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.
Jimmy Chang
Where? The Tote, 71 Johnston Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 21 May
Why? Melbourne music fans, prepare to be won over by one of the finest local talents spilling from Perth’s overflowing creative scene. Introducing Jimmy Chang, an artist who produces a wondrous meld of dream-pop and krautrock, perfectly exemplified on the immersive ‘2003‘. Chang’s got a powerful list of supports making this a Thursday night definitely worth heading out for, with Edith Lane, Tiprats and Grace Anderson all prepped to kill it.
Tickets & Info: $5.00, Facebook & http://thetotehotel.com
The Moose
Where? Black Bear Lodge, Level 1/322 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 8:00pm, Friday 22 May
Why? It’s never too early to plan a weekend, especially when there’s some seriously solid live music happening in your city – which is exactly what’s going down in Brizzy. The Moose are super stoked to celebrate the release of their VIVID EP, and they want you to lose your mind to their spellbinding mix of alt-rock and psychedelica. Supports include Isaac Cavallaro and Cat Great.
Tickets & Info: $11.25, Facebook & http://blackbearlodge.oztix.com.au
Love Of Diagrams
Where? The Bird, 181 William Street, Northbridge, Perth
When? 8:00pm, Friday 23 May
Why? Quite easily one of the best releases from an Aussie band this year, Love Of Diagrams came crashing back onto our music scene with their ferocious LP, Blast, the record charged with razor-sharp alt-rock and brooding post-punk tunes like ‘Double Negative‘ and ‘Story Up‘, and the three-piece are taking their Steve Albini produced album to Western Australia. This Saturday night Perth folk are blessed with the talented trio, not to mention supports from Dianas and Erasers.
Tickets & Info: $15.00, Facebook & www.williamstreetbird.com
Humans As Animals & LAMA
Where? 24 Moons Bar, 2 Arthurton Road, Northcote, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Friday 22 May
Why? Listen up Melbournians, if you’re searching for a raucous show where you can truly let your hair down – we’ve got a double-whammy that’s perfect for you. This Friday night will see a dual single launch from some of Australia’s most innovative and exciting acts, with Humans As Animals celebrate the release of their infectious beat, ‘Bilak‘ whilst LAMA too cheers the fresh tune, ‘Eat!’. In addition to this, the band’s will see Dear Plastic and Cactus Channel bring their sounds in what promises to be an epic night of live music. Don’t miss it.
Tickets & Info: $11.80, Facebook & www.moshtix.com.au
Rainbow Chan & CORIN (Live)
Where? Freda’s, 107 – 109 Regent Street, Chippendale, Sydney
When? 6:00pm, Saturday 23 May
Why? A very special show is making its way to one of Sydney’s coolest homes of live music entitled, A Tribute To Yellow Magic Orchestra. Housed at Freda’s, the event will see the likes of Rainbow Chan and CORIN give a live performance of pioneering Japanese groups songs spanning their shiny disco hits of the ’70s, to hard-hitting ’80s synth pop anthems. If you’re after something different that’s guaranteed to be great – make your way along to this free event.
Tickets & Info: Free Event, Facebook
We Do This
Where? Pirie & Co. Social Club, 121 Pirie Street, Adelaide
When? 9:00pm, Friday 22 May
Why? Heads up live music fans of Adelaide, there’s a killer gig that it’s free hitting one of your favourite venues that we know you’re gonna dig. Indie rockers, We Do This, are providing y’all with the ultimate kickstart to your weekend, throwing a party to celebrate the release of their EP Fault Lines, a press that contains the burning ‘I’m Not Going Anywhere‘. The guys will see House of Jade and Battlehounds warm the stage.
Tickets & Info: Free Event, Facebook & http://pirieandco.com.au
Jouk Mistrow & Big Bad Echo
Where? The Bearded Lady, 138 Boundary St, West End, Brisbane
When? 8:00pm, Wednesday 20 May
Why? Humpday is hard, we know, but it doesn’t have to be that way – especially when there’s incredible live music waiting for you that evening. For the lucky lot up in Brisbane, this Wednesday night at The Beared Lady comes the special Double Yolk Launch Party, an extravaganza dedicated to celebrating brilliant local talent. The night will see the likes of Jouk Mistrow, Big Bad Echo, Ashosan and Jetson all perform. Oh, did we mention that it’s free? A definite top pick this week.
Tickets & Info: Free Event, Facebook
Cabbages & Kings
Where? The Grace Darling Hotel, 114 Smith Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm Saturday 23 May
Why? The rowdy bunch that are Cabbages & Kings are pretty darn amped to announce that they’ve got a brand-spankin’ new single, ‘Claire Bodwitch‘, and they want you to come get loose with them to cheer on its release. They’ve enlisted a wealth of talent to make this a night of unforgettable live music, including Shit Sex and The Shabbab.
Tickets & Info: $6.00, Facebook & http://thegracedarlinghotel.com.au
Harry Coulson’s “Rain Dogs”
Where? Conduit Arts, 83 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Wednesday 20 May
Why? Ahh, sometimes there’s truly nothing better than kicking back with a bev in hand and listening to blues and jazz, and for those in Melbourne, there’s a killer act doin’ this great thing Wednesday night. Introducing Harry Coulson’s “Rain Dogs”, a three-piece responsible for the brilliant beat, ‘Out Out‘, who will be performing at Conduit Arts in Brunswick. If you’re after a relaxing night of beautiful tunes – this is your best bet for the week.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, Facebook & www.conduitarts.org
