Summer’s fading but the beat goes on. There are some fantastic shows to take you into the autumn, so London Begins at 40 music editor Robert Spellman has compiled an essential ‘cut-out-and-keep’ guide of London music gigs …
Alexandra Palace
One Step Beyond with Suggs & Friends
North London knees-up with the Madness frontman and special guests. This is a charity event for Willow. 28 October
Bauhaus
Northampton goth pioneers cast their dark stuff. Grab the remaining tickets. 30 October
Earth
808 State
The club music grandees play latest release Transmission and delve into the archives. 30 October
Cleveland Watkiss
The award-winning London vocalist performs the songs of some of Jamaica’s finest. Expect the music of Gregory Isaacs, Delroy Wilson, Dennis Brown and more. October 31
The Half Moon
Doctor Feelgood
Canvey Island’s pub-rocking R&B geezers (said to have been continuously on tour since 1973) visit Putney. 2 September
Martin Stephenson
Solo show for the Daintiees frontman. A night of fine songs, poetry, jokes and old fashioned charm. 9 September
Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band
The indestructible soul and R&B singer who goes all the way back to Soho’s Flamingo Club of the mid-60s returns to the Moon. 19 September
Toyah
The It’s A Mystery chart-topper performs the hits and spills the anecdotes. 25 September
Albert Lee
The British guitar titan, hailed by everyone from Eric Clapton to Emmylou Harris, plays two nights: 12 and 13 October
Jazz Cafe
Horace Andy
The reggae legend nicknamed ‘Sleepy’ returns to the Cafe to sing his hits. 23 August
Dexter Wansel
Rare chance to catch this rare groove composer and musician and producer of The O’Jays, The Trammps, The Jones Girls, MFSB, Lou Rawls and many more. 31 August
Daddy G
The Massive Attack man throws a DJ night at the Camden club. 24 September
Leee John
Hackney’s finest exposes the Cafe crowd to the brilliance of his imagination. 25 September
Billy Cobham
Drummer great who worked with Miles Davis and helped forge jazz-fusion in the early 70s with his band Mahavishnu Orchestra. He plays two nights: 31 September and 1 October
Susan Cadogan
Rare appearance for the reggae singer discovered by Lee Perry. Her 1973 hit cover of Mille Jackson’s Hurt So Good made big waves in the UK. 3 October
O2 Academy Brixton
Black Crowes
The Crowes’ Chris and Rich Robinson celebrate and perform their debut album Shake Your Money Maker now 30 years old. Two dates: 22 and 23 October
O2 Academy Islington
Meat Puppets
From punk to acid-country and the mainstream, Meat Puppets are one of the most beguiling bands to have emerged from the States in the last 40 years. 23 September
The Skids
Scottish late-punk stalwarts perform new album Peaceful Times. 9 October
Echobelly
Britpop regulars still echoing. 20 October
O2 Empire Shepherd’s Bush
Scritti Politti
Get down to the Bush for Cupid & Psyche’s anniversary tour. 2 October
Roger Taylor
Intimate show featuring new album Outsider and Queen classics. 22 October
O2 Forum Kentish Town
Teenage Fanclub
The Fannies celebrate 30 years of greatness and road test new album Endless Arcade. 8 September
Fun Lovin’ Criminals
The Lower East Side charmers bring their funky party brew to the Town. 23 October
Roundhouse
Heaven 17
More than forty years in the business for this exceptional UK band. 5 September
Sisters of Mercy
Leeds’ goth groovers are 40 this year and celebrate with three dates at the historic Camden venue. 10-12 September
The Specials
Two-tone royalty play a couple of nights. 23 and 24 September
The Waterboys
Mike Scott and co bring their poppish folk-rock to Camden Town. 23 October
The Psychedelic Furs & Jah Wobble and The Invaders of The Heart
Great double bill of two stone originals. The Furs perform new album Made Of Rain
and expect the unexpected from PiL and bass hero John Wardle. 3 October
Patti Smith And Her Band
Her first ever appearance at the Royal Albert Hall. Two nights: 4 and 5 October
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
Following the success of their album Carnage, the lead Seed joins his pal and colleague play two dates: 6 and 7 October
Troxy
The Specials
Terry Hall and the boys have a night in Limehouse. 25 September
100 Club
Pop Will Eat Itself
The indie-pop pranksters take the stage beneath Oxford Street. 1 October
Martin Stephenson & The Dainties
The band celebrate the 30th anniversary of 1990 album Salutation Road. 2 October
TV Smith & Richard Strange
Smith – author of punk anthems One Chord Wonders, Bored Teenagers and Gary Gilmore’s Eyes – is joined by Richard Strange, once described as the missing link between David Bowie and The Sex Pistols. Is he? Find out on 15 October
