Published: 22 December, 2011
by ROISIN GADELRAB

I’ve scanned the usual venues and scoured the listings and, with a heavy heart, I have to say, there are slim pickings by way of live music over the next couple of weeks. Sure everyone deserves a break, but it’d be nice to have a bit more choice.

Still, there are some venues which never disappoint. So if you do feel like escaping the house this week, here’s a round-up of what’s on offer:

• How about a Gospel Christmas? London Community Gospel Choir (pictured), the first to perform at Wembley for the FA Cup Final, has been immortalised on The Lion King soundtrack. Hear them live tonight (Thurs) and tomorrow (Dec 23) at Jazz Cafe Camden. And if all that uplifting soul isn’t enough, Friday’s show is followed by I Love the 90s Christmas party.

• Proud Camden continues its eclectic programme of events with three extremely diverse nights.
First, Christmas Eve is the scene for Live It Loud Charity Fundraiser, where Proud will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring burlesque performers, indoor fireworks, and three rooms of DJs including Ben Sandground, Rob Sterling and Darren Levy & Bradley Collins with beats for all covering rock, pop, indie, party classics, R’n’B, hip hop and more. Second, remember Baby D of Let Me Be Your Fantasy fame? Yes, another 90s phenomenon has been resurrected for Proud’s Boxing Day Black Tie Ball featuring first ever Mobo winners Baby D plus a list of club DJs including Special K, Craze, Ballseye, Pigzy and more. This one has an unusual selling point, stressing: “The events will be smart dress, the dressier the better. This immediately takes away some of the potential problems which exist in most clubs, such as gang identification associated with street wear.” Okay then...
And now for some genuine live music, as the sublime Flux play Proud on Dec 27 . This talented collective is the muso’s choice of the week.

• Drum Eyes featuring Deadfather on Dec 27 at The Lexington. The collective promises experimental, industrial progressive electronica on drums, cornets, keys and – wait for it – Game Boys.

• The Magpies Nest have a great ear for music so it’s worth attending their Xmas party at The Old Queen’s Head (Dec 27) featuring Zong Zing All Stars, Cut A Shine, Rouges, DJ Cal Jader, Folkaoke and Nathan Ball.