GARTH'S GIG GUIDE: 24 OCT - 27 NOV
A FEAST OF LIVE MUSIC FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE + DOC' N ROLL FILM FESTIVAL & LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL MAKES LATE OCT - LATE NOV THE RICHEST MONTH FOR MUSIC IN 2024.
This coming Saturday sees rising Brooklyn soul singer Bette Smith light up Peckham Levels (a former car park now bar & club complex). She’s good, the DJs play classic tunes and tickets are very reasonably priced - what’s not to like? So many quality gigs/music docs to consider!
The 5,6,7,8’s – 24 October, 229, Regents Park
Japan’s foremost female garage rock trio return to charm with lots of 1,2,3,4 songs.
Divanhana – 24 October, Jazz Cafe, Camden Town
Leading Bosnian sevdah band make a rare UK appearance.
Alan Dein: London’s Lost Record Shops – 24 October, The Horse Hospital, Russell Square (7pm)
Dein, a broadcaster and leading historian of East London Jewish life and music, will be discussing the record shops that shaped Whitechapel from the 78 era onwards. West End emporiums commentary c/o British Record Shop Archive.
Doc’ N Roll Film Festival – 24 October – 10 November (screenings at a selection of London cinemas)
Right, this doesn’t involve live music but Doc’ N Roll is Europe’s foremost music documentary film festival and, if you are studying this list, then its likely you will find a doc here that is of interest. I’ve had the opportunity to preview a handful of the docs on show and can highly recommend SWAMP DOGG GETS HIS POOL PAINTED (the funniest music doc’ ever! And Swamp Dogg is a remarkable talent), GARLAND JEFFREYS: THE KING OF IN BETWEEN (moving doc’ about the NYC singer who crossed racial lines and musical genres – made by GJ’s wife, it documents his sad descent into dementia) and THE 9 LIVES OF BARBARA DANE (a remarkable profile of the US folk/blues singing radical who died aged 97 on Sunday). There are also docs covering everyone from Pauline Black to The Black Keys, Steppenwolf to Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Devo and Annie DeFranco, jazz and experimental music and more… much more! DNR provides a remarkable annual overview of contemporary documentary features – many of which, experience has taught me, will vanish after the festival, never surfacing on BBC or Netflix, Apple or Amazon. Check the DNR website for trailers, screening times/locations etc.
Bill Frisell ‘Four’ – 25 October, Cadogan Hall, Sloane Square
Frissell is one of modern music’s most imaginative – and in-demand – guitarists. Here he performs music from his new Blue Note album FOUR.
Kirris Riviere and The Delta du Bruit – 25 October, Art's Music Lounge, Plumstead
Black British blues singer from Bristol who performs original material – Riviere is a rising talent so head to the deep south east and experience the West Country blues.
The Undertones – 25 October, Electric Ballroom, Camden Town
The Derry quintet return for their annual performance at Camden’s worst venue. I love the ‘Tones but they really need to move to a space that is more punter friendly.
Lankum + Richard Dawson – 26 October, Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith
The Dublin post-rock/folk play their largest indoor UK gig yet. Expect heavy drones and furrowed brows. Richard Dawson is the Newcastle alt.folk singer/songwriter whose 2017 received much praise.
Jerron Paxton – 26 October, Ronnie Scott’s, Soho
Jerron used to trade as “Blind Boy Paxton” but perhaps this gifted African American blues musician has decided his moniker sounded rather archaic/patronising post-BLM. He’s a gifted multi-instrumentalist who, while digging into early acoustic blues, adapts and refreshes these songs while also writing his own. A unique talent.
Bette Smith – 26 October, Peckham Levels, Peckham
Rising Brooklyn born soul singer with a tough, gritty style. If you love your R&B raw and rootsy then this is the gig to be at!
Biréli Lagrène – 26 October, Kings Place, Kings Cross
Biréli Lagrène is one of the greatest guitar virtuosos in any style of music. A prodigy of the instrument, he started out at as Gypsy guitar wizard. Later he developed a highly distinctive and innovative style, drawing much praise for his fertile blend of swinging continental jazz, post-bop, fusion and rock.
Geraint Watkins – 26 October, What’s Cookin’, Leytonstone
The Welsh R&B piano master and his fine band return to Leytonstone.
Cedric Burnside – 26 October, Ronnie Scott’s, Soho (CANCELLED)
Grandson of the late RL Burnside plays London days after his brother - Cedric's style is rooted in traditional Mississippi blues with elements of rock, R&B and hip-hop.
Ghetts: Live – 26 October, Royal Festival Hall, South Bank Centre
The grime powerhouse is co-curator of this year’s London Literature Festival and so gets invited onto the RFH stage.
Come Down And Meet The Folks – 27 October, The Betsy Trotwood (free)
Long running country music hoedown led by Big Steve (of The Arlenes) and featuring myriad guest artists, British, US and from further afield. Event runs 5pm – 11pm.
The Pioneers – 28 October, 229, Regents Park
Pioneering Jamaican vocal trio – now a duo – return to sing Long Shot Kick The De Bucket and such.
Wu Fei – 29 October, SOAS Galley, Russell Square (free 1-2 PM)
Renowned composer and performer Wu Fei performs guzheng during the upcoming Strange Wonders: Jizi and pioneers of contemporary ink from China.
Fantastic Negrito - 29 October, Islington Assembly Halls
Rock blues guy who has his own unique take on American music.
Stephen Wilson Jr – 29 October, Oslo, Hackney Kingsland
The rising US alt.country musician has been picking up acclaim for his Son Of Dad album. He blends genres in a remarkably intense manner.
Luzmila Carpio – 29 October, Bush Hall, Shepherds Bush
Described as “the voice of the Bolivian Andes”, Carpio is a singer, songwriter, activist who apparently manages to “sound traditional while being very up-to-date.”
Stick In The Wheel – 30 October, Oslo, Hackney Central
SITW take traditional British folk songs/broadside ballads and interpret them with contemporary furies. This is folk music with a barbed edge.