London is once again firing on all cylinders this week, serving up everything from controversial hip-hop to mystical Nordic folk.
The weekend kicks off with a bang tonight as Belfast’s divisive trio Kneecap take over OVO Arena for their biggest London headline show to date. Fresh from their scene-stealing Glastonbury performance and ongoing media circus, they’re promising an explosive evening with support from Dublin’s Gurriers — but given their recent celebrity endorsements, expect some surprise guests. For something more intimate, Jelani Blackman brings his genre-blending sound to The Old Blue Last. The rising rapper’s fusion of grime, jungle, and R&B has been turning heads across the capital, making this Shoreditch show essential viewing for anyone wanting to catch the next big thing before everyone else does.
Friday marks the return of Drumsheds with significant upgrades, including enhanced sound systems and improved layout. It’s celebrating with a Defected night headlined by house legends MK and Jungle, alongside The Shapeshifters and more — perfect for dancing away the working week. There’s more, but you’ll need to read on.
Music in London tonight and this week (September 17 – 24)
September 18 & 19, O2 Academy Brixton
Beloved internet meme queen PinkPantheress, below, is playing two nights for her loyal legion of fans. The 24-year-old has come a long way since she was first introduced as the purse-clutching, shy genius behind the Ice Spice-laced Boy’s a Liar Pt 2. Now a confident performer, you can expect quite the show. And she’s got all the bangers she needs, from modern classics like Illegal to sleeper hit Turn it Up. Get ready to go back in time to Y2K. Purse optional.
September 22, The Lower Third
Start your week off right with Lambeth-born singer-songwriter Joy Crookes, above, whose smooth and warming tones are the perfect type of Monday-night treat. Crookes’s Lower Third gig comes ahead of the release of her highly anticipated second album, Juniper, out next Friday. The alt R&B singer has gone from strength to strength over the past five years, claiming the Rising Star Award at the 2020 Brits and receiving widespread critical acclaim for her debut album, Skin, in 2021.
Joy Crookes
Getty Images
Defected with MK and Jungle
The mercury is dropping, and you know what that means: Drumsheds is back. The Tottenham superclub back again for the autumn and winter season following major improvements, including an enhanced sound system, new Y room layout and easier movement throughout the venue. They’re kicking things off this weekend with Defected, a night devoted to the independent house music label and its artists. It’ll be headlined by MK (Marc Kinchen) and Jungle, who are doing a DJ set. Other artists include The Shapeshifters, Yasmin and Dennis Ferrer back to back with HoneyLuv.
This summer, Kneecap has been the name on everyone’s lips. Their Glastonbury set was a lock-off. They’re in and out of court. The advert for this very concert was banned on the Tube. Now, they’re playing their biggest headline show outside of Ireland — tonight! For a triple-strength dose of the divisive, endlessly entertaining Belfast hip-hop trio, the OVO Arena is the place to be. They’re supported by Dublin band Gurriers — but given the very prominent celebrity support Kneecap have received, we’d be willing to bet they’ll be bringing out some very special guests, too.
Kneecap
PA Wire
September 19, The Old Blue Last
Planning to be around Shoreditch tomorrow? Catch up-and-coming rapper Jelani Blackman, a true burgeoning talent. Blackman’s music blends grime, jungle and R&B with catchy choruses that’ll be stuck in your head for days. He’s also a London boy through and through: born in Brixton, raised in Ladbroke Grove, regularly cropping up at venues throughout the capital.
September 23, Electric Brixton
Are you a fan of modern-day Viking music? Lord of the Rings? Sea shanties? Songs that sound like sorcery? Then this is the event for you. Faroese singer Eivør will be bewitching the crowd next Tuesday. Even better: she’s supported by the mystical Ásgeir, who has that delicate kind of singsong presence that is just so distinctly Icelandic (he’s one of their proudest exports). If London’s getting you down this month, microdose a Nordic escape and get a little bit witchy.
#Londons #unmissable #gigs #weekend #PinkPantheress #Kneecap
