Gig frenzy in the run-up to Christmas

The run-up to Christmas often presages a fall-off in the number of gigs, even in a town this big. This year however it looks crazy and I reckon I’m going to chalk up at least another six before the ‘big day’ and that’s without thinking about the Folks’ Xmas Party tomorrow with James Hunter.

One of the best shows of last year was The War On Drugs at The Windmill; it was actually a double-header with the Bowerbirds but we were delayed so long that we missed them. It was one of those packed-out Windmill shows and luckily Tim Perry let me stand behind the DJ booth on the grounds that it had been my birthday the day before. Their singer also performs as Kurt Vile And The Violators, has an album out on Matador, and is at The Lexington on Tuesday. In support are the wondrous Wolf People who’ve signed to Jagjaguwar and have Tidings, an album of (relatively) historic recordings, released in February.

Wednesday sees the End Of The Road Xmas bash at Cargo. End Of The Road is just the best festival going; great size, great site, great booking policy. I’ve been three times, and we already have our tickets for next year. One of the surprises of the festival, because a late addition, was Josh T Pearson. As the mainman of Lift To Experience he was responsible for one of the best, though already neglected, albums of the last decade; The Texas Jerusalem Crossroads. This should be a splendid bash and a damn good gig.



Danny And The Champs nights are not to missed. Aside from never knowing what you’re going to get from Mr Wilson or who’s going to play with him, you always get good undercards. Last month there was Ben Thomas, this time there’s The Moon Music Orchestra, and new Loose stablemates and sometime Champs Trevor Moss And Hannah Lou whose forthcoming album he produced.



Saturday is What’s Cookin’ and I’m not supposed to say who’s playing but they did make a ‘staggering, blistering, primal, screaming rock’n’roll record...just louder than the rest and better than the rest. A mighty garage rock attack coruscating in its dragging-up-from-the-roots frenzy. Basic in both brevity and lo-fi simplicity; not to mention the sheer noise’. How many bands like that are there around, let alone in London?

Sunday’s a day off and then Monday and Tuseday are McNiff nights, and from his mailout:

Two very special gigs with the guys from Modena City Ramblers, coming all the way from Italy ( the clue's in the title! )

21st Dec @12 bar club, Denmark street, LONDON WC2 8.00pm til 11.00pm £6

I'll do a solo set as well as with the Ramblers ( we call ourselves
Narrow Men ) Also we're very lucky to have DAN RAZA and TRAILHEAD, alt
country from Berlin Uk debut, plus EMIT BLOCH, if i can track him down in
time!



The following night, 22nd, we'll be at Filthy MacNasty's Whisky Cafe ( 68
amwell street, Kings Cross/Angel where we'll be joined by ALAN TYLER and ANDY HANK DOG. Starts at 7.30pm

Come to both - look forward to seeing you.

Trent Miller was going to be playing at Filthy’s but now he’s flying to Italy on the 21st so he won’t be around.