Best gigs and concerts in London this June

A summer of sport? Sod that. I’d rather a summer of necking White Claws in a field or a stadium or a dirty little nightclub, sweating everything out on the dancefloor with my friends and losing my voice from singing way too loudly. That’s what true athleticism looks like. And my god, does London have a whole lotta live shows happening this June. You’ve got massive pop stars taking over the capital (ahem, Taylor Swift), punk legends tearing up iconic venues, Latin American viral sensations bringing heat to our arenas and some seriously exciting new indie stars performing in teeny tiny spaces. Whatever your Spotify recents look like, chances are you’ll find at least some of them here – so sack off the healthy lifestyle for now and indulge yourself in these amazing gigs. 

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For stadium-sized pop spectacles 

Troye Sivan 

Following the release of his third album, ‘Something to Give Each Other’, Australian singer-songwriter Troye Sivan is returning to London – but this time, he’s ramping things up a bit, taking over Wembley’s OVO Arena for a bloody massive show. Enjoy a euphoric celebration of unapologetically queer pop anthems, such as top-selling singles ‘Rush’ and ‘Got Me Started’, complete with raunchy dance numbers and OTT costuming. 

OVO Arena, Wembley, HA9 0AA. Thur Jun 27, 6pm. From £56.

Girls Aloud

Honestly, there’s no better time for a girl group revival than now. Hot off the heels of the Sugababes renaissance and TLC’s Netflix doc, Girl Aloud are taking over the O2 for an epic career-spanning celebration. The four-piece will be playing all your favourite radio-ready bangers from ‘Sound of the Underground’ to ‘Biology’ and ‘Can’t speak French’, with tributes to the late Sarah Harding scattered throughout the show. Whenever you’re ready.

The O2, SE10 0DX. Sun Jun 23, 6pm. From £55. 

Burna Boy

Burna Boy is set to bring some serious heat to the London Stadium this summer, as he embarks on his global ‘I Told Them’ tour with a stop in Stratford on June 29. Not sure what to expect from the Nigerian pop legend? Give the Grammy-nominated ‘Sittin’ on Top of the World’ a spin for a proper good teaser.

London Stadium, E20 2ST. Sat Jun 29, 5pm. From £113.30.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe is somewhat of a pop visionary, breaking boundaries with their Afrofuturistic imagery, rich instrumental productions and versatile rapping and singing. From being mentored by Prince to reaching critical acclaim with the full-length debut ‘The ArchAndroid’, Monáe has been known to bring fun elements of science fiction to R&B and pop – and their show at Brixton’s O2 promises to be a brilliant live spectacle. 

O2 Academy Brixton, SW9 9SL. Sat Jun 29, 7pm. From £53.15. 

Taylor Swift

Sorry, you won’t be able to make it through this month without hearing the name Taylor Swift: here in London, she’ll be taking over the city with three nights at Wembley Stadium to perform all three hours of the ‘Eras’ Tour. Expect an ever-changing setlist of chart-topping hits and deep cuts alongside large-scale production, countless outfit changes and, obviously, hordes of screaming fans.

Wembley Stadium, HA9 0WS. Fri Jun 21-Sun Jun 23, 6pm. From £110.

For avant-garde pop

St. Vincent

There are very few doing it like St Vincent. A prominent voice in the art-pop world, she combines crisp vocals with an electro sound and striking visuals to create a signature brand of dance-ready music. Her newest album ‘All Born Screaming’ received widespread acclaim for its depiction of that exhilarating, punch-you-in-the-gut kind of love. Dig out your latex and wigs and prepare for a stunning audiovisual experience.

Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP. Sat Jun 1, 7pm. From £37.75.

Ethel Cain

Sometimes you just want a gig that’ll have you twirling around in a haze of multi-coloured lights and lush layered vocals. Ethel Cain will do that to you. For the kind of show that makes you feel like you’ve done a large rip on a weed pen, head to this night at the Roundhouse: gothic pop instrumentals, religious iconography and angelic vocals are all guaranteed. 

Roundhouse, NW1 8EH. Wed Jun 5 and Mon Jun 10, 7pm. From £27.50.

For the cool rock dads

Liam Gallagher

You’re probably more likely to see Rishi Sunak doing a bump backstage at Warehouse Project than you are to see an Oasis reunion – so for the time being, a night of frontman Liam Gallagher reciting the seminal classic ‘Definitely Maybe’ will have to do. We’re betting for a sea of dads in footie shirts and parka jackets that are impractically hot for mid-June.

The O2, SE10 0DX. Thur Jun 6 - Tues Jun 11, 6.30pm. From £86.50.  

The Smashing Pumpkins & Weezer

Billy Corgan and co are taking over the O2 this summer to bring you a night of definitely-not-cringe indie classics. Co-headlined with Weezer, this night is a must for active and retired skater dudes who want to spend the night chugging double pints and yelling aloud to ‘Buddy Holly’ and ‘1979’. Actually sounds pretty fun, doesn’t it? 

