God Don’t Like It have been promoting some of London’s most exciting and weirdly wonderful gigs for over three and a half years, but have this week decided to call it a day and seek pastures new.
As a parting gift, God Don't Like It have American space-rock legends Bardo Pond playing at Shoreditch’s XOYO on Thursday 20 October, heading a series of goodbye gigs leading up to a final send off at The Lexington in late December.
The spaceage experimental shoegazers’ rare UK show exemplifies God Don't Like It’s drive to provide a London showcase to bands who often go unheard in a city where’s there’s lots of competition for an audience.
The promoting accelerates next week with four shows across London such as the highly recommended Ghosting Seasons and NZCA/LINES at The Macbeth on October 24, and Chris Pureka at The Lexington-October 26.
God Don't Like It founder, Anthony Chalmers, told Londonist: “I’ve put on a lot of bands who are really good but can’t get a good platform with a lot of places as they are a bit niche. From an audience perspective I’d like to think that there is a very high quality of curation in the support bands, venues, DJ’s and all aspects of the shows”
Madame Jo Jo's hosted God Don't Like It’s first of over 270 paid and 70 free gigs on April 16, 2008, fronted by Jim Jones Revue who recently headlined Camden’s impressive Koko, and have received plaudits from across the press and radio (in particular 6 Music).
“It was a great show! More than 200 people came, was my best show for about two years after that” Chalmers said, and it's his dedication to showcasing more experimental and non-poppy bands in London’s best respected venues including The Old Blue Last, the wonderful Bush Hall and Corsica Studios.
Chalmers started God Don't Like It while he was running a catering company with some spare cash: “I’d always been into music, going to gigs and had played in a couple of bands so thought I’d try my hand at putting on some shows. The shows look a bit random genre wise, but it all makes sense to me. Music that hardly anyone likes, we jokingly say, but that’s the fact of it.”
This won’t be the end of Chalmers on the London gig scene. He is launching a small club night called Digital Dub and may still promote the odd show or two: “I’d love to do some shows in abandoned tube stations. If anyone can help me out with this, it'd be amazing.”
He added, “I want to say thanks to all the bands who have played, DJs, bookers, soundtechs, venue managers and most of all everyone who has come down to enjoy the gigs. Everyone's nice words have been very appreciated.”
God Don't Like It will be sorely missed but they still have plenty of gigs taking place before the end of the year, in particular, Euros Childs at The Vortex on 14 December, Diagrams at CAMP Basement on 22 November, and Charlie Parr at Bush Hall, on 1 November. Full listings are here.
Bardo Pond play XOYO, October 20, supported by Alexander Tucker and Agathe Max. Tickets are £10, Doors 8pm. XOYO 32-37 Cowper St, Islington, London EC2A 4AW, UK (nearest tube Old Street)
The line up and date God Don't Like It's farewell show will be announced shortly.
