Mini music festivals - you've got to love them, haven't you? Queuing up for two hours to get into an infamous London sweatbox only to get to the front of the line where you're overtaken by a 21-year old PR mogul with a VIP wristband and a gaggle of Bedales-educated media moppets beside them. Then you've got to try and get served. Oh, we're only joking! These events can be plenty of fun, as long as you play by the rules - get to the venue where you want to see a band nice and early, and stay there. If you pop out for a cigarette or a fiery debate about the merits of post-punk vs Detroit techno, you'll have had your chips.
Of course, it helps if the music is of superior quality, and this particular musical feast at the end of this week - and haven't there been a lot of them in Shoreditch of late - is boasting some particularly exciting up-and-coming bands. Shying away from any semblance of the play-it-safe music-by-numbers approach, it's no surprise that the pioneer behind Field Day, Tom Baker, is involved with the splicing together of this music and arts extravaganza. Spread over numerous east London venues including Cargo, 93 Feet East, the Old Blue Last and Plastic People, the line-up includes Lykke Li, Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man, Euros Childs, Pete and the Pirates, Wave Machines and Mechanical Bride, along with a range of superb DJs and the mighty TV On The Radio headlining on Friday night. If you haven't heard of many of the bands, don't let it put you off - this two day showcase guarantees a high quality selection of musicians that you'll be hearing a lot more about in the near future. The event also offers a range of art exhibitions and experiences around Shoreditch - check out their website for more details.
If you want to catch TV On The Radio, head down early - they're playing at Hearne Street Car Park at 1am on Saturday morning. Let's hope they're wearing their thermals.
**Note: TVOTR have been moved to Cargo on Friday night due to licensing restrictions imposed upon Hearne Street Car Park by Hackney Council. Let's hope they get the 2nd memo telling them to ditch the thermals and get their shorts on instead.**
Concrete and Glass is held in various venues in Shoreditch on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd October.
Tickets are available here and in person at Rough Trade East, priced at £22.50 for one night and £35.00 for both nights.
