1 Afropunk
That R&B and rap pretty much have the monopoly on exciting music at present means that Afropunk’s modus operandi – a celebration of black culture – is perhaps no longer much of a USP. Even so, the festival still has a bill to rival the newly diverse likes of Lovebox and Wireless. Danny Brown, the Internet, Thundercat and Willow Smith represent the US, while the British talent includes Nadia Rose, JME and Lianne La Havas.
The Printworks, SE16, 22-23 July
2 Feist
Once upon a time in the mid-00s, Leslie Feist was the manic pixie dream queen of twee guitar pop. Nowadays, older and wiser, she’s making music that subtly prods at both the joys and disappointments of life.
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, W12, 27-29 July
3 Ride
The shoegaze heroes have made some of the most exquisite guitar music in history, and last month released their first album in 21 years. Hear new material as well as songs from their modern classic of a debut record – 1990’s Nowhere – at this London show.
XOYO, EC2, 28 July
4 Kate Nash
Like the Pigeon Detectives and the View, Nash is stoking the flames of indie nostalgia by celebrating the 10th birthday of her debut album Made of Bricks. The Londoner may have moved on from infectiously bratty pop (her most recent project has been acting in Netflix’s female wrestling drama Glow), but she’ll be dusting down her mockney accent for this string of dates.
Liverpool International Music Festival, 23 July; The Academy, Dublin, 25 July; The Limelight, Belfast, 26 July; Camp Bestival, Wareham, 27 July; Kendal Calling, Penrith, 28 July; touring to 10 August
5 Hare Squead
Forget the fiddle-based stereotypes perpetuated by Ed Sheeran’s Galway Girl: thanks to the likes of Rejjie Snow and this lot, Ireland’s music scene is heading in a new direction. Hare Squead – a rap trio from Dublin – make fun and effortlessly cool songs with a transatlantic flavour.
Birthdays, N16, 26 July
