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.
Ultimatexxxperience Ft The Harpoons, Friendships, & More
Where? Centrefold Lounge, 22 King Street, Melbourne
When? 1:00pm – 7:00pm, Saturday 21st June
Why? We’ve spoken a lot recently about artists performing in unconventional spaces and Ultimatexxxperience, this Saturday, does not disappoint in those strange stakes. Curated by local production team Friendships, the event will run at Centrefold strip club, chosen for it’s “phenomenal and hard to explain décor” it promises to be a memorable event. Now, for the parents out there please know there’s no nudity during the day but, for those so inclined, the ticket will get you entry later in the evening. More importantly though is the showcase of local talent from Friendships, Forces, and headlined by The Harpoons. Super amped for this one.
Tickets & Info: $10.00 www.facebook.com/events
Little Bastard
Where? Mojo’s Bar, 237 Queen Victoria Street, North Fremantle
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 21st June
Why? Get sweaty and lose control, drink your fill and prepare for a hangover in the morning. With a no frills approach and a swag of new tracks to be heard for the first time, Little Bastard are hitting four states with their turbulent and raucous stage performances. Sonic, nostalgic anthems and deep slow burning ballads will see Saturday night turn into Sunday morning and the rest is history. Having earnt their stripes touring with Sticky Fingers and Wagons plus a spot at the coveted Cherry Rock they’re now ready to smash a headline show and get as many bastards as they can down there.
Tickets & Info: $14.30 www.tickets.oztix.com.au
Northeast Party House
Where? Jive, 181 Hindley Street, Adelaide
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 19th June
Why? With a cult-like following in their wake, the live shows of these five Melbourne dudes never disappoint. Mixing a solid rock backbone into an exhilarating dance music set, the party is coming to Adelaide on the back of their party anthem debut Any Given Weekend. The night will be an ode to partying; the good the bad and the ugly, and embracing it no matter what. With music that’s built around the live show, this opportunity to catch them and get some change from a $20 note is too good a one to miss.
Tickets & Info: $15.00 + BF www.admin.moshtix.com.au
Milwaukee Banks
Where? Boney, 68 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 19th June
Why? Get on down to the Boney band room this Thursday to bare witness to a hip-hop experience you ain’t used to seeing in these parts. Having just dropped their EP Rose Water, the hype continues to build around the duo known for their glitchy electronic production, smooth flows, and accompanying light show adding to the vibe. This will be the launch for Milwaukee Banks – the creative team of rapper Dyl Thomas and producer Adrian ‘Edo’ Rafter (aka Flight Tonight) – and will also showcase the enigmatic Kira Beats and the brilliant Stax Osset who’s making waves at the moment with the single ‘Forces’. All for under 10 bucks.
Tickets & Info: $8.00 on the door www.tickets.boney.net.au
White Summer
Where? Frankie’s Pizza By The Slice, 50 Hunter Street, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 19th June
Why? Simple. They’re hailing from a stellar performance at the Tripe J One Night Stand after party that everyone raved about. They’re coming off the back of two sold out shows with everyone’s favourite buzz band DMA’s, and this Thursday night at Frankie’s is your chance to catch them tour their new single ‘Smoke Screen’ that’s got rock fans vibing at the moment. Oh and this one is free, meaning again more money for some of Frankie’s pizza. We hear the Gorgonzola and fig is a good pick for a slice.
Tickets & Info: FREE www.frankiespizzabytheslice.com
Monday Night Mass Ft. Tam Vantage & The Stevens
Where? Northcote Social Club, 301 High Street, Northcote, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Money 23rd June
Why? The Northcote Social has outdone itself with the line up for its epic Monday Night Mass this week. Not only is this free (like every Monday) but also a showcase of both lo-fi and hi-fi production work, lyrical skills and pop hooks headed up by Tam Vantage, the frontman of now defunct Pop Singles, who has been locked away in a studio for 11 months working on his new solo LP. Also on the bill are; Orlando Furious, moniker of lo-fi dance beats, The Stevens – known as one of Melbourne’s best indie acts, and Grand Prismatic with refined and majestic sounds. Oh, did we mention that it’s free?
Tickets & Info: FREE www.facebook.com/events
The Creases
Where? Black Bear Lodge, 322 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 5:00pm, Friday 20th June
Why? Because we are a patriotic bunch and The Creases hail from sunny Queensland. Friday night at The Lodge kicks off the national single launch tour and will be the first opportunity for them to showcase the new track as well as new material from an upcoming EP. The four have just released a new single called ‘Static Lines’ that will leave you staring at your shoes, boasting an uplifting vibe capturing all the charm of the band into a smooth three and a half minutes. Plus, having supported Franz Ferdinand, PEACE and The Preatures this is an opportunity to catch them in an intimate setting before they blow the world stage.
Tickets & Info: $12.00 www.blackbearlodge.com.au
Mt Mountain
Where? Rosemount Hotel, 459 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth
When? 8:00pm, Friday 20th June
Why? Friday night at the Rosemount is going to be a celebration of all things psychedelic and the walls will rattle with all the glory that comes with the big sound that is Mt Mountain. With a new EP just around the corner this is the perfect opportunity to get a peak at the five tracks and groove the night away with support PUCK, Lanark and Dream Rimmy. Stellar line up and stellar music, new single from Mt Mountain ‘She Runs’ is sure to get your mind elevated transporting you away from the shitty week that was.
Tickets & Info: $10 on the door www.rosemounthotel.com.au/event
Emma Russack
Where? Black Bear Lodge, 322 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 7:00pm, Wednesday 18th June
Why? For the second week running the team at Black Bear Lodge are delivering the goods for under fifteen sheets. This is the Melbourne singer/songwriter’s first national tour and is in support of her second album You Changed Me. In what will be a deeply intimate show with Russack’s honest and personal song writing, it’s the perfect thing for your hump day evening as you roll into the weekend. She’ll swoon her way past your defences and into your heart as well as local talent Dag and Melbourne via Cairns singer/songwriter Soda Eaves.
Tickets & Info: $13.30 www.blackbearlodge.com.au
