Thursday 18 February
Hexicon
with the Just Joans and Cancel the Astronauts
Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh
7pm, £5

Hexicon

Hexicon are bringing their gorgeous summer pop up from London to bring an end to the Scottish winter once and for all. They played their first show this side of the border last August as part of the Retreat festival, and were without doubt one of the highlights of the day. Reminiscent of Yo La Tengo at their most up beat, or, as one reviewer put it, "If the Beach Boys were from Kent and recorded pet sounds with the audience on percussion".

Featuring members of Allo, Darlin's backing band - they're no strangers to a catchy pop tune, or clever lyric. New single 'Something Strange Beneath the Stars' is one of the catchiest songs you'll here this year. And a prefect introduction to the band before their debut full length lands later this year.

http://www.bunkeronthehill.com
http://www.myspace.com/hexicon

The Just Joans

the Just Joans create tales of heartache and teenage longing in small town Caledonia. Is This Music described their debut album (Last Tango In Motherwell) as "frankly staggering", and probably the best album of that year. This was followed by two mini-albums on the rather lovely Wee POP label: Virgin Lips and Hey Boy, You're So Sensitive, and a split 7" with the Smittens. For those who like their sweet boy-girl vocals with a Scottish accent.

http://www.myspace.com/thejustjoans

Cancel the Astronauts

In a city which seems to like to keep things on the folky side, Cancel the Astronauts remain a shiny beacon of indie pop excess. Their new EP, the fantastically titled 'I Am The President Of Your Fanclub (And Last Night I Followed You Home)', is a collection of note-perfect pop - the sound of a band finding their voice and coming into their own.

"For fans of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: this is how you wish they sounded live." - The Skinny

http://www.myspace.com/canceltheastronauts