This Month in Local Live Acts: October

Looking for local gigs to go to when you’re back in Southampton? Here are our top picks for the month, listing a number of great gigs to check out in October – at a range of prices, venues, and styles.

Who? The Boy with Tape on his Face
Where? The Point, Eastleigh
When? Saturday 8th October
Why? Part cabaret, part theatre, all comedy, but without the chat. Hilarious comedy, the kind that I promise will make you laugh so hard you snort and then break your heart with the beauty of it. He’s kinda genius. Tickets are £16 from here.

Who? Peter And The Test Tube Babies
Where? The Talking Heads, Southampton
When? Friday 14th October
Why? This punk rock band from Brighton have been around since the late 70s, with tongue-in-cheek humorous lyrics that are still being written and released even after 13 albums and nearly 40 years. Shouty, boozy, offensive and sure to be an entertaining night (at only £10)!

Who? Twin Atlantic
Where? Portsmouth Pyramids Centre, Portsmouth
When? Friday 14th October
Why? If drunken punk rock isn’t your thing, over in Portsmouth, pop punk/alt rock boys Twin Atlantic are also playing. In June, Annie Mac premiered their song ‘No Sleep’ as the Hottest Record in the World on BBC Radio 1, and their new album GLA is out now, giving you plenty of time to get into the Scots before mid-October – tickets are £16 and available here.

Who? The Hyena Kill
Where? Notes Café, Southampton
When? Friday 16th October
Why? Appearing at one of the coolest cafés in Southampton, the ‘proud cows on acid’ will be there as part of their headline tour – which is VERY exciting as they hail from Manchester, and along with Bath, this is one of their only southern dates. Go and show these bluesey, stoner rock/punk guys some love if you’re able to make it because tickets are only £5.50 (and the café does really great coffee).

Who? Birdy
Where? O2 Guildhall, Southampton
When? Friday 21st October
Why? Punk and rock not your thing? Then maybe Birdy will be for you! She’s a singer/songwriter whose career started just aged 12, and she’s done so many cool things – from having her cover of Bon Iver’s ‘Skinny Love’ feature on The Vampire Diaries and going on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to sing it, to contributing songs to the soundtracks for YA adaptations The Fault In Our Stars and The Hunger Games. Tickets are £25.

Who? You Me At Six
Where? O2 Guildhall, Southampton
When? Sunday 23rd October
Why? Rock band You Me At Six are returning after a year and a half hiatus. They’re always selling out venues and have previously toured with the likes of Fall Out Boy, 30 Seconds to Mars and Paramore. Their first album since 2013, Night People, is coming out in 2017. Tickets are available here for £26.00 but they’re bound to sell out soon if the other dates are anything to go by.

Who? Mark Thomas
Where? Nuffield Theatre, Southampton
When? Saturday 22nd October
Why? Satirical and political comedian Mark Thomas is hitting Southampton in his ‘Red Shed’ tour this month. He’s exploring the arena where he started stand-up comedy – a red wooden shed in Wakefield, the Labour club. It wouldn’t be Mark if there wasn’t a twist on the show and he’ll be getting the audience involved to recreate the shed and inhabitants. Theatre, stand-up, activism. “It’s the story of the battle for hope and the survival of a community.” Tickets are £12 for students (£16 otherwise) and available here.

Who? Black Foxxes
Where? The Joiners, Southampton
When? Wednesday 26th October
Why? Aiming to play what they want as loudly as they possibly can with zero gimmicks involved, the south west band already have the attention of Kerrang!, The Independent and Punktastic, despite their short career. They’ve had continuous support from BBC Introducing in Devon, and their tracks have also been gaining popularity at BBC Radio 1. Their melodies and vocals are great and are even better live – definitely one to watch. And at £7!