Nemo plays Islington Academy, Nov 13 [Olive Yates]

EUROVISION winners, Glasto disruptors, X-Factor contestants, drum ‘n’ bass veterans, Halloween parties and legends of the airwaves and stage – there is, as always, an eclectic selection of music treats available across the many venues in the area coming up. Pitchfork  Music Festival brings four days of multi-headers, Public Service Broadcasting explore aviation, and Field Music and Tiffany return – we didn’t even touch on the Doc ‘n’ Roll Film Festival, which continues until Nov 9, with a packed programme of fascinating music documentaries, more info at www.docnrollfestival.com

• Tom Robinson presents an evening of songs and stories of 50 years in the record industry at Cecil Sharp House on Nov 6. Tom, joined by Adam Phillips, will run through classic hits such as War Baby, Up Against The Wall, and 2-4-6-8 Motorway, while regaling the audience with tales of his rock ’n’ roll past, there’s plenty to discuss: the Radio 1 ban for being Glad To be Gay, rocking against racism with The Clash, writing songs with Elton John and headlining Glasto with Peter Gabriel. Support from Gabrielle Sey.

• Former The Voice judge and excitable X-Factor contestant Olly Murs has announced an underplay at Kentish Town’s Forum on Dec 8. Murs, who is used to playing to larger arena crowds, will be touring his new album Knees Up, released on Nov 21, and pre-orders give exclusive access to his Forum gig.

• Field Music mark the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album by reconvening their original trio at Islington Assembly Hall on Nov 8. Peter and David Brewis on guitars and drums and Andrew Moore on keyboards.

• Under The Influence return to where they started with a 15th Anniversary Rocky Horror Picture Show special hosted by Nat the Hammer with… Tall Poppies, Gary Paradiso, Belle Humble, Weaver Line, James Saunders, Prof Mosey and Liz Arcane at The Boogaloo on Nov 12 – free entry.

• Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo, who won the 2024 contest in Sweden with hit single The Code, plays Islington Academy on Nov 13.

• Despite the backlash from some quarters to frontman Bobby Vylan’s IDF chant at Glastonbury, Bob Vylan are clear on where they stand. They bring their We Won’t Go Quietly Tour to The Forum on Nov 11.

• Josh Groban’s accolades are almost too many to count: Tony, Emmy, five-time GRAMMY Award-nominated singer, songwriter and actor, multi-platinum selling artist, appearing on Broadway, The Simpsons, The Office, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and alongside Jim Henson’s finest in Muppets Most Wanted, this consummate performer also recently played five nights at Caesar’s Palace’s Colosseum in Vegas. Here’s a chance to see him in the more humble setting of the Union Chapel for one night only (Nov 1).

• Public Service Broadcasting have turned their attention to the concept of the past, present and future in sound as they perform The Last Flight, inspired by America’s pioneering female “aviatrix” Amelia Earhart in soundscapes created by their trademark archive-delving sampling techniques. This time, they are joined by a 20-piece string section from the London Contemporary Orchestra, for a unique collaboration, playing two shows at Barbican on Nov 1 with Scottish singer-songwriter Hamish Hawk supporting in the evening.

• Eighties pop sensation Tiffany performs unplugged at The Camden Club on Nov 2.

• Pitchfork Music Festival returns to venues across London on Nov 4-8 with a rich line-up including: King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizard with the Covent Garden Sinfonia, Oklou, Destroyer and the Fiery Furnaces,Laurie Anderson, Unwound, Nala Sinephro, Tunde Adebimpe, Upchuck and many more playing venues including Barbican, KOKO, Roundhouse and Union Chapel. Full details at https://pitchforkmusicfestival.co.uk/

• Dig out your most fiendish costumes for The Black Heart’s annual Halloween Spooktacular featuring Type Of Negative – Type O Negative Tribute – plus Elder Druid plus Brighton misery doom trio Outback – FREE ENTRY (Oct 31).

• The Camden Club is hosting an under-18s Halloween Rave with DJ Lils and DJ Skooby on the decks. Running from 1pm to 5pm, the event is open to 13 to 17-year-olds (Oct 31).

