I don’t know about you, but I gave out the biggest sigh of relief when I was finally able to pull out my hoodies for the first time in what feels like decades. Yes, it’s sad to say goodbye to summer. But my bank account is grateful that I’m no longer diving into it for last-minute pints, packs of Vogues or a questionable amount of festival merch. I’m also pretty chuffed that I won’t be sleeping in fields again for at least another 10 months. Now that I’m the ripe old age of 30, my back simply can’t take it anymore.
What also comes with the end of summer is a fresh crop of live shows and club nights, meaning my credit cards won’t get to rest for too long. Alongside some of the big hitters – hip-hop icon JAY-Z and shit-hot alt-rockers Geese – there’s a fresh batch of new musical talent worth your time and cash this month. Leeds hardcore band Bodyweb, EDM duo Frost Children and grunge rocker Violet Grohl are all making a case for getting off the sofa and filling your nights with live music, rather than another series of .
The best London gigs in September 2026
1. Geese
New York’s Geese are one of the world’s most exciting rock bands. Fronted by Cameron Winter (who one journalist dubbed ‘the next Leonard Cohen’), the band combines jagged guitars, grinding drum rhythms and increasingly paranoid vocals into thrillingly erratic live showcases. Their Troxy takeover is intimate by comparison to what they’ve been doing in the US, so this might be the last time you see them pre-arena.
Good for: Troubled indie kids who have something to leave behind on the dancefloor
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2. KATSEYE
KATSEYE went from Dream Academy to global pop domination. And while they may be down to a quartet (following the extended breaks of members Sophia and Manon), they are keeping the show going, with two dates at The O2 this month. You’ll get the full K-pop treatment here, with mercilessly polished dance numbers, catchy pop songs and jaw-dropping vocals, making them an essential ticket for any pop lover.
Good for: Anyone who learned the ‘Gnarly’ TikTok dance
September 3 and 4, 6.30pm
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3. JAY-Z
Tying into the 30th anniversary of his debut and the 25th anniversary of his sixth album , this is JAY-Z’s first run of purely solo gigs since his 4:44 Tour back in 2017. Thus far, he’s swapped around songs in the setlist and brought out guests like Nas, Pharrell, Rihanna and even his wife, Beyoncé, so who knows who he’s got ready for his London night? My money’s on Ali G.
Good for: 40-something-year-old men who know all the words to ‘Izzo’
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4. James Blake
James Blake’s homecoming includes two shows at the legendary O2 Academy Brixton, where he’s sure to deliver a very different set to the Mala B2B I saw him play just around the corner at Phonox in 2024. Expect his trademark blend of electronic production, soulful songwriting and atmospheric vocal delivery. If you ever get emotional while hearing a lingering synth line, this is for you.
Good for: People who can elegantly cry into a pint
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5.
Some of you will be glad to hear that EDM never died; some of you less so. Whichever way you swing, modern-day advocates for the genre, Frost Children, are one of New York’s hottest exports, collaborating with everyone from Kim Petras to Danny Brown and Porter Robinson. The sibling duo jump between rave, punk and glitchy electronic sounds that make for a gloriously sweaty club experience. Play as loudly as you can to get warmed up.
Good for: Teenagers in skinny jeans and polo shirts ironically, and music critics who used to wear the same thing in the 2010s
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6.
singer will be taking up residency for eight nights, tying into the release of their fifth album . Their not-so-new sound sees them reintroducing choirs, violins and emphatic piano ballads into their setlists, making this show a bit more mum-friendly than their era.
Good for: The kinds of people who sing ‘Stay With Me’ at karaoke like they’re on X Factor
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7.
Yes, like Grohl. Dave’s daughter has been making a name for herself with debut album . The scuzzy, slasher-inspired alt-rock single ‘595’ was described as ‘made for 90s MTV’ by the , making it a must for grunge enthusiasts. With her nostalgic, guitar-led sound and frequent festival appearances throughout the summer, this should be a sweaty re-introduction to one of rock’s greatest family names.
Good for: People who think nepotism can be good sometimes, actually
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8. Weyes Blood
Weyes Blood has spent years perfecting the art of making devastatingly beautiful music – the kind that’ll make you picture your Lime bike rides as if they were scenes in an indie movie. Now, Natalie Mering is taking her lush, psychedelic folk-pop to the Royal Albert Hall, where the Jules Buckley Orchestra’ll join her as part of the BBC Proms. Sweeping arrangements, cinematic strings and existential yearning are all guaranteed.
Good for: Sad girls with excellent Spotify Wrapped stats
September 8, 10.15pm
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9. Model/Actriz
If you’ve ever wondered what it would sound like to have a panic attack in a nightclub, Model/Actriz are here to provide the answer. The Brooklyn quartet make gloriously abrasive, sexually charged post-punk, with Cole Haden delivering unhinged vocals as he roams the sweaty dancefloor. Their ICA residency will have you up close and personal with the band in ways you may not always be comfortable with. All part of the experience though.
Good for: Those who consider standing still at gigs a personal failure
September 1 and 2, 7.30pm
Institute of Contemporary Arts, SW1Y 5AH
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10. Snow Patrol
There’s something deeply comforting about a Snow Patrol gig. Maybe it’s the knowledge that within seconds of ‘Chasing Cars’ starting, everyone in the crowd will be emotionally transported to a very specific 2000s memory. These Royal Albert Hall shows celebrate 20 years of , so expect all the big ones – and probably a few tears from people who swore they were too cool for this sort of thing.
Good for: Anyone who still has a copy of in their parents’ attic
September 21, 22 and 24, 6.30pm
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11.
Death Cab For Cutie may have had a bit of a resurgence in recent years, but the real ones know they’ve always been solid. Ben Gibbard and co. are bringing their newest album, I Built You A Tower, to Troxy for two nights, giving eager fans the chance to hear the band’s freshest music in four years. With a sound that evokes their golden era, but with a mature, self-aware perspective on hardships and grief, it’s going to have you weeping in the best way possible.
Good for: Millennials who peaked on Tumblr in 2013
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12. Syd
Syd has always operated somewhere between R&B, soul and the hazier edges of alternative pop, first as a member of Odd Future, The Internet and later as a solo artist. Her intimate Islington Assembly Hall show offers a chance to hear that velvety, understated sound up close, rather than from the cheap seats of a giant arena. Single Callin’ feat. Blu Juneis sure to sound particularly hypnotic live.
Good for: People who describe their music taste as ‘late-night R&B’
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13.
Ecca Vandal is an Australian-raised, London-based artist who has spent the last decade smashing together punk, hip-hop, electronic music and everything else she can get her hands on. Village Underground is the perfect setting for her – prepare to get so sweaty in the pit that you’re really putting the waterproof eyeliner to the test.
Good for: Anyone born after 1996
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14.
Don’t let the name fool you: Little Grandad are considerably more chaotic than the friendly name implies. The Australian indie-rockers have built a reputation for scrappy, high-energy shows and this Scala date is a chance to see them in one of London’s best small venues before they inevitably graduate to bigger spaces.
Good for: Indie kids who have exhausted every Fontaines D.C. comparison
September 16, 6.30pm
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15.
Leeds hardcore outfit Bodyweb pull from 90s metalcore, hardcore and hazy alt-rock. After appearances at Outbreak and alongside bands like SPEED and Knocked Loose this year, they’re quickly becoming one of the UK’s most exciting heavy acts. Catch them at Bermondsey Social Club to earn bragging rights later on down the line.
Good for: Those who do their emotional processing in the mosh pit
September 2, 7.30pm
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