Duty Free @ Cabaret Voltaire

Following on from previous evenings where the likes of The Vivians, The Acute and Frightened Rabbit have played to capacity crowds, those nice folks at Cabaret Voltaire have organised another round of Duty Free events to see us through these cold, cash-strapped January nights. The deal is a no-brainer: turn up on the night to be treated to an early bird performance by a selection of up-and-coming talents - and it's free! There are three bands each night, comprising promising local acts and hotly tipped bands from the UK and beyond. Confirmed for 16 Jan are Edinburgh-based indie-rockers Chutes, who recently supported The Wombats and The Twilight Sad, and those purveyors of tuneful, dramatic pop, Levy, who Tim Wheeler from Ash promisingly declared "the best band from New York in years". 21 Jan sees alternative rock quartet The Parlotones roll in from their native Johannesburg to preview tracks from their forthcoming third album, A World Next Door To Yours, along with Dundonian trio Luva Anna, whose mix of indie rock and folk has been likened to The Coral. Then, on 28 Jan, there's some high-octane, choppy guitar pop from Camden four-piece Operahouse, whose new single Born A Boy is released that very day. Check the Cabaret Voltaire website for the latest additions to this exciting series of gratis performances to kickstart your year in gigs. [Graeme Blaikie]