The Great Emu War Casualties and Double Vanity are teaming up for a free double-headline show at the Espy Basement.
Melbourne’s indie circuit loves a well-matched double bill, and this one brings together two acts from opposite ends of the spectrum. The Great Emu War Casualties and Double Vanity will share headline duties at the St Kilda venue on 21 May, offering a free evening that moves between art-rock grit and synth-driven atmospherics. Both acts have built dedicated local followings over recent years, making the pairing a strong option for anyone tuned into the city’s live scene.
The Great Emu War Casualties have spent the past few years forging a distinctive presence in Australian indie. The band fuse art-rock with detail-driven songwriting, threading intricate arrangements through lyrics rooted in sharp observation. Since their debut, they’ve earned support from Triple J, BBC, Fender and 2SER, and have become one of Melbourne’s most sought-after live acts.
The Great Emu War Casualties x Double Vanity
- 21 May
- Espy Basement, St Kilda, VIC
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Three-piece Double Vanity operate in an entirely different sonic space. The group arrived in 2020 and quickly built an identity around a self-coined sound they call airportwave. Blending nostalgic analogue tones with pulsing, minimal rhythms, their music sits at the crossroads of melancholic indie and understated disco. Synthesisers, expansive guitar lines and warm vocal arrangements converge in dense, atmospheric compositions that feel made for dim rooms and late hours.
The show is free to attend, with doors at 7:30pm. Entry is restricted to over-18s, and while no ticket purchase is required, an RSVP through the event listing is the smart move to secure a spot. Free shows at the Espy Basement have a habit of filling up without much warning, so getting your name down early is worth the effort.
With two distinct acts occupying separate corners of the indie map under the one roof, this is a strong midweek option for anyone chasing live music that doesn’t cost a thing. The Great Emu War Casualties bring the angular energy, Double Vanity bring the atmosphere, and the Espy Basement brings the room.
For more information, head here.
