Grooves: Independent Record Label Market; Jack Valero; John Robb; Frank Turner; Shaznay Lewis
Thursday, 2nd May — By Róisín Gadelrab
Frank Turner is undertaking a world record attempt for the most gigs played in 24 hours – he’s at Underworld at 4am, May 5
MAKE some room on your vinyl rack as the Independent Record Label Market returns to Kings Cross on May 11. With stalls from independent UK labels, vinyl rarities, live music, DJs and beer from London Brewers’ Market at Coal Drops Yard and an after party at The Standard (with anniversary DJ sets from Far Out Records, Wah Wah 45s and STRUT), audiophiles should make a day of it.
• Irish rebel music outfit The Wolf Tones marked 60 years of rabble rousing with a surprise gig at The Faltering Fullback at the weekend ahead of their final show at Finsbury Park on July 5. Fellow countrymen comedian Aisling Bea and Fontaines DC were among the crowd at the top-secret gig where the band played a selection of favourites and debuted a brand new song in tribute to their fans.
• Jack Valero, son of folk singer Billy Bragg, plays Islington Assembly Hall in support of new single Always Something You Can Do on May 9.
• Author, musician, journalist, presenter and pundit John Robb will be discussing his life in music including how he was the first person to interview Nirvana, how he coined the term Britpop and tales from his book The Art of Darkness – The History of Goth, when he stops off at 21 Soho on his Do You Believe In The Power Of Rock N Roll tour on May 4.
• Music Venue Trust’s campaign to persuade large arenas to put an optional £1 levy on tickets to support grassroots music venues is making progress with the latest bands to come on board being Alien Ant Farm and CKY. And, to boost MVT’s work, folk singer Frank Turner is due to undertake a world record attempt for the most gigs played in 24 hours by playing 15 gigs, each for a minimum of 20 minutes, at venues across the country in support of grassroots music venues and independent record stores. His itinerary includes a 4am set at Underworld on May 5, following the release of his 10th album Undefeated on May 2. Turner has also recently announced that he will be playing his 3,000th gig at Alexandra Palace in February next year.
• Former Fun Lovin’ Criminals’ frontman Huey Morgan plays the 100 Club on May 4 with his new band, the imaginatively named Huey Morgan: The Fun Lovin’ Criminal where they will be playing FLC classics and new music.
• Award-winning Egyptian-Australian oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros has stepped in to fill a cancellation at Green Note on May 7 – a rare chance to catch the talented musician, whose usual home is in large concert halls worldwide, in such an intimate setting. His fellow countrymen, Egyptian rock band Cairokee, play Barbican on May 4 as part of their European tour.
• Former All Saint Shaznay Lewis continues her comeback after 20 years away, with a set at Jazz Cafe on May 14 ahead of the release of her second solo album Pages on May 17.
More upcoming gigs
MAY 3: Mary Gauthier, Kings Place; Mount Kimbie, Roundhouse;
MAY 4: Mods Mayday, 229; Eek-A-Mouse, Jazz Cafe; Billy Mahonie, The Lexington;
MAY 5: Namvula, Green Note; Buddy Curtess & The Grasshoppers, The Forge; FM Dingwalls; Jesse Ahern, The Black Heart;
MAY 6: May Lena Jonsson and Brittany Haas, Green Note;
MAY 7: Josienne Clarke, Cecil Sharp House; MAY 8: Gotts Street Park, Scala; Still Corners + Jess Rebeiro, Islington Assembly Hall;
MAY 9: Kelly Jones, Alexandra Palace Theatre; The Japanese House, Roundhouse; Shabaka Barbican; Rats, The Lower Third; Erick The Architect, Scala;
MAY 10: Dea Matrona, The Lower Third; Kira Mac, Underworld; The Empty Page, The Night Owl; Matt Johnson (Jamiroquai), Jazz Cafe; Kennedy Administration, The Forge; Tourist + Jasper Tygner, Roundhouse; Tors, Islington Assembly Hall;
MAY 11: Cranes + deary, Islington Assembly Hall; Sona Jobarteh, Barbican; When Rivers Meet, The Garage; New Model Army, Roundhouse;
MAY 11-12: The Blockheads, The Forge; MAY 12: Tonick, Scala;
MAY 13: Stevie Wonder’s Birthday Party – an all-star celebration, The Forge; Mount Kimbie, Roundhouse; Eddie 9V + The Zac Schulze Gang, The Grace;
MAY 14: Billy Walton Band, The Forge;
MAY 14-15: Madi Diaz + Kacey Musgraves, Roundhouse;
MAY 15: Yellowjackets, The Forge; Psymon Spine, The Lexington; Jambinai, Dingwalls; Bill Frisell Trio, Islington Assembly Hall;
MAY 16: Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Union Chapel; CMAT, The Forum; Millie Manders and the ShutUp, Downstairs at the Dome; Madi Diaz, St Pancras Old Church; Big Special + Friedberg, Jazz Cafe.