GARTH'S GIG GUIDE MARCH 23 - APRIL 25
FOLK, BLUES, JAZZ, BRAZILIAN, MAORI & MORE, MUCH MORE...
Moonchild Sanelly: the brightest smile in town rocks London on March 26
Yes, I’m back in London town for a week now and, predictably, I immediately went gig going. As it was freezing (and I was jet lagged) this proved to be not the wisest behaviour - I quickly came down with a lurgy (so ensuring I missed out on seeing more gigs…). Anyway, it feels like spring today, lovely gentle sunshine and a sense of optimism in the air. And lots of gigs to go to! Hopefully you will find a few on this lengthy list that engage your musical interests!
Tim Richards Trio – 23 March, The Old Library, New Cross Gate (free – 5-7pm)
Richards is a remarkable jazz and blues pianist and here, with a sterling rhythm section, he will both play tunes by the likes of Monk and Miles plus his own original material. Lovely space with a decent bar.
Diz & the Doormen – 23 March, Oval Tavern, Croydon (free 6pm start)
Yorkshire boogie woogie pianist Diz Watson will be playing classic R&B and promoting his fine album Diz Connected.
Big Joe Louis and friends – 23 March, Blues Kitchen Shoreditch (free)
Always a great night as Louis and pals play blues with feeling.
Suntou Susso & Mamudou Susso – 24 March, Jazz Cafe, Camden Town
Gambia’s father and son duo bring their exceptional kora skills to London. Beautiful music guaranteed.
Lynne Hanson – 24 March, The Green Note, Camden Town
Canadian singer-songwriter in the Americana groove.
Ben Paley & Robin Gillan – 24 March, The Cellar Upstairs, The Alpaca, Angel
Noted fiddler and guitarist playing old American folk dance tunes. Cellar Upstairs is amongst London’s foremost folk clubs.
Sun-Mi Hong Quintet - 24 March, The Vortex, Dalston Kingsland
Sun-Mi Hong, the South-Korean-born and Amsterdam-based musician, stands as one of the most inventive drummers and composers of her generation, continuously pushing the boundaries of jazz and its intersections with diverse musical traditions.
Eliane Elias: the Art of Bossa Nova - 25 – 27 March, Ronnie Scott’s, Soho
As a globally acclaimed Brazilian pianist, vocalist and composer, Eliane Elias, backed by her skilled quartet, offers an enthralling Bossa nova experience.
David Keenan’s Volcanic Tongue Launch with Ewan Parker and Richard Youngs – 25 March, Cafe Oto, Dalston Junction
Author Keenan launches his book Volcanic Tongue on “underground” music with free jazz from two noted musicians (who surely feature in the book) and other writers and musicians contributing.
Morton Valance – 26 March, Leytonstone Social Club
The pioneering alternative country duo will perform new material alongside favourites from their 8 albums.
Dom Pipkin - 26 March, The Phoenix Arts Club, Charing Cross Road
Gifted British pianist plays New Orleans R&B with real finesse.
Rachael Lavelle – 26 March, St Pancras Old Church, St Pancras/Kings Cross
Lavelle is an Irish singer-songwriter who fits more the art-pop genre than Irish trad’. She rarely releases new music so this gig will be a treat for her fans.
Moonchild Sanelly – 26 March, Village Underground, Shoreditch
Moonchild is a South African singer/rapper whose big hearted, good humoured tunes celebrate sex, strippers, empowerment and much else. She’s a real character so I hope she can overcome the myriad limitations of the venue.
Errol Linton – 26 March, Effra Tavern, Brixton (free)
The mighty Brixton blues man and band always perform a fabulous show – Errol is also a noted painter and has begun reproducing his art on T-shirts. Come along and get your hands on a wearable work of art. And have a dance to the funky blues.
Art Terry and the Black Bohemians bring their psyche jazz soul sound to the CLF Art Lounge, Peckham, on 28 March. In concert both engaging and epic, Terry’s a rising talent.
Strange Meeting – 26 March, The Vortex, Dalston Kingsland
Strange Meeting was formed in 2023 to explore the distinctive, fluid and witty music of guitarist Bill Frisell. The band featuring Chris Batchelor, Margrit Hasler, John Parricelli & Dave Whitford, cover a range of Frisell’s stylistically varied output.
Daoiri Farrell – 27 March, Cecil Sharp House, Camden Town
Singer and bouzouki player Daoirí is "singlehandedly spearheading a resurgence of the authentic in Irish folk music".
The Tubs – 27 March, Oslo, Hackney Central
The most highly regarded young British rock band take their inspirations from an interesting array of sources – Flying Nun bands of the 80s, Richard and Linda Thompson records of the 70s, Charlotte Greig, Tom Verlaine, Thurston Moore etc. This is likely your last chance to see them play a smallish London venue.
Eavsdropping Festival Forum – 27-30 March, The Vortex + Cafe Oto (check times and artists)
Eavesdropping returns to East London for another four-day festival, curated by Juliet Fraser, which includes four evening double-bill events (at Cafe OTO) and a weekend-long forum of provocations exploring ‘Experiments in Magic’ (at Vortex).