Plenty of great live music on the capital this week as the best summer in years draws to a close (slowly we hope!)
Monday – Freddie McGregor, Hootannany, Brixton
Freddie McGregor has managed to dip a toe in every different flavour of Jamaican music, be it rocksteady or roots reggae, dancehall or dub. His biggest UK hit was “Just Don’t Wanna Be Lonely” which went To Ten back in 1987. Here’s a live clip of it from a couple of years ago – the man still has it!
Tuesday – Stanley Brinks & The Wave Pictures – Shacklewell Arms
Stanley Brinks is the current identity of André Herman Düne, formerly of the French folk rock band Herman Düne. He has recorded and played shows in Europe, the UK and the US under various other names such Ben Dope, Ben Haschish, Klaus Bong, John Trawling, Lord Stanislas.
Since leaving Herman Düne in December 2006 he has been championed by the likes of Jeffrey Lewis (who wrote a song about how Herman Düne were better when André was still in them) and in 2012 he collaborated with The Wave Pictures for their debut joint release. The follow up album is due to come out on Fika Recordings next year.
Stanley Brinks will be joined by The Wave Pictures as his backing band for this show. The Wave Pictures are David Tattersall, Franic Rozycki and Jonny “Huddersfield” Helm. Formed in 1998 when Franic and David lived in a village called Wymeswold, the band played with several drummers until Jonny became a permanent member in 2003 replacing Hugh J Noble. In the beginning the band learned to play together by covering Jonathan Richman songs.
Their new album, City Forgiveness, will be out in October on the Moshi Moshi label.
Tuesday – California X – Borderline
Punk power trio formed last year in Amherst, Massachusetts.. They wear their influences proudly – eighties indie rock like Dinosaur Jr and seventies metal a la Motorhead (one of them even appears to be called Lemmy). Expect them to rock the Borderline (and the Old Blue Last on Wednesday)
Wednesday – The Barr Brothers – Borderline
Breathtaking Canadian folk quarter. Check the playing on this.
Thursday – Frankie & The Heartstrings – Birthdays, Dalston
Sunderland’s FATH have been around a couple of years, crafting perfect indie pop songs that make you think of what might have been had Edwyn Collins and Kevin Rowland been in a band together. They’re excellent live as you can see here :
Thursday – Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra – Union Chapel
New Zealand’s cult music-comedy sensation the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra makes its London debut this summer with an unmissable show at Union Chapel, fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe.
If there were a Ukulele Orchestra Olympics, NZ’s team would be suspected of steroid abuse, with their high-octane solos, outrageous outfits, batty banter and unstoppable musical mischief. Joining forces seven years ago, these freaks of the four-string have become a cult favourite, causing a mad scramble for tickets wherever they go and sending audiences into a euphoric state.
Delighting crowds of all ages, the orchestra’s signature sound features ten ukuleles, a double bass and a choir of gorgeous voices performing harmonious and hilarious renditions of modern and traditional tunes. Their comedic wit is famously spontaneous, and when they burst into song, it could go either way – the sweet sounds can silence a room in a nanosecond, or bring a crowd of thousands to their feet.
This is their take on Kings Of Leon.
Friday – Violet Class – New Cross Inn
Sounding like the soundtrack to football in the 1970s, Violet Class are a proper guitar band, like Oasis. With killer riffs, like Oasis. And you can dance to them.
All door proceeds to the charity set up for Jon Brookes, the drummer with the Charlatans who sadly passed away a couple of weeks ago.
Saturday – Damien Jurado, Bush Hall
With its perfect acoustics, The Bush Hall should provide the ideal setting for Seattle indie singer-songwriter Damien Jurado, who released his tenth album last year.
Sunday – Los Pelos Rizos – Half Moon, Putney (13:00 – 16:00)
A couple of free gigs for Sunday, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.
Los Pelos Rizos is London’s critically acclaimed Gypsy Funk band with their sound described as: “bursting with layers of eclectic energy wrapped in Latin rhythms”. Featuring violin, trumpet, guitars, mandolin, bass and cajon, they have a regular following, a residency at The Troubadour and played to jubilant audiences at The Edinburgh Festival. So come on down for a some Latin-fuelled Curly-haired Gypsy Funk!
Sunday – Diabel Cissokho – Hootannany, Brixton (evening)
Rootmaster presents a genuine musical genius from a long line of griots + long time kora player for Baaba Maal! Diabel Cissokho, from Senegal, toured internationally with his family’s band Bannaya leading to his stint as Baaba Maal’s kora player, as well as acclaimed musicians like Kandia Kouyate, Pee Wee Ellis, Nuru Kane, Daby Balde, Omar Pene and Abdou Diop. Now well established in the UK, Diabel’s virtuosic talent, his “resonant voice and rocking kora style” (Songlines), have been welcomed everywhere.
Should be something there for everybody, even metal fans.
See you down the front!