Best gigs and concerts in London this July

Welp, June was a heavy one. Whether you’re suffering from post-Glasto blues or a withdrawal from Swiftomania (don’t worry, she’s back again next month), you seem like you need a little hair of the dog. And by that we mean, a lovely dose of live music . July is actually buzzing with fun stuff to do, whether you fancy seeing the big boys of pop music at BST or launching yourself into the moshpit at Wireless. And on a smaller scale, you’ve got crooning indie starlets, soothing folk sounds and some seriously cool party grooves to immerse yourself in. So embody a little Tay Swizzle and ‘shake it off’. Damn, can’t believe I just said that.

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For a night of music for a good cause

Sudanese-Canadian artist Mustafa, formerly known as Mustafa the Poet, is hosting a second edition of Artists For Aid – a night dedicated to War Child UK's efforts in Gaza and Sudan. Featuring Bint Mbareh, Blood Orange, Clairo, Daniel Caesar, Earl Sweatshirt, King Krule, Nicolás Jaar, Ramy Youssef, Safia Elhillo and Yasiin Bey, alongside surprise guests, this is sure to be a moving event thats filled with special performances.

Troxy, E1 0HX. Thur Jul 4, 7pm. From £80. 

For effortlessly cool dance music

DH2: Kelly Lee Owens, George Daniel 

ICYMI, London-based record label Dirty Hit (you know, the guys behind The 1975 and Beabadoobee) have branched out into dance music. At the helm is ‘75 drummer and Charli xcx’s booth bitch–(and fiancé) George Daniel, who will be performing on the night of its launch alongside electronic music superwoman Kelly Lee Owens. Spaces are sure to be extremely limited, so snap ‘em up while you can. 

Phonox, SW9 7AY. Thur Jul 11, 7pm. From £15.

LoveChild x Daytimers x Fluid

This night at Fabric is going to be a big one. The two-room party comes headlined by the Daytimers crew, who have teamed up with Fluid to bring you the one-two punch of Manni Dee b2b Manuka Honey. Then in Room 2, you have Eris Drew and Bored Lord, alongside more of the LoveChild crew.

Fabric, EC1M 6HJ. Fri Jul 5, 11pm. From £22.

TraTraTrax

There are very few labels doing it like TraTraTrax. The Columbian collective will be descending on London for a mighty takeover of Pickle Factory. Labelowner Nyksan will be opening, setting the tone of deep Latin club sounds of all styles and textures. You’ve then got bass-heavy club music coming at you from DJ Darwin and Brazilian selector Doctor Jeep.  

The Pickle Factory, E2 9DU. Fri Jul 12, 11pm. From £14.16.

Michael Bibi

Want to be a part of the biggest electronic show ever to take place in the capital? Well legendary DJ, producer and Solid Grooves label founder Michael Bibi has announced a massive 45,000 cap show at Finsbury Park that’s sure to make history. ‘One Life’ is a particularly significant show for Bibi, who battled and triumphed over CNS Lymphoma, with this show being a celebration of life. So expect plenty of feel-good vibes and surprises along the way. 

Finsbury Park, N4 1EE. Sat Jul 6, noon. From £60. 

For the post-punk rockers

Dehd

Dehd may have been about for a while, but their fifth album has really brought them back into the conversation. An indie stalwart of sorts, the group is heading to Village Underground for an unforgettable performance, tying into the cinematic new release. Get a taste of the image-heavy ‘Poetry’, with tracks like ‘Dog Days’ where they sing, ‘Everyone I know is a broken heart’. 

Village Underground, EC2A 3PQ. Tue Jul 2, 7.30pm. From £19.54.

Heartworms

The project of south London’s Jojo Orme, Heartworms is a Speedy Wunderground signee that just keeps gaining momentum. Channelling a dark synthpop, gothic aesthetic into brooding post-punk, Orme barks literary-quality lyrics over fierce guitar riffs for a brilliantly intense live experience. 

MOTH Club, E9 6NU. Wed Jul 17, 7pm. From £15.87. 

