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 Ancients, Twerps & Krakatau
Where? Boney, 68 Little Collins St, Melbourne
When? Friday 16 May, 7:30pm – 11:00pm
Why? It’s Friday night, the week’s been long and you really just want to catch some breezy, solid tunes, right? We got your fix. Melbourne crew The Ancients have freshly released their second record, 2, and are raring to bang out their chilled out infectious jams. Local prog-hereos Krakatau will be putting the CBD bandroom under a slow-burning psych trance and as for Twerps… well, it’s no secret that these jangle-pop supremos hold a special place in just about every Melburnian’s heart. For a scant $10, there is an abundance of quality local music to dig at this event.
Tickets & Info: $10, http://tickets.boney.net.au & https://www.facebook.com
Gang Of Youths
Where? Alhambra Lounge, 12 McLachlan St, Brisbane
When? Thursday 15 May, 8:00pm
Why? This is the first show for the indie rock ‘bros’ Gang Of Youths in promotion of their single ‘Poison Drum’ which by the way, have you heard yet? (If not, check it out here) The quintet are a big fans the likes of The Replacements, whose influence echoes throughout their tunes. This is the band’s first show following supporting The Jezabels’ national tour, and now they charm their own way down the East Coast. Be sure to get amongst one of Australia’s bourgeoning talents!
Tickets & Info: $14.40, http://www.moshtix.com.au
Spinning Top Records Party
Where? Mojos Bar, 237 Queen Victoria St, North Fremantle
When? Saturday 17 May, 8:00pm,
Why? There’s no question that Spinning Top Records are set to be the next coolest thing in Australia, hell if it ain’t already! To launch the new west coast label, there will be performances from a myriad of in-house talent including: Felecity Groom, Peter Bibby, Shiny Joe Ryan (Pond), Cam Avery (Tame Impala, Pond) as well as DJ Chip Seagull spinnin’ the tunes. If you’re in Perth this weekend – this is the only place you need to be.
Tickets & Info: $15, http://www.mojosbar.com.au/gigguide.asp
The April Maze & The Acefields
Where? The Toff In Town, 2/252 Swanston St, Melbourne CBD
When? Thursday 15 May, 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Why? The best things come in twos, right? Well that is what Thursday night is all about, celebrating the work of two profilic duos The April Maze and The Acefields. The former are a partnership that emit a melancholic yet entirely warm 1970s tinged folk. The pair will be launching their single ‘The Bishop Who Ate His Boots’ as a part of their Pozible campaign. The latter are a brother/sister combo who produce alt-country and folk-pop. There must be something special in their genetics, as their harmonies are seamless and piercingly beautiful.
Tickets & Info: $12 Presale – $15 Door, http://tickets.thetoffintown.com & https://www.facebook.com
I, A Man
Where? Oxford Arts Factory, 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, Sydney
When? Thursday 15 May, 8:00pm
Why? Attention Sydney, you have something special your way. Performing tracks from their revered and utterly stunning 2014 LP release Gravity Wins Again, Melbourne outfit I, A Man, are embarking on a national tour, leaving in their wake a haze of their ambient meets shoegaze sound. The three-piece will be joined by dance pop outfit ADKOB, bluesy-funk as a hell crew Smaal Cats, local country-pop act Lacey Cole & The Lazy Colts and LEFT. For $10, punters are getting a very mixed bag of damn fine entertainment. Definitely a pick of the week!
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Tickets & Info: $10, http://www.oxfordartfactory.com & https://www.facebook.com
Noisey Presents: Oily Boys + Reptiles + The Friendsters
Where? Goodgod Small Club, 53-55 Liverpool St, Sydney CBD
When? Wednesday 14 May, 8:00pm
Why? Need to punch out your humpday haymaker Sydneysiders? We’ve got the perfect excuse; enter: Oily Boys, a local crew feared for their bashing hardcore sounds and terrorising live performances. Joining on this furious free-for-all is Reptiles, a grimy self-proclaimed ‘dethrok’ outfit and post-punkers The Friendsters. This is a night that is sure to transform this Sydney CBD venue to the likes of the seedy punk underground in New York City of the 1970’s and 1980’s. Be sure to wear your toughest leather.
Tickets & Info: Free Show, http://www.goodgodgoodgod.com
Jack The Giant Killer
Where? Fowlers Live, 68 North Terrace, Adelaide
When? Saturday 17 May, 6:00pm
Why? Calling all metal fans of Adelaide, do we have the highlight of your week. The manic men that are Jack The Giant Killer are launching their latest release Alright this Saturday night. The band will be joined by a long list of guests that include: Trainwreck, Rivalries, Deceptions, Ocean Grove and Left For Wolves. This is not a night for the fainted hearted.
Tickets & Info: $15, http://www.moshtix.com.au
Apollo Brown
Where? The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda, Melbourne
When? Friday 16 May, 8:00pm
Why? Alright, so we’re bending the golden rules just a little bit with the inclusion of an international act but trust us, we’re doing you a service. This renown hiphop extraordinaire is about to embark on a FREE national tour in support of his latest release Thirty Eight, that kick-starts in Melbourne this weekend. The Detroit-native produces a soulful blend of RnB jams and jazz influenced instrumental beats that are as chill as they are addictive. Brown’s prowess is not to be missed, and can we just reiterate this is is for FREE! If hiphop is your game – we couldn’t recommend a better way to start your weekend.
Tickets & Info: Free Show, https://www.facebook.com
