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’s 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.
Fortunes
Where? The Evelyn Hotel 351 Brunswick Street Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 9pm, Saturday 30th April
Why? After kicking off 2016 in a big way with a performance at Let Them Eat Cake and the release of their new Jacket EP, Melbourne’s Fortunes are primed and ready to break the stratosphere. Thick soundscapes give this gritty R&B collaboration a distinctly chill vibe, and with support from the equally chill groves of Leisure Suite, Couture and SAL the fresh energy will be palpable. Plus this could be your last chance to heckle Fortunes from the front row before they hit the big time.
Tickets & Info: $15, Facebook
The Villenettes
Where? Crown and Anchor 196 Grenfell Street, Adelaide
When? 8pm, Saturday 30th April
Why? Playing their first show local show in almost a year, Adelaide Psychobilly’s The Villenettes are ready to rip the ears off willing victims this Saturday with the release of their new 7” I Love You…But Rum Is Better. If you’re already having an average four day week drown your sorrows, dance with the devil and party like its 1956 with this Elvis loving riff-driven gang of surfer-punks.
Tickets & Info: $10, Facebook
Dallas Crane
Where? Cherry Bar AD/DC Lane, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Friday 29th April
Why? Since their debut in the mid 90’s Dallas Crane have become a formidable staple of the Aussie rock scene. Last year after a long deserved break from our stages they returned with the triumphant LP Scoundrels proving once and for all that they belong among the greatest rock bands in Australian history. Now for a measly 13 bucks Dallas Crane take the stage at Cherry this Friday with Indonesian guests S.I.G.I.T. and Tame the Sun for an unmissable celebration of rock and roll.
Tickets & Info: $13, Facebook
Ears Have Ears w/ Half High
Where?FBi Radio 44-54 Botany Rd, Alexandria, Sydney
When? 9pm, Thursday 28th April
Why? As part of a new series of live experimental music shows on Sydney’s FBi Radio, Ears Have Ears opens the studio doors to new music fans to indulge in the sounds of High High. The otherworldly drone duo from Melbourne improvise constantly, crafting a unique series of soundscapes specifically for the event. Analogue and digital collide before RIP Society founder Nic Warnock leads an in-depth discussion with the group, exploring everything from composition to the industrial music scene.
Tickets & Info: FREE, Facebook
Sasha March
Where?Grace Emily Hotel 232 Waymouth Street, Adelaide
When? 8pm, Saturday 30th April
Why? Melancholic folk takes on new meaning with the release of debut album Don’t Go Falling from Adelaide local Sasha March and her talented four-piece. The emotional 9 track already has fans in her home town heartbroken and critics in awe of her comforting indie charm. Support from talented friends Cosmo Thundercat and Nikai is sure to keep the night in breathtaking form, but none can compare to the soulful crooning of this distinctive folk talent.
Tickets & Info: $11.44, Facebook
Foreign/National
Where?Boney 68 Little Collins St, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Thursday 28th April
Why? Breathe a bit of summer sunshine into a cold autumn night this Thursday with Foreign/National’s sparkly guitar pop. Celebrating the release of single ‘Tristesse’ from their upcoming album the five Melbourne gents infuse pop-nostalgia with classic jazz and disco to create a perfect cocktail of downbeat escapism to get you amped for the weekend.
Tickets & Info: $8+bf, Facebook
Nicole Millar
Where?The Foundry 228 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 7:30pm, Saturday 30th April
Why? Frequent Aussie guest vocalist Nicole Millar is set to take the stage in Brisbane this Saturday to cap off her first national solo tour. Gaining attention as the voice of Peking Duk’s 2014 anthem ‘High’ Nicole has launched a stelar career as a solo artist. Wearing the release of her recent single ‘Tremble’ as a marker of her independent success Nicole has had a proud and powerful tour but still retains a few tricks up her sleeve for the final show.
Tickets & Info: $14.50, Facebook
Winterplan
Where? Grace Darling Hotel 114 Smith Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Saturday 30th April
Why? If a night of dense synth-pop and more than a hint of 80’s nostalgia appeals to you then you are in for a treat. Modern dancefloor bangers meets Ladytron in electric Melbourne producers Winterplan, celebrating their latest single ‘Ragamortis’ as it stomps its way on to the Grace Darling D-floor. Featuring non-stop electronic groves from HT Spit, Honor Eastly and Astral Skulls it’s hard not to get up and dance.
Tickets & Info: $10, Facebook
The Vanns
Where? The Milk Factory 48 Montague Rd, South Brisbane
When? 8pm, Thursday 28th April
Why? Stoked to announce the release of their single ‘I’m Not The One’ The VANNS Hit the road once again for a massive national tour, kicking off in Brisbane before a stack of rural shows and stops in Sydney and Melbourne next month. Dripping with hard partying blues rock swagger these three country boys sit comfortably next to Aussie greats Sticky Fingers and The Delta Riggs and with the support of locals PLTS and Mitch King this Brisbane bash will be dangerously loose.
Tickets & Info: $10, Facebook
Benjamin Witt
Where?The Bird 181 William Street, Northbridge, Perth
When? 8pm, Friday 29th April
Why? After a long month of support tours with Aussie greats Koi Child, Methyl Ethel and The Drones the Benjamin Witt Quartet headline a killer friday night at The Bird. Jamming out the launch of 2 new tracks, ‘Dead Fish’ and ‘TV Dinner’, this lo-fi guitar-pop-gasm inspires serious party vibes even without the help of supports and local mates HamJam and DumKarl. With their powers combines this eclectic trifecta will have you jumping up and down faster than you can say five dollars entry.
Tickets & Info: $5, Facebook
