London Live: 13-19 April

Gig Of The Week – Bat For Lashes, School Of Seven Bells @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire

A week of fantastic gigs, including Ether 09 – a South Bank festival that has drawn the incomparable David Byrne to our shores to play a show based on his two collaborative efforts with Brian Eno. Unfortunately there will be no Eno involved, but still should be fascinating. Also in a festival-style this Saturday sees International Record Store Day, and two of London’s greatest host sparkling instore line-ups. Rough Trade East sees a plethora of new young things including the fantastic Joe Gideon & The Shark. Pure Groove settles for a bit more experience, with Graham Coxon taking a break from the Blur reunion to play a solo set, backed up by Patrick Wolf.

Gig of the week though goes to the sublime Bat For Lashes, with Natasha Khan picking the excellent School Of Seven Bells as support. Two Suns is setting most critics gabbering, including me, and I’m really looking forward to the gig. Her support slot with Radiohead last summer gave glimmers of a special set, and on her own terms I’m expecting a theatrical adventure – it’ll be intriguing to see if she performs as her two aliases! School Of Seven Bells’ Alpinism should have received much greater admiration than it did last year, and they should provide a perfect electric counterpoint to Bat For Lashes’ more traditional instruments.

Bat For Lashes – Siren Song
School Of Seven Bells – Half Asleep

Here’s a glimpse of how the rehearsals are going for Khan and co.

Bat For Lashes – live in Rehearsal

Photo: Rose X

Read on for the rest of the week’s gigs in the capital…

Monday 13 April

Bombay Bicycle Club – KCLSU

David Byrne – Royal Festival Hall (Ether ’09)

Dent May And His Magnificent Ukulele – Duke of Uke

Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Grammatics – Bush Hall (Teenage Cancer Trust gig)

Tuesday 14 April

Frankmusic – Pure Groove Instore