The O2, SE10 0DX. Sat Jun 8, 6pm. From £88.50.

Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters really are the kind of band that withstands the test of time. At this point, they’re the rock equivalent to a beaten-up pair of Docs: sturdy, reliable and straight-up classic. If you like your music loud, guitar-heavy and downright danceable, this night with Dave Grohl’s bloody brilliant Nirvana follow-up is not to be missed. 

London Stadium, E20 2ST. Thu Jun 20, 4pm. From £82.50. 

For sizzling Spanish anthems 

J Balvin

Colombian singer J Balvin, aka the ‘Prince of Reggaeton’, is back on the road with his ‘Que Bueno Volver a Verte’ (Good To See You Again) tour. As one of the best-selling Latin artists in the world right now, he’s sold more than 35 million records since he first came onto the scene. Hear hits like the fizzing 2018 summer banger ‘Mi Gente’ and jazzy, romantic ‘La Canción’ when he takes over the O2 for a night of some seriously dance-ready music.  

The O2, SE10 0DX. Wed Jun 5, 6.30pm. From £56.

Anitta

The definition of a triple threat, Anitta is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and dancer who has bagged four Latin American Music Awards and eight Latin Grammy Award noms. She’s taking over the O2 Kentish Forum for her ‘Baile Funk Experience’ tour to support the ‘Funk Generation’ album that came out earlier this year, highlighting the Brazilian funk that has influenced her career. Be ready to get sweaty.

O2 Forum Kentish Town, NW5 1JY. Fri Jun 28 Jun, 7pm. From £53.90.

Karol G

J Balvin is not the only Colombian superstar touching down in the UK this summer. Karol G is considered one of reggaeton’s most influential artists, with a Grammy, five Latin Grammy Awards and four Billboard Music Awards under his belt. Last year’s ‘Mañana Será Bonito’ has to be one of her best releases yet, with ‘QLONA’ – a shimmering mid-tempo bop combining electronic keyboard melodies with hard-hitting lyrics – being an absolute stand-out. 

The O2, SE10 0DX. Thur Jun 18, 6.30pm. From £87.35.

For faultless rap flows

Vince Staples

Los Angeles rapper Vince Staples announced his new project ‘Dark Times’ earlier in May, with the lead single ‘Shame on the Devil’ (featuring, quite frankly, stuh-uh-nning vocals from Baby Rose) acting as an exciting teaser of what is to come. Expect to hear this, and (hopefully) a few bangers from the brilliant 2021 self-titled and 2017’s ‘Big Fish Theory’ when he comes to the capital.

Roundhouse, NW1 8EH. Tue Jun 11, 7pm. From £27.50.

Doja Cat

Regardless of what you thought of her new album, you can’t deny that Doja Cat is a bona fide rap legend. The LA artist may have been catapulted into fame with the viral joke sensation ‘MOOO!’ but her penchant for silly yet masterful rap flows has quite rightly cemented her superstardom. What followed was a pivot to pop, a number one smash hit with ‘Say So’ and her shedding her glossy image in favour of a shaved head and dressing like Cousin Itt for a headline Coachella performance. You can’t make this stuff up. 

The O2, SE10 0DX. Fri Jun 14, 6.30pm. From £76.

D-Block Europe

Platinum-selling South London duo Young Adz and Dirtbike LB, better known as D Block Europe, are hot properties right now. They experienced a meteoric rise in popularity recently with the success of their record-setting ‘DEB World’ mixtape, blending raw introspective lyrics with experimental melodies and rhythms. They’re a group that should be playing arenas – instead, they’re doing an intimate night at the Indigo club inside the O2. It’s gonna be a good ’un.

Indigo at The O2, SE10 0DX. Thur Jun 6, 7pm. Entry via ballot.

For indie earworms 

Crushed

Los Angeles-based duo Shaun Durkan and Bre Morell make heady shoegaze that is sexy and fuzzy yet fresh, borrowing from the sound of their 90s predecessors while still remaining thoroughly modern. This serene rock show at The Windmill will see Crushed perform their distinctive dreamy pop in an intimate setting – making the looped drum beats, layered vocals and rushing guitar reverb feel that much more immersive.

The Windmill, SW2 5BZ. Tue Jun 25, 7.30pm. From £12.10.

Alvvays

Canadian five-piece Alvvays broke out 10 years ago with their single ‘Archie, Marry Me’ and have gone from stride to stride since. Combining indie pop and noise rock through infectious melodies and deep lyricism, their 2022 ‘Blue Rev’ is the kind of album that gives you something more every time you listen. It’s a lusciously witty exploration of psychedelic indie that’s sure to blow the walls of the Troxy. 

Troxy, E1 0HX. Wed Jun 26, 7pm. From £32.13.

