I’ve still to finish several reviews for last year and finalise my best of 2024 lists, but here goes for a list, in no particular order, of 25 music related events, bands, gigs etc I’m looking forward to in 2025…
Tanzana – having witnessed them live for the first time in 2024 supporting Death Valley Girls alongside Junk Pups and being blown away by their performance, I’m looking forward to more from Tanzana including their debut single, Covet, released on 9th January.
Xtro Ghost – Rob and Suze from Diablofurs have been posting clips on socials of rehearsals for songs for their new project Xtro Ghost. If these clips are anything to go by, this new duo is an exciting prospect.
Scorpio Leisure – it will be no surprise for readers of these pages to see the inclusion of Scorpio Leisure a band who I’ve followed since their inception and who released their debut album in 2024. I’m looking forward to the continued rise of this exceptional and unique band, who already have more than enough material for a second album.
The Froobz – hoping to see much more of the dynamic trio of The Froobz in 2025 having first managed to see them live supporting Sister MADDs in King Tuts in 2024.
Alcatraz – a band who recently caught my attention with their excellent debut single release Sedation, catch them in King Tuts with Indoor Foxes in 10th of January.
Lightnin’ Truck – bit of a Scorpio Leisure link here, with Hettie’s new project releasing their first track in December. Hoping for more from this duo in 2025.
The Dead Shout – First appearing on these pages as part of the duo The Bikini Bottoms, The Dead Shout are Jack Elfick’s latest band, with two singles under their belt to date, the band have just announced 5 live dates for 2025.
f.o. machete – I was fortunate to witness their triumphant live return supporting The Hedrons in Glasgow. Since then they’ve released a series of delectable tasters for their upcoming new album, Mother of a Thousand, with a launch gig in Sleazys to celebrate.
Middle Class Guilt – the band have recently played a few gigs which of course I’ve managed to miss. However, hopefully this is just the start of more to come with an album launch gig on January 24th in 2025.
Corrupt Intentions – if you loved Minority Rule, you enjoy a bit of in yer face US West Coast inspired punk, the look out for Corrupt Intentions in 2025. One CD of songs released in 2024 and a handful of gigs played, I’m sure there will be more coming in 2025.
Klingonz – you may have seen a flier for this gig… if the last Shrunken Head Promotions gig was anything to go by (Thee Scarecrows aka) this will be a riot in Audio.
Corinne – two superb dark post punk singles from Corrine in 2024, I’m desperate to hear more new music from them and I need to try to see them live too…
Soapbox – needing no introduction from me, they are already setting the punk world alight with their incendiary live shows and brilliant songs . The world is their oyster in 2025 .
Sister MADDs – 2024 has been a brilliant year for this band, from playing in January as part of one of the New Years Revolution nights to headlining their own sold out King Tuts show later in the year. I can only see Sister MADDs going from strength to strength in 2025.
San Jose – Dirty Linen is definitely one of my most listened to songs in 2024, they also played a great set at Govanhill Street Festival. Excited to see what 2025 brings for this band.
House Guest 2025 – the inaugural House Guest festival across several Sauchiehall Street venues was a roaring success in terms of slick organisation and a smorgasbord of brilliant bands. The initial announcements for bands for the 2025 event is impeccable.
Lambrini Girls – the debut album from Lambrini Girls, Who Let the Dogs Out is sure to wind up right wing sexist/homophobic/transphobic trolls everywhere and is released in January with a tour to support the release. Having seen the band play a riotous gig in the Hug and Pint this is a must see gig.
benefits – I missed a few gigs in 2024 for a variety of reasons… one was benefits in the Hug and Pint. Fortunately the band, who released one of the best singles of December in Missiles, are back in Glasgow (The Rum Shack) in 2025 on a tour supporting their upcoming new album where they show their socialist roots and keep the ticket prices low and gig end time early to allow people to get home easily on public transport.
Water Machine – after a short hiatus, 2025 will see the return of the GQ favourites, the mighty Water Machine with a new line up.
Vice Vera – introduced to me by my namesake Carol Hodge, her track Lindy appearing in one if the GQ singles round ups.
Sex Pistols – I was going to list this as a bit of nostalgia, and to an extent it is with a solid line up for the June festival date in Glasgow, but anyone who was lucky enough to see the inimitable Frank Carter breathe new life into the Pistols classics will know this is much more than just nostalgia.
Martha May and the Mondays – they’ve been around for a while now, and the electrically charged energy emitted by this band is palpable, their gig in King Tuts in January is surely just going to be the starting point for a great year from this band.
Vanderlye – another one to watch from the New Years Revolution nights in King Tuts in January playing as part of the line up headlined by Leisureland on the 11th of January.
Sister John – the announcement of a new album from the wonderful Sister John was enough for me to include them in this list, with a sublime back catalogue already, a new album is sure to be one of 2025’s highlights.
Under the Wires – looking forward to another swathe of superb garage rock gigs and more from the brilliant Under the Wire promotions, an early highlight is the return of Lux Lives to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
