I’m aiming to have a more structured approach to my blog moving forward, and I’m planning to introduce a variety of regular features. I’m conscious that I write a lot about gigs, but that’s often too late for some people who’ve said to me something along the lines of “I wish I’d known about that” and the like, so one of the new blogs will be a monthly look ahead, the focus being on Glasgow, the home of the blog, at some of what I think will be the pick of the gigs for the coming month, whether I’m attending or not (that’s my get out clause – I can’t possibly cover everything).
As a short aside, elsewhere on the blog there will also be a heavy leaning towards local bands and especially young, up and coming bands, but not at the expense of everything else. To this end, I also have a plan up my sleeve, more information to come if it all pans out as I hope.
I was also going to try to do a whole lot of retrospective reviews of albums that have come out in the gap between my last blog in April and now, but it’s probably unachievable… we’ll see what happens.
Anyway, as I sit here having finally managed to secure Friends Again tickets for January as part of Celtic Connections, here goes for some of the highlights closer to hand, for the rest of October and November.
A free gig is always a good thing, and if it is in the middle of the day so us auld yins can get home to their blanket and hot water bottle all the better… this Saturday (18th) in Bloc+ you’ve got a chance to enjoy punk old and new with a double header featuring The Alleged and Sentiment. Before that on Friday night, 17th October, the excellent m.e.d.b. join Day Drunk, Aim for Two & Julia’s Bureau play The Classic Grand Lounge as part of a Northern Exposure showcase, check out m.e.d.b.’s new video for Puppy on their Instagram account. Elsewhere in Glasgow 1990’s rockers Reef play the SWG3. If any old punks’ve still got energy after the lunchtime gig in Bloc+ on Saturday the 18th, Boomtown Rats bring their glam punk to Barrowland to celebrate 50 years in the business. Come Sunday the 19th and Glasgow indie legends Lungleg play The Old Hairdressers with Unmarry Me, with a double a-side single featuring both bands as part of the ticket price.
There is a clash on Tuesday 21st with Glasgow legends in the making The Bleeders playing a free gig with Raj Mahal & Dariusz in Bloc+ while Taylor Swift ska punk tribute band (you read it correctly) Taylor More Swiftly play at Nice n Sleazy. More clashes ensue on Thursday 23rd with The Lovely Eggs at Oran Mor, Thomas Truax at The Hug and Pint and another opportunity to catch m.e.d.b., this time at The Old Hairdressers. The Psychedelic Furs bring their show to Barrowland on the 24th, while I’ll be catching pedalo with support from Sick Pay and Fairways at McChuills. The following night in the same venue its the turn of The X Ray Cat Trio supported by Baron Nonesuch while Nice n Sleazy hosts National Playboys supported by the excellent Count the Days, Quality Control and Honey. Talking of supports, Adam Ant plays two nights in the Royal Concert Hall, supported by Ms Toyah Willcox on the 26th & 27th.
Gogol Bordello bring their gypsy punk to with support from Puzzled Panther & Split Dogs at SWG3 on the 28th, while on the same night across town in McChuills it is the return of Heathen Apostles to Glasgow. The Wytches play Nice n Sleazy in support of their new album on the 29th while Thursday 30th sees a magnificent triple bill for all you aging goths out there with Fields of the Nephilim supported by Claytown Troupe and Balaam and the Angel in Barrowland. On the same night, forget 3 bands, there are FOUR at Nice n Sleazy with Big Girls Blouse, Oedipus & the Mama’s Boys, Guevara and Downpour playing upstairs. Closing off October in style and allowing you to avoid the guisers on Halloween night you can join Sister John supported by Mull Historical Society in Cottiers Theatre.