London Unsigned Acts – This week’s tips
Selected by LondonNet’s Christine Toner
London Unsigned is LondonNet’s guide to the capital’s newest and brightest unsigned talent. With details on the most exciting upcoming acts, the gigs you cannot afford to miss and the venues you should make a habit of hanging around if you want to catch the next big thing, London Unsigned is the city’s music lovers’ new best friend. Our experts scour the streets of London Town to make sure you’re always the first to know who to see and where to be.
Christine Toner is Unsigned Editor of Music-News and a freelance journalist. As well as contributing to various publications and websites she runs unsigned band nights at various venues showcasing London’s newest talent.
Wednesday 9 June 2010
Quaintways
Chester four piece Quaintways bring their brand of indie dance to the headline slot at East London’s uber cool 93 Feat East on Wednesday 9th June.
93 Feet East, 150 Brick Lane, London. E1 6QL. Doors open 8pm. £5 on the door
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Previously Featured Bands from 2009
Friday 27th November
Inland Empire
Surrey boys Inland Empire have sold out most of the best venues in London and now headline Camden favourite The Dublin Castle. Check them out to see what all the fuss is about.
The Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7AN. £5 on the door. Doors open at 8pm.
Saturday 14th November
Future London Underground
This month’s showcase features the brilliant Bony Ghosts. The Manchester band are making waves in the North West and are set to bring their anthemic indie sound to Camden.
Tommy Flynn’s, 55 Camden High Street, Camden, London NW 7JH. £5 on the door. Doors open at 8pm.
Friday 13th November
Music-news Underground
Brighton’s finest New Sun Blues feature on this months line up at Music-news Underground Brixton showcase.
Dogstar, 389 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8LQ. £5 on the door. Doors open 8pm.
Sunday 8th November
Music-news.com Charity All dayer feat. Inland Empire
On Remembrance Sunday do your bit for the forces by heading to the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch for the Music-news.com Charity All-dayer. All proceeds go to the Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes and for just £6 you’ll get to hear eight fantastic bands including the brilliant Inland Empire.
Old Blue Last, 39 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3ES. £6 on the door. Doors open at 2pm.
Friday 6th November
Black Daniel
Colin Murray describes them as a cross between The Velvet Underground and The Pogues and they’re one of Lauren Lavernes favourite bands. If you want to see what all the fuss is about to the Windmill, Brixton on the 6th to catch Black Daniel live.
The Windmill, 22 Blenheim Gardens, Brixton SW2 5BZ. £5 on the door. Doors open 8pm
Monday 19th October
Johnny Cola and the A Grades
Infectious, sub-pop foursome Johnny Cola and the A Grades are receiving quite a bit of attention from the national press and radio and it’s much deserved. Check them out at the Good Ship on the 15th.
The Good Ship, 289 Kilburn High Road, Kilburn NW6 7JR. £4 on the door. Doors open 8pm
Friday 16th October
Girls on Top
Describing themselves as the “glampunk queens of the Camden Scene” Girls on Top give themselves a lot to live up to. Thankfully the three-girls and one guy collective do not disappoint. Check them out at Dublin Castle on Friday 16th.
The Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden, NW1 7AN. £5 on the door. Doors open 8pm
Thursday 15th October
The Gadsdens
Here at London Net we’ve told you to check out The Gadsdens before but in case you’ve not been paying attention get yourself down to the Hoxton Bar and Kitchen on Monday 19th and see what you’ve been missing.
Hoxton Bar and Kitchen, 2-4 Hoxton Square, London, N1 6NU. £5 on the door. Doors open 8pm
Saturday 26 September
New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack
Punk art rockers New York Anxiety Attack play Islington’s Hope and Anchor on Saturday and are well worth checking out!
Hope and Anchor, 207 Upper Street, Islington, N1 1RL. Doors 8pm. £5 on the door
Sunday 20 September
Marbles
And it’s back to Camden and Dublin Castle to round of your weekend with the Queens of the Stoneage-esque Marbles.
