Right we’ve only just come to the end of pretty much the first week of 2014 and I am already steam rollering through gigs at a whirlwind pace. I have been mostly going to shows at the Louisiana so much so that I’ve thought about moving in there and making it my home. First up was a Jelli Records night that was headlined by all female experimental folk dramatists I Am Horse and sisterly munch kins Wolfhound. I must admit that after two nights with no gig I was starting to get a bit ratty, like a heroine addict on a come down all itchy skinned and everything, I think both Wolfhound and I Am Horse helped to ease me into the year.   Saturday saw The Louisiana pretty much boast a best of Bristol night with Lori Campbell, Locks, Thom Quentin Leigh and We Are Strangers Minds. it was a very impressive night of song writers, especially Locks who has impressed the likes of Steve Lamacque amongst many other people with her almost Joan Baez style song writing. Lori Campbell fell comfortably in the kind of singer songwriter that this city seems to specialise in highly charismatic storytelling and Thom absolutely nailed Nick Drake in Pink Monn colours.   Monday I went to my first hardcore show of 2014, something that I really needed a good old testosterone burn out and the BCHC boys put on some pretty good shows. Tonight’s saw from German female fronted hardcore band Wolf Down and American Crow Mags meets Suicidal tendencies styled metallic hardcore of Benchpress. It was an absolute blast because hardcore can be really effective when done really well of which both of these bands were jaw dropping tight.      The Following night saw me go a little more into my comfort zone with Bristol shoegaze The Fauns secret gig at the Louisiana, who have been one of the many Bristol based acts turning peoples heads at the BBC vecause of their ear for lush lofi sounds.

Wednesday saw me hit the Lantern in the Colston hall for what was to feel like an absolute song writing master class from Baltimore based singer Songwriter Cas McCombs who effortlessly rolled out an emotional roller coaster hitting the lines where some dare not tread and taking a subversive Bright Eyes style feel. He Had The Brilliant Frank Fairfield supporting him who was rattling out the traditional american numbers by the bucket. 

And finally last night I managed to hit up the Stag and Hounds for the first of many Free For All nights with Blurt loving post punk mentalists Repo Man giving a performance that screamed Blood Sweat and Saxophones. Sharing the bill were the band with the Best name Free Nelson ManDoomJazz, can you guess what kind of music they made, yep they were a doom jazz trio from Edinburgh.   

Pretty good for a first week or so! there’s hundreds more shows for me to get my fat ass too!