Kentish Town’s Kitty Liv [L&G Durham]

I RECENTLY went to a wedding that lasted for four days. At first we did not notice but it soon became apparent that the bride had insisted that every event began and ended with the same song – Sting and Cheb Rahab’s 1999 hit Desert Rose ft Algerian singer Cheb Mami – appropriate given the wedding was on the cusp of the desert, by the pyramids in Egypt. While, by the end of the festivities, some may have felt they had heard enough of the song for a lifetime, the bride achieved her goal. Every time that song plays in future, it will evoke memories of the wedding, the couple and good times. Such is the power of music – that tune that takes you back to that one moment / holiday / time in your life. What will be yours for 2024?

• King’s Cross Summer Series, the free music festival at Coal Drops Yard, returns this month with 12 days of music and dance. Running from Aug 15-26, the busy programme includes performances from Unicorn Frequency (Aug 15); soul from Lily Moore and a live performance from Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard (both on Aug 16); An evening of songs from the shows with London Show Choir (Aug 17); a full day celebration of Brazilian Culture ft Alvorada, TARU Arts Drumming Circle Workshop, Olayá, Urban Ritual Capoeira (Aug 18), rising funk and soul star Charles and Hackney singer AUX (lead singer of GRAMN) (Aug 19); a reworking of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons from award-winning violinist Fenella Humphreys (Aug 21); Eliane Correa Septet’s Cuban Songbook; (Aug 22); The Green Room Collective, a group of artists from migrant and refugee backgrounds who weave music and spoken word to explore themes of home, displacement and migration (Aug 23); artists from the English National Opera (Aug 24) plus jazz, folk and much more – see www.kingscross.co.uk for the full line-up. Plus test out the passion of your moves with Queer Tango London’s tango classes for all (Aug 17 and 24).

• In a departure from the style for which she has become known – with her family band, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, Kentish Town musician and producer Kitty Liv takes a different direction with the release of her debut album Easy Tiger, written over the course of five years and exploring a more expansive set of influences, taking in soul, gospel blues and rock and roll.

• The Roundhouse continues to offer some incredible free courses for young people – the latest programme includes Mapping – creating video projections in 3D (Aug 15); On-air radio bootcamp (Aug 13-14); DJ for beginners (Aug 15); XR: Designing Interactive Virtual Worlds (Aug 20) and more – check the Roundhouse website for age restrictions, further details and info on more courses.

• All Points East Festival returns to Victoria Park this month with another crammed line-up featuring the likes of Kaytranada, Tems, Thundercat, Loyle Carner , Nas, Andre 3000, Lianne La Havas, Beabadoobee, Arlo Parks, Mitski, LCD Soundsystem, Jai Paul, Pixies, Justice, The Postal Service, Death Cab For Cutie, Phoenix, Gossip and many more (Aug 16-25). Aside from the ticketed gigs, APE’s In the Neighbourhood returns from Aug 19 – 22 with four days of free activities including cinema screenings, street food, theatre, sports, literature, culture, workshops, live music and more for all ages.

• What better way to mark 25 years of UK garage than to join a UKG rave led by DJ Luck & MC Neat at Jazz Café on Aug 9? Then, at JC on Aug 15, Mahalia presents … continues introducing three more of the brightest emerging talent with Sophie Faith, SHARA and Jessy Blakemore taking to the stage. And, if you’re quick, you can catch Outkast’s André 3000 twice on Aug 16 as he plays a matinee and evening show at Jazz Café following the release of his first solo album in 20 years, the experimental flute-heavy New Blue Sun.

• After two sold-out All Dayers, Four Tet returns to Finsbury Park to play a five-hour set, alongside a specially curated line up ft Anthony Naples, Champion, DJ ADHD, Ela Minus (DJ Set), Jossy Mitsu, Mala and Manara (Aug 10).

• DJ, presenter and label head, Jamz Supernova brings her Future Bounce club night to the Barbican on Aug 9 with a specially curated line-up celebrating the best of global dance music and UK Bass featuring DJ Nídia, Yaw Evans, Kiss Nuka and Toya Delazy.

• Who says raving is just for adults?! Give the school holidays a daytime clubbing twist at Big Fish Little Fish’s family rave at Barbican’s The Curve on Aug 18. DJ David Minns of rave crew Raindance will be spinning club classics from acid house to drum and bass while bubbles, foam, balloons and craft tables bring a youthful twist to the occasion – aimed at families with 0- 8-year-olds but all are welcome.

More upcoming gigs

Aug 10 – Adam Blackstone & The Legacy Experience ft The Tennessee Kids, 100 Club; Aug 11 ­– The Dyr Sister + Cecilie, Green Note;
Aug 14 – Jesse Jo Stark, Dingwalls;
Aug 15 – Curved Air, 100 Club; Osees, Electric Ballroom; Katie Pruitt + Judy Blank, The Garage;
Aug 16 – Osees, Dingwalls;
Aug 17 – Sanctum Santorium, The Garage;
Aug 17-18 – Marcos Valle, Jazz Cafe;
Aug 18 – Miranda!, Electric Ballroom; Aug 20 – Symphonic Film Scores, Jazz Cafe; Wednesday + MSPAINT, Scala;
Aug 21 – Mokoomba, Jazz Cafe; Kid Brunswick, The Underworld;
Aug 22 – Donae’O & friends, Jazz Café.