January is traditionally a quiet month for gigs, but one promoter is determined to kick off the new year in style. Peter O’Sullivan, who runs the Word of Mouth booking agency, is staging the second Certain Three tour, which plucks three bands from the bosom of the UK and Irish music scenes and sends them into venues around the country for a week.

After the success of last January’s inaugural tour (which also took in some UK venues, with both UK and Irish bands on the bill), 2011 is an all-Irish occasion. The Ambience Affair, We Cut Corners and Windings will play various towns and cities across Ireland from January 13th to 29th, after launching the tour with exclusive live performances on 2FM on Monday from 8pm.

“I think the tour is a great idea,” said Jamie Clarke of The Ambience Affair. “People are becoming increasingly selective when it comes to which shows they attend – so with that in mind, having three great bands share equal billing makes more sense for all concerned.”

The Ambience Affair, who had one of their songs featured on CSI: Miamilast year, have recently finished mixing their debut album, which they hope to release in spring. Its first track, Weeds, will get its debut airing on Paul McLoone's Today FM show on Monday night.