We've said it before but we're big fans of the End of the Road festival and record label, promoters of country, folk and Americana. So it's with festive cheer that they return with this year's Christmas Shindig at Cargo on Wednesday. The night promises a packed line-up of music and more, with joint headliners Josh T Pearson and Joe Gideon and the Shark.
Grizzled troubadour Pearson makes a rare live appearance after his festival set this year. Cutting an imposing figure and with a previous album title like The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads, expect big themes and songs about his troubled life, beaten out on an old guitar. The guy's also a very funny raconteur onstage, much like fellow traveller Steve Earle.
Joe Gideon and the Shark are a brother-sister blues-punk outfit that kick any White Stripes references to the kerb with this year's accomplished debut, Harum Scarum. The Londoners ply a mean line in guitar squalls and primal howls, and there's a particularly homegrown feel to Joe's wry spoken-word narratives, so fans of Nick Cave will find much to admire here.
First on are Esben and the Witch, a Brighton trio who take their name from a Danish fairytale involving cruelty to children and ritual slaughter, so it's fair to say they'll conjure up the nightmare before Christmas. Drenched in reverb and eerie found sounds, they're set to open the evening in captivating style.
The evening also includes the hilarious Ringo: Music Bingo, no doubt with some excellent prizes to be won, and hot cider to warm the cockles of any hardy folk prepared to brave the patio. The first 30 through the door get a Christmas present and there are EOTR DJs until 1am, so quite a shindig it will be.
Tickets are £10 in advance from WeGotTickets
