Live Music Highlights – February 2011
Blending druggy guitars, sinister ambience and wordy, gothic lyrical themes, Esben and the Witch are one of the more intriguing acts currently threatening to break into the mainstream. Whilst their oddness may seem a little too studied for some tastes, the simmering intensity of their live performances makes attendance at their gig at Edinburgh Sneaky Pete's on 4 Feb a no-brainer.
Versatile indie-pop locals Zoey Van Goey celebrate the launch of their new album Propeller Versus Wings at Glasgow Classic Grand on 5 Feb and if their past form is anything to go by it should be a cracker. Support comes from Malcolm Middleton's new 'live-performance project' entitled Human Don't Be Angry.
So Wire have just put out their twelfth album and we have to admit it's a damn fine piece of work, recalling both the experimental pop of the classic 154 and the restless energy of their 1977 debut, Pink Flag. A memorable night is on the cards when they take to the stage of Edinburgh's Cabaret Voltaire on 8 Feb and Glasgow King Tut's the following evening.
Those bar-room brawling US veterans The Hold Steady return to Glasgow on 9 Feb for a gig at the O2 ABC. Having slowly evolved into anthemo-rock behemoths without ever forsaking their punk roots they never fail to be less than completely engaging. Oh, and they can really fucking play too. Guaranteed good times.
Experimental Glaswegian two-piece Conquering Animal Sound hit Scotland hard this month to promote their lovely new album Kammerspiel. Combining live looping of myriad instruments with dreamy vocals and various effects their show is a unique and unpredictable affair – catch them at Dundee Doghouse on 9 Feb, Aberdeen Snafu on 10 Feb, Glasgow Captain's Rest on 11 Feb and Edinburgh Sneaky Pete's on 12 Feb.
If you like it in yer face then you need to check The Duke Spirit at Edinburgh Sneaky Pete's on 13 Feb. Noted for the authentic twenty-a-day vocals of irrepressible frontwoman Leila Moss, they manage to channel the muscular spirit of classic rock without sounding tired. A hell of a show.
Commonly recognised for their work in the formative days of Doves, Manic Street Preachers and Saint Etienne, EMI-affiliated Heavenly Records have a fair track record for picking a winner. Side-stepping their indie glory days, this showcase of their latest shining talents – in the form of Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou, recent Pretenders' guitarist James Walbourne and the much acclaimed Sea of Bees heralds a night of ever-sweet, acoustic charm. Glasgow Captain’s Rest on 13 Feb.
The Aidan Moffat Valentine's Hangover Revue is all set to go down at Glasgow Òran Mór on 16 Feb, featuring performances from Aidan Moffat and the Best Ofs, Aidan Moffat with the legendary Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat solo. With his infamous relationship advice column for Thequietus.com still fresh in the memory, we're sure there'll be no shortage of wry romantic musings on offer as well.
Glasser – aka Cameron Mesirow – made waves in 2010 with the eccentric, soaring laptop-pop of her debut album, Ring. Although she tours with a band her live show still retains the unfussy elegance of that record. Hell of a set of pipes, too. Glasgow Captain's Rest on 20 Feb should be special.
Parisian duo Zombie Zombie made a lot of people smile in 2010 with their interpretations of John Carpenter's classic movie themes and on 23 Feb they return to Glasgow's Music and Film Festival, this time to create a live score to the seminal silent film Battleship Potemkin. Analogue synth junkies take note – this one's for you.