Can’t-Miss Gigs Happening in London

London never sleeps—especially when it comes to live music. From huge arena moments to sweaty basement shows, the city serves up gigs for every taste, budget, and mood. 

If you’re asking “what’s on right now?” here’s a clear, human-friendly guide to the best gigs in London you can catch, plus a few big nights just around the corner so you can plan ahead.

Hot picks you can see right now

Pierce The Veil + friends — OVO Arena, Wembley (Tue 23 Sept 2025): High-energy post-hardcore with a stadium-size sing-along. This bill also stacks fan-favorite support—perfect if you want a loud, cathartic night. Check the OVO Arena listing via gig trackers to confirm set times. 

Keyshia Cole + Lil’ Kim — The O2 (Tue 23 Sept 2025): R&B royalty meets hip-hop icon for a nostalgia-rich set with big hooks and bigger crowd moments. Ideal for a glossy, hit-packed evening on the peninsula. 

Black Lips — The 100 Club (Tue 23 Sept 2025): Dirty, joyous garage rock in one of London’s most historic underground rooms. Small room, loud guitars—exactly what Oxford Street needs after dark.

Eivør + Ásgeir — Electric Brixton (Tue 23 Sept 2025): Nordic voices, deep atmosphere, and a room built for moody lights and big choruses. If you like haunting melodies, this is your lane. 

Tip: For same-week plans, cross-check listings on Songkick or the venue site before you travel—late schedule tweaks happen.

Brixton is back—here’s what’s lining up

Lord Huron — O2 Academy Brixton (Wed 24 Sept 2025): Cinematic indie folk that blooms in big rooms. Expect shimmering guitars and a crowd that knows every word. Tickets are moving—don’t wait. 

PinkPantheress — O2 Academy Brixton (Sept 2025): Hyper-catchy hooks and UK club DNA, in a hall that loves low-end. A modern London pop moment. (Check the monthly rundown for exact dates and availability.) 

Cian Ducrot — O2 Academy Brixton (Sept 2025): Viral ballads meet live-band lift. If you like heart-on-sleeve choruses, this will hit.

Getting there: Brixton has fast Victoria line links and late buses. Leave early to clear security and grab a good spot. 

Arena-level headliners coming up

If you want the big-screen, pyro-friendly show, The O2 delivers through October:

• The Kooks — The O2 (Sat 11 Oct 2025): Indie anthems you grew up with, sung by tens of thousands. Feel-good and loud.
• ONE OK ROCK — The O2 (Wed 15 Oct 2025): Precision rock with monster choruses; expect tight production and a devoted crowd.
• A.R. Rahman: The Wonderment Tour — The O2 (Thu 16 Oct 2025): A rare chance to experience a global composer’s catalogue with full-scale staging. 
• Little Simz — The O2 (Fri 17 Oct 2025): One of the UK’s sharpest voices levelling up to arena scale—expect immaculate live arrangements.

Pro move: If floor standing sells out, upper-tier side views at The O2 can still feel close and clear. Double-check event pages for any added dates.

North London nights with character

Alexandra Palace (“Ally Pally”) keeps mixing cult favorites and special one-offs. Earlier this year saw names like Dropkick Murphys, Justice, Spiritbox, Maribou State, and Frank Turner—and the calendar keeps turning with new drops, talks, and left-field bookings. Always scan the year view—there’s usually something fresh every month.

Roundhouse (Camden) stays on trend with a tight slate of 2025–26 shows across indie, pop, dance, and alt. It’s the ideal “I want a big night, but not an arena” venue—great sound, great sightlines. Track artists or stalk the What’s On page for late adds.

If you love discovering new favorites

London’s soul lives in its mid-size and small rooms. A few places to keep on your map:

• The 100 Club (Oxford St.) — Punk history, sweaty present. You’ll stand ten feet from tomorrow’s headliner. (See that Black Lips listing above.) 
• Electric Brixton — Club DNA with concert power—perfect for atmospheric pop and heavy-hitting electronic acts.
• Camden & Kentish Town belt — Roundhouse, Electric Ballroom, Kentish Town Forum: a cluster that lets you bounce from pre-show ramen to encore in minutes. Check venue “What’s On” pages weekly. 

How to actually get the tickets (without stress)

1) Track artists + venues: Follow your must-see artists on trackers (e.g., Songkick) and follow venues on socials. Many shows quietly add extra dates when the first night sells out—followers hear first.

2) Use official listings first: Start at the venue page or primary ticket seller to avoid mark-ups and fake seats. The O2 and Academy Music Group maintain up-to-date calendars and add onsale details, door times, and entry rules.

3) Aim for presales: Sign up for artist newsletters and venue memberships. Even one day’s head start can be the difference between face-value seats and reseller prices. (Roundhouse and Ally Pally both announce drops on their sites.) 

4) Be flexible with sections: At arenas, a good side-tier often beats a far-back floor spot. At clubs, arriving when doors open can push you right against the barrier—no VIP needed. 

Make a night of it

• Pre-gig fuel: Brixton has fast-casual eats near the station; Wembley has Boxpark next to OVO Arena; North London has Alexandra Palace’s hillside views for golden-hour pics before doors.
• Last trains: Always check your route home. Brixton sits on the Victoria line; The O2 is on the Jubilee line (North Greenwich). Night buses fill the gaps after midnight.
• Merch math: Card readers aren’t guaranteed at smaller shows—carry a little cash if you’re eyeing that tour tee.

Quick plan: this week into next

• Tonight / this week: Try Pierce The Veil (OVO Arena Wembley), Keyshia Cole + Lil’ Kim (The O2), Black Lips (The 100 Club), or Eivør + Ásgeir (Electric Brixton). Loud, stylish, and easy to reach.
• Next week: Lord Huron at Brixton is a dreamy, sing-with-strangers moment. If you crave pop with a club pulse, keep watch for PinkPantheress updates.
• Next month: Book a big night at The O2—The Kooks, ONE OK ROCK, A.R. Rahman, or Little Simz all bring different flavors to the same world-class room.

Final word

London’s gig calendar is overflowing, and that’s the joy—there’s always one more show to see. Start with the picks above, keep a ticket tab open, and build your week around a night of live music. 

Whether you want arena anthems, moody Nordic melodies, or a chaotic 100 Club pit, the city’s ready when you are.