THE EARLIES (London Hackney Church, 11/10/25)

I first fell in love with The Earlies' chilled transatlantic lushness aged twenty and last saw them on my otherwise-dire 30th birthday, so it's fitting the ten-piece's one-night-only reunion along with their label mates Alele Diane and King Creosote took place soon after I turned 40. And despite the echoey venue and hordes of chatterers, they were blissful; sure, I have a few quibbles but I'm just overjoyed we got to see them at all. Roll on 2035!