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.
Skegss & Dorsal Fins
Where: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW
When: 7 – 11:45pm, Sat Oct 15
Why: Sydney’s iconic venue Oxford Art Factory is having its massive 9th birthday, and throwing one hell of a party. Skegss and Dorsal Fins lead a lineup that also packs a stack of others like High-Tails, A.D.K.O.B, and a heap more. Just have a look below. Even better, it’s free. Happy birthday, Ox!
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
SHOUSE & More
Where: The Mercat, Melbourne VIC
When: 10pm – 5am, Fri Oct 14
Why: A huge stack of Melbourne acts on this bill at the now-doomed Mercat – seriously, enjoy these while you still can. SHOUSE, Martin King & Harpoons DJs, Amateur Dance, Jamal Amir, Jennifer Loveless… The list goes on. Pile in, party all night.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
DIET.
When: 8pm – 2am, Fri Oct 14
Why: One of our favourite emerging bands from Melbs, they’re also one of the tightest live acts you’ll hear, bringing some of the best new guitar pop you’ll here, and garnishing it with a damn-good cover of Aussie Crawl’s ‘Errol’. They’re launching their new EP at Yah Yah’s, with Slowcoaching, Tram Cops, Doona Waves and Lovejoy in tow.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
The Vendettas
When? 8pm, Fri Oct 14
Why? Melbourne five-piece The Vendettas return to Cherry Bar for a night of rock’n’roll mayhem, continuing a big year that’s seen them support Thirsty Merc, Palace of The King and The Casanovas. They’ll be playing their brand new one ‘Ain’t No Time’ alongside some brand new tracks from their upcoming record, with The Balls and Dark Wolf in support, so get your ass down to AC/DC Lane.
Entry & Info: $13, more info here.
The Goon Sax
Where: The Foundry, Brisbane QLD
When: 8pm – 11:45pm, Sat Oct 15
Why: The Goon Sax have returned from Europe and are launching straight back into a run of shows, including Brissy this week. Cannon and The Mosaics will be there to welcome back one of our fave trios.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
Cosmo Thundercat
Where: The Milk Factory, Brisbane QLD
When: 7pm – 12am, Thu Oct 13
Why: After a big year that’s seen them supporting the likes of They Might Be Giants, Augie March, The John Steel Singers and Thirsty Merc, the Adelaide folk trio are striking out on their own to launch their brand new EP Warning Bell, starting with two shows in Brisbane.
Tickets & Info: more info here.
Love Skegss?
Get the latest Skegss news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
Teischa
When: 8pm – 11pm, Fri Oct 14
Why: The Perth native has had a busy time supporting Vera Blue, Montaigne and Winterbourne, and is now treating her hometown to a show at Jimmy’s Den, accompanied by a band of talent from the Perth live music scene, and supported by guests These Winter Nights and Stella Donnelly.
Tickets & Info: $10 + b/f, more info here.
The Football Club
Tickets & Info: $12, more info here.
Diamonds of Neptune
Where: The Evelyn, Melbourne VIC
When: 6pm – 12am, Wed Oct 12
Why: Having released their latest single ‘Cyclical Nightmare’ to a packed house at The Workers Club in January, indie rockers Diamonds of Neptune have a bunch of new tunes to bring to the Ev, with support from The Beauforts and Wire Bird. This’ll be a damn good way to spend your Wednesday evening.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
Holy Balm
Where: Golden Age Cinema & Bar, Melbourne VIC
When: 9pm – 12am, Thu Oct 13
Why: The Golden Stage has done it again, with another fantastic free gig. This week, Holy Balm take to the stage with support from Greta Now, so if you missed them on their recent tour, now’s the chance to catch them in a wonderful intimate setting. For free!
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
