Top Pick: Chaos in the CBD
Roundhouse, October 19, roundhouse.org.uk
Got the sudden, inescapable urge to let your hair down in a big way? Us too. And what better way to do that than a full six hours of dancing to electronic DJ duo Chaos in the CBD. If you’re someone who’s desperately missing the optimistic hedonism of festival season, then this is one for you, especially considering it’s the pair’s only London headline club show of 2024.
Mahalia Presents
Jazz Cafe, October 17, thejazzcafe.com
Modern R&B royalty Mahalia is again running her Mahalia Presents event this week, where she shines a light on promising emerging talent. Mahalia won’t be performing herself, but revellers will be entertained by a smooth set of vocalists, including Dalston-born singer Hamzaa and Canadian songstress Aqyila.
Berlioz
O2 Academy Brixton, October 17, academymusicgroup.com
Cornwall-bred DJ Berlioz, above, bills himself as “if Matisse made house music”, which may be exactly the thing you are looking for amid this classically dire British weather. Colourful, playful and lightweight, Berlioz’s breed of jazz-house is guaranteed to lift your spirits should you secure some last-minute tickets for tonight.
Heels and Souls with Mike Who
The Carpet Shop, October 18, ra.co
Ultra-reliable, not-for-profit party people Heels and Souls have managed to lure Australian DJ Mike Who to the UK, where he’ll be playing Peckham’s Carpet Shop this Friday. For a journey through time, space and genres (we’re talking hip-hop, dancehall, street soul, kwaito, house … the lot) you’ll simply have to show your face.
Scared to Dance
Shacklewell Arms, October 19, scaredtodance.co.uk
Anyone who went to Glastonbury this year will attest that the funniest DJ set of the weekend came from unlikely selectors James Acaster and Nish Kumar, who turned up with a MacBook, an aux cable and a dream (a vision where they pressed play on whatever songs they liked). Acaster is set to reprise this role during a DJ set at the Shacklewell Arms this weekend. Not one to be missed.
Banks
Koko, October 21, koko.co.uk
The Goddess is back! American singer songwriter Banks, above, had a monopoly on the 2014 crooning scene with her moody, boundary-bending pop album Goddess, which hits its 10-year anniversary this year. In honour of this major birthday, Banks is returning to London to play an anniversary show at Koko, an exciting opportunity for those who’ve missed the beloved witch of the west. Resale tickets are still available on Ticketswap.
Ben Howard
Eventim Apollo, October 22 & 23, eventimapollo.com
Speaking of moody retrospectives, welcome back Ben Howard, who is also celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his 2014 album, I Forget Where We Were. He’ll be playing songs from this moving, mercurial era of his work at the Eventim Apollo. Apparently we’re all pining for 2014. Can’t make it this week? An extra date has been added on November 3 too.
