September Gig Guide

Dave Newbury
By Dave Newbury Last edited 138 months ago
September Gig Guide

London gigs in september

London hosts so many amazing gigs each night it's easy to get lost in the listings. So 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.

Perfume Genius @ Union Chapel, 6 September
Seattle songwriter Mike Hadreas brings his powerfully poetic ballads to London’s most spectacularly haunting venue.  His beautifully harrowing tales of humanity are both energising and humbling, and his live shows are truly majestic. Tickets £12.50

Billy Bragg celebrates Woody Guthrie @ Queen Elizabeth Hall, 16  September
The Bard of Barking’s love of Guthrie is well documented and his reinterpretations of the country legend's songs are modern masterpieces. This centenary celebration will not only be a musical spectacular, but a chance to see a true fan play homage to his idol. Tickets £15-£22.50

Mina Tindle @ St Pancras Old Church, 28 September
The 28-year-old Parisian-born chanteuse embodies a leftfield folk which is fascinating and groundbreaking. She avoids traditionalism by veering toward the outsider musicality of Chan Marshal and Dan Bejar to create a fragile beauty. Tickets £8

Sun Ra Arkestra @ Barbican, 29 September
Although Sun Ra died 20 years ago, the Arkestra have continued to spread his cosmic jazz across a new generation. No-one else can create such otherworldly blues-sax wig-outs to the level of the Arkestra psychedelic magnificence. Everyone needs to see them at least once. Tickets £15-£25

Essential London – The must see shows for London gig goers.

Africa Express Soundsystem @ Granary Square Kings Cross, 8 September
A revolutionary collaboration between interchangeable indie, pop and African artists to create a spontaneous and inspirational musical experience. Toumani Diabate and Bombay Bicycle Club join Damon Albarn and Babba Mall in a genre defying Valhalla. Tickets £20

El-P @ Scala, 14 September
Brooklyn’s El-P is one of the greatest hip hop producers in the world. His unique rhythms own more to Warpesque electro than old skool beats, while his cutting edge rhymes are magnificently biting. Tickets £14

Calexico @ Kentish Town Forum, 18 September
The ultimate party band are back with their mariachi horns, Latin rhythms and desert noir twangs. They make tex mex indie which is achingly wonderful and bring the spirit of SXSW to London. Tickets £20

Beth Jean Houghton @ Kings College SU, 26 September
Newcastle’s wonky folk starlet may prefer the spacious mountains of California to London’s bustle but every time she plays here her angelic menace becomes increasingly wonderful. Tickets £10

Critic’s choice – Impress your mates with our toppermost tips

Hannah Cohen @ Bush Hall, 3 September
She may have a privileged upbringing, and slotted straight in to New York’s hipsterati, but her delicate voice and gentle tales are mesmerising. Tickets £10

Woodpecker Wooliams @ The Vortex, 7 September
Brighton’s Gemma Williams combines circuit fizzing rhythms and lo fi strings to create unique acid folk songs about birds. She is amazing. Tickets £5.50

THE FLAMING STARS @ Hackney Trashbar, 8 September
The veterans of bar room garage-noir rock are back with their dusty suits and punk drawl for a one off Dirty Water Club show. Tickets £8

Mark Stewart @ Village Underground, 27 September
The former Pop Group front man follows up 1234 Shoreditch with a headline show of unforgiving anarchic brilliance. Tickets £10-£15

Last Updated 01 September 2012