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London concerts, gigs and live music 2021: The best shows to book for next year

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Getty Images

It's been a quiet year, hasn't it? Not in terms of the never-ending nightmare news cycle, of course, but in terms of live music.

Turn the clock back to January and 2020 was shaping up to be an incredible year for gigs in the capital. But then lockdown hit, and the calendar was wiped clean.

A silver lining to all of this is that many of the gigs that were planned for 2020 have been shifted forward to next year, which means we've got plenty to look forward to — everything from arena blockbusters to much-hyped reunions and intriguing debuts.

Here, we've rounded up the best and biggest gigs, all of which are on sale now. As with anything Covid-related, these listings come with the usual caveats. No-one can predict exactly what stage the pandemic will be in next year and, as such, these gigs may well be postponed (again) or cancelled outright. Be sure to buy your tickets directly from the venue, or their official ticketing partner — that way you'll be guaranteed a refund, or a ticket to the rearranged date, if the show doesn't take place.

Dua Lipa — January 15-16

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(Getty Images)

The biggest pop star of 2020 kicks off 2021 with two of the most anticipated gigs of the year, giving tracks from her superb Future Nostalgia album their long-awaited live debut.

The O2, buy tickets here

Snoop Dogg — February 15

The West Coast rap icon celebrates 25 years in the game with a stellar support cast: Warren G, Tha Dogg Pound, Versatile, Obie Trice and D12.

The O2, buy tickets here

Shabaka Hutchings’ One Fest — February 20

A leader of the new jazz vanguard hosts a mini day festival in east London, performing alongside Dave Okumu, Nat Birchall and Byron Wallen.

EartH, buy tickets here

Soccer Mommy — February 18

The Nashville indie-rock favourite arrives in Camden in support of her 2020 album, Color Theory.

Electric Ballroom, buy tickets here

Avril Lavigne — February 28-March 2

An icon of Noughties pop-rock, Avril Lavigne will stop off in Brixton for a handful of dates on her rejigged world tour.

O2 Academy Brixton, buy tickets here

Porridge Radio — March 2

They might have missed out on the Mercury Prize after being nominated in 2020, but these noisy Brightonians are still one of the must-see live bands of the moment.

Village Underground, buy tickets here

Black Country, New Road — March 3

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Fingers crossed the rule of six has disappeared by March, as this seven-piece are something to behold: boldly innovative rockers riding a huge wave of hype.

Electric Ballroom, buy tickets here

Ghostpoet — March 5

Ghostpoet’s latest work, I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep, arrived at the height of lockdown. It was a tetchy, anxious and excellent album, and will surely make for a fascinating gig.

EartH, buy tickets here

Yungblud — March 15-20

Another breakout star stopped in their tracks by the pandemic, this irrepressible 23-year-old will resurrect the buzz around his distinct brand of pop-punk with this run of shows.

O2 Forum Kentish Town, buy tickets here

John Grant — March 18-19

The inimitable John Grant will strip things down to the bare bones at these two Ally Pally gigs, performing a career-spanning setlist accompanied only by a pianist.

Alexandra Palace, buy tickets here

Nile Rodgers and Chic — March 21

The long-running Teenage Cancer Trust charity gigs will make a return in 2021, with a gig from The Who on March 20, followed up by this show led by the timeless disco master, Nile Rodgers.

Royal Albert Hall, buy tickets here

The Who — March 22

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(Getty Images)

Fresh from those charity gigs, The Who will headline this arena gig up in Wembley. Singer Roger Daltrey said “it may the last time we do a tour of this type”, so don’t miss out.

SSE Arena, Wembley, buy tickets here

Harry Styles — March 23-24

The ex-One Direction man almost feels like he’s surpassing his former life in the group with his solo project — these two huge shows at the O2 are testament to that.

The O2, buy tickets here

Bad Boy Chiller Crew — March 26

Bradford’s finest, Bad Boy Chiller Crew, are an MC trio self-described as “the explicit Vengaboys”. They’ve blown up online thanks to their killer flows and throwback bassline beats.

O2 Academy Islington, buy tickets here

Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes — March 27

The dynamic duo of Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes came together for the collaborative album, What Kinda Music, earlier in 2020 — a genre-spanning success covering jazz, hip-hop, soul and more.

Alexandra Palace, buy tickets here

Blossoms — March 29-31

The Stockport indie-rock five-piece soared to the top of the UK charts with their last album, Foolish Loving Spaces, and will build on that success with these north London shows.

O2 Forum Kentish Town, buy tickets here

Damon Albarn — March 30

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(Getty Images)

The Blur frontman visits the Barbican for a premiere of his latest project, The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows — a piece inspired by the landscapes of Iceland.

Barbican, buy tickets here

Orlando Weeks — April 1

The former Maccabees man stepped out on his own earlier this year and released the superb A Quickening — hear cuts from it at this Barbican gig.

Barbican, buy tickets here

Everything Everything — April 1-2

Everything Everything cemented their status as one of the UK’s most distinctive band with their album Re-Animator. Check how it translates into the live setting with these two shows.

