The best free gigs in town
By Kath Butler (follow Kath on Twitter: @k_butler92)
March doesn’t have much to offer to the average Londoner. A religious inclination may mean you find yourself swearing off anything remotely joyous, think chocolates, sweets or booze, making it another month of forced abstinence in our bland tradition of rigorous self-discipline, dry January was but a month ago. It also feels no warmer than February, as I type this post in a toasty 6 degrees Celsius.
However, live music remains resolutely hedonistic and perhaps kicking into overdrive in what seems like a lengthy and never-ending path to the summer festival season. Just like the daffodils springing up in the roadside greenspaces and possibly on my kitchen counter, there are numerous free gigs dotted across the city this month. Read on to see which we think are the best and don’t forget to check out Jen’s top 10 free things to do in March.
#1 Femme | Moth Club | 4 March
By Clash Magazine
Likened to Grimes and M.I.A , native Brit and Goldsmiths alumni FEMME brings her imitable synth-poppiness to Hackney’s Moth Club. Fresh off tours with Charli XCX and Flying Lotus, FEMME blends RnB, bass heavy electro, bubblegum pop, virtually every cool genre to produce a tracks of an esoteric but massively relatable nature. She is supported by as obscurely named but equally as enjoyable Akiine and Otzeki.
When: 4 March, Doors: 8PM
Where: Moth Club, Old Trades Hall, Valette St, E9 6NU
#2 Tempesst | The Islington | 9 March
By Tempesst Twitter
Antipodean pop-rockers Tempesst, will present their take on that Kevin Parker-esque Aussie psych flavour in Angel this month. Racking up quite the list of support slots, including indie gems The Magic Gang, be sure to catch them headline at The Islington for free rather than off the back of an overpriced NME awards tour show.
When: 9 March, Doors: 7:30PM
Where: The Islington, 1 Tolpuddle St, N1 0XT
#3 Virgin Kids | The Victoria | 10 March
By Fluffer Records
Virgin Kids are a Garage rock trio that have been stuck with this years “hype-band” tag but most probably can’t wait to tear it off, like you would one of those awkward bumper stickers that no one laughs at. Basically the only reason you need to catch their raucous vibes in Dalston, where they are supported by equally as disorderly Claw Marks and Cassels.
When: 10 March, Doors: 8PM
Where: 451 Queensbridge Rd, E8 3AS
#4 Yasmin Kadi | South Bank Centre| 11 March
By Vimeo
Kadi brings what would probably be far warmer Sierra Leonean vibes to the comparably icy South Bank Centre foyer. Fiercely resisting any form of pigeonholing, the singer draws on her African and Lebanese heritage and has supported indie rockers Peace, collaborated with RnB superstar Mary J Blige and toured with pop queen Paloma Faith. This performance will undoubtedly over something for any music lover and it’s free so that’s something for any broke person.
When: 11 March, Doors: 17:30 PM
Where: South Bank Centre Foyer, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
#5 Melissa James | South Bank Centre |18 March
Photo by Mark Guthrie
Clearly the SBC foyer is the place to be this March. In anticipation of her new album “Stripped Back”, James performs an intimate acoustic set as part of the Friday Tonic Sessions accompanied by her guitarist and pianist. Expect her usual soulful repertoire, and a gentle introduction to her new album material.
When: 18 March, Doors: 17:30 PM
Where: South Bank Centre Foyer, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
#6 HANA | The Waiting Room | 18 March
By Vanyaland
Singer-songwriter cum bedroom producer comes from across the pond looking to introduce the UK to her critically revered new material. Having drawn high praise form Lorde, who didn’t skimp on colourful adjectives describing her material as “sparkling”, Hana went on to support Lana Del Rey on tour around the states and is now touting her wares over on our shores. Catch her down at Stokey’s favourite dive venue.
When: 18 March, Doors: 19:30 PM
Where: The Waiting Room, 75 Stoke Newington High St, N16 0LH
#7 YAST | Old Blue Last | 21 March
By DIY Mag
The guys from the very cool indie club night, Club. The. Mammoth, have taken to the Scandinavian import business and are bringing lo-fi pop babes YAST from Sweden to Shoreditch. The five-piece cater to London’s hankering for jangly, distorted guitars and dreamy vocals. Support comes from Dancehall and The Whales
When: 21 March, Doors: 8PM
Where: The Old Blue Last, 38 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3ES
#8 Clever Thing | The Finsbury | 25 March
Photo by Keira Cullinane
Be smart and go and check out fuzz punks Clever Thing at The Finsbury. Very little is known about this outfit aside from the fact that they are from Brighton, have relatively wild stage antics and play charity gigs. Also, support comes from Nova Twins who are always in equal parts outrageous and fun. No excuses then.
When: 25 March, Doors: 7:30 PM
Where: The Finsbury, 336 Green Lanes N4 1BY
#9 Strong Island Recs Easter All Dayer | The Shacklewell Arms | 27 March
By The Shacklewell Arms
Instead of gorging on stale crème eggs this Easter Sunday get down to the Shack for Strong Island’s all dayer. With a bill of six bands including Palm Honey, Love Luv, Saint Agnes, Melt Dunes, Indigo Child, Is Bliss coupled with SIR’s knack for picking up on the UK’s best grass-roots indie acts, this will be, for lack of a better word, Banger (capital B intended)
You know how people who write these posts do them not actually intending to be at all their suggestions and instead live vicariously through their readership (miniscule in my case)? Will not be the case with this one.
When: 27 March, Doors: 5PM
Where: The Shacklewell Arms, 71 Shacklewell Ln, E8 2EB
#10 The Getup | Bedroom Bar | 31 March
By Our Label Records
Not to leave out any Funk fans, March draws to a close with the Getup playing Bedroom Bar in Shoreditch. Get your Thursday boots shaking with their energetic performance style and relentless commitment to maintaining those authentic funk grooves.
When: 31 March, Doors: 7:00PM
Where: Bedroom Bar, 62 Rivington St, EC2A 3AY
