Budapest is in full swing. Starting with tonight, here we recommend ten live shows for you to catch this autumn, from a drum and bass legend to the new darlings of the Leeds indie scene.
1/10
Calexico and Iron & Wine
Founded in the mid-’90s, indie Tex-Mexers Calexico and Iron & Wine, aka Sam Beam of South Carolina, have worked together several times. In 2005, they produced the seven-track EP In the Reins, and Beam co-authored several Calexico albums, also working on a song for the Bob Dylan movie, I'm Not There. Finally, they decided it was time to record and album, and Years to Burn was released in the summer of 2019. This brings us to Müpa, and a night of authentic alt-folk not to be missed.
12 November, 8pm Müpa
Tickets: from 3,300 HUF
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2/10
Movits!
A steel town and hub of the so-called Node Pole of data traffic, Luleå on the bleak northern coast of Sweden is not renowned for its music scene. Therefore, it’s doubly pleasing for Budapest to welcome back Luleå’s Movits! – triply, in fact, as this will be the third time that this danceable band play here. On offer is an original cocktail of hip hop, jazz and pop. It’s all done with a comic twist – after all, they are from Luleå.
14 November, 9pm A38 Ship Tickets: advance 3,500 HUF, on the door 4,500 HUF
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3/10
Andy C & Dillinja
Celebrating 20 years of local party promoters Bladerunnaz (‘The home of Budapest bass music’), this is a very special occasion indeed, which is exactly why they have invited over drum and bass king Andy C. The UK’s permanently baseball-capped DJ was the first in the genre to sell out Wembley Arena in three days and here offers an exclusive three-hour set. Backing him will be Brixton DJ and producer Dillinja, another veteran of the drum-and-bass scene.
15 November, 11.30pm Akvárium Klub Tickets: advance 4,990 HUF, on the door 5,990 HUF
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4/10
Huun-Huur-Tu
Describing their music as ‘the degrees of separation of the light rays as the sun rises over the plains of Tuva’ – not many bands say that, actually – Huun-Huur-Tu are that rare breed, throat singers from the Russia-Mongolia border. You may think that all singing comes from the throat, but not a bit of it – these boys sing both the note and the overtones, producing two or three notes simultaneously. The overtone may sound like a flute, whistle or bird, but is solely a product of the human voice. Huun-Huur-Tu also experiment with Western instruments and electronic music, and have worked with the likes of Ry Cooder and the the Chieftains.
_radio=1 17 November, 7pm Fonó Club Tickets: advance 4,000 HUF, on the door 4,500 HUF
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5/10
The Gaslamp Killer
Named after the red-light district of San Diego where he first started out DJing, The Gaslamp Killer (aka William Bensussen) spins and produces from his LA base. Releasing double-vinyl LP Instrumentalepathy, TGK now brings his alt-hip hop, psychedelic/ethnic sounds to Europe, his performances something akin to a spiritual experience.
22 November, 10pm Dürer Kert Tickets: advance 3,500 HUF, on the door 4,500 HUF
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6/10
Tudósok
Showcasing their new 15-track album Yet I Will Laugh, recorded here on the A38 Ship, underground stalwarts Tudósok led by joker-in-chief drMáriás play a funk-laden romp of bitter social critique. No political leader is safe, no taboo too taboo. Providing support are Szentendre four-piece, the Blue Tips.
23 November, 7.30pm A38 Ship Tickets: advance 1,500 HUF, on the door 2,500 HUF
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7/10
WIVES
The quite wonderful WIVES hark back to the glory days of the Pixies, conjuring cranked-up post-punk noise and witty lyricism from Queens. Queens as in The Ramones. Formed by DIIV guitarist Andrew Bailey and fronted by Jay Beach, this quartet have just released their first album, So Removed, and now take it on the road, calling in for a debut show in Budapest. The concert is being hosted by the A38 Ship but staged in the small hall of the Dürer Kert – those lucky enough to be here should brace themselves for an intimate aural onslaught.
24 November, 8pm Dürer Kert Tickets: advance 1,900 HUF, on the door 2,500 HUF
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8/10
Mark Lanegan Band
The very voice of grunge, Mark Lanegan has released 11 albums so far, coming to Budapest with his latest, Somebody’s Knocking. He began his career with Screaming Trees in the mid-’80s, then was a member of Queens of the Stone Age, co-starred with Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic, and duetted with Moby. His autobiography, Sing Backwards And Weep, inspired by his great friend, the late Anthony Bourdain, is due for publication in 2020 – until then, there’s this scorching live show to look forward to.
25 November 25, 7pm Dürer Kert Tickets: advance 5,500 HUF, on the door 6,000 HUF
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9/10
Drahla
This fierce Leeds post-punk three-piece are the new darlings on the indie circuit, releasing a strong debut album in May 2019. These great northern hopes now embark on a European tour, showcasing the tunes on acclaimed Useless Coordinates to new audiences, swapping instruments on stage and showing their life-long dedication to original 1976 art punksters Wire.
26 November, 7pm Dürer Kert Tickets: advance 2,000 HUF, on the door 2,500 HUF
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10/10
Pannonia Allstars Ska Orchestra
To start the weekend with a swing, you can do little better than dance yourself doolally with the Pannonia Allstars Ska Orchestra, an invigorating mélange of Jamaican rhythms, Gypsy tones and quite unbelievable energy. Lord Panamo and his PASO crew have torn up stages from here to deepest Ukraine and back, and now return to home turf for a wee knees-up. Bring springy shoes.
