London Zine of Music, Arts and Miscellaneous Happenings. Monthly updates & seasonal physicals.
/ˈpɪnˌdrɒp/
1) adjective describing the silence produced when a performance leaves the audience speechless (ie: one could hear a pin drop)
2) verb to indicate the location of a particular happening
02
___Maria Mihailik 'Album Launch' @ Hopscotch £9.18 Folklore - Maria Mihailik takes to Hopscotch for her debut album launch following a trio of raw, anecdotal single releases. The perfect support coming from Charlie Franklin, who recently released a self titled EP, hitting the heart right where it hurts. A singer-songwriter lineup to mellow out the stress of life, packed to the brim with introspection. No one could resist this chance to feed their soul. tickets
___Hamish / Bexy / Jaxy @ The Lower Third FREE Communion One - An evening of some of the best singer songwriters coming through at the moment. Modern folk can sometimes get a bad wrap after the domination of stomp clap in the early 2010s, however this lineup shows how the genre still has some steam in it. Special shoutout to Jacky, whose latest single “Past Lives” is a must listen with songwriting that is simple but leaves you with a beautiful knot in your stomach. rsvp
03
___Sun God @ Sebright Arms FREE Shout/Scream - There’s a rather eclectic array of acts playing this night. Headlining are duo Sun God with their arp driven electronic music that has sporadic inflections of samples that creates a more laid back interpretation of trance music. Also on the night are London newcomers Popstar who have already opened for My New Band Believe. With linear song structures, odd time signatures and the use of repetition similar to that of minimalist composers such as Steve Reich, they’re singular in sound in the current scene of London bands. rsvp
___Runnner @ St Pancras Old Church £20.3 FORM - Filled with melancholy and beautiful songwriting, Runnner has managed to find the sweet spot between emo and folk. Littered with banjos and harmoniums, Runnners sound feels deeply American whilst remaining universal. tickets
___Laura Misch @ Barbican Hall £23.02 Parallel Lines - Mixing organic and electronic elements, Misch’s work manages to be equally experimental and accessible. With drones, saxophones and synths Misch is heavily inspired by nature. So much so that much of her latest album Lithic came to fruition from field recordings along coasts and within caves. tickets
04
___Good Flying Birds @ Shacklewell Arms £18.7 Bad Vibrations - No they’re not a Noel Gallagher tribute act that’s a Guided by Voices reference you numpty! Unmarked YouTube releases got these Indianapolis jangle rockers noticed and thrown into the spotlight, with this gig marking their London debut. Adorned with sweet vocal harmonies, chiming guitar arpeggios and a thundering rhythm section, their set will have you waggling your booty from side to side. Of course, there is not a more apt band to open than Bristol’s The Cindys! tickets
___Frank Lloyd Wleft's 4th July Party @ Paper Dress Vintage £10 - With his debut album The Actual Kids In Actual America releasing on the 3rd, Frank Lloyd Wleft and his Orchestra bring it to the stage for their third and final annual 4th July Party. Playing the album in full, expect Americana alt-folk that embraces country in the middle of the city. A genre clash to thrill, so no need for a firework display. With support from the one and only Nunhead Elvis, leaving behind karaoke bars to grace the stage, the fall of the American dream has never been so close. tickets
08
___Kevin Morby @ Troxy £37.08 FORM - Coming off the back of the release of his latest album Little Wide Open, Los Angeles based Kevin Morby comes to the capital. Infused with an Americana twang, the folk artist always seems to have an air of nostalgia in his work. Adorned with tales about the midwest, Morby’s songwriting is always simple but still manages to leave an impact. One should hope that he brings his resident bongo player across the pond for this part of his tour. tickets
10
