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). 

Liam Gallagher – Manchester, 1^st June; Knebworth, 3^rd & 4^th June

It’s Liam. It’s Knebworth. Oh, and he’s just released a new album. What more could you want? That is of course if you can get a ticket. Most have obviously been snapped but there are some potentially nifty ways of buying resale tickets (careful of scammers). If you’re not successful, Liam’s also playing at the Etihad, the home of his beloved Man City. 

Amyl and the Sniffers – O2 Academy Brixton, 1^st June

Probably Australia’s best punk outfit right now, Amyl and the Sniffers will be bringing all their energy and rage to O2 Brixton. Expect sweat, catharsis and a bloody good hoot. Freaks to the front.

The Smile – Edinburgh, 1^st June; Manchester, 2^nd June

After a promising debut, A Light for Attracting Attention, which sounds an awfully lot like a band called Radiohead, The Smile – which is Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood with Sons of Kemmet drummer Tom Skinnner – will be continuing to try out their new three-piece in person.

Noisy – XOYO, 8^th June

The lads from Worthing are indeed worthy of seeing. True to name, they bring a whole load of noise and revelry and will be doing so at XOYO.

Alicia Keys – O2 Arena, 13^th June

Alicia Keys has done that rarest of all things throughout her glittering career: gained critical acclaim and all whilst being highly respected as a musician. Never a sell-out, she has a spate of classics to call on; her O2 show is yet to be sold out, too, so get some tickets while you can.

Wu-Lu –Village Underground, 14^th June

This rescheduled event has been a long-time-coming. Since then, Wu-Lu’s bagged a ‘Track of the Year’ award for ‘South’ (featuring Lex Amor) at the recent Worldwide FM Awards. Blending underground punk with alternative hip-hop, his shows are always an energetic occasion.

Laura Mvula – Boisdale, Canary Wharf, 17^th June

Last year’s Pink Noise showed that Laura Mvula was capable of building on from the gracious, delicately sung tracks of her previous albums, with synth-laden dance tracks. Her show at Canary Wharf’s Boisdale is therefore likely to be an interesting spectacle, hopefully marrying the two.

Eve Lazarus – Omeara, 17^th June;

Unsigned, self-managed Bristol artist Eva Lazarus will be playing both Omeara and her hometown. Drawing on Reggae, Hip-Hop, DnB and Jungle, her shows will no doubt get attendees in the mood for summer.

The Rolling Stones – Liverpool, 9^th June; 25^th June (British Summer Time Hyde Park Festival)

As part of their Sixty Tour – to celebrate, yes, an incredible sixty years together – Mick, Keith and Ronnie will be playing at Anfield, before headlining British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park later in the month.

Jim White –100 Club, 23^rd June

The 100 Club’s intimacy is likely to be a perfect setting for Jim White’s whispery vocals. Then again, the 100 Club is always the perfect setting, for almost any live act really. An alternative guide is simply a list of their forthcoming events.

Billie Eilish – O2 Arena, 26^th June

Another big hitter on the list. Billie Eilish will be bringing her special brand of no-fucks-given indie electro-pop to the O2 Arena. Remarkably, there are still some tickets available – at least the last time I checked.

Ed Sheeran – 9^th  – 12^th; 16^th – 17^th; 24^th – 25^th; 29^th – 1^st July (Various venues)

Ed Sheeran takes to Wembley Stadium on June 24th, 25th, 29th, 30th and 1st July for his highly anticipated ‘+ – = ÷ x Tour’. The show will see this Grammy award-winning legend in a new creative 360 degree stadium spectacular. Expect all the big hits: Shape of You, A Team, Sing and many more. Come on. It’s Ed Sheeran. Need more be said?

LCD Soundsystem – O2 Brixton Academy, 27^th June – 3^rd July

With six shows on at O2 Brixton at the end of the month (and the beginning of next), there’s plenty of opportunity to catch Brooklyn’s LCD Soundsytem, spearheaded by James Murphy.