Live music in Liverpool this week: 14-20 Sep

We dive into the listings to bring you the essential guide to gigs in Liverpool this week – plus the latest news on festivals, tour announcements and more. Think we've missed something? Hit up will@theskinny.co.uk with the details... 

15 Sep

Drawing comparison to the mordant murk of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds and the atonal art-funk of The Pop Group, Wild Fruit Art Collective headline at Maguire's (in a commendable diplay of show-must-go-onnery, following SPQR's withdrawal from the bill). More-than-capable support comes from garage upstarts Chupa Cabra, the modernist pop stylings of Kapil Seshasayee and self-described "parrot punk revivalists" Barlon Rando. SWISH.
Maguire's Pizza Bar, 7.30pm, £4

Over at Metal, the ever-fascinating Immix Ensemble present the world premiere of Invisible Trains, a brand new piece courtesy of writer Jeff Young and composer Paul McGhee. Also part of the gallery's Steve Reich: Different Trains programme, it promises to be awe-inspiring and unmissable – a site-specific work, at a venue located on the oldest active railway platform in the world.
Metal, 7.30pm, tickets £5.90

Continuing the UK's undying tradition of young lads with guitars playing three-minute pop songs about stuff'n'tha, Sheffield rock'n'rollers The Sherlocks bring their indie wares to the Arts Club. One for Arctic Monkeys/Enemy/Spitfires fans, we suspeck. They're joined by groovedelic types Blaenavon and dubbed-out Wirralites The Isrights.
Arts Club, 7pm, £10.50

16 Sep

With Steve Read and Rob Alexander's documentary Android in La La Land currently filling in the blanks on an astonishing yet mysterious career (read our interview with Read here), Tubeway Army legend Gary Numan plays the hits to his adoring public. In the finery of the Olympia, expect to see grown adults weeping with joy when the riff to Cars kicks in.
Olympia, 7pm, £29.50

On a similarly post-punk tip, local quartet Oh Well, Goodbye launch their Swoon 7" EP (which you can learn more about here) on the very same night. They're joined by fellow Captured Tracks enthusiasts Echo Beach, Manchester-based hook machine Songs For Walter and a debut outing for The AV Society, aka Sam Walkerdine of the much-loved Married to the Sea. It's two quid entry too, and if that's not value we don't know what is.
Maguire's Pizza Bar, 8pm, £2

17 Sep

New York trio Moon Hooch are a different kind of party band. Composed entirely of two saxophonists and a drummer, they concoct a series of jazz- and funk-inflected grooves to make something wholly addictive that nods to traditional styles as well as the textural immersion of rave. They're joined by local pop trio Halem, whose synthpop odyssies recall the likes of CHVRCHES.
Arts Club, 7pm, £9.50

Mere minutes down the road in Warrington, there's an all-day tribute festival for Viola Beach. Seven months after the accident which tragically took the lives of the hotly-tipped Lancashire band, Starsailor head up a packed line-up (also incuding the likes of The Rainband, Delphina Kings and The Tamalas) as caps are appropriately doffed to the local heroes.
Bank Park, 12pm, £11.75

18 Sep

Darlings of the legendary Seymour Stein, The Lottery Winners hail from Leigh in Greater Manchester and trade in an art-slanted take on indie pop that manages to reference the prime pop of Madonna and the glistening funk of Talking Heads' brightest moments. The silky sounds of Etches are also on hand to kick off proceedings, so be sure to turn up early.
Arts Club, 7pm, £11.50

20 Sep

Mysterious, unique and utterly irresistable: just a few of the words that adroitly sum up the sounds that have emerged thus far from the brain of XamVolo. You could call it R'n'B or you could tie into something much more unique; either way, this singer-producer has scores of ideas and talent to match. Keep those eyes peeled, this one's a keeper.
Magnet, 7.30pm, £5

But that's not the only thing on offer tonight: LA duo Deap Vally are also in town. There's hints of Royal Trux's scuzz-rock majesty at play here, ditto The White Stripes' blues-punk minimalism and effortless way with a tune. Still, you'll want to be sure to catch 'em in the flesh. How else are you gonna have your brain suitably melted by those white-hot riffs? They're also doing an instore acoustic set and signing session at the city's HMV store in the afternoon, with access granted on a first come first served basis, so superfans are advised to head along early.
Invisible Wind Factory, 8pm, £12
HMV Liverpool One (acoustic set and signing), 5.30pm, free 

Now booking:

London psych-poppers Gengahr have been racking up the plaudits following their recent tour with Wolf Alice, and they're heading back to Liverpool on 17 November for an appearance at the Buyers Club. Pick up tickets via EVOL from Friday...

...although be sure to save some energy for Fickle Friends as they visit the Arts Club three days later (20 Nov). Fresh from recording their debut album in sunny Los Angeles, tickets for the Brighton-formed quartet can be picked up here.