SUMMER IS HERE! We have survived the long winter when leaving the house to go to a gig seems just about as appealing as flat ironing your face. Now it’s time to get thee to your nearest live music purveyor and yummy down on our picks for some of the best gigs to roll into your town in December. 

1. Sheer Mag shocking the shit outa you

These deliciously little venues are the perfect playground for Philly  punk band Sheer Mag, who are headlining their first Australian tour on the back of a particularly impressive debut EP. Get on the bandwagon early with this guys and smugly say you saw them first.

3rd – Fairgrounds Festival, Berry [Lic/AA]
3rd – RAD, Wollongong [18+]
4th – Disconnect Festival, Fairbridge Village [18+]
8th – The Brightside, Brisbane [18+]
9th – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba [18+]
10th – Meredith Music Festival, Meredith [18+] SOLD OUT
11th – The Tote, Collingwood [18+]

2. Raised Fist high kicking their way down the coast

The Raised Fist commander (as so affectionately coined himself) is headed to Australia shortly to make with some of the angriest music ever to come out of the icy isles of Sweden. Raised Fist’s better recording days may be behind them (not sure they can top Dedication) but they always deliver a most enviable live show that rarely laves us wanting.
1st – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle [18+]
2nd – Metro Theatre, Sydney [18+]
3rd – Max Watt’s, Melbourne [18+]
4th – Max Watt’s, Brisbane [18+]
7th – Fowlers Live, Adelaide [Lic/AA]
8th – Rosemount Hotel, Perth [18+]

3. Anti Flag playing For Blood and Empire

Anti-Flag will be celebrating the anniversary of their fifth studio album by playing the beast in it’s entirety as well as an encore of all audience requests. It’s a promise that promoters are banking on bringing in crowds, and it should work. For Blood and Empire was a cracker CD and one of their most divisive yet, though it feels all the more necessary in today’s political climate. SAVE US ANTI-FLAG!

5th – The Triffid, Brisbane [18+]
6th – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle [18+]
8th – The Factory Theatre, Marrickville [18+]
9th – Uni Bar, Adelaide [Lic/AA]
10th – Max Watt’s, Melbourne [18+]
11th – Amplifier Bar, Perth [18+]

4. Unwritten Law playing Elva

Even though Elva was a banger it admittedly heralded Unwritten Law’s slow and steady stroll into relative redundancy. Lucky they are savvy businessmen and have agreed to return to our country to play the 2002 album in full. But be warned, if you’re an Elva fan you may hardly recognise the band in front of you. Front man Scott Russo is the only original member of the beloved Californian chillers.

1st – Max Watt’s, Brisbane [18+]
2nd – Wharf Tavern, Sunshine Coast [18+]
3rd – Miami Tavern, Gold Coast [18+]
6th – Fowlers Live, Adelaide [18+]
8th – Entrance Leagues Club, Central Coast [18+]
9th – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle [18+]
10th – Max Watt’s, Sydney [18+]
11th – Corner Hotel, Richmond [18+]
14th – Capitol, Perth [18+]

5. DZ Deathrays and Ecca Vandal form a solid Aussie duo

DZ are never not a good time and their good sense of adding the most incredible miss Ecca Vandal as national support will pay off rather well. Expect max party vibes as we head into the holiday season.

9th – The Triffid, Brisbane [18+]
10th – YMCA HQ, Leederville [AA Arvo]
10th – Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth [18+]
15th – Factory Theatre, Marrickville [Lic/AA]
16th – Uni Bar, Adelaide [Lic/AA]
17th – The Croxton, Melbourne [U18 Arvo – 18+ Night]

6. Baroness, yes. 

Mates, have you heard their Purple album? For fucks….Don’t miss this.

7th – Metro Theatre, Sydney [18+]
8th – The Triffid, Brisbane [18+]
9th – Prince Bandroom, St Kilda [18+]
12th – The Gov, Adelaide [18+]
13th – Capitol, Perth [18+]

7. A Day To Remember with Issues and Tonight Alive

Danananana-na. Nananana-na. This tour is going to be a high octane, pop punk fest that will comfortable fill huge and heaving venues around the country. You’ll want to be in the thick of the pit when ADTR take the stage, regardless of room temperature.

10th – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth [Lic/AA]
13th – AEC Theatre, Adelaide [Lic/AA]
14th – Festival Hall, Melbourne [Lic/AA]
16th – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney [Lic/AA]
18th – Riverstage, Brisbane [Lic/AA]