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[title]It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking November is an unexciting month wedged between Halloween and Christmas. But you’d be wrong. I’ve been researching my ass off to curate a gig listing so good that you’ll forget all about the long, dark, cold, lonely winter nights.
November is actually looking decent, if you ask me. This month, London is welcoming pop-punk royalty, rowdy rap stars, psychedelic rockers and crooning indie softbois. It’s enough to make you switch off Big Brother for a second and take on the outside world. After all, what’s a better early Christmas gift to yourself than an MJ Lenderman tee? Check out what’s on below and thank me for making November exciting again later.
Georgia curates Time Out’s music lists and makes it a priority to go to as many shows as physically possible. Because of this, she’s finally splashed out on some decent earplugs and accepted that she can no longer get in the pit like she used to.
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For the skater boys
The Story So Far
American pop-punk band The Story So Far returned from a six-year break with the new album I Want To Disappear this year, with a slightly more sophisticated hardcore punk sound. The four-piece are legends in the eyes of grown-up Etnies-owning skatepark kiddos, but as the group entered their 30s, they drifted into more mature songwriting and complex instrumentals, while still keeping the old-school energy that initially drew fans in. Have a listen to Big Blind for a taste.
Roundhouse, NW1 8EH. Sat Nov 2, 7pm. From £32.50.
Upchuck
One of the most exciting bands on the hardcore scene right now, Upchuck is an Atlanta five-piece that initially bonded over being delinquent teenage skaters. And you know what, their music reflects that. Raucous in nature, the band’s music channels punk, garage rock, doom and hip-hop influences. They’re the kind of band you’ll catch at The Dome this month and on the mainstage of Outbreak next year.
Downstairs at the Dome, N19 5QQ. Sat Nov 16, 7pm. From £16.90.
For naughty hip-hop starlets
Ice Spice
Ice Spice skyrocketed to fame with her widely-acclaimed 2023 EP Like..?, which was jammed full of hits such as the bratty earworm Deli and In Ha Mood. Now, Munches across the capital get the chance to see their hip-hop queen at HERE at Outernet, fresh off the back of her debut album Y2K!. If her online persona is anything to go by, you can expect a sexy, braggadocious performance packed with TikTok-ready hits.
HERE at Outernet, WC2H 0LA. Mon Nov 4, 7pm. From £55.20.
LSDXOXO
You can kind of guess the music LSDXOXO makes based on the song's names. Sick Bitch and Voodoo Pussy are just a couple of personal favourites. For fans of Shygirl, SOPHIE and Kelela (who they did a brilliant remix for), they’re a Berlin-based clubrat making seriously sexy beats with in-your-face lyrics. If you’re looking for a sweaty night on the dancefloor, this is where you should be.
Hoxton Hall, N1 6SH. Wed Nov 6, 7.30pm. From £23.10.
For the easy-breezy indie kids
Glass Animals
In 2020, Glass Animals broke records with the hit single Heartwaves, which became the biggest international hit from a British band in almost 30 years, becoming the first song by a British band since 1995 (matching Spice Girls’ Wannabe) to be number 1 for five consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. How do you follow that up? Well, frontman Dave Bayley had an existential crisis, which he channelled into writing the follow-up album I Love You So F***ing Much. Inspired by the pressures of newfound global stardom in the middle of lockdown, it asks questions about human connections, love and the wider universe. See it all come to life at this massive, almost sold-out, show at The O2.
The O2 arena, SE10 0DX. Thur Nov 7, 6.30pm. From £55.10.
Los Bitchos
With band members from Australia, Uruguay, Sweden and the UK, Los Bitchos really channel an international flair into their cumbia-style instrumental guitar music. Their songs take you back to the 70s and 80s, and so does their on-stage aesthetic, for that matter. In previous years, the group has supported Pavement, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Franz Ferdinand – so if you’re a fan of any of them, you’ll probably like these gals.
O2 Forum Kentish Town, NW5 1JY. Thur Nov 7, 7pm. From £22.40.
Khruangbin
Translated to To the Room, Khruangbin’s fourth album A LA SALA is a stripped-back, cosy-sounding record that eschews the band's usual globe-trotting sound. Returning to their earlier sound, where they were touring around Houston as a kind of jam band, they’re still channelling 70s funk and psychedelic rock but with fewer spacey riffs, synthesisers and vocals. This is music to just chill out to, and in a world where sometimes everything feels a little full-on, it’s a perfect remedy to any stresses.
