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.
The Creases DJs, Confidence Man & Venus II
Where: House Of Bacardi, Brisbane QLD
When: 8pm – 5am, Friday Oct 21
Why: The Creases are throwing a party, and they’ve invited along two of our favourite new acts to join them in the excellent pop outfit Confidence Man and Melbourne outfit Venus II, the new project from Jarrad Brown of Eagle & The Worm and Canyons’ Ryan Grieve. Looking like a damn good night.
Tickets & Info: Free via RSVP, more info here.
Tim Freedman & More
Where: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW
When: 5pm, Sun Oct 23
Why: Joining the ranks of some of Sydney’s best acts, none other than The Whitlams’ Tim Freedman is playing ‘Proudly Pokies Free’ at the Oxford Art Factory. Get down this Sunday to show support for a more social and less destructive Sydney night life.
Tickets & Info: $15 + b/f, more info here.
RJB, The Deadpans & Slim Jeffries
When: 8pm – 2am, Fri Oct 14
Why: Rambutan Jam Band will be bringing their damn-good blend of psych rock, heavy garage, and their pioneering psychedelic reggae. Joined by a couple of other unique local faves in The Deadpans and The Slim Jeffries, this night is set to be a rager.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
Cub Sport
Where: Jimmy’s Den, Perth WA
When: 8pm – 11:45pm, Wed Oct 19
Why: Cub Sport are on fire after the release of their debut album This Is Our Vice, and the Brisbane four-piece are back in Perth this Wednesday to celebrate the end of what has been a breakout year for the group. Get along.
Tickets & Info: $15 + b/f, more info here.
Pat Tierney
Where: The Retreat Hotel, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm – 11:00pm, Thu Oct 20
Why: Lap-slide guitar master Pat Tierney is launching his new single ‘Spirit Of The Land’ in Melbourne this week, with a string of national dates to follow. If you can’t catch the Aussie roots troubadour on Thursday, you’ll be able to see him at Swagger Music Festival on Sunday, followed by a support slot for Cheap Fakes later that night at Northcote Social Club. Definitely highly recommended.
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
The Belligerents
Where: Rocket Bar, Adelaide SA
When: 9pm – 5am, Fri Oct 21
Why: These Brisbane psych-rockers have just dropped the new single ‘Caroline’ from their upcoming album, and they’re playing live to show it off. Jump down to catch a damn good band before they drop the album and explode.
Tickets & Info: $12 + b/f, more info here.
Good Boy
Where: Elsewhere, Gold Coast QLD
When: Fri Oct 21
Why: If you’re in the Gold Coast this Friday, make sure to check out Good Boy as they put on a show for their second EP of the year. They smashed it at their local stomping ground of BIGSOUND recently, and this one will be another great set.
Tickets & Info: $15, more info here.
Thigh Master
Where: The Foundry, Brisbane QLD
When: Fri Oct 21
Why: Touring their latest LP, the Brisbane pop outfit are hitting up The Foundry this weekend to celebrate. With support from the Wireheads and Tralala Blip, it’s set to be a big cheap night out.
Tickets & Info: $15, more info here.
The Laurels
Where: Selena’s, Coogee NSW
When: Thu Oct 20
Why: The Laurels have just dropped their sophomore studio album Sonicology and now they’re kicking off a live tour this week with a free show in Coogee. This Sydney-ish show is just one leg of the tour, so if if you’re not in the area they’ll be on their way to your city as well.
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
River Blue
Where: The Gasometer, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm – 11:45pm, Wed 19 Oct
Why: River Blue is debuting new single ‘Iron Rivers’ at iconic Melbourne bar, The Gaso. With support from The Beegles and Alphonso, it’ll be great night of indie to get you through your hump day.
Tickets & Info: $11, more info here.
Winter Moon
When? 8pm – 1am, Fri Oct 21
Why? A new EP calls for a gig – and that’s exactly what alt-rockers Winter Moon are bringing to Cherry Bar this Friday as they get loose and launch their new record Hearts And Hands alongside The Hunted Crows, CASH and Sienna Mild. Another night of killer rock choons in AC/DC Lane.
Entry & Info: $13, more info here.
Cheap Fakes
Where: Northcote Social Club, Melbourne VIC
When: 7pm – 10pm, Sun Oct 23
Why: The Northcote Social Club will be hosting the biggest funk/ska band coming out of South East Queensland. After dropping their music video for Kaleidoscope, Cheap Fakes announced their national tour – and here it is, make sure you don’t miss out this Sunday!
Tickets & Info: $15 + b/f, more info here.
Nicole Millar
Where: The Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
When: 4:45pm – 7:30m, Sun Oct 23
Why: Coming off her tour supporting Troye Sivan, Nicole Miller is throwing an all ages party at the Metro Theatre this Sunday, packing a swag of electro dance bangers and new single ‘Signals’. Bring your dancing shoes.
Tickets & Info: $12, more info here.
Use No Hooks, András & More
When: 5pm – 1am, Sun Oct 23
Why: Use No Hooks were a brief but brightly-burning flame in Australia several decades ago, but are back for their first gig in three decades. They’ll be hitting the Belleville in honour of their track ‘Do The Job’, which only found its eventual release in 2007 via Chapter Music. With Total Giovanni playing a DJ set and Andras supporting, it’s a no-brainer.
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
Baby Blue
Tickets & Info: $12, more info here.
Monique Araujo
Where: The Evelyn, Melbourne VIC
When: 8:30pm, Mon Oct 24
Why: When you have a great weekend, the working week can be dreadful to say the least, but with Monique Araujo’s neo-soul to kick things off, your week gets a little bit easier. She’ll be capping off her residency at The Ev with one final show supported by The Stranger Suite & WVR BVBY. $5 entry, cheap drinks, and one delightful start to the week.
Tickets & Info: $5, more info here.