• German Songwriter / producer and DJ Steve Witzlsperger aka STVW has been winning approval in the rock scene with his punk rave versions of hits by the likes of Simple Plan, Blink-182, Good Charlotte or Boys Like Girls. Combining dance, pop-punk, emo and rock, he brings his punk rave show to Downstairs at The Dome on Oct 31.

• Get into the mood for The Stranglers and Buzzcocks Roundhouse live shows (Oct 31-Nov 1) with a free 2 Tone Discotheque and Record Shop at The Camden Assembly on Nov 1. DJs will be spinning an all vinyl selection of the late 70s/early 80s scene at this warm-up event before both bands embark on their two-night stint across the road .

• For the first time in over a decade, Goldie & Photek reunite for a day to night session at Outernet (Nov 8).

• Pete Tong, PARALLELE, Cristina Lazic, Gawdat, KOKO – The first instalment of our Halloween celebrations sees the return of a theatre favourite and certified legend of British music (Oct 31).

More upcoming gigs

OCT 31: Mickey & Michelle, Aces & Eights; The Magpies, Green Note; Jehnny Beth, The Camden Assembly;

OCT 31-NOV 1: Gogol Bordello + Split Dogs + Puzzled Panther, Electric Ballroom;

NOV 1: Cian Downing & The Hornets, The Fiddler’s Elbow;

NOV 2: Foreign Affairs, The Water Rats; Desperate Journalist + Swallowtail, The Lexington; Sunday Papers Live ft Izzy Withers, B&H Buildings, Clerkenwell; The Temper Trap, The Forum; Adam Ant + Toyah, Roundhouse; Karriem Riggins + J-Rocc + Ben Marc Trio, Jazz Cafe; When Rivers Meet, Islington Assembly Hall; Asaf Avidan, KOKO;

NOV 3: Palace Winter, The Lexington; The Headhunters, Union Chapel; Ravyn Lenae + Natanya, Roundhouse; Durand Bernarr, KOKO;

NOV 4: James Bruner, The Black Heart; Jamie Duffy + Kanako Yamamoto, Cecil Sharp House;

NOV 5: oSHAMO, 229; BC Camplight + Badly Drawn Boy, Roundhouse; Piri & Tommy + Luke Osey, Jazz Cafe; Steam Down, Islington Assembly Hall; Grace Smith Trio and Archie Churchill-Moss, Cecil Sharp House;

NOV 6: Healthy Junkies + Georgia Maria + Minifigure + DJ Julia Hexan, The Dublin Castle; Neal Francis, Islington Assembly Hall;

NOV 7: Mari Froes, Jazz Cafe; Kalash, Islington Assembly Hall; Halina Rice, HERE at Outernet;

NOV 9: KOLA, Scala;

NOV 10: Willie J Healey + Hollow Hand, Electric Ballroom; Maren Morris, Roundhouse; WITCH (We Intend To Cause Havoc), Scala; Masta Ace & Marco Polo, Jazz Cafe; Daniel Seavey, KOKO;

NOV 11: Hawklords, The Underworld; Picture Parlour + She’s In Parties; Perfume Genius; Jane Remover, KOKO;

NOV 12: Devendra Banhart, Union Chapel; Luvcat, KOKO; Do Nothing + Kissing On Camera + Lemonsuckr, 100 Club;

NOV 13: Jimothy Lacoste, The Garage; Hugh Cornwell, Islington Assembly Hall; Soweto Kinch / LSO: Soundtrack to the Apocalypse, Barbican; Curved Air, The Forge; The Rapture, HERE at Outernet; NOV 12: Dylan Flynn and the Dead Poets + Hallan, The Dublin Castle;

NOV 12-14: Katarsis, The Black Heart;

NOV 13: Daniel Avery, The Underworld; Little Comets, Dingwalls;

NOV 13 + 14: Ibibio Sound Machine + Kulee Angee + Village Cuts DJ, 100 Club.