Eventim Apollo, W6 9QH. Wed Nov 20-Fri Nov 22, 7pm. From £41.88.
Beabadoobee
She’s a prodigy of the 1975’s Matty Healy, making indie bedroom pop that encapsulates the anxiousness of being a young woman. And this November Beabadoobee is playing one of her biggest shows yet at Alexandra Palace. A far cry from her early days of recording guitar-only musings and posting them on YouTube (the Coffee heads will remember). This is sure to be a fantastic homecoming for the native Londoner whose latest album This Is How Tomorrow Moves, marked a shift towards more subdued observations on early adulthood.
Alexandra Palace, N22 7AY. Thur Nov 21, 6pm. From £46.50.
For the indie sleaze ravers
Snow Strippers
Alongside doing a headline show for London’s Pitchfork Festival, Snow Strippers will also be doing their own gig this November, at Heaven. As if we couldn't get enough of them. The duo of Tatiana Schwaninger and Graham Perez make fuzzy club-infused pop music with nonchalant lyricism and infectious beats. They’re a Gen Z favourite for their early internet-inspired indie sleaze aesthetic, so try to dress as unfashionable as possible for this.
Heaven, WC2N 6NG. Fri Nov 29, 6.30pm. From £25.74.
Charli xcx
She’s arguably the biggest pop star on the planet. And if you’re not ready to say goodbye to Brat summer, or you’ve been watching every second of the Sweat tour on socials (you’re not alone) then you absolutely cannot miss seeing Charli back in her hometown. Grab your wrap-around sunnies, a cunty pair of knee-high boots and the shortest skirt you own before unleashing your inner Mean Girl in a crowd of 20,000 other partygoers. It’s sure to be messy and magical.
The O2, SE10 0DX. Thur Nov 28, 6.30pm. From £52.80.
For the ageing indie dads
Interpol
To some, Interpol may look like some slightly sad middle-aged blokes making gothic music. But these guys are one of the most influential bands of their generation. And the blueprint of atmospheric indie is their 2004 album Antics, which they’ll be playing in full at this show. Immerse yourself in all things gloomy, which feels right for this time of year, with Paul Banks’ signature baritone vocals wrapping around you like a cold fog.
Alexandra Palace, N22 7AY. Fri Nov 8, 6.30pm. From £52.89.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Some musicians never seem to stop making music, and Nick Cave is absolutely one of them. The Australian rock legend is set to play two nights at the O2 this November in line with the release of his 18th (yeah, you read that right) studio album Wild God. Cave himself said that he wants to do something epic with these songs live, so die-hard fans are sure to enjoy the immense scale of his sound as it bellows throughout the arena.
The O2, SE10 0DX. Fri Nov 8 and Sat Nov 9, 6.30pm. From £55.10.
They Might Be Giants
This long-awaited rescheduled show is happening at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, giving eager TMBG fans the chance to see the band’s super popular ‘evening with’ performance – finally. This includes an ever-evolving live show, with one continuous promise of the band’s breakout album Flood performed in its entirety. You’ll also hear a career-spanning set, from early favourites to brand-new tunes, alongside improvised moments that have given their shows a cult reputation. Oh, and there’s no support so get there on time.
O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, W12 8TT. Sun Nov 3, 7pm. From £38.50.
For the glam club girlies
Nia Archives
Nia Archives is a producer, DJ, singer and songwriter who's redefining jungle music and bringing it to a new, young audience that connects to her sugary yet powerful sound. This is exemplified in her debut album Silence Is Loud, which is a cathartic trip through classic junglist breakbeats, melodic Britpop riffs and honest lyricism. This is the kind of thing teenage girls yearn for – the chance to stamp their feet on the floor, sing at the top of their lungs and skank out their anxieties. Go on, join ‘em.
O2 Academy Brixton, SW9 9SL. Fri Nov 8, 7pm. From £32.25.
