Live Music Roundup - January

Edinburgh

What better way to usher in the New Year than with the warm familiarity of the Bluetones – the aural equivalent of a hot mug of cocoa? The 'tones will be hitting up the Liquid Room once again on 22 Jan to deploy a no-doubt finely honed set of fan favourites and classic singles. The Blue Army will be out in force as always, ensuring a great atmosphere for this gig.

Delightful American indie lady Laura Veirs swoops into Cabaret Voltaire on 30 Jan for a spot of evocative songsmithery. With lyrics that are haunted by the natural landscape and a knack for crafting unusual and surprising soundscapes, this could be very interesting indeed.

Also on 30 Jan, devilish duo Blood Red Shoes drop into the Hive for a short, sharp set of pummelling punk rock noise. Finesse tends to go out the window during their live shows; replaced with a pure instrument-shredding intensity that is captivating to watch. No frills and noisy as fuck.

If you still can't quite believe it's 2008 then Kula Shaker are here to help you tap that retro vein with a fat bag of Tattva. Crispian and the boys are often derided for peddling hippy mush, but a gander at their live show proves that they have serious focus and a stash of hits. Incense or no incense, they know how to rock it. Liquid Room, 30 Jan.

Glasgow

Pioneers of British Emo (for better or worse) and also known as The Band that Almost Made It, it seems like decades since Hundred Reasons blew up, but they're still writing, recording and playing killer gigs. Fuelled by Colin Doran's furious stage presence, they've got a hardcore fanbase that will ensure a cracking gig. QMU, 19 Jan.

Glasgow's best kept secret, We Are the Physics, bring their crazy math-pop sound to King Tuts on 23 Jan for what is bound to be an unmissable gig. Dark, danceable and Devo-tastic are just three words to describe their curiously agreeable sound. Enjoy the madness.

Similarly spiky of riff and meaty of beat, The Futureheads will demolish Strathclyde Union on 24 Jan with a steamrolling set of chugging riffola and crazy harmonies. They may have been flying under the mainstream radar for a while, but that only makes these Sunderland lads hungrier. Gratuitous pogoing will be mandatory.

Straight outta Alabama, Drive-By Truckers be representing for the South when they roll up to Oran Mor on 29 Jan. The Truckers are one of those weird, rare groups that are untouched by the hype machine; they just play their Southern rock with passion and soul and say to hell with marketing. Enough hyperbole, just make sure you catch these one-offs before they roll out of town.