Thursday marks the opening of Alpha-ville 2011, the 'festival of post-digital culture', which sees a selection of experimental acts perform live shows alongside art installations and film screenings. Rich Mix in Bethnal Green hosts an experimental dark ambient/modern classical evening that includes Svarte Greiner and Jacaszek on Thursday 22nd. This is followed by a show at XOYO on 23rd that boasts an impressive line-up of Pantha du Prince, Jon Hopkins and Andy Stott. A Matthew Dear (pictured) DJ set is the highlight of an evening of live shows at Hearn Street Warehouse on 24th.
Read more about Alpha-ville 2011 here.
Another (very different) mini-festival takes place at the Garage over the weekend of 24th & 25th September. The Pure Festival will see performances from the likes of The Ravonettes and The Electric Soft Parade on Saturday 24th and James Yorkston, Steve Mason (ex Beta-Band) and Martin Rossiter (former Gene frontman) on Sunday 25th. The ticket price also includes the chance to sample various whiskies in between bands!
Read more here.
Gigs Of The Week: 19 - 25 September
American bluesy-pysch-rock outfit The Black Angels play a show at the Scala in Kings Cross on Monday 19th and fashion industry-lauded London five-piece The Duke Spirit appear at the same venue two days later on Wednesday 21st in support of third album Bruiser.
Read more here.
A short distance away in Islington two ATP-sponsored gigs take place this week. Godspeed You! Black Emperor side-project Esmerine promote their new album La Lechuza at Electrowerkz on Wednesday 23rd (note venue change), whilst electroacoustic ambient drone pioneers Emeralds and Fennesz play a sold-out show at Union Chapel on Sunday 25th.
More details here.
Friday 23rd sees a pair of gigs by (old and new) legends of the folk scene. Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick play Union Chapel whilst down the road in the heart of the square mile Martin Simpson and Alasdair Roberts showcase their more contemporary-toned folk at a show at the Bishopsgate Institute. If that isn't enough of the f word for you, the genre of indie-folk is also represented this week as Fionn Regan plays a show in support of his new album at Bush Hall on Tuesday 20th. Support comes from Jack White-produced Australian singer Lanie Lane.
A smattering of notable smaller gigs also takes place across the capital this week.
American singer-songwriter Sarabeth Tucek has experienced an eventful couple of years which she chronicles in her excellent latest album Get Well Soon. She is not short on admirers - Bob Dylan, Laura Marling and Bill Callahan have all sang her praises - and you can catch her play an intimate show at the Windmill in Brixton on Wednesday 21st.
Swedish indie-pop starlets I'm From Barcelona play Notting Hill's Tabernacle on Tuesday 20th, whilst on Wednesday 21st ex-Hefner frontman Darren Hayman headlines a night of bands at the Wilmington Arms in Clerkenwell.
Leeds based, concept album-releasing outfit I Like Trains ply their dark, post-rock-tinged guitar soundscapes at the Bull & Gate in Kentish Town on 21st September. Meanwhile, The Broken Family Band's Steven Adams plays a solo show at the Borderline under his Singing Adams guise on Thursday 22nd.
Also recommended:
Lanie Lane - Garage - 19th September
Teeth - Lexington - 21st September
Remember Remember - Servant Jazz Quarters - 22nd September
Damo Suzuki - Brixton Windmill - 23rd September
Four Tet & Caribou (DJ sets) - Fabric - 23rd September
Just announced:
Ryan Adams - Union Chapel - 27th October 2011
Amercian alt country troubadour Ryan Adams returns to play an intimate show at Union Chapel in October after his appearance earlier this year at the Barbican. His 13th studio album Ashes & Fire will be released in the UK on 10th October.
Nils Frahm - Cafe Oto - 12th November 2011
Berlin based pianist Nils Frahm is due to release his (rather excellent) second full length album Felt in October through Erased Tapes, and will play selections from it in Dalston on 12th November.
Gang Gang Dance & About Group - ULU - 23rd November
American experimental-art-mavericks Gang Gang Dance have announced a show at ULU, with support from the excellent About Group. Expect to hear tracks from their latest album Eye Contact, alongside other genre-defying material.
Olivia Tremor Control - Cargo - 30th November
Olivia Tremor Control return to play their first UK show in over 5 years at Cargo in November (ahead of their appearance at the Jeff Mangum curated ATP festival).
I Break Horses - Cargo - 5th December
Exciting shoegazy-guitar-sensations I Break Horses play a highly anticipated show at Cargo in December to showcase tracks from their euphoria-flooded, Bella Union-released debut album Hearts.
The Black Keys - Alexandra Palace - 10th February 2012
American duo The Black Keys announce their biggest UK show to date at Alexandra Palace. Expect to hear tracks from last album Brothers along with other feelgood, soul-tinged rock'n'roll.
SBTRKT - KOKO - 1st March 2012
If the size of the crowd that attempted to see SBTRKT play the recent Field Day festival is anything to go by, tickets for this new show at Koko will sell fast. This presents another chance to hear one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2011 in a live environment.
