Greg Freeman at The Moth Club

Greg Freeman

Wyatt

The Moth Club, 18 August 2026

A year on from catching the fantastic Greg Freeman live for the first time, I was back to see him at the first of two sold out shows at The Moth Club, where we got a preview of his forthcoming new album, All Set The Bone, and I'm happy to say he was better than ever, with a new expanded band and an even heavier sound! Plus he seemed more confident this time round. 

Phoebe Bridgers at the Union Chapel

Phoebe Bridgers

Union Chapel, 17 August 2026

I was absolutely shocked when I managed to get a ticket to one of Phoebe Bridgers' intimate outstore shows she is playing this week to celebrate the release of her new album, Lost Weekend, which came out last Friday. She is famously "phones-free" for her shows these days, so I didn't get any photos this time but above is the cool t-shirt I got at the show, which was without doubt a magical affair.

Esther Rose at The Grace

Esther Rose

H.B. Whitman

The Grace,  24 July 2026

After trying to see her for ages I finally got my chance to see Esther Rose live and even luckier for me, it was her first time in the UK with a full band. Plus it was in the super intimate and disco-ball filled The Grace, formerly Upstairs At The Garage. It really was worth the wait!

Tracey Nelson at the George Tavern

Tracey Nelson

Bloody Death

When

The George Tavern, 20 July 2026

I got to see the terrific Tracey Nelson playing his first London show at the legendary George Tavern last night, in support of his fantastic new album, Hercules, and it was his birthday too, making this is a really special night indeed! 

Kevin Morby at Troxy

>Kevin Morby

Liam Kazar

Troxy, 8 July 2026

I finally got to see Kevin Morby do a full band show and it was an absolute blast! Even in the sweltering heat he managed to put on a killer show at London's Troxy, showcasing his fantastic new album Little Wide Open and loads of old favourites too. 

Sierra Ferrell at The Forum

The Brudi Brothers

The Forum, 7 July 2026

When I saw Sierra Ferrell back in 2022 playing acoustically with just a two-piece band backing her, I knew she was something special and brimming with star quality but even that wonderful show didn't prepare me for just how fantastic this gig would be. It truly was two hours of pure magic, with Ferrell showing off her incredible stage presence and backed by a truly astonishing band. 

Julia Jacklin at Rough Trade East

Julia Jacklin

Rough Trade East, 30 June 2026 

It's been about four years since I last saw Julia Jacklin so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see her do a small instore appearance at the always super cool Rough Trade East, promoting her upcoming new album, The Gem. She surprisingly didn't play any new tunes but instead treated us to some old favourites and to be honest, just getting to hear that incredible voice of hers up close with just a guitar accompanying her really was something special.

Tift Merritt at the Lower Third

Tift Merritt

The Lower Third, 28 June 2026 

What a pleasure to see the marvelous Tift Merritt back in London doing an outstore for Rough Trade at the Lower Third (formerly the 12 Bar) on Denmark Street in support of her first album in nine years, the wonderful Sugar! It's so good to have her back releasing music after so long and I'm happy to report she is as good as ever. What a treat it was to hear her play all the new songs too. 

Snail Mail at the Electric Ballroom

Snail Mail

Unflirt

Electric Ballroom, 26 June 2026

I've been a fan since Snail Mail released their first album Lush back in 2018, so I braved the ungodly heatwave and at long last I finally got to see the ever-so-cool Lindsey Jordan and her band live at a truly storming show in the beautifully air-conditioned Electric Ballroom last night.

Willy Vlautin at Rough Trade East

Willy Vlautin in Conversation

Rough Trade East, 17 June 2026

It was England's first World Cup match tonight, but I was far more interested in the fact that my favourite author, the incomparable Willy Vlautin, was doing an instore appearance at Rough Trade East, talking to journalist Kate Hutchinson about his new book, the wonderful The Left & The Lucky, and what a delightful night it turned out to be.