___Ebbb: Shallow Hits @ Next Door Store Two FREE - London trio Ebbb present their debut album on the day of its release to the 75 lucky people who queue first for this intimate Stoke Newington record shop gig. While their sound has grown more poppy and euphoric, this inclination is implictly subverted by their minimalist and experimental sound: a single woozy synth, simple falsetto harmonies, and drums that jump from half-time breakdowns, afro-beat grooves, and rapid breaks. rsvp
11
___The Mumbles: Day of Hell @ New Cross Inn £16.5 Divine Schism - A class lineup culminating in the eclectic noise-pop of Manchester’s The Mumbles. Every song pinballs unexpectedly from catchy, jangling choruses to mathy unison and moments of hardcore chugs, all detailed with a Northern snarl and tales of the contemporary apocalypse. Support throughout the day comes from diverse sources: the otherwordly helium-like vocals of Garden Centre’s Max Levy and a improv set from leather.head to name a couple! tickets
13
___Pindrop Presents: Folk In-The-Round @ Venue MOT £4 / 6 / 7 - After a last minute postponement due to the Great Fire of Bermondsey, we've rescheduled our night of beautiful tunes from some of our favourite London-based acts IN THE ROUND! We’ve got the Last Whole Earth Catalogue headlining, who are haunting and so damn good. Emily Izen Row is on main support, bringing stellar folk accompanied by a full band, while Ropeburn take on post folk with chiming open-tuned guitars, trumpet and banjo in hand. Last but certainly not least is Fionnuala Mary Bradbury, a brilliant singer songwriter with stellar songs that'll make you weep. tickets
14
___Pindrop Presents: TBA @ Windmill Brixton £6
16
___Lydia Lunch & Marc Hurtado play SUICIDE and Alan Vega @ MOTH Club £26.15 Bad Vibrations - Following on from the Big Sexy Noise reunion earlier this year, legendary no-wave siren Lydia Lunch is now partnering with French experimental figurehead Marc Hurtado to pay tribute to the genius of Alan Vega and Martin Rev. Promising to be a visceral visual and audio experience, support comes from Nuha Ruby Ra, whose ritualistic industrial work will undoubtedly fit right in. tickets
17
___Braid @ The Dome £29 Pink Mist - The Illinois 2nd-wave emo legends cross the Atlantic for the first time in 13 years to show us how it's really done. Stretch out those calves, for Braid’s powerful dual vocal refrains have been corralling energetic pogo-ing since 1994. With the 2026 indie scene marking an overindulgence with those moody, unstable add9 chords, pay your respects to the forefathers! tickets
20
___Tracey Nelson @ George Tavern £10 - If you consider yourself a big fan of the alt-country bands that defined a good chunk of 2025, this is definitely one to check out. Finally venturing over to the UK on a week-long tour, Tracey Nelson comes to grace the George Tavern. Behind his music, MJ Lenderman produces and sings on a few of his tracks as well as Wednesday’s Karly Hartzman providing vocals. With material to really play on nostalgia, he brings over with him a voice to drift you through the height of summer. tickets
21
___Faraquet @ The Dome £30.21 FORM - If you missed tickets for their instantly sold out Lexington show on the 20th, don’t fret, for DC math-rock stars Faraquet play an upgraded second night up in Tufnell Park. After dropping their singular album The View From This Tower on Ian Mackaye’s Dishcord Records and then dipping, the group’s following became cult-like. The trio made as much noise as 3 people could – inspired by both ’70s prog and the alternative Amercian scene, they jumped between delicate chords, intricate rhythms, and biting, noisy breakdowns. tickets
22
___swimming pool @ George Tavern £7.5 - Having hopped around the continent for their backlog of gigs, Swimming Pool bring their music to London this summer. Their latest EP Line Cuts highlights their calm and patiently produced soundscaping. Airy ambience mixed with a shoegaze sound; the duo are a harmonious combo of digitised experimentation and gentle vocals. tickets
___Painted Bird @ The Greyhound £7 Hideous Mink - Opus Kink frontman, Angus Rogers leads a revolving cast of acoustic instrumentalists in this alternative outfit. With a sound that passes between traditional folk and Bowie esque psychedelia. Rogers flaunts a beautifully haunting voice and lyrics that could make Bukowski blush. Lets hope he plays ‘Peckham’ in Peckham. tickets
23
