Yahoo Finance December gigs and DJ sets in London: Where to see live music in the capital
Live and direct: Ronnie Scott’s All Stars will take to the stage this month
(Ronnie Scott’s)Just as London’s live music scene was starting to get back up off its knees, the second lockdown arrived.
But now as we emerge again, and the city finds itself in Tier 2, real-life concerts are back on the cards. While a number of venues are still in imminent danger of closing for good, a number of the capital’s favourite gig spots are getting back to what they do best.
Here, we’ve rounded up the best places to get reacquainted with the joy of live music. There are a number of rules that will be followed across the board — social distancing, limited capacities and the like — but the specific guidelines may vary from venue to venue, so be sure to check ahead before you travel.
The Jazz Cafe
This Camden spot has been one of the most resilient venues in the capital, among the first to reopen after the first lockdown and now back again after the second. There’s a packed December schedule: leftfield rockers Black Midi (December 12, 15, 16), boundary-pushing saxophonist Binker Golding (December 13) and West End favourite Marisha Wallace (December 14), to pick a few.
Windmill Brixton
Another stalwart of the inter-lockdown era, this Brixton venue hosted 77 gigs in between the two closures. Not one to waste any time, it’s back up and running with a pretty lively programme of up-and-comers. Head down to catch the likes of Prima Queen (December 7), Famous (December 14), Genn (December 12) and more.
Brixton Courtyard
This new Covid-secure venue, set up by the people behind Brixton Jamm, was busy moving its December programme online. Now, as we move back into Tier 2, it’s come back into the physical realm, bringing its top-tier DJs with it. Highlights include funk and soul master Craig Charles (December 12) and Crazy P (December 19).
SW9, thebrixtoncourtyard.co.uk
The Post Bar
This Tottenham hangout does a great bit of food — a perfect chance to get one of those substantial meals everyone’s been talking about — and the music is a perfect accompaniment. Head down to see the likes of percussionist and producer Chiminyo, or ska-punk-dub-rap mash-up band The Vegetable Collective.
N15, thepostbar.co.uk
PowerHaus
Formerly known as Dingwalls, this veteran Camden venue is relaunching under new ownership and with a new name, PowerHaus. Its grand opening will be marked by a gig from Van Morrison on December 12, with actor-musician Niall McNamee dropping by December 17. A night dedicated to the music of local legend Amy Winehouse, featuring her original band, will take place on December 19.
NW1, powerhauscamden.com
Colours
The east London spot formerly known as Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen is back with a busy schedule: indie-pop outfits King No-One (December 10) and Tin Pigeons (December 17), the well-named London four-piece Fours (December 18), and more. Keep an eye out for their drag and disco events, too.
Ronnie Scott’s
The Soho institution was one of the first in London to reopen after the initial lockdown, and is swiftly back this time around as well. Expect the usual cast of jazz favourites over the next month, featuring the likes of Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, Natalie Williams and Ray Gelato, each of whom appear numerous times.
W1D, ronniescotts.co.uk
The Garage
Up in Islington, The Garage is putting on a handful of shows before the new year. Singer-songwriter Nathan Ball brings his dreamy atmospheres on December 3, French dance-pop band Yelle play on December 16, while The Wurzels (of Combine Harvester fame) come into town on December 13.
N5, thegarage.london
Costa Del Tottenham
The Cause nightclub in Tottenham Hale made the most of the good weather this summer with a new outdoor venue, Costa Del Tottenham, and now it’s moving the socially distanced party back inside. The venue’s in-house crew of DJs will provide the soundtrack, with special guest appearances including wAFF (December 5) and Eats Everything (also December 5).
SSE Arena, Wembley
It won’t quite be the arena experience we’re all used to, but 1,000 socially distanced fans will be able to attend this Culture Club show at Wembley on December 19. For those who don’t get a ticket, the whole thing will be live-streamed as well.
HA9, ssearena.co.uk
606 Club
Another hub of London’s jazz scene for a number of decades, this Chelsea club is hosting live music pretty much every day of the week until it closes for Christmas on December 23. Head along before then to hear music from Dan Reinstein (December 10), Tony Kofi playing Thelonious Monk (December 12), Wayne Hernandez (December 6) and more.
SW10, 606club.co.uk
EartH
It’s just the one gig this month at EartH in Hackney, but it’ll be a good one. Warmduscher — the supergroup made up members from Fat White Family, Paranoid London and beyond — will bring their genre-crossing noise to the venue on December 12.
N16, earthackney.co.uk
Kings Place
Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Getty ImagesUp in north London, Kings Place got around early lockdown rules by hosting a series of one-on-one gigs (you can read about our experience at one of the so-called Culture Clinics here). Bigger audiences will now be allowed back, of course, with highlights of the new schedule including Sam Lee (December 18) and Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Friends (December 11).
N1, kingsplace.co.uk
Islington Assembly Hall
One of the fullest programmes can be found over at Islington Assembly Hall, with an intriguing array of sounds on offer — from the rocking energy of The Loveless (December 19), to the soulful vocals of Jordan Mackampa (December 16). Many of the shows will be streamed for free to certain demographics. Find more info on that here.
