Hello one and all and welcome to the new year (at last)! For those of you looking to get to some more gigs this year - look no further as I'll dive into my top 25 gigs to get excited for! In chronological order, I'll guide you through the ones you shouldn't miss - most of whom should be coming to a city near you. Spotify playlist included too...click here!
January 2019
25. Black Midi
(London, Birmingham, Brighton, Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, Southampton)
British post-punkers continue their unremitting touring schedule this year with a host of stops across the U.K. After catching their set last year, I can't implore enough in you to see one of the most promising and intriguing acts in the punk/art-rock scene in this country. Tickets can be found here.
February 2019
24. Death Cab For Cutie
(London, Manchester, Glasgow, Nottingham, Leeds, Bristol)
American indie-rockers are once again coming through the U.K. in promotion of their most recent 9th LP, Thank You For Today, in which we should expect an exuberant array of songs from their entire discography which surely can't be missed....right?! Transatlanticism was great though. Tickets can be found here.
23. Anna Calvi
(London)
Off the back of her latest LP, Hunter, art-rocker Anna Calvi is returning to London's historic Roundhouse for a show which should be as rock-infested as it is colourful - from the vibrant music to the mystical light show. If you're a fan of all things David Byrne, make sure you grab your ticket for this one-off gig! Tickets can be found here.
22. The 1975
(London)
The overall impact of their most recent LP, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, may have slightly been overstated by some music reviewing outlets *NME*, however, their one-off intimate show at The Garage for BRITs Week War Child 2019 contributes to a great cause AND you get to see an incredibly commercially-successful band in an intimate venue. Tickets can be found here.
21. Vein
(London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, Southampton, Brighton, Norwich)
Boston hardcore-punkers bring their renowned effervescent set across to the U.K. after releasing their highly-praised debut LP last year, Errorzone, which has set them on the punk map as one of the most hotly-anticipated acts of today. Tickets can be found here.
20. Mothers
(London, Brighton, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham)
Experimental indie-rock outfit from Georgia (U.S.), spearheaded by Kristine Leschper, are at last coming across the pond after releasing their well-received sophomore LP, Render Another Ugly Method - performing in some gloriously intimate venues in some major cities all over the U.K. Tickets can be found here.
March 2019
19. Kamasi Washington
(London)
I truly implore in you not to miss this otherworldly jazz musician if you're at all around the London area at the beginning of March. Having released some of the most influential, odyssean jazz albums over the last 5 or so years, Washington has proven to be one of the most boundary-pushing and enticing acts to watch - blending tropes of hip-hop, funk, baroque pop, and jazz. Tickets can be found here.
18. Billie Eilish
(London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham)
Having only released her debut EP midway through 2017, Billie Eilish has exploded onto the electropop scene with a unique and introspective take on the genre and, in many ways, a true stand out amongst her fellow pop peers. If you're lucky enough to get tickets, be sure to revel in this act's brand of alternative / psychedelic-pop. Tickets can be found here.
17. Twenty One Pilots
(London, Birmingham, Belfast, Glasgow, Manchester)
Strangely enough this act would not normally feature on this type of list of mine, however, their latest LP, Trench, inevitably caught my attention as the act honed in their pop rock/hip-hop blend into a cohesive amalgamation - featuring some catchy and ear-wormy tracks that should most definitely be seen in their live format on the big stage. Tickets can be found here.
16. Oneothrix Point Never
(London)
Daniel Lopatin brings his ambient take on the electronic genre to London's Roundhouse later this year promising to incorporate installation art and customised visuals into his live set in promotion of his latest LP from last year, Age Of. At such a historic and atmospheric venue, this show entitled MYRIAD certainly has the potential to be a spell-binding one. Tickets can be found here.
15. Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
(London, Manchester, Glasgow)
Funk, neo-soul, hip-hop master-blender returns to the U.K. later this year to promote and perform his most recent and critically-acclaimed LP, Oxnard. In spite of my slightly scathing review of this particular LP, I can personally speak from experience that Paak's live shows are beyond entertaining and a joy to participate in - especially when he brought out Dre last time... Tickets can be found here.
14. Mick Jenkins
(London, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow)
Jazz-rap fusion is Mick Jenkins primary game which has seen commercial success from his latest LP, Pieces of a Man - turning heads toward an intriguing genre which has garnered a significant audience through this decade and should transcend into an enticing live show across these U.K. cities. Tickets can be found here.
13. Childish Gambino
(London)
Hip-hop/R&B virtuoso Childish Gambino at last announced his first UK tour in a fair while....and should be the show of a lifetime at London's colossal O2 Arena. In other words - you should most definitely go out of your way to catch a glimpse of the one of the most sought-after artists currently. Performing 2 nights at the arena, all you have to do is decide a date. Tickets can be found here.
