Image: Piroshka
Jordan Worland, from local music website Slate the Disco, selects his must-see gigs in Cambridge during April
April is a big one for live music in Cambridge! It’s exceptionally busy at The Blue Moon on Norfolk Street, but our top recommendation is former Wooden Arms frontman Alexander Carson on the 30th. Carson’s solo work is reminiscent of early Benjamin Clementine and Rufus Wainwright; more of a candid, confessional singer/songwriter style than his band’s classical vibe. We also can’t wait for Malena Zavala on the 25th, whose warped and beguilingly melancholy guitar pop promises a spellbinding evening.
The Blue Moon hosts a great daytime event of fuzzy guitars and pop on the 20th, featuring Schande, Doyouthinkhesaurus and Casey Tufnell. Canada’s Rare Americans (11th) are catchy, with a slanted take on storytelling, and David Thomas Broughton (15th) sits somewhere between folk and avant-garde – his live performances are not to be missed.
Penelope Isles perform melodic fuzz-pop with dynamics that will transfix and satisfy: they open a busy month of great shows at The Portland when they play on the 3rd. After some time away and a relocation to LA, Luke Sital-Singh is back with a new record this month, A Golden State. He showcases his deft ability to craft songs with a mesmerising, piercing emotional quality at the venue on the 15th.
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs are simply amazing – no wonder, then, that their show on the 9th has sold out. However, if you can get hold of a ticket, you’re in for a night of noise-rock and chaos. Elsewhere at The Portland, the super group Piroshka – consisting of members from Lush, Elastica and Modern English – play on the 5th. The Xcerts return on the 8th, supported by the exciting Paris Youth Foundation, and Bloxx (19th), who, with their ability to write an absolute indie banger, could soon be your new favourite band.
Witty and dry, sardonic yet never cynical, creators of melodically infectious yet edgy singalong songs, Half Man Half Biscuit return to the Cambridge Junction this month (5th). The Junction’s line-up this April kicks off with a frantic double bill of Drenge and their anthemic, grungy sound (complete with new album) paired with the dark, moreish surf rock of The Wytches on the 1st. Other Cambridge Junction recommendations include Teleman on the 23rd, Wilko Johnson (25th) and Skinny Lister (10th).
