Live music in London 2023: Our guide to the unmissable gigs in October
As autumn approaches, live music fans still have a lot to be excited about for the rest of the year– with London 2023 dates announced from huge names including Madonna, Diana Ross, Kylie Minogue, Noel Gallagher, and the Sugababes across multiple venues in the capital.
Fans will be eager not to miss out, but with the sheer volume of concerts already in the calendar, it’s hard to keep up with what’s going on.
Luckily, we’ve curated a rolling monthly list of gigs in London, updated with the hottest tickets in town – so you won’t miss a thing. Here are the biggest gigs to head to in October...
October 4, 5
Jorja Smith
UK R&B powerhouse Jorja Smith is set to celebrate the release her album Falling or Flying at state-of-the-art venue HERE at Outernet, with two bumper shows for fans to enjoy. The Grammy-nominated artist has already had quite the year, bagging one of the songs of the summer with her track Little Things, and now fans can gear up to hear her new material performed live in the capital.
Where? HERE at Outernet
Tickets: SOLD OUT
October 6
Gabrielle
Dreams may be about to come true for fans of chart-topper Gabrielle, as she brings her catalogue of UK classics to G Live Guildford. With a capacity of just over 1,000, it’s a chance to catch the popular singer in a more intimate venue – although if Guildford is a bit Out Of Reach, there will also be an opportunity to catch the star at the Royal Albert Hall on October 31st.
Where: G Live Guildford
Tickets: from £32.50, trafalgartickets.com
October 7
Don Toliver
Nu-wave R&B chart-topper Don Toliver dropped his third album Love Sick earlier this year, following the success of this UK No. 1 track Lemonade back in 2020. He embarked on his LIFE OF A DON tour back in 2021, but never made it over from the US due to various pandemic restrictions. Now he’s finally bringing his talent to the capital on his first UK tour, giving many lockdown fans their first taste of Toliver on this side of the pond.
Where: OVO Arena
Tickets: from £44.45, ticketmaster.co.uk
Louis Dunford
North London’s Louis Dunford is set to have a mass of Gunners fans descend west of the capital in London Derby style as he takes on his biggest gig yet. To most, he’s known as an Arsenal legend, with his track The Angel (North London Forever) blaring through the Emirates before every home game, but with fan-favourites including Lucy and When We Were Hooligans under his belt, the singer-songwriter takes on a venue upgrade that meets the demand.
Where? Eventim Apollo
Tickets: SOLD OUT
October 9
Girl Ray
Alternative north London trio Girl Ray have been making moves in the industry with their fresh sound that encompasses indie-pop and disco, gaining them a loyal fan base. Their album Prestige, released August 4, was a synth-pop strut-a-thon that pleased both critics and fans alike, and now the group are set to bring the project to life on stage. Their tour kicks off in the capital, at Hackney’s shimmering Moth Club.
Where? Moth Club
Tickets: £11, dice.fm
October 10
Black Country, New Road
Post-punks Black Country, New Road have propelled to popularity due to their experimental sound, encompassing everything from brass instruments to harmonicas and everything in between. The band follow up their acclaimed last album, 2022’s Ants From Up There, with a bumper show at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, marking a new era following the departure of frontman Isaac Wood.
Where? O2 Kentish Town Forum
Tickets: from £32.39, academymusicgroup.com
Busted
It’s not quite the year 3000, but 2023 still marks a significant milestone for pop-punk favourites Busted, who are celebrating 20 years since their debut track What I Go To School For. A Noughties pop-punk staple, nostalgic fans will be lining up in their droves to see the four-piece light up The O2 Arena. We have a hunch it will be a throwback of epic proportions.
Where? The O2
Tickets: from £48, theo2.co.uk
October 13
The Reytons
Rotherham rockers The Reytons might be unsigned, but it didn’t stop them topping the UK Albums Chart in January with their second album What’s Rock and Roll? The group were a strong presence on the festival circuit in the UK this year, playing Isle of Wight Festival among others, and look to take the success of their summer into autumn with a headline show in the capital.
Where? O2 Kentish Town Forum
Tickets: from £36.20, ticketmaster.co.uk
October 14, 15
Diana Ross
Disco-pop legend Diana Ross is quite literally a supreme talent, and after playing Glastonbury’s iconic Legends’ slot, she’s off to one of the capital’s swankiest venues for a career-spanning greatest hits tour. With classics like I’m Coming Out, Upside Down and Endless Love, it looks likely to spark a sing-along of the highest order.
Where? Royal Albert Hall
Tickets: from £112, royalalberthall.com
October 14, 15, 17, 18
Madonna
The undisputed Queen of Pop, Madonna brings her Celebration Tour to London for four huge nights at The O2, showcasing all the hits of her illustrious career in spectacular fashion (as always with Madge). Expect to Vogue it all through the night with hits including Like a Virgin and Hung Up, with a generational talent, who continues to reinvent herself to this day. Tickets are in huge demand fo Madonna’s run of shows, but those who don’t get lucky this month can try again in December, with an additional show added.
Where? The O2
Tickets: various prices, theo2.co.uk
October 19, 20
Luke Combs
Country superstar Luke Combs has been blowing up the charts Stateside with his take on Tracy Chapman’s 1988 classic Fast Car, and his unique take on the iconic track has seen his popularity skyrocket this past summer. Following his US success, he’s looking to capture audiences in the capital with two shows at London’s O2 Arena. Best get your cowboy boots ready for this rodeo.
Where? The O2
Tickets: SOLD OUT
October 19
Bombay Bicycle Club
Indie-rock favourites Bombay Bicycle Club have come a long way since their 2009 debut album I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose, and fresh-faced from an ultimately brief hiatus, the Crouch End band are back with their latest album My Big Day, released October 20. On the eve of the album’s release, the group play PRYZM Kingston; expect some last minute album previews and a whole load of old favourites.
Where? PRYZM Kingston
Tickets: SOLD OUT
October 19
Mahalia
One of UK R&B’s brightest talents, Mahalia takes over the Eventim Apollo following the release of her second album IRL. The singer is bringing up-and-coming boyband No Guidnce on the road with her, and they’ll also open for her at one of her biggest headline shows to date.
Where? Eventim Apollo
Tickets: SOLD OUT
October 20
Wheatus
Teenage Dirtbags across London are set to descend to The Garage to see American rockers Wheatus as they light up the stage with... that one song of theirs that literally everyone knows. Fingers crossed they also chuck in one of their traditional Weezer covers for good measure.
Where? The Garage
Tickets: from £25, the garage.london
October 23
Digga D
Digga D takes on a venue fit for drill royalty as one of the genre’s most notable names. With an arsenal of chart entries under his belt including his Zac Efron-approved track No Diet – the 23-year-old’s debut at the hall should be a memorable night. Better still, he’s also using his platform to give back to the community with a workshop called The Albert Sessions, which allows young, world-class artists who haven’t performed at the venue to showcase their skills on the main stage.
Where? Royal Albert Hall
Tickets: from £32.25, royalalberthall.com
October 24
Ellie Goulding
UK pop artist Ellie Goulding has enjoyed a stellar year, topping the charts alongside Calvin Harris with their collaboration Miracle, and clocking eight weeks at the charts’ summit. With her latest album Higher Than Heaven, also receiving a glowing reception, Goulding takes to the Roundhouse stage on a high.
Where? Roundhouse
Tickets: SOLD OUT
