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.
Birdhouse
Where: Yah Yah’s, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm – 11pm, Friday Nov 25
Why: Having teamed up with Graham Ashton who has worked with the likes of The Living End and Powderfinger on their latest single ‘Sweet’, alt-punk rockers Birdhouse are heading to Yah Yah’s to launch it into the world. Should be a ripper night.
Tickets & Info: more info here.
Arbes
Where: The Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm – 11.30pm, Wednesday Nov 23
Why: After disappearing from the live stage for the better part of seven months, Arbes are back armed with a new EP and an extra member to enrich that live sound. Get down and celebrate the end of spring and the birth of another summer with Jimmy Chang Hot Tuna and Cyanide Thornton in support.
Tickets & Info: $8, more info here.
The Iron Eye
Where: Crowbar, Brisbane QLD
When: 8pm-11pm, Thursday Nov 24
Why: From picking up supports with the likes of DZ Deathrays and Dallas to spending their time with Tom Larkin of Shihad putting together their latest offering, The Iron Eye have been honing their sound as well as their live show. Their upcoming show at Crowbar will be one you won’t soon forget.
Tickets & Info: $15, more info here.
Lossless & Corin
Where: Civic Underground, Sydney NSW
When: 8pm-3am, Friday Nov 25
Why: Co-headline shows mean you get twice the bang for your buck, and fortunately this Friday Wondercore Island labelmates Lossless and Corin are coming together to launch an album and EP respectively. With both acts bringing their A-game this will no doubt be a night to (try to) remember.
Tickets & Info: $ more info here.
Totally Mild
Where: Golden Age Bar, Sydney NSW
When: 9pm-11.30pm, Thursday Nov 24
Why: Just incase you have been living under a rock over the last year, Totally Mild are one of Melbourne’s finest exports at the moment, and the four-piece are taking their unique mellow rock to the Golden Age Bar. Entry is free, so what’s your excuse?
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
Venus II
When: Friday Nov 25
Why: Venus II are celebrating their new EP ‘I Want U 4 Myself’ and they are bringing Sydney’s darkwave king Buzz Kill along for the ride. These two have been quietly buzzing this year, so get along and see Venus II before they blow up. Oh, and it is free, too…
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
The Sugarcanes
Where: Cherry Bar, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm – 5am, Thursday Nov 24
Why: Soul in the Basement brings The Sugarcanes to Cherry Bar for a night of soul to honour the passing of Sharon Jones, and her work with the legendary Dap-Kings. It’ll be an all-night celebration with soul DJs Vince Peach & Pierre Baroni there to keep the music flowing until the early morning.
Tickets & Info: $10 on the door, more info here.
Allan Smithy
Where: Waywards, Sydney NSW
When: 8pm-11pm, Friday Nov 25
Why: Allan Smithy dropped his debut EP earlier this month, drawing from all kinds of real world experiences Smithy spent time recording with Tom Iansek and Wayne Connolly amongst others, and he is finally ready to show the fruits of his labour. Fortunately for fans entry for this one is free. So, really you have no excuse.
Tickets & Info: Free, more info here.
Bree Tranter
Where: The Foundry, Brisbane QLD
When: 8pm-12am, Sunday Nov 27
Why: After working with the likes of Matt Corby, The Middle East and Thelma Plum, Bree Tranter is stepping out from the back line and into the spotlight. Anyone that has seen Bree Tranter live before will know this is guaranteed to be something special.
Tickets & Info: $12.75, more info here.
Lepers & Crooks
Where: UOW UniBar, Wollongong NSW
When: 8pm-12am, Thursday Nov 24
Why: Join the Lepers & Crooks crew as they celebrate the release of their latest and most intoxicating EP ‘The Heathen Circus’, packed with the kind of psychadelic swirls which are best heard live. Along for the ride are Blues rockers El Grande and trippy-art trio Dos Enos. This is a must see gig.
Tickets & Info: more info here.
Dumb Punts
Where: Karova Lounge, Ballarat Vic
When: 9pm-4am, Saturday Nov 26
Why: Everyone’s favourite Punts are hitting the road and this weekend they hit Ballarat’s famous Karova Lounge. Opening the night are local legends Tsugnarly and joining Dumb Punts for the entire tour are old mates, Department. Bringing nothing but good vibes and great tunes. As the Dumb Punts crew put it themselves “you’ve earnt yourself a f***** beer”
Tickets & Info: more info here.
