London Gigs Diary: 25 July – 31 July 2011

The stunning Old Royal Naval College, the centrepiece of Maritime Greenwich, plays host to the Greenwich Summer Sessions this week. The sequence of events are aimed at the Hampton Court/Kenwood House crowd with regular middle-aged survivors Status Quo and Squeeze among the headliners.

Tuesday however offers up Neil Hannon (pictured) appearing in solo, but as The Divine Comedy with Swedish cover version expert, José Gonzalez offering support through the power of his ambient guitar-plucked melodies.

Mark Ronson, mourning the loss of close friend, working and sparring partner, Amy Winehouse, will be playing Wednesday’s set, while The Pogues and The Buzzcocks offer an intriguing double bill of throwback rebellion on Friday.

Squeeze’s Chris Difford returns for another set on Sunday, with Songs In The Key Of London. When he curated a similar gig at Barbican Hall in March 2010, it leant itself to songs including Waterloo Sunset and The Pogue’s A Rainy Day In Soho. This time around, we’re assured guest spots from the likes of Gary Kemp, Ali Campbell, Clare Teal, Nerina Pallot and a beatboxing Shlomo.

More details here.

Gig Of The Fortnight: 25 July – 31 July 2011

Apparat + Ghosting Season – Scala, London – 25 July

Berlin electronic maestro Sascha Ring returns to his Apparat guise after a bit of time collaborating with Modeselektor as Moderat. Now he’s in town and touring as part of a four-piece band for the first time. Apparat will release a new album, The Devil’s Walk, on Mute Records later in the year. Support comes from Ghosting Season whose mix of epic drone and jagged pop beats has impressed at earlier live shows.

More details here.

Also Recommended:

Wolf Gang – Barfly, London – 25 July

Patricia Vonne – Borderline, London – 26 July

YACHT – Hoxton Squre Bar & Kitchen – 26 July

Nathaniel Rateliff + Abigail Washburn – Cargo, London – 27 July

Steve Mason + Dennis Bovell – Shacklewell Arms, London – 27 July

Francis Neve – Bull & Gate, London – 27 July

Cashier No 9 – Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen – 27 July

House Of Pain – Scala, London – 28 July

Pretty Lights + My Panda Shall Fly – CAMP Basement, London – 29 July

Barb Jungr – Vortex, London – 30 July

Just Announced:

Veronica Falls – Dalston Roof Park, London – 17 August

Promoters The Allotment continue with their inspired series of “See Hear gigs”, on a decorated rooftop in Dalston where the artist gets to choose a film for everyone to watch once the music’s ended. This time, new recruits to Bella Union Records, Veronica Falls, will be playing material from their forthcoming debut album, a record fizzing with spiky lo-fi retro pop tunes and boy/girl vocals. And then. Then. As if that’s not enough, once they’re done, we all get to watch Whatever Happened To Baby Jane, because that twisted Bette Davis/Joan Crawford psychological drama is what they’ve decided we should all watch from the comfort of a blanket, under the dark skies. Perfect.

More details here.

Laura Marling – Westminster Central Hall, London – 26 October 

The Westminster Central Hall, previously host to visits by the Suffragettes in 1914, and Mahatma Gandhi in 1932, now welcomes incumbent BRIT Award winner Laura Marling as she sets about promoting her third album, A Creature I Don’t Know. It’s part of a lengthy series of October gigs, most of which will take place in cathedrals around the country on a tour that also includes stops at big churches in Winchester, York, Sheffield, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.

RIP Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse has died, aged just 27 years old. Although there is already much speculation over the cause of death, and sadly some finger wagging on Twitter about her demons, it would be a shame if such sensationalism was to overshadow her career.

For, although she left us only two albums, they were two very special albums. Frank was released in 2003, when a 19 year old female singer was more likely to be squeezed into a tight-fitting catsuit rather than producing a downbeat jazz album in the vein of Sarah Vaughan.

Frank was startling, not just for Amy's voice, but the candid nature of her lyrics - something that would continue throughout her life. Lead single Stronger Than Me attacked a unnamed sensitive new man, while the incredible What Is It About Men was a startling portrait of her father's infidelity.

