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.

Minor Alps at The Islington

Minor Alps 
The Islington, 27 April 2014 

I went to see Minor Alps, Juliana Hatfield and Matthew Caws' new band, again tonight. Not only was the show completely free but the venue, The Islington, was even smaller and nicer too (and in a much safer neighbourhood thank god). The set list was pretty much the same as Juliana herself had warned but as she promised they were indeed wearing different (very stylish) outfits.

Minor Alps at The Shacklewell Arms

Minor Alps
LiliPut
The Shacklewell Arms, 25 April 2014

It's funny but to me Juliana Hatfield is almost mythological. For so many years she's been so huge and such an important part of my life, particularly during my teenage years, yet the world at large has rarely reflected how great she is in my mind. To me she is an iconic giant like Joni Mitchell or a pop superstar like Beyonce, yet to the mainstream she's generally unknown or considered an alternative pop leftover from the 90s. Add to that how infrequently she graces these shores and how she barely seems to age even though she's now into her late 40s, and you can see how she might seem unreal to me: some indie goddess singing just for me. That's why seeing her in the flesh (the last time for me was back in 2008), is always a surreal experience especially when it's such a tiny, tiny venue as it is tonight. How can someone as big to me as Juliana be playing the back room to some small pub on a tiny stage and close enough for me to reach out and touch her?