Gig: Kraftwerk

Immortalised in pop culture by a multitude of spoofs, such as half-man, half-hobbit, musical comedy genius Bill Bailey’s, German minimalist-robo-industralists Kraftwerk bring this career-spanning, album-centred series of shows to London. 

So enthusiastic were the music aficionados and devotees when hearing the news of these eight gigs, Kraftwerk: The Catalogue 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8, that the Tate’s website crashed when tickets went on sale due to the influx of Man-Machine-ers. 

Kraftwerk will take refuge in the eye-catching Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern (their name translates as ‘power station’, making their choice of venue extremely apt) for a series of shows that spans their futurist take on electronic music. 

Each of the performances will see the foursome play one album from their eight-record back catalogue in its entirety.

They kick off with their debut, 1974’s seminal Autobahn, before moving on through Radio-Activity (1975), instant classic Trans Europe Express (1977), The Man-Machine (1978), Computer World (1981), Techno Pop (1986), The Mix (1991) and Tour De France Soundtracks (2003). 

The shows, which were premiered at New York’s Museum Of Modern Art (MOMA) last year, will also see the band’s iconic men-at-keyboards line-up accompanied by dazzling 3D visualistations and effects, which will no doubt look truly spectacular at the Tate.

They may not get the credit, but Kraftwerk have been as influential as your Led Zeps and Beatles, yet still retain a cult, offbeat sensibility. A one-off opportunity.

Feb 6-14 (not Feb 10) |
Doors at 9pm |  £60+  
Tube | Southwark
tate.org.uk 

 

Gig: Rita Ora

This pop-tastic r‘n’b singer has had one hell of a career already, and she’s only 21 years old.

Her debut album, Ora, topped the charts last year and after three number-one hits in the past 12 months, including How We Do (Party), RIP and her appearance on DJ Fresh’s Hot Right Now, she’s snagged two Brit Award nominations.

Feb 5 & 6. 7.30pm £22.50 
Shepherd’s Bush Empire W12 8TT  
Tube | Shepherd’s Bush  
o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk

 

Club: Ritual

The team behind Tempo Tantrum and The Music League launch this new monthly night to bring more cutting edge contemporary tunes and sounds to an area of London poorly served for such.

Greg Wilson, Maxxi Soundsystem, Horse Meat Disco and Yoghurt Warriors are among those lining up for the first night. About time. 

Sat Feb 2. 8pm-4AM £12  
Under The Bridge Stamford Bridge,
Fulham Road, SW6 1HS  
Tube | Fulham Broadway  
rituallondon.com 

 

Club – Puscha: Undercover

Spy-themed decor, pyrotechnics to stun, eye-catching dancers and installations are just the backdrop for this first Puscha party of 2013.

Abigail Bailey launches her new single, OCD, on the evening, with DJs Seamus Haji, Tony English and Soul Avengerz’ Paul Gardner on the decks, plus a couple of surprises.

Sat Feb 2. 10pm-6am £20  
Electric Brixton 
Town Hall Parade, SW2 1RJ
Tube | Brixton  
electricbrixton.com

 

Gig: Thurston Moore + Michael Chapman

Singer-guitarist with New York noise rocking art outfit Sonic Youth, Mr Moore plays this rare acoustic show sans his other band where he will  take the stage with Leeds singer Chapman.

How one of the guys behind Youth’s feedback-formed output will mutate in this different setting will be fascinating to see. 

Fri Feb 1. 7.45pm £15 
Purcell Room 
Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX  
Tube | Waterloo 
southbankcentre.co.uk 

 

Club – East Village Birthday: Quentin Harris + more

The east London club celebrates its fifth birthday with a week-long line-up of events.

They include bass bash Uprise Audio Vs Stink Like Sock (Jan 31), reggae and dub night Rootikal (Feb 1) and drum’n’bass‘n’breaks night Hi-Fi (Feb 3).

House star Quentin Harris (above) heads up the Saturday night hedonism party showpiece. 

Jan 31-Feb 4. Times vary £5+ 
East Village 89 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HX 
Tube | Old Street  
eastvillageclub.co.uk

 

Gig: DJ Krush

The 50-year-old DJ and producer is as influential as they come (the likes of Flying Lotus count him as a main hero), and with 20 years of beat-making and instrumental hip-hop non-conformity under his belt he’s playing a rare three-hour set to emphasise the fact. Support comes from DJ Food and Anchorsong (live).

fri, feb 1. 8pm-2am £17.50+  
The Forum 9-17
Highate Road, NW5 1JY 
Tube | Kentish Town  
soundcrashmusic.com 

 

Photos: Getty