With post-summer blues setting in, here’s our guide to the top 10 gigs in October to reinvigorate you with a list of the best concerts happening this month!
Faustus
Faustus will tour the entire breadth of the country this October on a mammoth 16-date tour. The trio – consisting of melodeon player and singer Saul Rose, and Benji Kirkpatrick (Bellowhead) and Paul Sartin (Bellowhead) – released their sophomore album Broken Down Gentlemen last year to great acclaim, and are a strong force in the British folk scene, with an impetus on bringing freshness and vigour to the idiom.
Where & When: Across the UK, October 2-29 More info
While and Matthews
This October sees Chris While and Julie Matthews set off on their 20th anniversary tour to celebrate their illustrious career, which has seen them release ten albums and tour across the world.
Where & When: Across the UK, October 3-November 26 More info
Anoushka Shankar with Tanmoy Bose, Pirashanna Thevarajah, Sanjeev Shankar, & Kenji Ota
Following the wonderful news that Anoushka Shankar will be expecting her second born in the next few months, this is now her only remaining UK date this autumn, so be sure not to miss out! She is joined by a star-studded line-up including tabla maestro Tanmoy Bose, multi-percussionist Pirashanna Thevarajah, shehnai player Sanjeev Shankar, and sitar player Kenji Ota.
Where & When: Sam Wannamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe, London, October 4 More info.
Dobet Gnahoré
The Grammy-winning songstress from the Ivory Coast will grace our shores for seven dates this October. As part of the Na Dre Dance Tour she will be joined by a full band and a cast of contemporary African dancers. The Rich Mix event – October 10 – will also play host to a DJ set from African Night Fever.
Where & When: Across the UK, October 8-15 More info.
Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra
One of the busiest and hard-working Afrobeat ambassadors will take the stage for a concert at the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room as part of Songlines Presents this October. Dele was a co-founder of Postive Force with Femi Kuti, and was also one of the youngest players in Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80. He is renowned for his marathon-length shows that he delivers every few months at the New Empowering Church in Hackney, and expect the energy levels to be just as high in this intimate setting.
Where & When: Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall, October 11 More info
Musicport Festival
An all-star cast will once again descend upon Whitby for a weekend of fantastic music at the Whitby Pavilion. The winner of the 2013 Fatea award for Best Indoor Festival in has a stellar line-up stretched across the three days. Friday sees an upbeat showing with Yaaba Funk headlining and support from Idlewild and Leeds based power-klezmer group Tantz. Saturday’s bill is topped by Lo’Jo, while Sunday’s impressive cast – including performances from The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and O’Hooley and Tidow – is headed up by the wonderful duo of Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita (pictured).
Where & When: Whitby Pavilion, Whitby, October 17-19 More info
Balkan Beat Box & Dub Inc
New-York natives Balkan Beat Box take their exhilarating live show to London’s KOKO this October. Their combination of hip-hop, klezmer, reggae and Middle Eastern music is underpinned by a frenetic energy, propelled by their inimitable front man Tomer Yosef. They have support from the equally unrelenting Dub Inc.
Where & When: KOKO, London, October 22 More info
Mohammad-Reza Shajarian with the Shahnaz Ensemble
The incredibly talented Persian classical singer Mohammad-Reza Shajarian will play the Hammersmith Apollo at the end of October in what promises to be an incredible show. An esteemed performer in his own right, Shajarian has also collaborated with Kayhan Kalhor on the exquisite Night, Silence, Desert. He will also play Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on October 22.
Where & When: Edinburgh, October 22 More info & Hammersmith Apollo, London, October 26 More info
Hugh Masekela & Somi
It’s been 55 years since Masekela formed the Jazz Epistles, along with Abdullah Ibrahim, and he’s still going strong. As one of the foremost proponents of South Africa’s jazz heritage, it’s always a big occasion when Masekela comes to town. He’ll be supported by jazz vocalist Somi, who has recently collaborated with Ibrahim Maalouf.
Where & When: Barbican Centre, London, October 27 More info
LIFEM 2014
Following last year’s focus upon Finnish music, this autumn LIFEM (The London International Festival of Exploratory Music) turns its head to music from South America and Africa. Across the week there will be performances from Brazilian musicians Badi Assad & Gaio de Lima, Malian singer Ami Koita (read more about her in the new issue, #104 on sale Oct 10), and the acclaimed musicians Amira Kheir (Sudan) and Amadou Diagne (Senegal) [both pictured]. The final night of the festival will see the official launch of Carmen Souza’s live album Live at the Lagny Jazz Festival.
Where & When: King’s Place, London, October 29-November 1 More info