Doors 8pm, £5 on the door. Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7AN
Saturday 19 September
Ich Bin Finn
Head to Brixton this Saturday to the brilliant Dogstar to catch punk pop fivesome Ich Bin Finn and indie rockers Reykjavik.
Doors 8pm, £5 on the door. Dogstar, 389 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8LQ
Friday 18 September
Swienz
Catch melodic rock band The Operation and grungy popsters Swienz this Friday at Camden’s Dublin Castle.
Doors 8pm, £5 on the door. Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7AN
Wednesday 2 September
The Gadsdens
Take Monday and Tuesday to get over the hangover and then for a mid-week treat head to 93 Feet East on Brick Lane to catch one of the best unsigned bands of the year, the Gadsdens.
93 Feet East, 150 Brick Lane, London. E1 6QL. £7 on the door. Doors open 7.30pm.
Sunday 30 August
Complete Radio Silence
Shoegazer rock at it’s finest from the brilliant Complete Radio Silence at the Windmill, Brixton on Bank Holiday Sunday.
The Windmill, 22 Blenheim Gardens, London SW2 5BZ, £5 on the door, Doors open 7.30pm.
Saturday 29 August
Hopeless Heroic
To kick off the biggest party weekend of the year head to Purple Turtle in Camden for Criminal Records newest Club Residency Harajuku featuring featuring the really quite brilliant rockers Hopeless Heroic.
Purple Turtle, 61 Crowndale road, Camden, N1 1TN, £5 on the door. Doors open at 8pm
Sunday 16 August
Foxtrot Bravo, Sleepscape and Angry Years
Head back to Brixton on Sunday for Foxtrot Bravo, Sleepscape and the superb Angry Years at the Windmill.
The Windmill, 22 Blenheim Gardens, London SW2 5BZ, £5 on the door, Doors open 7.30pm
Saturday 15 August
MOT
MOT are getting a name for themselves on the unsigned scene thanks to their chirpy, cheerful punk pop. Check them out at Camden’s finest venue.
Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7AN, £5 on the door, Doors open 8pm.
Friday 14 August
Inland Empire and Moonjets
This Friday sees the Music-news showcase move to Brixton with performances from the brilliant Moonjets and headliners Inland Empire.
Dogstar, 389 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LQ, £5 on the door, Doors open at 8pm
Saturday 1 August
RDB
If you fancy something a little different head to the Hope and Anchor in Islington for RDB, an Italian rap/rock group who manage to produce hip hop with a punk twist.
Hope and Anchor, 207 Upper street, Islington, N1 1RL. Doors 8pm £5 on the door.
Friday 31 July
Inland Empire
The Surrey boys are one of the most exciting new bands on the underground scene, with their own brand on indie punk pop. Check them out at The Bridge House 2 in Canning Town.
The Bridge House 2, Bidder Street, Canning Town, E16 4ST. Doors 8pm £5 on the door.
Sunday 26 July
Koobind
Derby rockers Koobind hit Camden’s legendary Dublin Castle on July 26th.
Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7AN.
Saturday 25 July
Arrows
The brilliant Arrows head to Brixton’s Windmill on the 25th with their fantastic ‘wall of sound’ style.
The Windmill, 22 Blenheim Gardens, Brixton, London SW2 5BZ. Doors 8pm. Entry £3.
Friday 24 July
The Big Lick
Funk ska band The Big Lick are the main attraction at The Good Ship this Friday, well worth the trip to Kilburn.
The Good Ship, 289 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JR, Doors 8pm. Entry £5.
Week commencing 6 July 2009
Thursday 9 July
A Tribe Called West
A brand new live music night now runs every Thursday of the month at Shepherd’s Bush’s coolest venue The Ginglik. The Blue Flowers Presents A Tribe Called West night features some of the best up and coming indie bands around.
Ginglik, 1 Shepherds Bush Green, London, W12 8PH. Doors 8pm. £5 on the door.
Friday 10 July
Meantime
If you’re after a bit of rock heavy metal band Meantime play the brilliant Bull and Gate and are well worth a listen, not least because they’re already causing a stir on the rock scene.
