Blue Bendy
The Lexington, October 24
This south London-via-Scunthorpe punk band are a welcome reprieve from the “rock is so boring right now” echo chamber, proving that some gems can still emerge from an electronic-heavy audiosphere. Take heed of Pitchfork’s shining score of eight (the Pitchfork equivalent of a kiss on the lips) for their debut album, So Medieval, and catch them before they’re on the Mercury shortlist.
Artful Dodger
Boisdale of Canary Wharf, October 24
Few things can convince me to go to Canary Wharf, but a performance by revered DJ duo and garage legends Artful Dodger might just do the job. If you also desperately want to hear the crowd say Bo Selecta like it’s 1999, hit up the banking district tonight for a fun (if strangely out of place?) night.
Elrow x Boomtown Presents
Drumsheds, October 27
The party-building juggernauts Elrow are joining forces with Boomtown this Halloween to put on what can only be described as a spooky, decked-out club night for the ages. If you love the high-value production of festivals like Boomtown, and the scale of superclubs like Drumsheds, this one’s for you (and everyone else in north London, who will undoubtedly be there).
The Cause Halloween Festival
The Cause, October 26
Owing to the way Halloween falls this year — or due to us all needing a dance — the spooky season has been gleefully split across two weekends in a sort of bumper Halloween special. That means you get to treat yourself to two costumes and two (or three, or four) nights of debauchery. So why not trek out to The Cause to see Mr Scruff, Hannah Holland and friends?
Henry Moodie
The Roundhouse, October 28
We’ve reached the age of musicians making a name for themselves via TikTok, and Henry Moodie is one of the app’s most recent success stories. He’s found a following for his earnest love songs, which will tickle the heartstrings of anyone who once held a fondness for Mumford and Sons or Bastille.
Club Are
Hackney Bridge, October 26
Club Are is an “audiovisual exhibition” turned queer and ally-friendly dance party in Hackney Bridge which unites the stylish, fun and thoughtful of east London’s clubbing scene. The club night, which focuses on tying together various art forms, was recently the subject of a Dazed photo report, just in case you were in any doubt of its trendiness.
