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.
DIVIDEM
Where? Shebeen, 36 Manchester Lane, Melbourne
When? 7:30pm, Saturday 16th Jan
Why? Local dance music kinds DIVIDEM are finally ready to unleash their Dividem EP to a very eager crowd. The Melbourne based duo dropped the EP back in October but have been up to too much lately (which included an appearance at Beyond The Valley festival) to finally pencil in a show date, but now it’s here, so don’t miss ’em!
Tickets & Info: $12, Facebook event
Cicadastone
Where? Cherry Bar103 Flinders Ln, Melbourne
When? 8pm, Saturday 16th Jan
Why? Local rockers Cicadastone are kicking the year off in style with the release of their debut album Chance Collide and brutal show at Cherry this Saturday alongside special guest Olmeg and Elusive and it’ll only cost $13! Pretty fair price to pay to experience your face being melted off if you ask us.
Tickets & Info: $13, Facebook event
Midnight Pool Party
Where? Oxford Art Factory, 38-46 Oxford Street, Sydney, Australia 2010
When? 10pm, Saturday 16th Jan
Why? This one is for the late night party folk, and those partial to well crafted electro. Sydney duo Midnight Pool Party are currently working on their debut EP, which they plan to start rolling out sometime very soon, but before they lock themselves away in the studio to finish it off they’ve decided to give us all another little taste of their all new live show! Get in ’cause it might be the last time you see them before they become studio hermits.
Tickets & Info: $10, Facebook event
RTRFM’s Distant Murmurs
Where? Rosemount Hotel, 459 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth
When? 2pm, Saturday 16th Jan
Why? Technically this one is only under $15 if you’re an RTRFM subscriber, but if you’e from Perth and you love the local music scene (and want to support it) chances are you’re a subscriber already, huh? Taking place all day and night across three stages – 459 Bar, the Beer Garden and the Rosie’s main room – Distant Murmurs promises an eclectic lineup of stellar locals for all musical palettes. The line up is loooooong (and ace) so we’ll let you explore it yourself on the event page. Couldn’t think of a better way to spend a summery Saturday arvo.
Tickets & Info: $15 for RTR subscribers, Facebook event
Glass Skies + Battlehounds
Where? Crown and Anchor196 Grenfell Street, Adelaide
When? 8pm, Friday 15th Jan
Why? The ‘Cranker and Going Steady Music have a perfect rock n roll Friday plans out for all you SA dwelling folk. Psych rockers Glass Skies and Adelaide favourites Battlehounds are playing this Friday alongside newcomers but fast becoming local heroes array. It’s free entry and there will be drink specials all night so get in on it!
Tickets & Info: FREE, Facebook event
Strict Face + Young Trouble
Where? The Foundry Brisbane 228 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
When? 8pm, Thursday 14th Jan
Why? Party starters Yowie are back for another night of dance, rap, drinking, fun and everything in-between. This new edition will be playing host to buzzing producer Strict Face and rap talent YOUNG Trouble. We can’t tell you toon much more than that cause what we’re heard Yowie parties are seen to be believed.
Tickets & Info: $10, Facebook event
Observance By Ryan Boserio
Where? 15 – 25 Keele Street, Collingwood
When? 6pm, Friday 15th Jan
Why? More of an exhibition than a gig, this upcoming event features music by local collective Grey Marle Music and free beer, so we thought ‘why not’!? A solo exhibition by Melbourne-based artist Ryan Boserio, Observance is an examination of human relationships in a world where the blurring lines between fantasy and reality are entirely inescapable.
Tickets & Info: FREE, Facebook event