Big Deal
Sarah Mwangi watches Californian/London-based pop rock group Big Deal play a lethargic and uninspiring set at the Rainbow in Birmingham
Sidi Toure
Sarah Mwangi is increasingly impressed by Mali musician Sidi Toure at a gig at the Café OTO in London on his first European tour
Bear in Heaven
Sarah Mwangi watches Brooklyn-based electronica act Bear in Heaven struggle with sound problems at a show at the Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen in London
Monkey Island/The Dublo
Vacouver-based garage rock duo Japandroids put on a fast and furious show at the CAMP Basement in London
Washed Out
Sarah Mwangi finds Washed Out, the project of astral American chillwave artist Ernest Green, unable to make the transition from kaledoscopic bedroom artist into the live arena
Laki Mera
Despite Glaswegian electronic quartet's Laki Mera's military efficiency and mechanical production, Sarah Mwangi finds much that is achingly human in their music at a show at the Barfly in London
JD Set
Sarah Mwangi watches young Classic American Rock revivalists Filligar play an anthemic, yet often too familiar-sounding set at the Troubadour in London
Yeasayer
Yeasayer have been among the few bands that I know I should listen to but… don’t. They emerged in 2007 with their critically praised album ‘All Hour Cymbals’, full of experimental sounds and eccentri
Howe Gelb
Despite being confined by the small stage of the Nottingham Bodega, Sarah Mwangi sees upbeat Cumbria-based indie rock outfit Wild Beasts play an exuberant and forceful set
Flashguns
At the Nottingham Rescue Rooms, Sarah Mwangi finds energetic teenage indie rock band Flashguns more mature than their youth would suggest, but their ideas coming out too thick and fast sometimes for the good of their music
M Ward
Sarah Mwangi finds Portland, Oregon-based singer-songwriter M Ward moving back in time with a surprisingly nostalgic and old-fashioned rock 'n' roll set the night at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham
Malakai
Bristol-based trip-hop/soul duo Malakai have won much acclaim for their debut album, but, at a gig in support of Doves at the Nottingham Rock City, Sarah Mwangi finds their live performance ragged and lacking focus
Tv On The Radio
At the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, Sarah Mwangi is impressed by the musicianship on display of guitar-based dance art-rockers TV on the Radio, but finds their performance nevertheless somewhat muted
Hold Steady
Sarah Mwangi is impressed by Springsteen-esque Hold Steady's energy and passion at rescheduled show at the Rock City in Nottingham
Emmy the Great
Liverpool-based trio Hot Club de Paris merge snappy adolescent melodies and dance beats. Sarah Mwangi, however, finds nothing that she hasn't already seen before at the Bodega in Nottingham
Shed Seven
Sarah Mwangi sees New York rockers Interpol encapsulate their audience with a boisterous and theatrical show at the Alexandra Palace in London
John Mayer
Long-term fan Sarah Mwangi sees guitar virtuoso John Mayer play a passionate and revitalising set at the Royal Albert Hall in London
National
At the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham, Sarah Mwangi sees much acclaimed New York-based Americana outfit the National play a humorously alcohol-fuelled and experimental set
Black Keys
At the Shepherds Bush Empire in London, new writer Sarah Mwangi finds much of American blues duo the Black Keys' passion stolen by their insistent touring schedule