Scottish Music Highlights: 6-11 Feb

Gigs in Edinburgh this week

Jorja Smith @ The Liquid Room, 6 Feb
First up this week in Edinburgh is one of Drake's pals (but let's face it who hasn't Drizzy worked with) and winner of the 2018 Brits Critics Choice Award, Jorja Smith. Frequently compared to one of her inspirations Amy Winehouse, Smith's silky smooth jazz-tinged vocals and lyrics about social justice prove her to be wise beyond her years (she's only 20-years-old) and somewhat of a prodigy. If you've got a ticket then we hope you have a lovely time, if you don't then do your best to get one!

Ded Rabbit @ Sneaky Pete's, 9 Feb
Edinburgh band-of-brothers Ded Rabbit are set to bring their 60s rock'n'roll-inspired vibes to Sneaky's tonight. Live, the four-piece have bags of energy and are sure to get your weekend off to more than just a fine start. Support tonight comes from Acrylic and Chris Greig.

The Lovely Eggs @ The Mash House, 11 Feb
Be sure to catch this Wiggy Giggy (that's one of their new songs btw) from Lancaster lo-fi duo The Lovely Eggs, who are set to release their fifth studio album This is Eggland on 23 Feb via their own label, Egg Records. They're on the road this month spreading their eggy gospel, stopping at Edinburgh's Mash House tonight with support from Porky the Poet, aka Phill Jupitus. They also both play Glasgow's Stereo, 12 Feb.

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Event of the week

[Fiona Soe Paing by Wes Kingston]

SPECTRA @ Various Venues, Aberdeen, 8-11 Feb
Aberdeen's annual Festival of Light, SPECTRA this year includes an exciting new music programme, which will run alongside the festival, taking place between 8-11 February. The Nordic-themed music festival, programmed by Curated Place, will include AV shows from Warp Records' Plaid, world-renowned Norwegian producer Lindstrøm and local talent Fiona Soe Paing, as well as performances from rising UK talents.

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Gigs in Glasgow this week

Jhené Aiko @ O2 ABC, 7 Feb
Jhené Aiko took fans by surprise in September last year, when she announced a new three-part project known as MAP: an acronym for Movie, Album and Poetry, and a literal map of how she coped with the death of her brother Miyagi in 2012. The project consisted of a 23-minute long film and a 22-track album, both entitled Trip, and the release of a poetry book, filled with a lifetime of writing.

Hollie Cook @ King Tut's, 8 Feb
The Slits vocalist Hollie Cook released her third studio album Vessel of Love via Merge Records at the end of last month, and February sees her extensively touring the UK and Europe to celebrate. Influenced by the likes of Minnie Riperton and Dusty Springfield, you can catch Cook at Glasgow’s King Tut’s tonight, as she effortlessly blends reggae and pop to create what she describes as “tropical pop”.

The Go! Team @ QMU, 9 Feb
Fresh from releasing their fifth studio album Semicircle in January, Ian Parton is bringing his colourful gang of chums, known as The Go! Team, on the road and they're paying Glasgow's QMU a wee visit tonight, which is just bloody lovely. In a recent interview, Parton explained to us why The Go! Team's sense of utopia is needed more than ever – read the full interview here.

Nightmares on Wax @ SWG3, 10 Feb
George Evelyn, better known by his stage name Nightmares on Wax, released his eighth studio album Shape the Future last month and he plays Glasgow's SWG3 tonight.

Kendrick Lamar @ SSE Hydro, 11 Feb
Kendrick Lamar's latest album DAMN. came in at number one on our Albums of 2017 list, and for good reason. K.Dot caught the attention of hip-hop fans around the globe when he dropped his debut studio project Section.80 back in 2011 and he's gone from strength to strength since. Making this an even more unmissable show, he's also bringing minimal piano man James Blake along with him and there are, unbelievably, still a handful of tickets available. And if you fancy some pre-Kendrick party antics, then Gav Prentice of Ultras has you covered with his event at Duke's from 3-6pm, where he'll be spinning "as much Kendrick-related vinyl as possible."