Scottish Gig Highlights – January 2014

Kicking off the New Year at King Tut's is their regular showcase series, King Tut's New Year's Revolution, which aims to bring you the best of Scotland's emerging bands. It runs from 3-16 Jan, with headline appearances from the likes of Tijuana Bibles (12 Jan), Campfires In Winter (8 Jan), Cherri Fosphate (10 Jan), and The Holy Ghosts (11 Jan), amongst others. Check our listings for the full line-up. 

On 4 Jan, cross-platform collaborative extravaganza Decagram returns to Edinburgh's Henry's Cellar Bar. With previous Decagram events featuring collaborative performances from the likes of Lipsync for a Lullaby, Hiva Oa and Asthmatic Astronaut amongst others, and the promise of live visuals and film screenings alongside the music, this is a good bet for lovers of alternative and experimental music, even though the bill is as-yet un-announced.

On 14 Jan, former Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks come to Glasgow's Òran Mór to play tracks from imminent new LP Wig Out at Jagbags. A dry wit and sharp surrealism characterise Malkmus's playfully stoned lyrical ramblings, and they've lost none of their appeal over the years.  

On 17 Jan, we celebrate The Skinny's 100th issue with a big party at The Mash House in Edinburgh. We'll be featuring live performances from some of our favorite Scottish bands from the last few years, with Ubre Blanca, Honeyblood and Kid Canaveral in attendance along with DJs, spoken word performers and all types of cutural high-jinks. E-mail party@theskinny.co.uk if you fancy it, the first 100 to RSVP will receive free entry and a couple o' drinks on us.

Olive Grove Records mainstays Woodenbox come to Edinburgh student hangout the Teviot Bar on 17 Jan – formerly going under the name Wooden Box with A Fistful of Fivers, Ali Downer and co have shortened the name (again!) and honed their folk, rock and soul-influenced indie to a keen edge. 

Hip-hop heads will welcome the return of Dan Le Sac v Scroobius Pip to The Arches on 21 Jan – their new album Repent Replenish Repeat takes them in a moody, bass-led direction with clashing dubstep beats, and Scroobius waxing lyrical in his own inimitable style. 

On 24 Jan, Phantasy signing Connan Mockasin tours his sophomore album Caramel, coming to Glasgow's King Tut's – the blonde-haired New Zealander plunders soul, folk and woozy electronica to create psychedelic soundscapes and delicate songs. 

As the end of the month draws near, there's a night of quadruple-threat awesomeness and bill-clashes to contend with in Glasgow on 31 Jan – which will you pick? Beatboxing singer-songwriter Adam Stafford and Andrea Marini at The Glad Cafe, with all proceeds from the night going to the Scottish Green Party? Gloomy epic rockers Holy Esque at Nice 'N' Sleazy's? The majestic, orchestral electronica of East India Youth at King Tut's? Or a quick jaunt across the M8 to catch atmospheric indie rockers The Deep Dark Woods and Trembling Bells at Edinburgh's Sneaky Pete's? They all sound brilliant, so you can't lose, really.

And finally, Anticon-signed alternative hip-hop trio Young Fathers take the stage at Glasgow's Stereo on 1 Feb to launch their new album Dead, which rides a wave of praise from both the press and their fellow musicians –everyone from Daedelus to CHVRCHES bowing down to their steez in this very magazine. See what all the fuss is about when they head west with entrancing touring partner LAW in support.

DO NOT MISS: CELTIC CONNECTIONS, VARIOUS VENUES (GLASGOW), 16 JAN-2 FEB
It's the 20th anniversary of Celtic Connections this year, and along with a comprehensive programme of concerts, workshops and events focusing on traditional Scottish music, they have pulled out all the stops to bring you a who's who of our contemporary rock and folk stables, at a selection of Glasgow venues both familiar and less well-kent.

On 11 Jan, you can catch multi-instrumentalist Colin MacIntyre performing as Mull Historical Society at The Arches, bringing the best of his solid back catalogue to bear. On 18 Jan, legendary Bristol post-punk band Pop Group come to town for the first time in over three decades, playing the O2 ABC with ex-Fire Engines main man Davy Henderson's new project Sexual Objects in support.

Skinny favourite and SAY Award winner RM Hubbert pops up not once but twice – on 21 Jan he will be joined by Arab Strap frontman Aidan Moffat in an intimate, one-off gig at the Mitchell Library, and you can catch him again on 28 Jan at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, for one of this year's festival's biggest gigs, headlined by Mogwai, who'll be fresh from the release of haunted new album Rave Tapes.

On 24 Jan, acclaimed singer-songwriter Withered Hand brings a taste of his long-awaited second LP New Gods to Glasgow, heading up a bill that also includes Newcastle songwriter Richard Dawson and Australian slide guitar virtuoso Jeff Lang at Platform. On 26 Jan, Olive Grove Records, the DIY collective founded by Halina Rifai and Lloyd Meredith, presents a showcase of some of their best-loved artists, including a rare appearance from understated indie supertroupe The Moth and the Mirror, the afore-mentioned Woodenbox, The State Broadcasters, Jo Mango and Randolph's Leap. 

25 Jan sees another former Arab Strap mainstay, Malcolm Middleton, the man behind the rather magnificent Human Don't Be Angry, joined by Australian singer-songwriter Jordi Lane, Papon and Dark Northumbrian. 

Soul legend Bobby Womack's world-beating return to form on the Damon Albarn and Richard Russell-produced The Bravest Man In The Universe was greeted deliriously on its release last year – a barnstorming set at Glastonbury introduced him to a whole new generation of fans. Now, he brings his live show to Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall on 27 Jan – expect a set dominated by cuts from the new album, with some classics thrown in.

As the festival winds to a close for another year, look out for Lau at the City Halls on 30 Jan, and be sure to catch the magnificent Rachel Sermanni in an intimate gig at Kelvingrove Art Gallery on 31 Jan. All in all, tartan and shortbread, this ain't.