Du Blonde is returning to her hometown of Newcastle in January for a gig at The Cluny, which I imagine will be all kinds of amazing.

I saw Du Blonde at The Cluny back when she was still going under her real name Beth Jeans Houghton. That was around 2011 and, although she was still very young, I thought she was outstanding. I’ve since followed her career with interest as she took on the Du Blonde moniker and made a series of albums that were studded with raucous rock/pop gems that were heavier than her earlier work, but which pulsated with melodic know-how. And that keen ear for a melody is very evident on her spankingly fizzy new album ‘Sniff More Gritty’, which came out in November. It’s a release chockfull of huge hooks, scuzzed-up riffs, forays into folky-punk, and day-glo grunge. It also thrums with the kind of cock a snook attitude that is utterly joyous. Apart from live drums – played by Chris McManus – it’s entirely performed, engineered and produced by Du Blonde, and features collaborations with Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace, Skunk Anansie’s Skin, Maximo Park’s Paul Smith and The Futurehead’s Ross Millard. Quick! Sound the ‘Gig of the Month’ Klaxon! DP

Du Blonde, Friday 24 January, The Cluny, Newcastle, 7.30pm, £15, thecluny.com