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.
Kučka
Where? Shebeen, 36 Manchester Lane, Melbourne CBD
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 16th October
Why? Thursday night, you’re looking for something a little different? Well, for just over 10 smackers you can witness one of Australia’s most daring and unique up and coming groups, Kučka. Hailing from Perth, the eclectic three-piece produce a shimmering arrangement of poptronica, best found on beat ‘PHANTASY’. The Perth natives have been hailed as one of the best artists at BIGSOUND this year, and are hitting the road for their debut national tour in support of recently released Unconditional + Remixes package. As one of our top picks of the week, we implore you to get your ass into Melbourne’s CBD and dig some of the most forward-thinking art rock that has ever emanted from our fair shores. Supports include Wooshie and Telling.
Tickets & Info: $12, www.facebook.com & https://shebeenbandroom.ticketscout.com.au
Basenji
Where? The Liberty Social, 279 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
When? 10:00pm, Friday 17th October
Why? Sydney’s…actually just about everybody’s favourite beatsman Basenji (Sebastian Muecke) is making his way down south to give Melbournian’s one helluva opening to their weekend. Having signed with Future Classic earlier this year, Muecke dropped the colourful and buoyant ‘Heirloom’ which has even featured in Wave Racer’s mix for BBC Radio 1, the track consequently blowing up to epic proportions. If you want to have a boogie to some fresh electronic tunes, there’s nowhere else you can be this Friday night.
Entry & Info: $13.40 www.facebook.com & www.moshtix.com.au
Oxford Art Factory 7th Birthday
Where? Oxford Arts Factory, 38-46 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney
When? 7:00pm, Friday 17th October
Why? Oh boy, if there’s one thing we love more than a birthday bash, it’s a free show. Luckily for the folks in Sydney this weekend, they get 2-in-1. Yep, that’s right. The forever super cool Oxford Arts Factory is celebrating it’s seventh year of operations and in true form, are throwing a killer coming together and it ain’t gonna cost y’all a thing. For such a party, the crew have pulled together some of Australia’s best, including: Kilter, Oscar Key Sung, Hatch, Kanyon., Meare, Phondupe, Le Fruit DJs, Geoffrey James, The Gooch Palms, Flyying Colours, The Upskirts, The Dandelion, Smaal Cats, Dr GODDARD, DJ Glenn Be Trippi. Keep your head together for a moment though, this one needs to be RSVP’d on the link below. Enjoy.
Tickets & Info: Free Event, www.moshtix.com.au
Astral & Friends
Where? Goodgod Small Club, 53-55 Liverpool Street, Sydney CBD
When? 9:00pm, Friday 17th October
Why? Astral People are a Sydney artist management and touring crew, renown for throwing kickass parties with a stellar list of Aussie talent. This Friday night will see Sydney’s Goodgod Small Club be taken over by the luscious sounds of Melbourne’s Roland Tings (remember ‘Who U Love‘ ?), local lass Rainbow Chan with her swooping pop jams such as ‘Fruit’, dancefloor filler B.O.O.M.A and proclaimed Sydney legends Andy Webb and Felix Lloyd rounding out the evening. We’ll leave you with Atral’s almighty important message: “get out and support your local!” Amen.
Tickets & Info: $11.80, www.facebook.com & www.moshtix.com.au
Usurper Of Modern Medicine & Sarry
Where? The Bird, 181 William Street, Northbridge, Perth
When? 8:00pm, Wednesday 15th October
Why? Sometimes the working week just drags, and humpday can seem almost impossible to survive, right? If you’re a resident of Perth, hell no. This Wednesday night the grooving, experimental rockers Usurper Of Moden Medicine will take to The Bird to soothe your mid-week woes, and as a warm-up, we suggest you sail away from your desk with ‘A Jam for the Dying Sun’. In a wicked addition, Japanese two-piece Sarry return to our Aussie shores to deliver a bewitching set that has been described as “sound which connects this world to the next”, just see ‘Memento Mori’.
Entry & Info: $5.00, www.facebook.com & www.williamstreetbird.com
The Griswolds
Where? Jive, 181 Hindley St, Adelaide
When? 8:00pm, Friday 17th October
Why? Hell yeah Adelaide, this Friday night you are set for a night of the finest Aussie indie rock known to man. Four-piece The Griswolds nailed their US tour earlier this year, and the now the party-pop quartet have returned to their home shores to tour their debut record, Be Impressive. Aptly titled, the release features the Summery infectious jam ‘Beware The Dog‘ a song that is already climbing the US Indie charts.
Entry & Info: $15.00, http://admin.moshtix.com.au
Bedroom Suck Records 5th Birthday
Where? Black Bear Lodge, Level 1/322 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 7:00pm, Sunday 19th October
Why? Brizzy locals B-S-R can now use one whole hand to count their age and as such, want to celebrate this fact with a partay. Held at their spiritually conntected venue, Black Bear Lodge, the line-up consists of six, count it six, incredible artists: Terrible Truths, Peter Escott, Superstar, Primitive Motion, Cannon and Thigh Master. If you’re feeling very a little sentimental, B-S-R will be selling their double LP compilation that features 27 of the best tracks from the label.
Entry & Info: $15.00, www.facebook.com
