1 Jessie Ware
Understated soul was last on the agenda for Ware – she’s since had her first baby, which she claims inspired a wave of “must-make-a-hit-for-my-unborn-child!” panic. New single Midnight should keep her shelves groaning with rusks; it’s a roaring R&B track full of gospel euphoria and yearning, late-night melancholy.
Islington Assembly Hall, N1, 4-8 September
2 Festival No 6
If Bloc Party, Flaming Lips, Mogwai and an orchestra-led Bootleg Beatles isn’t enough festival fun, then this event, surrounded by woodlands, also has helium-fuelled acrobatic act Heliosphere, hot-tub sessions and swimming on its to-do list.
Portmeirion, 7-10 September
3 Chastity Belt
Washington grunge group Chastity Belt once sat in their tour van and ritually paid each other compliments. As far as rock stories go, it’s about as anarchic as Alt-J eating a Ginsters pasty in Cobham. Luckily they temper the sincerity with songs such as Giant (Vagina) and Pussy Weed Beer.
The Dug Out, Margate, 4 September; Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, 5 September; Star & Garter, Manchester, 6 September; The Cluny, Newcastle upon Tyne, 7 September; Broadcast, Glasgow, 8 September
4 Girlpool
Like Babes in Toyland via Daphne and Celeste, these LA misfits make misanthropic jangle pop. Their songs cover most coming-of-age tropes – despondency, lust, fringes – with bags of charisma.
Thekla, Bristol, 6 September; Village Underground, EC2, 7 September; Gorilla, Manchester, 8 September
5 Sinkane
Fans of William Onyeabor tribute project the Atomic Bomb! Band will find similar levels of exuberant Afro-pop from its musical director, Sinkane mainman Ahmed Gallab. His 2017 solo record Life & Livin’ elevates him to being the foremost proprietor of George Clinton-funk and melodic escapism.
End of the Road festival, Salisbury, 2 September; Liverpool Library, 3 September; Stereo, Glasgow, 4 September; Barrow Library, Barrow-in-Furness, 5 September; Heaven, WC1, 6 September
