By Vicky Greer. Photo: Millie Manders and the Shut Up by Billy Perett.
Buckle up, because there’s an overwhelming number of shows happening in Southampton this month. What better way to celebrate the spooky season than by going to gigs every night of the week? In fact, time it right and you could be at a Joiners-run gig 19 days in a row this month. What’s so scary about that, you ask? Well, just imagine the lower back pain that would follow.
Saturday 5th – The Last Dinner Party, O2 Guildhall
EDITED 2/10/24 – The Last Dinner Party at Southampton O2 Guildhall has been cancelled. Click here for more information.
The Last Dinner Party’s meteoric rise to stardom has been an absolute treat to watch. The London five-piece bring the whimsy back into rock ‘n’ roll with their baroque-pop stylings and high-concept lyricism. Inspired by legends like David Bowie, Freddie Mercury and Kate Bush, the result was Prelude To Ecstasy, their wildly confident debut. More than just an album, it’s become a way of life. Expect a crowd of fans dressed like Shakespearean fairies and an unforgettable set from the band.
More info here.
Monday 7th – Wunderhorse, The 1865
Another one of the exciting names in the rock scene today, Wunderhorse will be playing at The 1865 on the 7th. Led by Jacob Slater (formerly of the punk band Dead Pretties), they’ve freshly released their second album Midas, a delicious alt-rock offering that brings new depth and dimension to their sound. The songs are cathartic and raw in their vulnerability, full of songs that will electrify the room when they’re played on stage.
More info here.
Tuesday 8th – Orla Gartland, Vinilo Record Store
Dublin’s Orla Gartland will be launching her new album Everybody Needs A Hero in Vinilo Record Store this month with a stripped-back, intimate performance of her new songs. It’s not her first time playing in the shop, having paid a visit with her band Fizz (with Dodie, Greta Isaac and Martin Luke Brown) last year.
She rose to fame with the track ‘Why Am I Like this?’ which famously featured on the soundtrack to Heartstopper, and with her debut album Woman on the Internet. Ticket bundles are limited, so make sure to get your hands on them before it’s too late.
More info here.
Friday 18th – Tom Robinson Band, The Joiners
The new names have had their moment, now it’s time to get excited about a rock legend as Tom Robinson Band come to Southampton, celebrating the two albums released by the band with its original lineup. TRB are best known for their song ‘Glad To Be Gay’ which – despite a ban from the BBC when it was released in 1978 – went on to become a national gay anthem.
Robinson says: “45 years on some of the original TRB lyrics – about division, injustice and uncertainty – still feel depressingly relevant in a world of Trump, Farage and Suella Braverman. I also owe a huge amount to the musicianship of Mark, Dolphin, and Danny back in the day. We’re hoping to do that early band – and the songs – full justice this Autumn.”
More info here.
Saturday 19th – Heartbroken Festival, Heartbreakers
We do love a mini festival in Southampton, don’t we? Almost as much as we love Heartbreakers. Well, we’re in luck, because the venue is putting on Heartbroken Festival on the 19th, featuring sets from live favourites The Howlers, buzzy up-and-comers Lip Filler and local star Eloise Carter (pictured).
More info here.
Friday 25th – Millie Manders and the Shutup, The 1865
No strangers to the Southampton live scene, Millie Manders & The Shutup are making their grand return to the city with a headline show at The 1865 at the end of the month. One of the most outspoken, authentic punk bands around today, MMATSU combined punk, ska and pop influences on their riotous new album Wake Up, Shut Up, Work.
We spoke to Millie Manders during the summer in a candid interview on songwriting, speaking out against injustice and the band’s upcoming tour. She said:
“We’ve played the Joiners three, maybe four times before. I love that venue. I love the team there. I love how well they look after the bands. This time we’re at the 1865. I’m really excited. It is a little bit bigger. It’s scary that people are giving us all this trust with these big-capacity rooms!”
For more information, click here.
Saturday 26th – Definitely Oasis, The Joiners
Let’s face it, you didn’t get Oasis tickets. Even if you managed to get through the carnage of the Ticketmaster virtual queuing system, the sight of £300+ tickets probably put you off. Oasis and Ticketmaster have been rightly criticised over the last month for their outrageous in-demand pricing system, with calls to make a change to the way they sell tickets. It represents a lot of what is wrong with the music industry today.
Thank goodness, then, for small venues and tribute bands. Because let’s be honest, won’t you have more fun at The Joiners on a Saturday night, up close and personal with a tribute band known for sounding as good as the real thing for tickets a tiny fraction of the price?
Of course, like the real thing, Definitely Oasis have sold out the Joiners, but you can join the waitlist here.
Tuesday 29th – Los Bitchos
Something a little different at the end of the month comes in the form of cumbia-surf sensations Los Bitchos, bringing their cool, camp instrumentals to The 1865. They’re a unique presence in the music scene, known for their lyricless tracks that blend musical influences from all over the world. In my experience, they’re always a band that are heaps of fun to watch live.
More info here.
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