Three years later, she took a massive step forward with Back To Black. In producer Mark Ronson, she'd found the perfect foil - note perfect recreations of Motown and Philly soul, with that incredible voice reaching new heights. Her relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil provided her with a huge amount of lyrical content - You Know I'm No Good, Love Is A Losing Game, Tears Dry On Their Own and the classic title track all detail the disintegration of her relationship in unflinching detail.

And then, of course, there was the dark side - songs that are almost impossible to listen to in the aftermath of her death, such as Rehab and Addicted. It was after the release of Back To Black that the live performances became more erratic, the tabloid headlines became more lurid, and eventually the idea of a third album became more and more unlikely.

Sadly, that shambling performance in Belgrade will be remembered as her final live gig - but when on form, she could sing like nobody else quite on earth. For proof, just watch this incredible rendition of Love Is A Losing Game at the Mercury Prize in 2007.

Despite all her troubles, Amy could be hilarious and was always immensely quotable - have a read of the interview she gave to musicOMH in 2003 for an example. It's that force of personality, that wit and of course, that enormous talent that we here at musicOMH.com hope she'll be remembered for. RIP Amy - you will be missed.

UPDATE:

Sara McDonnell, who wrote the aforementioned interview with Amy, adds:

I interviewed Amy when she was very much in the ascent of her career;  her first album Frank, had just come out and she was already being  nominated for Ivor Novellos and Brit Awards. She was intelligent,  friendly and disarmingly honest, which made her a joy to interview.

The thing that struck me most about her, however, was the maturity of her outlook on life. Even back then, barely out of her teens and with an enormous talent, her ultimate ambition (aside from making great albums), was 'to have kids as well. Then go to Vegas, open a casino and perform there every night!' That line has stayed with me ever since, and for me, makes her untimely death particularly poignant.

NEWS: 2011 Mercury Music Prize Shortlist Announced

The 12 albums from UK and Ireland artists that the judges have seen fit to nominate for the Mercury Music Prize 2011 have been announced this morning at London's Hospital Club.

As ever there were some shocking omissions from the shortlist - notably Wild Beasts, The Horrors and SBTRKT. Also, as ever, there was a mix of established and new artists.

The albums of the year according to those judges (click on links to read our reviews, where available) are:

1. Metronomy - The English Riviera
2. Adele - 21
3. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
4. Gwilym Simcock - Good Days At Schloss Elmau
5. Tinie Tempah - Disc-Overy
6. James Blake - James Blake
7. Elbow - Build A Rocket, Boys
8. Everything Everything - Man Alive
9. Katy B - On A Mission
10. Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam
11. King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine
12. Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi

More soon...

London Gigs Diary: 11 July – 17 July 2011

Lovebox is all set to take over Hackney's Victoria Park once again, which this weekend plays host to what has embedded itself as a three-day highlight in London's summer season. 

Each night is loosely themed. Friday offers up Bang The Box, although there doesn't seem to be huge musical consistency with The Wombats headlining, and other acts high on the bill including current urban-darling Example, indie-darlings Metronomy and pop-darling Ed Sheeran. What they have in common is that they're all having darling years.

Music Safari is Saturday's theme and all eyes will be on Snoop Dogg who will be recreating his 1993 debut album Doggystyle. Bringing back original collaborators Daz Dillinger and Kurupt, RBX, The Lady Of Rage, Warren Dogg and Joe Cool, it'll be a rare opportunity to experience live what is regarded as one of the classics of its genre. Other acts scheduled to appear include The Drums, Katy B and Lykke Li, while original Loveboxers Groove Armada will present their Red Light, touted as a return to the warehouse vibe that they originally sprang from.

Sunday is OOF Day, or Out And Out Fierce. Marked by appearances of some of the most glammed up pop stars around, it'll be a no holds barred extravaganza of glitter and disco. From headliners Scissor Sisters, through Robyn, Kelis and Marc Almond, to acts lower on the bill like The Shit Robot Show, Planningtorock and Monarchy, there ain't no fierce party like a Sunday Lovebox party.

