Liverpool music gig guide: Jonah Matranga, Manuela, Space Dimension Controller and much more

Pouring over the gig schedules and bringing you the prime dates to get you through another week, Getintothis’ David Hall has all you need to know.

Making it to the first payday in January is tough, we all know that. It’s the same for bands, promoters and venues. Everybody’s getting by on buttons until that first sweet paycheque of the year hits our accounts.

That’s why perhaps the gigs on offer around town aren’t exactly world beaters. Remember when The Killers came to town last year? Yeah, there will be no sightings of Brandon Flowers outside the Hilton this week, put it that way.

But in adversity comes opportunity, and with the boards swept of large-scale touring shows, now is the perfect time to experience something new and unusual.

Whether that’s supporting a local act just starting out, taking a punt on somebody that you’ve never heard of, or just pushing the boundaries of the genres you usually frequent, there’s plenty of room to stretch your legs this week.

So we’ve gone over this week’s listings with a finer toothed comb than Kenny Rogers could ever imagine so you don’t bloody well have to, and we’ve only gone and pulled out a couple of gems.

Aren’t we just the nicest to you.

Jonah Matranga: Sound Food And Drink, Tuesday January 16

Onelinedrawing main man, punk troubadour and former member of Sacramento emo stalwarts Far Jonah Matranga makes a welcome Liverpool appearance this week in the basement of Sound.

Massachusetts-born, California-based Matranga maintains a dedicated online following through his DIY stream-of-consciousness-style method of releasing his music, and has over twenty years of material to call upon when he hits Merseyside.

Lotus Bay + Friends: 81 Renshaw, Friday January 19

Following up appearances on bills at venues such as The Magnet and enjoying a headline show over the Christmas period at The Zanzibar, bold acoustic rockers Lotus Bay present their latest city centre night out in Renshaw Street.

Those ‘friends’ include Gal Pal, Evil Pink Machine, Anaisa and Gill Guillermo in what is a strong lineup for 81 Renshaw’s £3 OTD acoustic night.

Olly Chalk Trio ft. John O’Gallagher: Philharmonic Music Room, Friday January 19

Jazz pianist and composer, Olly Chalk and his bandmates of bassist Sam Ingvorsen and drummer Gwilym Jones are joined at the Phil Music Room by New York musician and renowned alto saxophonist John O’Gallagher.

They’re set to perform works exploring themes such as science fiction, hope, anxiety and dystopia, riffing on explosive improvisation and intricate jazz compositions. Step outside your comfort zone and get involved.

Space Dimension Controller: Hangar 34, Friday January 19

It’s a 3 hour DJ set at Hangar 34 on offer this week from Space Dimension Controller, who promises to trip the crowd out with an intergalactic spectrum of sound and light until 4am.

Warm up beats come courtesy of Abandon Silence‘s Tom Lye and Flossy of Down to Funk, which should take your Friday night to another dimension.

Manuela: Handyman Pub, Friday January 19

Manuela, whose debut album is out now on Lost Map, plays Smithdown Road hipster dive the Handyman Pub this week. An art pop mashup featuring vocalist and songwriter Manuela Gernedel plus multi-instrumentalist and producer Nick McCarthy, formerly of Franz Ferdinand and FFS.

The husband and wife team of Austrian Manuela and McCarthy are supported by Merseyside’s man in black Nick Ellis, for what is bound to be an intriguing proposition.

Skylights The Closest Thing To Magic EP launch: District, Sat January 20

Tickets are available by messaging the band on Facebook, or paying £7 on the door of the sizable Baltic Triangle venue for admittance to the launch of local four piece Skylights‘ launch of the their new EP The Closest Thing To Magic.

Making an increasing name for themselves about town, Skinner’s Lane appear in support of the rising stars in what is sure to be a celebratory night.

Still stuck for something to do? Well, prepare to… erm… not be! It’s Getintothis‘ Gigbites to the rescue:

• TAP Presents – Arno, Rats, The Baskervilles, Rory Hope: EBGBs, Friday January 19
• 700Z Live at The Recovery Rooms: Camp and Furnace, Saturday January 20
• SUSSED. w/ Ellie Cocks & Sian Bennett: Buyers Club, Saturday January 20
• The Twang: O2 Academy, Saturday January 20
• Messiahs: The Zanzibar, Saturday January 20

Upcoming gigs to keep an eye on:

Queen Zee and The Sasstones: Sound, Saturday January 27

Following on from the inaugural Sassden night last year, a Manchester installment and generally making waves across the country, Queen Zee and The Sasstones mark their a return to Merseyside shores with their first hometown show in a good ol’ while.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and we’re sure that’ll be the case Queen Zee and co. Especially with a special guest appearance from Sonic Yootha providing the beats, plus Ill and Jo Mary also taking to the stage. We’re looking forward to this one, and if you’ve any sense about you, you’ll procure yourself a ticket too, by hook or by crook.

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