Liverpool music gig guide: Natalie Imbruglia, British Sea Power, Husky Loops and much more

With fabulous February in full swing and absolutely nobody calling it fabulous February, Getintothis‘ David Hall wonders if you now believe a word about the fantastic gigs on offer this week.

It might be the shortest month, but February has been pretty good to us so far. It’s all downhill from here though.

Oh, don’t get us wrong, this week is probably amongst the strongest lineup in terms of gig choices we’ve had this year so far. Even without the carrot of Independent Venue Week, it’s a bristling guide we’ve got in store for you this time around.

Some impressively big names come to these shores in the next seven days or so, with nostalgia at one end and brand new music at the other of the spectrum of what’s on offer this week.

So whether you’re an old punk – or indeed a new punk – an acoustic navel gazer or a chart-led baa lamb, there’s a lot to be glad about.

Why’s it all downhill? It’s that hollow corporate circle jerk the BRIT Awards next week, so that’s brilliant.

Natalie Imbruglia: O2 Academy, Monday February 12

Australian singer and actress Natalie Imbruglia has clearly got a fucking painting stashed in her attic as she hasn’t aged a day since the height of her fame.

See if Imbruglia‘s surprisingly depthy back catalogue – five albums big on creative songwriting is no mean feat for a chart-climbing pop performer – stands the live test at an O2 Academy outing. Maybe, just maybe, she’ll sing Torn. Fingers crossed.

Willy Mason: 81 Renshaw, Wednesday February 14

If you’re one of the lucky few with tickets to this sold out show, you’ll have the privilege of spending Valentine’s night in the company of American singer-songwriter Willy Mason.

The performer shot to fame with his debut Where The Humans Eat album featuring the breakthrough Oxygen, which hit back in 2005. Nina Violet is perfectly paired on support duties.

China Crisis: Epstein Theatre, Friday February 16

The scouse 80s big hitters China Crisis once ruled the airwaves back when there were such things to rule with hits such as Wishful Thinking and Christian, paving the way for new wave icons like OMD, The Teardrop Explodes and A Flock of Seagulls to break through.

With a hiatus now four years in the past and seven studio albums under their belt, relive some glory years in the Epstein this Friday.

The Magic Roundabout #1 featuring Big Bambora, The Holograms, Bedside Manners: Sound Food And Drink, Friday February 16

Promising the best new music lineups monthly, The Magic Roundabout gig night kicks off this weekend with slick alternative radio rock in waiting Big Bambora, plus local indie four piece The Holograms and Bedside Manners weighing in with support.

Magic Roundabout parts two and three are already nailed on for the upcoming months also, with increasingly impressive lineups taking in Maddy Storm, Liines and Seegulls in store. Stay tuned for more on each as they happen.

The Down and Outs: HUS, Friday February 16

To celebrate the release of a fifth album on Valentines Day, local punk power trio The Down And Outs wet the record’s head at HUS with Double Negative just two days old. Aww.

In support are Liverpool pop-punks Pardon Us, Yorkshire hardcore crew Natterers, and local act Puzzle, who have more than a decade together under their belts.

British Sea Power: O2 Academy, Friday February 16

It’s a big one, as the Brighton-based eccentrics British Sea Power hit town. Now unbelievably in their eighteenth year as a group who released their seventh album in Let the Dancers Inherit the Party last year.

That doesn’t even take into account their soundtrack work on projects like Man of Aran and From the Sea to the Land Beyond, so their O2 Academy date is bound to be an eclectic affair full of songs you know and some you don’t.

Husky Loops: Sound Food And Drink, Saturday February 17

Pleasingly crisp and unusual-sounding post punk three piece Husky Loops have potential to go places, having last year being announced as securing a place at SXSW 2018.

They’re also on the road as part of a UK tour, stopping off at Liverpool’s Sound Basement as a second port of call. The Italian art rockers might just be the next big thing, so get down there and find out for yourself.

As if all of that weren’t enough, we’re hitting you with those Getintothis‘ Gigbites upside the head, so stay light on your toes:

• The Script: Echo Arena, Monday February 12
• The Wombats: Hangar 34, Monday February 12
• Martin Carr: Leaf On Bold Street, Tuesday February 13
• Paceshifters: Sound Food And Drink, Thursday February 15
• Emilio Pinchi High Times single launch: Studio 2, Thursday February 15
• Icons Of The 80s featuring Go West!, Nik Kershaw, Cutting Crew: Philharmonic Hall, Friday February 16
• Cabbage: The Magnet, Friday February 16
• 47SOUL: 24 Kitchen Street, Friday February 16
• Strange Bones, Three From Above, The Slumdogs, SPILT: EBGBs, Saturday February 17

Upcoming gigs to keep an eye on:

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry: Arts Club, Tuesday March 13

Still unbelievably not sold out, which means you can still get your hands on tickets to see an actual living legend, reggae pioneer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is set to bring + vibes only to the Arts Club next month.

Watch an 80-odd year old man skank like the best of them while his band chock out intense riddims, all while his otherworldly toasts-slash-rants on themes such as aliens, judgement, justice and corruption, sex and self proclamation all carry you to other realms. From Genesis to Revelation, here he comes to dub the nation!

[paypal-donation]

Comments

comments