By Vicky Greer. Main image: Paloma Faith by Rhona Murphy.
What a great month May was for gigs! Kicking off with the wonderous Wanderlust Festival, where up-and-coming talents from around the country descended on Southampton to take over our favourite independent venues, followed by a month of exciting shows across the city.
This month, even more big things are happening. The Joiners is celebrating its 56th birthday with a set of gigs at the beginning of the month, and we’ve highlighted a few of the nights we’re most looking forward to. Elsewhere, big names will be headlining sets in the city as we welcome Summer Sessions to Southampton. So get your diary out and start planning your month in live music!
Various Dates – Summer Sessions, Guildhall Square
Summer Sessions has long been a staple of Scotland’s summer live music calendar and this year, they announced that they would be expanding across the UK. So for two weeks in June, Guildhall Square will be transformed into an outdoor stage where you can see some massive names in rock, hip hop and pop.
Whether you’re into the recently viral throwback pop of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, the artistry of two-time Mercury Prize nominee Loyle Carter or the brooding glam-rock of Placebo, Summer Sessions has something for everyone. Here’s the schedule:
- Saturday 15th – Tom Jones
- Sunday 16th – Madness
- Sunday 23rd – Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Sophie Ellis-Bextor
- Wednesday 26th – Placebo, Friedberg
- Thursday 27th – Air
- Friday 28th – Paloma Faith
- Saturday 29th – Loyle Carner
- Sunday 30th – Kaiser Chiefs, Royel Otis, Spielmann
More information here.
Monday 3rd – Ratboys, The Joiners
Indie rock quartet Ratboys have made a name for themselves on the road with the likes of Soccer Mommy, Pup, Diet Cig and The Decemberists. They released their fifth album The Window last summer to much acclaim. The album was praised for expanding on their alt-rock sound with new band members added to the fold, and this new setup represents a new and thrilling chapter for the band. Head over to the Joiners in their 56th anniversary week to hear Ratboys at their best.
More information here.
Friday 7th – HotWax, The Joiners
Bringing the anniversary week to a close are HotWax, a name that has generated a whole lot of buzz over the past few years. With their frantic, unrelenting energy, they’re causing a stir up and down the country, HotWax are on their way to going stratospheric, the perfect example of the kind of exciting bands that a place like The Joiners has fostered over the years – what better way to celebrate our favourite venue’s birthday.
More information here.
Monday 10th – FEET, Vinilo Record Store
Indie favourites FEET will be supporting their new album Make It Up with an instore show at Vinilo this month. Crowd-pleasing anthems have made them an exciting guitar band to follow, and this low-key instore will be an intriguing setting for their usually chaotic style of performance. Head down to the record store on the 10th and see what awaits.
More information here.
Friday 21st – Mannequin Pussy, The Joiners
Their latest release I Got Heaven has been a punk highlight of 2024 so far, and Mannequin Pussy will be bringing the noise to The Joiners on the 21st. After receiving universal critical acclaim for I Got Heaven, everyone has been talking about Mannequin Pussy. The Joiners feels like the perfect venue for their brand of deeply personal and energetic punk rock. This one is sure to be a night to remember.
More information here.
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