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.
Strangers From Now On
Where? The John Curtin Hotel, 29 Lygon St, Carlton, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Friday 15th August
Why? Have you ever received a bottle of wine upon entering a gig? Didn’t think so, but if you make your way to Carlton this Friday night, the lovely folk of Strangers From Now On are offering up a free bottle of their branded vino for the first 150 ticket holders. Bizarre right, but this “left of centre” notion pertains entirely to the aesthetic of this Melbourne four-piece who produce a plethora of sonics. Mixing twirling, starlit guitars with brooding, dim atmospherics found on tracks such as ‘Davidoff,’ Strangers From Now On have been touted as one of the most innovate acts in Melbourne right now, and this weekend they are inviting you to celebrate the release of their sophomore record. Supports include Esc and Tangrams.
Tickets & Info: $11.50 www.facebook.com & www.johncurtinhotel.com
Heads of Charm, The All Seeing Hand, Pocket Calculators & Diploid
Where? The Old Bar, 74-76 Johnston St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8.00pm, Sunday 17th August
Why? Refuse to be beaten by the end of the weekend blues? Same as us, and boy, do we have the ultimate way to kick Sunday’s ass. Melbourne trash rockers Heads of Charm, responsible for the fearsome grunge belter ‘Spain Is On A Roll’, have been blowing apart this Fitzroy venue as a part of their August residency. This weekend the three-piece are joined by a killer lineup, including New Zealand’s The All Seeing Hand, Pocket Calculators (formally Primitive Calculators) and Diploid. At four bands for 10 clams, that means you’re paying about $2.50 per ripping act. You don’t gotta be a genius to know that this deal is the one.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & www.theoldbar.com.au
Humans As Animals
Where? The Evelyn Hotel, 351 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Thursday 14th August
Why? This four-piece describe themselves as “pop fusion hiding under a rock,” we’re not exactly sure what is to be inferred from that, but what we can tell you is this band piece together a Frankenstein of genres from jazz and blues to straight-laced rock n’ roll, gurgling sludge tones, and a punk ferocity that gives life to one hell of a creation, just dig ‘Field’ as proof. The eclectic quartet are excited to announce their debut EP Eukaria and they want you to party on down with them. In addition, funky crew Purple Tusks and minimal popsters Mericans will be prepping the stage.
Tickets & Info: $12.00, www.facebook.com & http://evelynhotel.com.au
Chelsea Wilson
Where? The Toff In Town, 2/252 Swanston St, Melbourne CBD
When? 8:30pm, Thursday 14th August
Why? Okay, first things first, we’ve got to make it clear that this gig is $15.00 pre-sale only, if you rock up on the night, you will be forking out $20.00. Now that’s out of the way, we can explain why we had to bend the rules just slightly. If you’re unaware of this incredible songstress, prepare to have your mind blown. Melding together a hearty blend of southern blues and desert psychedelica, Chelsea Wilson, equipped with a smoking jazz-pop vocal weapon, is unquestionably one of the hottest acts on the Aussie circuit at the moment. She will be taking to the intimate Toff stage with her 7-piece brass band and backing soul sisters to release her debut record, I Hope You’ll Be Very Unhappy Without Me. Lucky supports include The Perfections, Candice Monique and Walter Saluni. Remember friends, snap up a pre-sale ticket!
Tickets & Info: Pre-Sale $15.00, On-Door $20.00 www.facebook.com & http://tickets.thetoffintown.com
Dan & Amy, Big Smoke, Katie Wighton & Sweet Jean
Where? FBi Social Kings Cross Hotel, 248 William Street, Kings Cross
When? 8.00pm, Thursday 14th August
Why? Sydneysiders if you’re a big fan of folk and alt-country and love supporting local talent, submit yourself to the FBi Social this Thursday evening. Returning for another instalment of The Folk Informal, the crew have rounded up a stellar line-up including the beautifully harmonious Dan & Amy with the stunning ‘Sometimes Life,’ the sugar-sweet yet heart-breaking Sweet Jean and her banjo laden ‘Annabelle’ and Katie Wighton with her bouncing, jubilant ‘Christopher.’
Tickets & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & http://fbisocial.fatsoma.com
Milwaukee Banks
Where? Good God Small Club, 53-55 Liverpool St, Sydney CBD
When? 8:00pm, Wednesday 13th August
Why? Wouldn’t Wednesday be so much more bearable if you had something to look forward to? Good news, Good God Small Club and Noisey are hosting one of their classic “Danceteria” nights, headlined by Milwaukee Banks, and it’s free! That’s right, Melbourne’s lush beat making brothers will be taking to the underground stage, dropping tracks from their acclaimed EP Rose Water, that features ‘Hazy.’ The boys will be joined by cream of Sydney’s hip-hop crop: Staunch Nation, Moonbase Commander and Mike Who. Australia’s rap and hip-hop scene is generating a great deal of excitement at the moment, we’d suggest jumping on this sweet free show while you can. NB, you must RSVP here to attend: www.facebook.com
Tickets & Info: Free Show, www.facebook.com & www.goodgodgoodgod.com
Keep On Dancin’s
Where? Beetle Bar, 350 Upper Roma St, Brisbane
When? 8:00pm, Thursday, 14th August
Why? Attention Brisbane, we’ve got a question for y’all: do you dig The Jesus and Mary Chain? Because we know a band that oozes the same reverbed textured walls of fuzz but with modern refinements, just taste ‘Summertime’ and dig the JAMC ‘Just Like Honey’ vibes. This raucous shoegaze outfit will be joined by punk purists The Midway Creatures, grunge alt-rock crew The Killing Stroke, and the straight laced rockers LOCUS. This is an all-out local affair, so get out there and support your neighbourhood talent.
Tickets & Info: $10.00 www.facebook.com
Doctopus
Where? The Bird, 181 William St, Northbridge
When? 8:00pm, Wednesday 13th August
Why? “Real Musicians Club” is a hilarious and entirely apt named event hosted at Perth venue The Bird. This week’s instalment is headlined by West coast legends Doctopus who’ve caught their fame for insane, unpredictable live performances and their brand of lo-fidelity surf and garage rock. The band will be belting tracks from their record Wobbegong (produced by Pond guitartist/solo artist, Shiny Joe Ryan) including the psychedelic groover ‘Stadium Rock.’ In an evening dedicated to the forever rad sounds of Perth, garage-pop outfit The Spunloves and folk voyagers The Marmalade Band will first take to the stage.
Tickets & Info: $5.00, www.facebook.com & www.williamstreetbird.com
