Various venues around the Shoreditch and Hoxton area will be taken over this Saturday, 9 April, by the inaugural Dazed Live, put together by style magazine Dazed and Confused.
A mix of gigs, talks and exhibitions will take place over the course of the day, with guest speakers at Shoreditch Church and Tramshed, late afternoon acoustic gigs at XOYO (upstairs) from Aidan Moffat, Fiction and Domino-signing Austra. Then the evening will be devoted ot live music and DJ sets by the likes of Gang Gang Dance, About Group, Factory Floor, Greco-Roman (featuring Caribou) and Numbers (featuring Actress) at Village Underground and XOYO (downstairs).
More details here.
Gigs Of The Week: 4 – 10 April 2011
Friendly Fires (pictured) – XOYO, London – 7 April
It's about time the boys from St Albans made a return. Their eponymous debut album was released back in 2008, garnering Mercury Music Prize and BRIT Award nominations. A rare blend of pop, funk and disco, keep an eye out for their horn section in what should be a sweaty night as they showcase their forthcoming second album Pala at an intimate one-off gig.
More details here.
Faithless – Brixton Academy, London – 7, 8 April
Fifteen years after Salva Mea and Insomnia broke through and established Faithless as one of the major dance/pop cross-over forces, it all comes to an end this week as they hang up their dancing shoes with these two final dates. They've always ensured their shows are geared towards maximum enjoyment, so expect these nights (and especially the late night session on 8 April) to go with a bang before Sister Bliss, Maxi Jazz and Rollo head their separate ways. For those not there in person, the final performance will be broadcast live to cinemas around the world and probably one near you.
More details here.
Also Recommended:
Asa + Tiken Jah Fakoly – Barbican Hall, London – 4 April
Jessie J – Shepherd's Bush Empire, London – 5 April
Treelight For Sunlight – Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London – 5 April
Billy Vincent – The Wheelbarrow, London – 6 April
Young Knives – XOYO, London – 6 April
Errors – Bethnal Green Working Mens Club, London – 7 April
DELS – Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London – 7 April
The Vaccines – Electric Ballroom, London – 7, 8 April
Kylie Minogue – O2, London – 7, 8, 9 (+ 11, 12) April
Sam (Marais) & Henry (Dingle) – The Betsey Trotwood, London – 8 April
Esperenza Spalding – Barbican Hall, London – 8 April
Harmonic Series: James Blake + Seb Rochford – Purcell Room, London – 8 April
Just Announced:
Perfume Genius – Bush Hall, London – 16 May
The passionate and tortuous songs of Seattle's Mike Hadreas will be coming back to the UK following last year's universally well-received debut album Learning. Taking things up a notch since we last saw him play at Cecil Sharp House in October, Bush Hall will feel vast as it accommodates his timid voice and emotive material, but the wealth of experience he's had since releasing Learning should provide him with the tools needed to bring his songs to life. His tour will also take him to Sheffield, Nottingham, Manchester and Dublin.
More details here.
Thurston Moore – Union Chapel, London – 31 May
With Demolished Thoughts, another of his occasional solo excursions, ready to be released in May, Mr Sonic Youth will be in town for what is his only confirmed UK date of the year. The signs are good, following the release of his track Benediction, which you can check out on the Matador website.
More details here.
Summer Series – Somerset House, London – 7-17 July
The Summer Series at Somerset House always tends to cover vast ground when it comes to the acts booked. Steering away from being exclusive, the organisers always seem to find something for everyone, which is brilliant, because with the venue being one of the most beautiful outdoor settings, it would be a shame for the line-ups to be either too elitist or too populist. So with that in mind, this year's crop that includes classic (Blondie), off-kilter (Eels), mainstream (Hurts, Ellie Goulding) and breaking through (Aloe Blacc) is pitched just about right.
More details here.
