October gig guide

Temper Trap @ Hammersmith Apollo on October 4

Australia’s indie-rockers The Temper Trap are back on tour in the UK after the release of their self-titled second album. The Melbourne natives, who relocated to London in 2008, were in the top 15 of BBC's Sound of 2009, so be sure to listen out for the festival anthem Sweet Disposition from the same year, as well as their new material. With London-based folk singer-songwriter Eugene McGuiness, equally swaggering and soulful, having also just been announced as the supporting act, you’re in for a treat.

Hammersmith Apollo, 45 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9QH hammersmithapollo.com

Marina & Diamonds @ HMV Forum on October 11

Welsh songstress Marina and the Diamonds’ first album The Family Jewels was an instant hit, and her new offering Electra Heart has followed in its poppy footsteps. Not shy of a wacky outfit or two, the recently rescheduled Lonely Hearts Club Tour (Marina suffered vocal chord problems earlier in the year) is sure to be worth the wait.

HMV Forum, Kentish Town, 9-17 Highgate Road, Kentish Town, London, NW5 1JY hmvforum.com

Bat for Lashes @ HMV Forum on October 29

Brightonian Natasha Khan returns under her stage name and to her UK roots with a tour to coincide with the release of her third album The Haunted Man on October 15. The talented pop-folk multi-instrumentalist and lyricist, who, apart from supporting Coldplay on their 2010 South American tour and collaborating with Beck on the soundtrack to the Twilight Eclipse film, has kept out of the limelight since her second album Two Suns in 2009, so listen out for new material as well as old favourites such as Daniel and Sleep Alone.

HMV Forum, Kentish Town, 9-17 Highgate Road, Kentish Town, London, NW5 1JY hmvforum.com

Azealia Banks @ Shepherds Bush Empire on October 12

Harlem-born rapper and new kid on the block Azealia has grabbed the attention of critics and fans alike with her potty-mouthed lyrics. An example of the digital download revolution, her single 212 shot her to fame, and with her debut album expected in early 2013 this is the perfect opportunity to see the feisty 22-year-old before she really hits the big time.

Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Shepherd's Bush Green, W12 8TT o2shephardsbushempire.co.uk

Django Django (supporting Hot Chip) @ O2 Academy Brixton on October 19

Fresh from their electrifying Bestival show, psychedelic quartet Django Django return to the smaller venues to bring you their hypnotic rhythms. Their headline shows at Heaven at the end of October have long been sold out, so why not catch them supporting fellow electronica group Hot Chip at O2 Academy Brixton? Get ready for a large dose of electronic beats and prepare to dance hard.

O2 Academy Brixton, 211 Stockwell Road, SW9 9SL, o2academybrixton.co.uk

Kyla La Grange @ Scala, King’s Cross on October 9

Watford-born Cambridge graduate Kyla La Grange has made a name for herself as a goth-folk wunderkind. Fusing the bellow of Florence, the drama of Anna Calvi and the folk of Mumford and Sons, the 24-year-old has a unique aesthetic and certainly can’t be pigeonholed. So far she’s only played small festivals such as Strawberry Fields this year and other intimate shows such as The Guardian’s New Band of the Day showcase, so don’t miss the chance to see her before she starts playing the bigger venues.

Scala, 275-277 Pentonville Road, King´s Cross, N1 9NL scala-london.co.uk

Radiohead @ O2 Arena on October 8 & 9

They're back. The Oxfordshire big hitters are coming back to the UK led by Thom Yorke after their North American tour for eighth album The King of Limbs, and after a summer playing huge festival performances at Coachella and Fuji Rock. Expect to hear a wealth of old material from Paranoid Android through to In Rainbows' 15 Step, and even some newbies; Identikit and Cut A Hole have been making appearances in their recent set lists - make sure you're among the first to sample them live.

The O2 Arena, Peninsula Square, Greenwich, SE10 0DX theo2.co.uk

Cheryl @ O2 Arena on October 7

The is she/isn’t she X Factor rumours are doing the rounds yet again, but everyone’s favourite Geordie lass is back doing what she does best with her A Million Lights tour. Expect club floor-fillers such as Call My Name as well as oldies Fight For This Love and Promise This.

The O2 Arena, Peninsula Square, Greenwich, SE10 0DX theo2.co.uk

Scissor Sisters @ Roundhouse, Camden on October 24

New York’s Scissor Sisters have proven that they’re the kings (and queen) of electro and glam pop. Since their hugely popular self-titled debut album in 2004, they have enjoyed numerous festival appearances around the world, so it is perhaps a good opportunity to see the band in a smaller venue; you’ll certainly be able to see the band’s extravagant costumes and experience Jake Shears’ endless stream of energy here.

The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH roundhouse.org.uk