Ezra Furman
Independent Venue Week swings into action this week, as does Getintothis‘ David Hall, to bring you the lowdown on everything Liverpool has to offer.
It’s barely even the end of January, and we’ve already stumbled across our first festival-like experience of 2018 in Independent Venue Week. Think of it as an entree to Sound City‘s return to its multi-venue setup in the summer.
It’s a gimmick, and who doesn’t like a gimmick?!
We kid, of course. Out of all of the metro festivals, gig series’ and themed weeks we can think of, this is up there with the best of them. You get to support your independent venues and get some sweet shows in return.
While we’re sure those folks over at the likes of Academy Music Group work hard, there can be more than a whiff of an evil corporation when you hand over a five pound note at the bar, and that doesn’t cover the cost of a pint.
So do get involved if you can, and support your independent venues. At least until some moneymaker comes and ruins it like they did with Record Store Day.
False Advertising
False Advertising: The Jacaranda, Monday January 29
Kicking off a host of gigs for Independent Venue Week in the city, False Advertising play Slater Street hangout the Jacaranda in an excellent school night line up by CMD presents.
With Deja Vega, SPARK and Spilt all on support duties, it’s bound to be a rawkus Monday night out that you won’t regret, no matter how sore your head is the next day.
Pale Rider – ones to watch in 2018
Stealing Sheep, Pale Rider, Silent K, Vain Male: EBGBS, Tuesday January 30
With their new album hopefully not to far away, Stealing Sheep headline one of two Getintothis nights in the week, as they head down to EBGBS on January 31, with the dazzling electro pop set to entice many to the venues depths.
Stealing Sheep have become somewhat of a DJ-ing live draw in recent months with Becky, Emily and Lucy dropping in live orchestration and their vocals into a mix of grime, exotic pop, heavy hip hop and chart friendly blockbusters packing dance floors at Festival Number 6 and Fiesta Bombarda on New Years Eve at the Invisible Wind Factory.
Joining the trio will be three of the city’s finest new acts as former Zutons frontman Dave McCabe brings his enigmatic new project Silent K alongside rising cinematic rock and rollers Pale Rider and electronica maestro Vain Male.
Nadine Shah
Nadine Shah: Leaf On Bold Street, Thursday, February 1
The last time was saw Nadine Shah was on a blowy night in the docklands last summer, when she supported the legendary John Cale for his 50th anniversary Velvet Underground show.
That was just before the release of her third album Holiday Destination, which should fit in right on the Liverpool leg of her UK tour, addressing as it does issues of Syrian families, gentrification, “a fascist in the White House,” Islamophobia, and politicians’ demonization of the north of England.
Scarlet
Scarlet: The Shipping Forecast, Friday February 2
A mighty line up from the brave folk over at Evol, who team fast-rising power pop four piece Scarlet with the doomy, noisy Manchester firebrands Witch Fever (boss; check ’em out), local eccentrics Mad Alice (also boss; check them out) and You Want Fox into one not-to-be missed night.
A Shipping Forecast Friday night out is bound to go down a treat, all in the name of Independent Venue Week.
Moon Duo
Moon Duo: District, Friday February 2
Spacey San Franciscan two-piece Moon Duo touch down in Liverpool, establish a base of operations at the not inconsiderable confines of the Baltic Triangle’s District venue. More accustomed to its use as a stage for Psych Fest, District somehow seems an appropriate setting for the psychedelic drones of Moon Duo.
Support comes scene veteran Lo Five who is set to warm the crowd up, with relative newcomers God on my right following, to bring their industrial electronica to the fray.
Frank Turner
Frank Turner: EBGBs, Saturday February 3
We’re loving the Independent Venue Week line up; there’s a definite charm to its ramshackle nature and the hastily strung together feel of what’s on offer.
If there must be a headliner however – and there must – then surely it must be Frank Turner, downsizing considerably into the confines of EBGBS. Now you didn’t hear it from us, but apparently doors are 5:30pm and Turner steps onstage at 6:30pm, alright mate?
Pure Joy
Pure Joy, Jo Mary, The Blurred Sun Band: Jacaranda Records, Saturday February 3
We haven’t heard from Wirral psych crew Pure Joy in some time, and they pop their heads back above the parapet for a Jac show to remember.
With the sensational Jo Mary and psychedelic guitar groove merchants The Blurred Sun Band both on the bill and firm Getintothis favourite, there’s a lot to like about this Saturday night slot.
Peach Fuzz
Peach Fuzz, The Mysterines: EBGBs, Saturday February 3
You might remember late last year the exact same line up being curated by Evol for a manic show in Sound Basement. Well now you get to enjoy it all over again, in another basement.
This show was moved from The Magnet, with all original tickets still honoured. Unless EBGBs don’t like the look of you, of course. It all kicks off at the more traditional hour of 7:30pm.
Ezra Furman
Ezra Furman: Arts Club, Sunday February 4
Precocious and prolific Chicagoan Ezra Furman returns to Liverpool a little over two years on from his last Arts Club visit.
In the time since, Furman has fairly frothed with new music, dropping two EPs in the meantime and now readying the release of his new album Transangelic Exodus barely a week after his Merseyside night out. It’s bound to be a good one, so get in there.
Salt The Snail
Rounding up the best of the rest in Getintothis‘ Gigbites, we’d advise you to check your usual sources, as Independent Venues Week is packing some pretty wacky stage times:
- The Jackobins: EBGBs, Wednesday January 31
- Good Problems, Nikki & The Waves, The Leftback, Disastronauts: Zanzibar, Wednesday January 31
- Seprona, Michael Halpin, Salvador, Harry Miller: Zanzibar, Thursday February 1
- The Lost Brothers: Leaf On Bold Street, Friday February 2
- Liverpool Acoustic Live 9th Birthday Featuring Lee Southall, Keith Lally, Lydia Higham a Michael Aldag: 81 Renshaw, Friday February 2
- Katie Mac, Neildsy, Maddie Stenberg, Arno, Samurai Kip: Zanzibar, Friday February 2
- Snailmania – Salt the Snail, Bisch Nadar, Vuromantics: The Jacaranda, Friday February 2
- The Weather Station: Liverpool Central Library, Saturday February 3
- The Night Café: Arts Club, Saturday February 3
- The Racket: The Magnet, Saturday February 3
- Brothers Of Mine, Takotsubo Men, Lola: Zanzibar, Saturday February 3
- Columbia, Paul Nilson Jnr: Zanzibar, Sunday February 4
Upcoming gigs to keep an eye on:
Beth Orton
Beth Orton: Arts Club, Wednesday February 7
We’re getting closer and closer to what will surely be one of February’s highlights as Liverpool sees the return of folktronica pioneer Beth Orton. The Norfolk born, California based singer songwriter has seven studio albums under her belt, with 2016’s Kidsticks bigging up the electronic side to her sound, and produced by Fuck Buttons man Andrew Hung.
Orton presents a super-exclusive seven-date UK tour, with Liverpool and Sheffield the only English cities visited outside of London. The gig is a collaboration between Evol and Harvest Sun Promotions, so with a pedigree like that, you know it will be a belter.
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