It’s the Sabbath and time for another This Week’s 10 Must-See London Gigs! The annual commemoration is almost upon us, but whilst you eagerly anticipate necking a turkey dinner and trawling through The Sound Of Music, why not book up a must-see London gig for the week ahead. Our 10 chosen acts, as always, contributed one segment each in a game of Consequences, creating a balmy story about a mother’s ruin-inspired, wrinkly rocker and his attempts to woo a Hungarian-born Broadway actress…
(DISCLAIMER: All characters and events in this story – even those based on real individuals – are entirely fictional…)
(1) Gin-swilling wasp enthusiast (2) Lou Reed (3) met the funky and French (4) Zsa Zsa Gabor (5) at a BBQ fundraiser hosted by Kris Kristofferson’s lovely wife June; (6) he gave her the wren he wove with wasted words (7) and said to her: “A ROPPY ONA ROTTY” (8) She said to him: “Do you have any sweets in your glovebox?”; and (9) the consequence was he deep throated a hotdog to win her heart. It worked. (10) The world said, “This has altered our perceptions of morality forever.”
(NOTE: Click on the segment to listen to its author)
(1) Wrap up on Monday (Dec 10th), because Bird On The Wire presents superb, 60s-aping psych band the Allah-Las at The Shacklewell Arms. We’re just as excited about seeing London-based supporting trio F.U.R.S though, whose sun-bleached, Best Coast-doing-The Velvet Underground shimmer has got us all hot under the collar since their inception in August. Sadly, it’s now SOLD OUT, which means a Twitter grovel is in order.
(2) If your desperate online boot-licking is in vain however, there’s not long to wait for another desperate virtual pursuit for tickets. Do whatever it takes to get into the SOLD OUT End Of The Road Christmas Shindig at Cargo on Tuesday (Dec 11th), because ALLO DARLIN’ (pictured above) will be providing the sort of folk-tinged, festive experience that’ll surely spark your seasonal spirit. Plus, there’s hot cider, gifts and amazing support from Joe Gideon & The Shark and Woodpigeon.
(3) That same night, The Sebright Arms have announced mysterious, young Canadian songstress LOWELL, who we previously featured in our daily ‘WJ Bookmarks…’ recommender. After her awe-inspiring collaboration with Apparatjik (the transcontinental art collective comprising members of A-ha, Coldplay and Mew) on enchanting debut mini-album ‘If You Can Solve This Jumble’, this will be the perfect opportunity to see her wondrous, pop vision brought to life in intimate surrounds. For tickets, contact the venue directly.
(4) On Wednesday (Dec 12th), Kilimanjaro & Popular presents ethereal psych-prog five-piece HEY SHOLAY at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen – with support from hotly-tipped, rock ‘n’ roll revivalists China Rats. The Sheffield headliners will be hypnotising attendees with glorious cuts from the recent ‘((O))’, which received an almost unanimous appraisal from critics this year. Seetickets have more information.
(5) If you hadn’t guessed already, we’ve fallen for London foursome NIGHT ENGINE and their exuberant, 21st Century spin on suave, 70s art rock. National Anthem present them and ex-Viva Brother synth duo Lovelife at Camden Barfly on Thursday (Dec 13th) and, just as we argued in the first ever This Week’s Must-See London Gigs, their set will be unmissable. TicketWeb have all the details.
(6) Although, if mere mention of the decade that taste forgot has turned your stomach, perhaps new-age soul in the shape of talented, Winchester man BO KEENEY would better suit. The 23-year-old will be transfixing The Sebright Arms with the curious, croon-step of his just-released ‘Don’t You Worry EP’. Head to Ents24 to book now.
(7) Still not convinced? The towering, experimental dream pop of G R E A T W A V E S at the Union Chapel will be a sight to behold. The duo open the Bella Union Christmas Service that same night, in support of Manc lyrical rockers Money and previously featured, Southampton-born folky types Pale Seas. Sure to be a service to savour, why not book now on Music Glue.
(8) It’s not just seasonal goodwill that will lure you to The Tabernacle on Friday (Dec 14th); excellent, young Londoner TOM THE LION headlines the HΩΩP Music 2012 Wrap Party and his beautiful, hushed Bon Iver-isms will be bouncing off the walls of the intimate Notting Hill bar. Tickets are available via the venue’s website and all proceeds go to C.A.L.M.
(9) If you fancy a more edgy, pre-Santa knees up, then why not book yourself in for the Club Motherfucker Xmas Do on Saturday (Dec 15th) over at WeGotTickets. The Shacklewell Arms hosts an eclectic, sonic mess of upcoming talent that night, but it’s VUVUVULTURES and their spiky, O Children-ish goth disco that’ll have us sweating buckets in our novelty, Saint Nick sweater.
(10) Another day, another must-see 25th-inspired bash in the same place. Sunday (Dec 16th) is the Club.The.Mammoth: Neu Noir Xmas Party and Fuck Buttons man Andrew Hung brings his otherworldly, female voice-exploring DAWN HUNGER project to The Shacklewell Arms. Under his anagram-created moniker, expect to hear electronic boundaries pushed and have your holiday advert-invaded mind totally warped. Visit Seetickets to make it a date.
Read: Last Week’s 10 Must-See London Gigs
