Leave the house? Seems quite likely with all of this going on.
GIG OF THE WEEK
WAR CHILD’S DAY OF THE GIRL
War Child UK’s Day of the Girl returns for 2024, bringing with it an electrifying lineup that promises to make this year’s campaign an unmissable affair. This week, a stellar selection of the UK’s most dynamic female artists will hit intimate London venues, raising their voices for a cause that couldn’t be more crucial.
First up, on 8th October at Lafayette, is the ever-charismatic Bree Runway. With her new single ‘PAWZ’ already turning heads, the expectations for her set are sky-high. Bree’s 2024 journey has been marked by her defiant independence – releasing music through her own label, FREE RUNWAY RECORDS, she’s carved out a space entirely her own. “The spirit of empowerment is at the core of everything I create,” she declares.
Meanwhile, across town at the legendary 100 Club, RØRY will take to the stage on the same night. It’s been a whirlwind year for RØRY, crowned Heavy Music Awards’ 2024 UK Breakthrough Artist, and she’s been putting her platform to powerful use. Earlier this year, she donated proceeds from her track ‘MORALITY $UICIDE’ to War Child, along with funds raised from a bespoke t-shirt sale. “When girls stand together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve,” she says – a sentiment that perfectly captures the spirit of Day of the Girl.
The celebration continues on 9th October, with Matilda Mann bringing her tender, finely-wrought songs to Lafayette. Matilda’s music is known for its intimate lyricism, her gentle melodies echoing the smaller venues she’s made her home. “I feel so privileged to play ‘Day of the Girl’ for War Child, who are such an incredible charity, helping children in need across the world,” she says.
Connie Constance will close out the series on 12th October at The Lexington. Connie’s live shows are a burst of raw energy, and she’s ready to bring that spirit to this important cause. “It’s incredibly important to me to be empowering women through my music, so I’m excited to be celebrating our feminine power by headlining one of the shows.”
War Child UK’s Day of the Girl series is more than just a string of gigs – it’s a lifeline for girls and women who have borne the brunt of war’s devastating impacts. Gender inequality is magnified in conflict zones, with those assigned female at birth at a 20% higher risk of child marriage and 2.5 times more likely to be out of school. War Child is dedicated to breaking these cycles, using music to raise awareness and generate essential funds for their work.
In tandem with the shows, War Child and YouTube Music are hosting a ‘Women in Music and Creative Industries Panel Day’ at Google Digital Studios, where some of the brightest minds in the industry will discuss the issues women face today. Last year’s event, hosted by Kemi Rogers and featuring Mae Muller in conversation with Dork’s very own Abigail Firth, was Quite The Day, and this year’s promises to be just as impactful. It’s about inspiring the next generation of female-identifying leaders in music and the creative industries, smashing down the barriers that stand in the way of their potential.
Since the inception of Day of the Girl in 2021, more than £150,000 has been raised through ticket sales and fundraising. It’s not just about the money, though every pound makes a difference – it’s about solidarity, about giving a voice to those who have been silenced. It’s a call to action, a declaration of resilience and hope – a testament to the change that music, in its purest form, can create.
The lineup for this year’s Day of the Girl series reads:
Bree Runway, Lafayette, London (8 Oct), RØRY, 100 Club, London (8), Matilda Mann, Lafayette, London (9), Women in Music and Creative Industries Panel Day, Google Digital Studios, London (9), Connie Constance, The Lexington, London (12)
WUNDERHORSE
Wunderhorse are already well-established Dork faves and former cover stars – so we all know we should be expecting big things. Having delivered two standout albums that have cemented their place as one of the most compelling acts in modern rock, this October, they’re hitting the road for a UK and Ireland tour that promises to continue their tradition of electrifying, cathartic live performances. With their knack for crafting both the introspective and anthemic, Wunderhorse bring a balance of grit and beauty that few can match.
The 1865, Southampton, UK (7 Oct), Great Hall, Cardiff University Student Union, Cardiff, UK (8), O2 Academy Brixton, London, UK (10), O2 Academy Oxford, Oxford, UK (11), Norwich Nick Rayns LCR UEA, Norwich, UK (12), O2 Academy Liverpool, Liverpool, UK (14), Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow, UK (15), Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland (16), Leeds Beckett University Students Union, Leeds, UK (18), Manchester Academy, Manchester, UK (19), NX, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK (20)
MASTER PEACE
Master Peace, fresh off releasing one of the albums of the year, is making the world of indie a sparkier, more vibrant place. With a hit of retromania and a chaser of future pop brilliance, his October tour kicks off in Manchester and takes him to iconic venues like King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. Known for his genre-bending sound and frenetic stage presence, Master Peace is an artist who knows how to get a crowd moving – each show promises nothing short of pure chaos.
Club Academy, Manchester, UK (8 Oct), King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow, UK (9), Sound House, Dublin, Ireland (11), Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, UK (13), Patterns, Brighton, UK (15), The Fleece, Bristol, UK (16), Electric Ballroom, Camden, UK (17)
SOFT LAUNCH
Soft Launch have emerged as one of the most exciting new bands to hit the indie scene, defying easy categorisation with their playful self-awareness and knack for bending genres. Their latest single ‘Milkshakes’ is (direct quote from the band themselves) “the song of the summer that we’ve decided to release in September” – a perfect encapsulation of their cheeky charm. This October, they’re taking their retro-futuristic funk and infectious energy on the road, turning every gig into a communal celebration of joyous chaos. Soft Launch are here to shake things up, and you won’t want to miss it.
Sidney & Matilda, Sheffield, UK (7 Oct), Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, UK (8), Chalk, Brighton, UK (9), Rough Trade Nottingham, Nottingham, UK (11), Kazimier Stockroom, Liverpool, UK (13), Rough Trade Bristol, Bristol, UK (14), Garage, London, UK (15)
SIOBHAN WINIFRED
Siobhan Winifred’s October run of shows sees her bringing her rising indie star power to the stage. Fresh off the release of her debut EP ‘Don’t Do Well Alone’, Winifred’s heartfelt stories, atmospheric arrangements, and unmistakable voice are grabbing hold of an ever-growing audience. From Dorset’s rolling hills to headline stages, she’s making waves with music that feels intimate and expansive all at once.
Hare & Hounds – Venue 2, Kings Heath, UK (8 Oct), Exchange, Bristol, UK (9), The Lower Third, London, UK (15)
GOOD NEIGHBOURS
Good Neighbours are on a mission to bring their feel-good indie tunes to as many corners of the UK as possible, as they set themselves up as 2025’s biggest buzz bands. Kicking off in Glasgow and making their way to London’s Electric Brixton, expect each show to be a joyous celebration of community, connection, and massive choruses. They’re the neighbours you’ll definitely want to invite over.
King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow, UK (7 Oct), The Grove, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK (8), The Bodega Nottingham, Nottingham, UK (9), Mama Roux’s Birmingham, Birmingham, UK (11), Patterns, Brighton, UK (12), Exchange, Bristol, UK (14), The Joiners, Southampton, UK (15), Electric Brixton, London, UK (17)
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