London might be at panic stations once again as we head towards Christmas with the looming spectre of the latest Coronavirus variant on our backs, but let’s not make this all doom and gloom! If we can navigate our way successfully through the next few months, then we can start looking forward to some spectacular cultural events for 2022.

Yes, when the air clears and the sun is back out, next summer we can all enjoy some seriously good live music across the capital. Here are five fast-selling gigs that our editorial team have picked out for you to enjoy.

Black Midi at Somerset House – Wednesday July 13^th 2022

Formed at the BRIT School performing arts centre in Croydon in 2017, and with their craft refined in the crucible of one of south London’s best independent venues, The Windmill in Brixton, Black Midi are unique. You might call them post-rock, avant-garde, punk, or experimental. Or you might forget trying to put them in a box and just listen instead. They are playing at Somerset House on the Strand in July along with Speedy Wunderground label mates, Squid. It will be superb. Go along and listen out for mesmeric early single, Bmmbmmbmm.

The Killers at The Emirates Stadium – Friday June 3^rd 2022

It’s hard to believe that Las Vegas rockers The Killers and their charismatic front man, Brandon Flowers, have been with us for two decades now. After something of a hiatus in the 2010s, with the exception of a Christmas collection, Don’t Waste Your Wishes back in 2016, they returned in style with their 2020 Imploding the Mirage album. The only place to see them live is in a stadium setting where the epic quality mega hits like Mr Brightside and All These Things That I’ve Done can be fully appreciated. So, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in early June 2022 should make the perfect setting then!

The Flaming Lips at Kentish Town Forum – Thursday June 2^nd 2022

Psychedelic rock group, The Flaming Lips formed back in the 1980s and achieved a cult status on the alternative circuit in the States before achieving more widespread success with albums like The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in the 1990s and 2000s. Following a collection of Nick Cave covers released in November 2021 they are back out on tour and play the Forum in June 2022. Their live shows can be spectacular with amazing light shows and stage sets. Their Glastonbury sets in 2003 and 2017 are the stuff of legend!

ABBA – Saturday May 28^th 2022

If you love ABBA’s perfect pop music but you weren’t alive in the 1970s then don’t worry! You can live the full live ABBA experience by checking out the ABBA Voyage residency at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London in summer 2022. This isn’t ABBA as they are now. No, this is ABBA as they were in 1977 thanks to … ABBAtar technology. Fans will be watching four virtual versions of the Swedish pop sensations performing 22 songs including hits like Dancing Queen, Winner Takes It All and Thank You For The Music. And who can resist that? ABBA Voyage starts on May 27^th 2022 and goes on for five week and counting. This could well be a trend setter. Imagine re-forming any band from history you can think of?!

Beck at 02 Academy Brixton on Thursday 16^th June

LA’s super cool, super innovative and just … super Beck’s career has spanned close to 30 years and has taken in everything from hip hop and funk to country and psychedelia. Perhaps best known for his early hit Loser and his second album, Odelay, there is plenty more to discover in later work like the acoustic Morning Phase and minimalist Hyper Space. Beck will be playing at the Brixton Academy on June 16^th where you can expect an eclectic and packed song list from every part of his career.

But What If These Gigs Don’t Go Ahead?

We are optimistic as ever here, but of course we should be realistic too.

As news of the fast-spreading Omicron virus breaks across the UK there is some talk about the possibility of another lockdown to ease pressure on the NHS and reduce casualties. If that is the case, then there are no guarantees that these gigs will go ahead. We recommend that you keep that in mind when considering booking tickets.

Hopefully as the winter gives way to spring and summer then any restrictions will be eased. If not, then we all have to look to other ways to enjoy our music. In the drastic circumstances of being locked in for the summer (god forbid) you can always live it large on  video games like Guitar Hero, or suck up some rock tuneage on the latest musical slot games, like Wild Flower, featuring the classic 80s song from The Cult, or alternatively just sit back and enjoy re-runs of your favourite gigs on You Tube!

In the meantime, don’t forget to keep up to date with all the latest events going on in London on our What’s On page.