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.
The Bon Scotts
Where? The B.East, 80 Lygon St, Brunswick East, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Friday 29th August
Why? Let’s kick this week’s edition off with a gig that’s well under the $15 price tag – a free launch gig by a Melbourne outfit with one of the best band names in the business. The Bon Scotts have made a quietly confident comeback with new single, ‘Somewhere‘, and they’ll be christening it – along with more material from a new album – in a free show on the Northside where you can enjoy a great selection of beer and burgers at The B.East along with the soundtrack. Cabbages & Kings play support.
Tickets & Info: Free, www.facebook.com
Nova & The Experience
Where? The Brighton Up Bar, 1/77 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, Sydney
When? 7pm, Saturday 30th August
Why? If you dig the indie pop sounds of Jinja Safari and Jungle Giants, then you should definitely check out Nova & The Experience and their jubilant, summery single ‘We Are The Children‘. The Sydneysiders will be bringing their bubbly indie pop and male/female vocals to hometown fans this weekend – bookending with a second Brighton Up Bar gig following a sold-out show at the start of the month to launch their new EP. Good times guaranteed.
Tickets & Info: $10, www.facebook.com & https://secure.gobookem.com/events/1510
Velociraptor
Where? The Brightside, 27 Warner St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 8pm, Friday 29th August
Why? One of Australia’s biggest musical ensembles, the mighty Velociraptor rock juggernaut rolls its way back to Brisbane at the end of this week after taking their eponymous new LP around the country (read Jeremy Neale’s witty track by track of Velociraptor here). This multi-limbed monster have already proven themselves to be a frenetic live act, but if you need to sweeten the deal, Sydney pop punk trio Bloods will be playing support. Two killer bands for $7ish bones a-piece in one of Fortitude Valley’s sleek new venues? You’re gonna need a good excuse to be elsewhere this Friday.
Tickets & Info: $15 (+b/f) http://tickets.oztix.com.au/
Have/Hold
Where? The Crown & Anchor, 196 Greenfell St, Adelaide
When? 8pm, Saturday 30th August
Why? The passionate yet punk-like sounds of Have/Hold’s new EP Calm Your Blood bring the spiky Melbourne trio to The Cranker in the City of Churches this weekend. Their tunes are custom-built for ferocious live performances (just take a spin of ‘They Kicked Me Out Of The Empire Mama‘ for proof) and there’s an impressive platter of support acts to enjoy as well. Sharing the stage will be ‘Yacht Metallers’ The Burning Sea, hardcore innovators Raccoon City Police Department, and Post War
Tickets & Info: Free, www.facebook.com
Winter Moon
Where? Cherry Bar, AC/DC Lane, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Saturday 30th August
Why? With their eclectic mix of classic rock, freak-out folk, prog, psych, and soul, Winter Moon have been steadily building an enviable following for their thrilling live shows. Set to shred the walls off of Cherry Bar this Saturday night, Winter Moon are celebrating the release of a new EP, and from the sounds of ‘The Sun Is Gonna Come‘, it’s going to be a unique rock gem. They’ve enlisted help from the likes of Brockway Lights, Lieutenant Jam and Beloved Elk. Plus, who doesn’t love a reason to party hard ’til late at Melbourne’s premier rock n’ roll bar?
Tickets & Info: $13, http://cherrybar.com.au/ & www.facebook.com
The Buzzbees
Where? The New Globe Theatre, 220 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 7.30pm, Friday 29th August
Why? Brisbane’s The Buzzbees have been quietly crafting their debut Hivemind EP and now they’re set to launch their musical baby at a hometown show. You may have heard ‘The Drifter‘ getting airplay on 4ZZZ, while the ambitious scope of ‘The Creature In The Deadwood‘ shows this is a band with big ideas well beyond their (indie) station. You can bear witness to their rich harmonies and carefully cultivated sounds – along with The Reversals, The Whitney Kapa Band, and Black As Blue – on the cheap. Just make sure you pre-book for the $12 special ($15 on the door).
Tickets & Info: $12 presale http://tallpoppyproductions.com/thebuzzbees-hivemind/ & www.thebuzzbees.com.au
Baro
Where? The Liberty Social, 279 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Friday 29th August
Why? We’ve been plugging this talented 17-year-old MC’s sensual, laid-back approach to hip-hop and RnB for a lil’ while now. Well, since the release of his debut LP HowGoodIsGood? to be precise. So, we’re super-stoked at the chance to get to hear his syrupy singing and swinging rhymes live at Liberty Social to finish our week. Joining will be ‘$wag’ Melbourne collective 90’s Raw DiverCity and fellow Melbourne rapper, Ivan Ooze. At $10 entry, it’s the best to be seen for a couple of Queens – ok so our rhymes need work, but we’re happy to be schooled this week.
Tickets & Info: $10 www.facebook.com
Sacred Flower Union
Where? The Bird, 181 William St, Northbridge, Perth
When? 8pm, Friday 29th August
Why? We haven’t forgotten you, Perth! Especially seeing that you’re the city producing some of the most talented and dreamy psych musicians in Australia, and solo artist Sacred Flower Union is no exception. This Friday the 29th of August sees Sacred Flower Union celebrate his latest release, a six track EP AFTERNOON REFLECTORS. Supported by friends and fellow electronic talents Mei Saraswati (who released an incredibly beautiful EP earlier this year), The Flower Drums, and Tourist Kid, the event promises to be a night of ambient delights. And for a measly $5 there’s no better way to kick back and melt into a mellow weekend.
Tickets & Info: $5 www.facebook.com