Devon Ross

The newest signee to Thurston Moore’s Daydream Library Series, Devon Ross is an achingly cool it-girl making moody rock anthems. The 24-year-old is the daughter of Craig Ross, lead guitarist for Lenny Kravitz (who is also her godfather), and model Anna Bauer – how’s that for a rock ‘n’ roll upbringing? Her debut EP 'Oxford Gardens' is one hotly-anticipated release, with tracks like ‘I don’t wanna’ teasing something special. 

Rough Trade West, W11 1JA. Sat Jul 20, 5pm. From £20.50.

For pop crooning 

Cat Burns

Streatham-born singer-songwriter Cat Burns is heading to Rough Trade East for an intimate live performance to coincide with her debut album ‘Early Twenties’. She may seem like a newcomer to the industry, but since her song 'Go' went viral in 2020, she’s earned multiple Brit nominations and gone double platinum. This is probably the most up-close-and-personal you’ll be able to get before she really pops off.

Rough Trade East, E1 6QL. Sat Jul 13, 7pm. From £17.06.

Arlo Parks

Snap up one of the few remaining tickets to this special night of live music at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which is part of the Transgressive 20 series of events. Mercury Prize winner Arlo Parks will be playing summer-ready slow burners from ‘My Soft Machine’ and the dreamy 2021 debut ‘Collapsed in Sunbeams’, all in a suitably magical environment. Make sure to get there early as breakout artist Marika Hackman will be doing a special acoustic set of confessional indie tunes.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, NW1 4NU. Mon Jul 15, 6.30pm. From £35.

For the hardcore kids

Angel Du$t

Missed Angel Du$t at Outbreak? You’ve got another chance to catch them, this time at The Garage. Made up of members of Turnstile and Trapped Under Ice, Angel Du$t have affirmed themselves as a scrappy punk outfit blending elements of hardcore and indie to create a distinct, modern sound. Meanwhile, you’ve got Florida five-piece Gouge Away bringing Pixies-meets-Fugazi style post-hardcore sounds and the grunge-inflected Teenage Wrist to balance things out nicely. 

The Garage, N5 1RD. Sun Jul 14, 7pm. From £27.50. 

For international rap stars

Smino

Smino is a Missouri-born, Chicago-based MC whose seamless blending of neo-funk and hip-hop makes his music perfect for summer nights out, just like the Somerset House Series. Enjoy a long, hazy evening in an iconic spot, with an artist who masterfully produces melodic rap flows on earworm tracks like ‘90 Proof’. 

Somerset House, WC2R 1LA. Mon Jul 15, 7.30pm. From £36.25. 

Balming Tiger

Though they’re best described as a K-pop collective, Balming Tiger is far from the Stray Kids and NewJeans of the scene. Best recognised by their raspy vocals, bass-heavy beats and neat dance moves, the group broke out with hits such as ‘Sexy Nukim’ featuring BTS frontman and Balming Tiger fan RM, and rhythmic funk sing-along banger ‘Just Fun!’. 

Heaven, WC2N 6NG. Tue Jul 2, 7pm. From £25.85.

For American rap royalty 

Travis Scott

Rap juggernaut Travis Scott is set to take over Tottenham Hotspur’s ends for a fiery London instalment of the UTOPIA - Circus Maximus Tour. The critically acclaimed album was one of the biggest hip-hop releases of the last year, clinging onto the top spot of the Billboard charts for four weeks. It’s also garnered a jaw-dropping 50 billion streams globally. If you’re one of the fans who’s had it on repeat, you don’t want to miss what promises to be an out-of-this-world live show. 

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, N17 0BX. Thur Jul 11, 7pm. From £111.

Megan Thee Stallion

A second American rap powerhouse is coming to the capital. And it’s the founding mother of ‘Hot Girl Summer’ herself, Megan Thee Stallion. Wildly, this is the rapper’s first headlining concert tour, tying in with her third studio album, ‘Megan’ and her entire discography, all the way back to the 2019 mixtape ‘Fever’. The setlist promises all kinds of chart-toppers and deep cuts, with standouts including ‘Girls in the Hood’, ‘Captain Hook’ and, of course, ‘WAP’.

The O2, SE10 0DX. Wed Jul 17, 6.30pm. From £53.65.

For stadium-sized rocking

Garbage

Shirley Manson and co are set to play OVO Arena Wembley this July, armed with an arsenal of indie rock hits that go all the way back to the early 90s. In fact, Garbage has sold over 20 million albums since their debut back in 1995. Over the years, they’ve kept fans coming back for their unique sound, songwriting and electric live performances. It’s definitely one to rock out to. 

