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.
The Harpoons
Where? The Workers Club, 51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Friday 8th August
Why? We’re spoilt for choice in Melbourne this weekend with quite a cocktail of genres that’ll tickle just about anyone’s fancy. If RnB and soulful beats are your flavour, The Harpoons are your liquor this Friday night. The incredibly talented four-piece are stoked to launch their seductive new single, ‘Can We Work This Out.’ The band’s supports include the self-proclaimed “Shamanic Disco, Synthesised Boogie, Smokey Jams, Bunga Bunga” of Total Giovanni, the eclectic ‘Get Wit U’ productions of Caspian Joseph whilst DJ Yung Phos spins vinyl into the wee hours. We admit, we’re breaking the $15 rule by 30 cents, but trust us, this gig will be bloody worth it.
Tickets & Info: $15.30 www.facebook.com & http://tickets.oztix.com.au
Rat & Co W/ Blunk Visuals, S i l e n t j a y & LUCIANBLOMKAMP
Where? The Shadow Electric, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, Melbourne
When? 7:30pm, Friday 8th August
Why? In July the legendary folk of The Shadow Electric announced that their bandroom would become a fully fledged live music venue, hosting gigs every week. The inaugural event to kickstart this adored Melbourne venue is an absolute cracker and you’re definitely going to want to be there. Headlined by Melbourne’s favourite ambient specialists Rat & Co whom will be accompanied by trance visuals of Blunk, this artistic combination will come together to create a hypnotising, mind-bending experience. If that’s not enough, the lush electronica of S i l e n t j a y, who’s set ‘Thump’ is a must-hear, as well as beatsman LUCIANBLOMKAMP with his schizophrenic ‘Help Me Out’ will round out this technology aged party.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & http://tix.shadowelectric.com.au
The Controllers & I, Said The Sparrow
Where? The Espy, 11 The Esplande, St. Kilda, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Saturday 9th August
Why? Are you looking to break into the acting world? Well, have we got the gig for you. Emo tinged alt-rockers The Controllers are celebrating their brand-spanking new single ‘Nina Fell In Love’ and they want you to star in their film clip. All you’ve got to do is make your way to The Espy in St. Kilda this Saturday night and be prepared for night of raucous tunes. In addition to this, Perth “death pop” outfit I, Said The Sparrow will first blow apart the Espy frontroom with their emotionally charged pop-punk anthems like ‘I’m A Villian And I’m Online.’ Further supports include Shadowgame and The Spitting Swallows. Did we mention this is free?
Tickets & Info: Free show, www.facebook.com, www.espy.com.au
The McQueens
Where? The Toff In Town, 2/252 Swanston St, Melbourne CBD
When? 7:30pm, Saturday 9th August
Why? If you’re chasing a laid back evening of cruisy indie rock this Saturday night, the four lads of The McQueens have got you covered. Taking to the intimate stage of The Toff the boys will soar through tracks form their Return To Laughter EP, featuring the smashing ‘Hannah.’ Igniting the flame for the evening will be pop-rock maestro Albert Salt, responsible for ‘Riddles Come Undone,’ a beat that is quite literally impossible not to move your feet to. But that’s not all, Melbourne garage-poppers Halcyon Drive and Trophy Wife will be warming the stage. All of this for 10 clams, man, you can’t even get a pint for that price no more.
Tickets & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & http://tickets.thetoffintown.com
Rita Satch
Where? FBi Social Kings Cross Hotel, 248 William Street, Kings Cross
When? 8.00pm, Thursday 7th August
Why? She’s drawn warranted comparisons from pop songstress Kimbra to the late, great jazz-pop revivalist Amy Winehouse, she is Melbourne’s Miss Rita Satch. This modern day siren is burning up the East coast to celebrate the release of her jaw-dropping self-titled EP, featuring the powerful jam ‘Not Ready For Love,’ and Sydneysiders, you would be insane to miss it. In a night that is solely dedicated to the fresh sounds of up and coming female artists, fellow soul-jazz melder Lana Rita and Celtic tinged folk extraordinare Hannah Robinson will make this an evening to remember.
Tickets & Info: $12.00, www.facebook.com & http://fbisocial.fatsoma.com
Drunk Mums
Where? Beach Road Hotel, 71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach, Sydney
When? 8:00pm, Friday 8th August
Why? It’s the end of humpday and you really need to let the hair down? Well, there ain’t no better way than banging around a mosh or slopping a pint around to Melbourne “bogan punk” legends, Drunk Mums. Taking their Rodney-rude, rowdy and all-round right-off live show to Beach Road, this is the perfect excuse to get super loose while you get your dose of ‘Vitamin D.’ In the most fitting of supports, Sydney contemporaries The Hollow Bones will be bashing through the introductory set of the night with their garage punk sounds. Maybe leave Mum at home for this one, unless she’s a drunk..
Tickets & Info: Free Show, www.facebook.com & http://beachroadbondi.com.au
Moana
Where? The Bird, 181 William St, Northbridge, Perth
When? 8:00pm, Friday, 8th August
Why? Fronted by the howling Moana Lutton, this three-piece create a murky, dangerous atmosphere of timeless grunge and desert blues that harkens to the early days of English songstress PJ Harvey. This Friday the trio will be taking their mesmerising live show to The Bird to premiere the video from the opening track of their Mouthful Of Birds EP, ‘The Killer, My Girl.’ As Perth never do gigs on a small scale, three rockin’ supports PUCK, Old Blood, and Golden String will make this the perfect way to open your weekend.
Tickets & Info: $5.00 www.facebook.com & www.blackbearlodge.com.au
You
Where? The Bearded Lady, 138 Boundary St, West End, Brisbane
When? 7:00pm, Thursday 7th August
Why? Nothing trumps a free live show, especially when the artists performing before you are of exceptional quality. (Hell, it almost feels wrong not to pay!) For the lucky of folk of Brisbane, you’re in for the grandest of treats as local two-piece You present their brooding, dark textured dream-pop experience this Thursday night. You’ve got to dig the incendiary saxophone laden tune ‘Caprice’, (which has left this writer speechless)! No Magic will be taking to the stage bright and early with Dag closing the evening. Get down and have your mind blown, it’s not gonna cost you a cent.
Tickets & Info: Free Entry, www.facebook.com, www.thebeardedlady.com.au
The Dunes
Where? Grace Emily Hotel, 232 Waymouth St, Adelaide
When? 8:00, Friday 8th August
Why? Dream-pop and shoegaze lovers of Adelaide, grab a pencil and etch this one into the back of your hand. Needing no introduction, local outfit The Dunes are knee-deep in their residency at the Grace Emily Hotel, charming audiences with their melodic wave of ethereal sonic beauty (just try ‘Red Leaves’ and hear for yourself.) Opening for the dreamgaze five-piece are psychedlic trippers, Buried Feather.
Tickets & Info: www.facebook.com
