Finally, Christmas is on the horizon. We’re keeping it coastal this month, with lots of local bands and artists from Southampton and the surrounding area. In the lead up to Christmas and the New Year, there are also a few festive treats on offer, with an Elvis Presley tribute act and a New Year’s Eve event headlined by Beans on Toast that is horror circus themed. What more could you imagine for Christmas?
Who? Lighten Up Laura
Where? Heartbreakers, Southampton
When? 5th December
Why? They’re a local band from Southampton and their emotive rock music – a mixture of alt rock, emo and grunge – speaks for itself. It literally has to, because I can’t find much about the band online, except that they self profess to be “bad at writing bios”, like only ABBA and have “eating and gigging” listed as their personal interests, which are not to be mistaken for the band’s interests, which are “striving, skiving and surviving”. You might recognise the location of filming for the music video for ‘Missed the Boat’. Tickets can be found here!
Who? FLOWVERS
Where? Heartbreakers, Southampton
When? 8th December
Why? It seems like Portsmouth based band FLOWVERS were just here, playing a gig at The Joiners a couple of months back in September. These young’uns and their indie music are inspired by new wave, shoegaze and dreampop from the 80s onwards. They formed back in 2016, originally as a three-piece, before meeting their drummer Connor Griffiths in a dark alley after being kicked out of a party in Fratton. They’ve already played Victorious festival on their home turf. Check out the music video for ‘Long Way Home’ below, and grab your tickets here.
Who? Jade Bird
Where? Engine Rooms, Southampton
When? 8th December
Why? Londoner Jade Bird is one of Britain’s up and coming solo artists. She’s only a twenty something, but she’s already appeared on shows with Jools Holland, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon and won the Grulke Prize for upcoming talent at SXSW. She’s reached a global audience with her songs, from her EP Something American and her 2018 single ‘Lottery’. She’s providing a fresh and modern perspective on life from a new generation, covering themes of love, sorrow and disillusionment in miscellaneous genres of music. Tickets here!
Who? Soeur
Where? The Joiners, Southampton
When? 10th December
Why? Coming from the fringes of the rock scene, Bristol based three-piece Soeur have been touring up and down the country this year. Their abrasive and stripped back variety of rock has featured on the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show, and they’ve been selling out venues with the incendiary promise of their live performances. They will be playing alongside local special guest Glen Wiffen, aka Wubworld, who mixes technologically produced sound with that of an organic and acoustic variety. It’s going to be a night of transcending genres and unique sounds. Grab tickets here!
Who? The Manatees
Where? Heartbreakers, Southampton
When? 14th December
Why? Southampton locals The Manatees and their indie pop have quite a fan base already, with listeners engaging with their youthful songs about young love and adolescence. They released two EPs last year, Avoiding Glances and Young Hearts, and they’ve gained the attention of BBC Introducing Solent and have already sold out The Joiners. There’s a lot of hype around the band, that formed back in 2016 after schoolmates Jay Harris (vocals, guitar) and James Brearly (drums) met up with Tyler Bloor (lead guitar) and James Miller (bass). Check out the music video for their new single ‘Milan’ below. Tickets here!
Who? Sean McGowan
Where? The 1865, Southampton
When? 15th December
Why? He works at our famous grassroots venue The Joiners and he has a song called ‘Cuppa Tea’. The 1865 date is also a warm up for his full tour in 2019 with a full band. He’s played with the likes of Frank Turner, Beans on Toast and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. He performed with the former, Jay, aka Beans On Toast, earlier this year at the farewell show for The Talking Heads, playing his hard hitting and emotional songs in support of independent music venues. The latter, Get Cape, will be opening for him at this nearly sold out gig, along with Southampton locals Cassava. So check out the music video ‘Cuppa Tea’ below and buy your ticket here.
Who? Suspiciously Elvis
Where? The Brook, Southampton
When? 21st December
Why? Didja’ Ever not want to hear a bit of Elvis at Christmas? The tribute act, Suspiciously Elvis, has been dubbed the best Presley impersonator in the UK. This tribute act, along with his band and the Nevada Horns brass section, faithfully emulates The King’s crazy rock ‘n’ roll Vegas nights. This special gig, taking place in The Brook’s pop-un Alpine Lodge venue to get you feeling festive, will incorporate both the classic hits as well as Christmas songs along the way. Never mind that it was Cher that told our Elvis tribute performer, Ivor Potter, that he sounded just like the rock ‘n’ roll legend. Tickets here!
Who? Beans on Toast, Shoot the Duke, Jack Williams (Wild Front)
Where? The Joiners, Southampton
When? 31st December
Why? If you’re here for New Year’s Eve, there’s no better way to spend it than at a gig. The event, the NYE Horror Circus, has a line-up of Beans on Toast, Shoot the Duke, Jack Williams of Wild Front, as well as DJs that are yet to be announced. Jay (Beans on Toast) gets you laughing and makes you think at the same time, and the coming of the new year is definitely a time to forget all the bad stuff that happened and reflect on the future. Then there’s local band Shoot the Duke, who also played at the farewell show at The Talking Heads. Their folk music is blistering, and you might just be treated to a duet or two with Jay. Most recently, Wild Front sold out a gig at The Engine Rooms, so the presence of Jack Williams is a welcome addition to what will be an entertaining night. Tickets can be purchased here!
