The Bluetones always knew what to do with a four day weekend - spend it in bed with a short term fling waiting to see who comes up for air first. But for those of us without a short term fling to enjoy, a better idea might be to spend the long weekend celebrating the Gaymer's Camden Crawl, which returns this Saturday and Sunday for another two day trawl of the area's finest venues.
The challenge as ever remains to see the bands you love, check out the bands you've heard good things about, while remembering to have a good time despite the queues, the crowds, and the constant suspicion that there's a better gig happening somewhere where you are not.
A typically excellent and diverse line-up features headliners including The Lemonheads and Killing Joke, and other "must catch them" acts such as recent SXSW talking point Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All who will be making their debut UK appearance, plus Saint Etienne, Guillemots, Simian Mobile Disco and Villagers. Keep an eye out for smaller acts like Lulu And The Lampshades, Rainbow Arabia and SBTRKT. Or ignore the recommendations, find a comfy seat in a quiet venue, and just hang on to discover the latest must-see band that nobody else saw because they couldn't get past the frenzy for Tinchy Stryder.
More details here.
Gigs Of The Week: 25 April – 1 May 2011
Timber Timbre – ICA, London – 27 April
Spooky Canadians Timber Timbre quickly consolidated on the late UK release last year of their self-titled album with its follow up Creep On Creepin' On. Steeped in creepy atmospherics but with moody soul at its core, it both relaxes and tingles the psyche. The band will be playing at the ICA before heading up to the Deaf Institute, Manchester on 28 April.
More details here.
Cat’s Eyes – Scala, London – 27 April
Faris Badwan's career continues to skip around expectations. Not only did his band The Horrors come back with a mature and focused second album in 2009, but now he's teamed up with Rachel Zeffira, a respected soprano, for an altogether surprising project. And it's been a total success. Playing around with the current trend in boy/girl partnerships (She & Him, Summer Camp), the contrasting shades of dark and light over a backdrop of Phil Spector-esque pop accessibility turned out to be addictive and creative - an ethereal, classical Shakespears Sister. In town recently to support Primal Scream, they're back, and this time they're centre stage.
More details here.
Land Of Kings - Venues Around Dalston, London - 28, 29 April
Venues including The Alibi, The Nest, Rio Cinema and Vortex Jazz Club will be hosting an eclectic selection of acts for this two day event. Thursday's highlights should include My Tiger My Timing, Gwilym Gold and D/R/U/G/S while keep an eye out on Friday for sets from 2ManyDJs, Mums Of Death and Ghostpoet. Two day passes are £19.
More details here.
Aloe Blacc – Scala, London – 1 May
I Need A Dollar has been hanging around on the fringes for over a year now, but Aloe Blacc (real name Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III) looks to be stepping it up now. Borrowing from the classic soul of Marvin Gaye or Ray Charles and throwing in a chunk of funk and a whazz of jazz, it's a tune that's going to be hard to escape this summer. He'll be back for what could be one of the highlight gigs of the Somerset House Summer Series, but for now he's touring the UK with other destinations including Manchester, Leeds and Brighton.
More details here.
Also Recommended:
Anna Calvi – Bush Hall, London – 27 April
Thomas Tantrum – Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London – 27 April
Diplo - Koko, London - 28 April
Mount Kimbie - Heaven, London - 28 April
Rayographs + The Haxan Cloak + Warm Brains – CAMP Basement, London – 28 April
Made In Japan: Squarepusher + LFO + Fuck Buttons – Forum, London – 28 April
Chromeo – Brixton Academy, London – 29 April
Best Coast – Scala, London – 29 April
Ron Sexsmith – Barbican, London – 30 April
Alessi's Ark - The Vortex, London - 30 April
Billy Bragg + The Agitator – Queen Elizabeth Hall, London – 1 May
Just Announced:
Tom Vek
Tom Vek was one of the darlings of the indie scene around the release of his debut album, We Have Sound, in 2005. But all that excitement over his leftfield glitchy pop tunes like I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes and C-C (You Set The Fire In Me) seemed to lead to nothing when no follow up appeared. Instead his lead was followed by the likes of Friendly Fires and Metronomy who produced their own takes on his intelligent and quirky dancefloor-friendly pop style. And now, seemingly out of nowhere, he's reappeared, with a new single, A Chore, a new album, Leisure Seizure, and a tour in June that will include a date at Heaven.
More details here.
Hard Rock Calling – Hyde Park, London – 24, 25, 26 June
The Killers have been announced as top of the Hard Rock Calling bill on Friday 24 June, meaning that the headliners are now all confirmed. They join Bon Jovi on the Saturday and Rod Stewart (just ahead of Stevie Nicks) on the Sunday. The Las Vegas band are in the early stages of work on a fourth studio album, so expect the setlist for this show to be taken from their back catalogue.
More details here.
