Fat White Family @ The Village Underground, 26th January
I’m not the biggest fan of Fat White Family’s debut LP Champagne Holocaust. Having said this, they’ve built a reputation as a demented and formidable live band. Any fuckin’ thing can happen apparently. Expect them not to shy away from pissing everyone off, as they did when their launched their own record label called Without Consent. Sold out. Chance it at the door.
First Aid Kit @ Hammersmith Apollo, 27th January
Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit really raised their game with the release of their third LP Stay Gold last year. Adding rich country elements and expansive instrumentation to their already endearing folk oeuvre, they present an engaging and intricate prospect live. Tickets here.
Mark Lanegan Band @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 28th January
Would you like to see a musician that has (deep breath) fronted grunge legends Screaming Trees, been a member of Queens of the Stone Age, collaborated with Isobel Campbell, and has a formidable solo career also under his belt? That’s what I thought. Tickets here.
Alvvays @ Scala, 28th January
Canadian indie pop wonders Alvvays were one of last year’s success stories. I mean just listen to the poptastic exquisiteness of “Archie, Marry Me” below. Love the lyrics too. Tickets here.
Girl Band @ The Old Blue Last, 29th January
Dublin post-punks Girl Band are fresh. When I first heard them, it was like when I first heard Faith No More. I thought, “What the fuck is this shit?” Sometimes the best food tastes like shit at first. Growers without a doubt. This bugger is free. Get there early.
Sleaford Mods @ Electric Ballroom, 30th January
Sleaford Mods are unique. Having witnessed their brand of rant electronic post-punk in The Lexington last summer I can attest to their purely imposing, cathartic, and agitated stage presence. You will never seen anything like this. Sold out to the max. Catch them in the KOKO in June.
Palma Violets @ The Sebright Arms, 31st January
Despite the fact that their debut album was a bit of a damp squid, Palma Violets are fucking amazing live. I saw them tear the roof off Club 85 in Hitchin this year with the help of Childhood. Hopefully they can fully harness the stage presence of their duel frontmen for their impending second LP. This bugger is sold out. Hang outside like a loser, in the hopes some good person has a spare ticket.
Bad Breeding @ Lock Tavern, 31st January
When we spoke to Stevenage punks Bad Breeding earlier this month, they expressed explicit disdain for the status quo and the elite, branding the Tory government an “elected dictatorship”, UKIP “poisoinous”, and lamenting the apathy of the masses. Their music is similarly forthright. Witness their balls to the wall cover of Wire’s “Two People In A Room” below. It’s bloody free. Be there.
Laura Marling @ Silver Bullet, January 31st
London folkie Laura Marling is a force of nature. Five albums in seven years. That’s the kind of proficiency we haven’t seen since the sixties and seventies. What’s more, they’re all top quality records. It’s remarkable that you can go and witness a 24 year old with the repertoire of a 34 year old. The tickets were application only. Never fear! She’ll be back later this year for a tour of larger venues.
