By Vicky Greer.
You’ve had your festive break to rest up and heal from any lingering hangovers – it’s time to get 2025 off to a banging start with some high-energy gigs across the city. This month, the winter hibernation period is going on a little longer than usual, so our live picks are all crammed into a busy week and a half at the end of the month.
2024 was a standout year for music – from record-breaking popstars and the unstoppable rise of Chappell Roan to The Cure’s first album in 16 years, plus all of the exciting up-and-comers who passed through Southampton, it was a year for the books.
For 2025, let’s set some musical resolutions. Hit an independent venue once a month, or go and see an artist you know nothing about. Let’s have a year full of music discovery!
Monday 20th – Cardinals, Heartbreakers
Ireland has long been the centre of guitar music, and Cardinals are the latest in a long line of legends to continue the trend. In 2024, they released their debut EP which offers just a sample of what they can do as a band. See them at Heartbreakers on the 20th to hear the EP and more. Fans of Inhaler, Fontaines D.C and The Murder Capital will want to be there.
Tickets here.
Friday 24th – Anna B Savage, Vinilo
Head to Vinilo on the 24th to mix things up with the stripped-back, acoustic-folksy sounds of Anna B Savage, who is performing an intimate in-store show of her new album You and I are Earth, with a signing after the set. Her new album sits between music and literature, rooted in a love for the natural world. Just listening to her music brings about a sense of peace.
More information here.
Saturday 25th – New Years Day, Engine Rooms
Alternatively, you can travel to the other end of the music spectrum the next day at the Engine Rooms with New Years Day (not to be confused with the actual day, the goth-metal band will arrive later in the month). I last saw the band at The 1865 for an absolutely riotous night in early 2020, so get down to Engine Rooms for a high-energy night of earth-shattering rock.
More information here.
Saturday 25th – Gary Crosby and Denys Baptiste, Turner Sims
Also on Saturday, Gary Crosby and Denys Baptiste (pictured top) launch Turner Sims’ jazz season with an all-star quartet celebrating John Coltrane’s ‘A Love Supreme’.
More information here.
Sunday 26th – DITZ, Vinilo
Completing the weekend of live music is DITZ, who will be sharing their blistering sophomore album Never Exhale a few days after release. It’s a collection of frenetic post-punk with a sound that reflects the thrilling trajectory of the band themselves. It’s always a delight to see how noise-rock bands and other loud genres translate into the intimate space of Vinilo. It’s unlikely you’ll see DITZ in a venue this small again.
Pre-order the album and secure your ticket here.
Thursday 30th – Destroy Boys, Engine Rooms
Finally, we round off the month with Destroy Boys’ raucous punk at the Engine Rooms as they celebrate their fourth album Funeral Soundtrack #4, released last summer. Combining an irresistible 90s skate-punk sound with elements of emo and pop-punk, they’re very likely to blow the roof off the venue. A guaranteed mosh to end the month.
Buy tickets here.
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