Submitted by daniel on Tue, 10/10/2023 - 08:00 Picture Image Description The rather splendid Streatham Strut is back this weekend, offering a ton of live music in a host of venues around SW16. The music segment of Streatham Festival, the event runs as a one-day musical “pub crawl” showcasing 10 free live bands along and around Streatham High Street. The route starts in Streatham Hill at 1pm with band 1 playing in venue 1, and then band 2 playing in venue 2, and so on up until 10pm for the final act at The Rabbit Hole down near Streatham Common. The Strut is community-driven, with all the bands having a personal connection to either Streatham or surrounding areas (Tooting, Brixton etc) and it pulls in large crowds every year. This year, the Strut is also sponsored by Brixton Brewery to further strengthen local community links around SW London. Line up Amy Dawn – 1pm Be Wyld (28 Streatham High Rd, London, SW16 1DB) Amy Dawn is a psych-folk singer-songwriter and guitarist whose songs invite you to enter a fantastical dreamscape of fishermen, dolphins, blind birds and purple flowers. She has been performing her music across London for over two years, and this year Morocco Bound Bookshop listed her as one of the five best live acts to see. nkomba, 2pm Perfect Blend (8-9, Streatleigh Parade, Streatham High Rd, London, SW16 1EQ) A contemporary African folk band who play energetic interpretations of traditional Malawian folk music, playing as a duo at this year’s Strut. The band is fronted by Ron Nkomba, who plays guitar and mandolin and sings in English & Chichewa, the national languages of Malawi. nkomba’s songs reflect the variety and heritage of their collective upbringing, which spans Europe, Asia and Africa. Vincent Burke, 3pm El Chicos (62 Streatham Hill, Streatham High Rd, London SW16 1DA) Vincent Burke combines Vincent on guitar and vocals, and Paul on double-bass. We suggest a Strut warm-up with the scary looking second album ‘A Conversation with Fate’ on Spotify, described by Max Reinhardt on BBC Radio 3 as “A fabulous tour-de-force”. Gene Pool and The Shallows, 4pm The Leigham Well (1-3 Wellfield Rd, London SW16 2BT) A surf instrumental band playing classic tunes from the 60’s such as Wipe Out, Pipeline, and Misirlou (Pulp Fiction). All have the same twangy reverb of upbeat beach party dance music. A couple of 80s tunes might even turn up! Everything has danceability, with some eastern and Cossack vibes thrown in. They have recordings on two international surf music compilation albums. The Mayans, 5pm The White Lion (232 Streatham High Rd, London SW16 1BB) The Mayans are an instrumental combo, preaching jazz, funk, soul and Latin vibes. They play tight melodic grooves with an earthy vibe and dig deep into funky and fusion, including original material EP release Cowcatcher. Collective Band CV include artists as diverse as Big Boy Bloater, Paul Westwood Jazz Fx, Janet Kay, Femi Kuti, Barbara Thompson and Candy Staton. Bennett Valuks, 6pm The Manor Arms (13 Mitcham Lane, London, SW16 6LQ) Ian Bennett and Benedict Valuks started making music together in late 2018, brought together through the vibrant south London music scene and a love of alt-folk, finger-style guitar and vocal harmonies. Expect flavours of Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlins, Townes Van Zandt, Simon and Garfunkel, with a tasteful sprinkling of Radiohead and Jeff Buckley, for good measure. White Devil Disco, 7pm (pictured at top of the page) Earl Ferrers (22 Ellora Rd, London, SW16 6JF) Hailing from South East London, White Devil Disco are the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Joseph Pancucci, formerly of the Fat White Family. Get ready for a dense mix of sleaze and grit from the purveyors of a distinctive dark-pop… Brigadé Junk, 8pm The Railway (2 Greyhound Ln, London SW16 5SD) Taking their cue from late 70’s musical powerhouses like The Attractions, Dr Feelgood, and The Clash etc, they attempt to harness the sound and passion of more revolutionary times with the classic power-trio line-up. So, if you like your rock ‘n’ roll, honest, smart, sweat-drenched, and occasionally chaotic, this band is for you! Bilongo, 9pm The Mere Scribbler (426 Streatham High Rd, London, SW16 3PX) Bilongo is steeped in the music of Cuba, playing salsa and other styles that originated there. They play tuneful, rhythmic music that gets everyone up and dancing, as well as beautiful ballads. Upbeat and joyful Latin music with spice – Bilongo gigs have that extra zing! “Qué rico!!” Youthsayers, 10pm The Rabbit Hole (151-153 Greyhound Ln, London, SW16 5NJ) Youthsayers use Jazz, Afrobeat and Reggae as a basis for their amazing performances and ensemble work. The band is fronted by Robin and Idris playing all instruments, and who are incredible mentors helping the young people to own their musical talent. Youthsayers rehearse at St Margaret the Queen in Streatham, and bring professionalism and great vibe to every performance! More details https://streathamfestival.com/ music/ Web Link Bands galore at the Streatham Strut free music festival which is taking place t… BrixtonBuzz