June 3rd – Tara Priya – Old Blue Last (Free)
Tara Priya singing for free on the night she launches her latest EP, Friends Like These, sounds like a pretty good gig to me. I love Album/EP release shows because they feel like laid-back and sometimes silly gigs as the artist finally gets a millisecond to forget all the stress and worry associated with making and then sharing your music with the world. These shows are even better when said performer is a “little tipsy” so lets hope Tara does a bit of celebrating beforehand too!
June 5th – Tei Shi – Shackwell Arms (Free with RSVP)
Tei Shi is great. Her show a couple of weeks ago at Rickshaw Stop showcased her intensely subtle flavour of R&B, full bold basslines and full-bodied sounds. Seeing as the show is free, and on a Friday, there really is no excuse for not going. It’ll be great!
June 9th -HollySiz – Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen (£8.50+fees)
The French Rock ‘n’ Roll singer returns to London following her emboldened show at Elekrowekrz in December. HollySiz put on a great show and is very accessible for people new to her music. Oh, and French people really know how to party!
June 9th – Nadia Sheikh – Bedroom Bar (Free)
Nadia Sheikh is a new discovery for me so I don’t really know what to expect. Her song 50 Feet is a catchy and melancholy record not to dissimilar from the early music of Leddra Chapman. She’s likely to be playing the first set on the 9th so I recommend arriving early.
Free
June 10th – Waxahachtee – Electric Ballroom (£13+fees)
I missed Waxahachtee’s gig in San Francisco and was a little p*ssed. One of my NY discoveries she quite a cult following so expect this one to be a show full of the great and good of who is “indie-cool” in London.
June 10th – Katy B – Kopparberg Urban Forest (Free)
This year’s Kopparberg Urban Forest opens with a bang. Katy B will be playing on the opening night so expect it to be rammed wall-to-wall. Katy B’s shows are a lot of fun, especially if like me you get nostalgic for the dance culture of yesteryear.
June 15th – TORA – Sebright Arms (£7+fees)
I fell in love with Jaigantic this year from TORA so the chance to see them play a full show at the Sebright is a pretty good idea. Nu-Electro-Soul with a sense of grandeur about it.
June 15th – Bluey Robinson – 100 Club (£12+fees)
I have not had a chance to see Bluey Robinson for a couple of years. In the interim his music has continued to evolve. Playing the 100 Club seems to bring the best out of people so expect an explosive show.
June 17th – Mikky Ekko – Water Rats (£8+fees)
I saw Mikky Ekko warm-up for Broods when they played in San Francisco a few months ago. Expect a performance with punch as Mikky Ekko is quite a compelling on stage. And that hair… can’t take your eyes of it! At Water Rats it should be a very good show indeed.
June 23rd – Elle Exxe – The Social (£5+fees)
New discovery on the Pop music scene – her lead single, Lie To Me, has an edge about it which creates the potential for some really interesting music. Think a cross between Natalia Kills and La Roux. For a fiver you can’t wrong!
June 24th – Kal Lavelle + Sykes + Nizlopi + Leddra Chapman – Kopparberg Urban Forest (Free)
Nizlopi are most probably the reason I absolutely fell in love with folk music. Leddra Chapman is quit frankly one of the best voices and best live performers I have had the pleasure of seeing play. Kal Lavelle, hot off a co-headline tour with Lucy Spraggan, is going from strength to strength and finally getting the recognition and credit she deserves for pretty much being the Fairy Godmother of British acoustic scene. And then there are Sykes… Sykes, Sykes, Sykes, the band I discovered when I first heard about this show and fell head over heels in love with.
I suspect this show to be get rammed. If there were tickets its one of those which would’ve sold out within an hour. The problem for those with jobs is that the students will be queuing for fun from the afternoon. If you can make it make sure you because this will be an incredible show. I wish there was a secret entrance I could share and/or a code word to get in when the forest is full. If you get summer hours, this could be a good day to use them!
June 30th – Chelsea Wilson (£5+fees if you’re quick)
A little bit neo. A little bit soul. A lotta flirtations with retro influences makes Chelsea Wilson the kind of artist I love to hear live. With the early bird tickets so cheap you may as well go to this as opposed to grabbing a beer one night this month! It’s a steal!
June 30th – Fiona Bevan – The Forge (£10+fees)
Love me some Fiona Bevan. Music that is playful, soulful and revitalising. Fiona Bevan is a somewhat hidden treasure on the UK music scene. The Forge is a lovely little venue, although it can feel a little formal at times. Should be a cracking show.
SoulSide Funk 