Roundhouse, buy tickets here

Michael Kiwanuka — April 6

Mercury Prize-winner Michael Kiwanuka begins his victory lap with the first of two huge London shows here in Brixton.

O2 Academy Brixton, buy tickets here

R.A.E. — April 7

Winner of Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent competition, south-east London’s R.A.E. is a hugely promising rapper-singer and plays her first headline show here.

Colours, buy tickets here

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds — April 15-16

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(Getty Images)

Nick Cave played all alone to an empty Ally Pally for his Idiot Prayer stream a few weeks back, but he will (hopefully) be back in front of adoring crowd when he plays with the Bad Seeds here.

The O2, buy tickets here

Camelphat — April 17

There are only a handful of dance music acts that could headline Wembley Arena, but Camelphat — one of the biggest duos in the country right now — are one of them.

SSE Arena, Wembley, buy tickets here

Sam Fender — April 18

April is a big month for North Shields axe-man Sam Fender. He plays the first of three major London shows here in Brixton.

O2 Academy Brixton, buy tickets here

Celeste — April 21

Winner of the BBC Sound of 2020 competition, Celeste is one of the most talked-about vocalists on the scene right now. Experience her sublime vocals at this west London gig.

O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, buy tickets here

Horse Meat Disco — April 24

Long-time of the champions of London’s disco scene, known for their hugely popular club nights at The Eagle in Vauxhall, Horse Meat Disco have finally released a debut album, Love and Dancing. Groove along at this show.

Roundhouse, buy tickets here

Jessie Ware — April 24-25

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(Getty Images for Coachella)

She might have won a legion of new fans with her Table Manners podcast, but Jessie Ware is back in the music scene and will play two headline shows here.

O2 Academy Brixton, buy tickets here

Sam Fender — April 27-28

Fresh from headlining Brixton Academy, Sam Fender will travel north of the river for two even bigger shows at Ally Pally.

Alexandra Palace, buy tickets here

bdrmm — April 28

The hyped shoegazers, signed to one of the genre’s most important labels, Sonic Cathedral, play here at Moth Club.

Moth Club, buy tickets here

Dermot Kennedy — April 29-30

Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy has had a meteoric rise from his beginnings as a busker to someone who can now headline Ally Pally, twice.

Alexandra Palace, buy tickets here

Dadi Freyr — April 30

Icelandic sensations Dadi Freyr were robbed of the chance to perform at Eurovision in 2020, but they’ll be performing their viral hit, Think About Things, and more at this gig.

O2 Forum Kentish Town, buy tickets here

Ellie Goulding — May 6

(Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
(Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

The pop sensation returned earlier this year with Brightest Blue, her most personal album yet. She’ll play cuts from that, as well as the songs that made her one of the UK’s biggest musicians, here.

Eventim Apollo, buy tickets here

Thundercat — May 7

No-one plays the bass quite like Thundercat. Catch the LA virtuoso doing his mind-boggling thing down in south London.

O2 Academy Brixton, buy tickets here

Headie One — May 8

Without question the biggest name in the UK drill scene, Headie One scored a chart-topping album with his debut Edna, and backs it up with an arena headline show.

SSE Arena, Wembley, buy tickets here

Little Mix — May 13-15

They don’t come much bigger than Little Mix, with the pop titans taking over the The O2 for three nights.

The O2, buy tickets here

McFly — May 21

Another chance to throw things right back to the Noughties, as McFly reunite and get back on the road.

SSE Arena, Wembley, buy tickets here

D-Block Europe — May 25

This Lewisham duo just keep going from strength to strength — now they’re at the level where they can bring their icy beats and bars to the O2.

The O2, buy tickets here

Fontaines D.C. — May 27

(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

One of the hardest touring bands of 2019 were forced to take a year off in 2020, but they’ll be back in their natural habitat with this, their biggest ever UK headline show.

Alexandra Palace, buy tickets here

Pussycat Dolls — May 28-29

The reunion of Nicole Scherzinger and co was meant to arrive in 2020, but was postponed for obvious reasons. They’ll make a triumphant return at the second time of trying here.

The O2, buy tickets here

Brockhampton — May 29-30

The hip-hop collective were hard at work during lockdown, releasing new tracks every week. See what else they’ve been cooking up at these two gigs.

O2 Academy Brixton, buy tickets here

George Clinton — May 30

After half a century in the business, the funk pioneer will play what looks set to be his last ever UK gig here in Kentish Town.

O2 Forum Kentish Town, buy tickets here

Gerry Cinnamon — June 1

Scottish singer-songwriter has gained an army of fans with his no-frills guitar music and heart-on-the-sleeve lyricism.

Alexandra Palace, buy tickets here

Bikini Kill — June 2

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(Getty Images)

The Riot Grrrl instigators are back at it, proving they can still deliver a fierce live show, just like they did in their 90s heyday.

Roundhouse, buy tickets here

Bauhaus — June 3

Prepare for things to get gloomy as the pioneers gothic rock resurrect themselves for a new run of gigs.