___Dolly Thorne @ Shacklewell Arms FREE Bad Vibrations - Have you recently become obsessed with stilettos, neon, and polka-dots? Well you aren’t the only one – find sisterhood in the unapologetic electropop of Dolly Thorne. Her best tune, ‘What’s That Sound?’ opens with a catchy riff and glistening shoegaze backing that would have you screaming at any indie disco. Yet just when you think the track is winding down it bursts into the most audacious, side-chained pumping club chorus. Is it too much? Yes. Is it just the right amount? Yes. rsvp
24-26
___James Moss’ Haus Show Fest @ Secret Location £5 - If you’ll permit the Marvel metaphor, James Moss always manages to assemble the Avengers of London’s underground scenes for homespun fundraisers with great causes. The Haus Show Fest goes a step further, it raises money for Palestine across 3 days and unfolding over 6 stages. You won’t want to miss this ridiculously stacked lineup (which is too long to list), so keep an eye on James’ IG for further location details over the coming days. details
25
___East London Block Party @ Various Venues £16 / 20 - Year after year, East London Block Party demonstrates what a lineup should look like. Their curation is unmatched, whether choosing big hitters like Blue Bendy, SILVERWINGKILLER, and thistle., or having their finger on the rising pulse of London acts like Potato, Wing!, and MM’99! The full list will have you scurrying across Hackney, eager not to miss a single set. tickets
30
___Kissing on Camera Residency #3 @ Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes £7.5 Too Bright To See - Dublin-founded 4-piece, Kissing on Camera made quite the enormous splash with their 2025 EP, Baby Names. Now they continue to prove that London is exactly where they belong, as they return for their third and final show of their three date residency at Jaguar Shoes. Expect emo-pop-punk with some dark, catchy lyricism and plenty of gritty guitar noise. Check out support from Pindrop faves Sunglasz Vendor! tickets
by NF
As is the case with many opening acts, Nico, Linus, and band arrived on stage to a floor speckled with faces. Many of the ticket holders were still on their way, and a steady flow of stamps were being administered on the door. Taking the stage decked in a nostalgic look, both Nico and Linus are rocking the classic '70s pornstar tash. Their in-band communication is whittled down to a Morse code of glances and nods, cultured through their time in the jazz group Oreglo, with Nico&Linus hurling their way into the first song in synchronicity. The floor which is yet to be filled grows cosier within the first few notes. They start with a piece so jumpy that the crowd can't help but mirror it, bouncing around with the same energy flung into the room. The band embraces a refreshing and completely unexpected prog-rock style whilst sewing in yacht-rock forward acoustics... the tashes begin to feel more at home. Just as they chant ‘Milkman, Milkman’ to the backing of an absurdist mash, the song transitions into mellow guitar with a funky rhythm, at once precise and yet self-assuredly free. The setlist continues, the next song falling into a pacing beat–one which morphs into an addictive jingle moments later. It's a whiplash of sounds, all brought together by the guitar and vocalist duo melting their voices into one.
Myer U Clark takes to the stage next, accompanied by a harmonium, a keyboard and a laptop. Unexpectedly for a singer-songwriter, he reaches for the laptop first, with an unfamiliar song which plays as if plucked straight from a SoundCloud rapper's demos. A nervous Myer sings along to the track like it's a karaoke performance, encouraging the audience to sing along. Myer’s karaoke ‘bit’ feels nonsensical at first but endears itself over the set: because the crowd eventually fall in on the joke with him, it makes for a more intimate affair. He loses all idea of awkwardness as he falls into his first song. This is where he thrives; his voice is so gentle and truly genuine in its delivery, you can tell he feels his lyrics so intimately with every performance. Like his stage presence, the guitar playing on his song titled ‘Make a Bet’ is spritely and playful. It’s all beautifully backed by well-controlled harmonium playing, becoming the breath of the song.
