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 Pretty Littles & Neighbourhood Youth
Where: Rocket Bar, Adelaide SA
When: 9pm-5am Fri Nov 11
Why: Two of Melbourne’s best emerging bands head to Adelaide on the one bill, as The Pretty Littles continue to take their Soft Rock For The Anxious record on the road. Locals The New Yorks will also be there to support, with Cats DJs to follow until the early hours of the morning.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
Heart People & Buzz Kull
Where: Freda’s, Sydney NSW
When: 8pm-12am Sat Nov 12
Why: From former Canyons member Ryan Grieve and model and visual artist Rachel Rutt comes an exciting new multi-sensory project in Heart People, flanked on Saturday by Sydney synth/post-punk maestro Buzz Kull and DJs selected by style and tastemakers Pelvis.
Tickets & Info: $15, more info here.
The Laurels
Where: The Imperial Hotel, Sydney NSW
When: 8pm-6am Sat Nov 12
Why: The Laurels continue their Sonicology tour, finally making it back to their hometown of Sydney to play a gig with a few talented local mates in Mezko, Den and Machete Moon. It’ll be a triumphant return, and no doubt one of the highlights of the tour.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
Jaala
Where: Yah Yah’s, Melbourne VIC
When: 12pm-3am Fri Nov 12
Why: Having recently played a run of shows launching their new single ‘Junior Spirit’, jangly art-pop talents Jaala will be playing a special 2am show at Yah Yah’s this week, for only a tenner. Just think of all the stuff you can get done on your Friday evening before you even have to think about heading out for the show – magic!
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
Otis High
When: 8pm-12am Fri Nov 11
Why: Fresh from supporting the likes of Seth Sentry, Melbourne hip hop crew Otis High on the final stop of their ‘Freedom of Choice’ East Coast tour, playing a homecoming show with a talented roster of emcees in MiniCoop, Defron & Mr. Ruckman – a great night of hip hop for a bargain price.
Tickets & Info: $10, more info here.
Harvey Sutherland & More
Where: The Gasometer, Melbourne VIC
When: 3pm-3am Sat Nov 12
Why: Chatterbox is an event that seeks to put the spotlight firmly on “bro culture” and sexual assault in Australia – and is doing so with an amazing day of music. You get Harvey Sutherland (DJ), Prequel, DJ JNETT & Rambl, Brooke Powers, DANNY HOTEP and Jennifer Loveless all for just $13, so don’t miss this one.
Tickets & Info: $13, more info here.
The Ocean Party & More
Where: The Tote, Melbourne VIC
When: 8:30pm-1am Sat Nov 12
Why: Not only do you get one of our favourite local bands in The Ocean Party as they launch their new album Restless in their hometown, but you’ll also get to see the likes of Summer Flake, Big White and Jade Imagine in support – that’s a rock-solid night of music.
Tickets & Info: $15, more info here.
4ZZZ Happyfest
Where: Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane QLD
When:
Why: Sydney’s TEES join an assortment of great local talent for community radio station 4ZZZ’s yearly festy at the Mammoth, and it’s looking like another winner this year. Only ten bucks for subscribers, so if you’re a loyal listener there’s no excuse for missing this one!
Tickets & Info: $10/$15, more info here.
Small World Experience
Where: The Hotel Metro, Adelaide SA
When: 8:30-11:30pm Thu Nov 10
Why: Formerly-Brissy proto-indie pioneers Small World Experience are celebrating the reissue of two ’90s releases in Shelf-Life and Too Far Gone To Sell It, and will be heading to Adelaide for the first time to play some old classics, and some new ones from their upcoming LP Soft Knocks, supported by Workhorse and Goon Wizarrd.
Tickets & Info: more info here.
Atomic Riot
Where: Cherry Bar, Melbourne VIC
When: 8pm-5am Sat Nov 12
Why: Classic hair-metal hard-rocking glamlords and infamous pizza-lovers Atomic Riot are busting into Cherry Bar for their annual bash with Darcee Fox and Sydney’s The Lockhearts. Get your denim and your boots on for an unadulterated night of rock mayhem in – where else – AC/DC lane.
Tickets & Info: $13, more info here.
The Ruminaters
When: 8pm-12am Fri Nov 11
Why: Sydney psych/folk rockers are heading to The Gaso’s new upstairs room as they bring their affectionately-named ‘I Used To Hate The Ruminaters, Now I Like Them’ tour to Melbourne ahead of their set at Mountain Sounds Festival the following week. Tiny Giants will be along to support, so if you’re a hater too, head down and allow yourself to be convinced.
Tickets & Info: $15, more info here.
APES
When: 7pm-11:45pm Fri Nov 11
Why: Ballarat legends APES head to the Curtin this week for the first leg of their national tour, launching new single ‘If You Want It’, with some great supports in DIET. and Fountaineer in tow. Guaranteed to be one of the best gigs of the week, hands down.
Tickets & Info: $13.50, more info here.
