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.
I’lls
Where? The Workers Club, 51 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Thursday 6th November
Why? A few weeks back Melbourne three-piece I’lls dropped their stunning 2-track release Fifty-Phiphti/Asakusa and it blew our minds. The first tune, ‘Fifty-Phiphti’ lifts listeners high above the clouds, with blissful, chilling basic synth loops that are deeply immersing. The latter beat ‘Asaukusa’ is a more orient-inspired track ‘Asakusa’ is as the name suggests, a more orient-inspired piece, laden with Asia-inspired chimes, the lush track progresses soundly as faint, hushed vocals soothingly loop in and out of focus. We’re a little too obsessed with these guys and are super stoked to catch their brand new live show. Supports include Darcey Baylis and Ara Koufax DJs.
Tickets & Info: $15.00, www.facebook.com & http://theworkersclub.com.au
Bedroom Suck Records 5th Birthday: Love Of Diagrams, Terrible Truths, Gloss + More
Where? Goodgod Small Club, 53-55 Liverpool Street, Sydney
When? 7:00pm, Friday 7th November
Why? Heads up Sydney, you have got quite possibly the best night of live music in the country for under 15 bones this week. Brizzy-based label Bedroom Sucks Records recently blew out five birthday candles and threw a killer party in their hometown, and now they want to spread the love. Kicking-off the weekend in ultimate style, this evening will be headlined by Melbourne three-piece Love Of Diagrams, who will be performing their enticing fuzz tunes like ‘In My Dream‘ as well as fresh tracks from their forthcoming record BLAST which was recorded with none other than Steve Albini. But wait, there’s more, with the likes of Terrible Truths, Gloss, Martyr Privates and Superstar all contributing to an insane night of high quality live music. You win this round, Sydney.
Tickets & Info: $12.00, www.facebook.com & www.goodgodgoodgod.com
NurseFest: Mercury White, Young Offenders + More
Where? The Tote, 67-71 Johnston Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 3:00pm, Sunday 9th November
Why? The Royal District Nursing Service are an organisation who provide home nursing and healthcare for people to allow greater independence and easier transitions from the hospital to the home. This weekend the legendary folk of The Tote are throwing one hell of a charity event, beginning in the arvo of Sunday to raise funds for the hard-working group. For the donation of $12.00, one gets a free BBQ lunch as well as performances from9 different bands including Mercury White, Young Offenders, Boogie Monster, Hyperdrones, Third Earth, Plastic Spaceman, Greenthief, FOLEY! and Poison Fish
Entry & Info: $12.00 www.facebook.com & http://thetotehotel.com
Apollo’s Son
Where? Mojo’s Bar, 237 Queen Victoria St, North Fremantle
When? 6:00pm, Sunday 9th November
Why? What is there left to say about the incredible music that continually spills from Western Australia? This weekend local five-piece Apollo’s Son are set to hypnotise Perth punters with their luscious neo-psychedelica soundscapes best found on the rumbling ‘Mirror Of Ra.’ The band have selected pals Late Night Hysterics, Baskervilles and Ohayo as supports to ensure this Sunday evening show is not to be forgotten. And for the dirty-cheap price of a fiver, one would have to be insane to miss such what promises to be one helluva show.
Entry & Info: $5.00, www.facebook.com & www.mojosbar.com.au
Roxy Lavish And The Suicide Cult
Where? The Grace Darling Hotel, 114 Smith Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 8:30pm, Friday 7th November
Why? It’s the beginning of the weekend and you’re searching for a night of live music you can groove to, don’t worry, we got you covered. Roxy Lavish and the Suicide Cult are a mysterious blues-psych outfit who produce mind-bending tunes that’ll coax the most still of punters up on their feet, just dig ‘Four Horns Lake‘ as emphatic evidence. The group will be in high spirits as they celerbate the release of their debut record, Join Us Or Die Alone, which will be given out for free to all patrons. Getting things started for the band are The Beegles and Small Town Fiasco.
Entry & Info: $10.00, www.facebook.com & http://thegracedarlinghotel.com.au
Rock The Horse: Babaganouj, Waax, The Ninjas + More
Where? Rocking Horse Records, 245 Albert Street, Brisbane
When? 12:00pm, Saturday 8th November
Why? The lucky folk of Brisbane are up for a real fine treat this Saturday as Rocking Horse Records are a hosting an all-ages free event for live music fans in their “rock dungeon.” The line-up features some of the city’s best up and coming talent, headlined by the including winners of the 2014 Amplify competition Babaganouj who are responsible for the ultra-indie rock tune ‘Bluff.’ Additional acts also include Waax, The Ninjas, The Ninjas, Baskervillain and Doom Mountain. We couldn’t think of a better way to spend the day.
Entry & Info: Free Entry, www.facebook.com & www.visitbrisbane.com.au
Lowtide
Where? The Gasometer Hotel, 484 Smith Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
When? 8:00pm, Friday 7th November
Why? This Melbourne four-piece are running hot at the moment as their self-titled eponymous record was nominated for The Amp (Australian Music Prize). Lowtide will be delivering one of their jaw-dropping performances this Friday night in support of releasing their space voyage track, ‘Wedding Ring‘. The local crew will be painting the newly refurbished Gasometer Hotel with their dreamy shoegaze sonics as the Flyying Colours and Tender Bones warm the stage first.
Tickets & Info: $12.00, www.facebook.com & www.thegasometerhotel.com.au
Tora
Where? Pirie Street Social Club, 121 Pirie Street, Adelaide
When? 9:00pm, Saturday 8th November
Why? Dear Adelaide, let us (re)introduce to you one of the finest purveyors of chillwave in Aussie music: Tora. The Byron Bay quintet recently dropped their sparking EP Eat The Sun and as such, have embarked on a giant national tour to promote the record. Arriving in Adelaide in the smack-bang middle of the weekend, one can expect to hear fresh tracks from the new release, including the stunning title track ‘Eat The Sun.’ This is not an event to be missed.
Tickets & Info: $13.70, www.facebook.com & www.moshtix.com.au
The Tiger & Me
Where? The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville, Sydney
When? 7:30pm, Friday 7th November
Why? Melbourne indie-pop favourites The Tiger and Me have been smashing it on the touring circuit over the past 18 months, charming hearts around the nation with their infectious tunes and their energetic live performances. Just last month the band dropped their new single ‘Call Me On Your Own‘ and to celebrate, they have once again hit the open road to deliver their dynamic live show across the nation. Sydneysiders are treated this Friday night as the quintet alongside Adelaide four-piece Bearded Gypsy Band who are releasing their debut EP.
Tickets & Info: $12.00, www.facebook.com & www.factorytheatre.com.au
