It’s a pretty sparse gig calendar this early in the New Year, but come the weekend there should be enough to blow away the festive cobwebs…

Oop north at the weekend, Peat and Diesel have a few shows before their big showpiece gig at Celtic Connections. They’re at Inverurie Town Hall on Friday 13th and Banchory Town Hall the following night.

Also on Friday 13th, Amateur Cult – Al Chivers, previously of DTHPDL and Battery Face – (re)launches album ‘The Mirrored Pattern’ – #6 in our 2022 chart – at Sneaky Pete’s. Alternatively, along and up a bit, local radge folk pop combo (their words) Storm the Palace play The Jazz Bar.

On Saturday night in Glasgow, Big Joanie – #2 in is this music?’s Albums of the Year roundup for 2022 – are at Mono, and by way of contrast, 80s indie/dance legends EMF play Oran Mor.
And some more favourites in this epic gig clash, as Dumb Instrument, with Jim McAteer and Paul Tasker in close attendance, spend their Saturday at The Glad Cafe, while at the The Hug and Pint, it’s The Wife Guys of Reddit with support in the form of Racecar, and Avocado Hearts

Finally, to Sunday 15th, with just the one show we can find, but should be a good one – again at the The Hug and Pint, Posable Action Figures.