12. Sharon Van Etten
(London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol)
Indie-folker from New Jersey just released her latest LP, Remind Me Tomorrow, which has indelibly garnered my respect for her easy-on-the-ears take on the genre very much reminiscent of some nostalgic 80s indie-pop and 90s alt-rock. Tickets can be found here.
11. Noname (London, Manchester, Birmingham)
The Chicago-based rapper and word-poet is back to the U.K. after producing one of my favourite LPs of last year, Room 25 - exploring African American socio-politics in the U.S. littered with somewhat awkward humour throughout. This act cannot be missed live, however, as she's such a joy to watch. Tickets can be found here.
April 2019
10. Slowthai
(London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Brighton)
Garnering much attention from the underground hip-hop scene in the U.K, Slowthai blends a unique style of hip-hop and post-punk together into an enticing set of tracks which will undoubtedly blow up later this year....so hop on it! Undoubtedly for fans of Young Fathers. Tickets can be found here.
9. Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
(London, Sheffield, Bristol, Manchester, Brighton, Bedford, Norwich, Cambridge, Oxford, Nottingham, Leicester, Preston, Chester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Gateshead)
Whilst their name may seem unnecessarily excessive, their music is nonetheless gaining traction in the post-punk scene with their visceral energy, cataclysmic guitar tones, and raucous on-stage energy, Pigs x7 cannot be missed - they ultimately resemble the country's recent embrace of the genre. Tickets can be found here.
8. Idles
(London, Sheffield, Cardiff, Norwich, Brighton, Belfast, Manchester)
Ultimately the flag-bearers of this post-punk genre, Bristol-natives Idles have taken the nation by storm with their first 2 LPs over the past couple of years, Brutalism and Joy As An Act of Resistance. Commenting on current political issues such as immigration, Brexit, and toxic masculinity, Idles is a bucket-list act determined to not let you down in the slightest, but rather bring you up (see photo). Tickets can be found here.
7. James Blake
(London, Manchester, Bristol)
Having just released his latest LP, Assume Form, the multi-talented and multi-faceted musician is back to touring the U.K. showcasing his unique take on the indie-electronic genre with an entire scroll-full of collaborated artists, including my beloved newcomer act, Rosalía... Tickets can be found here.
6. Daughters
(London, Ramsgate, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds)
After spending 10 years isolated from the music scene, noise-rockers from the U.S. are also travelling across the pond to tour their latest LP, You Won't Get What You Want. Having delivered an unforgettable album last year, this is a must-attend show for all of you looking to fulfil your 'rock' cravings. Tickets can be found here.
May 2019
5. Built To Spill
(London, Glasgow, Leeds, Bristol)
American indie-rock veterans are touring the U.K. later this year to mark the 20th anniversary of their seminal 1999 LP, Built To Spill. If you treasure your indie rock and care to see the real roots of it all take place in front of you in its live format, then you surely must get to one of these shows. Tickets can be found here.
4. Four Tet
(London)
Kieran Hebdo is not only a friendly, down-to-earth guy, but he's also one of the hottest tickets in town for the electronic scene. Focusing much of his attention on the spell-binding visual elements of his live shows, Four Tet has emerged as one of the most influential acts within this new age of ambient, IDM-style music which will culminate at London's Alexandra Palace. Tickets can be found here.
3. Aldous Harding
(London, Brighton, Cambridge, Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Bristol)
New Zealand indie-folker Aldous Harding has finally marked a return to the music scene with a string of U.K. dates and a potential release of a new LP...after turning critics' heads in 2017 with her intriguing LP, Party, I will surely go out of my way to make it to one of her shows - will you? Well, I think you definitely should if you're a true folk fan. Tickets can be found here.
2. Kero Kero Bonito
(London, Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow)
The Japanese-British indie-pop outfit have stamped themselves into the scene with their unique and colourful take on the genre - namely obscurely covering Oasis' hit of 'Rock n Roll Star'. Their most recent LP, TOTEP, ended up on my top 10 EPs of last year and will surely be a gig that cannot missed in the indie-pop canon. Tickets can be found here.
June/July 2019
1. Janelle Monáe
(London, Manchester)
Singer, songwriter, rapper, actor, and producer Janelle Monáe will finally land in the U.K. after releasing one of the most excitable and exuberant pop LPs of last year, Dirty Computer. With a recently-announced slot headlining Glastonbury's West Holts stage, she can also be found at some reputable arenas in both London and Manchester. Whilst we may not be spoilt for choice for her live dates, Monáe is undoubtedly one of the most highly-acclaimed acts in the pop/hip-hop scene at the moment so do not miss her this summer! Tickets can be found here.
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