10 UK Gigs To Get Excited About This Week (8/10/2015)

There’s plenty of must-see shows and tours hitting the UK this week. Here’s our pick of the bunch…

1
Swim Deep, Saturday 10 Leadmill, Sheffield to Thursday 15 O2 Academy, Liverpool

Swim Deep, Saturday 10 Leadmill, Sheffield to Thursday 15 O2 Academy, Liverpool

Swim Deep, Saturday 10 Leadmill, Sheffield to Thursday 15 O2 Academy, Liverpool
Who: Birmingham band whose second album ‘Mothers’ has been compared to Primal Scream’s ‘Screamadelica’.
Why: Their new songs are euphoric psych maelstroms.
Who’s supporting: Brighton’s The Magic Gang, Glasgow’s Catholic Action.

2
Spector, Tuesday 13 Thekla, Bristol to Thursday 15 Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

Spector, Tuesday 13 Thekla, Bristol to Thursday 15 Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

Spector, Tuesday 13 Thekla, Bristol to Thursday 15 Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
Who: Self-deprecating, witty indie boys making glimmering hook-filled pop songs. Absolutely nothing to do with the new James Bond film or the imprisoned producer, Phil.
Why: The rich, polished songs from second album ‘Moth Boys’ will make the small venues seem like mini-stadiums.

3
Major Lazer, Wednesday 14 O2 Academy, Birmingham, Thursday 15 O2 Academy, Glasgow

Major Lazer, Wednesday 14 O2 Academy, Birmingham, Thursday 15 O2 Academy, Glasgow
Who: Diplo’s dancehall gang keen to encourage you to twerk like no-one’s watching.
Why: As well as merging dancehall, EDM, reggae and house in their sound, they employ dancers to grind their buttocks in volunteers’ faces.
Who’s supporting: Elliphant; Mumdance & Novelist

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4
Hot Chip, Tuesday 13 O2 Academy, Bristol, Wednesday 14 Pyramids Centre, Portsmouth

Hot Chip, Tuesday 13 O2 Academy, Bristol, Wednesday 14 Pyramids Centre, Portsmouth
Who: Intellectual electronic pop stalwarts, currently being hailed as synth-pop godheads after this year’s sixth album ‘Why Make Sense?’.

Why: ‘Over And Over’, ‘Ready For The Floor’… you’re jiggling in your seat already. A London-centric millennial Pet Shop Boys, basically.

5
Years & Years, Friday 9 O2 Academy, Birmingham to Wednesday 14 O2 Academy, Leeds

Years & Years, Friday 9 O2 Academy, Birmingham to Wednesday 14 O2 Academy, Leeds

Years & Years, Friday 9 O2 Academy, Birmingham to Wednesday 14 O2 Academy, Leeds
Who: London trio fronted by ex-Skins actor Olly Alexander, who topped the BBC Sound Of 2015 poll and the charts.
Why: Their debut album ‘Communion’ is full of tropical hooks that might make summer last a little way into October.

6
Jamie xx, Thursday 15 O2 Academy Brixton, London

Jamie xx, Thursday 15 O2 Academy Brixton, London
Who: One third of moody minimalist soul pioneers The xx, production whizkid Jamie Smith released his long-awaited debut solo album ‘In Colour’ in June, to the delight of jam jar cocktail drinkers everywhere.
Why: He admirably steers clear of EDM’s penchant for live show gimmicks, letting the music spin the magic.

7
Miguel, Tuesday 13 O2 Academy Brixton, London, Thursday 15 O2 Academy, Birmingham

Miguel, Tuesday 13 O2 Academy Brixton, London, Thursday 15 O2 Academy, Birmingham
Who: Slinky R&B star, Kendrick Lamar and Lenny Kravitz collaborator and fan of fringed white leather jackets.
Why: New album ‘Wildheart’ sees Miguel broadening his musical horizons and adding psych-rock to his sound, so his shows will be more eclectic than your average R&B warbler.

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8
Palma Violets, Saturday 10, Owl Sanctuary, Norwich

Palma Violets, Saturday 10, Owl Sanctuary, Norwich

Palma Violets, Saturday 10, Owl Sanctuary, Norwich
Who: Rowdy Lambeth riot rockers whose second album ‘Danger In The Club’ was virtually a warning for anyone braving their notoriously wild and ramshackle gigs.
Why: Expect stage invasions, roar-along tunes and a tankerload of sweat.
Who’s supporting: Sheffield garage-punks Best Friends.

9
Rudimental, Tuesday 13 Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, Wednesday 14 Empress Ballroom, Blackpool

Rudimental, Tuesday 13 Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, Wednesday 14 Empress Ballroom, Blackpool
Who: Hackney drum’n’bass quartet who bagged guest spots from Lianne La Havas and Ed Sheeran on ‘We The Generation’. They were literally struck by lightning at Glastonbury 2014.
Why: Their hi-octane shows are so energetic they’re essentially rave workout sessions. Feel the burn.

10
PJ Harvey, Friday 9 & Saturday 10, Royal Festival Hall, London

PJ Harvey, Friday 9 & Saturday 10, Royal Festival Hall, London
Who: Polly Jean Harvey – revered musician, poet, and the only person to receive the Mercury Prize twice.
Why: The gigs are part of London Literature Festival and will feature poetry readings, as well as a host of new songs performed by Harvey.

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