Scottish Gigs of the Week: 4-9 May
Local aces Babe, Lush Purr and Withered Hand, and visits from Wheatus, Maximo Park and Kishi Bashi feature in this week's Scottish gig guide
Live music in Edinburgh
Withered Hand + A Singer of Songs @ Sneaky Pete's, 4 May
In September of last year, Barcelona label Son Canciones arranged for Edinburgh-based singer songwriter Dan Willson, aka Withered Hand, and Barcelona-based Lieven Scheerlinck, aka A Singer of Songs, to get better acquainted on an organic farm in the middle of nowhere. During their time, they planted some garlic, but also wrote six songs resulting in an EP entitled Among Horses, set for release on 5 May. If you know what's good for you, you'll do your best to make it along to this, or to their show at The Hug & Pint on 7 May.
DJ Format & Abdominal @ Voodoo Rooms, 5 May
For fourteen years DJ Format and quick witted rapper Abdominal have been entertaining crowds all over the world. The uplifting hip-hop duo are back on the road and celebrating the release of their first joint album, Still Hungry. Get yourself along to one of their central belt shows this month for a hefty slice of old school hip-hop that will lift your spirits leaving you with a natural high; they're at Stereo on 4 May, and Voodoo on 5 May.
Fuzzystar @ Sneaky Pete's, 6 May
Andy Thomson shares the off-kilter indie-pop of new album Telegraphing at Sneaky's, with able support from Book Group and a Broken Records solo set.
Kishi Bashi @ Sneaky Pete's, 8 May
Catch Japanese multi-instrumentalist Kishi Bashi (aka Kaoru Ishibashi) performing blissful trinkets from his third album Sonderlust, released back in 2016. Along with this solo project, Ishibashi has spent numerous years as part of Jupiter One and Of Montreal, making him more than qualified to tear up your Monday evening. Glasgow folk, catch him at Broadcast on the 7th.
Gig of the week
Babe @ The Old Hairdresser's, 5 May
Babe's new album Kiss & Tell is an addictive mix of electro-pop, synths, offbeat r'n'b and Eurodisco awash with the impeccable falsetto-tinged melodies of frontman Gerard Black. Watch the myriad of influences and elements of their sound come together in a glorious whole at the Old Hairdresser's, and read our interview with Black on the new album here.
Gigs in Glasgow
Indigo Velvet @ Garage, 6 May
Leith's favourite tropical-poppers bring their Scottish tour to a close, hot on the heels of the release of new single Mona. Expect a night of big choruses and sunny melodies – take a listen to the new track here to get a flavour of what's in store.
Wheatus @ O2 ABC2, 8 May
The original teenage dirtbags (™) are back – join them as they hit the ABC2 this week, and check out frontman Brendan B. Brown's party playlist here. Death Grips, Andrew WK and Band of Horses are all on there; what more could a party possibly need? Oh yeah, LCD Soundsystem. Don't worry, he's got this!
Maximo Park @ O2 ABC, 9 May
Fresh from the release of their sixth album Risk to Exist, catch Paul Smith and co under the ABC's giant disco ball. Support comes from Manchester girl gang and fierce, dynamic live act PINS.
Lush Purr @ The Old Hairdresser's, 9 May
You may recognise members of this Glasgow-based outfit from former bands such as The Yawns, Mirror Parties and Copy Haho. Drawn from places near and far to Glasgow for its vibrant music scene, the four-piece recently signed to Song, by Toad and have re-released their Cuckoo Waltz album on vinyl this month. Read our four-star review of the record here.