Having completed their Wake Week (sob), North London venue The Luminaire has now closed, following Monday's final gig by Piano Magic and Ringo Deathstarr.
A venue that just got the point, it gave gig-lovers the kind of nights out that gigs are supposed to be, even if you sometimes ended up parked behind a big pillar.
It was small (300 capacity including band members), simple and always charged with the right atmosphere. From HEALTH to Led Bib to last year's early gig by Warpaint, it consistently hosted quality acts of all genres.
Laters Luminaire – you'll be missed.
Gigs Of The Week: 7 – 13 March 2011
Fujiya & Miyagi (pictured) + Mirrors - Heaven, London – 8 March
A cracking double bill of Brighton bands on offer here. Headlining are electrobods Fujiya & Miyagi, touring on the back of recent release Ventriloquizzing and still recreating the laidback deadpan style they achieved on breakthrough 2006 album Transparent Things. Providing support is the more conventional electro-pop of Mirrors, who are closer to the likes of OMD and Depeche Mode than they are to Can and Neu!
More details here.
Beady Eye – Troxy, London – 8/9 March
It’s time. They’re here. And they’re not really that far removed from Oasis. So as with Oasis’s last four (probably five) albums, they’re preaching to the converted, have a ready-made audience and don't seem to be doing much to attract new fans. The anticipation ahead of the release of their first album Different Gear, Less Speeding seemed to decrease with every leaked track but even a Noel-less Oasis might come into its own in a live venue. Maybe these gigs are where it all starts to come together.
More details here.
Staff Benda Bilili – Union Chapel, London – 11 March
In 2009, Staff Benda Bilili, a group of disabled street musicians from Congo-Kinshasa released their first album Très Très Fort. In 2010, Benda Bilili, a film documenting their lives was premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. This event gives you the opportunity to see a screening of the film, and then watch them perform their mix of Congolese rumba, funk, mambo and trance. And if you don’t have a ticket, they’ll be back for a nationwide tour in May including a night at The Roundhouse on 15 May.
More details here.
Also Recommended:
Former Ghosts – Cargo, London – 8 March
Iron & Wine - Roundhouse, London – 8 March
She Keeps Bees – Wilmington Arms, London – 8 March
Wolf Gang + Young Man – Madam Jojo’s, London – 8 March
Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Borderline, London – 10 March
Cloud Control – Proud Camden, London – 10 March
I LIKE TRAINS + Nedry – Barfly, London – 10 March
Hercules And Love Affair – Village Underground, London – 11 March
Light Asylum + Feral + Breton + Dana Jade (Club MF’s 8th birthday) – Corsica Studios, London – 11 March
Two Door Cinema Club – Roundhouse, London – 12 March
Just Announced:
Cold Cave
With Cherish The Light Years, their second album on the Matador label ready for release, dark synth-heavy band Cold Cave will be playing a few European dates including one at The Lexington on 5 April. Since their last album, there have been a few changes in the line-up, with Jennifer Clavin coming in from the since-disbanded Mika Miko. Meanwhile the album features the likes of Nick Zinner and Daryl Palumbo.
More details here.
GDLI Tamesis Dock shows
Moored between Lambeth and Vauxhall Bridges is the Tamesis Dock, a rickety-looking old boat that will be playing host to God Don’t Like It’s third year of Moonshine Jamboree gigs. They’ll take up residency every Wednesday from 4 May throughout summer, and acts confirmed so far include Fireworks Night, Dan Michaelson & The Coastguards and This Is Laura. Bearing in mind that past acts have included Euro Childs, Jesca Hoop and Alessi’s Ark, expect good things.
More details here.
Magic Summer Live – Hatfield House, Hertfordshire – 17 July
Weekenders and big day outs are being launched all over the place, but not all of them get to stick Sir Elton John on their bills. So quite a coup for Magic Summer Live to get him on board for their inaugural all-dayer on 17 July. So far the only other announcements have been for Rumer and The Pierces, both solid, safe choices for a Sunday afternoon spent in the grounds of Hertfordshire’s Hatfield House. More act confirmations are on their way soon.
More details here.
