With no music choice last week due to this Londonista being at the amazing Hydro Connect festival in Scotland, but whilst we were gone lots has been happening. First off, we caught Fucked Up, Ra Ra Riot and The Week That Was. Meanwhile, we previewed Chas and Dave at the Chickenshed. Finally, we got a tiny weeny bit excited about the new Lucky Voices karaoke bar in Islington. Looking ahead to this week, and Monday... [continue]

The New York university system seems to be doing well at the moment - first they turned out the amazing Vampire Weekend, and now Syracuse, New York, has turned out the brilliant Ra Ra Riot who played a headlining set at Monto Water Rats last night. Things got hot and sweaty as they ploughed through their 45 minute set in the tiny backroom, playing with so much energy you'd barely believe they've played a gig... [continue]

This week we've been letting you know about a variety of upcoming events. On Monday we introduced PKO BP London Live, London's first Polish music festival at Wembley Arena, on Tuesday we gave you the chance to win Bestival CDs and on Thursday we told you about an (almost) free Pipettes gig at Koko. Oh, and we also caught LINDSTRØM at Rough Trade East and Ray Gun & The Adjitators @ Hoxton Bar & Grill.... [continue]

This week we've been a bit quiet as we gear up for bank holiday weekend, but have managed to bring you some pictures from the Underage Festival for those of us sadly too old to have gone, a review of the brilliant Dodos at the 100 Club and the marvellous Kings of Leon at Brixton Academy. Looking ahead to this week however and Miami based melodic hardcore punks As Friends Rust play the Underworld on... [continue]

“So, erm, this is a song about death!” mumbled Richard Frenneaux, lead singer of Red Light Company when introducing “With lights Out” last night at London’s Camden Barfly. Let’s be honest – as you may be able to tell from that little quote, they’re not a light hearted, fun band like the Hoosiers or We Are Scientists. However, what they lack in fun they more than make up for in depth and darkness, as they... [continue]

We've been busy this week at the Londonist music team, previewing Big Wheel Sundays In The Park on Monday with the likes of Kathryn Williams, Seth Lakeman and Jose Gonzalez all playing Sunday shows at the end of August. On Tuesday we caught They're Playing Our Song at Menier Chocolate Factory, whilst Wednesday saw us catch Red Blooded Women at Water Rats, along with unmasking the mysterious Burial. To round out the week, we gave... [continue]

It's been a busy week musically here at Londonist as we've been previewing and reviewing the best of the music around London. On Tuesday we previewed Kitty, Daisy and Lewis' instore gig in Clerkenwell and reviewed Monday night's Rogue's Gallery at the Barbican. On Wednesday we caught the King Blues on a boat in Camden Lock ahead of their gig at Dingwalls that night. Thursday saw the possible sad demise of Sister Ray record... [continue]

As the temperature soars around the capital, we've been looking forward a fair bit this week. First up, we previewed both Heavenly Records' 18th birthday celebrations in September and Rogue's Gallery - Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs and Chanteys at the Barbican. We also introduced you to the marvellous Sad Captains, and couldn't resist catching Friendly Fires at the Soho Revue Bar on Thursday night. Looking ahead to this week, The Rogues Gallery comes to the... [continue]

This week the Londonist music team have been a busy bunch, catching Death Cab For Cutie at Koko, Lupe Fiasco at Somerset House, Death Jazz with the Soil and Pimp Sessions and Oren Ambarchi at the Luminaire. We also introduced you to the amazing XX Teens, definately ones to catch this year if you can. Rising hardcore punk stars Bane play the Underworld on Monday evening - tickets are £8.50 each. Alternatively, catch experimental hip-hop... [continue]

Last night Londonist caught US indie supremos Death Cab for Cutie at Koko in Camden as they played as part of the month long iTunes festival at the venue. Needless to say, after having a number one US album, appearing on the OC back when it was good, having a platinum selling big-label debut and selling out two nights at Brixton Academy in the past two years, getting to see them at the relatively... [continue]

