With festival season now fully upon us, the Great Escape is coming up this weekend, providing the first musical reason to leave London of the year. This also means that plenty of bands are passing through ahead of their industry showcases:
Things don't really kick off until Tuesday when Irish alternative band Fight Like Apes plays Kings College. Prefer the sticky floors of a pub to the sticky floors of student union? Brooklyn's the Obits are at the Lexington.
If you can't make it down to Brighton this weekend, you can still take advantage of those visiting the UK specifically for this weekend. Canadian Blast, for example, are bringing their showcase to the Garage before heading down to Great Escape. Hey Rosetta, Winter Gloves, and Bonjay will all be representing their own Northern rock. Elsewhere in town, former Gowns singer/guitarist Erika M Anderson is back with her hotly tipped solo project, EMA. She's playing a free show at the Macbeth.
Thursday, add a litle hard rock to your life with Texans the Sword at the Garage. If you'd prefer something a bit more delicate, Smallgang are celebrating their album launch at CAMP Basement.
In stark contrast to any Friday the 13th gloom and doom, folk duo Marry Waterson and Oliver Knight will be at Kings Place. If you're feeling avant garde (and a bit more in keeping with the traditionally spooky nature of the day), Mamuthones will be at Vortex.
Saturday, Levellers are continuing their reunion tour with an additional date at Brixton Academy. Or you can catch freak folkers North Dakotans Secret Cities over at the Hoxton Bar and Kitchen.
Round out the week with the mellow piano strains of Dark Dark Dark at the Lexington.
