melbourne reviewer of Frente’s current live show, it most certainly does.
Tickets & Info: $40 from The Gov

I, A Man

Where? The Metro, 36 Grote St, Adelaide
When? Friday 6th June
Why? Touring their excellent debut album Gravity Wins Again, Melbourne al-trock four-piece I, a Man provide the perfect sonic salve for those who – to quote our Tone Deaf review – have “been seriously missing Augie March, or longing for Art Of Fighting to break their sabbatical.” Their atmospheric guitar rock will be backed by local bands Stranger Things Have Happened and Hello, Lover.
Tickets & Info: $5 on door, info on Facebook

Perth

Dead Letter Circus

Where? The Rosemount Hotel, 459 Fitzgerald St, North Perth
When? Sunday 8th June, 6pm
Why? Ok, we know you got your holiday break last weekend, Perth, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on some ace gig recommendations. Case in point: prog powerhouse Dead Letter Circus, fresh from stirring a hornet’s nest of haters with their daring take on Rage Against The Machine, hit the Rosemount for The Insider Tour, promoting album #2, The Catalyst Fire. If you’ve not yet witnessed DLC in full electric flight, don’t waste your chance. Support comes from fellow Brisbane proggers Like Thieves.
Tickets & Info: $34.70 from The Rosemount Hotel

Bok Bok & LVIS-1990

Where? The Bakery, 233 James Street, Northbridge
When? Saturday 7 June, 9pm
Why? For the best part of a decade, Bok Bok & Lvis 1990 have bent & twisted the sounds of London club music, both releasing era defining solo productions, all while curating Nights Slugs a club night-come-record label that introduced the world to Mosca, Girl Unit, Kingdom, and more. These trend-defining London producers dabble in a brand of electronica that’s future-focussed, avant-skewed and tailored for Boiler Room club nights.
Tickets & Info: $25 from Now Baking.

RTRFM World In A Warehouse

Where? PS Art Space, 22 Pakenham Street, Fremantle
When? Friday 6th June, 6pm to 12am
Why? RTRFM arguably provides the best community radio programming in WA, so when they promise to transform a converted warehouse for a “a wildly diverse night of vibrant world, folk pop and progressive groove music,” you better believe they’ll deliver the goods. Headlining is English/Kreol/French heritage soul-stirrir Grace Barbé, joined on the bill by folktronica outfit Joni In The Moon, reggae-fied six-piece Mambo Chic. There’s also RTR FM DJs from El Ritmo and Global Rhythm Pot plus DJ Charlie Bucket. There’s also exotic eats, striking visuals and installations. Sorted.
Tickets & Info: $15 from RTRFM.com.au

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