We sometimes forget just how many iconic music moments have taken place in London over the years. Thirty-nine years ago this week, The Ramones joined The Flamin’ Groovies for a legendary gig at The Roundhouse. Twenty-two years ago The Smashing Pumpkins played an acoustic gig at the Raymond Revue Bar (cheeky!) And in 1976 Cliff Richard treated the audience at Wimbledon to a spontaneous rendition of his hits. So I guess it’s not all good.
Who: Trembling Bells + friends (2 day residency)
Where: Café Oto, Ashwin Street, E8 3DL
When: Tuesday 30th June – Wednesday 1st July
Why: Trembling Bells, more than any other band, have explored the psychedelic, folk and pop landscapes of the past and used those references to create some of the most genre-hopping, timeless and exotic music of recent times. It is fitting therefore that for this two-day residency they are joined by two musicians who largely responsible for those vistas, Incredible String Band founder Mike Heron and also folk godfather, Martin Carthy. Also to be found on the bill are Alasdair Roberts, Death Shanties, Dan Haywood Band and Crying Lion.
Who: Shiver, The Fierce and The Dead, Alex’s Hand
Where: The Black Heart, 2-3 Greenland Place Camden, NW1 0AP
When: Friday 3rd July
Why: For the last year or so Shiver have been challenging audience perceptions of musical boundaries with their mercurial blend of math-rock, prog and jazz and they are joined by the equally complex and boundary pushing The Fierce and The Dead who sit somewhere between Afrobeat and Robert Fripp with occasional bursts of brutal math-metal thrown in for good measure. Opening the night is Alex’s Hand, Berlin based, Seattle renegades who have been tearing the European DIY scene apart. Expect the unexpected.
Who: AC/DC
Where: Wembley Stadium
When: Saturday 4th July
Why: It may not be that clever but it certainly is big. AC/DC have been churning out archetypal, unreconstructed classic rock since Angus Young was in short trousers and their tour machine hits London to promote their new album, Rock or Bust, this week. Expect big riffs, a set of instantly recognizable songs, a big show, sheer, unadulterated rock and roll fun and dirty deeds done…if not dirt cheap, certainly at a very reasonable price.
Who: Pete Astor, Rotifer + Matthew Edwards and The Unfortunates
Where: The Betsy Trotwood, Farringdon Road, EC1R 3BL
When: Saturday 4th July
Why: What better way to stand firm against the encroaching Americanisation of our music scene than celebrating their Independence Day watching one of British indie music’s most iconic songwriters. Pete Astor lead The Loft and then The Weather Prophets through the independent label heyday and here he is joined by Rotifer, a band featuring members of Television Personalities and Death in Vegas and token colonial Matthew Edwards and The Unfortunates.
Who: The Groove Control Roof Party: Artful Dodger, Plastician + Pied Piper
Where: The Prince of Wales, 467 Brixton Road, SW9 8HH
When: Saturday 4th July
Why: Alternating between two floors this is a night of retrospective garage sounds whilst the roof top party features everything from house to funk to disco. As a whole, Groove Control create a journey from the birth of the genre in New York City in the 70’s right through to the London pirate radio scene and beyond. And it’s on a roof, how cool is that?
Who: The Wireless Festival
Where: Finsbury Park
When: 3rd-5th July
Why: London’s hottest party pre-viewed last weekend but now it kicks into overdrive with three days of music from some true heavyweights of dance, hip-hop and R’nB. Headliners include Drake, Kendrick Lamar, David Guetta and Nicki Minaj but with around 25 acts on multiple stages each day ranging from icons such as Grandmaster Flash and Arrested Development to relative new comers such as Melissa Steel it is possibly the hippest festival line-up this summer.
Who: Neil Diamond
Where: O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX
When: Sunday 5th July
Why: They say that if you stay around long enough then eventually you become cool again and the current re-appreciation of Neil Diamond is a testament to that. Having made his name by writing some of the best known songs of the 60’s and 70’s these still form part of his set, but rather than rest on his laurels, this hardy survivor will also be playing songs from the current album, Melody Road. The best of both worlds.
Who: The Jesus and Mary Chain + Bardo Pond
Where: The Roundhouse, Camden, NH1 8EH
When: Sunday 5th July
Why: Psychocandy was an album of simple brilliance, Beach Boys melodies, Velvet Underground feedback and beats, drenched in echo and turned up to ten. It is also an album which still echoes through every garage rock, blissed out shoegazing and snotty Brit pop band that have ever taken to the stage and all this from a band that famously hated everything about the music industry. For those too young to have been there first time around or who just want to re-experience those times, The Jesus and Mary Chain are touring the album in full for its 30th anniversary.
Whether you are looking to attend these events or the hundreds of others taking place in London this week, be sure to check Dingo first for the best deals on tickets and a one-stop shop for easy access to London nightlife.
