It’s getting chilly outside, so escape from the cold to one of Southampton’s warm and slightly sweaty live music venues and fill your ears with sound. An infiltration of “Northerners” this month, and I use this term loosely as for people down here, that can mean anywhere above Oxford.
Who? Dlugokecki
Where? The Joiners, Southampton
When? November 2nd
Why? After having the pleasure of seeing Ben play at The Brook in support of one of his heroes Stu Larsen & Natsuki Kurai (check out the review from Lakshmi Nair here!), including his single launch show in the list for this month was a done deal. I saw singer/songwriter Ben play a set solo, but it’s the whole band, Dlugokecki, for this gig on the 2nd, and they have played for some huge names over their 15 years together, including The Proclaimers, Lu Lu, Snow Patrol and Passenger. The Southampton locals will be introducing new single ‘The Bliss’, as well as playing from their extensive back catalogue of wonderfully emotive songs. Get your tickets here!
Who? The Blinders
Where? Heartbreakers, Southampton
When? November 9th
Why? I recently picked up a copy of Classic Rock magazine only to find an article about this trio. The Blinders come from that middle bit of the UK near the Peak District, from Manchester via Doncaster, and their modern take on rock ‘n’ roll sees them include provocative political lyrics in the vein of Billy Bragg or Will Varley and a darkly distorted alternative rock in very much a vein of their own. Their debut album, Columbia, was released earlier this year, and touring this year has already lead to sold out gigs across the country.
Their music is described as punk a lot, but they see that as “an ethos rather than a sound”. They certainly play around with this ethos, with a nod to Joy Division’s song ‘Transmission’, echoing Ian Curtis’ “dance, dance, dance, dance, dance/ to the radio” in one of their own tracks on the new album, ‘Hate Song’, with lyrics “dance, dance, dance/ to the hate song”. The already post punk philosophy becoming a twisted dystopia. And I know I’ve said it before, but they are definitely my top pick for the new series of Peaky Blinders; rough and ready and politically minded just like our Tommy, and if the shoe fits. Anyway, these guys are going to be big. Get tickets here!
Who? Kississippi and Tancred
Where? The Joiners, Southampton
When? November 15th
Why? Philadelphia-based Zoe Reynolds has been making music under the moniker of Kississippi for a good few years now, and her beautiful and contemplative brand of indie rock has been cemented by her debut album Sunset Blush (2018), which for Reynolds is “an honest recognition” of the music she has always wanted to make. Her journey started back in 2014, with an early collab that saw her produce an EP in her mother’s laundry room with a guy she met on Tinder, Colin James Kupson. When the duo parted ways in 2016, the folk elements were out and the full electric sound was in, as well as Reynold’s affinity with the emotive and confessional lyrics of emo inspired pop. She’s joined on this string of 9 UK tour dates by Tancred, a pop rock band from Maine. Tancred, aka, Jess Abbott, also had a new album out this year, Nightstand, to much critical acclaim. Get tickets here!
Who? Jordan Allen
Where? Heartbreakers, Southampton
When? November 16th
Why? The quartet, led by Jordan Allen, emerged from Bolton in Greater Manchester at around the same time as Blossoms (playing in Southampton this December), Spring King and Cabbage. Their indie rock has been featured at the likes of festivals such as Reading & Leeds and The Isle of Wight, as well as played support for The Sherlocks. They have a few absolutely banging tunes, including their lighter indie rock songs ‘R.O.S.I.E.’ and ‘Helter Skelter’ and those of the straight up rock variety like ‘Half Life Lover’, with some deliciously clever lyrics to boot. It’s all very anthemic, and with lines like “you lick your lips like an envelope/ At the fragile notion that we might elope”, it’s satisfying as hell to sing along to. They say that Courteeners are one of their influences, so these could be a nice warm up for their gig on the 26th at the Guildhall, if you’re a fan. Tickets can be found here.
Who? Hinds
Where? Engine Rooms, Southampton
When? November 21st
Why? While Hinds’ fellow madrileños (people from Madrid) and garage band The Parrots came to Southampton last month, Hinds will be gracing Engine Rooms with their lighter garage rock/pop. The band: Ana Perrote on vocals and guitar, Ade Martin on bass and backing vocals, Amber Grimbergen on drums and Carlotta Costals on vocals and guitar. Their latest album, I Don’t Run, was released this year, and is the manifestation of an honest reflection on the mad few years they’ve been having, that started back in 2014. They’ve got Sports Team playing support, who played support for The Magic Gang just last month and received a nod of approval from our Records Editor Sam Law (read his review here). Get your tickets for Hinds’ gig here!
Who? Courteeners
Where? O2 Guildhall, Southampton
When? November 26th
Why? Courteeners are taking on Southampton again, and if last time round was anything to go by, raucous crowds and constant chanting will once again fill the O2 Guildhall’s huge open chamber. The band have been around for more than a decade, and they’ve given us indie popified rock hits like ‘Not Nineteen Forever’, ‘Are You In Love With A Notion?’ and ‘Modern Love’. It all started up in Manchester, when singer/songwriter Liam Fray, then 22, decided to form a band with three of his childhood best friends. There’s limited tickets left, so grab yours here.
