Memory of Speke play the Old Blue Last [Theo Zeal]

IF you passed by The Dublin Castle this week you might have noticed an unassuming poster for one of the biggest bands in the world – Coldplay – announcing something that could have seismic implications for the grassroots music scene. The poster, reminiscing of the band’s 1998 performance at the famed Parkway venue, announced that Coldplay will donate 10 per cent of proceeds from its only UK shows next year – which will be powered by solar, wind and kinetic energy – to the Music Venue Trust to support small venues and upcoming acts. The Music Venue Trust has been campaigning to encourage bands and large venues to recognise the vital role small venues – the lifeblood of this borough – play in nurturing musicians and fostering the development of the big names of the future.

• Abbey Road Music Photography Awards return next month celebrating the best in the art of capturing incredible moments in music history. To sneak a preview of the nominated photographs and vote for your favourite photo in the Music Moment of the Year category, head to Outernet London’s free exhibition in its Now Pop One space adjacent to Charing Cross Road.

• Gibson Garage’s series of London Acoustic Sessions at their Eastcastle Street venue continue this month with a surprise guest tonight (Thursday) and Sam Palladio (September 26).

• Avant-garde London outfit Memory of Speke play the Old Blue Last on Sept 27 following the release of debut single Wife Once last week.

• There are three more dates in Camden Market’s September Sessions diary so snap up some free outdoor party vibes at the Market’s amphitheatre before autumn truly kicks in. London DJ collective Kin Kin take to the decks on Sept 20; House Gospel Choir – adding a gospel twist to your favourite club tunes – take over on Sept 27; and lyricist and rapper 5yffe and friends bring some promising tunes from the emerging music scene on Sept 28.

• Immerse yourself in a tiny quirky gig while raising money for a number of good causes as Kick Out The Jams presents its 11th funky fundraiser for the much-loved Rock’n’Roll Rescue charity shop in Parkway (Sept 21). Expect performances from A Void, Anna Wolf and Soaked in the tiny event space – tickets will be limited so snap them up soon – proceeds to the many charities supported by the shop.

• Orlando Weeks, formerly frontman of The Maccabees but a successful solo artist, plays Islington Assembly Hall in support of his latest album LOJA on Oct 3.

More upcoming gigs

Sept 20 – 47 SOUL, Koko; Ride, Roundhouse; Cud, 100 Club; Terrorvision, Islington Assembly Hall;

Sept 21 – Mighty Hoopla presents The Bump ft Romy, HERE@Outernet; The Allergies, The Garage;

Sept 21-22 – Ocean Alley, Roundhouse;

Sept 22 – Silveroller, The Grace;

Sept 23 – David Essex, Palladium; Joshua Thew, The Lower Third; Terry Reid, Jazz Cafe;

Sept 24 – Jorja Smith, Ronnie Scott’s; Senses Fail + Saves The Day, The Forum;

Sept 25 – Alabama 3, 100 Club; Crack Cloud, Koko; Rod Coote + David Lazarus & Ollie Dixon, The Camden Club; Mexican Institute of Sound Celebrates 20 Years Of Music At The Jazz Café;

Sept 26 – Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols, The Forum; Lauran Hibberd, Underworld; Arrested Development, Islington Assembly Hall;

Sept 27 – Melt-Banana, Dingwalls; Diplo presents Higher Ground Roundhouse; The Selecter, Koko; Sam Evian, Lafayette; The Manatees + Cusp + Issy SO, Camden Assembly;

Sept 28 – Pictish Trail, Kings Place; Les Imprimés, Lower Third; Tom Meighan (Kasabian), The Forum; Gemma Hayes, Union Chapel;

Sept 29 – Jon Boden & The Remnant Kings, The Lexington; Cannibal Corpse, Roundhouse; Jaubi and Tara Lily, Barbican;

Oct 1 – Another Sky, Scala; Telenova, The Lower Third; A Hawk and a Hacksaw, The Lexington;

Oct 2 – Jack Francis, The Slaughtered Lamb;

Oct 3 – Tobe Nwigwe, Roundhouse; Martin Turner (ex-Wishbone Ash), The Forge; Caitlin Krisko, The Grace; Augustine, The Garage; Pond, Scala; Hawksley Workman, The Water Rats; The Dandy Warhols & The Black Angels, The Forum.