A series of gigs have been announced in the capital with the music world coming together to help those affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan. If you want to see live music while giving money to charity, here are some of the events so far lined up.
On 2 April, We Love Japan will be held at the Relentless Garage in Highbury. Strongly themed, the acts playing are Japanese and include iMMa and girl pop-rock outfit No Cars. Plus there will be a karaoke booth. Proceeds will go to the Japan Society Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund.
The following evening, the Japan Disaster Benefit will see big names Richard Ashcroft, Beady Eye, The Coral, Graham Coxon, Primal Scream and Paul Weller play Brixton Academy in aid of the Japanese Red Cross.
On 10 April, and also raising money for the Red Cross will be a more alternative line-up at the God Don't Like It curated night at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen. Bo Ningen, Comanechi and The Catcher Nine are all on the bill.
On 21 April, ATP have organised the Made In Japan event at the Forum. Typically left-field, their fundraiser will feature Squarepusher, LFO and Fuck Buttons.
Gigs Of The Week: 28 March – 3 April 2011
Ether – South Bank Centre, London – to 28 April
The Ether festival is back and in residence at the South Bank Centre for the coming month. With a tendency to explore the more experimental corners of music and performance, there's a suggestion of a space theme this year with a sprawling list of events including the world premiere of Will Gregory's debut opera, Piccard In Space about the physicist August Piccard, and two showings of 2001: A Space Odyssey soundtracked live by the Philarmonia Orchestra and Philarmonia Voices. Other potential highlights should include Cologne-based electronica label Kompact presenting their ambient sounds and an Oliver-Coates curated Harmonic Series, featuring James Blake, Seb Rochford and Anna Meredith.
More details here.
Elbow (pictured) – O2, London – 28, 29 March
With their fifth album, Build A Rocket Boys! safely released to a chorus of approval, the inexorable rise of the boys from Bury continues with two nights at London's monster-sized venue. As they become increasingly comfortable matching their stadium-sized anthems with actual stadiums, the current tour should be a real coming of age for the band ahead of a festival-heavy summer.
More details here.
The Kills – Heaven, London – 31 March
Flip-flopping between The Kills and her other major project The Dead Weather, Alison Mosshart is one of the most vital live performers in the rock world right now. Back in her band with Jamie Hince after a three year break, The Kills are about to release their fourth album, Blood Pressures. Heaven seems a good fit for their brand of dirty indie rock.
More details here.
Also Recommended:
Rumer – Royal Festival Hall, London – 28 March
Moddi – Slaughtered Lamb, London – 28, 29 March
Patrick Wolf – KOKO, London – 29 March
Peter Bjorn And John – Dingwalls, London – 30 March
Younger Brother – XOYO, London – 30 March
New York Dolls – Old Vic Tunnels, London – 30, 31 March
Summer Camp + Wilder – XOYO, London – 31 March
Killing Joke – Royal Festival Hall, London – 1 April
UNKLE – Brixton Academy, London – 1 April
Josh T Pearson – Purcell Room, London – 1 April
Paul Heaton – Koko, London – 1 April
The Thermals + The Coathangers – XOYO, London – 1 April
Just Announced:
Ray Davies' Meltdown – South Bank Centre, London – 10-19 June
As previously announced, this year's Meltdown festival is being curated by The Kinks' Ray Davies. He's now put together his programme and it's a curious mix of English eccentricy and post-punk rebellion. Spanning folk, funk, ska and punk, acts lined up include The Alan Price Set, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Madness, Yo La Tengo and Lydia Lunch. Other guests will include Roger McGough, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, Michael Eavis, and a night with John Cooper Clarke, John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett.
More details here.
Saint Saviour – Hoxton Hall, London – 14 April
We've been big fans of Saint Saviour since seeing her dominate the stage when performing with Groove Armada in recent times. This bundle of day-glo alpha-female energy has finally put together some of her own material with her Anatomy EP being released this week. And she's announced a few dates, starting with Hoxton Hall, before she heads to Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Hull.
More details here.
Paul Simon – Hammersmith Apollo, London – 28 June
With a new album, So Beautiful Or So What, scheduled for release on 13 June, there's a rare opportunity to see Paul Simon in concert as he performs some of the apparently bluegrass-influenced new material alongside songs that span a career lasting almost 50 years. Aside from this London date, he'll also be playing in Nottingham, Glasgow, Bournemouth and Birmingham.
More details here.
