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.

Nicholas Allbrook, Crepes & More

Where: Yah Yahs, Melbourne VIC
When: 8:30pm – 3am, Friday Sep 2
Why: What a lineup, and what a bargain – let’s just list the names you get for under $15 bucks: Nicholas Allbrook. Fascinator. Crepes. Way Dynamic. Plotz. Throw in DJ sets from Deep Sea Arcade, Visions and Pretty City, and you’ve got the perfect launch night for Visions, a new monthly event at Yah Yah’s.
Tickets & Info: $10 + bf, more info here.

Born Joy Dead

Where: Black Bear lodge, Brisbane QLD
When: 7pm – 12am, Thursday Sep 1
Why: Brisbane rockers Born Joy Dead are launching their new single ‘Sourdough’ in their hometown ahead of the release of their sophomore EP. The band is the brainchild of Ben Dalton – a former Hungry Kid Of Hungary – and have played alongside the likes of Ball Park Music, Bad//Dreems, Hey Geronimo and Babaganouj.
Tickets & Info: $12, more info here.

Fazerdaze & Jarrow

Where: The Old Bar, Melbourne VIC
When: 4pm – 6pm, Sunday Sep 4
Why: NZ dream-pop artist Fazerdaze aka Amelia Murray will be heading to our shores fresh off a tour of the U.K., and will be joined by local mate and emerging garage pop talent Jarrow, before they head off to BIGSOUND together. It’s free, too, so you absolutely can’t lose.
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.

Captives

Where: Cherry Bar, Melbourne VIC
When: 7:30pm – 1am, Saturday Sep 3
Why: Tassie/Melbourne punks Captives are promising to “shred some faces” as they launch their new single ‘Vines’ – the first taste of their upcoming debut album. They’ll be joined by a stacked lineup that includes The Hunted Crows, Young Offenders and Past Present. Mind your face!
Tickets & Info: $13, more info here.

The Laurels, Rebel Yell, SPOD & More

Where: Union Hotel, Sydney NSW
When: 12pm – 10pm, Sunday Sep 4
Why: We’re big fans of Rebel Yell’s dark, industrial soundscapes, and they’ll joining fellow Rice Is Nice labelmates like The Laurels, Richard In Your Mind, and indie electro champs SPOD for one hell of a Sunday sesh. You’ll also be able to catch Den, Contrast, and a couple of secret acts – all for free. Winner winner.
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.

Mosquito Coast & More

Where: Rocket Bar, Adelaide SA
When: 9pm – 5am Friday Sep 2
Why: Last year’s triple j Unearthed High winners and proud recipients of #101 in the Hottest 100 countdown, Perth’s Mosquito Coast are out on their first national tour. For only a tenner, you also get Melbourne’s Stonefox and Adelaide natives The Winter Gypsy, as well as a DJ set from The John Steel Singers.
Tickets & Info: $10 presale, more info here.

RKDA

Where: Hugs & Kisses, Melbourne VIC
When: 7pm – 12am, Thursday Sep 1
Why: An emerging dream pop outfit from Melbourne, RKDA have been kicking goals of recent times. Having just returned from a little East Coast tour, they’re back onstage in their hometown for the launch of their ‘Frontline’ video clip with Huntly and Wise Child.
Tickets & Info: more info here.

Lilt

Where: Jimmy’s Den, Perth WA
When: 8pm – 1am, Saturday Sep 3
Why: Fresh from a big stint of recording in Sydney, Perth indie/electro group Lilt are returning home with a bag of new tracks to debut at their ‘Wait No More’ single launch with fellow Perthians Angus Dawson and Phocal at Jimmy’s Den.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.

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