A QUICK bleary-eyed peek out from under the duvet and the worst suspicions are confirmed.

Out there, across the bitter room, through the frosted-up window and out to the grey empty world beyond, it was true.

It was still flipping January.

But, wait, don’t give up yet.

There’s a few sparkling highlights of sonic joy coming your way to lighten your dreary lives, starting this Sunday, January 24, with the launch party/gig for the debut album from Wilson at the Old Ship in up-market downtown Upwey, Weymouth.

Old School New Rules has hardly been off the Bush phonographic playing device at Horton Towers over the past couple of weeks and the soaring harmonies and sublime song-writing will be the perfect antidote to a bleak January Sunday. They’re on from 2.30pm.

And talking of sublime song-writing (seamless link courtesy of The One Show) here’s the last call for the return of Bob Hewerdine to the Sunray Folk Club next Thursday, January 28.

Not only will you treated to a master class from one of the country’s most highly-regarded tunesmiths, you’ll also have the opportunity to give folk club supremo Bob Kirkpatrick the birthday bumps.

Admission for the show at Broadmayne village hall is a mere £10 on the door which will conveniently open at 7.30pm.

Looking ahead to next weekend, and by way of complete contrast, there’s a fundraising night of moshing metal at Finns in Weymouth with sets from Light Fire Down, Accursed Years and Solent.

(If they don’t name their debut album …but Deadly, there is something not quite right in this world).

Anyways, it’s £2 on the door from 7pm and raising money for Fathers4Justice, so fancy dress is encouraged and anyone who spends the night on the roof dressed as Batman will earn a bonus point.

Now then, here’s advance warning to lock up your pets and take cover ahead of the visit of rock legend and all round nutjob John Otway.

He’s bringing his hilarious show to the Harbour Lights eaterie at Portland Marina on Saturday, February 6.

I’ve seen him twice before, at Forever Sun and more recently at the Weymouth Pavilion, and it’s quite an amazing experience.

Firstly, how one man can get a two-hour show from just two (almost) hit singles over a 40-year career, and also how he doesn’t end up in A&E after every gig.

Tickets are £10 from the venue.

And finally, it’s the end of an earache at Tom Browns in Dorchester as Jamie Pinnow steps down from hosting the Open Mic Surgery there on Thursday nights after six years.

“It’s time to move on. It’s been great fun and we’ve had some incredible talent there. Next week’s will be my last one but the event will continue,” he tells me.

Right, that’s it for this week.

Till next time...

GIG GUIDE:

TONIGHT (22)

Amy Mayes (Finns, Weymouth)

Blazing Strings (Lazy Lizard, Weymouth)

Martin Maton (Weymouth Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Sheryl Lee (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Elmore Goes Electric (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Garry Smith (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Gut and Steel (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Jolly Boys Outing (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Mad Hatters (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

SATURDAY (23)

Regulation 9 (Finns, Weymouth)

Tripod (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Dr Robert (Market House, Weymouth)

Leggomen (Lazy Lizard, Weymouth)

The Dolmen (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Sammie (Weymouth WMC, Weymouth)

Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

The Hurricanes (Wyke Regis WMC, Weymouth)

Morgan Lily (Park, Weymouth)

Barry Hobson (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

The Lanterns (Tom Browns, Dorchester)

Replay (Star, Weymouth)

Speedway Snails (New Star Inn, Portland)

The Lanterns (Tom Browns, Dorchester) Now with added fiddle.

Tracey Martin (Centenary Club, Weymouth)

Finn (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Compass (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Rich Young (Harbour Lights, Portland Marina)

No Country for Old Men (Ropemakers, Bridport)

SUNDAY (24)

Wilson (Old Ship, Upwey) 2.30pm. The album launch gig.

Andy Matthews (Park, Weymouth) 3pm.

Travelling Moon (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, Weymouth) 3pm.

Jam Night (Sailor’s Return, Weymouth) 8pm.

Open Mic Surgery (George, Dorchester)

Sheryl Lee’s Sunday Club (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 4pm.

Danny Adams (Boho, Weymouth) 7pm.

Blazing Strings (Ayya, Weymouth) 10pm.

Dave Bowen Quintet (Trooper Inn, Stourton Caundle) 1.30pm

Gut and Steel (Crown, Bridport) 4pm.

Georgie Broad (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Tripod (Three Compasses, Charminster)

MONDAY (25)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

TUESDAY (26)

Jazz Guitar Nights (Boho, Weymouth)

Singalong with Nigel (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (27)

Jam Night (Lazy Lizard, Weymouth) Hosted by Blazing Strings

Georgie Broad (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Dave P’s Open Mic Night (Rendezvous, Weymouth) From 8pm.

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Open Mic Night (Belvedere, Weymouth) An Evening with… (Boho, Weymouth) Originals night.

THURSDAY (28)

Boo Hewerdine (Sunray Folk Club, village hall, Broadmayne)

Leggomen (George, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Open Mic Surgery (Tom Brown’s, Dorchester)

Steve’s Singalong (King’s Arms Weymouth)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, Weymouth) 8pm.

SoapBox Night (Belvedere, Weymouth) Hosted by DuKane.

FRIDAY (29)

Light Fire Down, Accursed Years, Solent (Finns, Weymouth)

Chase Me (Lazy Lizard, Weymouth)

Brian Harris (Weymouth Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

The Remedy (Park, Weymouth)

Phil Hammond (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Replay (Wyke Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Skint Imperials (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Duke and the Broad (Clifton, Portland)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Freezer (Spice Ship, Preston, Weymouth)

Tripod (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

The Riffs (Little Ship, Portland)

Leggomen (Harbour Lights, Portland Marina)

White City Shakers (Ropemakers, Bridport)