First Call, Last Call

First Call

WHEN AN ex-music journalist forms a band, you would expect them to hit bullseye, or at least have a good idea of public taste. Along with their provocative name, Gay Dad have a charismatic lead-singer in Cliff Jones and a gloriously glam sound. They have been tipped as one to watch in 1999 and bear a passing resemblance to bands such as Arab Strap and Earl Brutus, without being so uncommercial.

The Varsity, Wolverhampton (01902-711166) 8 Feb

Last Call

A BITTERSWEET romance isn't something you would normally associate with the stark writing of Irvine Welsh (right). But there is an element of this in You'll Have Had Your Hole that shouldn't be missed, even if it won't get as much attention as the more familiar headline-grabbing Welsh material of kidnap, rape, torture and drug-taking. Set in an abandoned recording studio in Edinburgh, the play is directed by Ian Brown, and the cast includes Tam Dean Burn, Kirsty Mitchell and Billy McElhaney.

LA2, Charing Cross Road, London WC2 (0171-434 0403) from 25 Jan