This April: Things to do in Cambridge When You're Dead (Bored)

April Fools Day safely over and the risk of being caught out by fake listings thus somewhat diminished, the time seemed right to put together a few selected (and subjective) Cambridge highlights for the month...

There are a couple of gigs of note at the Portland Arms, the first of which sees Cambridge’s off-hand alt-country heroes The Broken Family Band playing a two-set marathon of a night on the 6th. Later in the month Loophole headline a 4 bands for £4 REPEA*T night which also features long-absent punkers The Virgin Suicides, the Cambridge debut of War Disco quartet The Khe Sanh Approach(ex-Exiles/Dopejam/Moon Office/Vicious Kitten) and new band Kult.

The new APU Academy, Greenmind is now open and kicked off with a gig by The Subways with support from The Chalets and local boys Tern. Several tasty nights are lined up, including, on the 7th the reborn Hell Is For Heroes, and on the 9th sleazy, mohair-jumpered mayhem from Sheffield’s finest Pink Grease. Plus, there’s a re-scheduled Paddingtons gig on the 28th with support from Cambridge’s own Cosy Cosy.

As ever, the Man on the Moon is putting on an absolute multitude of gigs, details of which can be found on their website. A particularly special mention must go to the mightily good cause that is the Strawberry Fair benefit on the 30th, featuring Spooky Hi-Fi, Badwell Ash and Sonus. Other nights worth your attention ex-Carter USM fun from Abdoujaparov(Wednesday 20th, £6) and a four-pronged rock’n’roll assault from Antihero/Miss Black America/Ten Year Prospect/Khe Sanh Approach(Friday 22nd, £4)

There’re a few things worth mentioning at The Junction, too. The Kaiser Chiefs have sold out, but tickets for the new Butler/Anderson collaboration The Tears * are still up for grabs on the 18th, as are tickets for the Cambridge Bands.com Showcase gig on the 28th featuring *The Broken Family Band, and many other local acts.

Finally to The Corn Exchange, which is hosting the final of this year’s 'Get Heard' Band Contest on Saturday the 9th. For £2 you can watch finalists After 4, Inkus, Kyan Kuatois *and Aeon* battle it out, with the guest headline slot filled by Miss Black America. Monday the 18th sees Idlewild take the stage, while those looking for a retro hits can catch The Hives on Saturday the 23rd.

As ever, those who want MORE, MORE MORE are directed to We’re All Neighbours for enough listings to satisfy even the most empty of social calendars.