If you’re not familiar with Gabriel Bruce you really are missing out on something special. Think Waits, Cave, Cash, Sisters of Mercy and a world view on the downbeat side of apocalyptic and you’ll be some way to grasping his musical ethos. Things have been quiet for our favourite cockney fossil dealer ever since the release of his 2013 debut ‘Love in Arms’ but 2016 has brought the critically acclaimed ‘Come All Sufferers’ and a tour to support. Possessed of a beautifully sonorous voice that demands attention, he manages to make the dark bleakery of his vision strangely uplifting. Listen to ‘This Human Mess’ to see what we mean. Gabriel, if your reading can we please have one of your spangly ‘Come All Sufferers’ bomber jackets please?

Wed 5 Oct 7pm at The Courtyard, Rainbow Pub, 160 High Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0LD £8.80 therainbowvenues.co.uk/