Bull and Gate, 389 Kentish Town Road, London, NW5 2TJ. Doors 8pm £6 on the door.
Friday 10 July
Kid ID
If metal isn’t your thing then head down to The Watershed in Wimbledon for some fantastic indie folk courtesy of quite possibly the best unsigned band of the year Kid ID.
The Watershed, 267 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1SD. Doors 8pm. £5 on the door.
Week commencing 28 June 2009
Thursday 2 July
Stand Down
Biffy Clyro-esque alternative rock band Stand Down play Camden’s Dublin Castle on Thursday alongside the brilliantly rocky Infrequency. .
The Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden. NW1 7AN.
Friday 3 July
Miss Scarlett
Miss Scarlett are one of the most interesting new bands around with a sound all their own combining keyboards and guitars to create a really quite beautiful sound!
The Good Ship, 289 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR. £5 on the door. Doors open 8pm.
Saturday 4 July
Chaps
What better way to celebrate US independence day than with a barbecue at Brixton’s Windmill featuring the talents of Chaps and Brighton’s Cold Pumas.
The Windmill, 22 Blenheim Gardens, Brixton, SW2 5BZ.
Week commencing 9 June 2009
Friday 12 June
The I Hearts
The I Hearts present their own night on Friday at the brilliant Good Ship in Kilburn. Featuring performances from The Vivians and Delooze plus the band themselves.
The Good Ship, 289 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JR. Doors open 8pm. £4 on the door.
Saturday 13 June
Filthy Modern Hearts
Head to the Windmill in Brixton, one of London’s coolest venues, on Saturday to catch the brilliant Filthy Modern Hearts with support from Candy Tree and new wave lovelies Vanilla Nightmare.
Windmill, 22 Blenheim Gardens, London. SW2 5BZ. Doors open 8pm. Entry £3 on the door.
Sunday 14 June
Tough Love Records
For some free music head to The Old Blue Last on Sunday for performances from Sunny Day Sets Fire, A Classic Education and Empty Set.
The Old Blue Last, 38 Great Eastern St, Shoreditch EC2A 3ES. Doors: 8pm.
Tuesday 16 June
Astroturf
Astroturf produce new wave indie pop served up with epic touches. They’re back on stage after recent studio time. See them at the Bull and Gate this Tuesday.
The Bull and Gate, 389 Kentish Town Road, London , NW5 2TJ. Doors 8pm. Entry with flyer £4, without £5.
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Week commencing 1 June 2009
Thursday 4 June
MDMA
Head to Camden’s Dublin castle this Thursday to catch exciting new London band MDMA who fuse indie rock with hip hop to come up with a sound all their own.
The Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden, NW1 7AN. Doors 8pm. Tickets £5 on the door.
Friday 5 June
Clones
Clones are a London-based rock band that are pulling big crowds everytime they play and getting some great reviews. Check them out at the Bull and Gate this Friday.
The Bull and Gate, 389 Kentish Town Road, London , NW5 2TJ. Doors 8pm. Tickets £5 on the door or £4 with a flyer from B&G website.
Saturday 6 June
The New Southpaw Soviet
Brilliant melodic pop five-piece The New Southpaw Soviet hit The Good Ship in Kilburn on Saturday , go see them, before long they’re going to be huge.
The Good Ship, Kilburn High Road. NW6 7JR. Doors 7.30pm, £5 on the door
Week commencing 11 May 2009
Thursday 14 May
Inland Empire
Head down to the Fighting Cocks in Kingston-upon Thames this Thursday to catch Inland Empire, the Moonjets and Fire Exit – a great line up at one Greater London’s most lively venues.
The Good Ship, 289 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR. £5 on the door. Doors open 7.00pm.
Friday 15 May
Lonely Ghosts
Lonely Ghosts aka the ridiculously talented Tom Denney brings his perfect power pop to East London’s coolest venue 93 Feet East this Friday – and it’s free entry.
93 Feet East, 150 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL. Free.
Saturday 16 May
A Tower of Sheep
Indie Ska band A Tower of Sheep provide the perfect soundtrack for the sunshine with their upbeat cheery numbers and they bring their sound to The Good Ship this Saturday.
