Gigs we’re Hungry for this March
Rebecca Black @ Phonox
It’s Friday, Friday! Actually, it’s a Tuesday, but come Wednesday the 19th of this month, you’ll be thinking about Friday an awful lot… This is a hugely roundabout way of saying that Rebecca Black, the lassie behind that viral song “Friday”, is doing a DJ set at Phonox. You’d be mad not to go because ever since Black linked up with Boiler Room (yes, really) she’s been certified as “cool”. Tickets here. Apologies in advance for making you go to Phonox.
Rose Gray @ Colour Factory
00s Madonna mixed with Confidence Man, all wrapped up in production by the likes of Alex Metric and Sega Bodega. That’s right, Rose Gray (Harris Dickinson’s other half) is playing at Hackney Wick’s Colour Factory on the 20th of this month. This one isn’t a hard sell — not only is Gray sure to pop-off rather soon, but look at that album artwork. Boom. Done. Tickets bought.
The Dare @ New Century
One for you Northerners — The Dare is playing Manchester’s New Century on the 19th. Again, not difficult to shill. He’s the hitmaker behind “Girls”, he’s the genius behind Charli XCX’s “Guess”, and he’s kind of single-handedly heralding an indie sleaze renaissance. He also might just be the most English-looking American I’ve ever laid eyes on. Tickets here.
Shaun Ryder @ Waterside
Alright it’s not a gig. It’s Shaun Ryder (of the Happy Mondays) prattling on about his latest book, Shaun Ryder: Happy Mondays…and Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays (no notes for that title) on the 16th, in Manchester. Nah, but really — is there anything better than hearing someone who took far too many disco biscuits talk about the glory days of the UK music scene? Answer: there’s not. No fucking way. Grab a ticket here. It’s also in a shopping centre, so you can go to WHSmith afterwards? Something like that.
FKA Twigs @ The Warehouse
This is turning out to be a bit of a Manchester special isn’t it? If you head to that neck of the woods on the 18th, you’ll catch the ethereal lady behind “Cellophane” perform her brand new album, EUSEXUA. Expect dancing, dancing of the pole variety and the kind of scenes that would be more at home in a dingy Berlin nightclub than Manny. It is sold out, but this one’s so good it would be worth putting up a beggy Instagram story asking for tickets. “Anyone got a link?” Of course they fucking haven’t. Who do you think you are?
KiLLOWEN @ Exchange
This one’s in… Bristol! How exciting! If you’ve never been to Bristol, lemme sum it up with some choice words — Bristol consists of former ravers who insist on rattling on about the good ol’ days (bit like Shaun Ryder), people into crafts made of things they’ve foraged in the local area, gentrifiers who’ve moved up from London, and a decent portion of Extinction Rebellion. And, sometimes, it’s also home to gigs from KiLLOWEN, who just appeared on the cover of HUNGER, and who’s a bit like a Gen Z Mike Skinner. This one is sold out again (sorry) but if you keep an eye on the rapper’s Instagram he often offers up a few guestlist spots last min.
