London Gigs Diary: 13-19 August 2012

Earlier this year The Afghan Whigs reunited to headline one night of ATP’s London I’ll Be Your Mirror event. We were impressed – describing them as “a supremely tight and imposing band able to sustain a tremendous level of intensity” – and they return to the capital on Sunday to play a show at KOKO. Expect to hear smouldering versions of songs from classic albums like Gentleman, 1965 and Congregation.

It’s the standout show of a quieter week on the gig front. Elsewhere, Lower Dens play from eye-catching second album Nootropics at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen on Thursday and earlier in the week the same venue plays host to shows by the returning Violens on Tuesday and White Rabbits on Monday (read what we thought about the latter’s show in London earlier this year).

James Yorkston plays a show at Rough Trade East on Monday ahead of the release of fine latest effort I Was A Cat From A Book while Spector promote their debut album Enjoy It While It Lasts with a show at the same venue on Wednesday. Purveyors of electrified, harmony-rich Americana Grant Lee Buffalo appear at the Forum on Tuesday and similar musical offerings can be found at the Lexington on Friday in a show by Joe Pug and ex-Grand Drive man Danny George Wilson.

Finally, there are two smaller shows worthy of singling out. The History Of Apple Pie return to London on Wednesday to play their hazy, guitar-strewn songs at Birthdays and the following evening the same venue welcomes Electricity In Our Homes, fresh from releasing a double A side single on Tim Burgess’ O Genesis label.

London Gigs Diary: 6-12 August 2012

Monday sees Antony’s Meltdown festival enter its second week, arguably offering some of the most anticipated shows of the event. None more so will this be the case on Monday and Tuesday when ex-Cocteau Twins singer Elizabeth Fraser plays two dates at the Royal Festival Hall. They’re sure to be fascinating, emotional shows – discovering what her set will consist of should be intriguing (and the prospect of Cocteau Twins songs being interpreted and or new material being aired being particularly exciting). She’s kept such a low profile in recent years, maintaining the sense of mystery that enveloped The Cocteau Twins so just seeing her on stage will be sight many fans would never have expected to see.

The remainder of the week provides further proof of Antony’s impressive contacts lists as he calls upon a selection of big names to appear. Lou Reed plays a show at the RFH on Friday and Marc Almond performs Marc and The Mambas'  1983 album Torment And Toreros in full on Thursday at the same venue. On Tuesday Canadian singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie brings her notable back catalogue to the Southbank whilst on Wednesday Antony interviews Boy George in a special event at the Purcell, with the latter also playing a rare, intimate acoustic set. There’s a show by Hercules & Love Affair on Monday at London Wonderground that promises guest appearances from Antony and John Grant, whilst at the same time in the QEH you can experience the progressive, experimental electronica of Baltimore-based duo Matmos. The festival comes to a close in suitably poignant, reflective fashion on Sunday with a performance of William Basinski’s Disintegration Loops (the album was the result of Basinski’s attempts to transfer old recordings from deteriorating tape to a digital format – which he completed on the morning of the 9/11 attacks in New York in 2001).

Read information on all shows here.

Elsewhere the Converse Represent shows continue at the 100 Club. Monday's show features SBTRKT, Rudimental, John Talabot and Lemonade while Tuesday arguably boasts the best line up of the week in Santigold, Django Django, Best Coast, Citizens! and Friends. Jamaican ska-reggae veterans Toots & The Maytals head up Wednesday's gig, Thursday sees appearances by Overkill and Pulled Apart By Horses while Nas closes the fortnight long event with support from Kano and Speech Debele.

Finally, Hyde Park is the setting on Sunday for a concert to coincide with the Olympics closing ceremony. Blur, New Order and The Specials all appear in what should be a hugely enjoyable celebration of British music of the last four decades.