Liverpool music gig guide: Seatbelts, !!! (Chk Chk Chk), Gazelle and much more

As the summer tightens its grip, Getintothis‘ David Hall reports on how July goes out with a bang on the Merseyside gig scene.

That was an exciting week now, wasn’t it? Not every day does a former Beatle return to his hometown to play a surprise gig. Let’s just ignore the fact that it ended up the worst kept secret in Liverpool. For a little while, it was truly special, and we can’t pretend we’re not anything but jealous of anyone who made it in to The Cavern.

Whatever your opinions on Paul McCartney – current prevailing wisdom seems to be that his contribution to popular music ended in 1970, which is a tad unfair – you’ve got to hand it to him. Coming back to Liverpool for a Q&A session with LIPA students is a classy touch. McCartney obviously still holds a special place in his heart for LIPA. So even if you do lumber him with the tag that he’s not a ‘proper Scouser’, his visits to the institution show that he hasn’t forgotten his roots.

It’s cool to have a jibe at the guy. Yes, his solo and non-Beatles projects do have a tendency for naffness. But this is the dude who almost single-handedly put together Side 2 of Abbey Road. So cut him some slack.

Away from that excitement was the thrilling news that the Mercury Prize nominees were announced. Which was so boring that it immediately sent us to sleep.

What we’re getting at here is on that scale, next week’s gig news is more over to the McCartney than the Mercury side of the spectrum. Scroll on and on.

Seatbelts: Studio 2, Tuesday July 31

Hooton Tennis Club offshoot Seatbelts play Parr Street this week. They’re joined on the bill by Mondegreen, Lo Five and Charlie McKeon.

Developing themselves an impressive live reputation, Seatbelts are an exciting prospect. Don’t pass up the opportunity to witness their difficult-to-classify sound.

!!! (Chk Chk Chk): Hangar 34, Thursday August 2

Surely one of the most anticipated gigs of the summer, !!! finally hit Hangar 34 on Thursday. Helpfully pronounced Chk Chk Chk, they’ve hit Merseyside before, at Sound City 2017.

LCD-style but with a West Coast slant (they hail from Sacramento, California but based in NYC), see them mash up 2000s dance punk with Studio 54 70s disco.

The Vryll Society: Phase One, Friday August 3

Breakout Liverpool act of recent times The Vryll Society are soon to release their debut album. Before that happens though, you can get an exclusive preview at Jacaranda Records’ Seel Street outpost Phase One.

You’ll get an album playback on Friday. With doors at 8pm and the listening preview commencing at 9pm, it’s a premiere of Vryll’s full-length. Please note that this isn’t a live set, but a DJ set follows late into the night.

Gazelle: 81 Renshaw, Saturday August 4

Joining rising star Gazelle on the Renshaw Street stage at the weekend are Tori Cross and Kingfast. All are predicted to become well-known names and faces across the Merseyside scene in the coming year.

Having had her along to Deep Cuts, we picked out Gazelle as one of our acts to watch at LIMF 2018 off the back of latest single Stay For The Night. Not bad for somebody named after a pair of trabs.

Strings and Things 5 featuring The Shipbuilders: Studio 2, Sunday August 5

The Shipbuilders may be on headline duties, but they’re far from the only draw to the latest edition of Strings and Things. The messy art punk of Samurai Kip provide main support.

Then you’ve got Deh-Yey also on the bill, with Catherine Hardman and more special guests promised. It’s all for the bargain basement price of just £3, so don’t deny yourself.

Puppy: Sound Food And Drink, Sunday August 5 (UPDATED: rearranged for Sunday September 2).

If you’re in the market for something on the heavier side then riff merchants Puppy might be up your street this week. The trio pack heavy riffs into a grungy sound, and featured at last year’s Bloodstock Open Air festival having been snapped up by legendary metal label Spinefarm Records for the release of their Vol. II EP.

Support comes in the form of Southampton via London mob Grove Street Families.

The cupboard is far from bare, take a look through Getintothis‘ Gigbites and you’ll see that we’ve done a big shop.

• Neil Campbell After the Flood album launch: Constellations, Thursday August 2
• Homesteads, Karuna, Equinox: Maguire’s Pizza Bar, Friday August 3
• Subordinate, Luvdump, Dead Neck, Stuck In A Rut: Dumbulls, Friday August 3
• The Kut: Zanzibar, Friday August 3
• The Cazales: Zanzibar, Saturday August 4
• Birthday Summer Jam featuring Evil Pink Machine, Lotus Bay, Gill Guillermo, Ahmed Khwaja: Jacaranda, Saturday August 4

Getintothis Deep Cuts #18 Housewarming Party: Phase One, Friday August 10

Liverpool mavericks a.P.A.t.T. headline the re-launch of Getintothis’ patented live evening Deep Cuts. Coming in fast in just a few weeks, Tracky, Shards, The Gear, Feral Wheel FKA Wild Eyes all appear, with the inimitable Purple Heart Parade as main support.

All of this and there’s vegan Caribbean street food on offer courtesy of the tasty folks over at Italfresh. All of that, and Hail Hail Records DJs will even be on hand to keep the night moving briskly between acts. Don’t hesitate at just £4 per ticket, you’ll only have to pay an extra two quid on the door if you do! Come and celebrate the new home of Deep Cuts with a right arld knees up.

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