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Must see acts: winter 2022

Seeing live music isn’t just good for the soul, it supports a whole

host of people in the music industry WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

Promising that once the live music scene was fully open for business I’d be there too, and with things really back in full swing, this autumn and winter offers up loads of my favourites that I can’t wait to catch live.

The industry has been hit badly in the last few years. Touring musicians and their crews (of which there are usually lots!) were out of work, taking forced time out from doing what they love. By going to see live music you are doing more than having a good time. You are supporting musicians, their crews, and venues at a time when it has never been more important to do so. Here are my personal picks for acts that I’ll be seeing play live in the coming months.

Wet Leg

Wet Leg released their debut single Chaise Longue less than two years ago and they’ve made a huge impact in that short time. Globally, the duo have reached over 150 million streams and sold over 250,000 albums, as well as finding fans in the likes of Drew Barrymore, Lorde, Elton John, Harry Styles, Edgar Wright and Dave Grohl. Fresh from their No.1 debut album being shortlisted for the 2022 Mercury Prize, you can catch them close by in Nottingham and Birmingham.

Idlewild

Idlewild are a Scottish indie/rock band that formed in Edinburgh in 1995 and were one of the first bands that got me going to gigs. The band’s line-up consists of Roddy Woomble (lead vocals), Rod Jones (guitar, backing vocals), Colin Newton (drums), Andrew Mitchell (bass) and Luciano Rossi (keyboards). Their upcoming tour marks 20 years since the release of their album The Remote Part via Parlophone Records Limited. The alternative rock album featured singles, including You Held the World in Your Arms and American English. While they’re not playing locally to Leicester right now, they’re well worth the travel to their upcoming venues.

First Aid Kit

The two-time BRIT Award-nominated Söderberg sisters are back with their fifth studio album, Palomino, and an autumn UK tour. Written and recorded in their home country of Sweden, Palomino was created during a time of isolation for so many, yet it’s surprisingly First Aid Kit’s most popsounding record yet. The duo explain that the album’s title is “a reference to freedom, learning how to stand on your own two feet. Growing older and feeling more comfortable in your own skin. Riding off on a Palomino!” Expect catchy hooks and heavenly harmonising! Wet Leg Nov 13 - UEA Norwich Nov 14 - O2 Academy Bristol Nov 15 - O2 Academy Liverpool Nov 17 - SWG3 Glasgow Nov 18 - Leeds Beckett Students Union Nov 19 - O2 Ritz Manchester Nov 21 - O2 Institute Birmingham Nov 23 - O2 Forum Kentish Town London Nov 24 - O2 Forum Kentish Town London Nov 25 - Rock City Nottingham Nov 27 - Limelight Belfast Nov28 - Academy Dublin

Idlewild Nov 19 - Stourbridge Town Hall Nov 20 - Manchester New Century Hall Dec 17 - O2 Forum Kentish Town London Dec 20 - OGV Podium Aberdeen Dec 21 - O2 Academy Glasgow

First Aid Kit Nov 28 - Glasgow O2 Academy Nov 30 - Manchester O2 Apollo Dec 2 - Cambridge Corn Exchange Dec 3 - Birmingham O2 Academy Dec 5 - Liverpool Eventim Olympia Dec 6 - Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Dec 8 - London Eventim Apollo