Whether you want to live up to your resolution of seeing more live music or are just bored of staring at the same four walls, it’s time to get out of the house and see some shows. Of course, January is when many of us don’t have much disposable income, so we all need some gigs that are easy on the wallet while gladdening our hearts.
Thankfully, there are plenty of options.
The Hug & Pint always do their bit to bring some cheer in January, and their ‘1st Footing’ gigs are worth checking out. All being well, SNACK will be in attendance on Thursday 12th January, as Majesty Palm and Fright Years are on the bill, and then again on Friday the 13th, an apt night to check out everyone’s favourite witchy woman, Megan Black.
Anyone looking to make it three nights in a row should find joy in the quirkiness of The Wife Guys of Reddit on Saturday. Posable Action Figures are in play on Sunday 15th, The Raeburn Brothers headline Monday 16th and Stephen Durkan & The Acid Commune turn things weird (or at least weirder) on Tuesday, with Easy Peelers and Uncle Kid supporting.
Before Celtic Connections takes up residency in the venue, the Girls Just Wanna collective has an evening on Wednesday 18th. Their track record of showcasing fantastic female talent means it’s a date worth pencilling in for an evening .
The Hug & Pint isn’t the only venue that offers excellent talent at a fair price in January in Glasgow, King Tuts has a jam-packed New Years’ Revolution line-up.
The Rah’s on Friday 13th and Straid on Saturday 14th should bring the noise and the indie kids out to play. If you’ve not let your hair down so far in 2023, these acts should get you going.
Anyone looking for something slightly mysterious should check out her. picture on Thursday 19th. At the end of last year they dropped the single ‘My Way’, which bristles with energy while being moody and foreboding, ideal for dark nights.
Lloyd’s House was a favourite of many at the SNACK team in 2022, and the King Tuts show on Friday 20th is sure to be a lively and entertaining night. This will likely be of interest if you’re into pop music with a mature twist, as will the Rosie H Sullivan night on Saturday 21st, with beautiful folk melodies set to fill the well-known and loved venue.
If you’ve got an eye on payday Friday, Brontes bring the funk in a gig that will crank up the temperature and get you dancing. If you’ve been putting off going back to the gym so far, buy a ticket for this and shake off some cobwebs.
In Mono, a January highlight is Big Joanie, on Saturday 14th January. You’re guaranteed a great night out with this riotous London act, perfect for a middle-of-the-month pick-me-up.
Bloc has plenty of free gigs and club nights as always with Atlas: Empire’s launch of their new single ‘Former Lives’, the 2nd single from their upcoming album, a highlight. Crashes support.
Okay, that’s all well and good for Glasgow, but Edinburgh, we haven’t forgotten you. There isn’t as much in the way of sustained programming, but as always, there are a few gems hidden away amongst your restrained exterior.
Butterfly Brain in Sneaky Pete’s on Thursday 12th is sure to be a night of exhilarating punk, and much more. You can start building up to the weekend from this point with plenty of movement and joy.
You also have Sunstinger bringing the ethereal atmosphere on Saturday 21st at Sneaky Pete’s. We haven’t heard much of this band in a while, but we liked what we did hear back in the far-off distant land of 2020. Shoegazey with a bit of power and menace, we’re always up for more.
Francis of Delirium brings the month to a close in Sneaky Pete’s, and in their words, ‘Quit Fucking Around’. The Funhouse EP, released last year, was bewitching, capable of washing over you gently, before violently jabbing you to ensure it had your full attention. That’s perfectly acceptable. If you want to see Francis of Delirium but you’re on the West Coast, they play Broadcast on Monday the 30th.
Is that the entire run of gigs available this month that won’t burst the bank? Absolutely not, but it’s a start. We’re looking to limber up and head out for a few evenings to support hard-working acts and ourselves. If you get the chance to do the same, you know you’ll feel all the better for it.
