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.

Willow Beats

Where: Rocket Bar, Adelaide SA
When: 9pm – 5am, Friday Oct 7
Why: After a bit of time off, electronic duo Willow Beats are back with some new tunes and a remixed live set. These two pull a high-energy crowd wherever they set foot, including a recent return to the festival stage at Listen Out, and Rocket Bar will be an ideal setting, with pop trio Mìo on support and DJs to keep the choons on all night.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.

Delsinki Records & Brooke Taylor

Where: The Golden Vine Hotel, Bendigo VIC
When: 8pm – 1am, Thursday Sep 29
Why: This Melbourne alt-folk duo have impressed us recently with their collaborative EP and its elaborate video clips, which you’ll be able to enjoy as an accompaniment to their upcoming run of live shows. If you’re not in Bendigo this week, there’ll be plenty more opportunities to catch them on the remainder of the tour, including a slot at Swagger Music Festival and a residency at The Wesley Anne, dates here.
Tickets & Info: more info here.

Telegram

Where: Yah Yah’s, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm – 5am, Saturday Oct 1
Why: Sydney touring company Visions are bringing out their first act, and they’ve made a good choice in English outfit Telegram. Mates with the likes of The Horrors, these guys make a unique brand of Brit-rock/proto-punk, exemplified on their debut album Operator released earlier this year. Supports include Dom Kelly, Matrick Jones and Deep Sea Arcade DJs.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.

Midnight Alibi

Where: Cherry Bar, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm – 5am, Friday Oct 7
Why: Albury/Wodonga rock stalwarts Midnight Alibi are sticking a fork in 2016 and playing one final show for the year with Darcee Fox and Katana Cartel along for the ride. Heavy, dirty rock in the ideal surrounds of Cherry Bar.
Tickets & Info: $15, more info here.

AYLA

Where: The Zoo, Brisbane QLD
When: 8pm – 12am, Saturday Oct 8
Why: Sunshine Coast singer-songwriter AYLA is fresh of a great set at Caloundra festival, and kicking on with a national tour in support of her anthemic new single ‘Like The Other Kids’. The Gruvs, Banter Club and The Wandering Lost will all be providing her with backup.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.

Midas.Gold

Where: Rocket Bar, Adelaide SA
When: 9pm – 5am, Saturday Oct 8
Why: The Brisbane Unearthed pick and talented rhymer made a splash recently at Listen Out, and will be one to catch in ADL this week with Faint One, Meryl Creep, LL Cool Dre & Grill Scott. Free before 11pm with an RSVP and bars for days – all you need to know.
Tickets & Info: Free via RSVP, more info here.

The Belligerents

Where: Newtown Social Club, Sydney NSW
When: 8pm, Saturday Oct 8
Why: Brisbane five-piece are taking their sprawling new single on the road, in anticipation of their debut record. Definitely one to catch, the psychedelic chamber pop of ‘Caroline’ bodes well for the full-length, and for the live shows. Supports Wild Honey and Allan Smithy round out a great night at the NSC.
Tickets & Info: $14 + b/f, more info here.

Hexis

Where: Jimmy’s Den, Perth WA
When: 7:30pm – 11:30pm, Tuesday Oct 4
Why: Straight outta Copenhagen, here’s your hit of Danish “doomy” black metal – that’s not straight up doom metal, just a bit doomy. It’s their first time on Australian shores, and the local scene is banding around them, with illyria, Skullcave, Bayou and Alzabo all piling in to support.
Tickets & Info: $15, more info here.

Rat & Co. & More

Where: The Workers Club, Melbourne VIC
When: 1pm – 5pm, Sunday Oct 9
Why: Melbourne electronic champs Rat & Co. are teaming up with emerging local talent CORIN and Gonzo Jones for a damn solid matinee show this Sunday at The Workers, as part of Rolling Stone Live Lodge. The trio will be playing tunes from their upcoming third album Third Law, and it’ll be an ideal way to spend a lazy Sunday arvo.
Tickets & Info: $10 + b/f, more info here.

Unity Floors

Where: Brisbane Hotel, Hobart TAS
When: 8pm – 11pm, Saturday Oct 8
Why: You’ll have to forgive us for neglecting you, Tassie, but we’ve got a gig for you this week, and it’s a good’un. Sydney duo Unity Floors are kicking off their national ‘Life Admin’ tour in your fair state this Saturday, supported by locals Heart Beach and Ghost Drop.
Tickets & Info: more info here.

Flowertruck

Where: Golden Age Cinema & Bar
When: 9pm – 12am, Thursday Oct 6
Why: Golden Age are on a tear at the moment. Last week they hosted Marcus Whale, and this week they’re treating us to another free gig by none other than Flowertruck, who are wrapping up their national tour with an intimate hometown gig. Again, it’s free!
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.

Alex Lahey

Where: Karova Lounge, Ballarat VIC
When: 8pm – 11:30pm, Thursday Oct 6
Why: The absolutely buzzing Alex Lahey continues her ‘B-Grade University’ tour as she swings by Ballarat, with Frida and Anna Oliphant Wright. One of the last chances to catch her on this run of dates, it’ll be a damn good show.
Tickets & Info: $12 + b/f, more info here.

Uncle Bobby

Where: The Evelyn, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm – 11:30pm, Tuesday Oct 4
Why: Experimental performer and cult hero Uncle Bobby is kicking off a month-long residency at The Ev, starting this week. In addition to support from Wrocław and Tram Cops, there’ll be lush projections and various other surprises on this safari-themed adventure. The following weeks will pack the likes of OCDANTAR, Sunbeam Sound Machine and Huntly, so we’re in for a good month.
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.

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