Alexandra Palace, buy tickets here

Alicia Keys — June 9

Alicia Keys was sounding better than ever on her self-titled seventh album, and will toast its success at this O2 show.

The O2, buy tickets here

The Cribs — June 11

Veteran Wakefield rockers The Cribs are moving onto their eighth album and still have one of the most committed fan bases around. They’ll be out in force at the Roundhouse.

Roundhouse, buy tickets here

Solange — June 11

Solange is one of the biggest names on the line-up for the Grace Jones-curated edition of Meltdown at the Southbank Centre. But there’s plenty else to keep an eye out for: Oumou Sangaré, Meshell Ndegeocello and Jones herself are among the other highlights.

Southbank Centre, buy tickets here

Haim — June 18

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(Getty Images)

The LA sister act will arrive at the O2 as the London leg of their One More Haim tour, in support of their superb latest record, Women in Music Part III.

The O2, buy tickets here

Guns N’ Roses — June 18-19

Slash, Axl Rose and the gang will take over this north London stadium, proving they still have an appetite for destruction.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, buy tickets here

Idles — June 18-21

One of the biggest British bands of the last couple of years, Idles could sell out a venue four times the size of Brixton Academy — instead, the Bristol punks are playing it four times on the trot.

O2 Academy Brixton, buy tickets here

Diana Ross — June 21-22, July 15

She’s coming out — and so should you, as the famed singer singer plays three shows at the O2, with two in June and another the following month.

The O2, buy tickets here

Foals — June 29

Long-time heroes of British guitar music, Foals return to London while touring in support of their double-album, Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost.

O2 Academy Brixton, buy tickets here

Pearl Jam — July 9-10

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(Getty Images)

The first two shows of the BST Hyde Park concert series to be announced for 2021 will both be headlined by Pearl Jam, joined by Pixies on the first night and Idles on the second.

Hyde Park, buy tickets here

JLS — July 12, 16, 17, 18

JLS had their grand comeback planned for the end of 2020 but, alas, it’s been pushed back. Fans will have four chances to see them at the O2.

The O2, buy tickets here

The Flaming Lips — July 23

These psych-rockers are getting better with age, as proved by their latest effort American Head. Catch them here in Kentish Town.

O2 Forum Kentish Town, buy tickets here

Lady Gaga — July 30

Head along to the Chromatica Ball as Lady Gaga takes residence for this gig, coming as part of a world tour.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, buy tickets here

Bright Eyes — September 4

The newly reformed, Conor Oberst-led group will head back on the road in autumn 2021, playing cuts from across their career.

Eventim Apollo, buy tickets here

Michael Kiwanuka — September 17

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(Getty Images)

Following on from his show at Brixton Academy, Michael Kiwanuka goes one bigger and moves onto Ally Pally.

Alexandra Palace, buy tickets here

Roisin Murphy — September 19

A Roisin Murphy live show is always a spectacle, as much a visual feast as it is a celebration of music.

O2 Academy Brixton, buy tickets here

Beabadoobee — September 23

Nineties revivalist Beabadoobee is proving you can go back to move forwards with her hook-heavy, grunge-tinged guitar anthems.

O2 Forum Kentish Town, buy tickets here

Patti Smith — October 4-5

There will be music, poetry and more as Patti Smith comes to the Royal Albert Hall for the first time for two nights.

Royal Albert Hall, buy tickets here

Lewis Capaldi — October 14-15

The chart-conquering Scot brings his melancholy singalongs to the O2 for two concerts.

The O2, buy tickets here

The Weeknd — October 25, 29, 30, 31

(Getty Images for Global Citizen)
(Getty Images for Global Citizen)

Stopping off at the O2 for four nights as part of his world tour, The Weeknd is promising something spectacular with “one of the most innovative stage designs to date”.

The O2, buy tickets here

Bon Iver — November 1-2

Bon Iver will come back to the UK for the first time since 2018 as the increasingly experimental artists plays these two arena shows.

SSE Arena, Wembley, buy tickets here

Elton John — November 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17

Elton John is bidding farewell to the world of touring in style: not just one, or two, but nine concerts at the O2, traversing a sparkling career in the process.

The O2, buy tickets here

New Order — November 6

New Order play live in the capital for the first time in three years here, making their first ever performance at The O2.

The O2, buy tickets here

A Certain Ratio — November 13

The newly revitalised Manchester post-punks are back in business with ACR Loco, their first studio in 12 years, and come to east London to play it live here.

EartH, buy tickets here

Rina Sawayama — November 17

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(Getty Images)

Nu-metal collided with Noughties pop and much more on Rina Sawayama’s latest album. It means this Roundhouse show will be one of the most intriguing of the year.

Roundhouse, buy tickets here

Jon Hopkins — November 23

Mind-morphing producer Jon Hopkins will strip things down at this Royal Albert Hall show, playing grand piano and accompanied by just three other musicians.

Royal Albert Hall, buy tickets here