JENS LEKMAN (London Nettlefold Hall, 19/03/11)



Oh, you're so amazing Jens. Not only did he trek over from Gothenburg to play a charity all-dayer protesting the UK Government's dreadfully misguided cuts in library funding but his hour long solo set was perhaps even more joyous than his excellent Union Chapel show last summer. True, the reliance on backing tapes wasn't ideal, but the stripped down arrangements served to focus attention on his impressive vocal talents, which he too often swamps with orchestral frippery. Drawing heavily on "Night Falls over Kortedela," he also previewed some new songs (including one about stalking Kirsten Dunst, which seemed to resonate with an alarmingly high percentage of the audience), and broke the venue's curfew for a Sipping On The Sweet Nectar-centric dance party encore. Oh, and he waived his performance fee for the event too. What a gent.

(Photo: The Line Of Best Fit)

EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROES (London Old Vic Tunnels, 11/03/11)



Review: HERE

(Photo: Kelly Anne)

TU FAWNING (London Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, 10/03/11)



Review: HERE

(Photo: The Line Of Best Fit)

MONOTONIX (London Cargo, 06/03/11)



Review: HERE

(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)

ROBYN (London Roundhouse, 03/03/11)



Unpretentious, all-out Swedish pop goodness, delivered by a woman who seems to be on a perpetual sugar rush even when recovering from a throat infection. Frankly, it's exhausting just watching her.

(Photo: Tom Salter/The Line Of Best Fit)

SEA OF BEES (London Westminster Reference Library, 26/02/11)



Contrary to popular belief, I don't hate all acoustic-guitar-wielding solo artists. I just hate the vast, vast majority of them. A rare exception is Julie Baenziger, an wonderfully eccentric, emotionally open figure with a voice that could charm the most hard-hearted of cynics. I mean, seriously, check out "The Woods." Spine-tingling stuff.

(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)

SUUNS (Brussels Botanique, 24/02/11)



It's awesome being blown away by a band you know nothing about. Suuns' whispered vocals don't do much for me, but the Holy Fuck/!!!-esque grooves and punchy Wolf Parade synths make this four-piece the best live band to come out of Montreal since Handsome Furs.

(Photo: Bourgol)

WYE OAK (London Water Rats, 22/02/11)



Review: HERE

(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)

PJ HARVEY (Berlin Admiralspalast, 21/02/11)



Polly Jean ain't really my thing, but I enjoyed this well enough. Can't help but think her headwear overshadowed her performance though

CROSS-LINX FESTIVAL (Eindhoven Frits Philips, 18/02/11)



27 Euros for The National, Owen Pallett, Efterklang and Peter Broderick, performing full sets in amazing venues? I think yes.The National put on a typically accomplished performance, and Owen Pallett was fantastic after a shaky start (the new arrangements of "Arctic Circle" and "This Lamb Sells Condos" sounded amazing.) But without a doubt, the night belonged to Efterklang- the closing rendition of "Modern Drift", re-arranged for jazz orchestra with 17 musicians snaking through the audience was one of the most joyous gig moments I've experienced in a long, long time. Good work, Netherlands!

LITTLE DRAGON (London Garage, 08/02/11)



Left me cold, to be honest. Support wasn't great either. Can't win 'em all, eh?

(Photo: HMV Closer (Flickr))

OLAFUR ARNALDS (London Tabernacle, 07/02/11)



It's been a while since Olafur Arnalds graced London with his cinematic instrumentals, and to be honest, I'd forgot quite how epic he can be. Indeed, his new tracks have more than a hint of World's End Girlfriend about them- not exactly high on subtlety, but damn, they sound incredible. If you've not seen him before, he's playing Queen Elizabeth Hall in July- would highly recommend you check him out.

(Photo: OlafurArnalds.com)

PETER, BJORN AND JOHN (London Old Blue Last, 03/02/11)



Jet-lagged and clearly forced into it against their will, it's odd that Peter, Bjorn and John's intimate OBL show was as good as it was- perversely, it appears a chronic lack of sleep lends them a ferocious dynamism they don't normally have. Their new material sounds fantastic - high-quality, no-nonsense indie rock with hints of afrobeat and hair metal, and not even the non-appearance of "Young Folks" could detract from an excellent performance.

(Photo: Mike Hughes (Catshoe))

FREELANCE WHALES (London XOYO, 02/02/11)



Review: HERE

(Photo: Tamara Craiu (Flickr))