Koko bound – Oracle Sisters [Ella Herme]

SWEDISH dancing, a hairy biker in a funk soul supergroup, 90s children’s TV revivalist Pat Sharp, the ultra cool Marika Hackman, an incredible festival of music, theatre, club nights and more from some of the most creative names around, a nostalgic night of movie soundtracks plus the reappearance of an icon of the ages – Stevie Wonder – don’t say we don’t spoil you – and never complain of being bored. We live in a city of endless surprises and enough music and culture to fill every day. Here’s a brief selection – there is plenty more out there if you look for it …

• Hyde Park’s BST Festival has saved the best for last, with Stevie Wonder this week revealed as the final headliner for the city festival – his third time as a BST headliner. Stevie will bring his Bringing his Love, Light & Song tour to Hyde Park on April 12. He joins Olivia Rodrigo (June 27); Zach Bryan (June 28-29); Noah Kahan (July 4); Sabrina Carpenter (July 5-6), Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts (July 11) and Jeff Lynne’s ELO (July 13), plus a huge list of exciting support acts across the festival’s run including BEABADOOBEE, Cat Stevens / Yusuf, Van Morrison, Olivia Dean and many more.

• They went their separate ways some time ago but you can’t keep a loyal band of undead vanquishing warriors down. After a few years in the wilderness, the Fearless Vampire Killers have regrouped and are back doing what they were good at, commanding their cult following, stirring up the drama and reviving their creative projects. See them at The Underworld on March 28 with support from Devere and Killers In The City.

• Paris-based trio Oracle Sisters play Koko on April 2 in support of new album, Divinations.

• Over 30 years since their first performance British rock band Skunk Anansie continue to be uncompromisingly outspoken about social and political issues. They begin their 2025 tour at The Roundhouse on March 28-29.

• Those with long memories may recall the bizarre late 80s-90s children’s TV show Fun House hosted by a pronounced mullet-sporting Pat Sharp. Now, the presenter is back fronting a 90s Fun House-themed night, this time with a crisp short haircut and ready to preside over a nostalgic evening on the decks celebrating the 90 and billed as Pat Sharp’s 90s Fun House, at Electric Ballroom on March 28.

• After playing their first headline show in nearly a decade at Koko last year, Brighton duo Rizzle Kicks will play a sold out show at The Forum on March 22 following the release of their new 14-track album, Competition is for Losers.

• For those who appreciate a great movie song, London Soundtrack Festival brings together Oscar-winning composer Anne Dudley – who has composed scores for film and TV including The Crying Game, American History X, The Full Monty and Mamma Mia Here We Go Again – with a selection of guest vocalists, backed by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra to perform a selection of songs from the pictures. Neil Tennant, Jake Shears, Omar, Monica Mancini, Lance Ellington and Louise Dearman will perform beloved tracks from movies including Midnight Cowboy, Shaft, An Officer and a Gentleman, Dirty Dancing and many more at The Roundhouse on March 25.

• Also coming up at the same venue is Roundhouse Three Sixty Festival, taking place over the month of April and bringing together global artists and rising stars in a celebration of music and culture featuring the likes of a songwriting showcase from Tom Odell and special guests, Corinne Bailey Rae presenting her Mercury Prize-nominated album Black Rainbows with the Guildhall Session Orchestra, Sherelle, Munya Chawawa, a club/cabaret/comedy night from Big Boys writer Jack Rooke, pioneering ballroom collective Vogue Rites and many more – expect some great live music from new and established artists, club nights, film, poetry, visual arts and performances from Daniel Kaluuya and Roundhouse’s new young theatre company Centre 59 – plus, most importantly, affordable tickets for 18- to 30-year-olds!

• New discovery of the day – Si King of The Hairy Bikers is in a multi-vocal funk soul supergroup called groovetrain. They play The Water Rats on March 29.

• Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Marika Hackman celebrates 10 years of We Slept At Last accompanied by live strings at Union Chapel on March 21.

• Here’s one you don’t see every day – learn how to dance Swedish style at a dance workshop and concert from Swedish folk duo  Emma Reid and Ellika Frisell, followed by a Swedish social dance evening at Cecil Sharp House on March 22. Support from Sawney White Bird.

More upcoming gigs

March 21 – Ider, Islington Assembly Hall; The Karens, The Fiddler’s Elbow;

March 21-22 – The Airborne Toxic Event, Islington Academy;

March 22 – Stiff Little Fingers, Roundhouse; The Rezillos + Eddie & The Hot Rods, 229;

March 24 – Avantasia, Roundhouse; Suntou Susso & Mamudou Susso: Father and Son tour, Jazz Cafe;

March 25 – Keyside, The Lexington; Coco & Clair Clair + Raven Artson, Electric Ballroom;

March 26 – Nemo, The Forum; Dilettante (BC Camplight), The Lexington; Spiritualized: Pure Phase, Barbican; Teddy Pendergrass Birthday Party, Jazz Cafe; Thus Love, The Garage; Moonchild Sanelly, Heaven;

March 27 – Daoiri Farrell, Cecil Sharp House; PICNERIAH, Camden Assembly; Carly Gibert, The Social; Gurriers, Scala; Those Damn Crows, 100 Club;

March 28 – Lucy Spraggan, Union Chapel; Mackenzy Mackay, The Forum;

March 29 – Beans on Toast, The Dome; The Hoosiers, Dingwalls; Big Special + GANS + The Pill, The Forum; Save Face + The Nightmares, The Black Heart; Panchiko, Electric Ballroom;

March 30 – Lagum, Jazz Café; Attila the Stockbroker, The Dublin Castle;

March 31 – Ichiko Aoba + 12 Ensemble, Barbican; Seu George + Nina Miranda & Quarteto “O”, Roundhouse; Peter Alexander Jobson, St Pancras Old Church; Tightrope Moon, Green Note;

April 1 – Mei Semones, The Camden Assembly;

April 2 – Monobloc and Alphabet, The Lexington;

April 3 – Overpass, Scala; The Delines, Union Chapel; Alex Francis + Georgia Van Etten, The Camden Club; Hattie Whitehead + Tessa Rose jackson, St Pancras Old Church;  Heartstrings – Edward Randell + Hattie Whitehead + Tessa Rose Jackson, St Pancras Old Church; better joy, Old Blue Last;

April 3-5 – Jean Carne, The Forge.