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 are 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.

Alex Lahey

Where? Tokyo Sing Song, Newtown NSW
When? 8pm, Friday July 15
Why? Alex followed up her breakout hit ‘You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me’ with her new single ‘Let’s Go Out’, and you can join her for more no doubt dating-themed choons this weekend as she launches the new track with some as-yet-unannounced special guests.
Tickets & Info: Free, further info here.

Tiny Little Houses

Where? The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood VIC
When? 
8pm, Wednesday July 13 (and beyond)
Why? Tiny Little Houses are about to get stuck into the second week of a four-week residency, and this week they’re bringing along Gabriella Cohen, as well as Wedding Ring Bells (formerly Bored Nothing). The two weeks after feature the likes of Alex Lahey and Ella Thompson, so there’s plenty of legs left in this one.
Tickets & Info: $12 + bf, further info here.

Tame The Sun

Where? Yah Yah’s, 99 Smith Street Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 9pm, Saturday July 16
Why? New rock powerhouse Tame The Sun are launching their debut EP at Yah Yah’s, hosted by the Tone Deaf crew. Party rockers Atomic Riot and the bluesy Darcy Fox will be there to warm the place up for all the wailing solos and crunchy riffs your hearts desire.
Tickets & Info: $11.50, further info here.

Black Majesty & More

Where? Cherry Bar, AC/DC Lane, Melbourne
When? 7:30pm, Friday July 15
Why? Black Majesty will be joined by Vanishing Point and Envenomed for a heavy-as-hell night of melodic power/thrash metal in – where else – AC/DC Lane’s rock hub Cherry Bar, for the sixth instalment of Dave ‘Higgo’ Higgins’ Heavy Cherry night.
Tickets & Info: $15, further info here.

Wax Witches

Where? Yah Yah’s, 99 Smith Street Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 10pm, Saturday July 16
Why? Sydney  maverick Alex Wall aka Wax Witches is about to polish off his Memory Painting album launch tour with his Melbourne show at Yah Yah’s, and considering this is the writer of the Australian classic ‘Gay Batman’, it’s sure to be an interesting one.
Tickets & Info: Tickets on the door, further info here.

LUCIANBLOMKAMP, Martin King & More

Where? The Catfish, Fitzroy VIC
When? 7:30pm, Saturday July 16
Why? The Gertrude St. Projection Festival is teaming up this year with Good Manners to throw one hell of an opening show. A killer lineup of LUCIANBLOMKAMP, Martin King w/ Juliet Rowe, Saatsuma and Gonzo Jones, as well as projections from visual maestro Brendan Harwood. Wander down Gertrude and soak in the sights, then get down to this one.
Tickets & Info: $10, further info here.

Bakehouse Studios’ 25th Birthday

Where? Bakehouse Studios, Richmond VIC
When? 5pm-9pm, Saturday July 16
Why? Local punk legends The Meanies, mini-supergroup BLANK STATEMENTS (featuring members of Prime Time, Dick Diver, The Twerps and Aotearoa), and the excellent newcomers Cable Ties all come together to celebrate a Melbourne institution – oh, and there’s a gold coin donation barbecue. Sold.
Tickets & Info: Free entry, further info here.

Dro Carey

Where? Rosemount Hotel, North Perth WA
When? 8pm, Saturday July 16
Why? One of our favourite emerging producers, Dro is celebrating the release of his Dark Zoo EP with a run of shows, and he’ll be hitting up the Rosemount with Basic Mind and Dellity live sets, and DJs in support. It’s even been hinted at that collaborator Kučka might drop by, but don’t quote us on that.
Tickets & Info: $12 + bf, further info here.

Suss Cunts

Where? The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood VIC
When? 8pm, Friday July 15
Why? Suss Cunts have brought together a really nice lineup for the launch of their EP, with Palm Springs, Cable Ties, and the Tim Richmond Group all piling in to make this some killer value for a tenner, with bangers flowing until 3am.
Tickets & Info: $10, further info here.

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