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.
Darts
Where? The Shadow Electric, Sacred Heart Courtyard, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 20 June
Why? Darts will be showcasing their album Below Empty & Westward Bound during a very special, one-time-only performance at the Shadow Electric in Melbourne on Saturday, 20th June. We’ve been following these guys around for a while and we can tell you that this is a performance not to be missed from one of Melbourne’s most promising young acts. Their album was sublime and they’re an absolute treat to witness live.
Tickets & Info: $15.00, Facebook & http://tix.shadowelectric.com.au
Amistat
Where? Northcote Social Club, 301 High Street, Northcote, Melbourne
When? 7:30pm, Thursday 18 June
Why? The good folks of Amistat, one of Melbourne’s best-loved young bands, are heading off to Europe and they’re not gonna be back until the end of the year. They’d hate to leave their fans hanging, so they’ve decided to organise one last hoorah and are playing a very special farewell show at the Northcote Social Club this Thursday, because where better? Come on down and witness the band’s only headline show of 2015.
Tickets & Info: $12.50, Facebook & https://northcotesc.ticketscout.com.au
Coda Conduct
Where? Black Bear Lodge, Level 1/322 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 7:00pm, Saturday 20 June
Why? Local hip-hop duo Coda Conduct have announced four shows as part of their brand-new Pool Room Tour. The duo, comprised of members Erica and Sally, have made a name for themselves with their cheeky, fast-paced brand of humour, lively delivery, and intelligent lyricism. See what the whole Aussie hip-hop scene is talking about when they take on Brisbane’s Black Bear Lodge this Saturday.
Tickets & Info: www.blackbearlodge.com.au
Sleepy Dreamers
Where? The Workers Club, 51 – 55 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 7:00pm, Friday 19 June
Why? Behind every great band is a great story and boy do Sleepy Dreamers have a yarn. These boys met five years ago at a racetrack, pooling their funds and putting everything down on what they heard was the fastest horse of the day, ‘The Sleepy Dreamer’. When the horse came fourth, they lost it all, but decided to carry on the horse’s legacy as; ‘not the best, but not too shabby either’. We reckon the band is far from shabby and you can see for yourself at The Workers Club this Friday.
Tickets & Info: $8.00, Facebook & www.theworkersclub.com.au
Crooked Colours
Where? Pirie & Co., 121 Pirie Street, Adelaide
When? 8:00pm, Friday 19 June
Why? Crooked Colours are the great minds behind hits you love like ‘Come Down’ and ‘Capricious’. They are now back with their latest single, ‘Another Way’, which they’ve conveniently arranged to coincide with the launch of their new club nights concept shows, which they’re hoping will educate music lovers on what a club experience can be. Joining them will be deep house scene kings Torren Foot and Mickey Kojak.
Tickets & Info: $15.00, Facebook & www.moshtix.com.au
Sex On Toast
Where? Goodgod Small Club, 53-55 Liverpool Street, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Friday 19 June
Why? Since their last studio effort, Sex on Toast have wowed sold out crowds in Melbourne and Sydney, arrived at your town dishevelled and hungry, thrust the party onto the Cave at MIJF, and conquered crowds at Woodford Folk Festival. They’re now set to take on their ravenous fans at Goodgod Small Club once again this Friday to celebrate the release of their new single and music video, ‘Loretta’.
Tickets & Info: $13.90, Facebook & www.moshtix.com.au
Smoking Martha
Where? The Bearded Lady, 138 Boundary St, West End, Brisbane
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 20 June
Why? Heavy, hard, sexy rockers Smokin’ Smoking Martha are coming to The Bearded Lady. They’ve been in the headlines lately with great support slots, such as Uriah Heep. They’ll be tearing the roof off with The Dark Hawks and Jeremy Newell will be opening.
Tickets & Info: FREE ENTRY, Facebook
Sex Panther + Rag n Bone
Where? Rosemount Hotel, 459 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth
When? 8:00pm, Friday 19 June
Why? Sex Panther are back after their well-received reformation show for the closure of The Bakery. They’re now set to play the Rosemount Hotel this Friday, when they’ll be joined by straight grunge rock force Rag n Bone, cool rock-playing nerds The Long Lost Brothers, fierce rythym skuzz wonders The Pissedcolas, plus Ursula & Dead End Brawlers.
Tickets & Info: $10, https://rosemounthotel.oztix.com.au
Brooke Russell & The Mean Reds
Where? The Catfish, 30-32 Gertrude St Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm Thursday 18th June
Why? We recently wrote about one of our favourite Melbourne live music venues The Catfish launching their innovative gig subscription program ‘Club Catty’. Essentially it gives fans a chance to experience The Catfish’s gigs in a unique and special way. For $5, punters can experience a one-off performance, while a $10 membership grants access to any four shows in a three-month period, with lots of extra perks. This week alt-country talents Brook Russell & The Mean Reds will be performing a rare full-band set, we recommend popping in, grabbing a cheese steak and becoming part of the ever expanding club.
Tickets & Info: $5 or ($10 for a month long membership), Facebook
