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.

Horace Bones

Where? Lulu White’s Pop-Up Bar, 16-18 Grey Street, St. Kilda, Melbourne
When? 9:00pm, Saturday 26th July
Why? It’s true what they say, all good things must come to an end. For the kick-ass pop-up dive bar south of the Yarra, Lulu White’s, their closing time has come. After what’s been a string of insane sell-out gigs including Band of Skulls, garage-blues rockers Horace Bones will blow apart the St. Kilda venue for one last time this weekend. In the finest of farewell fashions, the Melbourne four-piece will be performing from their debut EP, including the desert-psych laden ‘Diabilita.’ But that’s not all, Citizen Sex will be setting the stage with their self-proclaimed “glock-rock” sounds, like the low-fi buzz-out ‘Sodapop.’  Jean Pierre, Rui B, MSTW and Horace Bones DJs will be spinning vinyl until 4am, so why not join the Lulu White crew as they draw the curtains for the final time on their ripping live music venue.

Tickets & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com

Colour Bomb

Where? Shebeen, 36 Manchester Lane, Melbourne CBD
When? 8:30pm, Saturday 26th July
Why? What better way to send off the last weekend of July than getting loose to some indie-pop beats courtesy of David Bowie inspired duo, Colour Bomb. The pair are throwing one hell of a party to launch their latest single ‘Moth.’ The track is a rich amalgamation of neo-psychedlica, tribal percussions and funky R’n’B vocals that are sonically consuming. The outfit will be joined by Covers and Hoy. Get on this one ASAP as we’ve got a sneaking suspicion this killer gig will definitely sell-out.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & https://shebeenbandroom.ticketscout.com.au

Lowtide

Where? The Tote, 67-71 Johnston Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 9:00pm, Friday 25th July
Why? Can you think of a more a fitting genre to soundtrack a cold, wintery Friday night then shoegaze? Hell no. So why not let Melbourne’s revered quartet Lowtide (who guided us through the best Aussie shoegaze outfits) take you through their journey of ice-cold atmospheric layering and ethereal vocals as they celebrate their bone-chilling, self-titled debut record. The incredibly talented band will be supported by Summer Flake, White Walls and Bloodhounds On My Trail.
Tickets & Info: $10.00 www.facebook.com & http://thetotehotel.com

The Letdowns

Where? The Workers Club, 51 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 24th July
Why? It’s almost the weekend, and that’s definitely a reason to celebrate, so why not get down to beltin’ indie rock tunes at the hands of The Letdowns? Now, be forewarned, these four Melbourne lads are anything but letdowns, despite their name. Producing refined garage anthems, their bangin’ track ‘Blackout’ is entirely reminiscent of The Strokes’ ‘New York City Cops‘ and is almost enough justification on it’s own to turn your Thursday night in to something special. The band will be releasing their debut EP and will be joined by the likes of the psychedelic toned The Indian Skies, the worryingly named Death In Brunswick and Surfing in Hawaii to round out the night. All this for $6.00, that’s pretty ridiculous, right?
Tickets & Info: $6.00 www.facebook.com & http://theworkersclub.com.au

Kat Wilson

Where? The Astor Lounge, 659 Beaufort St, Mt Lawley, Perth
When? 7:30pm, Saturday 26th July
Why? It’s the heart of the weekend and you’re searching for that extra special live music experience? Look no further than Kat Wilson. This four-piece produce what has been self-described as “mash of dirty blues and a coastal, acoustic beauty” which couldn’t be a more apt description, just dig ‘Oceans’ to hear for yourself. Drawing very obvious influences from The Tallest Man On Earth and Warpaint, the vocal haunts of frontwoman Katie can be likened to taking a plunge into a wintery sea: bone-chilling but utterly refreshing. This is a show Westerners cannot afford to miss. The event includes a hearty list of local supports: Riley Pearce, The Insatiables and Curtis McEntee Music.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, $15.00 With EP, www.facebook.com & www.liveattheastor.com.au

The High & Lonesome

Where? FBi Social Kings Cross Hotel, 248 William Street, Kings Cross
When? 8:00pm, Friday 25th July
Why? Sydney powerhouse five-piece The High & Lonesome have spent the passed six months writing new material and are now proud to announce the arrival of the launch of their debut EP. Despite being labelled as an indie rock outfit, this band are so much more. Lead track ‘Further From Me’ takes inspiration from a multitude of influences including the rich croons of Matt Berninger of The National to the sprawling pop-hooks of ex-Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr. Entry only stings $10.00 and you get a copy of the band’s EP too. This gig is definitely not one to be missed. Supports include Silo, Michael Plater and Tom Stone.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & http://fbisocial.fatsoma.com

The Lulu Raes

Where? Marlborough Hotel, 145 King Street, Newtown, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 24th July
Why? It’s Thursday night, the weekend is almost here and you really just want some damn good live music to kick-start the weekend? Look no further than The Lulu Raes. Producing quite possibly the most feel-good pop n’ roll around town, this Sydney quartet are taking over the Marlborough Hotel to bang out some brand-spanking new tunes. Although they assure that this show is “not an official release” of their incredibly catchy single ‘The Way Life Runs,’ it’s still a good enough excuse to make your way into the city and boogie on down. Oh, and did we mention that this show won’t cost you a thing? No brainer, yo!
Tickets & Info: Free Show www.facebook.comwww.williamstreetbird.com

Isiis

Where? The Zoo, 711 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 7
:00pm, Wednesday 23rd July
Why? What’s better than getting through humpday? Having an incredible live music show waiting for you that night, and boy do the folk of Brisbane have something special waiting for them. If you haven’t met her already, please allow us to introduce Isiis. With the flick of her hand, this young songstress effortlessly mixes classic piano-ballads with atmospheric electronica, exemplified by the breezing ‘Pushed Your Hands.’ Supported by a completely local contingent, Wednesday night at The Zoo will also see the likes of June Low and Sweeps take to the stage. Isiis is a little excited for this event, taking to her Facebook to write: “I’ll be playing two new songs that “NO ONE HAS HEARD EVER, never, no one, not a soul (except me and my dog.)” Be one of the first outside of this lucky pooch to dig the wonderful sounds of Isiis. 
Tickets & Info: $8.00 www.facebook.com & www.thezoo.com.au

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