Machine Gun Kelly announces surprise show at Royal Albert Hall
In what seems a surprising collaboration, Machine Gun Kelly has announced a one-off show at the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday 31 May, with tickets available later this week.
Gigs
Mogwai at The Garage review | Intimate and inspiring splendour from post-rock’s greats
★★★★★
Merely nine months after headlining Alexandra Palace to 10,000 people, Mogwai have returned to the capital for an intimate extravaganza of 600 attendees. However, the shrunken surroundings only add to the triumph and impact of their unexpectedly successful songs.
Beabadoobee at Lafayette review | Swaying in song for Gen Z’s matriarch
★★★★☆
Friday night saw 600 of Beabadoobee’s most determined fans filling London’s Lafayette as part of the Brits Week roster of balloted, intimate gigs in support of War Child. This surprise show came sandwiched between the end of the singer’s sell-out solo world tours and prior to her next bout of shows supporting Taylor Swift next month.
Metric at Roundhouse review | Two hours of anthems from Canada’s indie icons
★★★★★
Toronto rock paragons Metric embraced avant-garde synthpop on 2022’s Formentera. During their supporting tour (and first UK run in half a decade), Emily Haines et al. match the ambition of their album with a two-hour career retrospective stuffed with hooks.
The 1975 at Gorilla review | Matty Healy and co. distil the essence of their very best
★★★★★ Playing their full debut album at Manchester’s Gorilla, near where it all began for them, The 1975 show they can still do intimate settings with aplomb, and know exactly what it is that works about them.
Number of gigs at grassroots venues almost 17% lower than pre-pandemic levels
A new report from Music Venue Trust (MVT), the organisation supporting grassroots music venues, has revealed the latest figures on the health of live music venues – and numbers from last year are still well below pre-pandemic levels.
Independent Venue Week gets underway – and this year feels more vital than ever
Independent Venue Week, an annual celebration of independent music and arts venues across the country, has begun – at a time when such sites face more challenges than ever.
The Who announce dates for first UK tour in six years
The Who have announced their first UK tour in six years, at which they’re set to perform with a full orchestra each night.
Madonna announces The Celebration world tour | 40th anniversary greatest hits tour
Madonna has announced a major world tour, The Celebration, which will celebrate four decades of The Queen of Pop’s releases.
First Aid Kit at Hammersmith Apollo review | Stunning sisterly harmony to see off a UK tour
★★★★☆ On the final night of their UK tour, First Aid Kit played Hammersmith Apollo, reeling off tracks from their latest record Palamino as well as old favourites. Greg Wetherall reviews.
The Twang interview | 'Happiness isn't in a line or a bottle of rum'
The Twang’s lead singer Phil Etheridge chats Birmingham’s influence on their music, Mike Skinner and The Streets, watching American Pie to calm down, and not wanting to become a washed-up pisshead in the corner of the pub talking about the good ol’ days.
Yard Act at O2 Forum Kentish Town review | The lads from Leeds make lightwork of playing large
★★★★☆
Yard Act conclude a remarkable year of touring, which now sees them playing venues like O2 Forum Kentish Town with ease.
Pale Waves at Kentish Town Forum review | Venom and sugar from pop punk’s newest idols
★★★★☆
Heather Baron-Gracie’s synthpop upstarts discovered a punk rock edge on this year’s new album, Unwanted. At the end of their headlining UK tour, the Manchester four-piece double down on their newfound attitude.
Taylor Swift ticket debacle leads to Senate committee hearing | What can be done to help fans?
The frustration felt by Swifties over the recent struggles to purchase tickets to their idol’s tour is nothing new. In fact, gig-goers have felt powerless to the whims of the ticketing industry for years. This time, however, the reported site disruption, system failures and ultimately the bereft feelings of the legions of Taylor Swift fans has led to a Senate Committee hearing. But how did we get to this point and is there any hope the situation can be improved for fans?
Morrissey cancels gig after just 30 Minutes
Morrissey cancelled a gig in Los Angeles after just 30 minutes, citing “unforeseen circumstances”. One report suggests he was too cold. Find the footage of his departure below.
Blur to play Wembley Stadium next summer
Blur, one of the founding Britpop bands, are set to play Wembley Stadium next summer – their first headline show in more than seven years.
Kasabian at Alexandra Palace review: Serge shines bright as the frontman
★★★★☆
It’s been just over a year since Kasabian first took to the stage following singer Tom Meighan’s sudden and controversial departure. Meighan’s best mate, sidekick, and, not to mention, creative foil Serge Pizzorno was always a magnetic onstage presence, but the ease in which he has assumed the role as de facto frontman has probably been a little to everyone’s surprise.
Pulp Confirm Reunion Tour For 2023
Pulp have confirmed reunion shows for 2023, including headline slots at Latitude and TRNSMT festivals.
Bob Dylan at the London Palladium review | 'It's hard not to be moved hearing a living legend'
★★★★☆ Bob Dylan moves audiences at the London Palladium with his reflections of a life lived on the road, writes John Moore.
Matt Maltese at Koko review | A rousing gig for the broken-hearted
★★★★☆
Matt Maltese showed why he already has writing credits with the likes of Joy Crookes and Jamie T, in a gig that demonstrated his musical flair – and his penchant for writing about matters of the heart.
Lime Cordiale at Electric Ballroom review | Aussie boys bring brotherly charm
★★★★☆
Lime Cordiale, fronted by brothers Oli and Louis Leimbach, proved an enormously endearing, energetic pair at Camden’s Electric Ballroom – and that was even before they brought out Idris Elba.
September Gigs Guide
Festival season might be winding down, but you can still get your fix of live performances from a number of live gigs this month.
Initiative launched to encourage new audiences to visit grassroots venues
A new initiative launched today from Independent Venue Community (IVC) will help venues support people who don’t normally attend gigs or grassroots venues to do so.
Off The Grid Gigs | Musicians who want you to ditch the smartphone
"I’d like people to come to the shows and enjoy them like they did in the old days." - Bruno Mars
July Gigs Guide
Festival season is getting fully underway. If it’s one-off gigs you fancy, though, then look no further. July will sort you out.
Red Hot Chilli Peppers at London Stadium review | As fiery as ever
★★★★☆
The Red Hot Chilli Peppers in the London Stadium, with their big Californian sound, blasting out hits for a night of all-consuming fun.
A Yard Act to Follow | Yard Act are most-booked new act in Europe this summer
The lads from Leeds – Sam, Ryan, Jay and James, aka Yard Act – have been ranked as the most-booked new act across European festivals this summer.
Liam Gallagher at Knebworth Review: Britpop Icon Delivers Another Blockbuster
★★★★☆
Following the success of his fourth consecutive solo Number One album, C’MON YOU KNOW, Liam Gallagher delivered an almighty show at Knebworth – 25 years after his first appearance at the iconic venue.
June Gigs Guide
Summer officially begins in June. 21st June, to be precise. So get yourself out there, grab some tickets and enjoy the sunshine (followed by the inevitable rain).
+ – = ÷ X Tour review | Ed Sheeran thrills and spills in dazzling display
★★★★☆
Ed Sheeran took to the stage at the Principality Stadium, for the largest attended series of gigs in Welsh history.
