The Tab’s Gig Guide

Everyone’s knows Liverpool’s music scene is the best around, and there’s a ton of bands playing in the city soon that are keeping up that reputation. Here’s the only gigs you need to see, for a while anyway.

Swim Deep – Sat 23^rd Feb – Kazimier

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG38MzBZGeo[/youtube]

Indie-pop outfit Swim Deep are at the forefront of a burgeoning Birmingham indie scene, and look set to take 2013 by storm. The band’s infectious synth-rock sound, with a hazy atmosphere and beguiling basslines, seems ready-made for festival season.

Iceage – Tue 26^th Feb – The Shipping Forecast

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtIbGik0Sys[/youtube]

Abrasive Danish punks Iceage bring critically acclaimed new album You’re Nothing to the Shipping Forecast. The combination of their ferocious live reputation and the relatively small venue promises an incendiary atmosphere, and more than a few cases of tinnitus.

Foals – Mon 4^th March – O2 Academy

Fresh from the resounding success of third album Holy Fire, held off from number 1 only by Les Miserables, 2013 is looking like Foals’ year. The Oxford band’s heavier sound showcased on the new album, as well as the established indie classics of their earlier material, should translate perfectly to a live setting.

Stornoway – Mon 11^th March – Kazimier

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiLO4qPkA64[/youtube]

With the follow up to 2010’s well received Beachcomber’s Windowsill on its way later this year, the Oxford educated indie-folk outfit Stornoway hit the balance of beautiful, poetic simplicity and pop melodies perfectly, and have drawn favourable comparisons to legendary indie bands Belle & Sebastian and James.

The Strypes – Sat 16^th March – Leaf

Up and coming Irish moptops the Strypes play a live set including covers of Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, as well as their own material of incendiary, Jack White-esque garage rock. With an average age of just 16, the band are much hyped to spearhead the return of rock to the charts, and if you want to catch the next big thing, now’s your chance.

Wild Nothing – Mon 18^th March – Kazimier

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbAISMzd7vA[/youtube]

Critic’s favourite Jack Tatum, a.k.a. Wild Nothing brings a unique blend of melancholy indie and spaced out dream-pop to the Kazimier. With favourable comparisons to 80’s New Wave, and a broad range of influences and sounds, Wild Nothing promises to be a live experience like no other.

Johnny Marr – Wed 20^th March – O2 Academy

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2W8aVDxeBY[/youtube]

Legendary ex-guitarist of the Smiths, Cribs and Modest Mouse, Johnny Marr makes his first solo live venture, touring in support of debut album The Messenger. Soon to be crowned ‘Godlike Genius’ at the NME awards, the iconic guitarist has an immense legacy to live up to, but if credible indie-rock isn’t your cup of tea ex-X-Factor goon Frankie Cocozza is only next door in the O2 Academy 2.

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