Kendrick Lamar @ O2 Academy, Birmingham, Monday 8th
Before his performances at T In The Park and Wireless later this month, this week Kendrick Lamar will be performing a trilogy of gigs in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. The West Coast rapper’s mini tour kicks off the week at Birmingham’s O2 Academy, fresh from cleaning up at the BET Awards, where he won Best New Artist and Best Male Hip-Hop Artist. His album 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' topped end-of-year charts all over the world last year, and hopeful thoughts are now turning to a follow-up.
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Embers @ Sebright Arms, London Tuesday 9th
Following the release of their new single, ‘Part Of The Echoes’, Mancunian four-piece Embers bring their big sound to the small stage in the Sebright Arms. As the band told Clash earlier this year: “There’s nothing better than playing your song in a tiny, dingy practice room and getting goosebumps.” Prepare for something big.
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Frank Ocean @ Brixton Academy, London, Tuesday 9th
Playing the first of two sold-out shows in Brixton, Tuesday sees Frank Ocean’s first London date in a year and a half. After smashing it back in 2012, Ocean is back to play two of his biggest shows to date. The R&B singer has also been called in to feature on Jay-Z’s much anticipated new album ‘Magna Carta… Holy Grail’, lending his vocals to ‘Oceans’.
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Richard Hawley @ Somerset House, London, Sunday 14th
As part of Summer Series at Somerset House, this week Richard Hawley plays a sold-out show at one of London’s most stunning venues. On the line-up, which stretches out over July, Hawley is joined by Lianne La Havas, First Aid Kit, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and loads more.
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