TSL's top 10 things to do in January

This is basically going to be i) later and ii) better than ever other To Do To Be Cool list that you'll see. Because I don't care if they make you cool or not - I just know I'll be there so if you fancy coming down too, that would be lovely. It's basically me just asking for company...

14th - Kenny Wheeler 80th Birthday Celebration Concert
http://www.ram.ac.uk/events/Pages/default.aspx?View=concert
Actually, a bit of a sore point this one. I'm not going. Neither is Jonny. It's sold out. Tim and Amy are going though. And they are well lucky, because it's going to be incredible. Kenny Wheeler, Dave Holland, John Parricelli, Norma Winstone, Stan Sulzmann, Julien Arguelles, Evan Parker. And more. And no less than is deserved - happy birthday, KW.

18th - John Escreet & Bojan-Z Tetraband Double Bill at Ronnie Scott's
http://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/performances/view/186-double-bill-john-escreet-and-bojan-z-tetraband
This will be giant. Trust me. Or don't, and turn up yourself to have me proved right. I'd like that better, actually. PS There's a xenophone involved.

19th - Local Natives at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen
http://www.myspace.com/localnatives
These guys recently supported Of Montreal and were lovely - sweetly mournful and violin-y.

21st & 22nd - Another Timbre Festival at Cafe Oto
http://www.cafeoto.co.uk/AnotherTimbreFestivalDay1.shtm
A two day festival run by the improvisation and contemporary music label - featuring Stephen Cornford, and we're friends with his bro. Hear his sound installation stuff here: www.scrawn.co.uk

22nd - Way to Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake
http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=9914
Pretty self-explanatory but no less lovely for that - with Vashti Bunyan, Lisa Hannigan, Scott Matthews, Teddy Thompson and others - and bassist Danny Thompson (yes, he of Pentangle) who played with Nick on the original recordings.

23rd - Nick Mohammed in Bits
http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/shows/nick_mohammed
You really shouldn't need to be told how funny Nick is by now. Just find a way to see him live - like this! When he records his new R4 show. Do take oxygen with you though, as it is likely you'll struggle to breathe. He is that funny.

25th - Beggar's Opera: Reborn at the Roundhouse
http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/whats-on/productions/charles-hazlewood-s-4107
As part of the Reverb series - this is Charles Hazlewood's rethunk version of the Beggar's Opera - an all-star gig including those delicious Unthank girls and Adrian Utley. It will "reclaim our musical heritage for now"- so we should probably be there to witness it. Reverb runs from the 23rd and this ain't the only good fing in it.

27th - Laura Veirs at the Union Chapel
http://www.unionchapel.org.uk/events.php/259/laura_veirs_plus_guests_cataldo_and_old_believers
Well, because she's brilliant. That shouldn't need explaining. And in a place like the Union Chapel, where I would like to live, please, this will be luscious.

28th - All The Fires at The Bedford
http://www.allthefires.co.uk/
Oh they're lovely. And they're from Cornwall. Which makes them even better. Winter blues? What blues? The Bedford is in Balham, by the way.

30th - And Also The Trees at The Luminaire
http://www.theluminaire.co.uk/live-music/January/2010/1127/AND%20ALSO%20THE%20TREES%20+%20%20Katharine%20Blake%20&%20Nick%20Marsh
An acoustic set off the back of a tour around Europe playing toy museums and chapels. We've been trying to do that for a while, so I'm basically going just out of jealousy. Also because I like Nick Cave and PJ Harvey, and they're in a similar boat. Or at least, in the same marina.


And then it'll be February, and Shrove Tuesday, and Valentine's Day, and Episode 5.

A good day.

I had a day off work today. I promised myself it would be full of new music. Firstly - the Mumford & Sons album, which I wanted to dislike but don't at all because it's very good. Only one listen through so far, but I'm intrigued. Secondly, some Elvis Costello, Secret Profane and Sugarcane (not strictly new but still SO SO good) (also this was on new headphones so even better). Then, after a very overdue catch up with an excellent friend who had very good news, some excellent Brahms at the Royal Academy, and some excellent pasta, my first real listen to Sara Schiralli, on a friend's recommendation. She is really very very good. Oh alright then, excellent. And on her myspace it says unsigned?! Shocking. Sad we missed her with Martha Wainwright at the Hawley Arms on Monday... for a future podcast I hope?! Yes please.

www.myspace.com/saraschiralli

Mx