Gig of the week: Los Campesinos, The Hippodrome, Thursday 4 March
I fell in love with Los Campesinos at The Works in Kingston back in February 2008. This Thursday I return to the scene of the crime (the venue now bears the dreadful moniker The Hippodrome) to witness the band two years and three albums later. No doubt they’ll be excellent, after all all three LPs have their shining moments – their most recent, Romance Is Boring, containing some of their most successfully constructed tunes to date. The show is put on by the incomparable Banquet Records under their New Slang banner, bringing excellent bands to the otherwise barren south west suburbs of London. This year alone they’ve hosted Vampire Weekend, British Sea Power and last week, Blood Red Shoes. If you’re in the area, or even if you’re not, get yourself down here – cheap entry, cheap drinks, cheap thrills.
More centrally there are in-stores from Blood Red Shoes, Scary Mansion and Late of the Pier for those who like their thrills more free than cheap. For those who don’t mind paying don’t look much further than U.S. Girls at Cafe OTO on Monday – another cracker from Upset The Rhythm. Tuesday and Wednesday sees the fucking awesome xx play at Shepherd’s Bush Empire – supported by These New Puritans, who have never really filled my boots – or Esben & The Witch on the latter date. You could also catch Hot Hot Heat - remember them? – at Scala on Tuesday. If you’re not headed down to Kingston on Thursday there’s two spiffing options in town, Jealousy favourites Errors at Scala, and Wild Beasts at Koko. Yet again things dry up towards the end of the week, unless you’re plumping for the corporate cowshed and the Dizzee / Lily hoedown. Whatever you’re up to this week, enjoy – why not let us know about it!
Los Campesinos! – There Are Listed Buildings
Photo: Barry Yanowitz @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC, 12-07
Read on for all our recommended gigs this week.
Monday 1 March
FREE – Blood Red Shoes – Rough Trade East
FREE – Scary Mansion – Pure Groove Records
Shy Child – ICA
US Girls – Cafe OTO
Tuesday 2 March
FM Belfast – Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen
Hot Hot Heat – Scala
Polar Bear – Relentless Garage
The xx / These New Puritans – Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Wednesday 3 March
The Antlers – Union Chapel
Broken Bells – ICA
Field Music – Scala
Groove Armada – HMV Forum
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis – Relentless Garage
FREE – Late Of The Pier – Pure Groove Records
The xx / Esben & The Witch – Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Thursday 4 March
Errors – Scala
First Aid Kit – Union Chapel
Los Campesinos! / Swanton Bombs – New Slang & The Hippodrome
Richmond Fontaine – Bush Hall
Wild Beasts / Erland & The Carnival – Koko
Friday 5 March
Brendan Benson / Heartless Bastards – Koko
DD: MM: YYYY – The Lexington
Four Tet / MF DOOM & many more – A Taste of Sónar @ Roundhouse
Idlewild – The Watershed
John Cale – Royal Festival Hall
Saturday 6 March
Billy Bragg – ULU
Kathryn Williams – Purcell Room
Plaid / Luke Vibert – Koko
Sunday 7 March
FACT / Joy Orbison / MJ Cole – The Lock Tavern
Lily Allen / Dizzee Rascal – O2 Arena
