Jamie

The Pastels The brightest, most enduring stars among Scotlands lambent independent music mythology, The Pastels are the stuff of quiet legend: a congenial, sometimes ramshackle Glasgow-based music group, whose steadfast counter-cultural allegiance has inspirited grassroots and international artists since the 1980s. The Pastels rough-hewn almost-pop has spanned myriad albums: not least their imperious 1987 debut, Up For A Bit With The Pastels (Glass); and their inaugural Domino epistles, Mobile Safari (1995) and Illumination (1997). Meanwhile their radiant Geographic imprint (Kama Aina, Bill Wells, Maher Shalal Hash Baz), continues to unveil untapped, wonderful music from around the world. Most recently The Pastels completed new music for a theatre production by Glasgow based company, 12 Stars, and this rare live appearance at Triptych will premiere brand-new material from their forthcoming albums (one a collaboration with Tenniscoats) set for release on Domino later this year. Tenniscoats Tokyos auroral folk popsters Tenniscoats are fragile harbingers of dark, beguiling meditations and quietly joyous, psychedelic psalms. If their first music suggested a slightly gauche take on western pop, their second album, The Ending Theme (Noble, 2002) was a halcyon, spellbinding portent of forthcoming glories. We Are Everyone (Rover, 2004) and Live Wanderus (Chapter, 2005) truly disclosed Tenniscoats intense, brooding, improvised force: guitars like silver, pianos like thunder, rhythms like the wind, vocals like gauze. Avidly commanded by the enchanting Saya and Takashi Ueno, Tenniscoats are assured to entirely enamour with their empyrean arias and hair-raising charms. The Royal We Citing influences such as limp wrists and tight fists; throwing knives and famous wives; chemistry sets and stuffing pets; ships in bottles and aeroplane models, capricious pop musketeers The Royal We are Glasgows finest, fieriest, freshest proponents of siren electro, two-stepping screamo, pistol-whipped disco and string-addled glam-rock. http://www.triptychfestival.com

Cinematic Orchestra Among the UKs most versatile and venerated ensembles, the Cinematic Orchestra lavishly synthesise jazz, soul, hip-hop, minimalism, choral psalms, filmic vistas, urban knees-ups and groove-lubed wig-outs. Fronted by jazz malcontent Jason Swinscoe, TCO are a singular, virtuosic rabble: they amalgamate live instruments and electronic trickery to fashion a dazzling, dramatic palette as currently attested on their album Ma Fleur (Ninja Tune). Theyve collaborated with rap overlord Roots Manuva and soul queen Fontella Bass (amongst others); theyve issued soundtracks including a swaggering score for silent classic Man With A Movie Camera; theyre vehemently championed by global guru Gilles Peterson. TCO are one of our most unifying musical troupes. Fitkin Wall An exigent fusion of new technology and ancient instruments delineates Fitkin Wall a collusion between harpist Ruth Wall and composer Graham Fitkin, whose scattered beats, stuttering grooves and digital manipulation are gloriously, and harmoniously, at odds with the intimate, organic cry of the harp. Variously recalling Steve Reich, Ennio Morricone, Bowie, John Coltrane and Talvin Singh, Fitkin Walls mesmerising, multi-layered canvass marries neo-classical, electronica and jazz to create an enticing, sumptuous, body of work. http://www.triptychfestival.com

Noticed Julian Cope playing in May on the Ticketmaster mail out - nice one! (Dale, your lobbying has finally paid off). Might have to try and get back up the road for that

Nothing against the Chems, but they don't really seem to be in keeping with with the pre-publicity and Connect Loves lists' alternative ethos.

Yeah, great show - magic to see and hear extremely talented musicians using their skills in a very unflashy way where the overall sound was far more important to them than showing that they could do techincally difficult stuff as individuals (they did bring Acoustic Ladyland to mind in that respect), and the double drumming was indeed immense. I heartily recommend catching Quack Quack's next show.

I can understand why you might think not, but I have a good recovery rate and use a technique called "the Mick Quinn warm down" to minimise the impact of the enormous stresses and strains my body goes through during a game.

Have the running times for this been set? I'm playing footy till 8, but hope to still make most of the show.

I'm gutted to be missing this incredible line up, but have to attend a funeral in the bleak and windlashed northern outpost of Thurso (I think Ivor would have approved of such an excuse). Hope it goes really well, and congrats to IMP on their 100th show.

Now that's what I call service!

Thursday Live - Free Lunch-time gigs every Thursday (full menu available including Pasta & Pint £5) The Garcias Thursday 14th December Doors open: noon Show starts: 1pm With energetic live shows and catchy lyrics the Garcias are well worth seeing. Dave Dixon (acoustic) + Friends Thursday 21st December Doors open: noon Show starts: 1pm The Needles' front-man is a hugely accomplished performer in his own right. Right Hand Left Thursday 11th January Doors open: noon Show starts: 1pm With influences ranging from Soulwax, Bloc Party and Led Zeppelin through to Miles Davis, the wall of sound Right hand left create is powerful and unique. Amber Thursday 18th January Doors open: noon Show starts: 1pm Amber is an outstanding singer-songwriter, not to be missed. Nils Elders Thursday 25th January Doors open: noon Show starts: 1pm A passionate singer-songwriter with a real connection to his music, that mesmerises audiences.

