Liverpool music gig guide: Judith Hill, Average Sex, LIMF 2018 and much more

Grabbing the mic and asking if this thing is on, Getintothis’ David Hall wonders what’s the deal with gigs in Liverpool these days.

Some days you look around the place and try to think of excuses. I didn’t get out of bed for an hour after my alarm went off, because of this, that, or the other. My life isn’t where I want it to be due to these outside factors beyond my control. The gigs this week aren’t great because of X, Y and Z.

Well sometimes, you’ve just got to look past those excuses. Accentuate the positive. It’s summer, which has never been primetime for live dates. You know, just like the end of the year. And the beginning of the year. When the nights are short, long, light or dark.

Jeez. Get over it. There’s everything to enjoy from this week’s gig listings. Sure, it might not be a cavalcade headline names. But we’ve got McCartney later on in the year for that.

After you’ve done a little digging, and every week is a vintage week. Do your research – or read a gig guide in which somebody has done all the research for you – and you’ll never see a bad batch of live listings.

If you need any proof of that, or you were under some sort of illusion this wasn’t linking to what you’ll find below… well, we don’t know what to tell you.

Judith Hill: Shipping Forecast, Monday July 16

Yo, what? If it’s a low-key gig with untrue pedigree you’re looking for this week, Judith Hill is your girl. Grammy Award winner, Michael Jackson collaborator and whose debut album was produced by Prince, the prestige drips off Hill.

She rose to public prominence on The Voice stateside, worked with Jacko and Manilow, supported John Legend and Josh Groban. On Monday she plays downstairs at The Shipping Forecast. What.

Roam: Arts Club, Monday July 16

Pop punk five piece Roam released their second album Great Heights & Nosedives last year. Having shared stages with the likes of Tonight Alive and Neck Deep, they now embark on a nine-date UK tour.

Heading for Merseyside on Monday before departing for Sheffield, Milestones and Wolf Culture appear as national support acts.

The Barr Brothers: Leaf On Bold Street, Wednesday July 18

The Barr Brothers are a folkish Canadian quartet founded and formed in Montreal. They consist surprisingly enough of brothers Andrew and Brad Barr, plus instrumentalists Sarah Page and Andres Vial. Harvest Sun Promotions serve up the goods at Leaf as a midweek treat.

Brighton’s Emma Gatrill appears in support, with two ethereal albums and audible influences like Bjork and Joanna Newsom under her belt.

Immix Ensemble Presents Jennifer John & Stuart McCallum: St George’s Hall, Thursday July 19

As part of Liverpool Biennial, Immix Ensemble premiere Bold by Name, Bold by Nature by Liverpool-based singer/songwriter Jennifer John and Manchester-based guitarist and composer Stuart McCallum this week.

In the stunning surroundings of St George’s Hall’s Civil Court, support comes in the form of new works by composer-in-residence Andrew PM Hunt, and artistic director Daniel Thorne of Erased Tapes. Bold by Name, Bold by Nature is set to soundtrack Liverpool as an entity, touching on themes of architecture, people, slavery and loss.

Average Sex: District, Friday July 20

Five piece indie pop band Average Sex formed in East London. They released latest single Ne M’oublie Pas in just the last few weeks. This followed up debut EP Ice Cream from late last year.

With addictive tracks like Ugly Strangers, Ice Cream and now the noisier, power pop flavoured Ne M’oublie Pas in their repertoire, Average Sex have certainly earned a District night out.

Graham Nash: Philharmonic Hall, Saturday July 21

One third of Crosby Stills and Nash (or one quarter of Crosby Stills Nash and Young, tom-ay-to, tom-ah-to) hits the Phil this weekend.

If there’s anywhere in the UK who can belt back He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother to the man who recorded its definitive version, Liverpool has to be the place. Prove it at the Phil on Saturday.

Liverpool International Music Festival: Sefton Park, Saturday July 21 – Sunday July 22

Dunno if you’ve heard or what, but LIMF 2018 hits Sefton Park this weekend. Yeah, it’s been a pretty quiet year on that front.

What can we say that hasn’t already been said about Liverpool International Music Festival? We’ll see you down at Sevvy Park this weekend for the likes of Young Fathers, a Basement Jaxx DJ set and Hacienda Classical headlining alongside local faves The Vryll Society, Queen Zee, Trudy and the Romance and Pale Rider.

It’s a quiet week on the Getintothis’ Gigbites front this week, but we’re hitting you with quality rather than quantity here.

• Milburn: Arts Club, Thursday July 19
• The Bido Lito! Social featuring The DSM IV, Dead Houses and Wife: Dumbulls, Thursday July 19
• Eyesore & The Jinx: The Bagelry, Friday July 20
• Zulu: Studio 2, Friday July 20
• Peanutbutterwolf: 24 Kitchen Street, Saturday July 21

Upcoming gigs to keep an eye on:

Witch Fever: EBGBs, Saturday October 20

Noisy, grungey Manchester four piece Witch Fever are on the up-and-up. They’ve already played several gigs on these shores, and are working their way to the top of billings across the country.

Local promoter and champion of new up-and-coming acts Capeesh have just announced a Witch Fever show in Autumn. They’ll be together with Scouse favourite Beija Flo and SPILT in an underground show at EBGBs in October. Super cheap, super early bird tickets are now on sale for just £2.50. Magic.

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