Music Round-Up 15th to 31st January

Helen Of Troy... hates the cold dear readers. We don't mind telling you it takes something extra special to force us to leave our cosy little abodes, donned with mittens bought from the Christmas markets and scarves knitted by our nearest and dearest. Fortunately, January is rather a quiet month and provides few reasons to venture out onto the dark, inhospitable streets of Mancunia. However, there's always something going on in our fair city so here are a couple of events to tempt you out of your toasty boltholes.

Saturday 24^th January - Grace Jones
Williams Blood, though only released towards the end of last year, was one of our best-loved tracks from 2008. Taken from latest album Hurricane – her first album to be released in more than twenty years – it surprised critics and fans alike, and although not commercially successful, garnered a much-deserved underground following. Miss Jones has reached the ripe old age of 60 years old, and during her lifetime has been many things: a supermodel, actress, singer, and perhaps most exciting and truest of all, a force of nature. This may be your last chance to see the original diva in action.
www.theworldofgracejones.com
Details: Apollo, Stockport Road, Manchester
7pm, £35 adv (excluding fees)

Tuesday 27^th January - Sky Larkin
Tipped as ones to watch in 2009 (not only by us, but by critics too!), this Leeds-based three piece proffer an unrelenting alt.rock sound complete with enchanting and uplifting summery melodies. Lead vocalist Katie Harkin presents as a rather formidable front woman, calling to mind PJ Harvey in attitude and Bjork and Regina Spektor vocally. Their début album The Golden Spike is released next month on Wichita.
www.myspace.com/skylarkinskylarkin
Details: Night & Day, Oldham Street, Central Manchester
8pm, £6 adv (excluding fees)