Ever since first attending Mutations in 2022, I have described it as a more manageable, densely packed version of The Great Escape. Since the festival condensed into two days, that description has become even more apt. Spanning multiple genres and a good selection of the city’s venues, it is a no-brainer for local live music fans looking to broaden their horizons and discover their next favourite band.

Beneath London’s Denmark Street, in the intimate, sweat-soaked surroundings of Yungblud’s B.R.A.T Cave, Arabella Lucia trades the full-band electricity of her usual performances for an acoustic set that puts her voice, songwriting and personality firmly in the spotlight. For the self-proclaimed Rockstar Princess, this is an opportunity to reveal the vulnerability beneath the punk-rock attitude, and to show just how much she is developing as an artist.

Forty-five years on, Desperate Measures remain as combustible as ever. Presented by Vive Le Rock Magazine, this anniversary party at The Hope & Anchor on Saturday 24th October 2026 brings the New Zealand punk veterans together with two energetic support acts for a night of fast guitars, furious vocals and unapologetic attitude. Having reformed in London around a decade ago, the band are now preparing for a homecoming tour of New Zealand next May. First, though, there is unfinished business to attend to on home turf.

Singer-songwriter Serra Marinheiro continues her creative rebirth with spells in my living room, a captivating new single that further establishes the sound and identity of an artist embracing a newfound confidence and freedom of expression following her departure from her former musical project, POESY.

Transatlantic folk collective The Wellermen are set to take a major step forward with the announcement of their new album, Homeward Bound, arriving on 12th March. Marking the group’s first full-length collection of original, self-written material, the 13-track record sees the five-piece draw on their diverse musical backgrounds to create a collection rooted in traditional folk storytelling, rich harmonies and contemporary songwriting.

Singer-songwriter SoJo transforms personal heartbreak into an uplifting declaration of independence with her new single Arena For Love, released ahead of her debut album, Feeling Free, arriving on 4th December.

Teenage punk firebrands Yee Loi return with Miraclist, their electrifying fourth single and latest preview of their forthcoming debut album, Flicks, licks, party tricks, due for release on 15th January 2027 via Modern Sky UK.

U2 are returning to stadiums in 2027 with Carnaval De Luz Presents: The Greatest Show On Earth, a major world tour that will see Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. reunite on stage for their first stadium dates since 2019. The newly announced UK and European leg includes two nights at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Wolf Alice joining the band as special guests across the European dates.