February Live

After the cold, dreary month that is January has now finally passed, it's time to dig out your glad-rags again and find some cool bands to go and see. And the good news is that February is shaping up to provide plenty of opportunities with a whole host of gigs and shows booking in around the city. It's sods law I'm going to be away for most of these, but here's my pick of the bunch for the month ahead anyway:

01/02 - Tonight we've got El Presidente on at the Komedia. I haven't quite made up my mind if I quite like them or not, but their in-store set at Oxford Street's HMV a few months ago was okay. And their drummer is very pretty.

03/02 - Here at the Dome we've got Belle & Sebastian's sold out show, with Brakes supporting. Meanwhile over at Brighton Centre they've got The Strokes - also sold out I'm afraid.

05/02 - Another couple of gigs to choose between: Jose Gonzalez (rumoured to be playing at the Dome later in the year - watch this space) is playing at the Concorde, whilst hotly-tipped band The Crimea are playing at the Freebutt.

08/02 - The surreal world of The Mighty Boosh takes over the Dome for the first of two sold out nights of their brand new comedy show. Absolutely gutted I'm missing this one!

09/02 - Following hot on the heels of Arcade Fire, are Clap Your Hands Say Yeah this year's next big thing? Well, their self-titled album sounds pretty good, and you can see them live here at the Concorde.

13/02 - Last time I saw James Blunt play in Brighton he was at the Concorde. Now, less than a year later, his Back To Bedlam album has become 2005's top seller and he's in the big league playing at Brighton Centre. Alternatively you'll find local up-and-comers The Kooks taking his place at the Concorde.

15/02 - With a new album The Comfort Of Strangers out this month, it's a welcome return to the Dome for the kooky Beth Orton.

16/02 - This month's hottest ticket is undoubtedly the NME Awards Tour at the Dome. The rather uninspiring Maximo Park are headlining with band-of-the-moment Arctic Monkeys supporting, and the excellent We Are Scientists and the frankly rather dodgy Mystery Jets making up the rest of the bill.

19/02 - Ex-JAMC frontman Jim Reid is doing a rare solo show at the Pressure Point if my sources are correct!

22/02 - Lou Rhodes (former vocalist with Lamb) is doing a solo performance down at the Concorde.

25/02 - My final tip for the month is yet another sold-out show from a local band as The Go! Team celebrate the success of their Ladyflash single with a gig at the Corn Exchange.