It’s a hard job but somebody’s gotta do it. If you didn’t know, for the past few months I’ve made it my job outside of presenting Radio X Chilled five days a week to scour through every venue, every website, every artist playing in the (frankly far too big) city of London, to make sure that you’re in the loop on who best to use your hard-fought time and money to see.
Here’s the inside scoop on this week, through until Thursday…
Tuesday 24th June
Anna Erhard - The Boileroom - £17
I’ve loved this woman for quite a while now and I’m delighted that the Swiss-born artist has finally made it over to London from Berlin. If you’re into early Kurt Vile or Wet Leg’s more nuanced tracks, you’ll love her.
Sans Soucis + Raelle - Dalston Eastern Curve Garden - £18
She’s got one of the best voices around and it’s an outside gig, in Dalston, in the glorious sunshine. FFO Cleo Sol and Jorja Smith, this is a bit of a no-brainer.
paper hats, Flytrap, Magnolia, lifeloose - Windmill Brixton - £6
Post-rock fans, this one’s for you. Sure both paper hats and Flytrap have only released one song each, but both of them are bloody mad and brilliant. I mean, one’s called ‘D’Artagnan’. Come onnnn. This’ll be a gig you’ll be reminiscing on when you hear these guys on the 6 Music playlist.
Wednesday 25th June
TGT: Drive Your Plow / Running Standard / Persuede / Everett - The George Tavern - From £6
Into Wednesday and we’re upping the weirdness with a lineup of passionate art rock. All of these artists bring their own specific cool, but Running Standard especially have blown me away - somehow they make you feel like you’re inside their souls. There are horns, and strings, and screams, and if you’re already into the likes of Opus Kink and love a bit of drama, GO. I’ll see you there.
Camille Keller, Spivak - Ormside Projects - £14.40
If you’re after something a little more mellow for the mid-week, this is for you. Camille Keller from Brussels makes beautiful lo-fi, sensual beats with a hip hop heart, while Cyprus’ Spivak brings the sprawling, moving electronica.
Thursday 26th June
Descarga: A Celebration of Cuban Music - Night Tales Loft - £6.50
Well this is just gonna be a good time isn’t it. Doing what it says on the tin with the brilliant Solardo playing, I can’t think of a much more joyous way to spend a Thursday evening.
Loom presents: Kersha Bailey - Loom Club - £11.33
Before going through these gigs this week, I’d never heard of Kersha Bailey. Now I can’t stop listening to her. Her music feels like you could, and should bathe in it. Her voice is otherworldly. Perfect FFO Moses Sumney and Lianne La Havas, who she’s already supported live.
lowjamz* adjacent sounds: Mac Amish / Landel / Luya - Jumbi - From Free
This night is called “lowjamz” for a reason - it’s basically beats for making babies to in a night filled with some delicious MCs performing live and DJs after. Not half bad for a freebie.
CLR Live Presents Altara - The Forge at The Lower Third - £12.91
Thursday seems to be the night for just good vibes, much like this alt pop out of Ireland from a guy who makes absurdly infectious jams. I think you’ll love it.
Desinteresse, triage, Sydenham High Road - The Greyhound - From £9.56
And finally, a night seemingly designed to make you feel very cool indeed. Dutch coldwave (yeah I said that) from the perfectly named Desinteresse, with triage before them bringing really bloody great dual vocal post-rock. I really like these guys.
For those of you not at Glastonbury, I’ll be back with your Friday-Sunday round up very soon and for those of you not in London, make sure you give these artists a listen because who knows when they might be performing near you!
And of course, make sure to share with your friends. Thanks pals. Sarah x
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