CSS

Cansei de Ser Sexy are celebrating their 20th anniversary by heading out on their ‘It’s Been A Number Of Years’ tour. The Brazilian nu-rave pioneers are taking over O2 Forum Kentish Town after a decade of being on hiatus, offering you the chance to yell along to indie sleaze classics such as ‘Alala’ and ‘Let’s Make Love’. (If you want a proper time warp, dig out your House of Holland slogan tee and plastic neon sunnies before necking a snakebite in the pit.)

O2 Forum Kentish Town, NW5 1JY. Thur Jun 27, 7pm. From £33. 

For the hardcore kids

Mannequin Pussy

Fresh from releasing their fourth studio album ‘I Got Heaven’ in March, Mannequin Pussy is taking over Scala for a night of blistering punk. Originating from Philadelphia, the four-piece tread carefully through indie and heavy rock soundscapes, with frontwoman Marisa ‘Missy’ Dabice sounding just as ethereal whispering down the mic as she does barking her lyrics. Bring your earplugs to this one. 

Scala, N1 9NL. Thu Jun 20, 7.30pm. From £22.46.

Flatspot World 

Flatspot Records is a label from New York and Maryland championing a new wave of punk and hardcore music. In recent years, it’s been the premier imprint for heavy, boundary-pushing music emerging from the underground across the US. This night at The Dome will showcase some of the hottest talent it has on its roster, with fan favourites like Scowl, ZULU and Speed leading the charge. 

The Dome, NW5 1HL. Sat Jun 15 and Sun Jun 16, 7pm. From £30.25.

For the skater kids that never grew up

Green Day

You can’t deny the influence of Green Day: they’re absolute legends of the pop-punk genre. Having crafted a sound that was both rebellious and commercially popular, to this day, the group’s third album ‘Dookie’ holds a special place in 90s kids’ hearts: ‘Basket Case’ is something all teens need to hear.   

Wembley Stadium, HA9 0WS. Sat Jun 29, 4.30pm. From £74.55.

NOFX

LA-based punk rock group NOFX has a long-held status within the rock music underground, having crafted a niche sound for the beer-chugging, hardcore-rocking oddball fanbase. The 1994 classic ‘Punk in Drublic’ is a classic punk album with its scattergun-like delivery of loud and fast songs that will have you riled up and ready to kick your legs up in the air when experienced live. 

O2 Academy Brixton, SW9 9SL. Tue Jun 11, Wed Jun 12, 7pm. From £46.

For large-scale soulful flows  

Morcheeba

Yeah, they’re the kind of band that cool parents from Herne Hill love. But younger folk should also have a crack at listening to Morcheeba, who masterfully blend elements of trip-hop, rock, folk rock and downtempo and have produced ten regular studio albums since 1995 – two of which reached the UK top ten. This show at the Southbank Centre (as part of Chaka Khan’s Meltdown) is sure to be a blissful, sit-down gig. 

Royal Festival Hall, SE1 8XX. Sat Jun 22, 8pm. From £30. 

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan is an absolute powerhouse (as her 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction proves). For the finale of this year’s Meltdown festival, she is celebrating 50 years in the business, bringing her incredible voice and global influence to this show with the Nu Civilisation Orchestra. In fact, it’s the first time she’s performed the album ‘ClassiKhan’ with a full orchestra, making the night with a living legend that more special. 

Royal Festival Hall, SE1 8XX. Sun Jun 23, 9pm. From £60.

For 90s rock girls

Bikini Kill

Pioneers of radical feminist punk Bikini Kill hold a legendary status for their instigating of the Riot Grrrl movement in the early ’90s via political lyrics, zines and confrontational live shows. Catch them this month at the Roundhouse for a blistering set that’ll span the early 90s to now, with hits such as ‘Rebel Girl’ still feeling as urgent today as they did back then. 

Roundhouse, NW1 8EH. Wed Jun 12, 7pm. From £38.50.

Beth Gibbons

Beth Gibbons may be best known as the shiver-inducing lead vocalist of the trip-hop group Portishead, but her recently released solo album, ‘Lives Outgrown’, has cemented her as an actual icon in her own right within the experimental pop music scene. It received a faultless five-star review from The Guardian for its delicate balance of dark themes, mournful instrumentals and haunting vocals, with glimmers of light cracking through every track.  

Barbican, EC2Y 8DS. Sun Jun 9, 7.30pm. From £45. 

Kim Gordon

What do you do if you’re famed for pioneering grunge and art rock? Where do you go next? Trap, obviously. Renowned for crafting experimental sounds with the likes of Charli XCX and Justin Raisen, the Sonic Youth frontwoman’s newly released ‘The Collective’ is an abstract, poetic record, with lo-fi trap combined with Gordon’s signature slow-paced vocals to create a distinctly ominous feel.   

KOKO, NW1 7RE. Tue Jun 25, 7pm. From £35.50. 

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