So you’ve learnt your three chords or so and you’ve assembled your band. You’ve been rehearsing every day and played some shows at your favourite local small-cap room, but you reckon it’s time to hit the road.
But before you get on the horn and start pestering bookers, it may be a good idea to actually survey the current Australian live music landscape and take a look at what the best places to hit up actually are.
We recently linked up with the good folks at Proud Mary’s, an awesome live music spot in Erina, New South Wales, and had a chat about where the best places for young, up-and-coming bands to book a gig are. Obviously, Proud Mary’s was at the top of our list.
But we also had a look at the rest of the country and put together a pretty sweet little countdown of the venues that you should definitely have on your radar if you plan on making like Black Flag and getting in the van anytime soon.
If you’re in or around Erina any time in the next month, drop by Proud Mary’s on a Saturday night to catch their Saturdays With Mary series, which will be featuring big acts like Beni, KLP + Sports, Odd Mob and Wongo, supported each night by some top local acts.
Proud Mary’s – NSW
The strength of Proud Mary’s is that of any business really – knowing your target audience. Proud Mary’s have been great at targeting switched-on young people, especially uni students and entry-level grads, who love music and love it loud. You always know when standing before a Proud Mary’s audience that you’re looking out at a sea of punters who’ll pride themselves on telling friends they saw you live.
Karova Lounge – VIC
A frequent haunt for local touring bands looking to add a zesty twist to their trek of the East Coast. This much-loved Ballarat venue also regularly hosts international talent in addition to a never-ending stream of bonafide local stars.
A look at their upcoming gigs list features names like Thy Art Is Murder and KLP, so you know this isn’t just some local pub.
Rad Bar – NSW
We’ve long held the belief that Wollongong is in fact one of Australia’s most underrated music scenes, but that’s slowly changing thanks to great teams like the Yours & Owls folks, as well as ridiculously great venues like Rad Bar, who pride themselves on offering punters a diverse mix of the best local music Australia has to offer.
Flinders Social – QLD
Don’t sleep on Townsville… or should that be no sleep till Townsville? Either way, getting a gig at the beloved Flinders Social means your name will be on a bill of upcoming events alongside nationally recognised names like triple j presenter Linda Marigliano and Set Mo.
The folks at Flinders Social have built themselves an awesome band room that could rival anything you see in a big city.
Settlers Tavern – WA
Write your own songs and know your way around an acoustic guitar? Settlers Tavern is an essential stop on your travels through Western Australia.
Of course, if you’re pretty handy with the blues licks or even prefer your music heavy, like say Dead Letter Cirucs, you’re more than welcome at Margaret River’s favourite live music venue.
Epilogue Lounge – NT
Play the Epilogue Lounge, seriously. You’ll not only be injecting some much-needed live music into the Northern Territory, an area bands sadly rarely visit, but you’ll be doing more than just hitting up a venue, you’ll be visiting a destination.
Epilogue Lounge is even listed by Lonely Planet as a place to check out in NT and is noted for its unique events like Rooftop Hip Hop.
Club 54 – TAS
Much like we urge you to stick the Northern Territory on your touring itinerary if you can, do likewise with Tassie. And if you do, make sure you hit up Club 54.
The Launceston venue is one of Tassie’s go-to music spots, boasting an absolutely kick-ass band room and an excellent PA system with plenty of chill vibes from the space and the crowd.
