Leave the house? Seems quite likely with all of this going on.
GIG OF THE WEEK
DORK’S NIGHT OUT: HOME & AWAY WITH VLURE AND FROZEMODE
VLURE are already well known for their genre-blurring, emotionally intense live performances. Their music is a visceral blend of post-punk, electronic, and industrial rock, a sound that feels both raw and yet also meticulously crafted. With their EP ‘Heaven Sent’, the Glashow quintet have channelled their frenetic energy into a collection of tracks that are guaranteed to go off at every opportunity. As they headline Dork’s Night Out’s Home & Away series for 2024, Manchester’s The Deaf Institute and Colours Hoxton feel like the perfect backdrops for VLURE’s brand of live assault – spaces where the boundaries between performer and audience blur, and the music becomes a shared experience of release and discovery. They’ll be joined by FROZEMODE, another band who will go to any extreme to create a bit of live mayhem. Expect fireworks from doors to close.
The Deaf Institute, Manchester (4 Sep – Tickets), Colours, London (5 Sep – Tickets)
THE GUIDE
THE SHOWS YOU NEED TO SEE THIS WEEK
DEL WATER GAP
Del Water Gap, the moniker of Brooklyn-based songwriter and producer S. Holden Jaffe, has been on a steady ascent for a good while now, subtly but surely cementing himself as a talent to keep both eyes fixed firmly upon. With his album ‘I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet’, Jaffe crafts narratives that feel both cinematic and intimate, neither overwrought nor underdone, capturing fleeting moments of connection, heartbreak, and introspection with a disarming honesty.
Old Blue Last, London (2 Sep)
NIALL HORAN
Niall Horan’s journey from the pop juggernaut of One Direction to a respected solo artist in his own right has been marked by a very deliberate and thoughtful evolution. His latest album, ‘The Show’, is a testament to that growth, a record that explores more complex emotional landscapes while still finding room to land the odd bop along the way. As he wraps up the UK leg of his world tour at London’s O2 Arena, Horan brings with him a setlist that is as reflective as it is celebratory.
The O2, London (3 Sep)
BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD
Black Country, New Road have always been a band in flux, their sound ever-evolving and resistant to easy categorisation. As they prepare for an intimate “work in progress” show at The Lexington, there’s always a constant sense of curiosity surrounding what they will unveil next. Since the departure of their original frontman, Isaac Wood, the band has embraced a more collaborative creative process, with each member contributing to the vocals and songwriting, leading to an even more dynamic reimagining of their sound. This week’s Lexington show, part of Transgressive Records’ 20th-anniversary celebrations, promises to offer a glimpse into the band’s ongoing transformation. With new, unreleased material on the agenda, Black Country, New Road keep on pushing the boundaries of what their music can be.
The Lexington, London (3 Sep)
ORLA GARTLAND
Orla Gartland’s music has always been marked by its sharp lyrical wit and engaging melodies, but with her upcoming album ‘Everybody Needs A Hero’, there’s a sense that she’s digging even deeper, both thematically and sonically. Following on from her critically acclaimed Top 10 debut ‘Woman on the Internet’, Orla is grappling with themes of self-identity, personal growth, and the often-complicated nature of human relationships. As she previews what’s coming next at London’s Hoxton Hall, expect to hear much more from Orla over the rest of 2024.
Hoxton Hall, London (3 Sep)
MAGGIE ROGERS
Maggie Rogers returns to London with a pair of intimate shows at Hackney Empire, bringing her third studio album, ‘Don’t Forget Me’ along for the ride. Rogers’ music has always walked the line between folk and pop, but this latest album leans into a more introspective, almost confessional style. A reflection on memory, loss, and the passage of time, these Hackney Empire dates will be every bit a conversation between Rogers and her audience – a shared reflection on the highs and lows that give meaning to the human experience. As she steps away from the massive stadium shows that have characterised much of her recent touring on the road with the likes of Coldplay, these London dates offer a relatively rare opportunity to see Rogers in a setting that complements the intimacy she delivers so well.
Hackney Empire, London (4 & 5 Sep)
BAMBIE THUG
Fresh off the back of a Eurovision where they showed a desire to make their voice heard, Bambie Thug is an artist who thrives on defying expectations. With their latest single ‘Hex So Heavy’, Bambie continues to push the boundaries of genre, blending dark pop with industrial and electronic elements in what they have coined “Ouija Pop”. The track, which serves as both a personal catharsis and a public warning, is a potent mix of heavy basslines and razor-sharp lyrics, yet again turning personal turmoil into powerful art. The Crown The Witch tour hits Glasgow, Manchester, and London over the next few days, promising shows that are every bit rituals of empowerment and self-expression.
SWG3 Warehouse, Glasgow (2 Sep), Gorilla, Manchester (3 Sep), Heaven, London (5 Sep)
THE LEMON TWIGS
The Lemon Twigs have always been difficult to pin down, their music a heady mix of baroque pop, glam rock, and seventies-inspired melodies. With their latest album, ‘A Dream Is All We Know’, the D’Addario brothers continue to explore the surreal and the sublime, crafting songs that are as intricate as they are emotionally connective. Recorded entirely on analogue equipment, the album has a warmth and authenticity that harks back to the classic records of the past, yet it still feels distinctly modern and fresh in its execution. As they bring their UK tour to Oxford, Bristol, Brighton, London, and Liverpool, they offer up a space where nostalgia and innovation can coexist.
O2 Academy2, Oxford (2 Sep), Thekla, Bristol (3 Sep), Concorde 2, Brighton (4 Sep), Electric Brixton, London (5 Sep), Hangar 34, Liverpool (7 Sep)
MOLLY PAYTON
Molly Payton’s journey from New Zealand to the heart of London has been marked by a relentless pursuit of authenticity, both in her music and in herself. Her just-dropped debut album ‘YOYOTTA’ is a raw, unfiltered exploration of the emotional landscapes that have shaped her life. Payton’s music oscillates between powerful rock anthems and tender, introspective ballads, each a reflection of wide-ranging influences and an ability to convey complex emotions with a disarming simplicity – something she’ll bring on her UK dates over the coming days.
Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds (3 Sep), The Bodega, Nottingham (4 Sep), The Louisiana, Bristol (5 Sep)
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