DIRTY SUNBEAMS’ GIG OF THE MONTH
DOWN OFF THE TOPS: A BASIN ROCK CREATION, The Unitarian Church (Todmorden) – Saturday 14th June
The Todmorden-based outsider-folk label Basin Rock curates a full day of live music with five top artists from their roster, all set in the stunning Unitarian Church. On the bill, the wonderful Jim Ghedi, Bridget Hayden & The Apparitions, Juni Habel, Duncan Marquiss and Kevin Fowley. Jim Ghedi and Bridget Hayden have already released two of this year’s standout alt-folk albums in Wasteland and Cold Blows The Rain. Doors 2pm. Record stall, visuals, afters with Basin Rock DJs and pals at Nan Moors. And compere action from the BBC’s Elizabeth Alker. Wowsers. More>
2. MERMAID CHUNKY, The Trades Club (Hebden Bridge) – Thursday 12th June
Prepare for multi-sensory euphoria. Originating from Stroud, Mermaid Chunky are an audio-visual duo comprising artists Freya Tate and Moina Moin. Bathing in milkmaid serenity and improvised chaos, they promise the unpredictable – expect anything from pumping trance rhythms, sad Easter-time chicks and seriously arousing sax solos. Catching their live performances may cause havoc on your retinas. They are frequently accompanied by hypnotic sculptural squiggles and an entourage of sweating puppies in frills. Go get. More>
3. WILLIAM TYLER, Natural Endings (Todmorden) – Saturday 7th June
This is a big one. And another herculean effort from local label, Basin Rock, who have lined up for your delectation the return of esteemed cosmic wanderer, William Tyler. The Tennessee-born guitarist, songwriter and producer began his career in the early 2000s, touring with Lambchop and Silver Jews. He later broke away to focus on his own style of instrumental guitar music, often called ‘cosmic country.’ Known for his versatility and inventive playing, Tyler launched a solo career blending American primitive, pastoral country rock and folk. His expansive 2016 album, Modern Country, garnered widespread critical acclaim, while his latest, the impressively cinematic Time Indefinite, shows his ambitious soundscape visions stretched out to epic proportions. More>
4. BETTY BOO, The Trades Club (Hebden Bridge) – Friday 20th June
Hip-hop pioneer and 90’s cultural icon Betty Boo is a platinum-selling, Brit and Ivor Novello Award-winning singer-songwriter and rapper embarking on her first ever live headline tour of the UK! The kitsch, space-age diva, much loved by Chuck D of Public Enemy, is best known for her hits Hey DJ – I Can’t Dance To That Music You’re Playing, Doin’ The Do and Where Are You Baby? Those veritable bangers propelled her into the spotlight and, despite her snug fit in the multi-coloured world of pop, drew praise from critical circles too. She went on to work with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Girls Aloud and Blur’s Alex James. More>
5. SWEET WILLIAMS + THE BRICKS, The Puzzle (Sowerby Bridge) – Friday 27th June
ADRA Promotions brings you the wonderful Wrong Speed Records signing, Sweet Williams. Featuring members of Charlottefield, I’m Being Good and Hey Colossus, they offer a slowcore, post-rock, light industrial vibe. The Bricks provide a thrilling support. They’re a York-based post-punk garage-rock outfit featuring members of Static Waves, Broken Arm and Red Monkey. More>
6. HOLIDAY MYSTICS + THE WATTLES + PLASTIC HEART, The Grayston Unity (Halifax) – Friday 27th June
A four piece from Tasmania and London, romantically referenced as, “a chaotic Fleetwood Mac and a mystic Red Hot Chili Peppers”, unapologetically merging gritty indie-alt rock with mystic pop. More>
7. SOWERBY BRIDGE FESTIVAL – Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th June
Two days packed with bands, DJs and more across 16 venues throughout the town and it’s all free! Last year’s inaugural line-up was a treat to behold. Now in it’s second year, the billing looks set to be even better, featuring The Surge, Bellaruse, Dan’s Girlfriend, The Landlubbers, Roger Davies, Square Peg and Project Charlie. More>
8. SEAS OF MIRTH + BRIGANTES, The Golden Lion (Todmorden) – Saturday 7th June
Dark Matter Promotions are back on it. With an extensive instrumental checklist in tact, Seas Of Mirth’s sonic span widens on their new album into areas of psych, dark funk, jazz, disco, latin and club beats. The prog-folk elements remain from their first three records, but this time round comparisons have been made to the likes of Cardiacs, Stereolab, Talking Heads, Parliament/Funkadelic, Gong, Henge, Animal Collective, King Gizzard and Frank Zappa. More>
9. BONNACONS OF DOOM, The Grayston Unity (Halifax) – Friday 6th June
Progenitors of Trans-Pennine rock-hypnotica, this mirror masked collective, amassed from across the north of England, have stepped up their mission on Signs, their second album for Rocket Recordings. The album takes the band’s engagement with tradition and ritual on a new trajectory, tracking forward into our digital lives and exploring how our actions are shaped by the post-human environment. More>
10. FACE UP + UNDERSKIN + KILL THE MASTERS, The Blind Pig (Sowerby Bridge) – Friday 20th June
A triple bill of heavy, punk-rock-metal mayhem. Headliners FACE UP are a female-fronted, five-piece hardcore outfit from Coventry and Birmingham. They formed in 2016 and have since stormed the punk and metal scene supporting the likes of The Exploited, GBH, UK Subs, The Restarts, Agnostic Front and H2O. More>
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