Ben Kweller at Islington Assembly Hall

>>Ben Kweller

Modern Love Child

Islington Assembly Hall, 7 June 2026 

It felt like a big celebration last night welcoming Ben Kweller back to London after more than 10 years away. There were lots of classics that had everyone singing along but it was equally exciting and moving to hear songs from Kweller's recent album, Cover The Mirrors. On top of all that there were some fantastic surprise guests that made the night even more special.

Rilo Kiley at Shepherd's Bush Empire

Rilo Kiley

Matthew Caws

Shepherd's Bush Empire, 3 June 2026

I was back again to see the reunited Rilo Kiley for a second time, this time at the much smaller Shepherd's Bush Empire, and, unbelievably, night two of their London shows was even more incredible than the first. The whole band were just radiating joy and good feeling and the whole thing felt so much looser and even more special. I can't deny, I was absolutely floating at the end of this show!

Rilo Kiley at the Roundhouse

Rilo Kiley

Matthew Caws 

Roundhouse, 2 June 2026

It's been almost 20 years since I last saw Rilo Kiley live and what a joy it was to finally seen them reunited again at the Roundhouse in London. It was definitely worth braving the train strikes and the heavy rain. Jenny Lewis and her band were honestly like a ray of sunshine and brought back so many good memories as they played pretty much all my favourites from their back catalogue, and I'm happy to say, they are even better than ever.

Case Oats at The Waiting Room

Case Oats

Vegas Water Taxi 

The Waiting Room, 1 June 2026 

I have been longing to see Case Oats live since their debut album, Last Missouri Exit, came out last year and I fell in love with its folky, lo-fi charm. I finally got the chance last night at The Waiting Room, where they treated us to lots of tunes from that record and a bunch of new ones too, as well as a fantastic Neil Young cover, so I'm happy to say they lived up to all my expectations and much more.

Alela Diane at Rough Trade Denmark Street

Alela Diane

Rough Trade Denmark Street, 28 May 2026

Although this is my sixth time seeing the spell-binding Alela Diane, tonight at the small Rough Trade Denmark Street, it's definitely the most intimate show I've ever seen her play, with just 50 people in attendance, and even more exciting, it was completely acoustic, proving what an amazing talent she really is. 

Sugar at the Forum

Sugar

J. Robbins

The Forum, 24 May 2026

It's been more than 30 years since Sugar last played in London and then they split before I ever got the chance to see them live, so when they announced a short run of reunion shows, including two nights at the Kentish Town Forum, where they first played London back in 1992 (I went for the second night), I jumped at the chance to finally see them live and wow, it certainly didn't disappoint, as the trio, especially Bob Mould, have the energy of bands more than half their age.

Ratboys at The Garage

Ratboys

Sunday Mourners

Former Champ 

The Garage, 22 May 2026

Even though they've actually been around for over ten years, one of my greatest discoveries this year has been the fantastic Chicago band Ratboys with their latest album, Singin' To An Empty Chair, so I was super excited to finally catch them live at the always great Garage in London, and they certainly didn't let me down! It was everything I hoped it would be and more.

Emmylou Harris at the Royal Albert Hall

Emmylou Harris

Jim Lauderdale

Royal Albert Hall, 17 May 2026

It really was bittersweet to see the legendary Emmylou Harris play the Royal Albert Hall as part of her Farewell Tour, before she retires from touring outside of the States. Even though she turns 80 years old next year, she sounded as wonderful as ever tonight, treating us to songs from throughout her career, I just wish it wasn't the last time!

Friendship at The Dome

Friendship

Garden Centre

The Dome, 11 May 2026

What a thrill to see Friendship play their biggest ever show (aside from festivals, so they said), at the Dome last night, where they played lots from their excellent recent album, Caveman Wakes Up, some older tunes and a brand new one and even a cover of the Tom Waits classic Ol' 55. This was my first time seeing them but what a fantastic show it was!

Florry at The Moth Club

Florry

Starter Car

The Moth Club, 8 May 2026

I went to see the fantastic Florry for the first time at the always fun Moth Club, where they played lots of tunes from their brilliant album Sounds Like... (surely one of the best from last year) as well as lots of new songs too, with at least one making its live debut. It was beautifully loud, ragged and raw, with plenty of Neil Youngian guitar breaks, so naturally I loved it.