Leave the house? Seems quite likely with all of this going on.
GIG OF THE WEEK
Biffy Clyro
Bands are generally more keen to sprint towards the future, talking about their next body of work before they’ve even finished releasing their last. Biffy Clyro have been around the block for a while now, though – enough to know that their mythical ‘earlier work’ is packed with some of their best moments to date. The Scottish trio’s currently underway ‘A Celebration of Beginnings’ tour isn’t just a leisurely trip down memory lane; it’s a seismic reminder of the raw blood, sweat and tears that first catapulted them into rock’s stratosphere.
Over six nights split between London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire and Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom, Simon Neil, James Johnston, and Ben Johnston are performing their first three albums in their entirety. These aren’t just any albums, mind you. ‘Blackened Sky’, ‘The Vertigo of Bliss’, and ‘Infinity Land’ represent Biffy Clyro at their most unfiltered – a glorious cacophony of angular riffs, off-kilter time signatures, and distinctive yelps. It’s the sound of a band figuring out who they are in real-time, with none of the edges rounded off yet. A blitzing, strobing force of nature that were underground darlings long before they were chart-topping concerns.
‘Blackened Sky’ introduced the world to their frenetic energy, ‘The Vertigo of Bliss’ pushed their experimental tendencies to the fore, and ‘Infinity Land’ saw them honing their songcraft without sacrificing an ounce of their idiosyncratic charm. It’s a trilogy that laid the groundwork for their eventual arena-conquering sound, a reminder that even the mightiest oaks start as tiny little acorns, refusing to put a shirt on.
Whether it serves as a palate cleanser before their next creative leap or simply a chance to bask in the glow of their early brilliance, a reminder of the primal energy that propelled them to where they are today can be no bad thing – both for fans or the band themselves. Mon the Biff, indeed.
O2 Shepherds Bush Empire (21, 22 Oct), Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow (24, 25, 26)
SOFT PLAY
Soft Play’s latest tour marks another step in the phoenix-like rebirth for the duo. Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman have emerged from a period of transformation, not just in name but in artistic vision, their new album ‘Heavy Jelly’ serving as both a marker to their growth and a bridge to their roots.
That name change, far from being a mere rebranding exercise, reflects a deeper evolution. ‘Heavy Jelly’ tackles themes of loss, love, and recovery with a maturity that belies the duo’s riotous reputation. Yet, true to form, they’ve managed to maintain their raw, charged edge. Sharper than ever before, Soft Play are set to go hard.
Sheffield Octagon Centre (22 Oct), Manchester Academy (23), O2 Academy Liverpool (25), NX Newcastle (26), Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow (27), Rock City, Nottingham (29), Norwich Nick Rayns LCR UEA (30), O2 Academy Brixton, London (31)
THE VACCINES
The Vaccines’ return to the road comes with its own tale of reinvention. Following the departure of founding member Freddie Cowan, the band has embraced independence with their latest album, ‘Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations’.
The record serves as a reflection of the band’s own journey, navigating the anxieties of missing out and the challenges of remaining relevant in an ever-changing world. The accompanying tour is a celebration of adaptability. The Vaccines are proving that they can balance their melancholic explorations with the euphoric, punchy indie-pop that first endeared them to audiences. As they take their new material on the road, they’re demonstrating their continued ability to evolve while staying true to themselves.
De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-On-Sea (22 Oct), Roundhouse, London (23), University of East Anglia (UEA), Norwich (25), Engine Shed, Lincoln (26), HMV Empire, Coventry (27), Middlesbrough Town Hall (29), Scarborough Spa (30), Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton (31), O2 Academy Bournemouth (2 Nov), The Great Hall, Cardiff (3)
LIZZY MCALPINE
Lizzy McAlpine’s The Older Tour represents a coming-of-age story in real time. Following the success of her album ‘Older’ and its deluxe edition ‘Older (and Wiser)’, she’s stepping into the spotlight with a newfound confidence.
McAlpine’s rise has been meteoric, yet, it’s her ability to maintain intimacy in her songwriting that sets her apart – the ability to deliver both intimate, acoustic moments and powerful, full-band performances. As the momentum continues to build, this latest run is an opportunity to witness the evolution of a songwriter first-hand who has mastered the art of turning personal experiences into universal anthems.
Eventim Apollo, London (24, 25 Oct), O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester (27), O2 Academy Birmingham (28), Dublin (31)
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