The Chameleons play Electric Ballroom Nov 14

PARTY with the vampires, get down with a world-famous sideman, catch the pioneer of Ethio-jazz on his farewell tour, enjoy a hip-hop double header, award-winning folk, former Eurovision rockers, be the star of the show with open mic and jam nights or pick from the many notable gigs in our list below – check it out, there’s always something to do…

• World-famous sideman and former musical director, arranger and composer for James Brown Fred Wesley has had an influential history steeped in funk. Starting out with Ike and Tina Turner, arranging and playing for Parliament-Funkadelic and having worked with Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Usher, Pee Wee Ellis and more, Fred Wesley brings James Brown’s backing band The New JBs to play two nights at the Union Chapel on Nov 24-25.

• Hip hop producers DJ Premier and The Alchemist bring their first-ever co-headline I’m the Chemist World Tour showcasing decades of work to The Forum on Nov 21.

• Aged 81, Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke has earned a break. So catch him while you can as he brings his farewell show to HERE at Outernet on Nov 17 following the release of his first studio album in 10 years, Mulatu Plays Mulatu.

• Ivor Novello Award-winning Boo Hewerdine and folk singer of the year Heidi Talbot perform songs new and old with promises of a dash of humour and storytelling at Heath Street Baptist Church on Nov 21.

• Test out new material, meet other musicians and pick up insider tips at The Camden Club’s series of nights geared at musicians. On Mondays, there’s the Musicians’ Meet Up, an open session for players, singers and songwriters to connect, collaborate and create, open to all styles and skill levels. Tuesdays are Open Mic nights open to seasoned performers and newcomers alike, solos, duets, acoustic sets all welcome. For those in need of some industry advice, TheHitlist brings artists, producers, and music lovers together to share stories, insights, and live performances (Nov 20).

• Shining a spotlight on Electric Ballroom this month – an eclectic programme that deserves attention: Cult Manchester post-punk favourites Chameleons – who apparently count Noel Gallagher and The Charlatans among their fans – stop off at Electric Ballroom on Nov 14. Support from North Carolina shoegaze soul outfit The Veldt. Turin Brakes will play the Ballroom on Nov 15 following the release of their 10th studio album Spacehopper earlier this year – with support from Tom Speight. Also at The Electric Ballroom, one-time X-Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan, whose acoustic originals helped her advance far into the competition, appears on Nov 18; The Subways celebrate their 20th anniversary on Nov 21. For those looking for a unique and brooding club night, mark 20 years of foresty vampire-werewolf rivalry with the Twilight Rave on Nov 22 – where DJs will be spinning Twilight soundtracks in full alongside dark pop, emo, indie and more – Team Jacob / Team Edward, it doesn’t matter, themed dress encouraged. There’s a notable line-up gathering for The Saints 73-78, who make their UK debut this month featuring founding Saints members, guitarist Ed Kuepper and drummer Ivor Hay alongside honorary Saints; singer Mark Arm of Seattle rockers Mudhoney, former The Birthday Party / Bad Seeds guitarist Mick Harvey and bassist Peter Oxley of Australia’s legendary Sunnyboys on Nov 26. And, on Nov 27, Pop Will Eat Itself and GANS.

• Another former Eurovision act is about to pass through Camden and this time it’s Slovenia’s entry Joker Out, who came 21st in 2023 with their entry Carpe Diem. The prettyboy rock group play The Dome on Nov 18 with support from Neckbreakers.

