A lot of venues like to let out their belts in January, and stick their feet up for a month or so. Not so Zerox in Newcastle who have pulled together a line-up of gigs that are guaranteed to get your 2025 off to a thrilling start.

What have you got to look forward to in January? A new series of Traitors? Trump’s inauguration? Black ice? It’s grim, whichever way you try and dress it up. But Zerox in Newcastle are not messing about this January. They’ve taken that most wretched of all months and sprinkled some fucking stardust over the bastard. So let’s talk gigs. How about Wristmeetrazor on 21 January. Deriving their name from screamo band Usurp Synapse, this US metalcore band from Washington was born as an outlet for trauma and they’ve built a cult following for their songs of misery and hate (and love) – which are all seen through their decidedly jade coloured glasses. In short: they’re the real deal. Next up – on 24 January – is Nottingham’s outrageously good Cucamaras. This four-piece soon outgrew their early straight-up indie sound and replaced it with an energetic and post-punk attack that is infused with poetry and plenty of wired bounce. Naturally, their indie roots still show through, but they’re now a much more enticing proposition: complex, built from shades of light and dark, and genre-mashing for the sheer fun of it. Then we have a double of bill of rare quality featuring Trip Westerns and Hutch (26 January). Trip Westerns are a five-piece from Brighton who bash out rollicking R&B that’s infused with surf and psych sounds, while Hutch – another Brighton band – delight with their colourful and kaleidoscopic jangle of whimsy. Headlining the next gig night at Zerox is alt-metal band Defences (30 January) and they’re very much on the opposite end of the spectrum to Hutch (i.e. no whimsy). Their last album ‘Shadowlight’ (released in 2024) is a corking release full of huge riffs and, thematically, explores what it means to accept your inner darkness. Crikey! Support for them from Waves, Foxhaunt and Drenched. And then, just dipping our toes into February, I can wholeheartedly recommend Xeno & Oaklander (pictured - 4 February). This French/Norwegian duo push dark wave into the most interesting of directions and their 2024 album ‘Via Negativa’ is resplendent with pulsating beats and atmospheric melodies galore. Support for them from Ye Gods and Vigilance State. Fill yer boots. DP

Zerox, Newcastle. More info: facebook.com/ZEROXbarNewcastle; songkick.com/venues/4432237-zerox