Last week we managed to get out and about to catch Gravetemple at Underworld, The Magnetic Fields at Cadogan Hall and Jaguar Love at the 100 Club. We also introduced you to a few upcoming events, namely Gilles Peterson Presents A Night Of Death Jazz @The Roundhouse, Oren Ambarchi at The Luminaire and Horatio Oratorio at Shunt Vaults. Looking ahead to this week however, this evening US indie rockers Pinback play the Scala (tickets are... [continue]

We've been getting out and about a lot this week, catching The Police on Sunday night in Hyde Park, School of Language, Idlewild and Paul Weller and Glasvegas. To top it off, we also previewed 108 Pieces Demolition at the Laban Centre, revealed that Amy Winehouse will be turned into a waxwork and got excited about the Olympic Party in August. Monday night sees US pop punkers Bowling for Soup play the Electric Ballroom -... [continue]

Remember when going to a gig left you feeling dirty afterwards? The sweat dripping off of you, your glasses knocked from your face, beer thrown around, and stinking like a cigarette factory? Well, tonight featured a return to those times (minus the cigarette smell) when Londonist went to see Idlewild at ULU in London. Choosing to save us the (occasional) torture of a support band, they decided to support themselves, playing two sets, first of... [continue]

We've been getting out and about this week and enjoying some of the amazing events that have been going on this week. We caught Yellow Magic Orchestra and Pivot and also Stiff Little Fingers at Meltdown, on Tuesday we caught Radiohead in Victoria Park. On Friday we spent a day in Hyde Park for Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday, whilst this weekend Hyde Park will be taken over for Hard Rock Calling. Alternatively, if you didn't... [continue]

Massive "event" gigs currently seem to be in favour at the moment, with Live8, Live Earth, and last saw one of the biggest to date, and most worthy: 46664, to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday and also to raise awareness of his AIDS charity's work. You've probably heard about it in the press - the whole Amy Winehouse will she turn up / won't she turn up situation, the issue over whether Nelson Mandela was... [continue]

This week Londonist has gone a tiny bit music mad. As Massive Attack's Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre gets into full swing, we caught The Future Sounds of Hip-Hop, The Dubstep Chronicles, the Blade Runner Soundtrack and Gong at the festival this week. Just so we weren't too biased between North and South London, we also made it up to Camden to catch Atmosphere & Brother Ali at Koko. Have you heard of Mumford... [continue]

This week, we've mostly been looking forward to what's coming up, with Talia previewing bloggers delight Annie at Water Rats on Wednesday, Dave K having a look at Warp Records' Saturday night rave and also Matthew Dear's trip to the ICA. Amanda meanwhile caught The Sleeping Years at the 12 Bar and also The Kills at Rough Trade. Looking ahead to this week however, and Monday sees Coldplay play an exclusive gig at Brixton Academy... [continue]

This week saw us catch up with the Eurovision winners party at Scala, review Raster Norton at the ICA, and preview not only CocoRosie's Sierra Casady at the ICA but also Beach House & Wild Beasts. Looking ahead to this week however, and Monday sees Glaswegians Sons and Daughters play Scala for a rescheduled date from last Monday. Tickets are £12 each. Alternatively, Franz Ferdinand play one of their smallest shows ever at the Macbeth... [continue]

This week, Dave has been out and about catching Spiritualized at Rough Trade East and the Hox To Dot Festival, whilst Talia previewed the (apparently pretty darned good) Andy Burrows gig at Union Chapel and Amanda looked at War Child's Army of You. Looking ahead to this week however, and Monday seems quite quiet musically, with Canadian indie / folk rockers The Weakerthans playing the Scala. Tickets are £12 a pop. Alternatively, electro duo Robots... [continue]

It's been a quiet week musically here at Londonist as we've been out enjoying the sun instead of lurking in murky venues in our evenings. However, we did venture out and catch Raekwon & Ghostface Killah at Koko. Looking ahead to this week however, and Bank Holiday Monday sees Scouting For Girls play a rescheduled show at Shepherds Bush Empire from late April. Tickets are £14 from Ticketweb, but are going quickly. If you like... [continue]