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.

Flyying Colours

Where? The Gasometer Hotel, 484 Smith St, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 30 April
Why? Are you a fan of deep, immersive music that you can totally lose yourself in? Right on, we’ve got the perfect live experience for you. Melbourne shoegaze outfit the Flyying Colours are taking over The Gaso this Thursday night to celebrate the release of their brand-spankin’ new single ‘Running Late‘ which falls from their forthcoming EP, ROYGBIV. The supports are massive too, with Hollow Everdaze, Hideous Towns and VHS Dream all enlisted to make this an unforgettable night of local tunes.
Tickets & Info: $12.75, Facebook & http://gasometer.oztix.com.au

Voltaire Twins

Where? Black Bear Lodge, Level 1/322 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 30 April
Why? Hold up, Melbourne art-pop duo Voltaire Twins are playing a free live show at one of our favourite venues in Brisbane. Hell. Yeah. The pair have been busy working on their forthcoming debut record, Milky Waves, and will be performing songs like the massive ‘Animalia‘. Don’t miss your chance to catch one of Australia’s fastest rising acts on an intimate stage, these guys are destined for great, great things.
Tickets & Info: Free Event, Facebook & www.blackbearlodge.com.au

Good Manners Series: I’lls, Cassius Select, S I L E N T J A Y x Jace XL & Good Morning

Where? The Shadow Electric, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, Melbourne
When? 3:00pm, Saturday 2nd May
Why? Good Manners are proud to present the first instalment of their curated series. Designed for artists to not only showcase their own material, but also for them to share the stage with the bands and musicians that they love, we, alongside the event organisers, are hoping these events will become a staple of Melbourne’s music scene. The first day party features a killer lineup, lead by I’lls, alongside the likes of Cassius Select (Crookes EP Launch), Silent Jay x Jace XL, Good Morning, Big Scary DJs, DJ JNETT, Wabz, River Yarra, Asdasfr Bawd, Ennio Styles, Good Manners DJs. This badboy is only $15.00, you’d be mad to miss it.
Tickets & Info: $15.00, Facebook & http://shadowelectric.com.au

Yoke

Where? Goodgod Small Club, 53-55 Liverpool Street, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 1 May
Why? Sydneysiders are up for a very special musical treat this Thursday night, with exciting local three-piece Yoke performing at the Harbour City’s favourite underground venue. The trio are stoked to announce their new single ‘So Far‘ a gorgeous meld of R&B vocals and gliding synth-pop, and will be joined by the ever-popular Left. and Polish Club.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, Facebook & www.goodgodgoodgod.com

Iowa

Where? Ding Dong Lounge, 18 Market Lane, Melbourne
When? 9:00pm, Saturday 2 May
Why? Clear your Saturday night this weekend because it just became the best indie rock line up of the month: Iowa, Brat Farrar, The Underhanded, and Masco Sound System will be smashing apart Melbourne’s inner city venue, Ding Dong Lounge. Headlined by the sprawling, fuzzy sounds of Iowa (an outfit reminiscent of shoegaze legends Swervedriver) who responsible for the song ‘Panic Attack‘, this evening of guitar-driven tunes promises to be an absolute belter.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, Facebook & http://dingdong.oztix.com.au

The Spunloves

Where? The Bird, 181 William Street, Northbridge, Perth
When?  8:00pm, Friday 1 May
Why? And now, live music fans of Australia, it’s now time for your dose of “the incredible things happening in Perth this week.” Kick-starting the weekend in the finest of fashions are local four-piece The Spunloves, who a throwin’ a party and playing songs from their debut EP, taste ‘Tall Tale Blues‘ as a nice lil’ tester. Joining the band The Wheelers of Oz and Dougal’s Casino, all for a fiver. Crazy, right?
Tickets & Info: $5.00, Facebook & www.williamstreetbird.com

George Maple

Where? Rocket Bar, 142 Hindley Street, Adelaide
When? 9:00pm, Saturday 2 May
Why? Yowzers, there’s a huge show making its way to Adelaide this weekend, the one and only George Maple. The songstress behind the deep, dark almost pounding electro-pop tune ‘Vacant Space‘ is taking her captivating show to the South Australian capital. Maple will be supported by SKIESHunt as well as DJ’s Meryl Creep, LL Cool Dre and more. We can’t believe this gig is only $15.00!
Tickets & Info: $15.00, Facebook & https://tickets.crippenplace.com

Breaking Punk III: Winterfold, EL CAPTAIN, The Light The Dark & More

Where? Rosemount Hotel, 459 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth
When?  8:00pm, Friday 1 May
Why? Looking to let off some steam this weekend? There’s a whole night dedicated to high energy, sweaty, raucous performances at the Rosemount Hotel. Returning for a third time, Breaking Punk will see a massive lineup of heavier-hitting acts including WinterfoldEL CAPITANThe Light The DarkFull EffectLongshore and Push Me Under all coax punters into a rockin’ frenzy.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, Facebook & http://rosemounthotel.com.au

Sarah Belkner

Where? Shebeen, 36 Manchester Lane, Melbourne CBD
When?  7:00pm, Wednesday 29 April
Why? Humpday is a toughie to get through, especially now the days are getting darker and colder – however, there is light, and it comes in the form of Sydney art-pop songstress, Sarah Belkner. Bouncing off the release of her boundary-pushing tune, ‘Humans‘, Belkner will take to the intimate stage of Shebeen this Wednesday with strong supports including Kira Puru and Packwood.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, Facebook Event & https://shebeenbandroom.ticketscout.com.au

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine