Thursday sees two gigs take place by artists that released two of the stand-out albums of 2011. American-Chilean musician Nicolas Jaar’s Space Is Only Noise seemed to exist in its own little world where all stylistic concerns were pleasingly blurred. His show at the Roundhouse represents the beginning of something of a new chapter for him, being centred around his Don’t Break My Love EP, and seeing him perform for the first time in the UK with his new band featuring Acid Pauli and Soul Keita.
Diamond Mine by King Creosote & Jon Hopkins was an album of a very different nature that developed into arguably one of the most loved albums of last year, as steady word-of-mouth appeal combined with widespread critical acclaim to propel it towards the top of several end of year lists. They play their biggest London show to date at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Thursday, with support from Francois And The Atlas Mountains and Withered Hand. Withered Hand (Scottish singer Dan Wilson) also plays a solo show at the Shacklewell Arms on the following evening.
Thursday also has a gig by Canadian electronic quartet Azari & III, who play from eponymous release at Heaven and it also sees the first of three performances of The Long Count, the multimedia show by Aaron & Bryce Dessner of The National. You can catch it at the Barbican from 2nd-4th February.
Friday sees Factory Floor play a show at Village Underground as part of club night DURRR’s 5th birthday celebrations, whilst Kings Place is the venue for former El Hombre Trajeado man RM Hubbert’s album launch show (with an array special guests promised, including Aidan Moffat, Emma Pollock and Alasdair Roberts).
Meanwhile, Laura Veirs plays a show at the QEH on Monday. Last year she released Tumble Bee, a fun-filled album aimed at children, although this show may feature more in the way of selections from her impressive back catalogue. Fellow Bella Union signed singer-songwriter Jonathan Wilson plays a show at the Scala on the same night. Elsewhere, Wild Flag (featuring former members of Sleater Kinney) play a show at the Electric Ballroom on Wednesday in support of their self-titled debut album.
Wu-Tang Clan member GZA plays a solo show at the Islington Academy on Tuesday, seminal Senegalese outfit Orchestra Baobab return to London on Monday for a show at the Barbican whilst Roots Manuva also makes an appearance at the Roundhouse on Saturday.
Also recommended:
Emit Bloch – Slaughtered Lamb – 31st January
Portico Quartet – Rough Trade East – 31st February
Django Django – Rough Trade East – 1st February
James Ferraro – Tufnell Park Dome – 1st February
William D. Drake – Windmill – 3rd February
Crewdson – The Nest – 3rd February
Just announced:
M. Ward – Leicester Square Theatre – 20th March
Craig Finn – Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen – 29th March
When Saints Go Machine – Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen – 2nd April
The Dø – Garage – 11th April
Marion – Islington Academy – 12th April
Trembling Bells & Bonnie Prince Billy – Union Chapel – 6th May