To headline the night, Skydaddy surrounds himself with a 5-piece band. All grounds are covered, a violin, saxophone and a flute to top it all off. With the band’s line check, alongside previous knowledge of Skydaddy’s discography, it's clear that the composition will be complex. The crowd swarms, and along with the Windmill’s somewhat inconvenient column layout, spots with a view are coveted. In this case, the band builds enough of a world, making up for what it lacks in visuals with a passion that immerses you in its welcoming sincerity. From the beginning of the set, the songs venture on long, winding journeys that the piano narrates. Some pieces start to climb and then breezily acclimate to more mellow, floaty areas of the setlist. Exploration prevails through the comfortability that the musicians radiate. The music builds, elevated by the saxophonist, who is gradually increasing tempo. The band’s collective intensity follows as the frontman, Rachid Fakhre, gives way to the climax of the song. Goosebumps rise in the crowd. The flute flitters over the accelerated pace and shines a light of optimism into the grasping intensity that begins to overwhelm. Fahkre’s voice fights its way back into the composition. As if they’ve been used as a booster for the band to reach its peak, the vocals lose their way to the crowd. Suffering only temporarily, the band and the heartfelt, intricate lyricism find a cohesion that thrives. With two EPs and a myriad of singles, their experience shines through; the band’s knowledge of each other makes for a set that feels well understood by the people on stage and completely embraced by the crowd watching.
by BW
Despite this gig commemorating the release of their second EP, nothing happens, tonight is a night of firsts for French-London four-piece Huarinami. Not only is it their first time playing the George, but it’s also their inaugural headline show of 2026. Perhaps most exciting, though, is the debut of a swathe of new merch which includes Huarinami-branded coffee brewed by drummer Romain. What isn’t new is the sense of community they carry to each and every show. It’s infectious within the George’s baking four walls, the band consistently flanked by a gaggle of friends, family and fans growing to a hulking mass of Huaranamiheads by the time they hit the stage.
Before that, RAT open the night with a stripped-back set of skeletal R&B. Duo Rachel and Atlantis (see what they did there?) are still in the early throes of gigging, so there are a few hiccups and general reservations from the pair that make their way through their softly-spindled guitar work. But it’s delivered with an endearing honesty and humour that makes their time on stage feel more akin to being in the company of good friends (who are also fantastic harmonists). Mr Beale follows, veering us over to a strait of ruminative electronica mantras. Having been previously unfamiliar with them, the moments where mastermind Ellie Beale shows off her truly formidable pipes are surprising counterweights to the cloudy ambient textures that brew below. Likewise, her clarinet chops display another intriguing subversion. Most present on recent single ‘Overhead’, it adds a unique timbre to their oeuvre.
Luckily, it’s not the last wind instrument showcase of the night. That comes in the form of Huarinami finally taking to the stage, with lead singer Pauline Janier flute in hand. Later in the set, she confesses that she’s getting over a cold, but whether it’s through the branded coffee or sheer willpower, she somehow seems more energised than ever. When she’s not ripping woodwind solos or joining in on guitar, she’s in the midst of the crowd, the Pied Piper of the George leading its denizens into dance. Perhaps this burst of activity is also due to the riotous psych energy of nothing happens, its entirety peppering the setlist tonight. ‘FUN’ and ‘Tasty’ are both motorik expressways to your skull, whilst the angular riffage of ‘Carried Away’ explodes with a kiss-off of “fuck it!” before hurtling into a wah-infested solo courtesy of guitarist Kevin Siou.
