Image: Megson
Jordan Worland, from local music website Slate the Disco, selects his must-see gigs in Cambridge during January
Ready to get out and indulging in music again after the fatigue of the festive period? Yes? Good. Below are our tips for the best shows to take in this January.
One of the standout shows of the month goes down on the 30th at The Portland when Wales’ finest new export, Estrons, bring their debut album to Cambridge. The band have been honing their sound for the last couple of years, creating quite the hype, which they have more than lived up to with their loud, fierce and dominant debut full-length album, You say I’m too much, I say you’re not enough, which they released last year.
Elsewhere at the same venue in January is the ever-popular The Wave Pictures, who return on the 24th. Expect literate, self-deprecating English blues crossed with garage-rock. Tipped as the voice of punk’s next generation, Louise Distras plays on the 17th, while the Bella Union-signed Liela Moss brings her elemental power and expansive melodies on the 29th.
The big Cambridge musical success story of recent years has been Lonely The Brave, playing the Junction 2 on the 12th. They are now one of Britain’s most successful rock bands. 2018 was a tumultuous year for the band with co-founder and instantly recognisable vocalist David Jakes departing the band. Charged with filling his boots is Jack Bennett, a name more than familiar to the rock world for his solo work under the name Grumble Bee. This month, we get to witness Bennett’s transition into the band as LTB return for an intimate home town show.
The J2 venue also hosts the New Orleans-infused brass-driven funk of The Brass Funkeys on the 25th, the unique folk stylings of duo Megson (19th), and the vibrant sounds of The East Pointers (28th) as they gear up to release their new record.
Another Brass-led funk show worth your time this month is from Colonel Spanky’s Love Ensemble, playing the Blue Moon on the 19th. Formed by a band of funk-obsessed students at Cambridge University, the Love Ensemble comprises ten of Cambridge’s premier funk-mongers, who will twist anything from New Orleans riot jazz to smooth soul into the unique Colonel Spanky’s sound.
Known for their relentless touring and high-octane shows, Enter Shikari play the Junction on the 30th as do Rudimental, performing as Rudimental Soundsystem & Friends, as they preview their new record on the 12th.
