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’s 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.
Pikelet
Where? The Toff In Town, Level 2, Curtin House, 252 Swanston St, Melbourne
When? Sunday May 11th, 7:00pm
Why? If you’re looking for the best gift possible for Mother’s Day, why not drag the old duck to The Toff and catch the spacey beats of Pikelet? The night has been described by the Melbourne outfit themselves, “this is going to be a sorta seeya later maybe see what happens kinda gig. Come hang with us just in case this is the end.” If this is to be the untimely (but surely unlikely) end, Pikelet are doing it in style as Angel Eyes, True Strength and Alyx Dennison round out the bill to what will be a cracking evening. We’re certain after this set, Mum will bump you right to the top of her favourite kids list!
Tickets & Info: $10, https://www.facebook.com & http://tickets.thetoffintown.com
Ouch My Face
Where? The Tote, 71 Johnston Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? Friday 9th May, 9:00pm
Why? Had a long week and ready to let out some steam? Or just really dig hard-hitting punk? You best make your way to The Tote to start your weekend. Fronted by the screeching Celeste Potter, Ouch My Face are a Melbourne three-piece who throw fistfuls of hardcore fury that’ll knock you flat on your ass. Supports include: Mangelwurzel, Heads of Charm, and Udays Tiger. Rolled together, this is an evening of raw punk/grunge/thrash/noise rock that is NOT for the faint hearted.
Tickets & Info: $10, http://thetotehotel.com & https://www.facebook.com
Salad Boys
Where? The Fitzroy Pinnacle Hotel, 251 St. Georges Road, Fitzroy North, Melbourne
When? Thursday 8th May
Why? Alright, this may not exactly be local, but New Zealand is just a stretch over the Tasman and our chilled out neighbours are providing us with some super coasty jangle rock – the kind Melbournites cannot get enough of. The Kiwi crew deliver those kind of ‘kick back in a pub with a pint’ tunes that are suited to a Thursday night. Jumping in on the fun is Melbourne’s own Popolice. This is the Christchurch locals’ first foray into international touring, why not make it a memorable one? Oh, did we mention it’s FREE!?
Tickets & Info: Free Event, https://www.facebook.com/TheFitzroyPinnacle
Chela
Where? Beach Road Hotel, 71 Beach Road Bondi Beach, Sydney
When? Wednesday 7th May, 8:00pm
Why? The alt-pop songstress has been killing it on her national tour. With only a few legs left, Sydneysiders at long last get their chance to catch the infectiously fresh jams of this Melbournian for the low, low price of… nothing! The nu-pop wiz’s sound draws from funky-electronica to 90s RnB, producing beats that are impossible not to tap your feet to. That’s not all you’ll get for Chela’s free humpday special, as Tink and Hitting Trees round out the evening, too.
Tickets & Info: Free Event, http://beachroadbondi.com.au & https://www.facebook.com
Made In Japan
Where? Oxford Arts Factory, 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, Sydney
When? Thursday 8th May, 8:00pm
Why? Sydney, if you’re looking to support some of your homegrown talent this week – we’ve got you sorted. Made In Japan are a four-piece that emit a stunning palette of dream-pop meets post-rock, complimented with effortless vocals that come together in the smoothest of sonic bliss. For a steal – well, $10 – you’ll also bare witness to the likes of Thieves, Civilians, Hattie Carroll and Kid Zeus! Cruise into your Friday in a Made In Japan state of zen.
Tickets & Info: $10, http://www.moshtix.com.au & http://www.oxfordartfactory.com
The Bacchanales
Where? Black Bear Lodge, Level 1, 322 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley Mall, Brisbane
When? Thursday 8th May, 8:00pm
Why? Brisbane brothers The Bacchanales are more than practiced in the art of the ‘big guitar sound of the nineties’ – best likened to legends Pearl Jam and The Smashing Pumpkins. The quartet deliver nostalgia-tinged, alt-rock jams that could comfortably fill stadiums with ease. After receiving much acclaim for their single ‘Why It Stopped Raining’, the boys are gearing up this Thursday to launch their debut self-titled record. Warming the Black Bear Lodge are Chinatown Carpack and Magenta Voyeur.
Tickets & Info: $8, http://www.blackbearlodge.com.au
Punk Ass Kids: Love Cream, Filthy Lucre & Jungle City
Where? Rocket Bar/Rooftop 142 Hindley St, Adelaide
When? Wednesday May 7th, 9:00pm
Why? Adelaide, start your engines, we’ve got a cracker for your mid-week evening. Punk Ass Kids is, as one can more than likely assume, an evening dedicated entirely to punk rock. Headlining the event are none other than glam rock revivalists Love Cream who, as the band state, are here to “return all things ballsy back to music.” The party also includes Filthy Lucre, a grimy two-piece that bang out a bruising blend of blues and rock’n’roll, whilst Alice Springs originals Jungle City start the fire, providing their high-energy and fat-riffs to the extravaganza.
Tickets & Info: $7, https://www.facebook.com
May Sound Travels: Catbrush, Melbin, Rum Jungle & The Pissedcolas
Where? The Bird, 181 William Street, Northbridge, Perth
When? Friday May 9th, 8:00pm
Why? If there’s a better way to start your weekend in Perth than seeing some live music, we don’t wanna hear about it. This Friday will witness with the coming together of four very adored WA acts, starting with grungey trio Catbrush whom have drawn bold comparison to the likes of early groaning PJ Harvey, an accolade emphatically warranted. Threepiece The Pissedcolas will present their head-bangin’ surfy-punk jams as well performances by Melbin (the solo project by ex ‘Oregano Gazebo’ Matt Saville) and Rum Jungle. For a scant $5, you’d be mad not to.
Tickets & Info: $5, http://www.williamstreetbird.com & https://www.facebook.com