One of the true joys of seeing Huarinami live is their propensity for lysergic jamming, sadly shortened on much of their studio material. Cutting loose from its simmering recorded counterpart, ‘Tell the Difference’ revels in the entire band’s kinetic interplay: Timi Rabarjoelina’s tart basslines; Siou’s neck-scaling guitar heroics; Romain Berton’s syncopated backbeats; and Janier’s flute snake-charming its way into the ether. Siou even sneaks a snatch of the riff Geese’s ‘Trinidad’ somewhere into the maelstrom. Throughout, Rabarjoelina’s faces are a tapestry of the pure passion of playing, echoed vicariously in the mass circling the stage. After a rapturous call for one more song, they close with an encore of early single ‘Work It Out’, a jangly respite that acts as an understated finish. Basking in the sea of ‘H’s the audience’s hands offer in between applause, it feels like both a culmination and beginning of something even bigger for the band.
by OS
Deep down in the underbelly of Jaguar Shoes Hoxton, a dim, concrete crypt lies still as folk begin to trickle in from the streetside smoking area. They are here to see a lineup of indietronica, but the buzz feels strongly channelled in the direction of North London duo, If I Was a Pony. Marwan and Zia, both creative and romantic partners, take to the floor-level stage with no pretension or even a noticeable level of excitement. Marwan throws the strap of his acoustic guitar over his shoulder and begins fiddling with his MacBook, while Zia takes her place in front of a synthesiser with a deadpan expression. Their lack of bravado feels intentional. The now sizeable crowd stands surprisingly silent; a few polite murmurs echo around the concrete walls, but it’s as if even the simple routine of stepping into place had struck a pleasant chord with the audience, who are now entirely transfixed on the duo.
The first backing track kicks in, and the sound of Marwan bashing the living daylights out of his sunburst acoustic immediately creates a texture that is entirely unique. With this raw physical energy its final ingredient, If I Was a Pony have absolute control over the room. The carefully crafted track along with Zia’s synth holds down the airy, laptop-twee texture while Marwan’s guitar playing brings a chaotic element that suspends the sound between digital and analogue. At the core of If I Was a Pony is the songwriting: the duo shows that beneath the glitchy synth loops is a real sense of melodic intent, pop songs fuelled by both melancholy as well as a healthy injection of fun. Above all, the songs are sweet. The understated chemistry between the pair as they exchange vocals is moving, feeling as if the duo had stumbled across a corner of pop music that fits them perfectly, and therefore the authenticity of the performance is impossible to question.
Following on from The Ponies, are Montreal experimental digi-duo, 17 Sport, who throw raw and physical energy at the audience, writhing around the floor whilst belting dissonant harmonies. The room, buttered up by If I Was a Pony’s half-hour of sweetness, don’t feel particularly warm towards them, reducing in faces. With voices unbalanced against the backing track the room are left a little underwhelmed. A couple of devotees at the front are certainly anchoring 17 Sport – the performance is impressive but lacks the warm buzz underpinning the previous act. Where If I Was a Pony drew the room inwards, 17 Sport felt as if they were doing the opposite, their harsher edges not quite landing in a space that had already been softened by something more delicate. There is, however, something admirable in their refusal to smooth themselves out. Their set is confrontational and physically committed, even if it never quite finds the same connection with the room. By the time their set is over and the basement starts to empty, it is clear the night’s most affecting moment had already passed quite some time ago. If I Was a Pony were a digi-twee delight.
BW
___Ostia (The Death of Pasolini) by Coil (UK, 1986)
___T.D.F.T.W by Xiu Xiu (US, 2024)
___Wound Nurse by MPTL Microplastics (UK, 2026)
NF
___Black Cherry Liqueur by Silver Gore (UK, 2026)
___Soukora by Ali Farka Touré, Ry Cooder (Mali, 1994)
___Fish by Daniel Johnston, Mark Linkous (US, 2003)
OS
___Strayed by Slapp Happy (UK, 1975)
___Underground by Ben Folds Five (US, 1995)
___Take the Rose by Spineless and Conniving (UK, 2025)
SE
___The Wah Watusi by The Orlons (US, 1962)
___Just by Max Winter, Tony Bontana (UK, 2026)
___Corduroy by The Wedding Present (UK, 1990)
Pindrop is BW, EM, GKA, JK, JR, MLT, NF, OS, SE, TM
Contact us at @pindropzine (instagram) and pindropzine@gmail.com (email)