Robbie Williams plays Dingwalls, October 9 [Jason Hetherington]

WHEN it comes to Camden’s music venues, Cecil Sharp House is a little off the beaten path, but it’s not to be overlooked – and well worth taking the time to check the listings – or you risk missing gems such as the Black British Folk Takeover, which takes place on Saturday (Oct 4).

Guest curator Angeline Morrison and friends take over the full day festival with folk sounds, songs, and stories highlighting the African diaspora’s love for, and ongoing conversations with, British folk and featuring a rich programme of music, including Morrison, one of Mojo’s “voices taking folk into the future”; Mataio Austin Dean, whose recent work explores Britain’s colonial and post-colonial exploitation of Guyana; Germa Adan, whose music traverses Haitian, American and British folk traditions, the rich sonic languages of the Afro-diaspora, and the improvisational spirit of jazz; Bethany Weimers’ folk-influenced alt-pop singer-songwriter; Marie Bashiru, folk, soul and indie rock singer-songwriter; Border Widow, the new project from Chardine Taylor-Stone (Big Joanie) and Hatty Carmen (Thigh High); Calliope, experimental, multi-instrumental folk duo inspired by folk traditions of the black diasporic transatlantic world; Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, folk singer, Anglo concertina and melodeon player, solo performer and member of Granny’s Attic trio; Singer, songwriter and composer of British-Burundian heritage Muco, who combines lyrics and influences from Old, Middle, and Modern English, as well as French, Swahili, and Kirund. Plus conversation with broadcaster, writer and DJ Zakia Sewell and writer and author  Emma Kathryn.

• Expect some serious 90s fangirling around Camden Market on October 9 when Robbie Williams heads to Dingwalls to play an intimate set where he will be performing Life Thru A Lens and Britpop in full – a rare chance to see the charismatic musician up close.

• Neil Hannon and The Divine Comedy return to Barbican for the first time since their five-show residency in 2022 with their latest orchestral pop masterpiece, Rainy Sunday Afternoon (Oct 11-12). Recorded at Abbey Road, and written, arranged and produced by Hannon, the album is said to reflect on themes of memory, mortality, and the chaos of modern life. Support from Studio Electrophonique.

• Just as Big Brother returns to our screens, 2025 Celeb BB contestant and Dance Moms breakout star Jojo Siwa plays The Forum on Oct 5.

• Detroit rapper Obie Trice, known to many as one of Eminem’s Shady Records signees in the early 2000s, his intro on Eminem’s Without Me and his contributions on 8 Mile, Devil’s Night, and Tupac’s Loyal to the Game gained him recognition but he earned his own place in the world of hip hop, earning a platinum plaque for his 2003 debut Cheers. He brings his bars to Jazz Café on October 14.

• Britpop band Echobelly mark 30 years since the release of their top 5 album ON by playing the album in full plus selected greatest hits at Electric Ballroom on October 16.

• English indie pop musician Katy J Pearson plays 100 Club on Oct 12 in support of War Child’s Day of the Girl to raise money to provide vital support to women in war zones. Sarah Meth and Jimmy Means Smut will also be supporting.

• Rising star Sofia Camara stops off at The Garage on Oct 15 for her first headline tour following the viral success of single Who Do I Call Now? (Hellbent), which has had more than 44 million global streams at the time of writing.

• Key dates for drum ‘n’ bass heads: LTJ Bukem hits Jazz Café on October 10 and, on Oct 12, Fabio & Grooverider and Jolie P are at Koko.

More upcoming gigs

Oct 3 – The Spitfires, 229; The Skids, 100 Club; Theatre of Hate, The Garage; Tom Kitching, The Harrison; Ustad Noor Bakhsh + Jaubi + Amrit Kaur, Barbican Hall; MF Robots, Jazz Café; Sleeper, Electric Ballroom; Kuro + Ruena + Nost + Into The Dark, The Fiddler’s Elbow; VISTAS, Koko; Third Eye Blind, Islington Assembly Hall;

Oct 4 – Kult, The Forum; Eabhal, Green Note; Suthering, All Saints’ Church; Jason Mraz + Gregory Page, Palladium; Robert Finley, Islington Assembly Hall; Idlewild, The Dome; SWIM, Koko; The Lancashire Hotpots, 100 Club;

Oct 5 – Lorraine Nash + Dan Sealey, Aces and Eights; Jambinai, Barbican; Flenn, The Lower Third; Young Gun Silver Fox, Koko; Oct 6 –Jon Wilks, Green Note;

Oct 7 – Detta Kenzie + Sam Kelly, Water Rats; Dar William,s St Pancras Old Church; JELEEL!, Islington Assembly Hall;

Oct 9 – Coyle Girelli, The Lexington; Billie Nomates, Electric Ballroom; Grandmaster Flash, Islington Academy; Lvia, The Garae; All Them Witches, The Forum; AG Cook, Roundhouse; Billie Woods, Scala; Ellur, Camden Assembly; The Sideliners + Litter + Jericho Trumpets, The Fiddler’s Elbow; Hooverphonic, Islington Assembly Hall; Lisa Knapp and Gerry Diver, Cecil Sharp House; Lionheart + Negative Frame + Long Goodbye, The Dome; Warmduscher & friends, Koko;

Oct 9-10 – ABC, Palladium;

Oct 10 – Gyasi, The Lexington; Hugo Hamlet, Islington Assembly Hall; Tight Lines + MoKat + 2SIX3, The Camden Club; Skating Polly, 100 Club; Deaf Havana, KOKO;

Oct 11 – The Vapors + Class of ’79 + Sharp Class, 229; Kala Marka, Islington Assembly Hall;

Oct 12 – Absolute Amy (Amy Winehouse tribute), The Dublin Castle; Nizlopi, The Water Rats; Bilal Saeed, Scala; AJULIACOSTA, Jazz Cafe;

Oct 13 – Jamie Woon, Union Chapel; KWN, Jazz Cafe;

Oct 14 – Argentine Rock Band Babasónicos, Koko; 49 Winchester, Roundhouse; New Street Adventure, Scala; BABASONICOS, Koko; Σtella, Islington Assembly Hall; The Trews, The Black Heart;

Oct 15 – Tungz, The Social; Hope of the States, Islington Assembly Hall; Karkara, The Black Heart;

Oct 16 – Bold Love, Camden Assembly; Martin Simpson, Cecil Sharp House; Wishbone Ash, Islington Assembly Hall; Dead Posey, The Underworld.