DIRTY SUNBEAMS’ GIG OF THE MONTH:
Lily Rae Grant + Fat Frances, The Golden Lion (Todmorden) – Thursday 22nd May, 2025
A special fundraiser for the homeless charity, Crisis, organised by Slomanmusic. Last year’s event saw The Lounge Society perform a rare stripped-back set, with Rebecca Spooner as support. This year, The Lounge Society boys are on DJ duties while headlining is Lily Rae Grant, a talented 17-year-old, country-rock tinged singer-songwriter already making big waves on the Manchester gig circuit. Before all that, DIY-indie glory from the wonderful Fat Frances to warm your cockles and shuffle your shoes. More>
2. JAMES WALSH (STARSAILOR), The Trades Club (Hebden Bridge) – Thursday 22nd May
The frontman of multi-million selling, EMI-signed, post-Britpop band Starsailor, James has also written with Eliza Doolittle, Melanie C, Suzanne Vega and Professor Green, and more than proven his worth as a solo artist. While he remains a big lover of the classic folk challengers Drake, Dylan et al, James’ latest material also comes with a generous swish of colourful, breezy pop flair. More>
3. THE 113 + AIMING, The Grayston Unity (Halifax) – Saturday 10th May, 2025
Brace yourselves, people. Things are about to get serious. In a good way! The 113 from Leeds are an unerring, unwavering proposition that cloak themselves in darkness. Their immersive post-punk fuses heavy guitars and smash-some rhythms with fizzing basslines and razor-sharp vocals, much like the brooding intensity of Protomartyr or the unfiltered, direct and assiduous rawness of Joy Division. More>
4. JEFFREY ALEXANDER & THE HEAVY LIDDERS + DEAD SEA APES, The Golden Lion (Todmorden) – Thursday 8th May
Dark Matter Promotions have gone into overdrive this month. As well as Jeffrey Alexander, they also have the perpetually-wonderful Jonny Halifax on the 10th, Purple Heart Parade on the 15th, Hanging Stars the 16th and Brown Fang (see below) on the 18th. But let’s start with Jeffrey… With The Heavy Lidders for company, he is taking the freaked improvisation of his long-running instrumental band – DWLVS / Dire Wolves – into the world of true song with heady, ethereal jazz and krauty, blues stomps aplenty. More>
5. DAN’S GIRLFRIEND, The Puzzle (Sowerby Bridge) – Sunday 25th May
A special album launch show for the sax-tooting, carnival-esque, anthemic rockers. Dan’s Girlfriend have released a bunch of teaser singles over the last few months, each showcasing a very different side to the band’s repertoire. For the launch gig, they’ve pulled together a comprehensive bill also featuring Burgz, Neontown, Chris Manley and The Weedwackers. More>
6. ¡AY!KALIMBA! WITH DRYMBAGO (LIVE), The Trades Club (Hebden Bridge) – Saturday 17th May
¡AY!KALIMBA! is a brand new club night with a live band headlining. Think festival vibes only with a guarantee of no mud. To kick things off, the organisers of Anglesey’s Tonnau Festival are along for a tropical garden warm-up party featuring the 10 piece afro-tropical-funk band Drymbago as the main act. With DJ support from Nicky General, DJ Cutterz & J-Black, expect plenty of Afrobeat, Latin and worldwide party tunes. More>
7. VULGORE + DOOMSDAY SUN + MAD SPANNER, The Blind Pig (Sowerby Bridge) – Sunday 25th May
Three great, heavy, doom-noise bands, all for a cheeky fiver. Formed in late 2017, headliners Vulgore are a five-piece groove-laden death metal outfit from deepest, darkest Stoke-on-Trent. You should also make a beeline for The Blind Pig on Friday 9th when The Carmines, rising stars of the local scene, take a much-deserved headline slot. More>
8. SAY SUE ME, The Trades Club (Hebden Bridge) – Thursday 8th May
Surf-inspired indie rock band from Busan, South Korea. In 2019, Say Sue Me were the second most nominated artist at the Korean Music Awards (second only to the almighty BTS) with their album Where We Were Together, and ultimately won two awards. They count Yo La Tengo, Japanese Breakfast, Snail Mail, The Raveonettes, Speedy Ortiz, The Beths and The Notwist as fans. More>
9. C DUNCAN, The Grayston Unity (Halifax) – Saturday 31st May, 2025
“Lushness abounds… a treasure trove of lavishly arranged, widescreen epics” – so says MOJO mag. Christopher Duncan is a Scottish composer and musician. His efforts have been featured on various TV programmes, including Waterloo Road, no less. His latest album It’s Only A Love Song came out at the start of the year on Bella Union – a lavish, astutely-orchestrated representation of subtle beauty. More>
10. BROWN FANG + START TO RUN, The Golden Lion (Todmorden) – Sunday 18th May
Dark Matter continues to give, give, give. Headlining is Brown Fang, acclaimed musicians John Thompson (JIM, Bent, Attraktors, Scott 4, Crazy P, The Selecter, Nectarine No.9 and Idris Elba) and Henry Claude Scott (Never Ending Birthdays, Davoli, Jimi Mack). In support, Start To Run, local dream-synth-pop lovables. More>
Leave a Reply