Two separate strands to live music this week – Celtic Connections, of course, and Independent Venue Week.

That’s how things kick off with a sold-out gig with Franz Ferdinand plus Hamish Hawk, at P.J. Molloy’s in Dunfermline, on Monday 31st January. Too many happening all week to mention them all, but full details can be found here.

Also on Monday, in Edinburgh, at Sneaky Pete’s, it’s Fright Years and Madds, while on Tuesday at the same venue, Polly, Weekend Debt, and Bootlace.

Also on Tuesday 1st but in Glasgow, Brendan Benson is at Oran Mor, while The Streets play the O2 Academy.

On Wedneesday 2nd, Julie Campbell – LoneLady to you – plays Edinburgh’s Mash House, and at Sneaky Pete’s, it’s swim school.

Another IVW show, this time in Galashiels – at Mac Arts, on Thursday 3rd, – Connor Fyfe appears with support from Evan Anderson, while up the road a bit, in Edinburgh, Callum Easter has an intimate show at Sneaky Pete’s.

And in Glasgow, a contrasting show that’s also part of the Independent Venue Week – the first of three nights for Idles at the Barrowland.

On Friday, 6music favourites Book Klub are at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh, and another IVW show at Aberdeen’s Krakatoa features The Gallowgate Murders plus The Lorelei.

On Saturday 5th, Big Country play Motherwell Concert Hall, and Callum Easter is at Broadcast in Glasgow.

And remember 2020-2021, when all shows were pretty much online? Relive those heady days as St Mungo play live at www.instagram.com/questionsession from 6pm. This is actually the first of four gigs leading to a actual live date at The Record Factory on March 7th.

Finally, Independent Venue Week closes at Glasgow’s Room 2 with a ska double header in Esperanza plus Rudebeard.