I’ve been going to Daylight Music shows since a friend’s band played back in July 2013 at the Union Chapel in Islington. I wrote about their previous milestone of 10 years in 2019 but it’s an incredible achievement that 2024 marks the 15th year for one of the nicest gigs you can go to.
If you’re not familiar, Daylight Music is so named as the shows are put on between midday and 2pm. They host an eclectic selection of music and amazing artists with hot beverages, quiche and cake during their spring/summer and autumn/winter seasons. It’s run by Ben Eshmade and a team of volunteers who have expanded the musical minds and actual waistbands of those who visit. Over those fifteen years they have put on artists such London Bulgarian Choir, Blick Bassy, Alabaster DePlume, Frank Sidebottom, Nils Økland, Lula.xyz, Frank Chickens, Lætitia Sadier, Poppy Ackroyd, Nick Heyward, Hiss Golden Messenger, Haiku Salut, Trans-Siberian March Band, Kathryn Williams, Keith Tippett, Ed Dowie, Nils Frahm and their Lost Map Christmas shows are a glorious mainstay of the winter calendar.
Running a show like this is not without its struggles and there have been several funding campaigns to keep it afloat as well as the welcome inclusion of some recent Arts Council funding, but with live music still under threat and so many venues closing, going to shows that support grassroots music is more important than ever. Daylight Music is a unicorn of an event; one you can go to and enjoy even if you don’t know any of the acts. It’s a 2-hour life-affirming oasis that’s cheaper than therapy, and the welcoming atmosphere is inclusive and family friendly. You’ll even be home in time for Strictly, and did I mention the cake?
Check out the comprehensive Daylight Music website for full listings and information, but here are the artists playing in the rest of autumn/winter season which, from a personal point of view, includes one of my favourite all-time artists Sumie.
Saturday 12/10/2024 | 12 – 2pm at St John’s Leytonstone, E11 1HH ISAN | Xenia Pestova Bennett + Robyn Rocket | Tickets
Sunday 13/10/2024 | 1– 3pm at The Hot Tin, Faversham, ME13 88D ISAN | Xenia Pestova Bennett (extended sets) | Tickets
Saturday 26/10/2024 | 12 – 2pm at St John’s Leytonstone, E11 1HH | Frazer Merrick, KOGG + Hackoustic Orchestra | Tickets
Saturday 16/11/2024 | 12 – 2pm at St John’s Leytonstone, E11 1HH | EFG London Jazz Festival: Sonic Pieces: Deaf Center, Erik K Skodvin + Sumie | Tickets
Sunday 17/11/2024 | 1– 3pm at The Hot Tin, Faversham, ME13 88D Sonic Pieces: Deaf Center, Erik K Skodvin + Sumie | Tickets
Saturday 23/11/2024 | 12 – 2pm at St John’s Leytonstone, E11 1HH EFG | London Jazz Festival: Goldsmiths Improviser Collective, Katy Neve, Tom Pardoe-Matthews + Mathew Follis | Tickets
From December:
Sunday 08/12/2024 | 3– 5pm at ARK – Cliftonville Cultural Space, CT9 2HP Adrian Crowley, Rachel Horton-Kitchlew + Dhanraj Persaud Pandey – Tickets TBA
Sunday 15/12/2024 | 1– 3pm at The Hot Tin, Faversham, ME13 88D | Matthew Bourne, Falle Nioke + Liza Bec – Tickets TBA
Saturday 25/01/2024 | 12 – 2pm at St John’s Leytonstone, E11 1HH | Lost Map: Afterlands, Pictish Trial + Flo Lines – Tickets TBA
Sunday 26/01/2024 | 1– 3pm at The Hot Tin, Faversham, ME13 88D | Afterlands, Pictish Trial + Flo Lines (encore) – Tickets TBA
Daylight Music socials: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Introduction by Paul F Cook
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Daylight at 15 illustration by Damian O’Hara