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.
Ali E
Where? The Workers Club, 51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Friday 18th July
Why? Are you a fan of smokey vocals and grunge inspired sonics that harken back to the glory days of the early 90s? Then you’ve got to meet Melbourne’s (kinda) version of Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon: Ali Edmonds. This local artist will be charming the Fitzroy venue this Friday night in promotion of her burning new single ‘We Are Strangers,’ as well as potential teasers from her upcoming sophomore record. Warming the stage for the prolific songstress are Melbourne jangle-pop quartet Bad Family and the self-proclaimed “sleaze-gaze” outfit, Grand Prismatic.
Tickets & Info: $10.00 www.facebook.com & http://theworkersclub.com.au
Geoffrey O’Connor
Where? The Tote, 67-71 Johnston St, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Saturday 19th July
Why? Want to take a journey through space and time this weekend? Look no further than the current it man of Melbourne, Geoffery O’Connor. Creating stunning, lush electronic productions that are hypnotically transporting, this man will be celebrating the release of his latest transfixing single ‘Her Name On Every Tongue.’ O’Connor has been gathering quite the following, not just local but abroad too, with his track ‘Jacqueline’ having been remixed by Clubfeet and World’s End Press. If this masterful productionist just ain’t enough to satisfy your needs, supports include White Hex, Terrible Truths, and Gold Class.
Tickets & Info: $12.00, www.facebook.com & http://thetotehotel.com
The Harlots
Where? Ding Dong Lounge, 18 Market Lane Chinatown, Melbourne CBD
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 19th July
Why? If you’re a fan of straight-up, no bullshit, rock n’ roll, there’s simply nowhere else to be this Saturday night. Responsible for the psych-flavoured desert rock tune ‘Got No Soul’ and blues inspired ‘What I Know’, from their stellar EP Coarse Tunes – Part 1 and 2, The Harlots will be celebrating the launch of latest single and video clip ‘Chopin.’ Joining them will be brooding dark melodic four-piece Guests of Ghosts, responsible for the fat-bassed, malevolent track ‘Easter.’
Tickets & Info: $14.30, www.facebook.com & http://dingdong.oztix.com.au
Warehouse Party: The Bennies & Clowns
Where? Lulu White’s, 16 – 18 Grey St, St. Kilda, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Friday 18th July
Why? There’s no denying it, we’re massive suckers for warehouse parties. And this weekend Melbournites are treated as St. Kilda’s favourite pop-up venue (that has been killing it every week) will host one nasty party. This Friday, the Southside venue will be drowned in groovin’ reagge, rambunctious punk,and a whole lotta debauchery – courtesy of bad-boys The Bennies and heavy-hitters, Clowns. Supports include Foxtrot with DJ Snesmega spinning vinyl until the sun rises. Lulu White’s days are numbered, so get down to some tight tunes and cheap bevs while you can.
Tickets & Info: $10.00 www.facebook.com & www.eventbrite.com.au
Crooked Colours
Where? Beach Road Hotel, 71 Beach Road Bondi Beach, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Wednesday 16th July
Why? It’s definitely no secret, we can’t get enough of these free gigs at this coastal venue. This week the Bondi crew have really outdone themselves, as the cost-effective hump-day saviours arrive in the form of Crooked Colours. Making their way over from Perth, this trio have drawn comparisons from Alt-J to Crystal Castles as they dip their feet in brooding indie rock as well as thrusting themselves into the dark realms of moody electronica. (Try ‘Come Down’ as a taste-test.) To make you feel even guiltier that you’re getting so much great music for free, supports include Melbourne’s downtempo Back Back Forward Punch and deeper, club-inspired Go Freek. Just because it’s the middle of the week does not mean you’ve got to be curled up in bed watching Game of Thrones repeats.
Tickets & Info: Free Event! www.facebook.com & http://beachroadbondi.com.au
We Are The Brave
Where? FBi Social, 248 William St, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Friday 18th July
Why? Have you ever wanted to punch someone because they talk about seeing a band “before they got big” and they were fortunate enough to dig their set for cheap at a rad, intimate venue? Yeah, we’ve all been begrudgingly jealous of these people. But here’s your chance to be one of them. Synth-pop outfit We Are The Brave, who are unquestionably destined for the stars, are making the FBi Social their own this Friday night. Drawing on elements of dream-pop beauties Cocteau Twins to the more bellowing vocal booms of Eurythmics, the collective will be officially debuting their latest single ‘Your Ghost.’ Rounding out this unmissable evening is a whole Sydney strong contingent of Twin Caverns, Froyo and Hannah Joy.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & http://fbisocial.fatsoma.com
The Love Junkies
Where? The Bird, 181 William Street, Northbridge, Perth
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 19th July
Why? It’s insane how much great music continually flows from the isolated music Mecca that is Perth. The Love Junkies are a fine example that proves this statement. The up and coming Freo trio have killed it in the past 12 months and just last week they premiered their latest single ‘Television.’ The cracking tune sees the Junkies blow apart their garage rock roots as they explore heavier howls to create one of the most exciting Aussie tunes of the year so far. The band will be playing a special home show with sludgerockers Skullcave and punkers Black Stone from the Sun. Be there.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & www.williamstreetbird.com
Sweetdog Sounds II: The Floors, Hideous Sun Demon, Blackmilk + More
Where? Mojo’s Bar, 237 Queen Victoria St, North Fremantle, Brisbane
When? 8:00pm, Friday 18th July
Why? The legends behind local Fremantle label Bruno Sweetdog Records are at it again, presenting the second instalment of Sweetdog Sounds. This year’s event will boast 10 typically incredible WA acts, spanning from psych-rock, surf and punk, garage and blues spread over two stages. The lineup includes The Floors, Hideous Sun Demon, BLACKMILK, Aborted Tortoise, Kitchen People, METHYL ETHEL, Rag n’ Bone, Childsaint, Yaqui Yeti and Marmmalade. All for a disgustingly cheap price of $10.00 – that’s a buck a band, friends. We do stress a touch of concern, last year’s party well and truly sold out, so maybe jump on that pre-sale link to ensure you get to witness this plethora of local talent for the cost of a pint.
Tickets & Info: Presale $10.00, Door $15.00 www.facebook.com & http://www.mojosbar.com.au
The Scrapes
Where? The Bearded Lady, 138 Boundary St, West End, Brisbane
When? 4:00pm – 4:30pm & 6:30 – 7:30, Sunday, 20th July
Why? Attention art-rock admirers of the north, have we got the perfect way to close out your weekend. The looping, droning dual minds that form as one to create The Scrapes are setting their guitars to stun as they take The Bearded Lady through two sets this Sunday. The experimental pair will be drowning their surroundings in whooshing psychedelia and tranquil walls of sound, exemplified best on the mind-altering ‘Golden Cloud Pt 1.’ The lads behind this wondrous project have summed the upcoming gig perfectly, “come and support innovative, subversive music.” For those who are seeking something outside of the norm, this is your best bet ’round town.
Tickets & Info: Free Show! www.facebook.com
