Leave the house? Seems quite likely with all of this going on.
GIG OF THE WEEK
JUNGLE
Jungle’s decade-long journey has seen them evolve from friends experimenting with electronic sounds to a newly minted trio, with Lydia Kitto joining founding members J Lloyd and Tom McFarland. Their upcoming tour, including a headline show at The O2, is their biggest yet, marking another major milestone in their career. Now riding high on the success of their fourth album, ‘Volcano’, the band continues to embrace bold creative decisions.
Reflecting on their journey, McFarland told Dork last year: “We definitely noticed that the third record connected more with people on a wider scale, and I think that’s reflective of what the music is and what we’re capable of delivering now.” This new-found confidence is palpable in ‘Volcano’, an album filled with genre-spanning tracks like ‘Back On 74’ and ‘Pretty Little Thing’. The band’s focus shifted during this period, incorporating more dance music into their sound. As McFarland explained, “We’d been DJing a lot more, and naturally, we’d been exposed to a lot more dance music.”
The result is a live setlist that reflects their expanded sonic palette. From the disco influences of ‘Palm Trees’ to the soul-infused ballads like ‘Good At Breaking Hearts’, their shows offer a rich diversity of styles, showing that Jungle are unafraid to break genre boundaries. As McFarland said, “Why limit yourself to a genre? For us, as long as it sounds good, it’s going on the record.”
This UK tour only showcases Jungle’s continued growth and their ability to turn creative risks into cohesive, crowd-pleasing performances. At the peak of their creative powers, with their biggest headline shows to date, Jungle are ready to erupt.
Utility Arena, Cardiff (10 Sept), The O2, London (12 Sept), Custom House Square, Belfast (DJ Set, 13 Sept), The Warehouse Project, Manchester (14 Sept)
MORE FROM THE AGENDA
THE GUIDE
THE SHOWS YOU NEED TO SEE THIS WEEK
Azealia Banks
Azealia Banks returns to the UK for her Back To The Union Jack tour, including a double header at Brixton’s O2 Academy. Banks has always walked the line between brilliance and, um, controversy, but her pioneering blend of house and hip-hop has solidified her reputation as a unique force. Her hit ‘212’ remains a staple, but there’s more to her live show than one megahit, with Banks consistently finding ways to push her sound further. Known for her unpredictability, Banks’ performances are always compelling, reflecting the same frenetic energy that defines her online persona. Basically, expect anything and everything to go down.
O2 Academy Brixton, London (13, 14 Sept), O2 Academy, Bristol (15 Sept), Stylus, Leeds (17 Sept), O2 Academy, Glasgow (18 Sept)
Hinds
Hinds bring their lo-fi, garage rock charm to London for two intimate shows that coincide with the release of their latest album, ‘Viva Hinds’. Kicking off with an in-store performance and signing at Rough Trade East, the band then heads to Lafayette for what promises to be another energetic gig. With their scrappy, DIY ethos and irrepressible stage presence, Hinds have become one of Europe’s most joyous indie bands, balancing fuzzy guitar riffs with infectious melodies and raw energy.
Rough Trade East, London (12 Sept), Lafayette, London (13 Sept)
American Football
American Football’s UK tour marks the 25th anniversary of their iconic debut album, ‘LP1’, a record that helped define modern emo. Their live shows remain a masterclass in emotive, complex musicianship, with intricate guitar work and introspective lyrics that have stood the test of time. Following their reunion in 2014, American Football have released two more self-titled albums, with collaborations from the likes of Hayley Williams and Slowdive’s Rachel Goswell, providing they’re more relevant today than ever before.
Rock City, Nottingham (11 Sept), Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow (12 Sept), SWX, Bristol (13 Sept), Roundhouse, London (14 Sept)
