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 Laurels
Where? Union Hotel, 576 King St, Newtown, Sydney
When? 8pm, Saturday June 4
Why? Iconic Sydney legends The Laurels are one of those acts you’ve ‘just gotta see live, man’. The band’s mastery of guitar driven psych rock and fuzz laden shoe-gaze influences alt pop has inspired a loyal fanbase, and this Saturday at The Union you can see why, for FREE!
Tickets & Info: FREE, Facebook event
The Beverly Chills
Where? Rocket Bar Rooftop, 142 Hindley St, Adelaide
When? 7pm, Wednesday June 1
Why? Ever feel like your mid-week life is missing the highly necessary injection of punk rock? Well lucky for you Adelaide mates, the Rocket Rooftop crew have your back. This Wednesday marks a beginning of a new era for PAK (Punk Ass Kids). The place you’ve loved going every fortnight for the last two and a half years has been restructured to become a bigger, better and longer event on the first Wednesday of every month and to celebrate they’ve invited The Beverly Chills along to kick it off in style.
Tickets & Info: $15, Facebook event
Free Time
Where? The Bird, 181 William St, Northbridge, Perth
When? 8pm, Thursday June 2
Why? This winter, get cold and cosy with Free Time as they head around Oz in support of the brand new sophomore LP, In Search of Free Time. Ex panel of judges leadman Dion Nania has briefly returned from his reclusive life in the tenements of NYC’s Chinatown district, and has assembled an Aussie lineup to tour his new record that comprises some of the finest, inc. members of Twerps, Totally Mild and Terrible Truths, for a start, these guys are pretty much icons now.
Tickets & Info: $10, Facebook event
Olympia
Where? Black Bear Lodge, 322 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 8pm, Friday June 3
Why? Fresh from simply massive shows supporting artists inlcuding HOLY HOLY, ALPINE and Natalie Prass, Melbourne’s exciting alt-pop hero Olympia is on a national tour to launch debut album Self Talk and this Friday she’ll be poppin’ by sunny Brisbane. If you’ve caught this talented singer songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist in action you’ll know what all ths fuss is about.
Tickets & Info: $15+ b/f, Facebook event
The Push: New Slang
Where? The Channel, Arts Centre, Melbroune CBD
When? 6pm, Friday June 3
Why? The incredible team at The Push Inc are getting super excited to announce the second instalment of NEW SLANG, a series of monthly all-ages gigs held at The Channel in collaboration with Arts Centre Melbourne. For this coming round 2, NEW SLANG presents four of the most exciting hip-hop artists in Melbourne including Baro, Mosé + The Fmly, François and Dex, huge.
Tickets & Info: $10, Facebook event
AUTO MOTIV 1.0
Where? The Sub Club, Flinders Court, Melbourne CBD
When? 10pm, Saturday June 4
Why? Nothing better than celebrating the launch of a fresh party that celebrates great local music and AUTO MOTIV 1.0 – a project from some of the masterminds behind Paradise Festival is set to be the party to end all parties. Featuring Deer, Dugong Jr, Lewis Cancut and more alongside Paradise DJs there’s nowhere else you should be.
Tickets & Info: $12 pre sale/ $15 on the door, Facebook event
Miles De Carteret
Where? The Evelyn, 351 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Saturday June 4
Why? Miles de Carteret is the Melbourne-based collaboration between singer/songwriter Miles de Carteret and producer/drummer Danny Barwick. After several years of touring with other projects, the pair came together in 2016 with a shared vision of creating their own evocative music by blending electronic elements with live performance. The duo recently released their stunning single ‘Honey’ and to celebrate they’re throwing a party this weekend at the Evelyn, it’s gonna be sweet…
Tickets & Info: $14.30, evelynhotel.com.au
Doc Neeson Rock In Peace
Where? Cherry Bar, AC/DC Ln, Melbourne CBD
When? 8pm, Friday June 3
Why? To commemorate the second anniversary of the passing of Doc Neeson, The Angles with special guests AC/DShe will be playing a tribute to the Doc and Bon this Friday. Couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate a rock n roll icon.
Tickets & Info: $15, Facebook event
