After an extended break, we're back to keep an eye on the world of London’s gigs, and after a quiet few weeks it's all starting to take shape again nicely.
With hype all around, the next few weeks offer choice opportunities to catch some of the tipsters' big hopes for the coming year. This month sees the return of the New To Q Sessions and next month offers up the NME Awards Shows, both brimming with talent and zeitgeist. It's a good time to get out to venues and check out which acts have the potential to own 2011.
Gigs Of The Week: 17-30 Jan 2011
Anaïs Mitchell (pictured) – Union Chapel, London – 25 Jan
This is going to be a truly special night. If you have any sense head to the Union Chapel for a full cast staging of Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown album, one of 2010’s under-the-radar masterpieces. A staggering work in its ambition, Mitchell employed a talented roster to help her reimagine classical Greek myths in a world of rowdy blues bars and heartbreaking romanticism. Now, for the first time in this country, we get to see its theatrical leanings performed as it should be. Confirmed cast members include Martin Carthy and Jim Moray, and we're hoping that Ani DiFranco and Ben Knox Miller will be among those recreating their recorded roles in person. Plus, ahead of all that, head to The Slaughtered Lamb on 23 Jan for an afternoon of hanging out with Anaïs as she’ll be there to talk about the project and play a few of the songs acoustically.
More details here.
Guillemots – Unannounced venue, London – 27 Jan
An unannounced venue. Such intrigue and drama. Let’s hope the location of this “welcome back” gig comes as a nice surprise on its reveal the day before the show, and it’s not just a case that noone got round to booking somewhere. What is assured however, is that the return of Guillemots is something to be celebrated, and following a pre-ticket release countdown for fans, this date sold out in four minutes. With Fyfe Dangerfield‘s debut solo album safely in the bag, he’s back with the rest of his elaborately-titled flock, MC Lord Magrão, Aristazabal Hawkes and Greig Stewart. This will be the first chance to hear material due for release on their third album later this year.
More details here.
The Irrepressibles + Gabby Young And Other Animals – Barbican Hall, London – 29 Jan
Two of the most impressive and theatrical live acts around are taking over the Barbican for a night catering for those who like a show. The Irrepressibles, led by Jamie McDermott, should provide a spectacle to complement their lush orchestral pieces of flamboyant drama. And speaking of flamboyance, Gabby Young, who also uses an ensemble to great effect, will be providing support. Expect her to flesh out her charming and irresistible tunes with a touch of burlesque, a side order of skiffle and a whole heap of ridiculous costumery.
More details here.
Also Recommended:
Jessie J + Liam Bailey – Scala, London – 17 Jan
Tennis + Swanton Bombs – Madame Jojo’s, London – 18 Jan
Hercules And Love Affair – Heaven, London – 19 Jan
Jonny + Wye Oak – Water Rats, London – 20 Jan
Luke Haines performing Outsider Music – Hoxton Pony, London – 20 Jan
Teengirl Fantasy + Dikta + Treelight For Sunlight – Hoxton Square Bar + Kitchen, London – 20 Jan
White Lies + Sleigh Bells + Jamie Woon + Funeral Party – Forum, London – 20 Jan
The Futureheads + Chapel Club – Forum, London – 21 Jan
Manic Street Preachers + British Sea Power – Brixton Academy, London – 21/22 Jan
Sssh! featuring Stuart Braithwaite, The London Snorkelling Team + Still Corners – Cecil Sharp House, London – 22 Jan
Bruno Mars – Cafe De Paris, London – 24 Jan
The Walkmen + The Head And The Heart + Treelight For Sunlight – Shepherd's Bush Empire, London – 25 Jan
Anika – Lexington, London – 26 Jan
Anna Calvi – Hoxton Hall, London – 27 Jan
Ani DiFranco + Jim Moray – Shepherd’s Bush Empire – 27 Jan
The Pierces + Murray James + David’s Lyre – Bush Hall, London – 28 Jan
Justin Currie + Heidi Spencer & The Rarebirds – Union Chapel, London – 30 Jan
Just Announced:
Bright Eyes
Fresh from his Monsters Of Folk project, Conor Oberst is back in his Bright Eyes day job. The band has announced a string of dates in February, to include a night at Scala on 14 February coinciding with the release of The People’s Key, their seventh album. Offering an aural refuge from Valentine’s Day, Oberst together with the other mainstays of the band, Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott, present a much more enticing option. They’ll also be playing in Glasgow and Nottingham.
More details here.
TEETH + Seams + Vialka + Drugg + Antwerp
A collection of some of the more intriguing offbeat acts has been put together by promoters God Don’t Like It for a night of diverse fun at The Macbeth on 19 February. Headliners TEETH have attracted a lot of attention since supporting Sleigh Bells last year. With intoxicating frontwoman Veronica belting her way through their electro-punk set, they’re more than worthy of a headline slot. Support includes the French boy/girl two-piece Vialka and Birmingham-bred electronic whizz Seams.
More details here.
Twin Shadow
4ad’s Twin Shadow, aka George Lewis Jr is getting more ambitious with every announcement. From shining from the bottom of a bill at Hoxton Bar & Kitchen just a few months ago, he’s sold out a headline gig at the Lexington later this month, is supporting the wonderful Warpaint at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in February and has now promised to come back to London on 11 May for his own gig at Scala. At this rate expect total world domination by next Spring.
More details here.
