WAREHOUSE REPUBLIC'S BLAZING CALAMITY + BAD SANTA'S KOKO DINOSAUR PILE-UP + THE LUMINAIRE'S LAST STAND + CLASSY FLORENCE JOELLE

BAND of the moment Warehouse Republic are hot.

Sadly so hot that guitarist Charlie Flynn’s house just burned down, devouring all he owns, including five guitars. He jumped from the attic window, breaking his fall on the porch, escaping with minor injuries. Go on Fender, help them out.
But this misfortune hasn’t put them off their campaign to save the 100 Club or their planned appearance at The Good Ship (Dec 17) – acoustic while Charlie recovers. A chance to see them in a small venue before they shoot into the stratosphere. Judge them by fantastic single Revolver released this week.

•  Manchester band The Quangos have already won support slots with Kid British and Ten Bears and now they're coming to London. Always room for another good northern band as far as I'm concerned. See them play The Dublin Castle on December 11. 

•  The Riff Raff play 02 Academy Islington tonight (Thurs). Drawing influences from indie, ska, folk and classical music, band were were one of the main highlights of BBC Introducing’s New Music Radio 1 Stage at Glastonbury.
•  Koko’s Christmas party is here. See Dinosaur Pile Up and Kassidy tomorrow (Dec 10) and visit Bad Santa in the gallery - free entry to anyone in full fancy dress between 9pm and 11pm.
•  The Luminaire may be closing but it’s not leaving without uncovering the next great student musicians. The top three bands in national student Battle of the Bands duel to the death on (Dec 13) – hear the tunes we’ll be downloading in 2011. Hear all the tracks here: www.studentbeans.com/battleofthebands
•  Miss Florence Joelle is a class act, evoking the mood and glamour of the 40s/50s, adding a modern twist and balancing between blues and jazz with finesse. See her at The Fiddler’s Elbow, Malden Road (Dec 14).
•  The Camden Crawl’s building momentum with CC2011 TIPS #3. Get to know the bands who will appear on the full scale crawl, ft Wild Palms, Bear Driver, The Slow Revolt and Heart Kill Grant at The Bull & Gate (Dec 15).

FLOWERPOTS, WHEELBARROWS AND THE END OF AN ERA FOR THE LUMINAIRE + 100 CLUB CAMPAIGN HOTS UP

MIXED fortunes in our musical microcosm this week.
Good news first. The rumours – reported here first three weeks ago – are true. The Flowerpot has taken over Tommy Flynn’s in Camden High Street (though in my haste, I may have accidentally referred to it as Johnny Flynn’s, yes, I know, he’s a singer, see clip below).


Keeping up the gardening theme The Flowerpot (in its new location) has been renamed The Wheelbarrow and has kept the winning format, permanent free entry to top live gigs. The big launch is tomorrow (Friday) with HoodIums, I just hope the distinctive muso character isn’t eroded by the new, central location.

• Bad news for lovers of The Luminaire, in Kilburn, which has announced it is shutting in January. Sad to read the final listings email this week.

• At the same time the starry-eyed campaign to save the 100 Club from closing has gathered pace, maybe they can spare a few celebs for The Luminaire.
Kentish Town rockabilly family Kitty, Daisy and Lewis and hot young things The Cut Outs feature in this special campaign documentary.



• Finley Quaye did his bit for homeless charity The Connection when he played an exclusive live gig at Proud Camden on Tuesday.

• I hear Liam Gallagher was gracious and amiable at the launch of his Pretty Green label at Relentless Garage last week – though he would be if he’s raking in £30 for scarves and £35 for T-shirts. Good reports of headliners Exit Calm too.

• Catch a glimpse of what Elton’s wedding was like at The Castle, Finchley Road, tomorrow (Friday). Elton loved sixties band The Overtures so much they played at his civil partnership.

• Looking for rock with roots? See The Manic Shine at The Purple Turtle on Saturday.
• Richard Ashcroft plays Islington’s Union Chapel on Tuesday, good luck getting a ticket though – most are reserved for his fan club.

• Flavour of the Month, Mona, play Hoxton bar and Kitchen (Dec 7).