Although the sun’s been vaguely threatening to shine, it’s still nowhere near springtime yet, so get in from the cold and warm your spirits with three key live gigs going on in Leeds this week!

Ezra Furman @ Brudenell Social Club, Saturday 3^rd February

The creative force behind six highly distinctive albums of colourful indie-rock under his own name and with two backing bands including The Harpoons and current set-up The Boy-Friends, Ezra Furman is readying the release of his seventh LP, Transangelic Exodus, due out on February 9^th.

Even more characterful and disarming in the flesh than in the studio, Furman is the stand-out performer in Leeds this week, and his set at the Brudenell Social Club ought to be a fascinating glimpse of the new material in action.

Thomas Truax @ Brudenell Social Club, Sunday 4^th February

Now then. New York-based outsider artist Thomas Truax promises one of the weirder live experiences to catch in Leeds in the whole of 2018, never mind this week. He’s sure to have a wide selection of his various unique, home-made steampunk instruments in tow.

Sure, it’s not the standard Sunday evening fare that most of us are presented with in mainstream entertainment, but go in with your mind and ears opened and Truax won’t disappoint. At only £5 a ticket and with no fewer than FOUR support acts, this is well worth your money!

Brooders @ Oporto, Wednesday 7^th February

It’s been a privilege to watch Brooders ascend through the ranks and become one of the best local live bands on the circuit over the last couple of years. Lead singer Adam Bairstow is clearly a keen student of showmanship, exuding confidence but never arrogance in leading his group’s pursuit of dumb thrills and sophisticated riffs.

Coming up to the first anniversary of the release of their terrific debut album Brooders, and with the release of latest single ‘Amnesia’ a couple of months back, Oporto is a fine environment to catch them in.

READ MORE: In conversation with Brooders