GARTH’S GIG GUIDE: August 22 – October 3
Carnival Time! And folk time! And Touareg time! And free jazz time! And.... a hectic live music month awaits us.
The great Portuguese fadoista returns on 17/8 -
her performances are a delight!
The summer’s been delicious across August so let’s hope it continues well into October! Right now there’s so much hot music being performed across London + pre-Notting Hill Carnival events (and these, like Carnival, are only once a year) so I’m getting this GGG out earlier than usual. If Carnival’s your thing – or you are merely curious about what a million+ people partying on the streets of what’s now a wealthy West London neighbourhood - then you must read Christopher Condor’s excellent Songlines feature (link below in CARNIVAL TIME!).
On the other hand, if sound systems and heaving crowds make you feel faint, no matter, there are lots of events across London that are far calmer. Malian Touareg musicians, leading US folkies (and a celebration of legendary Soho folk club Les Cousins), Portugal’s finest fado singer Mariza, the return of Manu Chao (first time in the UK this century), a tribute to free jazz pioneer John Stevens, the return of Nick Lowe and Terry Reid (and Richard Carpenter -!-) and more, much more!
70+ concerts covering myriad genres at venues across London finds summer bursting with fresh music. Festival season continues – I note those which are most of interest (to me and, hopefully, you).
AUGUST 22 - 30
The Congos – 22 August, Fox & Firkin, Lewisham
Veteran JA vocal trio whose late-1970s album with uber-producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is a favourite of many for its gentle dub rhythms.
TOWERSEY FESTIVAL – 23-26 August, Milton Keynes
A small festival specialising in folk and roots musicians – Billy Bragg might be headlining but there are more interesting acts on the bill, including London African Gospel Choir, Pokey LaFarge, Oysterband (and my pals Errol Linton and Rory McLeod).
Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen – 24 August, Jazz Cafe, Camden Town
The funky, New Orleans-based, Kent raised pianist, vocalist and bandleader returns to town.
Lucas The Soul Singer – 24 August, 100 Club, Oxford Street
Veteran R&B vocalist who apparently once worked with James Brown.
The UK National Panorama Steelband Competition – 24 August, Emslie Horniman's Pleasance, Notting Hill
The UK National Panorama Steelband Competition is an annual steel pan event and is the most respected and anticipated outside of the Caribbean. There will be food stalls and bars, large screens, and NHC DJs throughout the day bringing you the sounds of Carnival. This is a family day like no other! Panorama will be the grand finale for the day’s activities…. Five titans of UK steel bands will go head to head for the coveted title of Panorama Champions 2024. Winners will be announced on the night and a celebratory DJ set to continue the good vibes. Event runs 4pm – midnight.
Annie Whitehead Quartet – 24 August, The Vortex, Dalston Kingsland
For 40 years Whitehead has been playing jazz trombone with many artists. Here she leads her quartet and they will surely be enchanting.
A 2nd Tribute to Les Cousins: Soho's Legendary Folk & Blues Club - 24 & 26 August, St Giles in the Fields, West End
British folkies pay tribute to the long gone Soho club as celebrated recently in a CD box set (reviewed at the start of the year on the Yak). Bridget St John headlines both nights while rising star Angeline Morrison joins her on the Monday night.
Errol Linton – 25 August, Fox & Firkin, Lewisham
The big Lewisham live music venue gets Brixton’s finest for what should be a dynamic Sunday night. Yours truly is DJ for the night (and it runs until 2am…).
CARNIVAL TIME! Right, this is the big one and if you want to read a great report on what its like to be on the street then click this link: https://www.songlines.co.uk/features/notting-hill-carnival-a-celebration-of-europe-s-largest-street-festival) Thanks Chris!
Notting Hill Carnival - 25/26 August, Notting Hill/Ladbroke Grove (free – 1 - 7pm)
If you have never experienced Carnival its definitely worth attending once. Yes, there’s a million people on the streets so you get human traffic jams and the sound systems are variable but the steel pan bands and dancers are a delight. Exhausting but brilliant celebration of Trinidadian and Jamaican cultural survival. Best have a think as to where you want to spend the day before you head off.
Bermondsey Carnival – 26 August, Southwark Park (free 1 – 8 pm)
Family oriented day out in one of London’s most beautiful parks. Two stages with Shola Ama (remember her?) headlining one. Other acts alongside rides, food stalls and such.
& now for something calmer...
Leyla McCalla – 26 August, The Moth Club, Dalston
McCalla was a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops alongside the now very famous Rhiannon Giddens. Her solo career has engaged her Haitian roots, New Orleans cello and indie folk.
Prom 51: Tinariwen – The Desert Blues - 28 August, Royal Albert Hall, Kennsington
The mighty Malian Tuareg band return to perform their desert blues as part of the Proms. Arena tickets available on the day for £8.00 (I think).
Randall King - 28 August, Islington Assembly Hall
A rising star of Texan country music brings his honky tonk sound to London.
Rickie Lee Jones - 29 August, Union Chapel, Highbury & Islington
The Californian singer-songwriter has enjoyed an upsurge in interest since the publication of her autobiography (‘overripe’ was this reader’s verdict) so plays her largest London venue in a while.
Jake Xeres Fussell – 30 August, Lafayette, Kings Cross
Fussell is the most engaging US folkie in many a year, and his new album When I’m Called has been part of my summer soundtrack.
Dunajska Kapelye – 30 August, The Green Note, Camden Town
Mixing Gypsy jazz with Balkan sounds, this violin-clarinet-accordion trio make timeless music. Meanwhile, that same evening finds noted jazz vocalist Deelee Dube singing in the Green Note’s Basement Bar (its very cosy).
Basil Hodge Quartet – 30 August, The Crypt, Camberwell
Acclaimed British jazz pianist brings his quarter to the Crypt.
Nest Collective's Campfire Club – 30 August, Cody Dock, Newham
The Nest Collective is a leading force in contemporary and cross-cultural folk music that aims to bring people together to experience music in unique outdoor spaces. This one features Dani Larkin, Paddi Benson & Grace Lemon, Archie Churchill-Moss, Alice Boyd.
Binker Golding, Elliot Galvin Duo – 31 August, The Vortex, Dalston Junction
In their saxophone & piano duo line-up, Binker Golding & Elliot Galvin explore the art of free improvisation & experimental music. Expect adventurous ideas & musical risk.
Manran – 31 August, Kings Place, Kings Cross
Leading contemporary Scottish folk supergroup have made a name for themselves in that nation’s traditional music scene.
Mali’s foremost desert blues band Tinariwen play the Proms at the RAH for the first time on August 28. I’m there!
SEPTEMBER
Portobello Beat (exhibition) – 1 – 7 September, 6 Thorpe Close, Ladbroke Grove (free)
The British Record Shop Archive is hosting this exhibition celebrating more than a century of selling records on and around Portobello. Experience how recorded music – from 78s through hippy, punk and reggae shops - traded here. Open 12 – 8pm daily.
Blinker Golding – 1 September, Cafe Oto, Dalston Junction
Highly rated British jazz saxophonist leads a trio playing material from his recent album Dream Like A Dogwood Wild Boy.