At the time of writing this, the end of May 2021 is nearing and more and more restrictions are lifting in the UK. The post-pandemic light might — I type very tentatively — be at the end of the tunnel. So, what’s the current gig picture? The situation is a bit inconsistent, I have to say, but at least tour announcements and actual events are on the up.

Of course, you’ll have read about the warehouse rave and festival trials, which seem to have been largely successful. At least, they should be considered that way, if there was such a low level of transmission of coronavirus, all test events combined. And now that the vaccine’s being pumped into arms daily, gigs shouldn’t feel in jeopardy like they were in 2020.

Recently, Kid Kapichi finally celebrated their album release with a couple of seated, socially distanced shows. A massive win for the lads — and also the music industry! They aren’t the only ones doing these kind of gigs either. Sure, some artists would prefer to stick to live streams until we can ditch the chairs, masks and space, understandably, but others are getting right into taking what they can. I completely get that, too — good on them.

For me personally, I’m patiently on the waiting lists (urgh) for Arlo Parks, Greentea Peng and Ross from Friends. But I have bagged actual tickets for the upcoming Strange Bones and Calva Louise dual gig at The Key Club, Leeds, which will be sweaty and crazy and all kinds of energetic. And I don’t want to stop there with booking things either, so watch this space for more news and, wait for it… ACTUAL RECORD WEEKLY GIG REVIEWS AGAIN.