This Week
Godspeed You! Black Emperor kick off the week with the second of their two gigs at Kentish Town’s Forum. It’s their first time on these shores for a long time, in support of their first album in a decade, the magnificently titled 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!.
Following Alt-J's success at the Mercurys last week, promoters may well be wishing they’d booked a bigger venue. Certainly, a more high profile tour is on the cards for next year, but on Monday fans can enjoy the relatively humble surrounds of Electric Ballroom. They’ll be supported by one of our favourite news bands of the year, Stealing Sheep, whose album we awarded four stars – definitely worth getting there early for.
It’s been a trying week for Death Grips. Following an almighty bust-up with their record label, Epic, after the hip hop group posted their new album, No Love Deep Web, online as a free download, they were unceremonially dropped. We’re told their show at Electric Ballroom on Wednesday will still go ahead, so expect an extra kick to their show.
Former Radio 2 Folk Awards-nominee Martha Tilston will bring her new album, Machines of Love and Grace, to Bush Hall on Thursday. Mixing the personal with the political in her velvety, at times fragile, voice, it’s vying for position as her best release yet.
Eighteen years ago, Soundgarden were the first ever band to play at Shepherd’s Bush Empire – and this week they return to showcase tracks from their new album, King Animal – their first studio album for more than 15 years. They play on 9 November – two days before the album’s released, so catch a sneak peak here.
Here’s our pick of the best of the rest…
Monday 5 November
Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Forum
Young Wonder – Sebright Arms
How To Dress Well – XOYO
Spiritualized – Roundhouse
Alt-J + Stealing Sheep – Electric Ballroom
Darren Hayman and the Long Parliament – Vortex Jazz Bar
Tuesday 6 November
Chromatics – Heaven
The Civil Wars – Roundhouse
Cloud Nothings –Village Underground
Meursault – Islington Assembly Hall
Tiny Birds – Notting Hill Arts Club
Wednesday 7 November
Maximo Park – Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Ty Segall – Garage
Bellowhead – Roundhouse
The Divine Comedy – Royal Festival Hall
2:54 – XOYO
Death Grips – Electric Ballroom
Thursday 8 November
Twin Atlantic – Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Gaggle – Electrowerkz
M83 – Brixton Academy
Martha Tilston – Bush Hall
Andrew Bird – Roundhouse
The Hysterical Injury – Upstairs at the Garage
Friday 9 November
Soundgarden – Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Charley Pride – Indig02
Lambchop – Cadogan Hall
The June Brides -229
Saturday 10 November
Shrag – Buffalo Bar
Sunday 11 November
Sivert Hoyem – Bush Hall
Lucinda Williams – Royal Festival Hall
Spector – Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Just Announced
In case you missed their rather low key announcement (ahem), Stone Roses are set to play three huge outdoor gigs next June – one in Glasgow and two at Finsbury Park on 7 and 8 June. Support for these shows has yet to be announced, but in Scotland they’re taking Primal Scream, Jake Bugg and The View along for the ride.
Tom Jenkinson – aka Squarepusher – wowed a sold-out Hackney Empire last month
with his stunning Ufabulum visual show. As our photos show, it was quite something. This week he announced he’d be shifting things up a notch, by upgrading to the Roundhouse for a show on 30 March at what is surely his dream venue.
The Be Good Tanyas will bring their pitch-perfect blend of deep country, blues and gospel to the Barbican on February 3, as part of a seven date UK tour in support of new album A Collection (2000-2012).
Esben And The Witch announced a double whammy this week, revealing their new album, Wash The Sins Not Only The Face, will be released by Matador on 21 January, followed by a show at the Scala on 26 February. The Brighton trio’s return is welcomed in these quarters – the words ‘intoxicating’ and, erm, ‘spellbinding’ passed our lips in reference to an early outing we witnessed in February 2010.
Fresh from supporting Bella Union label mates The Walkmen on tour, Wild Nothing have announced a date at the Scala, on 21 March. We loved their album Nocturne, calling it: “a big step up from Gemini which still, intriguingly, hints at even better to come.”
It might seem a world away, but Lana Del Ray has announced details of her spring tour. She’ll be calling in at Hammersmith Apollo on 19 May.
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