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: Hotel Steyne, Manly NSW
When: 9pm – 12am, Friday Sep 23
Why: Following the release of her killer debut record B-Grade University, Alex Lahey is hitting back with her first national tour. The gig is set to be one to remember and with support acts Betty & Oswald, it’s one you shouldn’t miss – oh and did we mention that it’s free?
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
Mall Grab & Christopher Port
Where: Ferdydurke, Melbourne VIC
When: 9pm – 5am, Saturday Sep 22
Why: $10 for a night of quality house and electronica? Yes please! Headlining the night is Mall Grab who is racking up millions of plays online, and joining him is Christopher Port, whose recent EP ‘Vehement’ was met with plenty of praise as well. You can’t really lose!
Tickets & Info: $10-15 more info here.
Dorsal Fins & Remi DJs
When: 8pm – 5am, Saturday Sep 24
Why: Yah Yah’s is throwing a pretty great night this Saturday with Dorsal Fins headlining their first Melbourne show with a very late-night appearance from Sydney outfit Straight Arrows, coupled in with a Remi DJ afterparty – all for a ridiculously low 10 Dollarydoos.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
The Cherry Dolls
Why: Melbourne rock stalwarts The Cherry Dolls couldn’t have found a better spot to launch their second EP, Lone Palm, than Melbourne’s home of rawk, Cherry Bar. They’ll be backed up by a damn-solid support crew of Jurassic Nark Horace, Bones & BATZ DJs.
Lower Spectrum
Where: The Bird, Perth WA
When: 8pm – 11pm, Thursday Sep 22
Why: One of the best electronic talents in the country, LOWER SPECTRUM will be kicking off his national tour, launching his new EP with a hometown show. With music to reflect over with a couple of pints, and plenty more bangers to dance to after said pints, stretch out your weekend by catching this one on Thursday.
Tickets & Info: $15, More info here.
Marcus Whale
Where: Golden Age Cinema & Bar, Sydney NSW
When: 9pm – 12am, Thursday Sep 22
Why: One of Australia’s most vital songwriters Marcus Whale is coming at ya this Thursday night with an array of incredible tunes. An intimate night in unique surrounds, it’s described as “dinner and a show… without dinner”, and sounds like an ideal way to wind down your week before kicking off on a Friday. He’s amazing, and it’s free – it’s so there’s no excuse for missing this one.
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
Crepes & Loose Tooth
When: 7pm – 12am, Saturday Sep 24
Why: If you’re in Bendigo this weekend, make sure to check out the homegrown talent play their last hometown show of the year. Crepes will be trying out how their new material from their latest record sounds live, and you should definitely be there to hear it. They’re being supported by Loose Tooth, who are signed to Courtney Barnett’s Milk! Records label, so just more reasons to get out of the city.
Tickets & Info: more info here.
Amarillo & Darren Cross
Tickets & Info: more info here.
Love Migrate & Baptism Of Uzi
Where: The Curtin, Melbourne VIC
When: 7:30pm – 12am, Thursday Sep 22
Why: Head down to the Deaf Ambitions party this Thursday night for some easy listening indie-rock as Love Migrate take you on an emotional journey to start the weekend. Supported by Baptism of Uzi, who will make sure to get your feet moving, you’re getting the best of both worlds – and that’s before considering Way Dynamic and Emma Russack are playing as well.
Tickets & Info: more info here.
Gabriella Cohen
Where: The Curtin, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm Saturday Sep 24
Why: Also at The Curtin this week, Saturday night sees a night of rock and roll from Gabriella Cohen. Known for singing in The Furrs, Cohen has broken out with her debut solo record, and it rocks. Even better, you get support sets from a great range of emerging talent including Chelsea Bleach, Jarrow and Lalic.
Tickets & Info: $15.30, more info here. Image by Kain Balzary
Regular Band, Mudshadows & More
Where: 4ZZZ Carpark, Brisbane QLD
When: 12pm – 6pm, Saturday Sep 24
Why: Six hours of live rock music for free? Sign us up! Regular Band will be headlining this carpark gig hosted in front of the 4ZZZ studios. Get ready for head bangin’ and mosh pitting’ as these hard hitting Brisbands make some noise. Mudshadows will also be making an appearance, as well as a host of other local talent, so don’t miss out.
Tickets & Info: more info here.
Broadway Sounds, Gonzo Jones & More
Where: The Curtin, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm – 12am, Friday Sep 23
Why: Melbourne-based psych pop outfit Broadway Sounds have returned home for a minute to play as part of a ripper lineup with good mates and talented acts themselves Donny Benet and Gonzo Jones. Hot on the heels of a successful UK/European tour, including a stop at Glastonbury, this will be Broadway Sounds’s first headline show on home turf in seven months.
Tickets & Info: $12, more info here.
Koriko Treehouse
Where: Rocket bar, Adelaide SA
When: 9pm – 5am, Friday Sep 23
Why: Koriko Treehouse couldn’t be prouder of their brand new EP and they couldn’t be more excited to celebrate its release with you. The Adelaide outfit’s bag is a catchy brand of indie pop mixed with all of the shimmer of ’70s glam. Think Roxy Music meets The Shins and you’re in the right ball park.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
