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.
Luna Ghost & Bloodhounds On My Trail
Where? The Tote Hotel, 67-71 Johnston Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 22nd January
Why? Are you a fan of the mind-altering guitar-laden dreamscape that is shoegaze? Thursday night we’ve got not one but two bands that have been nominated by DKFM Shoegaze Radio for best shoegaze EPs of 2014 taking to the intimate stage at the notorious Tote in Collingwood for a night of encompassing, layered sonics and breezy vocals. Give Luna Ghost’s self-titled EP a spin here and enjoy a personal Bloodhounds On My Trail track ‘Dreamless‘. Think it couldn’t get any better? Think again. Jukai Forest will be launching their EP and VHS Dream will be nailing it as supports.
Tickets & Info: $7.00 www.facebook.com & http://thetotehotel.com
Spookyland
Where? Goodgod Small Club, 53-55 Liverpool Street, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 22nd January
Why? The year 2014 was massive for Sydney outfit Spookyland, the Marcus Gordon lead four-piece garnering widespread acclaim across the globe for the twisted dark folk rock sounds of smash-hit ‘The Silly Fucking Thing‘ and epic slow-burner ‘Adventure Song‘ and this Thursday the guys are putting on a free, that’s right our favourite word free gig for the ever-lucky folk of Sydney. On top of this, Au.Ra, a brand new psychedelic collaborative project with Tom Crandles (Colours/Ghostwood) and Tim Jenkins (Parades) will be making this the hottest show in Australia this week. There’s one condition however, this event is a RSVP only, so be sure to register on the link below.
Entry & Info: Free Event, www.goodgodgoodgod.com & RSVP here
The Wild Comforts
Where? The Bearded Lady, 138 Boundary Street, West End, Brisbane
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 24th January
Why? Silver City Sorrow is the name of the brand-spanking new album from Melbourne alt-country outfit The Wild Comforts that is utterly flawless, just listen ‘Bombshell Motel‘ and ‘Broken Hill‘ as emphatic evidence. The guy are taking their stunning live show north to Brisbane this weekend and will be joined by Suicide Swans and Big Iron in an evening that promises to deliver performance after performance.
Entry & Info: www.facebook.com
Frowning Clouds
Where? The Shadow Electric, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, Melbourne
When? 6.00pm, Friday 23rd January
Why? The beautifully sun-tinged psychedelic sounds of Geelong’s favourite five-piece will emanating from Abbortsford this Friday in the most perfect of weekend openers and for a scant $10.00 you can get in on the fun. The Frowning Clouds are super stoked to take to the stage, celebrating the release of their third LP, Legalize Everything. Joining the quintet are The Living Eyes, Contrast and ZIG ZAG.
Entry & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & http://shadowelectric.com.au
Froyo
Where? The Standard Bowl, Level 3,383 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Friday 23rd January
Why? If M83 and Chvrches made sweet, sweet love, they’d produce a musical baby by the name of Froyo, and if you don’t beleive us, feast your ears on the synth-laden beat ‘Dream Fall‘. The trio are taking to Sydney’s favourite home The Standard Bowl for a free gig, could there seriously be a better way to kickstart your weekend? Julia Why? will be supporting the killer three-piece, blowing fans away with their garage tunes. This is a topic pick from us this week.
Tickets & Info: Free Event, www.facebook.com
Mosman Alder
Where? The Triffid, 9 Stratton Street, Newstead, Brisbane
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 24th January
Why? Brizzy’s coolest new venue has got a very special evening planned this Saturday with homegrown heroes Mosman Alder curating a night of spectacular live music, as well as performing a stripped back performance by the band themselves. Mosman Alder have selected an allstar local lineup that will unquestionbly dazzle all punters, including Soviet X-Ray Record Club, Big Bad Echo, Smoke, Nonsemble and Teva -Upclock. We’re stoked that both The Triffid and Mosman Alder are repping their neighbourhood pals, it’s going to be a massive night for live tunes.
Entry & Info: $12.45, http://thetriffid.com.au & http://tickets.thetriffid.com.au
Harts & Magic Bones
Where? Pirie & Co. Social Club, 121 Pirie Street, Adelaide
When? 8:00pm, Friday 23rd January
Why? Citizens of Adelaide you’ve got a killer double-headliner making its way to your streets this weekend, the mega Harts and Magic Bones national tour. Harts is the artist responsible for the bass-toned rumbler ‘Red & Blue‘ whilst Magic Bones have delivered tracks like the electrifying garage track ‘Anytime Anywhere‘. The tour thus far has received rave reviews, and their South Australian show will no doubt be a rousing success, too.
Entry & Info: $10.00 www.facebook.com
Skullcave
Where? The Bird, 181 William Street, Northbridge, Perth
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 24th January
Why? Introducing Perth’s up-and-coming shoegaze meets grunge meets sludge rockers, Skullcave. The three-piece are stoked to announce the release of their debut EP, which you can hear here, and to celebrate its release the guys will be smashing apart Perth’s favourite home of live music, The Bird. Warming the stage for the men of the evening are Pat Chow, Aborted Tortoise and Sprawl! If you like guitar-driven tunes, you’ve gotta check this gig out.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & www.williamstreetbird.com
Statues
Where? The Laundry Bar, 48-50 Johnston Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Thursday 22nd January
Why? Do you like your music heavy and abrasive? So do we, and we’ve got the ultimate show for you this Thursday night. Enter Statues, the guys responsible for the track ‘Oh Precious Commodity‘, who will be giving it their all a part of their Together We’re On Tour roadshow. They’ve got a massive supporting cast including Heiress, Pridelands, Advocates, Oedipus Rex.
Tickets & Info: www.facebook.com
