Worried about David Cameron wreaking more havoc on the country? Sky-high tuition fees you’ll be paying off for the rest of your life? The planned erosion of the NHS? Take a break from that civic unrest, put your feet up for one well-deserved minute and – if you’re in Scotland – look at these upcoming musical marvels to distract yourself.
These are your new reasons to be cheerful.
First, and most importantly, up – legendary Glasgow venue/club/drinking den Nice’n’Sleazy is celebrating 20 years of its existence this month. Suitably, they’ve lined up a whole host of local talent to entertain you – giving the greatest picture of the club throughout the ages.
In this spirit, 1990s play a joint headline Sleazys gig with The Bent Moustache on 27rd October. Formed from the ashes of indie legends The Yummy Fur, who in turn once held half of Franz Ferdinand within their ranks, they’ve got much to teach and a lot to shout about. Young whippersnappers take note.
For the more youthful end of the spectrum, look to She’s Hit – who play the basement the following night. Taking their Cramps-y, fuzzy sound to the masses, they promise an exciting blend of ‘dirty surf’. If you think you’re up to that this October, fire away. Django Django, Dutch Uncles, John Knox Sex Club and many more make up the rest of this distinctly cool birthday party.
Enjoy the new e.p. the multi-talented Anna Meldrum of Kitty the Lion. Titled ‘A Slipped Disc’, it’s a collection of fan favourites and live gems. It’s out now on very limited release, so try and speed yourself to a copy as quickly as you can.
There’s a sneaky gig at Mono on Thursday 20th from local Glasgow favourites French Wives to launch their storming new single ‘Numbers’. Support comes from the excellent Blochestra and Endor. Move quickly to get tickets, lest you be disappointed. They’re playing The Third Door in Edinburgh on the 22nd, if you hail from the East of the land.
Celebrate the success of young gun Michael Cassidy, who’s currently on tour with folk sensation Ben Howard. He plays dates at The Tunnels in Aberdeen and Hallowe’en at King Tuts. Go see, and appreciate.
The alter-ego of Peter Kelly, Beerjacket, offers a new album called ‘The White Feather Trail’ Available through Bandcamp; it’s more of the same beautiful, lilting acoustic work from the singer-songwriter who redefined our understanding of The Boss with his cover of ‘Dancing in the Dark’.
Cap it off with mention of a fantastic new acoustic night in Glasgow. Running fortnightly on Wednesdays at Flat 0/1 in conjunction with Glasgow scene-stealers Instinctive Racoon Records, MILK aims to prove that milk is more than just the “preferred suicide path for 87% of Oreos”.
Enjoy a milk-enriched alcoholic drink, have a nostalgic chug of supermarket cider and line your stomach with a complimentary cookie alongside the music of bands such as Washington Irving and the best of the rest Glasgow has to offer. If you’re short of Hallowe’en plans and would like to get some, check out their fantabulous PAWS, Young Aviators and Cities and Skylines line-up.
Words by Marianne Gallagher