OVO Arena Wembley, HA9 0AA. Sat Jul 20, 6pm. From £42.

The National

This massive open-air show from The National is a biggie for old indie heads. Recognised as one of the most nuanced 21st-century iterations of ‘college rock’, the American band is like a modern Interpol-meets-Depeche Mode with moody lyricism that hits hard. You’ve also got support from the Unknown Mortal Orchestra,  Kevin Morby and This Is The Kit, making it a full day of (melancholic) rockin’ out. 

Crystal Palace Park, SE19 2GA. Fri Jul 5, 2pm. From £66.65.

Bruce Springsteen

The Boss is back. Ready to perform another marathon-length set of stadium-sized heartland rock anthems, Bruce Springsteen is taking on two nights at Wembley Stadium this July. The stats don’t lie, he’s sold 140 million records around the globe and more than 70 million in the United States. Hell, he even has club nights around the world in his glory. Really, you have to snap up the chance to see ‘Born in the USA’ live at least once in your life. 

Wembley Stadium, HA9 0WS. Thur Jul 25, Sat Jul 27, 6.30pm. From £98.35.

The Killers

Tying in with their ‘Rebel Diamonds’ compilation album, The Killers are playing six massive shows at the O2 this summer. While three of them are already sold out, you’ve got a handful left across the later dates, meaning you still have time to see classics like, ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’, ‘Human,’ and, arguably, one of the greatest songs of all time, ‘Mr Brightside’, live at full volume. 

The O2, SE10 0DX. Jul 4 -11, 6.30pm. From £55.10.

For transgressive indie  

Anohni and the Johnsons

This show at the Barbican is the first time in 15 years that Anohni has performed live with the Johnsons. Fresh off the back of the frankly stunning ‘My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross’, the American singer, songwriter and visual artist promises two nights of vintage-sounding soul and a smattering of experimental indie for which she is known.   

Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS. Mon Jul 1 and Tue Jul 2, 7pm. From £40.

Corinne Bailey Rae

Last year, Corinne Bailey Rae came out of nowhere with one of the most left-field albums of the year. Proving herself as an artist of many talents, her fourth album ‘Black Rainbows’ effortlessly dodged through genres like electronics, jazz, Afrofutirusm, hell there was even an outrageous rock tune on it. This night at Somerset House, where she plays it in full, is sure to keep you on your toes. 

Somerset House, WC2R 1LA. Sun Jul 14, 7.30pm. From £41.25.

Arooj Aftab

Grammy Award-winning artist Arooj Aftab will be playing a dazzlingly intimate set at Omeara in south London this July. Known for incorporating elements of jazz fusion, electronica neo-Sufi and minimalism into her indie sound, the Pakistani-American artist transcends musical boundaries that are best heard live in a space like this. Have a listen to her newest release ‘Night Reign’ before booking your spot.

Omeara, SE1 1TE. Tue Jul 9, 7pm. From £28.25.

For soothing folk ballads

Waxahatchee

If it’s lush folk ballads you’re after, Katie Crutchfield, aka Waxahatchee, is your girl. The American alternative country musician has earned widespread critical acclaim for her warm vocal delivery, relatable songwriting and carefully sculpted melodies. Offering more pop production in the song ‘365’ (no, not that one), she enlisted multi-instrumentalist MJ Lenderman to help deliver a deliciously homely track that makes you want to don a pair of cowboy boots and go rambling through the meadows. 

O2 Forum Kentish Town, NW5 1JY. Thur Jul 25, 7pm. From £32.64.

For shameless pop bops

Girls Aloud

Who else can produce hits like these girls? They are the disciples of hun culture. And this is your chance to see ‘Sound of the Underground’ and ‘Something Kinda Ooh’ and plenty more 00s throwbacks from the legends themselves. Taking over the O2 Shepherd’s Bush, Cheryl, Nadine, Kim and Nicola promise plenty of fun pop nostalgia blended in with heartfelt tributes to the late Sarah Harding. 

O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, W12 8TT. Tue Jul 2, 7pm. Free tickets via a ballot via the O2 Priority. 

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