• More upcoming gigs:

Nov 14 – Jade Bird + Elle Coves, Islington Assembly Hall; His Lordship, 229; Ibibio Sound Machine + Kulee Angee + Village Cuts DJ, 100 Club; flipturn, The Forum; His Lordship, 229; The Anchoress + Roxanne De Bastion, Union Chapel; Takuya Nakamura, Jazz Cafe; Notion, HERE at Outernet; Ziggy Phoenix + Gus Monsanto + Krad, The Fiddler’s Elbow;

Nov 15 – Martin Stephenson & The Daintees, 229; Billie Marten, The Forum; Nancy Kerr + James Fagan, Cecil Sharp House; Sherelle + Tim Reaper + Nikki Nair, HERE at Outernet;

Nov 16 – Skerryvore, Islington Assembly Hall; Chris Erasmus & Friends – In The Round, Green Note; Serious Child + My Girl The River, The Water Rats; James Marriott, Roundhouse; Lutan Fyah + Danni Mayers + Open The Gate Sound, Jazz Café; Nate Smith + Josh Johnson, Koko; Kaspar Hauser, The Social; Michael Sanzone, The Dome; Henri Herbert, 100 Club;

Nov 17 – Alex Ubago, Scala; Dea Matrona, The Garage; Muireann Bradley + Naomi Campbell, The Lexington; Alexander Stewart, Koko;

Nov 18 – Ebbb, Scala; Cate Le Bon, Barbican; Orlando, The Social; Yelle, Islington Assembly Hall; Tinie Tempah, Koko;

Nov 18-19 – BDRMM, 100 Club;

Nov 19 – Lambrini Girls + Enola Gay + CLT DRP, The Forum; Bywater Call + Dan Patlansky, The Garage; Leo Kottke, 229; Sons of Town Hall, Kings Place; Hot Milk + Cassyette + Silly Goose, Roundhouse; Vower, Scala; Nell Mescal, Islington Assembly Hall; Makaya McCraven, Koko; Kris Drever, The Camden Club; Granny’s Attic, Cecil Sharp House;

Nov 20 – The Guest List, Camden Assembly; Geejay, Islington Assembly Hall; The Herbaliser Band, 229; Herbie May, 100 Club; Annahstasia, St Pancras Old Church; Emma-Jean Thackray, Koko; Falle Nioke, The Lexington; Reece Bibby + Little Grandad + Esosa + Euan Blackman, The Social; Geejay, Islington Assembly Hall;

Nov 21 – The Damn Truth, Underworld; Parker Barrow, The Grace; Jaywalkers, Green Note; James Lavelle, The Social; Gabzy, Roundhouse; Braxton Cook, Jazz Café; Adrian Younge, Koko; Carsick, Downstairs at The Dome; Hamilton Loomis + Backbone Blues Band, 100 Club; Louis Bekk, HERE at Outernet;

Nov 22 – Joplin Parnell, Green Note; Ghalia Benali, Dingwalls; tunng + Pictish Trail, Islington Assembly Hall; Four Tet, Alexandra Palace; Tortoise + Jeremiah Chiu & Marta Sofia Honer, Barbican; Tom Rasmussen, Union Chapel; Starsailor, The Forum; Labrinth presents: Caiiro extended set + Osunlade, HERE at Outernet; Tunng, Islington Assembly Hall; SOMI, Jazz Café;

Nov 23 – Attila The Stockbroker + John Hegley + The Clang Group (matinee show), The Dublin Castle; Hermeticus + The Whisky Flowers + Night Flies + Suction Cup, The Fiddler’s Elbow; Nubya Garcia, HERE at Outernet;
Nov 24 – María José Llergo, Jazz Café; Alessi Rose, The Forum; Georgia Mooney, St Pancras Old Church; Good Sad Happy Bad, 100 Club;

Nov 25 – Amie Blu + Fliss, Scala; Hope Tala + BINA, Koko;

Nov 25-26 – English Teacher + The Orielles, Roundhouse;

Nov 26 – The Sherlocks + The Mercians, Islington Academy; Obongjayar + Sam Akpro, The Forum; Wayne Snow, Jazz Cafe; Firelight Trio, Cecil Sharp House; English Teacher, Roundhouse;

Nov 26-27 – kwn, HERE at Outernet;

Nov 27 – Grayscale + Sick Joy, The Underworld; Venna, The Forum; mustbejohn, Jazz Cafe; Berwyn, 100 Club; Our Mutual Friend + My New Band Believe + Push bike + Cool Ant + Blue Harbour Radio DJs, The Dublin Castle.