Buffalo Tom at Village Underground

Buffalo Tom

Gerard Love

Village Underground, 10 October 2026

It took me long enough but I finally got to see legendary Boston band Buffalo Tom play a sold out headline show at Village Underground, after first seeing them at the Reading Festival back in the 90s: something I've been meaning to do for years and I honestly don't know why it took me so long.

Alela Diane at EartH

Alela Diane

Two Runner

EartH, 4 October 2026

Earlier this year I got to see the amazing Alela Diane do a completely acoustic and intimate instore at Rough Trade Denmark which was incredible but I was also excited to see her again because this time she was playing with a full band accompanying her, for the first time in 12 years. That said, whether she's completely solo or has a band there's always something magical about seeing her live and this show was no exception.

First Aid Kit at the Royal Albert Hall

First Aid Kit

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Royal Albert Hall, 30 September 2026

I was incredibly lucky that I managed to get a ticket to the last night of two very special shows First Aid Kit played at the Royal Albert Hall backed by the sixty-five piece Gothernburg Symphony Orchestra. 

The Afghan Whigs at Shepherd's Bush Empire

The Afghan Whigs

Ed Harcourt

Shepherd's Bush Empire, 24 September 2026

It's been far too long since I last saw the Afghan Whigs live but with the release of a new album (Soft Control) and, like The Jayhawks, celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, I knew I had to see Greg Dulli and the boys on this tour, and I'm so glad I did because this was an absolute blast of a show.

The Jayhawks at the Electric Ballroom

The Jayhawks

Dave Fidler

Electric Ballroom, 16 September 2016

It's been over ten years since I last saw The Jayhawks live but this year they are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their debut album as well as releasing their twelfth record, Sanctuary Park, so I knew I had to go to this special show at the Electric Ballroom, probably the smallest venue I've seen the band since their Camden Dingwalls show in 2003!

Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band at Oslo

Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band

The Cindys

Oslo, 10 September 2016

They were over supporting Kurt Vile on his UK tour but luckily for me Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band managed to also squeeze in a headline show at Oslo tonight and they were on absolutely storming form.

Ratboys Downstairs At The Dome

Ratboys

Salarymen

Downstairs At The Dome, 5 September 2026 

I was back to see my favourite discoveries this year, the incredible Ratboys, at the downstairs venue in the Dome (singer Julia Steiner was very taken with the idea that there was an actual Dome at the top of the building!), which I had never been to before. It was just as joyful and energetic as before but this time they played one of my favourite songs of theirs, Burn It Down, so I really couldn't have asked for more!