The Good Ship, Kilburn High Road. NW6 7JR. Doors 7.30pm, £5 on the door
Week commencing 4 May 2009
Saturday 9 May
The Bandinis
Head to the Good Ship in Kilburn this Saturday to catch Reading based five piece the Bandinis and their perfect indie pop with support from Rick C and Broken Nobles.
The Good Ship, 289 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR. £5 on the door. Doors open 7.00pm.
Sunday 10 May
Ambition Battle of the Bands Final
Check out Camden’s Dublin Castle this Sunday for the Ambition Battle of the Bands Final. The final four are Bleech, Raven Beats Crow, Revolution and Summer Holiday. Don’t miss it!
Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden, NW1 7AN. Doors open at 8pm. £5 on the door.
Monday 11 May
Harrison Hope
On Monday head to Islington and the Hope and Anchor to sample some melodic rock courtesy of Harrison Hope who are destined for great things.
Hope and Anchor, 207 Upper street, Highbury, N1 1RL. Doors open 8pm. £5 on the door
Week commencing 27 April 2009
Saturday 2 May
The Ruskins at Camden Barfly
The Ruskins are one of the most exciting new bands of 2009. Check out their cheeky but charming ska-tinged indie style at Camden Barfly on May 2nd.
Camden Barfly, 49 Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8AN. £8 on the door. Doors open 8pm.
Thursday 7 May
Coppers for Karma at The 12 Bar
Fast becoming one of the hardest working bands on the scene Coppers For Karma bring their quirky indie rock to 12 Bar in the West End on May 7th. Check them out, and trust me, they’re even better live.
The 12 Bar, Denmark Street, West End, WC2H 8NL. £6 on the door. Doors open 8.00pm.
Friday 8 May
The I Hearts at The Good Ship
London trio The I Hearts deliver their own brand of indie punk with a splash of glam rock at Kilburn’s coolest venue The Good Ship on May 8th. Definitely worth a look in – if only to sample this excellent venue.
The Good Ship, 289 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR. £5 on the door. Doors open 7.30pm.
Week commencing 20 April 2009
Saturday 25th
Bye Bye Johnny at Water Rats
Manchester-band Bye Bye Johnny are already regulars on the North West and now they’re bringing their own brand of indie charm to London with a gig at The Monto Water Rats.
Monto Water Rats, 328 Grays Inn Road, London, WC1X 8BZ. £6 on the door. Doors open 8pm.
Tuesday 28th
The Gadsdens at The Luminaire
Treat yourself to some infectious, melodic indie pop courtesy of The Gadsdens on Tuesday, not least because they’re playing one of the capitals finest venues The Luminaire.
The Luminaire
311 Kilburn High Road, London , NW6 7JR, £7 on the door. Doors open 7.30pm.
Wednesday 29th
Foxtrot Bravo
The Cobden Club, West London
Head over to The Cobden Club on Wednesday to catch the brilliant Foxtrot Bravo who are playing the BMI showcase. With their Cardigans-meet-Blondie style this is indie pop at its finest.
The Cobden Club, 170 Kensal Road, London W10 5BN. £6 on the door. Doors open 8pm.
Week commencing 13 April 2009
Music-news Presents, Dogstar, Brixton Friday 17 Apr 2009)
This Friday Brixton’s best live music venue plays host to Music-news Presents with performances from Brighton’s finest New Sun Blues , acoustic duo Flaming Vest and headliners Inland Empire.
