Big Thief at Brixton Academy

Big Thief

Dylan Meek

Brixton Academy, 23 April 2026 

I braved the tube strike (and almost got stranded in Brixton!) to see Big Thief last night, my first time seeing the band in almost ten years.  It was incredible to see just how popular they've become since then (this was the first night of four sold out shows), with so many young people in attendance seeing them for the first time (for one chap behind me, it was actually his first ever gig!). But it was evident to see just why they are now so big and beloved, as they played songs from throughout their career and even a bunch of new tunes. Definitely a memorable first gig for that young chap!

Japanese Breakfast at Brixton Academy

Japanese Breakfast

Minhwi Lee

Brixton Academy, 3 July 2025

I've been intrigued to see Japanese Breakfast for a long time, partly due to a recommendation by a friend years ago and partly because I loved frontwoman Michelle Zauner's brilliant memoir Crying In H Mart. I must admit I was slightly reluctant though when they announced this date because it was at the far from intimate Brixton Academy for one thing and also because I had a feeling the demographic for Japanese Breakfast would be far younger and more obsessive than me (a la Mitski or Phoebe Bridgers, the latter of which I was lucky enough to catch before she became a teen girl dream). But knowing I had no gigs lined up for a while, I said, what the hell, and took the plunge, and bought a last minute ticket.

At The Drive-In at Brixton Academy

At The Drive-In
Death From Above
Le Butcherettes
Brixton Academy, 9 March 2018

The last time I saw At The Drive-In it was six years ago on their reunion tour back in 2012. I can't believe it was that long ago, in fact when this show, once again at Brixton Academy, was announced I initially decided not to go because it felt like it hadn't been that long since I saw them. But fate intervened when two for one tickets popped up close to the date and it felt like I was meant to give the boys another visit.

Lana Del Rey at Brixton Academy

Lana Del Rey
Dermot Kennedy
Brixton Academy, 24 July 2017

Before this concert Lana Del Rey didn't feel real to me. It's not a question of authenticity (plenty of great artists have changed their names and created stage personas) it's just that she's always seemed something dreamed up by David Lynch: a mysterious singer of torch songs with old Hollywood movie star looks and a string of doomed romances to sadly croon about. This show, announced just the week before to promote her new album Lust For Life, proved that she is indeed the real deal in every way.

Janelle Monáe at Brixton Academy

Janelle Monáe
Cody ChestnuTT
Brixton Academy, 9 May 2014

It's bizarre to think that, in a world of subpar pop divas, Janelle Monáe isn't a huge superstar by now. She has three excellent records to her name, filled with brilliant, clever and catchy-as-hell songs that you'd imagine would all be big hits but for some crazy reason she hasn't had that all important crossover moment. That's why Monáe is playing Brixton Academy tonight instead of Wembley Arena, even though she deserves to be, but all the better for us in attendance because this was one amazing show made all that more exciting because it was in a smaller venue.

Gig memories: Foo Fighters at Brixton Academy in 1995

 
Foo Fighters
Built To Spill
Brixton Academy, 15 November 1995

Sadly Neil Young has cancelled on me again. The first time was back in 2003 when I was supposed to see him at Brixton Academy and arrived at the venue excited only to find a notice saying that due to illness the show was kaput. This time, again it couldn't be helped, but Poncho from Crazy Horse has hurt his hand and the the final dates of their tour all had to be cancelled. This means that instead of rocking out to a sprawling Shakey solo tonight at the O2 Arena I'm instead here writing this post. So rather than reporting back on the Neil show I may as well reminisce about a happy gig memory.

At The Drive-In at Brixton Academy

At The Drive-In
Brixton Academy, 28 August 2012

"We consider this the last show of the Relationship Of Command tour,” guitarist Jim Ward, who has been silent for much of the show, tells us near the end. “It’s taken us 12 years to get here, but I love these guys more than life itself."

Pavement at Brixton Academy

Pavement
Brixton Academy, 11 May 2010

Every year there seems to be another big reunion making the indie world abandon their cool to squeal in excitement and this year there's been two, Soundgarden and Pavement. While the Seattle grunge rockers comeback is still in its early stages (they've only played one show so far), the far hipper Pavement have already played shows down under, in Japan and in the States. These are their first London shows though in a decade and they haven't been stingy with them either, playing a week-long residency at Brixton Academy.

The Pixies at Brixton Academy

 
The Pixies
Art Brut
Brixton Academy, 8 October 2009

I'm just a couple of years too young to have caught the Pixies live the first time around but I did manage to see them on their first reunion tour a few years back. Although they seemed to be on good form, played pretty much all my faves and seemed to be getting on well unfortunately it was at Alexandra Palace aka the worst venue in London.

Faith No More at Brixton Academy

 
Faith No More
Brixton Academy, 10 June 2009

Back when I was 15 my favourite band in the world was Faith No More. I had The Real Thing on cassette and, in my room covered with FNM posters, I played that thing to death. Even when I decided I wanted to play bass, I saved up and bought one that looked like Billy Gould's. The first time I saw them live was actually supporting Guns N' Roses at Wembley Stadium, which was a weird show to say the least (Soundgarden were also on the bill and Brian May was Axl's surprise guest) but it was only a few months later that I finally got to see them headlining their own gig, at the infamous Brixton Academy where they recorded their sole live album and accompanying video (which I, of course, had watched a hundred times). L7 supported and it was awesome. Sadly I got into trouble with my parents, who didn't know I was sneaking out to Brixton for a gig with my friends, when I got home. My trouble-making older brother had gleefully told on me while I was out.