Get your tickets quick people, the original QUEEN is crossing the Atlantic and hopefully coming to give us some true soul. Ol’ and New School. Our boy, Lemar is also supporting her on the trio of dates.

Check the dates, buy your tickets. I warned ya.

Tues 2nd November – o2 Arena, London

Weds 3rd November – LG Arena, Birmingham

Fri 5th November – MEN Arena, Manchester

Tosin

Thursday 2nd September was Bruno Mars debut solo show in the UK and it was a memorable one. The queue down at YoYo’s in Notting Hill grew heavy from 8pm. Often drawing a mixed crowd that enjoy all types of music, it was easy to spot the Bruno Mars fans dotted in the line, decked out in a mix of tan, light denim and fedora hats, alongside regular YoYo-ers. Continue Reading This Post

Kano is back! Bigger, louder and definitely more bass in his system. After venturing to the album launch down at Bush Hall which was the first date of his UK tour, I was excited to see what Kano would produce.

He came on promptly, decked out in shades and Boxfresh garments from head to toe at 9.30pm. Without saying a word, started with the bass blaring banger ”2 Left: Topic of Discussion” that literally had the floor shaking and was probably the most grime focused track  of the night.

I knew when he took off his jacket, Kano was only just warming up. He continued on showing his new versatility, giving us the radio friendly “Spaceship”, with an Iyaz sounding Torcahrah to sing the chorus. Then switching it up again and removing another layer, left in his t-shirt performed the released single “Upside” with Michelle Breeze. Michelle brought another dynamic to the show, leaving behind the hard hitting roughness, instead bringing forth a Bjork type quirkiness. She definitely worked the stage with her head flicks and other rock chick ways.  Tracks like “All and All Together” featuring Hot Chip proved Kano appreciated a more eclectic sound than previous albums. Reminiscent of steel pans and a carnival feel had everyone clapping intensely throughout.

As a fan of KA from the days of NASTY Crew, I felt at times I was just hearing Kano jump on the latest craze of sounds (Electronic, Dubstep, Pop) and producers (Fraser T Smith and Chase and Status) then creating a song to tick the boxes. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, but I appreciated most when Ghetts joined him and had everyone spitting EVERY word from ”Typical Me”, including me. I can’t lie, it is still a BIG track now. They then performed their 2010 collabo “Lady Killer”, not a favourite of mine, just from the title lol, but grew on me as Ghetts had his turn.

After a energetic hour or so, Kano genuinely thanked everyone and a few personal shout-outs to Donaeo and Bashy in the crowd, threw his (sweaty) towel in the mosh pit and performed his oldie ode to the city, “London Town”  It reminded me of why Grime at the time was so special, but seeing Kano live showed me how it has evolved. Overall, the show was live, DJ Choppa blasted each track to the max, (ears are still ringing) the vibes were hype and he gave us his everything. If you get a chance, check out Kano on his UK tour. You will ‘preciate the methods and surely love the MAADNESS.

Tosin [PinBoard Gigs & Live Events Critic]

(Photograph courtesy of Ben @ Run Music)

Stand back! The BFI and onedotzero have teamed up to present the world’s finest exponent of live audiovisual performance, the super-dextrous turntablist and AV master DJ Yoda, on the biggest screen in the UK. No stranger to breaking new ground and consistently raising the bar in DJ entertainment, DJ Yoda’s multifaceted AV live shows are renowned for being an audio visual spectacle. Stepping up to his BFI IMAX debut with more than a few new tricks up his sleeves, audiences can expect to experience DJ Yoda’s latest AV expressions in their enormity as he welds B’More, Dubstep, Drum n Bass and Reggae rhythms to film/TV scenes and a whole new selection of the finest that YouTube has to offer. All thrown about with a large dash of his trademark tongue in cheek style, bringing DJ Yoda’s artful armoury to the BFI IMAX is going to take AV to the next level. With more beats and basslines in the BFI IMAX bar, this promises to be a hot ticket.

Pioneering festival onedotzero_adventures in motion returns to the BFI for the third year presenting the most exciting international moving image work, from the offbeat to the radical, which push the boundaries of creativity, innovation and technological wonder. For seekers of innovation, inspiration and convergence across art, culture and entertainment.
For more information: www.onedotzero.com

Tickets £15. Tickets for this event can be booked by calling the BFI Southbank Box Office on 020 7928 3232 (11:00-20:30 daily).

With the summer officially over, it’s only natural we begin to think of hibernation – however, the September issue of Live in LDN should (hopefully) alter that mind state and get you excited about what’s coming up this month! Gigs, live music events, spoken word sessions – this city remains alive! Hit the jump to check out the best of the best on offer this September in Live in LDN Town…

Continue Reading This Post

Written by Tosin Adeniji

Cold and wet outside, inside Cafe Oto, the venue for Andreya Triana’s album launch party, was quite the opposite. Warmly greeted by free drinks, promo CD’s and cupcakes (they were sooo yummy) the room was filled with people chatting, laughing and filling the bar. All the while waiting for the main event…

Bonobo, producer of Triana’s debut offering, provided the interlude soundtrack by spinning some soulful jams, alongside some more obscure tunes – which got everyone feeling even better.

Just before 9pm, Andreya floated onto the stage and the crowd drew nearer. Beautifully layered strings of brightly coloured origami decorations, mixed between soft spot lights from each angle surrounded her and the band. It looked  warm & intimate and not like we were in the backstreets of Dalston at all. The interior designer in me appreciated the aesthetics and the music lover appreciated her set even more so.

Not familiar with all the songs, I quickly became acquainted with them. She performed her set with no backing singers, instead opting for her loop machine and adding echos, reverbs and other sound effects to her already stand out vocals. Musically, it was inspiring to see.

Before singing her first song, Andreya graciously thanked everyone in attendance, giving a special mention to her family and friends who filled the room proudly. It was clear this was a special moment for Andreya and I for one am grateful to have been there.

Opening with ‘Darker Than Blue’, she went on to perform ‘X’ & ‘Draw the Stars’, but for me the song of the night was the albums title track ‘Lost Where I Belong’. I loved the addition of the horn section here, it gave the song and the vibe a whole new dimension. Andreya’s husky falsetto towards the end of the track was breathtakingly beautiful.

Ending the evening with the ‘A Town called Obsolete’ which was jazzed up, double timed and given an errie echo towards the end that worked so well. It was clear a lot of time and effort was put into this night and it was important to all involved. I really enjoyed myself and left admiring Andreya’s presence and humility.

Great music, great vibe and great cupcakes!

Andreya Triana’s debut album Lost Where I Belong is out now – buy it via iTunes.

Erm, excited much?

According to allgigs, one half of the greatest Hip Hop group of all time will be heading to the UK for a mini-tour this November. Performing new material from his Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty and of course, digging into his OutKast discography, the one and only Big Boi will be rocking the HMV Forum in London on November 1st, The Ritz in Manchester on November 2nd & the Academy in Glasgow on November 3rd. Yep.

Get your tickets (£25) via seetickets now.

Thanks Zayns!