Dogstar, 389 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LQ. £5 on the door. Doors open 7pm
Week commencing 30 March 2009
The Fall (Koko, Camden, Wed 1 Apr 2009) The legendary Mancunian band led by Mark E Smith, cited by many bright young things as inspiration, hit Camden’s coolest venue with support from Bobby Peru.Koko, 1a Camden High Street, NW1 7JE, Doors 7pm. Tickets £20 Style: Alternative & Indie |
The Green River Project (Underworld Camden, Camden, Thu 2 Apr 2009) If it’s a bit of hardcore metal you’re after then you’d be hard pushed to find a better night than Underworld this Thursday with a performance from the fantastic Green River Project.Underworld Camden, 174 Camden High Street, London NW1 ONE. Doors 8pm. Tickets £5. Style: Alternative & Indie |
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Week commencing 23 March 2009
Tommy Flynns Unsigned Showcase (Tommy Flynns, Camden, Thu 26 Mar 2009) Music-news.com monthly unsigned showcase comes to Tommy Flynn’s in Camden once more this Thursday featuring acoustic indie-pop duo Flaming Vest and quirky London band The Instants headlining.Tommy Flynns, 55 Camden High Street, NW1 7JH. From 7pm. Tickets £5 on the door. Style: Alternative & Indie |
Phantom Theory (Bull and Gate, Kentish Town, Fri27 Mar 2009) The Bull and Gate is pulling them out of the bag lately with yet another top night, this time featuring the brilliantly punk rock Phantom Theory with support from Bola Pear and Autorotation.Bull and Gate, 389 Kentish Town Road, London, NW5 2TJ. From 8pm. Tickets £6 on the door. Style: Alternative & Indie |
Barkerhound (Dublin Castle, Camden, Sat 28 Mar 2009) It’s a clean sweep for north London for this weeks tips, rounded off by Dublin Castle’s cracker on Saturday with Barkerhound’s album launch. The bluesy guitar band will be headlining the night with support from Liverpudlian rockers The Arkanes and Manchester’s Floone.Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden, NW1 7AN. Tickets £6 on the door. Style: Alternative & Indie |
Week commencing 16 March 2009
Mark Woods (The Dublin Castle, Fri 20 Mar 2009) This Friday Camden’s legendary Dublin Castle plays host to yet another crop of must-see bands including the potentially brilliant indie-punk foursome Inland Empire and the unmissable Mark Woods of Junkyard Choir.The Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, NW1 7AN. Doors open at 7pm. Style: Alternative & Indie |
Sunnyhill Road (The Windmill, Sat 21 Mar 2009) Head South of the river on Saturday to the Windmill, one of the cities best venues, to catch the brilliantly Doors-esque Sunnyhill Road alongside Spanish psychadellic rockers The Electric Riders.Doors open at 8pm The Windmill, 22 Blenheim Gardens, London SW2 5BZ Style: Alternative & Indie |
Surface Unsigned Festival 09 (The Boston Music Rooms, Sun 22 Mar 2009) Nothing livens a dull Sunday evening up like live music This week check out The Boston Rooms in North London for the latest heat of the Surface Unsigned Festival 09. The winning band receives a bunch of prizes including £5,000 cash and an appearance at Music Live.Doors open at 7pm The Boston Music Rooms, 178 Junction Rd, Tufnell Park, London, N19 5QQ Style: Rock and Pop |
Week commencing 9 March 2009
Vets In Hong Kong (Hope & Anchor, Fri 13 Mar 2009) London trio Vets In Hong Kong hit the superb Hope and Anchor on Upper Street this Friday. Influenced by the likes of The Strokes, Ryan Adams and Interpol the boys are making waves on the Unsigned scene.Hope and Anchor, Islington, London, N1 1RL. From 8pm. Tickets £6 on the door. |
Keshco (333, Fri 13 Mar 2009) Friday head to the 333 on March 13th to catch Keshco for some shimmery, offbeat indie pop at its best. The London band also play Bethnal Green’s Working Mens Club on the 15th.333, Old Street, London, EC1V 9LE, 9.30pm, Tickets £5 on the door. |
Scene Not Herd: Various (The Wilmington Arms, Sat 14 Mar 2009) Unsigned night Scene Not Herd is back this month at The Wilmington Arms – sister pub to Amy Winehouse favourite The Hawley Arms. Featuring Redtrack, Truly Beautiful Disaster and Shut Up and Kiss Me, it all kicks off at 8pm.The Wilmington Arms, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 4RL, Tickets £5 on the door, £4 with NUS |