Yuné Pinku
Yuné Pinku is an Irish musician blending garage with sickly sweet pop hooks and industrial ambient styles to create a sound that’s uniquely hers. Her newest EP Scarlet Lamb leans into a more gothic vibe, with a sprinkle of eerie techno and trip-pop across the six-song collection. The songwriter cited the likes of Dracula and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein as key influences on the collection, so you can expect things to get dark at this ICA show.
ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts), SW1Y 5AH. Fri Nov 29, 7.30pm. From £17.98.
Joy Orbison
It feels like flight fm really took over our clubs this summer, so if you fancy hearing it IRL by the guy behind it, now’s your chance. Joy Orbison is one of London’s most respected producers, having collaborated with the likes of Mansur Brown and Overmono, and creating a bunch of genre-defining releases such as 2021’s epic still slipping volume 1. Lose yourself in a sweaty underground club space, soundtracked by basslines so heavy the subwoofers start to wobble.
EartH Hall, N16 8BH. Sat Nov 30, 10pm. From £28.59.
Empress Of
Lorely Rodriguez (AKA Empress Of) has always made music that effortlessly crosses genre and style. In past years, she’s toured with Carly Rae Jepsen, Blood Orange, Maggie Rogers and Mura Masa, channelling the likes of Cocteau Twins, Bjork and Robyn into her unique brand of emotional pop music. Catch her as part of Pitchfork Festival London this November, with support from rising indie pop stars Fcukers.
Fabric, EC1M 6HJ. Thu Nov 7, 7pm. From £24.93.
False Idols: Mel C and Jessie Ware
Sometimes you simply have to embrace the nostalgia. This November, False Idols are heading back to Drumsheds, with ex-Spice Girl and pop legend Mel C taking to the decks, alongside live performances from Jessie Ware and Romy. There’s also support from The Blessed Madonna b2b HAAi and Shanti Celeste, to name a few. It’s a surefire cure to any winter blues.
Drumsheds, N18 3HF. Sat Nov 30, from 1.30pm. From £27.50.
For the cool composer types
Ezra Collective
They’ve played Glasto, they’ve won a Mercury Prize and, most importantly, been on the cover of our mag. Now the jubilant five-piece Ezra Collective are taking on Wembley Arena. The group’s latest album Where I’m Meant To Be celebrates life’s brilliant complexities through a winding hybrid sound, tying together jazz, pop and hip-hop to explore themes of resilience and resistance. Their shows always have a community feel, with band members hopping off stage and into the audience, and a relentless commitment to getting everyone to dance. So prepare to get a wiggle on.
OVO Arena Wembley, HA9 0AA. Fri Nov 15, 6.30pm. From £42.
ML Buch
ML Buch is a musician, composer and producer from Denmark. She’s renowned for drifting through off-kilter electronic pop and alt-rock, as demonstrated in her acclaimed debut album Skinned. Her perfectly polished sound comes matched with smooth vocals that soar over visceral lyrics, such as Can You Hear My Heart Leave’s, ‘Now I'm gonna let you go / It's a silent tide so soft and slow’. The intimate setting of Hackney Church for this show couldn’t be more fitting.
Union Chapel, N1 2UN. Sat Nov 30, 7pm. From £22.50.
Arooj Aftab
Joining Pitchfork Music Festival London 2024, songwriter and composer Arooj Aftab is set to play a dreamy live show at Roundhouse, fresh off her latest album Night Reign. The carefully crafted record marks a shift away from the grief of her Grammy Award-winning album Vulture Prince and showcases a lighter sound for the artists, one that explores life-altering romance through a bolder folk-jazz style. She’s joined at this show by Keeley Forsyth, Yasmin Williams, Rachael Lavelle, Sheherazaad and Zsela.
Roundhouse, NW1 8EH. Thur Nov 7, 6pm. From £33.50.
For the rap heads
CASISDEAD
Another Pitchfork Music Festival London 2024 event, CASISDEAD will be taking over Troxy with a curated line-up (from the artist himself) featuring post-rock artist Florence Sinclair, dark electronic starlet System Olympia and the big man himself. Last year, CAS won the Brit Award for Best British Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act, for the Johnny Jewel-produced Famous Last Words, a record characterised by a dark synthpop sound and CAS’s grizzly vocals.
Troxy, E1 0HX. Sat Nov 9, 7pm. From £32.38.
