There are a few nervous promoters out there at the moment I'd hazard.

Famous football manager Sir Alex Ferguson once memorably described the final stages of the league championship as 'squeaky bum time”. I would imagine there's more than a bit of that around amongst organisers of the many outdoor festivals about to be unveiled here and around the country.

Three-piece rockers Cheshire Grimm features vocalists Kat Waswo and
Lora Thompson, with drummer Dan Yarranton.

It's a double bind for promoters. Firstly they're freaked out by the possibility of a rain-drenched festival; secondly, the chance of rain discourages people from buying tickets in advance, piling another bucketload of apprehension onto an already apprehensive promoter.

With any luck the weather's going to settle down soon and that long dry summer that was promised will kick in. It would certainly be good if it happened before the end of the month, in time for the Waitangi day weekend. That's when the One Love Festival takes place, and the Maketu Kaimoana Festival. It's the second of two long weekends in a row – Auckland Anniversary Weekend closes out January – so sun would be most welcome.

Monday, Monday

On the bright side, can I veer off on a tangent for a minute and say how nice it is for the first time to get a full holiday on Monday 8 in lieu of Waitangi Day? It's reassuring to take note that in a world of increasing inequality and intolerance some small things are improving. We're having an extra day's holiday. Right now it doesn't take much to make me happy, and that does.

There have been a couple of small local weather casualties so far this year, one of which was the American Beer Festival at The Hop House in Mount Maunganui. But that hasn't dampened their spirits says owner and host Dave Stanway: 'You win some, you lose some” he reckons.

'The first beer fest the week before was great but you can't do much outside when it's tipping down. We're excited that our blues nights are starting again at the end of the month and we've got some cool touring acts coming through.”

The first regular blues and Americana night for the year, known as Blue Friday Sessions, happens on Friday, January 29 when regulars Mike Garner and Derek Jacombs host two of Wellington's finest, virtuoso harp maestro Neil Billington and ex-Warratahs accordionist Alan Norman. Much jamming will undoubtedly ensue. There's no charge and it kicks off at 8pm.

Then The Hop House has a veritable feast of music on Saturday 30. Waikato/Melbourne outfit Cheshire Grimm will be joined by Tauranga's Super Narco Man and The Prophet Motive for a wild night of alt indie rock. All for the princely sum of... nothing at all, no charge.

Out on the town

Super Narco Man have a new EP almost ready to be launched and are really getting out there at the moment with gigs in both Auckland and Wellington in the next couple of weeks. You can check out some of their new songs via their Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Cheshire Grimm are a rocking three-piece fronted by the dual female vocals of Kat Waswo and Lora Thompson (who also play bass and guitar). There are doses of dub, grunge, pop, ska and rock in their sound, and they're currently touring to promote a new video. You can watch that, and listen to their last EP and more via their website cheshiregrimm.com. Doors open at 8pm.

Or, if you want to get out of town that night, there are shows on in either direction. Swamp Thing are bringing their patented brand of high-energy blues rock to the Okere Store on the way to Rotorua, along with special guest Minnie Marks. They kick off at 6.30pm and cost $20.

In Katikati, blues & roots favourites Kokomo play a Twilight Concert at the Haiku Reserve with support by Sarah Spicer. Gates 5pm, concert 6pm, tickets $20.