The Best Concerts To Book This Season

Before she started making a name for herself, 25-year-old Raye was best known for her involvement in songwriting and producing for other artists, including Beyoncé, Little Mix, Rihanna, David Guetta, John Legend and Ellie Goulding. Following the success of her critically acclaimed debut album My 21st Century Blues and her 2023 Mercury Music Prize nomination, Raye is finally making music for herself. To celebrate, she’s performing a one-off show at the Royal Albert Hall next week.

26th September

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Ohio legends The National are returning to Alexandra Palace later this month for two special shows. Almost ten years to the day since the band’s last appearance here, the beloved indie five-piece will take to the stage to perform their ninth studio album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, which came out in April. Support on both nights will come from Soccer Mommy.

26th-27th September

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Following his highly successful 2022 show at Ally Pally, James Blake is set to return to north London at the end of the month as part of his Playing Robots Into Heaven tour. Renowned for his collaborations with industry heavyweights like Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé, Blake has himself become a big name in 21st-century music. The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer continues to draw critical acclaim for his sixth album, Playing Robots Into Heaven, which came out on 8th September.

28th September

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Former Mercury prize winner Benjamin Clementine will release his long-awaited third album And I Have Been on 28th October via his own label Preserve Artists. The album is set to develop his reputation as an artist who delivers style, poise and poetry in equal measure. From his experimental and avant-garde approach to his chamber pop stylings and enigmatic presence, this is sure to be a special show in a special venue.

1st October

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Currently touring her debut album Good Riddance, American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams is a bold performer who was recently the opening act on Olivia Rodrigo's Sour Tour. Her debut album was released in February this year, and this will be the first time she’s performed songs from the LP in the UK.

3rd October 

Visit AcademyMusicGroup.com

Roundhouse Rising Festival has partnered with BBC Introducing Live to produce a daytime programme of performances and live panels designed to empower aspiring artists and music fans. The day will be split into sessions across the venue, hosted by top music industry guests and BBC presenters, including DJ Target, Jess Iszatt, Angelle Joseph, Jasmine Takhar, Abbie McCarthy and Tom Robinson. Expect industry insights from artists like Sam Ryder, Maisie Peters, Hak Baker and more.

14th October

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Pitchfork Music Festival returns to the capital this November. Multiple multi-artist bills and one-off events will take place across some of London’s best venues for six days. Our highlights include Sleater-Kinney, US Girls, Black Belt Eagle Scout, SNÕÕPER, M(h)aol and RVG at Roundhouse on 10th November; Weyes Blood, Ichiko Aoba and Vagabon at Eventim Apollo on 13th November; and British jazz quintet Ezra Collective – who won the 2023 Mercury this month – at the Royal Albert Hall on 7th November.

7th-13th November

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The inimitable Little Simz has announced her biggest UK shows to date, bringing her larger-than-life persona to Ally Pally for two nights. Her 2021 album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert catapulted Little Simz into the big time, entering the top five in the album chart, collecting Mercury, Mobo, Ivor Novello and Brit Award wins. We’re looking forward to seeing her follow up, No Thank You, on stage.

10th-11th November

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Broadcaster, author and DJ Annie MacManus is a key music industry figure championing female and LGBTQ+ artists. Her debut Sunday Times bestseller novel Mother Mother was released in paperback this March to critical acclaim, and she produces her own podcast, Changes with Annie MacManus, where she chats to writers, artists and fascinating people from all walks of life about changes they’ve faced. Of course, she’s best known as Annie Mac and can often be seen on the biggest stages of music festivals around the world, and in the DJ booths of the world's best clubs. This night – Before Midnight – will see her DJing once more, bringing the party to north London.

17th November

Visit Roundhouse.org.uk

Jessie Ware

Alexandra Palace

That! Feels Good! was Jessie Ware’s follow-up album to 2020’s What’s Your Pleasure?, which confirmed her status as one of the UK’s most influential artists and became her highest charting album to date. It included singles Save A Kiss, Spotlight and the Barack Obama-approved Remember Where You Are (which was added to his NYE playlist). Last year saw Jessie support Harry Styles in the USA, gain 2.4bn global streams and complete a run of live shows including career-defining sets at Glastonbury and Primavera. This will be a chance to see her live once more, over two nights at Ally Pally.

17th-18th November

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Ibiza Classics has cemented itself as part of the live music calendar, becoming the world's leading orchestral electronic music event. The new live show will include a host of special guest DJs and singers, showcasing stunning reimagines of timeless classic house tracks. The voice of dance music on Radio 1 and one of Britain's most influential figures in electronic dance music, Pete Tong will be joined by conductor Jules Buckley and the Essential Orchestra to perform a fresh show celebrating the legacy of dance music. Expect unparalleled production, brilliant visuals and a mix of your favourite White Isle tracks.

1st-2nd December

Visit The O2.co.uk