More details here. 

Gigs Of The Week: 11 July – 17 July 2011 

Congotronics vs Rockers – Barbican, London – 12 July

If this show's whole is bigger than the sum of its parts, then that's a whole lot of whole, because its parts are pretty spectacular. Part of the continuing Blaze Festival, this project was inspired by last year's Tradi-Mods vs Rockers album released by Crammed Records. This time, Africa and the Congotronics are represented by the mesmerising Konono No 1 and Kasai Allstars, while the Western Rockers are made up of musicians including Sweden's wondrous Wildbirds & Peacedrums, Argentina's Juana Molina and her gentle looping, and indie-legends Deerhoof. To see the world collide with such a disparate bunch of insane geniuses promises madness, dancing and one of the most memorable nights of the year.

More details here.

Hurts + Gaggle + Saint Saviour – Somerset House, London – 14 July

As the Summer Series at Somerset House continues until the end of this week, Hurts will be bringing their brand of Mancunian power pop to the cobbled square. Supported by the electro-disco of former Groove Armada frontwoman Saint Saviour, and the female flock that make up the numbers behind all-girl choir Gaggle, this night offers a wide selection of camp and ridiculous fun. Other acts playing this week include Blondie, Lamb and My Morning Jacket.

More details here.

Metropole Orkest vs Basement Jaxx – Barbican, London – 14, 15 July

Another intriguing offering by the Blaze Festival finds those stalwarts of the British dance/pop music scene, Basement Jaxx, returning to the stage following their announced demise, for this collaborative effort with 70-strong Dutch orchestra Metropole Orkest. Felix and Simon will be joined by their usual pool of powerful vocalists including Vula Malinga, Sharlene Hector, Brendan Reilly and the voice of Good Luck, Lisa Kekaula. Reworking their back catalogue of classic party songs to the strains of that many instruments is a must for anyone who fell in love with the likes of Red Alert or Where's Your Head At.

More details here.

Also Recommended:

Kyla La Grange – Lexington, London – 12 July

Dog Is Dead + Big Deal – Lexington, London – 13 July

S.C.U.M – Electrowerkz, London – 13 July

Spank Rock – The Nest, London – 13 July

Allo Darling – XOYO, London – 13 July

Male Bonding – Buffalo Bar, London – 14 July

They Might Be Giants + Treelight For Sunlight – Koko, London – 15 July

The Unthanks – Barbican, London – 16 July

Plant Plants + Drugg – Shacklewell Arms, London – 16 July

Erykah Badu – Brixton Academy, London – 17 July

Just Announced:

Bonjay – Shacklewell Arms, London – 23 July

Fierce Toronto-twosome Bonjay are back in the UK for a few dates later this month. With frontwoman Alanna bringing back memories of 1990s glamazon Adeva thanks to some spiralling vocals and huge stage presence, and their tunes finding a weird, addictive path between disco and dancehall, they're a great prospect live. Last time they were in London, they played at Bush Hall as part of a triumphant line-up that also included Light Asylum and MEN. This time, they'll be playing the increasingly popular venue, The Shacklewell Arms, after a quick detour for some gigs in Glasgow and Manchester.

More details here.

The Antlers – Screen On The Green, Islington, London – 24 August

Along with fellow North Americans Bon Iver, Iron & Wine and Timber Timbre, The Antlers have shaped the first half of 2011 with albums characterised by strong melodies, inventive instrumentation and engaging, individualistic male vocalists. Burst Apart followed up 2009's Hospice by somewhat moving away from that album's intensity towards a sound that is surely destined to break them through to a much wider audience. This one-off cinema gig will showcase the new album in full. It's not to be missed.

More details here.

STREAM: The Horrors - Skying

A day after their appearance at London's Wireless Festival (review to follow), The Horrors have made their third album Skying (review now live, here) available to stream.

It's out on 11th July through XL. Have a listen below in the meantime and let us know what you think of it. A second consecutive Mercury nomination?