Live Music Highlights – December 2011

The month kicks off with a blistering double-bill courtesy of Nigerien psych-rock/drone-funk rebels Group Inerane and the incredible Flower/Corsano duo. Group Inerane’s lithe, hypnotic fusion of styles makes them a must-see for the discerning gig-goer, whilst the live pairing of Chris Corsano’s cacophonous free-drumming assault and Mick Flower’s super-primitive/hyper-evolved space-ragas is already the stuff of legend. See them at Glasgow’s Kinning Park Complex on 2 Dec.

Edinburgh-based boutique label Gerry Loves Records throws its Christmas bash at Edinburgh’s Banshee Labyrinth on 2 Dec and will showcase a sizeable chunk of its superb roster including math-funk heros Lady North, ballsy scuzz-pop trio Paws, Trapped in Kansas, Field Mouse, The Japanese War Effort and some special guests as well. That’s called value for money, son.

Released earlier this year, Com Truise’s Galactic Melt contains some of the most satisfyingly lysergic retro-futuristic sci-fi sex jams we’ve heard in a good old while. Imagine Boards of Canada, high as fuck, trapped in an American video rental store in 1988 and you’re most of the way there. You can catch his live set at Edinburgh Sneaky Pete’s on 3 Dec.

Warm and fuzzy San Fran folk-pop posse Vetiver bring the good vibes to Glasgow Stereo on 3 Dec. Expect foot-tappin’ jams, swooning melodies and top-drawer musicianship.

Continuing the west coast feel, Sean O'Hagan’s High Llamas make a rare appearance at Edinburgh Sneaky Pete’s on 4 Dec for an evening of sublime songcraft and eerily dreamy atmospheres. Although often mentioned in the same breath as late ‘60s Beach Boys, these old hands have a compellingly timeless quality all of their own which makes them an easy recommendation.

Although he’s played some shocking gigs in his time, the word on the web is that Evan Dando and The Lemonheads have really pulled it together for the latest stops on their It’s a Shame About Ray tour and fans who make the trip to Glasgow Òran Mór on 5 Dec will doubtless have a grand old time soaking up alt-pop classics like Bit Part and Rudderless.

Unlikely international superstar Omar Souleyman makes his way to Glasgow Òran Mór on 8 Dec for what is likely to be one of the month’s most high-energy spectacles. Having paid his dues on the Syrian wedding circuit, Souleyman’s devestating blend of euphoric folk styles, classical vocal techniques and hard electronic beats have seen him cultivate a dedicated global fanbase over the last few years. Fierce.

Surly electronic body music legends (and arguably the first band to make the Cold War malaise sound sexy) Front 242 will deploy the hits at Glasgow’s Classic Grand on 10 Dec to celebrate 30 years of hard electronics and hilarious fashion choices. So lace up those army surplus boots and get ready to dance like the Russian nukes are already airborne.

Malcolm Middleton will play Edinburgh’s Electric Circus on 14 Dec and Glasgow’s Òran Mór on 15 Dec. Support comes from, erm, Malcolm Middleton, in his Human Don’t Be Angry guise – a project which serves as an outlet for his less structured, more experimental impulses.

Montreal native Graham Van Pelt took his Miracle Fortress project one step closer to mellifluous art-pop perfection with recent LP Was I the Wave? and on 14 Dec he will play Glasgow Captain’s Rest. Van Pelt’s mastery of the looper pedal allows him to spin a surprisingly rich web of sound in the live setting, combining synth, guitar and propulsive beats with an impressive lightness of touch.

James Yorkston’s Christmas Jamboree will go down at Wellington Church Hall, Glasgow on 17 Dec. As well as clocking the folk-fingered badass himself, attendant jamboreenos can look forward to live sets from top-drawer talents The Pictish Trail and Lisa O'Neill. Fence-heads havin’ it large.

Unimpeachable noise-bringers Mogwai will play the Glasgow Barrowland on 22 Dec. Marrying a controlled onslaught of heavy frequencies with disarmingly beautiful guitar patterns, right now these boys are sounding as inspired as they ever have. Don’t take ‘em for granted. Support from Errors, whose new LP Have Some Faith In Magic drops early next year.

The Wedding Present return to Scotland this month with gigs at The Greenside in Leslie on 28 Dec and Glasgow’s Garage on 29 Dec. David Gedge’s catalogue is peerless and his current band is vital and hungry. A solid recommendation as always.

Finally, you can see in 2012 to the soundtrack of Primal Scream (playing Screamadelica in full for the last time before Mani departs for another tour of duty with the Roses in 2012) flanked by the dark, twisted pop genius of Sons & Daughters (in the Gardens) and Wild Beasts (in the Street) amongst many other players from the realms of chart, club and ceilidh. 31 Dec, Edinburgh Princes Street. Lang may yer lum reek!