Monday 16th February
Crystal Stilts, Manhattan Love Suicides, Wet Dog, The Lexington, London
Heavily 80s influenced shoegaze-goths over from Brooklyn to play songs from their debut album.
Secret Machines, The Big Pink, The Joy Formidable, Islington Academy, London
Texas/New York psych rockers bring their driving dream rock to London. Joined by dead trendy Londoners The Big Pink.
Tuesday 17th February
Ra Ra Riot, King’s College, London
I think my iTunes has got a bit of a crush on these guys, as it tries to attribute every CD I ever import onto it to them. Catchy folk rock not too far wrong though.
The Seal Cub Clubbing Club, 93 Feet East, London
Tongue-twister post-punk from up North.
Wednesday 18th February
Black Kids, Esser, Boy Crisis, Passion Pit, Koko, London
The big famous draw are Cure-esque, impossibly catchy headliners Black Kids although the three support acts are also well worth catching. Esser is an electro one to watch for this year, fronted by ex Ladyfuzz drummer. Boy Crisis bring more 80s-tinged sounds with their Brooklyn electro-pop and Passion Pit bring some indie to the synths.
Thursday 19th February
Yo Zushi, Old Queens Head, London
Quirky anti-folk from the mix-tape loving Londoner.
Asobi Seksu, ICA, London
Sweet girl vocals and alternative guitars at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Can’t say trendier than that.
Friday 20th February
Things To Make And Do: It Hugs Back, Gold Sounds, Victoria and Jacob, The Vital Organs, Wilmington Arms, London
Resolutely indie fun Friday night fodder with music from lo-fi dream-pop headliners, new signings at 4AD. Followed by DJs.
The Walkmen, Hatcham Social, Electricity In Our Homes, Scala, London
Swaggering new wavey sounds from The Walkmen with a slightly more effete, Smiths-style take on the eighties from Hatcham Social.
Saturday 21st February
Herman Dune, Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn, Peggy Sue, Union Chapel, London
All day folk fest at this lovely intimate venue with pretty much all the rising folkstars of the Western hemisphere performing.
Jane Birkin, Barbican Centre, London
Ex-Serge Gainsbourg wife and muse cracks out some of the old numbers with her breathy little girl voice. Some new numbers may be included too.
Sunday 22nd February
Sunn O))), Corsica Studios, London
Drone metal that is sure to pulsate through every fibre of your body at their reliably awe-inspiring concerts.
