Jarvis Cocker
It’s a blockbuster week for gigs, so Getintothis‘ David Hall opens up the box office and counts the stubs for this week’s silver screen experiences.
Much like the movie industry – see what we did there – the gig scene has a few sleeper hits in January and earlier on in the year. But if you really want to see those movies (er, gigs… shit, this analogy is breaking down fast) that will gain all the critical plaudits, you’ve got to wait for around the Easter weekend.
Well, here we are, and the Merseyside gig scene is certainly not disappointing. It really feels like we made it through a winter of discontent and we’ve arrived in some pastoral imagining of happiness, daffodils and the sun still being out on the way to gigs.
This is genuinely one of those weeks where we could have focused on each and every one of these live dates and written a paragraph about each. But let’s face it, ain’t nobody got time for that.
We couldn’t write it, and you certainly haven’t got all the time in the world to sit through and read that. So drink in every one of these gig choices, then don’t hesitate to pour over the listings too, there’s some real gems.
Jarvis Cocker
Jarvis Cocker: Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre, Wednesday April 4
The time has come. After a surprise announcement and a feverish scramble for tickets, Jarvis Cocker bowls up to Merseyside for one of the most hotly anticipated gigs of the year.
In the unique surroundings of the Williamson Tunnels, the former Pulp frontman brings his newest project JARV out for a spin, and we couldn’t be more thrilled about the whole situation.
Jeffrey Lewis
Jeffrey Lewis: Leaf On Bold Street, Wednesday April 4
Lo-fi guy Jeffrey Lewis follows up last year’s scintillating Howl At the Moon appearance with a Leaf date curated by the one and only Harvest Sun Promotions.
The ultra-prolific anti-folk hero plays those familiar Bold Street digs with his backing band Los Bolts, sure to put the screws on you midweek.
Sun Ra at the Bluecoat
Sun Ra Arkestra: 24 Kitchen Street, Thursday April 5
A unique proposition here for anybody looking for something out of the ordinary. Since 1958, the Arkestra has been dispatching astral jams that zip from jazz to honky tonk, through soul and ragtime blues.
The legendary Arkestra has been led by 89 year old saxophonist Marshall Allen since eponymous composer and free spirit Sun Ra blasted off from this mortal realm back in 1993. If you like religious sci-fi jazz freakouts, consider Kitchen Street your crash site this week.
Bahamas (photo credit: Emmett Malloy)
Bahamas: Leaf On Bold Street, Thursday April 5
Canadian born Afie Jurvanen, better known by his stage name Bahamas, is due to hit Leaf this week with his new album Earthtones in orbit.
Enjoying greater success than ever in 2018, it seems only right that Bahamas brings another talented solo artist with him. Of The Valley is on support duties, who recently dropped his new single Quiet And Curious, and joins Bahamas on all UK and European tour dates.
SPINN
Spinn: Arts Club, Friday April 6
The self-described connoisseurs of jangly dream pop Spinn launch their debut EP at the Arts Club this week.
The quartet’s self-titled EP drops on the day of the gig, following a short tour taking in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Thom Morecroft
Ewan McLennan, Thom Morecroft: 81 Renshaw, Friday April 6
London born Edinburgh bred Ewan McLennan is one of the country’s premier roots folk acts, with four albums to his name since arriving on the scene in 2010. His latest album Breaking The Spell Of Loneliness was released in 2016 and featured collaboration with author George Monbiot.
In support comes singer songwriter originally from hailing from Shrewsbury Thom Morecroft, who now calls Liverpool home.
Queen Zee
Queen Zee: Shipping Forecast, Saturday April 7
Near sold out but with some tickets still remaining if you want to get down to catch what is bound to be an explosive show, the hardest working band in Sassden Queen Zee headline the Shipping Forecast.
Having made waves on a virgin UK tour lately, the glam space punks return to Merseyside for a hometown show backed by Pete Bentham and the Dinner Ladies plus Mincemeat.
Honourable mentions one and all go to the following dates, with Getintothis‘ Gigbites a veritable list of worthy nominees this week:
Gregory Porter
- Stranger Cole, Neville Staple, The Paradimes: O2 Academy, Friday April 6
- Hayley McKay: Zanzibar, Friday April 6
- Girli: Sound Food And Drink, Friday April 6
- Shame: District, Friday April 6
- Jethro Tull: Echo Arena Auditorium, Saturday April 7
- Nick Harper: Leaf On Bold Street, Saturday April 7
- Gregory Porter: Empire Theatre, Saturday April 7
- The Bohos: Studio 2, Saturday April 7
Upcoming gigs to keep an eye on:
Constellations
On The Corner festival: Constellations, Friday April 27 – Sunday April 29
Check out this creamy little bowl of goodness for a mini festival lineup in the Baltic Triangle to get you in the mood for Sound City‘s return to home ground in the summer.
In the meantime, On The Corner serves up funk, soul, hip hop and jazz over three days at Constellations, plus afterparties across the Baltic. Laura Misch, Vels Trio, Yazmin Lacey and Werkha are amongst those who will be laying down sets. Snap up some tickets to enjoy the inaugural edition of this soulful weekender, and with prices starting at just £8, what excuse is there to not do?
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