BO NINGEN (London Cafe Oto, 22/12/16)

The 121st and final gig of 2016- and what finer note to wrap up the year than an unhinged psych-noise assault from London's own "Stick Men"? It's pretty much the same show I've seen them do thirteen times before, but why would you ask for anything else?

PRIMAL SCREAM (London Brixton Academy, 15/12/16)

Review: HERE

BORIS (London Electric Ballroom, 13/12/16)

Who needs hearing when you've got drone-metal/noise rock/shoegaze trio Boris performing "Pink" in full? By the end of it my eardrums felt like a Japanese city, post-Godzilla...

THE BOY LEAST LIKELY TO (London Social, 12/12/16)

The long-awaited return of the most gleefully twee band in existence, playing selections from their festive album as well as all the old classics (not to mention a delightful cover of Wham!'s "Last Christmas"). A pretty joyous experience all round.

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX (London Dome, 09/12/16)

A two-hour psych/prog/metal odyssey from the erstwhile Mogwai side-project. Not really my bag, but "Burnt Reynolds" remains a sorely underrated epic.

PWR BTTM (London Shacklewell Arms, 06/12/16)

An inspiring, elatory show from the queercore power-pop duo, who sound like Fang Island and bitch like Joan Rivers.

LOW (London Union Chapel, 05/12/16)

There's no better way to kick off the Christmas season than with a dose of melancholic slowcore, and the Duluth veterans more than deliver with a mix of Christmas standards, self-composed Yuletime numbers and various down-tempo tunes from their extensive back catalogue.

PIXIES (London Brixton Academy, 29/11/16)

Review: HERE

IDRIS ACKAMOOR AND THE PYRAMIDS (London Cafe Oto, 20/11/16)

Despite hanging round these earthly spheres since 1972, Idris Ackamoor and his eccentric brand of afro-futurism hasn't quite achieved the acclaim or cultural visibility of the not-dissimilar Sun Ra Arkestra. But their energetic live shows, fascinating array of instruments and compelling fusion of free-jazz, funk and traditional African influences make them a band well worth checking out if you like your mind blown and your grooves cosmic.