Michael Kiwanuka | Mon 16 Oct | Symphony Hall | £28
Michael Kiwanuka’s gentle retro soul has drawn countless comparisons to timeless top-scale talents like Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers. Last year’s sophomore album ‘Love & Hate’ expanded his range, but the raw, beautiful talent Kiwanuka possesses remains the same. See our full preview here.
Elder Island | Wed 18 Oct | Hare & Hounds | £7.70
An eccentric pop trio building on Bristol’s fantastic legacy of electronic acts, Elder Island’s new single ‘Welcome State’ is a trippy wash of funked-up guitar and summery synths kept in check by Katy Sargent’s understated, melancholy vocals. Intriguing, mysterious and catchy all at once. skiddle.com
Chon | Wed 18 Oct | O2 Institute 3 | £13.80
San Diego math-rock band Chon have evolved a lot in four short years, with new album ‘Homey’ a mind-melting grab-bag of styles: the breakneck riffs are still out in full force, but the playing is bright, clean and jazzy, often bolstered by Squarepusher-inspired production technics. It’s sheer geeky wizardry no doubt, but nailed with frantic precision. seetickets.com
Tigercub | Sat 21 Oct | The Flapper | £8.25
Alt-noise-pop trio Tigercub channel the absolute finest of British post-hardcore into a grim, twisted vision of pop-rock psychedelia: cut-throat riffs, detuned, dischordant chaos holding hands with falsetto hooks and handclaps. With Jamie Hall’s smooth, QOTSA croon holding it all altogether, it’s a perfect soundtrack for 21st Century anxiety. seetickets.com
Too Many Ts | Sat 21 Oct | The Sunflower Lounge | £8
Too-cute UK hip hop duo wearing the dubious ‘British Beastie Boys’ label with effortlessly cool shrugged off nonchalance and good humour play Birmingham to support their recently released debut album, see our full preview here.
Harry & the Howlers w/ The Good Water | Sat 21 Oct | Dark Horse | £6.60
Birmingham’s Miss Harry Jordan sets out her rock ‘n roll manifesto pretty clear with rockabilly-infused tracks like ‘Bad Woman’ and her bonafide Elvis tattoo. It’s retro to the bone, with the Howlers determined to make the sound their own. Support comes from psychedelic 60s-inspired rockers The Good Water. seetickets.com
The Tidal Sleep | Sun 22 Oct | The Flapper | £8.80
Signees to the ever-reliable Holy Roar Records, the Tidal Sleep play full-throttle post-hardcore, with the optimistic fury of Fucked Up and the overdriven melodicism of the ‘new wave’ bands like Pianos Become the Teeth or Departures. It’s music that never stays still; music that charges head-first, fuelled by its sheer earnestness. seetickets.com
All Years’ Leaving | Sat 21 – Sun 22 Oct | Hare & Hounds | £17.60
The fourth incarnation of All Years Leaving looks better than ever. Music, art installations, pop-up bars, street food, DJs and after-show parties curated by Birmingham’s most discerning promoters, This is Tmrw. With only Saturday tickets left, see our full preview here.
Words: Chris Donald - Gigs Editor
Published on: Sun 1 Oct 2017