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.
STEP: The Harpoons & Broadway Sounds
Where? The Toff In Town, 2/252 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD
When? 7:30pm, Wednesday 15th April
Why? Society of Tastemakers & Elegant People are proud to present their latest panel event ‘Melbourne – The Music Capital’. On the panel will be Nick O’Byrne, manager of Milwaukee Banks and Courtney Barnett and Program Director of BIGSOUND, Woody McDonald, 3RRR legend (Primary Colours) and booker of Meredith and Golden Plains, Mikey Cahill, senior music writer at The Herald Sun and previous STEP Jedi Award winner, Simon Winkler, 3RRR Music Director and presenter (Breaking and Entering), and Lucy Buckeridge, Publicist at EMI and singer/bass player of Lowtide. In addition to this, there will be live performances from The Harpons and Broadway Sounds – meaning this badboy will definitely sell out.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, Facebook Event & https://tickets.thetoffintown.com
Rotunda Media Showcase: FOAM, Apache, Flower Drum & More
Where? Babushka, 742 Newcastle Street, Leederville, Western Australia,
When? 7:00pm, Saturday 18th April
Why? If you consider yourself a fan of live music, arts, poetry, film, comedy and beer (okay, surely we’ve covered just about everyone) there’s a brilliant night out waiting for you this Saturday night at Babushka in Perth. The event is held by online presence Rotunda Media, who have a killer list of local musicians playing including FOAM, Apache, Flower Drums, Rag n’ Bone and Spilt Cities. In addition to this, there’ll be poetry readings, visual art displays and so much more, all for a fiver – hell yeah.
Entry & Info: $5.00, Facebook Event
Lia Mice
Where? Brighton Up Bar, 77 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
When? 8:00pm, Friday 17th April
Why? Looking for something a little different in your live music experience this week? If you’re in Sydney, we’ve got the perfect answer for you. Experimental-pop purist, Lia Mice, responsible for the booming ‘Our Heavy Heart‘, is taking to the intimate Brighton Up Bar stage this Friday night. She’ll be joined by two more of our favourites in Suixx and Julia Why? We can’t believe this show is under $15, make the most of it, y’all!
Tickets & Info: $12.00, Facebook Event
Tkay Maidza
Where? Goodgod Small Club, 53-55 Liverpool Street, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 16th April
Why? Because she’s easily the hottest and most sought after rising talent in Australia right now, Adelaide hiphopper, Tkay Maidza has just announced a second show in Sydney this week due to the first one selling out. The youngster has absolutely blown up in the past 12 months, her latest effort alongside MUST DIE! on ‘Imprint‘ a true sign of the spitting talent she possesses. As if catching Tkay for 15 bucks isn’t enough, both UV Boi and Joy. will be supporting this epic night of live music.
Tickets & Info: $15.00, www.goodgodgoodgod.com
Rolls Bayce
Where? The John Curtin Hotel, 29 Lygon Street, Carlton, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 16th April
Why? For any fan of groovin’ psychedelica, it’s pretty damn obvious why you’d want to go to a Rolls Bayce show. The Brizzy trio are on a rapid rise to the top, backed by the infectious tunes like ‘On My Own‘. The band are smashing through their debut national headline tour before they hit the international open road. You’ve got to catch these guys before they blow up, big time. Besides, when bands like Playwrite and Slow Dancer are listed as supports – why wouldn’t you want to go?
Entry & Info: $13.50, Facebook Event, www.johncurtinhotel.com
Null
Where? The Mercat, 456 Queen Street, Melbourne CBD
When? 10:00pm, Saturday 18th April
Why? To celebrate the release of his stellar EP Almost that features killer tunes like ‘Back 2 Normal, Almost‘, Melbourne producer Null is throwin’ one helluva party at Melbourne’s favourite basement venue this weekend. The support list is huge with Amateur Dance, Darcy Baylis (DJ Set), Air Max ’97 , DEER and Siberia DJs all adding to what is guaranteed to be one of the best Saturday nights out you can have.
Entry & Info: $10.00 Presale, $15.00 Door, Facebook Event
Crepes
Where? Bar Open, 317 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Friday 17th April
Why? One of our favourite breeze-pop outfits, Crepes, just dropped their stunning EP Deaf Ambitions, and to celebrate the arrival of the dreamy indie-pop release, the quintet will be performing their brand new tunes this Friday night. Joining the band are three more highly sought after local acts in Sagamore, Atolls and Good Morning. This is definitely a top pic for the week – don’t miss it.
Tickets & Info: Facebook Event & www.baropen.com.au
Calais
Where? Black Bear Lodge, Level 1/322 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 8:00pm, Friday 17th April
Why? We couldn’t love the indie rock scene that’s blossoming in Brizzy, and sitting at the forefront are local five-piece Calais who are stoked to announce the arrival of their Silhouette EP which you can listen to a taster here. The guys will be charming hearts at one of favourite venues in Brizzy, Black Bear Lodge, and will be joined by special guests Youth Allowance and Chinatown Carpark.
Tickets & Info: $13.30, Facebook Event & http://tickets.oztix.com.au
Array, Creature Space & Cities Of Light
Where? Pirie & Co Social Club, 121 Pirie Street, Adelaide
When? 8:00pm, Friday 17th April
Why? Looking for a night of eclectic music? Get down to Pirie & Co Social club and check out the sprawling psychedelica of Array, the kaledescopic Creature Space and the piano-leadrock group The Cities Alight this Friday night.
Tickets & Info: http://pirieandco.com.au