Hailed by aficionados and music press around the world as Europes foremost blues harmonica exponent, Paul Lamb has forged himself a place in the history books as one of the greatest players of our time. He has won countless awards, sold record-breaking quantities of albums and was recently inducted into the British Blues Awards Hall Of Fame. Lamb still continues to bring his infectious brand of soulful blues to his legion of fans with a new incarnation of Britains best ever blues band, The King Snakes, and makes a very welcome return to The Lemon Tree, scene of many previous triumphs. Simply better than the opposition from whatever side of the Atlantic they come. Blueprint They play blues in the same way Brando used to straddle a Triumphlazily, cocksure, coolly and aggressive Blues & Rhythm Sounds as American and black as Brits dare Melody Maker

Aye... Paul Lamb & the King Snakes + support Saturday 20th January £9 (£6 concessions and Regulars) Doors open: 9pm Show starts: 9:30pm Hailed by aficionados and music press around the world as Europe’s foremost blues harmonica exponent, Paul Lamb has forged himself a place in the history books as one of the greatest players of our time. He has won countless awards, sold record-breaking quantities of albums and was recently inducted into the British Blues Awards Hall Of Fame. Lamb still continues to bring his infectious brand of soulful blues to his legion of fans with a new incarnation of Britain’s best ever blues band, The King Snakes, and makes a very welcome return to The Lemon Tree, scene of many previous triumphs. “Simply better than the opposition from whatever side of the Atlantic they come.” Blueprint “They play blues in the same way Brando used to straddle a Triumph…lazily, cocksure, coolly and aggressive” Blues & Rhythm “Sounds as American and black as Brits dare” Melody Maker

No - solo show

The Garcias Thursday 14th December Doors open: noon Show starts: 1pm With energetic live shows and catchy lyrics the Garcias are well worth seeing.

He's playing two sets over a period of two hours - first set concentrating on older material, the second previewing his forthcoming album.

Excellent reason - practical, philanthropic (assuming you're not charging them that is), displaying family loyalty and repsect for elders.... and kitchen related! Question is though Alan, would you move a cooker (or any other kitchen appliance) for the rogue-ish uncle you were singing about at Snafu last week?

This week Alamos Thursday 7th December FREE Doors open: noon Show starts: 1pm " Alamos are a band finding their own voice, but are already as musically tight as their own trousers. " Kerrang A L A M O S

Everett Morton (drums) Ranking Roger (vocals) Blockhead (keyboards) Neil Deathridge (guitar) Mini Ranking Junior Murphy (vocals) Andy Pearson (bass) Mark Hamilton (sax) After the tragically early split of The Beat, one of the very finest of all British 80s bands, they finally reformed properly in 2001. Ranking Roger, Everett, Saxa and Neil got together again for a sellout reunion show at Londons Royal Festival Hall. Since then theyve been tearing up venues wherever theyve played, performing a mix of their own compositions and the best of The Beats world-class back catalogue such as Twist and Crawl, Mirror In The Bathroom, Stand Down Margaret, Doors Of Your Heart, Hands Off Shes Mine, Too Nice To Talk To, Tears Of A Clown and Cant Get Used To Losing You. With local 3-Minute Heroes AKA Ska warming you up, this is an all-singing, all-skanking Christmas party youll never forget. www.twistandcrawl.com Box Office: 01224 642230

The Beat+AKA Ska Saturday 16th December Doors 9pm Support 10pm Tickets 13.50 (9 concessions & Regulars) Everett Morton (drums) Ranking Roger (vocals) Blockhead (keyboards) Neil Deathridge (guitar) Mini Ranking Junior Murphy (vocals) Andy Pearson (bass) Mark Hamilton (sax) After the tragically early split of The Beat, one of the very finest of all British 80s bands, they finally reformed properly in 2001. Ranking Roger, Everett, Saxa and Neil got together again for a sellout reunion show at Londons Royal Festival Hall. Since then theyve been tearing up venues wherever theyve played, performing a mix of their own compositions and the best of The Beats world-class back catalogue such as Twist and Crawl, Mirror In The Bathroom, Stand Down Margaret, Doors Of Your Heart, Hands Off Shes Mine, Too Nice To Talk To, Tears Of A Clown and Cant Get Used To Losing You. With local 3-Minute Heroes AKA Ska warming you up, this is an all-singing, all-skanking Christmas party youll never forget, The Beat: Ska band from Birmingham UK | Contact

Billy Bragg onstage 8.30pm

How long ago were these times? A call waiting system has been in place since early this year. If the phone is not being answered it's down to the fact that the lines are busy, not the opening hours.

Customers with a valid medical reason can reserve seats in advance for any show.

Sorry to hear you aren't liking the place. Not sure about your point about the Box Office opening though - the opening times are the same pretty much through-out the year, so either they are useless or they aren't, but can't see how they are useless "at times". What would be your ideal opening hours? As Singing Star Fish says you can book on-line now, and most of the shows are available to buy through Ticket Master outlets.

Who Are The Band are an up and coming act based in Aberdeen. The 6 piece bands style is a fusion of sounds from acoustic folk rock, world conscious singer songwriter to jamming blues all with a touch of classical. The band are promoting the release of their 2 forthcoming debut albums What Is and Where Is to be released on the day of the show. Fronted by 26-year-old singer/songwriter Wilson Noble, Who Are The Band send out messages of honesty, inner confusion, hope and insight forever questioning todays way of life through their music.

This Thursday the 30th - Delawair The duo say of themselves - 'We've' been together for some time now, through various line-ups and breakdowns. At the moment Delawair is a 2 man operation, and after a year of wandering, 'we' have compiled our debut long-player...................... "The Tree Which Begat Ye Shall Remain Untwiggeth -Recordings 2001-6 Vol I" - and it's creating something of a fuss on internet discussion forums - listen for yourself here - http://www.myspace.com/delawair onstage 1pm