John Grant
After a successful Independent Venue Week, the gigs keep on rolling and Getintothis’ Simon Kirk has the details.
With Independent Venue Week capturing the hearts of many up and down the country, hopefully it proves the catalyst to urge punters who don’t normally get out and attend gigs reguarly to begin doing so.
As put by Getintothis editor, Peter Guy, where Liverpool is concerned, something is stirring thanks to the emergence of Jacaranda Phase One – a creative hotbed for artists, both established and emerging, to get involved and be a part of something. In many ways places like Jac’ Phase One are the embodiment of the city. Community. Togetherness.
In Peter Guy’s editorial, he noted ‘we’re not at Kazimier levels yet, there’s work to be done, but Jac Phase One is easily the most innovative and exciting new enterprise Liverpool has seen in the last few years – investment in the artists is next. We’re suitably enthused.’
This momentum needs to continue. And it does. This week. Another raft of international talent floods our city to provide a lovely foil for local artist playing gigs around the traps. It’s all happening, you might say.
Some of the best of this week’s action for you to consider:
John Grant
John Grant: Philharmonic Hall, Monday February 4
Ahh, John Grant. How the world needs more of you. It’s great to have him back in Liverpool to project his spellbinding satire on the Philharmonic faithful.
The charismatic drifter is here on the back of last year’s Love Is Magic. Expect the unexpected.
Laura Veirs – photo credit Jason Quigley
Laura Veirs: Jacaranda Phase One, Thursday, February 7
The great Laura Veirs hits the Jac’ Phase One in support of her latest album, The Lookout – her first solo release in five years.
Known for her brilliant live performances, this intimate show is certainly one not to be missed.
Xam Volo (photo credit: Christopher Flack)
XamVolo: Arts Club, Thursday February 7
Liverpool-based soulster, XamVolo plays, the Arts Club on back of his impressive debut album, All The Sweetness On The Surface, released earlier this year.
With All The Sweetness On The Surface, XamVolo establishes himself as yet another emerging local talent who has struck gold at the first time of asking.
White Lies
White Lies: Eventim Olympia, Thursday February 7
Having just released their new album, Five, White Lies return to L town to play the Eventim Olympia.
It’s been ten years since the White Lies‘ debut long-player, To Lose My Life…, which is yet another reason to get along and celebrate this band.
Orange Goblin
Orange Goblin: O2 Academy, Saturday, February 9
For this one, Facebook tells us its “about time a proper metal show came to town”. We wouldn’t like to say, but with support from Video Nasties and PIST, it’s a real highlight of the metal calendar.
Lucid Dream
The Lucid Dream: District, Friday February 8
Carlisle’s finest purveyors all things kraut-rock and dub, The Lucid Dream, arrive on the back of their brilliant album, Actualisation.
Renown for their ear-splitting live show, Friday at District is shaping up as a belter of a night.
Alex Abbuehl
Alex Abbuehl: Jacaranda Phase One, Friday February 8
Following the release of his debut single last week, Black Coffee, genre-hopper, Alex Abbuehl, kicks off his UK tour at Jacaranda Phase One.
If you like a bit of jazz and a bit of rock then this might just be your sweet spot. Support comes from John Farrington and Summer Shin.
Holy Holy
Holy Holy Ft. Woody Woomansey & Tony Visconti: Philharmonic Hall, Saturday February 9
It might not be Bowie but it’s probably the closest thing will see to the great man.
Following on from Holy Holy‘s 2017 tour, which saw them play Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust album in full, the band will be playing Aladdin Sane and The Man Who Sold The World albums in their entirety, as well as other Bowie classics.
The group features Heaven 17‘s Glen Gregory,Woody Woodmansey (Bowie), and producer Tony Visconti.
Support comes from I Am Kloot‘s John Bramwell.
Queen Zee
Queen Zee album launch: Jacaranda Phase One, Sunday, February 10
What a way to end the week! The glam punk maelstrom that is Queen Zee, performing cuts from their self-titled debut album, followed by an in-store signing.
2019 is going to be some year for Queen Zee and in may ways, it feels as if it starts here. There will be no other place to be on Sunday.
The best of the rest:
- The Dead South: O2 Academy, Tuesday February 5
- Allusinlove: Sound Food and Drink, Tuesday February 5
- Benny Page: 24 Kitchen St Wednesday February 6
- David Keenan: EBGB’s, Thursday, February 7
- Rachael Jean Harris EP launch: Parr St Studios, Thursday February 7
- Nightmares on Wax (DJ): 24 Kitchen Street, Thursday, February 7
- Mikey Kenney – the Reverie Road album launch: Leaf On Bold Street, Thursday February 7
- Parr Jazz presents the Duncan Eagles Quartet: On Air, Thursday February 7
- ENRG presents Skream, Kettama, James Organ: Invisible Wind Factory, Friday February 8
- Muscle Milk single launch: Sound Food And Drink, Friday February 8
- Lena Willikens & Octo Octa: 24 Kitchen Street, Friday February 8
- Broken Brass Ensemble: 24 Kitchen Street, Saturday, February 9
- Peter Bruntnell and Robert Vincent: 81 Renshaw, Saturday, February 9
- Fourth Quarter: West Kirby Arts Centre, Friday February 8
- Ben Ottewell: Ullet Road Unitarian Church, Liverpool. Saturday, 09 Feb
- Storm Harbour & This Time Last Year: Outpost, Sunday, February 10
[paypal-donation]
