BRANNAVAN GNANALINGAM trawls the local music calendar to bring us the month’s best gigs. This January: The Fleet Foxes, Dodos w/ The Ruby Suns, Metronomy w/ The Teenagers, Throwing Muses, Gypsy Fever Summer Tour, Spiritualized, Girl Talk, Stereolab w/ Bachelorette.


» The Fleet Foxes, Jan 7 @ San Francisco Bathhouse (Wgtn); Jan 8 @ The Bruce Mason Centre (Akld)
The shimmering harmonies and melodies of the Fleet Foxes have been topping 2008 best-of lists all around the world – traces of the Beach Boys, Appalachian folk, and ’60s classic rock are thrown into one beautiful cornucopia. They are playing two shows in New Zealand, right when they are at their hottest.

» Dodos w/ The Ruby Suns, Jan 8 @ Al’s Bar (Chch); Jan 9 @ San Francisco Bathhouse (Wgtn); Jan 10 @ Kings Arms (Akld); Jan 11 @ Leigh’s Sawmill Café
Tribal folk meets electronic manipulation, Dodos take on the template of bands such as the Animal Collective but twist it even further. Thrilling and breathtaking – last year’s album Visiter is brilliant, and full of pop/folk/dance-y goodness.

» Metronomy w/ The Teenagers, Jan 9 @ Kings Arms (Akld); Jan 10 @ Bodega (Wgtn)
Two of the hottest bands around at the mo, the English Metronomy, and the French/English The Teenagers promise double bill goodness. Their dance rock and in The Teenagers’ case, filthy lyrics/love songs to Scarlett Johansson will provide the soundtrack to a great summer party.

» Throwing Muses, Jan 12 @ San Francisco Bathhouse (Wgtn)
’80s/early ’90s indie legends Throwing Muses are playing a Wellington-only show. Friends with bands such as the Pixies and other college rock legends, part of the 4AD stable, and featuring such figures as Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly, Throwing Muses are one of the key bands from indie’s halcyon days.

» Gypsy Fever Summer Tour, starting Jan 12 @ Festival of the Lights (New Plymouth)
An eleven show Balkan/Eastern European/klezmer extravaganza featuring the Benka Borodovsky Bordello Band and DJ Balkanetic is touring the country with a highly danceable and theatrical set-up. The tour covers New Plymouth (Jan 12, Festival of the Lights), Picton (Jan 14, Le Café), Lyttleton (Jan 15, Harbour Light), Wanaka (Jan 16, Red Rock), Queenstown (Jan 17, Revolver), Fox Glacier (Jan 18, Cook’s Saddle Café), Marahau (Jan 21, Marahau Park Café), Takaka (Jan 22, Mussel Inn), Nelson (Jan 23, Phat Club w/ DJ Moksha), Wellington (Jan 24, Mighty Mighty), Porirua (Jan 25, Aunt Daisy’s Boathouse).

» Spiritualized, Jan 13 @ The Powerstation (Akld)
Formed from the seminal Spaceman 3, Jason Pierce’s follow-up, Spiritualized were an underground buzz until 1997’s brilliant Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space gained widespread acclaim. Their brilliant use of harmonies, minimalism, studio wizardry and lush textures make for one hypnotic experience.

» Girl Talk, Jan 24 @ San Francisco Bathhouse (Wgtn); Jan 25 @ Cassette #9 (Akld) w/ Coco Solid
This no doubt will be one of the biggest parties of the year, even if it is only in January. The mash-ups and remixes of DJ Greg Gillis are already renowned as one of the funnest live shows around today, and his manic stage persona and glorious tunes will be guaranteed to be a long sweaty night.

» Stereolab w/ Bachelorette, Jan 28 @ Kings Arms (Akld) & Jan 29 @ San Francisco Bathhouse (Wgtn)
One of the most alternative of alternative bands, Stereolab have been marrying intellect with stunning music for over two decades now. A hugely influential band, with a cavalcade of brilliant albums (including 2008’s topnotch Chemical Chords) this gig is highly, highly recommended. Art and politics have never sounded as good. (Bachelorette isn’t half-bad either).

Upcoming Gigs: Jeff Beck, Nine Inch Nails, Dan Deacon, Of Montreal, Jim White & John Doe, Coldplay, David Byrne. Also a little thing called the Big Day Out on January 16, Camp A Low Hum, The Who w/ The Counting Crows, Jackson Browne.