Image: Yazmin Lacey
Jordan Worland, from local music website Slate the Disco, selects his must-see gigs in Cambridge during November
It’s a huge month for live music in Cambridge: we’ve got indie-pop from New York, circle-pit hip hop from Russia, an all-day festival and jazz from all around the globe descending on the city.
My pick from the Cambridge Jazz Festival is Nottingham’s queen of neo-soul, Yazmin Lacey, who brings her honey-laced harmonies and jazz/hip-hop fusion to The Portland on the 14th. There’s a busy month at the Storey’s Field Centre, with Haley (9th), Paul Draper (16th) and Cavetown (22nd) all on our to-see list. Haley (FKA Haley Bonar) makes wonderfully crafted, acute pop-rock, while Cavetown is a Cambridge-based musician who has worldwide success under his belt, having taken experimental indie and folk from his bedroom to a sold-out US tour this autumn. Ex-Mansun frontman Paul Draper now goes it alone creating art which straddles dark pop and progressive rock at the same time.
The Blue Moon hosts legendary Avant-guard duo Charalambides on the 23rd, playing their first European shows in seven years. Trippy Irish trio Woven Skull bring their new record to the same venue on the 9th. Cath and Phil Tyler (3rd) and Bouquet of Dead Crows album launch (24th) complete our picks for the Norfolk Street venue.
With loud, visceral political punk rock, The Blinders will be at The Portland Arms on the 6th. The same venue hosts Moscow Death Brigade (10th), Mauve (18th), Sink Ya Teeth (21st), and Terrorvision’s Tony Wright (27th). Former Slow Club singer Rebecca Taylor brings new solo guise Self Esteem on the 22nd. Our top Portland pick is Goldblume’s album launch (8th); they draw on aspects of math-rock, grunge and punk, and their debut LP is much anticipated. The launch show includes support from prolific Birmingham quintet Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam with a psyched-out spin on the power pop of early Weezer.
At Cambridge Junction, Britpop veterans Sleeper, back with a new album after 21 years, take to the stage on the 23rd. New York trio Sunflower Bean bring melody and swagger on the 30th. Nodding to their heroes Fleetwood Mac with their accomplished second album, the trio have had a brilliant year, notching up rave reviews. Our must-see Cambridge Junction show this month is Hinds, a Madrid outfit that blend garage rock with catchy hooks – catch them on the 20th.