Tierra Whack
Tierra Whack first broke out in May 2018 with the brilliant, and insanely short 15-minute mixtape Whack World. She released her first full-length album World Wide Whack earlier this year, which built on the rapper's signature playful tone of voice while exploring her struggles with the pressure of fame. This is exemplified by tracks such as 27 Club, where raps, ‘It ain't really hard to convince you / Looking for something to commit to? / Suicide’. Hear this and classic earlier one-minute tracks as she takes over Roundhouse for Pitchfork.
Roundhouse, NW1 8EH. Sun Nov 10, 6pm. From £36.83.
Berwyn
London rapper Berwyn took just two weeks to write and record his 2020 mixtape DEMOTAPE/VEGA. This is rather impressive considering it takes me at least four to do all of these silly little listings. Inspired by his experiences of living on the fringes of the capital, a theme that is explored even deeper in the album Who Am I, which came out later this year to widespread critical acclaim. In fact, The Guardian even said the five-star album, ‘should be on the national curriculum’ for its astute observations on being an immigrant in the UK.
EartH Hall, N16 8BH. Wed Nov 27, 7.30pm. From £24.26.
For the plastic punks
Amyl and the Sniffers
Watch the NSFW Amyl and the Sniffers video yet? It’s pretty spicy. But then again, what would you expect from a group that’s made a living off songs like Freaks To The Front and GFY which violently cuss out their listeners? Catch frontwoman Amy Taylor and co as they take over the Roundhouse in celebration of their new album Cartoon Darkness, a collection that continues to drive the group’s raucous punk sound with just a hint of more melodic sensibility.
Roundhouse, NW1 8EH. Wed Nov 13-Fri Nov 15, 7pm. From £40.56.
Idles
When Idles first broke into the Bristol scene in 2017, they were unlike any other bands on the local circuit. Oozing an old-school sensibility that hadn’t been seen for a long while, the group set a standard for writing heavily political yet poetic lyrics, which you’ll hear all across their debut album Brutalism. Nowadays, the group has a slicker sound, aided by LA producer Kenny Beats, yet continues to write about the things that piss them off.
Alexandra Palace Great Hall, N22 7AY. Fri Nov 29, 6.30pm. From £44.45.
For gloomy indie boys
MJ Lenderman
He’s the new voice in folk, actually, I’d argue he’s one of the hottest names coming out of America right now. Born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, MJ has crafted a signature sound of warped steel pedals and scuzzy guitars that rumble under lonesome warbly vocals. At his most confident, he cries out tales of midlife crises and heartbreak on She’s Leaving You, while songs like Joker Lips draw on sombre emotions with lines like, ‘Please don’t laugh, only half of what I said was a joke.’
The Garage, N5 1RD. Mon Nov 18 and Tue Nov 19, 7pm. From £20.20.
Fontaines DC
Fontaines DC are back in London for two nights at Ally Pally. Part of their Romance tour, this show promises gritty soundscapes and intense lyricism that transcends their post-punk vibe of previous years. Lead single Starbuster draws on Deftones influences with rapping and Korn-like riffs; a much larger sound demonstrates how ready they are to sell out Finsbury Park next summer.
Alexandra Palace, N22 7AY. Fri Nov 22 and Sat Nov 23, 6.30pm. From £52.69.
For the alt-pop drifters
Magdelena Bay
Magdalena Bay are an American alternative pop duo, hailing from Miami, Florida. The duo of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin write and produce dreamy pop bangers, as best displayed on their second album Imaginal Disk. Released earlier this year, the LP explores themes of extraterrestrial love through warped synths and glittering high-pitched vocals. There’s no better place to see it come to life than via Outernet’s massive screens.
HERE at Outernet, WC2H 8LH. Mon Nov 18, 7pm. From £29.53.
Sarah Kinsley
New York-based singer-songwriter Sarah Kinsley is making waves in America's underground pop scene. She’s supported Mitski and Weyes Blood in recent months, giving audiences glimpses of her ethereal leftfield pop in magical live settings. This show at Heaven is sure to be intimate and memorable for that very reason. She’s definitely one to keep an eye on for 2025.
Heaven, WC2N 6NG. Thur Nov 14, 7pm. From £21.25.