Tom Du Croz from LondonGigGuide selects his recommended small and medium-sized gigs around town this week.
Monday 24 February
Mowbird, Old Blue Last, Shoreditch
https://soundcloud.com/popty-ping-records/ping003-haho-final-master?in=mowbird/sets/islander-streams
These guys are from Wrexham and are visiting London as part of a national tour. Their full album Islander was released this week on vinyl as well as in all the usual digital places. Free gig. Event Details
Tony Bowen, The Finsbury, Manor House
https://soundcloud.com/tonybowen/evolution-acoustic
Robert J Hunter is playing on this night too. Tony Bowen has just finished recording his new EP 'The First Move'. Originally from South West Wales. Event Details
Wednesday 26 February
The Beautiful Game, The Fiddler's Elbow, Camden
https://soundcloud.com/wearethebeautifulgame/broken-clocks
This week's Shameless Favourite. The Beautiful Game are giving this track away as a free download from their website. A proper 90s-inspired rock band based in Camden. Event Details
Jakil, Barfly, Camden
https://soundcloud.com/jakil/look-like-gold
There are great pictures of these guys recording in their bathroom, literally standing around the toilet. Soulful, resonant vocals and a beautiful tone to every track. Event Details
Thursday 27 February
The Watermelons, Proud, Camden
https://soundcloud.com/thewatermelons/shooting-star
90s-style indie band from Brighton who count Tom Odell and Alex James as fans. Event Details
JB Newman and the Black Letter Band, Macbeth, Hoxton
Remember Black Hay, who released their delightfully sinister single 'I Feel Something' in time for Valentine's Day? Well they're getting together with the equally dark JB Newman and the Black Letter Band and 'Georges Kaplan Presents' to form a new collective called 'Speak No Evil'. They play together at the Macbeth on 27 February. Expect lots of blues rock and roll. Event Details
Robert J Hunter, The Gallery Cafe, Bethnal Green
https://soundcloud.com/robertjhunter/hate-too-much?in=robertjhunter/sets/2013-demos
Originally from Guernsey, Hunter moved to London and signed with Spectra Records last year. Gruff, unpolished and full of heart. Event Details
Friday 28 February
The Mispers, Dingwalls, Camden
https://soundcloud.com/ifoundthemispers/coasts-1
London-based alt-rock five piece who are due to headline Dingwalls after a meteoric rise in recent months. They describe their music as a 'sweat-drenched, fun-filled world', so what could be more enjoyable on a Friday night? Event Details
Time for T & Normanton Street, The Good Ship, Kilburn
https://soundcloud.com/timefort/tornado
https://soundcloud.com/normantonstreet/take-a-walk-with-me-2?in=normantonstreet/sets/phoebe-freya
This week's Double Bill. Normanton Street are based in Brighton and combine beautiful female vocals with soulful backing and hiphop and RnB influences. Time for T are another quality band who found each other in Brighton. They describe themselves as 'alternate folk rock' (among a stream of other classifications) and their Mongrel EP is great listening. Event Details
Loose Joints, The White Lion, Streatham
https://soundcloud.com/loose_joints/bottom-feeder1?in=loose_joints/sets/get-loose
Blues Rock from darkest Essex. This is the first track from their debut EP, which was released last year. Event Details
Saturday 1 March
Phoenix City All-Stars, Amersham Arms, New Cross
A night of old-school ska. Should be fun and lively. Event Details
For more upcoming gig recommendations and to hear LondonGigGuide’s weekly radio show, visit the web site.
