What's On Scotland 26 Jan-2 Feb: IVW
We're storming into February with cultural plans aplenty this week, with Independent Venue Week gigs, Manipulate shows, parties soundtracked by Nick Höppner and lolfests supplied by Nish Kumar
The UK's very own festival of grassroots giggery Independent Venue Week lifted off on Monday. Taking place annually during the last week of January, it's fast becoming the cultural silver lining to a storm cloud of a month. This year the programme stretches to 137 venues across the UK, with haunts in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and Paisley thoroughly reppin' the Scottish music scene.
As we head into the weekend, we thought we'd hit you up with some recommendations. Catch The Van T's at Sneaky Pete's (26 Jan), Life Model and Lush Purr at Glad Cafe (27 Jan), Heel at La Belle (28 Jan) and Broadcast's IVW all-dayer, featuring the likes of Home$lice, The Pale Kids, Bite. and Lylo. You won't be disappointed.
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Manipulate Festival
27 Jan-5 Feb, Various venues across the UK
Happy birthday, Manipulate! Turning a whole ten years old this month, the seasoned festival brings yet another showcase of innovative Scottish and world visual theatre, puppetry, and animation to venues across Scotland (Dance Base, Summerhall & Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; Tron Theatre, Glasgow; The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen) and the rest of the UK. Watch out for Poli Dégaine, Make A HOO and Fisk.
Fractal Club (Nick Höppner)
The Liquid Room, Edinburgh, 28 Jan, 11pm
After launching last year, Fractal Club are back for their fourth installment with none other than Berlin's Nick Höppner at the helm. The Berghain/Panorama Bar resident is a key figure in Berlin's house and techno scene, and former manager of the famed club's in-house label Ostgut Ton. Join Hoppner plus residents E.Wan and Chris G for a night of the finest house and techno tunes.
Poppies
Until 11 Jun, GoMA, Glasgow, free
Last month our Art editor visited GoMA to take a look at newly opened exhibition Poppies, which brings together artists Joanne Robertson and Max Brand. He reported ‘a quick and expressive abandon... making for a messier and immersive environment of expressive paintings, sound and sculpture’. Sounds worth a trip. While you’re there, you can also check out group exhibition Please Turn Us On, which wraps up 22 Jan.
The National Whisky Festival
SWG3 Glasgow, 28 Jan, 12.30-3.30pm & 4pm-7.30pm
Now, you might be thinking Celtic Connections is all about the music, but you'd be sorely, sorely wrong. It's also about WHISKY – specifically today's National Whisky Festival. Head over to SWG3 and you'll have the opportunity to sup all kindsa whisky, participate in masterclasses, chow down on food from local vendors and sink the odd craft beer to sustain your stamina. Image: Joshua Rappeneker
Nish Kumar
Oran Mor, Glasgow, 30 Jan, 7pm
The Stand, Edinburgh, 31 Jan, 8.30pm
Round off the most depressing month of the year with some major lols courtesy of Nish Kumar as he plays the rescheduled Scotland dates of his new show Actions Speak Louder than Words, Unless You Shout The Words Real Loud. It’s what he refers to as a show about ‘history, democracy and capitalism’, but it’s funny AF. Image: Idil Sukan
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