The Best London Gigs In July

Dave Newbury
By Dave Newbury Last edited 140 months ago
The Best London Gigs In July

July London gig guide

London hosts so many amazing gigs each night that it's easy to get lost in the listings. To make your gig-going diary clearer we have come up with the best special showcase concerts, the month's must-see gigs, and our critics’ top tips.

Showcase gigs: Treat yourself to a special night

Paul Heaton’s The 8th @ Barbican, 5 July
Heaton performs his epic single-song pop-opera about the deadly sins, with guests including Los Camposinos and Cherry Ghost, followed by a journey through his Housemartins and Beautiful South catalogue. Tickets £18-£28

Gruff Rhys @ Royal Festival Hall 6 July
The Welsh wizard plays his latest album, Hotel Shampoo, in full, with a solo show filled with Fischer Price record players and swirly noise toys which produce beautifully meandering psychedelia. Tickets £12- £18

Laura Marling @ Royal Albert Hall 7 July
With her fourth album now complete, Marling takes to the stage in the only venue that can truly accommodate her soaring folk majesty. If we wish hard enough we might hear those new songs. Tickets £25-£45

Neneh Cherry And The Thing @ Village Underground 15 July
She’s back after 16 years with an amazing album of hook-laden jazz-prov, which combines her pop mastery with her early Rip Rig and Panic sax-fusion grooves.  Tickets £15.50

Madonna @ Hyde Park 17 July
Madge live in London. Those four words send a quiver down any music lover’s spine. OK, MDNA might not be great, but it’s a chance show off the Vogue moves you’ve been practicing in private for years – or is that just us?  Tickets £77- £125

Essential London: The must-see shows for London gig-goers.

Metric @ Shepherds Bush Empire 2 July
Toronto’s Metric’s new album, Synthetica, aches with new-wave synths, which justifies a decade of ploughing away at become a great band. Emily Haines’ personality alone will enthral the Empire. Tickets £16.50

Sweet Billy Pilgrim @ Bush Hall 11 July
A night of delightful Mercury-Prize-nominated experimental art-folk from the home-counties in the opulence of Bush Hall’s shimmering chandeliers. Their latest disc Crown and Treaty is pure harmonious pleasure. Tickets £9

Wu Legends @ Kentish Town Forum 13 July
Key playaz in arguably the greatest rap group ever to descend on North London for a gig showcasing their solo and Wu Tang Clan material. Featuring GZA, Raekwon, Method Man, and Ghostface Killah. Tickets £17.50

Micachu and the Shapes @ Arcola Theatre Tent 24 July
A one-off show of leftfield alt-pop at the Arcola’s pop up venue, with Londons’ finest experimental pop group, the day after the release of their self-produced second album, Never. Tickets £10

Teengirl Fantasy @ Corsica Studios 28 July
Club Motherfucker’s summer special has the disco whizz of the Google-risky Teengirl Fantasy, Bleep perfection from Seams and a DJ set for Maria Minerva. This is what Saturday nights are  made for. Tickets £7

Critic’s choice: Impress your mates with our toppermost tips.

Mary Epworth @ Lexington 5 July
The London songwriter revitalises psychedelic pagan pop with sparse harmonies and lush textures as her evocative debut, Dream Life, is aired live. Tickets £6

Yes Sir Boss @ AAA, Kensington 11 July
Catchy lyrics with horn- and hook-led riffs turn a west London basement into a sunshine baked festival thanks to these Bristolian ska poppers. Tickets £5

Parakeet and Novella @ Madam Jo Jo’s 24 July
Members of Yuck and History of Apple Pie join forces to form an alt’ supergroup of fuzz noise delights with London’s dreamy distort-gazers Novella in support at this White Heat club night. Tickets £5

Excepter @ Café Oto July 24
The debut UK gig from the legendary US experimental electro droners, who growl with free-form drum machines and shifting synths will be a very special night indeed. Tickets £8

Torches @ Sebright Arms July 26
A launch party for Sky Blue and Ivory, the Mile End band’s sad-gaze pummel stomp of a debut single. Expect epic effects, soaring vocals and a barrage of drums. Tickets £5

Don’t forget the July spectaculars that are Teebs @ XOYO, Wireless Festival @ Hyde Park, Hard Rock Calling @ Hyde Park, Sommerset House Series, and Bloc @ London Pleasure Gardens.

Metric photo by Justin Broadbent

Last Updated 02 July 2012