London Gigs Diary: 25 June – 1 July

It’s a slightly quieter week in terms of gigs in London but there is the Back2Black festival which takes place over the weekend at Billingsgate Old Market.

Billed as a celebration of African roots in both music and culture, it boasts an impressive array of artists. The line-up for Friday features the long awaited return of Macy Gray alongside a set by Vieux Farka Touré, Saturday has performances from Roots Manuva, Hugh Masekela, Fatoumata Diawara and Mulatu Astatke before finally concluding on Sunday with appearances from Gilberto Gil, Toumani Diabaté and Amadou & Mariam. There’s also a programme of talks, debates and workshops. Full details can be found here.

The stand-out gig this week comes from inspirational polymath Erykah Badu, who brings her wide-ranging neo-soul to Hammersmith Apollo on Wednesday. This week also sees the rescheduled show by Saint Etienne who will play the Palladium on Monday. Read what we thought about their latest album here. Wednesday has a pair of shows worth checking out – Real Estate play the Electric Ballroom (read what we thought of their London show from last year) and Howling Bells play an intimate date at the Lexington.

Also taking place this week:

Monday

The Chapman Family – Macbeth

Tuesday

Thomas Lehn – Café Oto

Wednesday

Casiokids – Barfly – Wed

Thomas Lehn  – Café Oto

Friday

Bis – Lexington

The Rockingbirds – Windmill

Saturday

Bis – Buffalo Bar

Just announced:

Childish Gambino – XOYO – 4^th July

Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard – Borderline – September 5th

Tori Amos – Royal Albert Hall – 3^rd October

Cold Specks – Union Chapel – 10^th October

Lianne La Havas – Shepherd’s Bush Empire – 11^th October

Nils Frahm, Olafur Arnalds & A Winged Victory For The Sullen – Hackney Empire – 18^th October

Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Forum – 5^th November

Kindness – Heaven – 7^th November

Bon Iver – Wembley Arena – 8^th November

Diagrams – Cargo – 6^th December