Gig Guide 2010

Gig Guide 2010

21 December, 2009
by: Jameslspoonfed

Spoonfed recommends the must see live music events for 2010

When the post New Year's Eve dust has settled, the grinding hangovers subsided and the grim realisation dawned that yet another year (and indeed decade) has passed, you might actually want something to do in 2010. Naturally, you're in safe hands, as here at Spoonfed we have harnessed our Zen-like qualities to compile this helpful run-down of the unmissable London gigs over the course of next year...


Lady Gaga @ O2 Arena – 26/27 February

Whilst 2009 saw Lady Gaga take over from Madonna's long stint as the manliest female solo singer around, she's happily also taken over as the most outrageous and innovative. With more costume changes than a Christmas panto and more hits than a Tiger Woods domestic, this is set to be the best pop show of the year.

Vampire Weekend @ O2 Academy, Brixton – 16/17 February

If hype were an alcoholic beverage, it'd probably be absinthe: strong, compulsive, but also typically bound to leave a bad taste in your mouth. Luckily, we love a nice round of absinthe and keep going back for more, meaning that Vampire Weekend remain high up on our hit list – not least as new record 'Contra' is set to drop in January.

The Cranberries @ Royal Albert Hall – 31 March

Now better known in juiced form as a breakfast drink for the suburban upper-middle classes, Cranberries used to be synonymous with Irish indie-rock which was alternately lush and visceral, but always relevant and frequently brilliant. Back in those halcyon days the band had four UK top-10 records, and this one-off gig sees them finally come to their senses and reunite after seven years of virtual anonymity.

Slayer @ HMV Forum – 8/9 March

Slayer's trademark sound thrashes harder than a toddler in a swimming pool, and has more solos than a night of speed dating. Ignore the fact that they look a little bit like extras from the Lord of the Rings films, the thrash-metal pioneers are fearsomely accomplished – any metal fan worth their salt owes it to themselves to attend.

Wild Beasts @ Koko, Camden – 22 March

Knowing, intelligent and deliciously dirty, these genre-bending dukes from the middle of nowhere (er, Cumbria) exude an archness befitting their superb second record, 'Two Dancers'. Who else could get away with a lyric as unashamedly ridiculous as "This is a booty call, my boot in your arsehole" and still manage to sound detached and unquestionably cool?

Killing Joke @ HMV Hammersmith Apollo – 16 April

There are probably innumerable witty puns which could be concocted from a name like Killing Joke. Unfortunately I can't think of any, so instead consider this: only a band with some serious cross-genre appeal and envelope-pushing ingenuity could have fans as diverse as Nirvana, LCD Soundsystem, and Napalm Death, whilst in theory themselves being a post-punk group.

Kiss @ Wembley Arena – 12/13 May

Only a venue with Wembley Arena's inflated sense of grandeur could handle these masters of pomp-rock bombast. This isn't a criticism of Kiss; it's all part of the giant in-joke that categorises their unparalleled sense of theatricality. Long viewed as one of the most outrageously entertaining live acts ever, the band are following up the release of their first record in eleven years with these two gigs.

Pavement @ O2 Academy, Brixton – 10/11/12/13 May

The coolest alternative band of the '90s, these guys made a living out of being laid-back to a fault. However, this image belied a consistency of output which demonstrated the band as enviably talented. Such a communal sense of exultation greeted their reformation that the band have virtually sold out four dates at the Brixton Academy – not bad for a group who have only had two top 40 singles.

Bon Jovi @ O2 Arena – 7/8/10/11/13/17/19/20/22/23 June

After a busy 2009, the stadium rock kings treat London to a series of dates. This slightly bizarre pseudo-residency at the O2 Arena – presumably with carefully positioned days off so that Jon Bon Jovi can reset his hair – will undoubtedly see grown women (and men) go weak at the knees, such is the power of their live performance.

Jeff Beck @ Royal Albert Hall – 26 October

Guitar wizards typically come in two forms – the pompous, guitargasm types who meld ostentatious shredding with classical music, and those who use a jazz/blues grounding to showcase their virtuosity whilst remaining committed to the matter at hand: creating songs. Thankfully, Jeff Beck falls into the latter category, building on a rich history that saw him play with the Yardbirds in his pomp.

Level 42 @ IndigO2 – 22/23 October

"Two questions: How are we going to eat? And what floor's the restaurant on? Answer: The Chinese Way and Level 42" – Alan Partridge had the right idea about these trailblazing funk-pop pioneers. Back in the '80s, chief songwriter Mark King was considered such a slap-bass maestro that he reportedly had his thumb insured for £3 million. A must-see live act.

Andrea Bocelli @ O2 Arena – 12 November

A superlatively talented tenor, this stylish silver fox hasn't let his lack of sight and a girl's name affect a glittering classical career, in which he has sold over 70 million records worldwide. Casual fans will know his and Sarah Brightman’s tear-jerking rendition of 'Time to Say Goodbye', but much of his back catalogue is similarly evocative.

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