Gig: Mumford and Sons

The Mumfords are absolutely huge, but also enduring the disdain of many in the music world. Why? Because they’re posh? Successful? Waist-coast wearers? Who cares?

They make cracking tunes, which is the only thing that really matters. M&S are not just successful, we should point out.

Playing a headline show at the Electric Ballroom is successful.

Grammy nods, million-selling albums (both 2009’s Sigh No More and this year’s follow up Babel), and playing the White House for Obama, who is a fan, is a little more than this.

They’re playing The O2, as well, which is a level of success reserved for the likes of the Stones and other long-in-the-tooth rock acts.

Yet there’s an aura of mistrust surrounding the Mumfords, who are often subjected to misguided musical snobbery.

Yes, they are posh boys from west London who have adopted a look and style, but this is really no different to any other musical act – genres need their own identifying traits and the Mumfords allegiance to their alt-folk inspirations should be seen as nothing more.

They are also driven not just by a remarkable talent, but by a sure-footed ethical stance that saw them play their own mini touring festival, Gentlemen Of The Road, this summer, in smaller, out of the way UK towns, where they handpicked the line-up and worked with local businesses.

What could be more inspirational – and arguably punk-rock in spirit – than that?

And then their two albums are loaded with top tunes, too, which is why they are among the UK’s biggest musical exports. Enjoy without guilt.

The O2, SE10 0DX
Dec 11 & 18 | Doors at 6.30pm |  £29.50
Tube | North Greenwich 
theo2.co.uk

 

Gig: Ellie Goulding

Goulding had a number one album in Lights, then started dating Skrillex and everyone worried her follow up, this year’s Halcyon, would see her take a dubstep whub-heavy approach. She didn’t.

What she did do was make an incredibly emotional, catchy pop-folk-disco album, with ace single Anything Can Happen.

Brixton Academy
211 Stockwell Road, SW9 9SL
Wed Dec 12. 7pm £25
Tube | Brixton 
o2academybrixton.co.uk

 

 

Club: Noisily Festival: A Noisy Xmas Party

The boutique festival folk have lined up an eclectic collection of live electronic music acts and techno DJs for this sure-to-stun Christmas party.

The Egg headlines, alongside Captain Flatcap, Worakls and a custom-made LED show to ensure the Leicestershire festival’s vibes and atmospherics are recreated.

Brixton Jamm
261 Brixton Road, SW9 6LH
Sat Dec 8. 10pm-5am £7+
Tube | Brixton 
brixtonjamm.org

 

 

Club: Mobilee Warehouse Party

One of London’s newest warehouse spaces is the latest venue to host one of the Mobilee line-ups.

The record label celebrated its seventh year in 2012 and has the likes of Anja Schneider, Sebo K, Rodriguez Jr (live), Ralf Kollmann and Geddes for this night of pioneering house and techno total tuneage.

The Sidings
51-53 Southwark Street, SE1 1RU
Sat Dec 8. 10pm-6am £15+
Tube |  London Bridge 
londonwarehouseevents.co.uk

 

Gig: Band of Skulls

The Southampton-born alt-blues rockers are steadily climbing the rock ‘n’ roll tree, having scored support slots with the likes of Jack White’s The Dead Weather and The Black Keys earlier this year.

Proof hard work and quality tracks can fly in the face of publicity courting pranks. Touring with latest album, Sweet Sour.

Brixton Academy
211 Stockwell Road, SW9 9SL
Fri Dec 7. 7pm £17.50
Tube | Brixton 
o2academybrixton.co.uk

 

Club: Hydra – Bugged Out With James Murphy

The last month of the Hydra parties sees none other than former LCD Soundsystem main man James Murphy welcomed through the doors for a four-hour set of DFA-styled classics, mixing the rare with the mega-hits.

Sure to prove that Murphy has not lost his edge one little bit.

Horse Meat Disco line up in support, too.

Fire, South Lambeth Road, SW8 1UQ
Fri Dec 7. 10pm-6am £15+
Tube | Vauxhall 
residentadvisor.net

 

 

Gig: Laurie Levine

The South African-born singer-songwriter has won plaudits aplenty for her first three albums, combining complex, multi-instrument compositions with her strong storytelling nous.

She supported Rodriguez recently in the capital and joins All The Queens Ravens here.

She also plays the iconic Half Moon in Putney on Dec 9.

Green Note, 106 Parkway, NW1 7AN
Thurs Dec 6, £7.00
Tube | Camden Town 
greennote.co.uk

 

Photo: Getty