Calexico
With a mix of songs both old and new spread over two joyful hours, Jamie Rowland finds that Calexico’s phenomenal set at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London still feels way too short
Sharon Van Etten
Jamie Rowland watches Sharon Van Etten somehow makes a sold-out show at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London feel like an intimate performance, with a night of raw, confessional and beautiful music
Metric
Jamie Rowland watches Canadian new wave/indie rock band Metric play a fiery, if self-indulgent set at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London
Arrows of Love
Jamie Rowland is entranced by former Hush the Many guitarist/vocalist Nima Ternachi's current band Arrows of Love in an energetic and intimidating set at the Islington Academy in London
Crazy Man Michael
Jamie Rowland is impressed by alternative rock act WATERS' energy and gusto, which is powerful enough to silence the whole crowd, in a support slot to Nada Surf at the KOKO in London
James Blackshaw
At the London KOKO, Jamie Rowland watches James Blackshaw, supporting head-splitting no wave legends Swans, play a brave and ultimately triumphant set of instrumental acoustic music
Miscellaneous
At the second ever Indietracks Festival, which takes place in a railway heritage site in Derbyshire, Jamie Rowland enjoys sets from indie pop/rock acts such as Herfner's Darren Hayman, the Bobby McGee's, the Wedding Present and ballboy
Arcade Fire
One of the most talked about live acts of recent years, Jamie Rowland watches Arcade Fire play an amazing set to a capacity audience at the vast Manchester Evening News Arena
Lupen Crook
One of the most exciting new acts in the UK, Jamie Rowland watches Lupen Crook and his band the Murderbirds play an electric-sounding set as part of the Spitz's Festival of Folk in London
Mission Of Burma
Legendary Seattle post punk trio Mission of Burma reformed in 2002 and recently played their first British gig in many years at the London Koko as a warm-up before their All Tomorrow's Parties appearance. Jamie Rowland finds them on stunningly good form
Lightning Bolt
Tongue-in-cheek American drum 'n' bass duo Lightning Bolt recently toured Britain to promote their fourth album 'Hypermagic Mountain'. Jamie Rowland watches them play a manic show at the London Garage
New Pornographers
Candian alt. country group the New Pornographers recently played a London show. Jamie Rowlaand watches them play a pleasant-on-the-ear, but somewhat unremarkable set
Lupen Crook
Medway-based folk punk Lupen Crook has been attracting increasingly strong reviews. Jamie Rowland watches him play an explosive set at London club the Social
Miscellaneous
Jamie Rowland watches twee Casio rockers Help ! She Can't Swim, Bearsuit and the Retro Spankees all play fresh and inventive sets at the Metro in London
Melt Banana
Japanese experimentalists Melt Banana are a band of no middle ground,annoying and exciting music fans in equal measure. Jamie Rowland enjoys a rare UK appearance at a gig at the London Garage
Immortal Lee County Killers
At the London Spitz Jamie Rowland enjoys a fantastic set from American blues punks the Immortal Lee County Killers, but finds his activities curtailed by the venue's late licence